"Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." Ephesians 5:15
We have come again to another 9/11 anniversary, and it's hard to grasp that it has been 11 years since that fateful day. Though I understand that it is important to remember, I still find it hard to see the pictures and watch the news programs recalling that day. I'm sure we all share the same dull ache that 11 years hasn't erased.
Do you remember how 9/11 awakened the church for a short season? Church attendance was up, Bibles were being worn out, prayer meetings were packed, and many hearts were stirred and waiting upon the Lord. It was as if an alarm clock went off and the church was awakened and was sincerely seeking the Lord. Sadly, it didn't take long for us to hit the snooze button and go back into a slumber.
It seems to be in our nature to have short spiritual attention spans, we have quick spurts of being "on fire", and brief seasons of spiritual discipline, then we are lulled or distracted and wane in our walks.
The day calls for us to be wide awake, these are not days to be caught snoozing. We are to arise and be alert and ready, we need to be consistent and steady in our relationship with the Lord.
We should not need a 9/11 type event to wake us up, the alarm is still blaring! We should be bright eyed as we consider the Lord's soon return. Do you feel like nodding off? Give ear to the cry of the Spirit, "awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead."
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Stayed or Distracted?
"You will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon You, because he trusts in You"
Isaiah 26:3
Last week we held our church Vacation Bible School in a local park. It was my joy and challenge to teach first and second graders. The joy part was the open hearts and energy of these young ones, the challenge was to keep their attention, especially outdoor in a very busy park.
On one occasion I was making an extremely important point and it seemed all the children were tracking with me. A girl raised her hand and I called on her and waited for a deep heartfelt question. I didn't get a question, but a comment, she pointed to the left of our group and told us that a dog over there just went potty. Every head turned, some laughed, some said gross, and I lost all of them. The girl wasn't trying to distract, or cause the other children to stumble, she was being a first grader and her attention was drawn away, her mind was not stayed. Frankly we expect that from young children in a busy park, and the dog was pretty big!
I have to wonder if the Lord looks at us like we are first and second graders. We are so easily and quickly distracted and drawn away from being stayed upon Him. It can be by trials or joys, but it seems far to simple for us to turn away and lose our focus on the Lord.
Stayed means to be fixed or established, to rest upon or lean on. The Lord's promise is to keep us in His perfect peace when we are stayed upon Him. Have you been distracted? Has your attention been drawn away from the Lord? Set your focus back on the One who brings perfect peace.
Isaiah 26:3
Last week we held our church Vacation Bible School in a local park. It was my joy and challenge to teach first and second graders. The joy part was the open hearts and energy of these young ones, the challenge was to keep their attention, especially outdoor in a very busy park.
On one occasion I was making an extremely important point and it seemed all the children were tracking with me. A girl raised her hand and I called on her and waited for a deep heartfelt question. I didn't get a question, but a comment, she pointed to the left of our group and told us that a dog over there just went potty. Every head turned, some laughed, some said gross, and I lost all of them. The girl wasn't trying to distract, or cause the other children to stumble, she was being a first grader and her attention was drawn away, her mind was not stayed. Frankly we expect that from young children in a busy park, and the dog was pretty big!
I have to wonder if the Lord looks at us like we are first and second graders. We are so easily and quickly distracted and drawn away from being stayed upon Him. It can be by trials or joys, but it seems far to simple for us to turn away and lose our focus on the Lord.
Stayed means to be fixed or established, to rest upon or lean on. The Lord's promise is to keep us in His perfect peace when we are stayed upon Him. Have you been distracted? Has your attention been drawn away from the Lord? Set your focus back on the One who brings perfect peace.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Happy Dependence Day
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36
Some of my fondest memories of the Fourth of July go back to my childhood days. All of the families on East Santa Fe street in Fullerton, would close down the street for a huge block party. It was wonderful, we had tons of burgers, and hot dogs, corn on the cob, water balloons, and baseballs. If I close my eyes and concentrate, I can almost catch the sweet smell of the grills mixed with the powder from the fireworks. I haven't been to a block party for many years, but I still love the Fourth and all it stands for.
As we enjoy the trappings of the Fourth, it is important to remember with thanks, the boldness and courage of our forefathers, who at great cost declared our independence from England. So, be patriotic, fly the flag and celebrate the liberties and freedoms of this blessed land.
As the Fourth stirs us to celebrate our freedoms, it is important to also remember greatest freedom of all, that freedom purchased for us by Jesus Christ. On this holiday we will speak of freedom and connect it to our independence. Our truest freedom is very much opposite of that, for our real freedom comes not from independence, but from total dependence upon Christ.
On the day that we call Independence Day and celebrate the freedom of a nation, let us also remember the greatest freedom of all and declare once again our dependence upon Jesus.
Happy Dependence Day!
Some of my fondest memories of the Fourth of July go back to my childhood days. All of the families on East Santa Fe street in Fullerton, would close down the street for a huge block party. It was wonderful, we had tons of burgers, and hot dogs, corn on the cob, water balloons, and baseballs. If I close my eyes and concentrate, I can almost catch the sweet smell of the grills mixed with the powder from the fireworks. I haven't been to a block party for many years, but I still love the Fourth and all it stands for.
As we enjoy the trappings of the Fourth, it is important to remember with thanks, the boldness and courage of our forefathers, who at great cost declared our independence from England. So, be patriotic, fly the flag and celebrate the liberties and freedoms of this blessed land.
As the Fourth stirs us to celebrate our freedoms, it is important to also remember greatest freedom of all, that freedom purchased for us by Jesus Christ. On this holiday we will speak of freedom and connect it to our independence. Our truest freedom is very much opposite of that, for our real freedom comes not from independence, but from total dependence upon Christ.
On the day that we call Independence Day and celebrate the freedom of a nation, let us also remember the greatest freedom of all and declare once again our dependence upon Jesus.
Happy Dependence Day!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Call Me Dad
"...but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15
I played catch on Sunday for the first time in a long time, and two days later my shoulder is a bit sore. The playing catch was part of our Father's day celebration and I totally loved it. I couldn't keep from smiling as I remembered the joy of many hours of playing catch with my kids as they grew up. The only sad part for me, is that years ago my shoulder never hurt a couple of days after playing catch!
The day got me thinking about the call of fatherhood and what a great privilege it is. As I was pondering fatherhood a thought struck me that at first didn't seem like a big deal, but then I realized it might be a big deal after all. It hit me that my children have always called me Dad. They have never called me "Father", or "Sir", or "Pastor", or "Your Highness", they have always called me Dad. It might not seem to be a big deal to you, but to me it speaks of a closeness of relationship, a familiarity, a friendship. There was no doubt that I took the role of Father, with authority and headship in the home, but they called me Dad, and I would feel odd if they called me anything else.
A reflection of God's heart for us is that He would have us to know Him as Father, and even more as Abba, or Dad. As Father we know Him as that One to whom we submit to, as He guides, protects, and even disciplines us. As Dad He would have us know Him intimately in warmth and communion, One who we might even have fun playing catch with.
As a Dad my heart is melted to think that the God of the universe desires to have a Dad type relationship with me. I wonder what joy we forfeit when we fail to cultivate a loving, close, familiar friendship, with or wonderful Heavenly Dad. Today take the time to sit with Him, know His voice, enjoy His presence, and rest in His care.
I played catch on Sunday for the first time in a long time, and two days later my shoulder is a bit sore. The playing catch was part of our Father's day celebration and I totally loved it. I couldn't keep from smiling as I remembered the joy of many hours of playing catch with my kids as they grew up. The only sad part for me, is that years ago my shoulder never hurt a couple of days after playing catch!
The day got me thinking about the call of fatherhood and what a great privilege it is. As I was pondering fatherhood a thought struck me that at first didn't seem like a big deal, but then I realized it might be a big deal after all. It hit me that my children have always called me Dad. They have never called me "Father", or "Sir", or "Pastor", or "Your Highness", they have always called me Dad. It might not seem to be a big deal to you, but to me it speaks of a closeness of relationship, a familiarity, a friendship. There was no doubt that I took the role of Father, with authority and headship in the home, but they called me Dad, and I would feel odd if they called me anything else.
A reflection of God's heart for us is that He would have us to know Him as Father, and even more as Abba, or Dad. As Father we know Him as that One to whom we submit to, as He guides, protects, and even disciplines us. As Dad He would have us know Him intimately in warmth and communion, One who we might even have fun playing catch with.
As a Dad my heart is melted to think that the God of the universe desires to have a Dad type relationship with me. I wonder what joy we forfeit when we fail to cultivate a loving, close, familiar friendship, with or wonderful Heavenly Dad. Today take the time to sit with Him, know His voice, enjoy His presence, and rest in His care.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Hearing In The Storm
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind" Job 38:1
I would much rather that I would best be able to hear God speak in the calm sunny circumstances of life. I know that God does speak to me in the calm sunny circumstances of life, but I'm not so sure I'm always listening. It seems that I hear Him most clearly and listen most attentively when He speaks to me out of the storm.
It appears to be in our nature, that when the way is easy we look less to God and get lackadaisical in our communion with Him. When the way is wide and flat, the breeze is cool upon our face, and there are no blisters on our feet, our tendency is to become self-sufficient. We love the easy way, but can easily be in error as we get it in our heads that we can make this journey on our own, by our own strength.
When the way turns and gets narrow and steep, when the whirlwind batters us, our legs are aching and we are not able to go on. A good thing happens, we remember that we are insufficient, we cry out to the Lord, and our ears are open and attentive even straining to hear the Lord speak. We all instinctively know that it is in these stormy seasons that we draw most near to the Lord.
May we all learn "sunny day" discipline, to keep focused and connected during the good seasons, and may we not grow weary in the storm, it has been allowed. He is in the whirlwind, listen for His voice.
I would much rather that I would best be able to hear God speak in the calm sunny circumstances of life. I know that God does speak to me in the calm sunny circumstances of life, but I'm not so sure I'm always listening. It seems that I hear Him most clearly and listen most attentively when He speaks to me out of the storm.
It appears to be in our nature, that when the way is easy we look less to God and get lackadaisical in our communion with Him. When the way is wide and flat, the breeze is cool upon our face, and there are no blisters on our feet, our tendency is to become self-sufficient. We love the easy way, but can easily be in error as we get it in our heads that we can make this journey on our own, by our own strength.
When the way turns and gets narrow and steep, when the whirlwind batters us, our legs are aching and we are not able to go on. A good thing happens, we remember that we are insufficient, we cry out to the Lord, and our ears are open and attentive even straining to hear the Lord speak. We all instinctively know that it is in these stormy seasons that we draw most near to the Lord.
May we all learn "sunny day" discipline, to keep focused and connected during the good seasons, and may we not grow weary in the storm, it has been allowed. He is in the whirlwind, listen for His voice.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Fish and Loaves
Jesus' disciples had only five loaves of bread and a couple of small fish, and Jesus had called on them to feed over five thousand people. This was of course an impossible task for them to accomplish with their very limited resources, the fish and loaves would never meet the need. I'm sure you remember what happened in this miracle, as Jesus blessed the small amount the disciples brought to Him and it was multiplied so that there was enough to feed the multitude with leftovers.
I remember a faith building "fish and loaves"moment for me, back when I was a twenty three year old, newlywed, newly hired youth pastor. I was hired by a denominational church to oversee the youth, and my first assigned task was to meet with the parent leaders of the church's "teen club". I was sure zealous for Jesus and for His word, and I just knew these parent leaders would be also. Boy was I wrong!
As I met with the parents, the first thing I did was get rid of the name "teen club". I told them we weren't a club, but a ministry. I then canceled all of the club activities for the next couple of months, and told them our main focus would be a Sunday night Bible study. We would have social activities eventually, but at first I wanted to make the Word of God the clear foundation of the ministry. So, it was out with the bowling night and the miniature golf night, and in with the Bible study.
I really thought that the parent leaders would be as excited as I was about this new direction, but they weren't. There was at least an hour of resistance and lecturing on how I was out of touch with the youth of the day. It was difficult, but I didn't back down on what I knew the Lord was calling me to do. By the end of the evening all but one of the fifteen or so leaders resigned. The night I had been so excited about blew up in my face, and the parents I was so sure would be behind me, were hoping for my failure.
As I drove home feeling pretty weak and alone, I prayed a prayer that I have said many times since that night, it went like......Lord I think I'm in over my head, but I have to obey what You are calling me to do, so here I am, I have Your Spirit, Your word, and I can pray, help!!
As in the Gospels, this "fish and loaves" story also had a miraculous ending. Within a couple of months our Sunday night study overflowed the church library with over one hundred high school students, and many young people came to salvation through the ministry.
How we need to continue to learn this lesson of the "fish and loaves" and realize it's not about us, but all about Jesus, He's the miracle worker. Our job is to bring what we have to Him, and have Him bless and multiply and be glorified.
I remember a faith building "fish and loaves"moment for me, back when I was a twenty three year old, newlywed, newly hired youth pastor. I was hired by a denominational church to oversee the youth, and my first assigned task was to meet with the parent leaders of the church's "teen club". I was sure zealous for Jesus and for His word, and I just knew these parent leaders would be also. Boy was I wrong!
As I met with the parents, the first thing I did was get rid of the name "teen club". I told them we weren't a club, but a ministry. I then canceled all of the club activities for the next couple of months, and told them our main focus would be a Sunday night Bible study. We would have social activities eventually, but at first I wanted to make the Word of God the clear foundation of the ministry. So, it was out with the bowling night and the miniature golf night, and in with the Bible study.
I really thought that the parent leaders would be as excited as I was about this new direction, but they weren't. There was at least an hour of resistance and lecturing on how I was out of touch with the youth of the day. It was difficult, but I didn't back down on what I knew the Lord was calling me to do. By the end of the evening all but one of the fifteen or so leaders resigned. The night I had been so excited about blew up in my face, and the parents I was so sure would be behind me, were hoping for my failure.
As I drove home feeling pretty weak and alone, I prayed a prayer that I have said many times since that night, it went like......Lord I think I'm in over my head, but I have to obey what You are calling me to do, so here I am, I have Your Spirit, Your word, and I can pray, help!!
As in the Gospels, this "fish and loaves" story also had a miraculous ending. Within a couple of months our Sunday night study overflowed the church library with over one hundred high school students, and many young people came to salvation through the ministry.
How we need to continue to learn this lesson of the "fish and loaves" and realize it's not about us, but all about Jesus, He's the miracle worker. Our job is to bring what we have to Him, and have Him bless and multiply and be glorified.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Soft Touch Evangelism?
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23
I recently saw a set of interesting questions used by Asian Access, a Christian missions agency in South Asia. The questions are used to determine the readiness of a new convert to follow Christ. As you will see their evangelism technique is very different than what we use here in the States.....see what you think.
*Are you willing to leave home and lose the blessing of your father?
*Are you willing to lose your job?
*Are you willing to go to the village and those who persecute you, forgive them, and share the love of Christ with them?
*Are you willing to give an offering to the Lord?
*Are you willing to be beaten rather than deny your faith?
*Are you willing to go to prison?
*Are you willing to die for Jesus?
At first these seemed to be pretty harsh questions to be putting to someone who is near to coming to Christ. I felt like they were almost making it too difficult to commit to Jesus. But when you consider the intense persecution that Christians are under in South Asia, you realize it is right that these new converts should be told the truth about the cost of following Jesus.
There are many blessings promised to those who commit to Christ, but an easy life here on earth is not one of them. Our path in following Jesus is heading in a completely opposite direction than the path of this world, therefore we ought to expect resistance and harassment.
I heard one pastor who felt that because of all of our freedoms here in America, we proclaim what he termed "soft touch" evangelism. He said this type of evangelism does not speak of the cost of discipleship. That got me wondering, along with him, if the "soft touch" breeds Christians who are soft in their commitment, and who wither too quickly when trials arise. Not that we should make it difficult to accept Jesus, but that we should more fully explain what it means to take up the cross daily.
How would you have answered the questions that Asian Access puts to their new converts? I'm hoping you would answer yes to all of them, I know I would. And though we may never be confronted with the same persecution facing our brothers and sisters in South Asia, may we have the same resolve to follow our beloved Jesus, no matter the cost.
I recently saw a set of interesting questions used by Asian Access, a Christian missions agency in South Asia. The questions are used to determine the readiness of a new convert to follow Christ. As you will see their evangelism technique is very different than what we use here in the States.....see what you think.
*Are you willing to leave home and lose the blessing of your father?
*Are you willing to lose your job?
*Are you willing to go to the village and those who persecute you, forgive them, and share the love of Christ with them?
*Are you willing to give an offering to the Lord?
*Are you willing to be beaten rather than deny your faith?
*Are you willing to go to prison?
*Are you willing to die for Jesus?
At first these seemed to be pretty harsh questions to be putting to someone who is near to coming to Christ. I felt like they were almost making it too difficult to commit to Jesus. But when you consider the intense persecution that Christians are under in South Asia, you realize it is right that these new converts should be told the truth about the cost of following Jesus.
There are many blessings promised to those who commit to Christ, but an easy life here on earth is not one of them. Our path in following Jesus is heading in a completely opposite direction than the path of this world, therefore we ought to expect resistance and harassment.
I heard one pastor who felt that because of all of our freedoms here in America, we proclaim what he termed "soft touch" evangelism. He said this type of evangelism does not speak of the cost of discipleship. That got me wondering, along with him, if the "soft touch" breeds Christians who are soft in their commitment, and who wither too quickly when trials arise. Not that we should make it difficult to accept Jesus, but that we should more fully explain what it means to take up the cross daily.
How would you have answered the questions that Asian Access puts to their new converts? I'm hoping you would answer yes to all of them, I know I would. And though we may never be confronted with the same persecution facing our brothers and sisters in South Asia, may we have the same resolve to follow our beloved Jesus, no matter the cost.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)