iamninja

Team Building: PROCESS (Leadership)

2011-03-22T09:07:00.003-05:00

Whereas vision helps others see where you are going and conveying your passion helps others feel where you are going, the PROCESS is how others come to UNDERSTAND how you’re going to get there. This happens a few different ways…

It starts with COMMUNICATION…never underestimate the power of communicating with your team. You can’t do it enough. Always keep your team informed about what’s going on. They can’t help you if they aren’t aware of something.

The next thing I would add in here is CORPORATE PRAYER. Listen…the team that prays together…stays together…Prayer has the ability to help your team take real ownership to the vision and it’s the quickest way to bring a person who is on the fence and make him a passionate fireball for what you are doing.

Last thing…TIME! A great team isn’t the result of just great recruiting. Putting a great team together can only be accomplished through spending time with your team. I would suggest a monthly meeting or at least a quarterly meeting in which you convey these things every time;

Start and end all of your meetings in prayer. Take the time to reaffirm the vision. Let the team hear your heart. Convey your passion! Before giving any criticism…always speak about the positive things first. Encourage your team by letting them know that you see can see progress, however small it is.

Team Building: PASSION (Leadership)

2011-03-17T08:02:00.000-05:00

This one almost goes without saying right? Passion allows us to be emotionally attached to the ministry that God has placed us in. This is different from vision in that vision allows us to SEE where we are going…passion allows us to feel it…to be emotionally attached. ALL people ultimately DO what they are the most passionate about. I don’t care what it is…we do what we passionate about doing.

Have you ever heard the old saying, “As the pastor goes…so goes the church”? Well it’s true. As leaders we get what we preach…we get what we convey as vision. If you are a passionate person…you will naturally attract passionate people. If you are a negative person you will attract negative people…and so on and so on…

As leaders we need to recognize those that are passionate about the vision and the ministry. They should be easy to spot because they’re the ones that will, most likely, be working harder and sacrificing more than others. It’s these people that we want to make our greatest investments in.

Now, to be realistic, not everyone on your team is going to be passionate about the ministry you are doing. (Unless you are a church planter you are most likely inheriting a ministry that has already been established.) But here is the thing…that’s OK. If they have bought into the vision, support your leadership, and are performing their role to your satisfaction…by all means keep them.

If you have people like this you’ll have to make a few adjustments in your leadership…

For instance…I’ve adapted this into my leadership…there are some people I PASTOR and there are some people I DEVELOP. There are some people I TRAIN for a specific job and there are some people I DEVELOP into leaders that will handle greater responsibilities.

Let me see if I can explain this one…

As I evaluate my team I try and observe those that are passionate about student ministry and those that are passionate about just doing ministry. There is a difference between the two…are you with me? Those that are passionate about student ministry I develop...I invest into their lives…I spend time with them…I teach them…I stretch them into handling greater responsibilities. Everyone else…I basically train…I teach them a certain skill and then launch them in that position that I’ve just taught them to handle. Their responsibilities are limited but they are placed in areas where they can succeed.

By doing this you’ll be able to create a passionate environment where those that are there to really connect with students and long to see the vision of the ministry accomplished will reach new levels and those that are there for the sake of desiring to just do a work in the ministry are able to find success as well. Everyone wins.

Team Building: VISION (Leadership)

2011-03-15T16:34:00.001-05:00

If you are in the process of building your team the first and foremost thing you’ve got to have, as well as be able to convey, is your VISION for the ministry that you are stewarding over. This is so important! Vision is the tool that a leader uses to get someone else to see what you see.

Now this can be difficult…mainly because everyone uploads information differently into their brains. So our best chance at conveying vision is by speaking it in different ways. I promise that you can never communicate the vision of your ministry enough.

As a matter of fact…I was at an Accelerate Tour a few years ago in the Waco section (North Texas District/AG) and got to hear a stern warning from Pastor Elwyn Johnston on the subject of vision and team building…He had this to say on the subject, “You don’t have a volunteer problem in your ministries…you have a vision problem.”

That is so true.

What he was saying is that if people aren’t following you maybe it’s because they don’t see where you are going. Don’t assume they’ll figure it out…don’t assume that they should know…because we all learn in different ways. Conveying the vision of the ministry is our job as leaders. Everyone on the entire ministry team should be able to tell you what the vision of the ministry is…if they can’t…you won’t go far.

Building Your Team (Leadership)

2011-03-14T14:37:00.002-05:00

Why do we need a team to help us in the ministry?

We can’t do ministry alone. Those that go it alone…end up alone. They end up burned out. Your ministry will never grow without the help of others. John the Baptist didn’t do ministry alone….Jesus didn’t do ministry alone…so why would you? God intended the Christian faith to be a relational faith…teams force us to build upon being relational and living our faith in the accountability of others.

Over the next few post, I'll discuss three areas to help you grow your team; VISION, PASSION, and the PROCESS...

Father versus Fatherless (Leadership)

2011-03-13T09:03:00.001-05:00

A fatherless generation NEEDS a father figure.

I recently read an article published by Focus on the Family that stated “nearly two-thirds of first marriages will end up in divorce; that means about half of all American children will experience their parents’ divorce. And since more than 75 percent of divorced parents remarry and second marriages are more likely to fail than the first, many teens will go through a second divorce with their stepfamilies.”

I say all that to say there is a desperate need for STABLE PARENTAL FIGURES. Our students need more than a pastor…they need a father…they need a mother. Our students need a figure in their life that is STABLE and GODLY. They need a grown up…they need a leader…they need an ADULT… Let me tell you what they DON’T need is a friend…they’ve got plenty of those.

Take a look at your schools…I would venture to say that there are more students that are familiar with divorce than those that have married parents. It’s our responsibility and calling to not only PREACH the Gospel of Jesus Christ but it is also our responsibility to LIVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ…make no mistake “people watch you before they follow you”.

The questions we have to ask ourselves are; What are the differences in how I PASTOR and how I PARENT? How can I take what I’ve learned as a parent and apply it to leading in ministry?

We all parent differently and I’m not about to give a course on parenting…but I would encourage you to read books on parenting. However, what I will give you are a couple of things that I do with our group of students…and I really believe they can help you grow relationally with your students.

“I’m proud of you”, versus, “Thank you!”

“Thank you” can sometimes mean that you are grateful that they are helping YOU accomplish the needs of the ministry, whereas “I’m proud of you” signifies a sense of affirmation that THEY have done the right thing on their own, after all we are supposed to be training them on how to be responsible adults.

“I love you”

I don’t care who you are, these three words speak volumes…especially to students. I personally end every service I preach (adults/students) with this exact saying, “God loves you and I love you to”.

Pastoring versus Managing (Leadership)

2011-03-12T08:52:00.002-06:00

(Leaders/Pastors, if you get anything out of this leadership blog series I hope that this is it.)

Learn to PASTOR...not MANAGE.

Let me say it like this; Pastors, you aren't there to FIX the church. You are there to LOVE it. The church isn't a machine. The church isn't business. The church is the Bride of Christ. God likens the church to a wife.

Men...when was the last time you FIXED your wife? That's what I thought! (Ladies the same goes for you.) So quit trying to fix the church. Jesus is the only one that is going to fix the church. As a matter of fact...if you asked Jesus today, He'd probably tell you that He's already done it on the cross. So quit trying to fix it...instead, try focusing your efforts on LOVING the church and being PATIENT with the church. I like the word that the King James Version uses for "patience"...it uses the word, "long-suffering". Isn't that a better word? Sometimes being patient with people can cause long hours of suffering...but that's where love comes in...

1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, LOVE each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."

Endurance in ministry is accomplished through LOVE!

Here is a rule of thumb that I heard at the North Texas Leadership Conference that brings this all into application...

"See everything...overlook alot...correct a little."

I promise you if you'll practice that in "LOVE", you'll go a long way in ministry.

To KNOW the Lord (Leadership)

2011-03-11T13:07:00.003-06:00

How much time do you spend reading God's word? How much time do you spend on building your personal relationship with Jesus?

How you answer that question might reveal alot. If you are reading in the effort to just produce sermons and teaching lessons, you're off to a rough start. Why? Because our first passion, above and beyond ministry, is to KNOW the Lord Jesus! This is where we get off track as leaders...

Ministry can be busy and overwhelming, but your first priority is to know the Lord. I promise you that if you spend more time communicating in prayer and reading God's Word all of the ministry STUFF will happen naturally. A friend of mine, Pastor Steven McKnight, once said, "Nothing else will be in rightful order, until God comes first." That is so absolutely true!

Ministry is difficult on us as leaders. Often, if we're being honest, we sacrifice our relationship with the Lord to build His church. (That doesn't even make sense!) Do you think that is what God wants? What do you value more; the ministry or your relationship with the Savior?

So...Not only does our relationship with the Lord suffer but also the relationship with our people suffers. You must establish time in your daily life to be in God's Word. This isn't just so the church or your ministry can grow...it's detrimental to YOUR growth!

As leaders we are called to preach, give, and serve from an OVERFLOW! That means we have a sermon that we are studying for on Wednesday/Sunday...but we also have a personal devotion going on as well...because if, as a leader, you keep giving the food on your plate to someone else YOU'LL STARVE. Makes sense, right?

Last thing...I would advise you to keep a journal. When you read the Bible, most often, you are reading about other people's lives first hand. My favorite verse that talks about this is found in Nehemiah...

Nehemiah 1:1 (NLT)

"These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah..."

How would you know Nehemiah's story if he didn't write it? How much do you think Nehemiah's testimony helped the next generation? Now think about how much your WRITING might effect the next generation!

God's Leader versus Godly Leader (Leadership)

2011-03-10T07:55:00.002-06:00

Prayer is the difference between "God's" leader and a "godly" leader.

Notice those are two very different things. Many people talk a great deal about prayer but actually do very little of it. Most people are absolutely willing and eager to do the work of the ministry...but few will pray.

Why is that?

EM Bounds said, "We step into our closets and we can hide nothing from God. We can take no credit for our success and can have no pride." Or maybe one of my more favorite qoutes from Leonard Ravenhill, "No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who isn't praying is playing. The secret to praying is praying in secret. The sinning man will stop praying and the praying man will stop sinning."

Think about it for a second...

How can you lead people in God's direction if you haven't spoken to Him to know what direction you should be going? This is where the tough get going! If you can't lead in prayer, you won't be able to lead people in life.

Pastors hear this challenge from Pastor Gerald Brooks, "If your stage time exceeds your prayer time, your failing in your ministry." OUCH!

Pretty simple and straight forward...If your spending more time on YOU than GOD, how spiritual do you think you're going to be? I know praying isn't easy...most of the time it's a battle! I've spent a great deal of time in prayer just battling the fless. You know what I'm talking about...the "laundry list". We're busy as leaders...we feel that if we aren't busy, we aren't making a difference. However, what could be more important than our time with the Father? We've got to LEARN to LEAN on the Lord and that is a learned attribute...

Let me share with you some insight on leaning;

A few years ago I used to spend time quite a bit a time with an elder of the church I was attending. This man was a man of prayer and wisdom. One of my favorite stories he would tell is how he was in a bind with a certain situation. This situation required a great deal of prayer. After praying for hours and hours...He looks up at me and says, "Do you know what the Lord said concerning the issue? Absolutely NOTHING!"

How many of you relate to that story?

Everyone should be able to relate...we've all prayed, searching for an answer, to hear nothing. However, this elder later explained what he learned. He said, "Sometimes prayer is not about getting an answer. Sometimes prayer is about just learning to lean on God for support!"

Listen...As leaders, wheter God speaks or doesn't speak to us, we still must daily go before the Lord in prayer. Prayer is SO important! If you aren't praying as a leader, you won't survive the ministry.

Perfection versus Growing (Leadership)

2011-03-09T09:37:00.002-06:00

Leadership is not the art of PERFECTION...it's the art of GROWING.

2 Peter 3:18 (NLT)
"Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen."

God has enlisted us to grow continually...to never cease progressing. That is our calling as leaders. It's important, as leaders, to maintain some healthy disciplines in our lives that will lead us toward growth. Why? Because ministries only grow to the level of their leadership! When you are tapped out...so is your ministry...and so are those that are following you. So it's important that we grow and stretch ourselves and our leadership in the effort to grow our people and the ministries that God has given us to steward.

So how do we grow ourselves? It's rather easy...and yet it's hard. Why? Because we are forced to create some fundamental disciplines in our lives. We need HEALTHY HABITS! Healthy habits help to create healthy HEARTS...and ultimately healthy PEOPLE.

"Inspire" All Church Ministries Conference

2011-03-08T09:59:00.004-06:00

This past Saturday I headed north to the "INSPIRE" All Church Ministries Conference with the opportunity to teach on Leadership/Team Building. While it was an awesome opportunity to teach and I'll post my lesson tomorrow, I thought I would give you some of the morning sessions that I got to hear...that being said...here we GO!

Here are a few notes from the first class I attended...

"The Secret Place" (Pastor Rick Dubose)

Matthew 6
"You may not see Him...but He see's you!"
"Your private time with God will bless you publically."
"The closet is a place of INTIMACY."
"You can't expect to bring out a child without intimacy...there are some things that can only be BIRTHED through intimacy with God."
"Hannah was ashamed of her barreness because it appeared that there was a lack of intimacy."
Psalm 139 (Born/Forged in the secret place)
"To understand who you are...you have to go back to where you're from."
"The secret place is the place of purpose and provision."
"God unveils, in the secret place, things as we can deal with them."
"Without prayer you cannot become who you are created to be."
"You are a key SLOTTED to fit the lock...but you haven't cut to open all the locks yet."
"What goes right often becomes PRIDE...what goes wrong often becomes FEAR."
"If you'll learn to fall apart in front of God...He'll keep you from falling apart in public."
"The secret place provides privacy...even from the Devil."
"The safest place to be is in the middle of God's will."

(Pastor Rick is a great teacher and I've got to admit...I could sit and listen all day long to just about anything he is speaking about...)

"Nehemiah, A Time to Build" (Dr. Beth Grant)

"What is God calling us to BUILD in 2011?"
"We are in a time similuar to Nehemiah; We must build with one hand and have the sword in the other."
"If you haven't guessed it yet...this is a FIGHT message!"
"We must intentionally choose to be a people who build..versus being passive or worse...tearing down."
"We cannot build alone! Don't be tempted to go it alone. We must build and fight together!"
"Building ministry is not a search for SIGNIFICANCE...it's a call to SERVE!"
"Nehemiah organized families; Why can't we organize the family unit once again to build and fight together?"
"When we don't step out of our four walls with the Gospel, our children are raised to believe that the Holy Spirit is a luxury rather than an empowerment!"
"We are to be so deep in the river (Holy Spirit) that you don't care about the banks (where it starts)!"
"Let's not waste our time doing the same things we've always done!"

Those were a couple of the morning sessions...the afternoon sessions I went and listend to Tim Puckett talk about Speed the Light and Luis Salazar on the topic of bus ministries...Both did AWESOME and I definately walked away with some great ideas to take back home! Thanks Tim and Luis for your faithfulness to the cause of Christ!

Tomorrow I will post my teaching on leadership/team building...

Return of the Ninja!

2011-02-07T10:47:00.004-06:00

A season has changed. It's another year...that being said "I'm back!"

I've got a lot of updating to do over the next few months...it's been a crazy few years of ministry...but I'm still here...and that isn't a testimony to my strength or commitment...it is a testimony to the grace and mercy of God!

That being said...let's start off this first post with a bit of a rant...

Matthew 6:6

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you."

Facebook is YOUR face on YOUR book, (not much different than "MYspace"). Our culture is one that promotes SELF. There is big money in it. Here is the thing tho...

We've got to be careful to not take a GOOD thing and make it a GOD thing (to qoute Mark Driscoll). While social media can be used by God, it isn't God. We are warned in Matthew 6 that there are some relationships that are meant to be private. Jesus actually uses those who publically pray, just so they could be seen doing it, as an example of how not to be. We've got to be careful in our heart that we're not living out loud on Facebook...just for affirmation. I am so leary of those that need to show us how "Christian" they are. I don't think that is the case with everyone...but it's quickly becoming our culture that PERCEPTION is more important than reality.

Last thing...Your legacy is not going to be based off who you were on Facebook. Your legacy will be directly related to how well you invested into people...which, by the way...is the greatest investment you can make in life.

First post down...many to come...I am ninja...

Blogging Hiatus...

2010-05-02T08:39:00.002-05:00

Just to let many of you know that I haven't been blogging because, as some of you might know, I really feel as if it's time to finish some things that I have started...and hopefully sooner rather than later.

I am currently putting all my writing time into finishing the book I am writing for my children. It's my first actual novel. I've written a novella, but I really want to get an actual novel under my belt...kind of a life goal.

Anyway...hopefully I will be writing back here soon...because I haven't stopped my devotions...I've just not been able to update to the blog. So I will have tons of material when I start blogging again.

Anyway...follow your dreams and finish what you've started...I really believe that is how we please God!

Steering Through Chaos (Book Review)

2010-02-18T14:10:00.002-06:00

(Something strange is going on. Here lately I've been given the opportunity to review a few books by some well known Christian leaders. Reviewing books is new to me, but I'm enjoying getting to read some really good books!)

Just got through reading "Steering Through Chaos" by Scott Wilson...

I don't know Scott Wilson personally but his writing style is down to earth. He is simple and yet has a grasp on the deeper issues of leadership and discipleship. I genuinely enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone out there that is looking for some help in church leadership. I am very familiar with Scott and the Oaks Church and have heard him speak at the Leadership Conference hosted by Gerald Brooks. Scott quotes a familiar quote by Gerald, "You will only grow to the level of your pain threshold." It's a great quote and so true.

One of my favorite topics in the book is Scott's desire to have complete honesty among his staff. His "Honesty Policy" is definitely worth a look into. Scott takes turns going up to each person he has on staff and making sure that everything is out in the air. I love it. Scott says that, "During times of relational tension, people are usually willing to say 90% of what they need to say, but they feel very uncomfortable with the last 10%. This part has the most potential for hurt, but also holds the most potential for genuine change." So true!

Another area that seemed very relationally true to me is found in Chapter 6, under "New Strategies" where Scott writes, "Every member of a church's leadership team needs to carve out time to pray, think, and dream so they can clearly identify the opportunities God has given them." The statement that precursors this explains why, "Far too often leaders fail to see opportunities because we're blinded by the urgent, nagging problems right in front of us."

Scott gives an honest insight and look into principles that has set up the Oaks Church to be one of the biggest churches in the nation. This book provides a great foundation of leadership principles and will open your eyes to a few new ones. My overall view was that the book was extremely helpful. I will most definitely be trying out some of its principles and platforms in the church where I pastor.

Thanks for putting it on paper, Scott. Great work!

Acts, Volume One

2010-02-11T09:18:00.002-06:00

I can't believe it but I've taught the entire first ten chapters of the Book of Acts. It's been a wonderful and inspiring journey through the early church history.

I've had a lot of people ask me about compiling everything I have and giving them a copy so I spent a half a day this week getting it all together in a study format. It's rough but it's about as good as it's going to get. So here is "Volume One"; It's 105 pages, 53, 191 words...and it only contains chapter 1 thru chapter 10.

You can download a PDF copy below. Hope it grows you into greater depths in Christ!

Acts, Volume One (Chapters 1 thru 10)

Gentiles Receive The Gospel

2010-02-11T09:17:00.000-06:00

Acts 10:24-33 (NIV)

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself." Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?" Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."

“But God has shown me…”

Peter declares that God has given him a vision and that vision includes the Gentiles. Has God given you a vision? Does it include something that is hard to swallow? Grafting the Gentiles into the Gospel wasn’t something that sat well with Peter, thus his hesitation. Still Peter left his comfortable seaside getaway to pursue the will of God. What is your pursuit? I hope it is the will of God, because everything else is temporal and perishable.

Maybe we don’t acknowledge God-sized visions because of the God-sized weight it comes with. We look at the weight of a God-sized vision and immediately feel overwhelmed. That is the point, though, isn’t it? A God-sized vision can only be accomplished by God. That is what makes the accomplishments we see happening so much more grand and magnificent. The fruits of a God-sized vision are the visible evidence in an invisible God.

“Now that we are all here…”

What now? That is the overwhelming response of Cornelius to Peter. Cornelius did as he was told. He didn’t hesitate. He was hungry. He wanted whatever God wanted to give. His heart was open and he was humbled at the coming of the Apostle Peter. That is when it happens. It finally hits Peter. Peter knows now what God was trying to tell him. No more hesitation. Can you imagine the emotional magnitude of this situation? Cornelius is ready to receive the Gospel. His heart is open and reverent. It is time.

Acts 10:34-48 (NIV)

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. "We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

So Peter preaches. That is what preachers do.

Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Peter gives them the straight up unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ. This isn’t your seeker sensitive message either. It is a straight dose of blunt honest truth. Over and over Peter tells Cornelius, “you know”. There is Peter’s strong suit. Peter’s greatest niche in preaching is applicating the crucifixion of Christ to every believer. Peter makes people own up to their sins, not dance around them.

Peter doesn’t have to preach long before the Holy Spirit shows up. The Jews that are with Peter are amazed and astonished. This was the last thing on the mind. God saving the Gentiles was the farthest thing on their mind and yet before their very eyes is the living proof that God can redeem and reconcile all things. Jews didn’t hang out with Gentiles thus the reason Peter brought them in the first place. It was Peter’s accountability, so to speak.

The astonishment of the Holy Spirit showed up in the form of tongues. That becomes a defining point for the Holy Spirit. In all circumstances in the Bible tongues are the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit filling a believer. It is biblical. There is no need to debate on the issue it is resolved here and many other places in the Bible.

Cornelius and his house get baptized…

Notice that they were saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and then baptized. That is important because it shows that there is no certain formula to follow. You can’t formulate God. You can’t place God in a box because you don’t have a box big enough. Don’t get distracted in the order of things. God is always doing a new thing. Don’t get trapped in thinking God only works one way. As if we have to do this and that to make God move. God moves whenever He wants to and doesn’t need your advice or opinion to do so. Maybe we need to come out of our box? Some of us need to let our boxes go.

Hesitation

2010-02-11T09:11:00.000-06:00

Acts 10:17-23 (NIV)

While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?" The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

The scriptures support that Peter was intrigued by the vision God had given him. It records that Peter was wondering and still thinking on it. Literally while he was meditating on it the Spirit tells him that there are men coming and to not hesitate in going with them. But Peter did hesitate. He hesitated by needing to know why? Sound familiar? Peter, here, is like us in too many ways. We often need to know the reason “why” to everything that God is doing. So we hesitate in doing what God wants. The Spirit said to not hesitate, but that is exactly what Peter did.

*“On the plains of hesitation lie the blackened bones of countless millions who at the dawn of victory lay down to rest; and in resting died. Governor Alai Stevenson of Illinois (1949)

Hesitate, means to slowly act or proceed forward. There are times when I think it is best to be cautious but Peter was just told by the Spirit that this wasn’t one of those times. Cornelius didn’t hesitate. However, this is Peter we are talking about or maybe it’s because there is something more underneath the surface of this event…like the fact that this is about the Gentiles receiving the Gospel. The Bible doesn’t let us into the emotional feelings of Peter at that moment, but it’s possible that in hesitating we see that there is still some heart issues being worked out in Peter.

This isn’t unfounded thinking. Paul wrote about a moment in which even after this event Peter still struggled with the Gentiles receiving the Gospel.

Galatians 2:11-13 (NIV)

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

Peter had an issue with Gentiles. He probably had good reasons too. Still Christ commanded him to not hesitate and go. Peter hesitated with the asking of a question. Thankfully it wasn’t for too long because what is about to happen changes the direction of the church. What is about to happen changes the future of the church.

Vision That Challenges Us

2010-02-11T09:10:00.000-06:00

Acts 10:11-16 (NIV)

He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

“The Vision”

From Ananias, to Saul, and now to Peter, all were men that were praying and God answered in the form of a vision. Men and women of prayer are men and women of vision. If you aren’t praying you are most likely walking blind to the vision of God. Prayer gives you eyes that see into the supernatural and leads you down the path God has chosen. Maybe that is why we don’t pray? If we pray and are given the path by which we are to take, then that means we’ll have to abandon the path we want. Make no mistake the path of prayer is the path of death to our selfish desires and ambitions.

The vision of God is spectacular before Peter and he struggles to understand its meaning. Being an apostle, preacher, teacher, or evangelist doesn’t mean you know it all. So Peter is trying to take it all in. God is sharing with Peter that everything that God has made can be reconciled in Christ. That is the power of the cross. God is in the redemption business. He is reconciling all things back to Himself.

From the Old Testament;

Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

To the New Testament;

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

God has always been about redemption and reconciliation. Peter knows this because he has experienced this. Still something is lingering in Peter. There is something beneath the surface. Peter might be an apostle, he might have healed many up to this point, but this vision is going to push Peter’s heart to do the unthinkable…offer the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. That is a big deal. The Gentiles ruled over everything, even the Jews. The Gentiles beat and ultimately killed Jesus. This vision is going to present some challenges to say the least.

Seaside Rooftop Vision

2010-02-11T09:08:00.000-06:00

Acts 10:9-10 (NIV)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

God communicates to His people through the enduring work of prayer. The scriptures records that at noon Peter went up on the roof to pray. It is the praying man that hears the voice of God.

Those who know God the best are the richest and most powerful in prayer. Little acquaintance with God, and strangeness and coldness to Him, make prayer a rare and feeble thing. E. M. Bounds

Peter knew Jesus. He watched Him pray constantly. If there was one thing they understood about Christ is that prayer is where Jesus withdrew for strength. So Peter withdraws from everyone and everything and retreats to the roof. Why the roof? Why not inside a room or in a small corner?

Sometimes it takes getting out of our routines to hear God in a new way. *Pastor Mark Batterson of National Community Church says it like this, “Change of pace plus change of place equal’s change of perspective. We have to disrupt our routine so we can think new thoughts.” If you want to experience God like never before you sometimes have to do what you’ve never done. Some of us are stuck in the “lather, rinse, and repeat” mode. We keep wanting and doing the same things and are expecting different results. That isn’t how God works. God is always doing a new thing and to be a part of that new thing we are going to have to grow in Him enough to discern what it is and then jump on board.

Peter found that the roof offered a different point of view for prayer. It was a place of solitude and yet also it was a place with a view. Different perspectives can offer unique insight. Retreats and vacations are sometimes our greatest experiences because we are out of comfort zones. We are doing something different and our spirit resonates with that. The unfamiliar cause us to be uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable causes us to depend on God more by exercising our faith.

Obedient Prayer

2010-02-11T09:06:00.000-06:00

Acts 10:3-8 NIV

One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea." When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

At about 3pm. This isn’t a coincidence. This is divine providence. We’ve heard this before. The King James Version refers to this time as the “ninth hour”. Again there is a resounding redundancy to the scriptures here. Again to go forward we return to the past.

Matthew 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Sound familiar? Maybe this is a bit more fresh and current…

Acts 3:1

“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.”

The “ninth hour” is a time of prayer. It was the time of the evening sacrifice for the people of Israel. It probably takes on a more notable time as we see it as the greatest time of suffering for Christ as He hung from the cross crying out to the Father. It was the ninth hour that Elijah prayed to God against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and God answered by fire. It was the ninth hour when Ezra prayed a great prayer of confession and intercession and God answered by sending a nationwide revival. It was the ninth hour when Daniel prayed and God sent the angel Gabriel to answer his prayer. It was the ninth hour that Peter and John were praying and God answered in the form of the first miracle of the New Testament Church. Even now so we see Cornelius praying in the ninth hour and God answered by sending an angel…

It was the ninth hour that we find Cornelius in prayer. The power of prayer is immeasurable. It is deep and wide. It reaches as far as the eye can see and then beyond. Prayer bends, shapes, and mold men/women to the will of God. Prayer unblocks the connection between what you want and what God wants for you. Many of us don’t like prayer because it most certainly leads to death of self. We are our own greatest enemy, and yet we are looking over our shoulders? And for what? There are things far worse than devils and demons in the heart of man. Prayer can rid you of this, but it will require a submission few ever seek.

Cornelius, The Prayer Warrior

2010-02-11T09:04:00.000-06:00

Acts 10:1-2 NIV

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Chapter ten now takes us to the city of Caesarea. Caesarea was a large city that was located on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. It was a town of overrun by the Romans…the Gentiles. It was a town of great education as you would find storerooms, markets, wide roads, baths, temples to Rome and Augustus, and other public buildings. Every five years the city hosted major sports competitions, gladiator games, and theatrical productions.

Caesarea was the home of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius. Cornelius, as a centurion, was a leader of a regiment of Roman soldiers. He was a man among men…a leader among his own people. However, what we see him being known for is not his great battle advancements or his skill with the sword. What he is recognized for in this text is the fact that “he and all of his family were devout and God-fearing”.

What an example! Can that be said about us?

The scripture in this context defines what it means to be “devout and God-fearing” by declaring that Cornelius gave to those in need and a regular habit of prayer. My prayers and hopes are that we get a clear picture of what God’s desire is concerning His church. We have turned the pages on nine chapters and can you hear the sound of redundancy? Over and over again there is a resounding call to those that worship God and to those that fear Him…they take care of the poor, the broken, and the afflicted. I have preached this message over and over and yet I turn the pages to another chapter and I hear the redundant message of Jeremiah…

Jeremiah 22:16

He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. “Is not that what it means to know Me” Declares the Lord?

This will never be old news as long as it’s God’s heart and part of His mission. In nine chapters the only other theme that is louder is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church is God’s answer to this world’s problems…if we would just be God-fearing and devout and steady in prayer. Prayer is important too! Up to this point, the only people getting visions of direction were the people of prayer. How can we hear God unless we pray? The scriptures here in Chapter Ten now infer that to not be a person of prayer is to not fear God. Maybe that is why we stay and stray away from the prayer closet…because we are scared to what we might find.

Acts 10, The Brink Of Change

2010-02-11T09:03:00.000-06:00

From chapter one through chapter nine we have seen Christianity spread from Jerusalem, to Samaria, to Lydda, and to Joppa. Up to this point there has been a great deal of Jews come to the gospel, but chapter ten is going to move the church in a new direction. Chapter ten is going to challenge the Apostles and their doctrine. It is going to cross racial lines and even emotional lines. As things aren’t already new enough, the Lord is going to do something radical, something that the Jews are going to struggle with.

Mark 2:12 KJV

And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw it on this fashion.”

[We never saw it on this fashion]

That is Jesus! Jesus was always doing something different and it agitated the religious leaders of His day. Let’s just be honest...Jesus still does new things today and it agitates us too. With every generation comes new ways to deliver the message of the Gospel. With every generation comes new ways to focus on being missional. So we change, and it isn’t easy. However, when has following God ever been easy?

Here is my take. I think God creates so much change in an effort to keep our hands from attaching to things that are temporal. Generations die, worship songs fade away, books get dusty…Still God births a new generation, new worship is birthed, and new revelation is revealed. It’s the cycle of life from which the Church isn’t exempt. Our responsibility is to be open to what God is doing. Now that doesn’t mean every new thing the Church is doing today is of God. The Bible tells us to test the Spirit, using wisdom and discernment. Still we must face the fact that God is always about doing new things.

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

God says to us “see” as if to ask and yet declare to you that He is doing something that you should visibly be able to see. The scripture says it’s springing up or rising up…and then there is the question. Do you not perceive it? It’s as if it’s asked facetiously…as if to say you should be able to grasp it, understand it, or have some form of knowledge about it. The truth, however, is that we miss it a great deal of the time God is doing something new because we never let go of what was. For the Apostle Peter, the days of the ministry of to the Jews only was about to change. Not because he wanted them to but because God wanted them to. That is the most important theme in chapter 10.

Raised From The Dead

2010-02-11T09:02:00.001-06:00

Acts 9:40-43

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

Dorcas is dead. This is something that, up to this point, Peter hasn’t faced yet. He had seen how to pray to kill folks…but bring them back to life…well that is another story…

God is never late…and yet he is never early either…He is precisely on time. That is how it is, isn’t it?

Peter sent everyone out of the room. Now, I have to be honest here and I actually wonder why Peter did this. Why did he send everyone out of the room? The Bible doesn’t tell us…but if there is one thing I know about Peter…in all of his boisterous and bold temperament, he still struggles with real life issues with peer pressure, and other things…As I read this I wondered if there wasn’t a sense of overwhelming fear. Peter knew what they were asking…but he also knew that he had no power in and of himself. Healing someone might have seemed the easier task up to this point. This was a realm of ministry that he had yet to discover or know. This was Jesus’ territory…not his. So Peter tells everyone to leave and then kneels down and prays.

The Bible doesn’t record Peter’s prayer…but I bet it was humbling. Can you imagine the magnitude of this? This woman isn’t sick…she’s dead. Dead people don’t live again…they get buried…but not this day. This day Peter finds boldness on his knees. He finds the courage to look up from the floor and say what he was trained to say, “GET UP!” It’s brute and unintelligent. There is no lengthy evangelistic sermon behind it…just raw Holy Ghost power!

Dorcas laid dead and helpless in that room surrounded by a sea of widows that showcased her genuine love for her and her ministry. Dorcas wasn’t an apostle. She wasn’t a deacon. She wasn’t a judge. She was just a common woman that was doing what she could with what she had to share the love of Christ abroad. On this day, the darkness became light and Peter presented her alive before all of her friends.

And the news spread…and the name of Jesus spread.

The stories of Aeneas and Dorcas are similar stories. They are factual and true. They are life changing and life challenging. Time and time again the early church experienced the impossible and really they lived in the supernatural. Still the underlying theme is and will always be…that the name of Jesus be spread and that all would know the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Dorcas

2010-02-11T09:01:00.000-06:00

Acts 9:36-39

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

Dorcas…it might not be the best of names to have in this day and age but I’ve got to be honest and say that she has won my heart. This woman of virtue made it her calling to “always do good and help the poor.” We just read a scripture last week from Jeremiah that spoke of how those that plead for the poor and the afflicted know the Lord. It’s safe to say that Dorcas new the Lord and the Lord knew her.

We’ve also talked a great deal lately about living a life that is louder than our message…for Dorcas…her reputation precedes her. She is well known for her good and Godly works. The proof is visible…it was undeniable. Here is a great truth, “The visible proof of God creates radical conversion and ultimately changed cities.” Joppa was a city challenged and changed. It was changed by radical Christians that used the finances that they had to take care of the poor, the widows, and the orphans. Social justice is not the cause of a government…it is the cause of the Church. It is our responsibility to take care of this city and its poor, its widows, and its orphans.

Dorcas was a disciple with social justice in mind. That burden on her heart pushed her to using the finances she had and the skill set by which God gave her to provide what she could for those in need around her. This is how she showed the love of Jesus upon her community. It’s no surprise then that when she got sick and eventually passed a way that the ones who came to her bedside where those that had been personally touched by her generosity and kindness. Allow me to hang here just a few minutes…

Jeremiah 29:7 NASV

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.'

I spoke a while back on this scripture…but let’s look at it real quick in application to what we are reading in here in Acts…If we pray for the city we live in…if we take care of it, encourage it, provide for it…it will provide for us, take care of us, and encourage us. That is what the Lord promises. The mission field begins right out of those doors. We must embrace our mission, be encourage by the God who is able, and go forth in obedience to canvas this town with the love of Christ…and it starts by taking care of the poor, the afflicted, and those that are in need!

Dorcas provided a great example of this…and we see that in her need, the city came to her call. The widows, that Dorcas had so adamantly taken care of, heard that Peter was nearby and sent word for him to come. As Peter came they showcased all the garments that Dorcas had made for them. It was the visible evidence of a passionate woman.

Déjà vu

2010-02-11T08:59:00.000-06:00

Acts 9:32-35

As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Saul has taken the road home. His time is coming, but it isn’t right now. Right now the apostles are still the forefront of the ministry. Peter is traveling abroad visiting the churches and performing great signs and wonders as he comes and goes. As he travels to Lydda he found a man named Aeneas. Now the scripture says that this man had been bedridden for eight years. That’s a long time. As a matter of fact I am rather disappointed in Luke that he didn’t expound on something that he knew a great deal about as a physician. Luke, as a doctor, probably treated bedridden people and understood this condition better than we do. Let me give you an example…

This is an excerpt taken from an online medical help website…

“The most common complications of bedridden patients are: muscles weakness/atrophy, muscle shortness, pressure sores (bed ulcerations), respiratory problems (lung infection), blood circulation problems, and bone demineralization.”

Eight years in bed lead to greater problems than just “I can’t walk”. Are you hearing me? You don’t just get up from being in bed for eight years. It’s impossible…at least that is what the human mind reckons. For Peter I don’t think his mind was in the present…I think it was resonating on the past. I think Peter was experiencing déjà vu. Have you ever experienced déjà vu in your life? Let’s walk through this with Peter and why this was so familiar…to go forward we have to go backwards…so let us rewind to…

John 5:1-9

Sometime later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie; the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Déjà vu, right…or is it not just the best example of discipleship that you have ever seen? Peter’s reflection is instant. Standing before Aeneas, he has seen this play out before. Jesus said “get up”…so Peter says, “get up”. Pretty simple and yet it stands to reason that we live in spiritual failure because we are failing in the basics. What Jesus did was simple. What Peter did was simple. Peter actually mimicked Jesus. Why aren’t we mimicking Jesus? Do you know what we call it when we do what Jesus does…discipleship…it’s that simple. Some of us never reach that point because we failed in continuing to follow and watch what the Master was teaching us. We hit a stumbling block by getting offended or just flat out not understanding the circumstances that we’ve been through and we just stop learning. I’ve said it before and I will keep saying, some of us have been living at the same experience level for years…never growing any wiser or closer to God. We’ve been in the church for years and are still living off the milk. The problem is…is that this isn’t child care…this church is in the discipleship business. What that means is that sometimes, like Jesus, we are going to have to raise the bar in challenging each other to walk closer to the Lord. Like Peter understood…that means accountability, correction, sacrifice, and devotion.

And let me encourage you…A life that is dedicated to being a disciple of Christ finds themselves living in the supernatural world of the awe inspiring God! Peter the fisherman…turned preacher man…is now standing before the crippled man…telling him to get up and walk again. Every episode of our life is a lesson being taught to us…to enhance our future. Jesus discipled the apostles in the past to prepare them for their future ministry and ultimately their eternal life…that is what the past does…it prepares us for the future. That is why you don’t get to live in the past…time doesn’t let you. It keeps moving so that you keep moving…because listen…God’s plan is in action and you are a part of it!

Song Writing

2010-02-01T15:40:00.005-06:00

Over the past year now I've been writing songs here and there as I feel the push...which I don't very often. I don't feel called to be a worship leader and there are just too many others out there so much more qualified...but I love to write and create new songs and new music. So I write. It's not much but it ministers to me...and hopefully it ministers to you once in a while.

I am reposting a song from last year that I wrote and that we currently sing here at First Assembly of God, Marble Falls Texas. I am also posting a couple more I have been working on...I hope you like it...but more than that...I hope it ministers to you!

We Sing Glory; I wrote this song last year when I first arrived in Marble Falls. While driving a van for the children's ministry, I got a grand view of the brokenness of the family unit. The majority of the children that are attending our church are missing either a father or a mother in their home.

We Sing Glory (PDF)

We Sing Glory (MP3)

So We Go; This song came about due to an intense view I have on the command "Go" that Christ gives in Acts 1:8. Jesus said "go" to the demons and they fled. He tells us to "go" today and many disobey. I don't want to stand before Christ in judgement and the demons have a greater obedience record than I do. Just saying...

So We Go (PDF)

So We Go (MP3)

Forever Yours; Just wrote this today. Weird right? This year has been weird and that is an understatement. In all of the transition, however, I found peace at the Cross. I reaffirmed my appointment in Him...and I'm thankful and desire that my entire life be devoted to Him forever.

Forever Yours (PDF)

Forever Yours (MP3)

("So We Go" & "Forever Yours" are both in the rough stages right now...)

The Prayer of Rediscovery

2010-02-01T11:24:00.002-06:00

Acts 9:31

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

The church enjoyed a time of peace. If that sounds great to you…it’s because it is great. The church in Jerusalem got its foundations shook forcing them to leave home base and create missionaries. Now the Acts 1:8 “command” is producing fruit…and that brings me to this great truth...when the church is acting in obedience we get to live in peace…we are strengthened and encouraged by God…and we grow. Why? Because we fear God…we live in respect and reverence to who He is…what He has done…and what He is continuing to do.

This is my prayer...

I pray that we rediscover the Bible again. I pray that we rediscover the favor of God. I pray that we rediscover the Cross again. I pray that we rediscover our fundamentals again. I pray that we rediscover a broken heart…a heart that pleads for the overlooked, underappreciated, rejected, and the neglected. I pray that we be sons and daughters of encouragement. I pray that we learn to proclaim and declare the Gospel like it was brand new to our heart. I pray that we be encouragers and recognize those Saul’s out there just waiting to follow us. I pray that we all become mentors to someone…and that our lives speak just as loud as our message.

About To Change The World...

2010-02-01T11:24:00.001-06:00

The story of Saul becoming Paul is monumental. It is a story you are going to remember. As I study into Chapter 9 of the Book of Acts, this is only Saul’s beginning. He is about to change the world…he just doesn’t know it yet.

Here is the thing…maybe you are to…you just don’t know it yet. It’s definitely possible. If that is resonating with you let me reaffirm that others aren’t going to get it. The scriptures say that the Jews were baffled at Saul’s excitement and change of heart. They didn’t know what to think of him…People aren’t going to know what to think about you. That’s OK! Believe! Have faith in the one who has called you! Prove to all of those around you, as Saul did, that Christ is Lord by living a changed life…a life of radically different than your formal one…a life of selflessness and servitude.

Be A Barnabas

2010-02-01T11:23:00.000-06:00

Acts 9:26-30

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Damascus couldn’t handle Saul, maybe Jerusalem can…or that is what they thought. Again his life spoke louder than his message, thus he was met with resistance. No one believed him. No one except Barnabas…

The very name Barnabas means “son of encouragement” and that is exactly what Saul finds in this new found friend. He finds safety, encouragement, and a friendship that would impact his life far greater than he would even know. You’ve got to kind of wonder if Saul would have even made it if it weren’t for Barnabas. The fear of Saul and his reputation were still fresh in the hearts of many…we can plainly see that. Barnabas didn’t have to help Saul…but this act of encouragement and faith provided the link between Saul and the fulfillment of his calling.

Saul could have been overlooked. He could have been passed over…but Barnabas was keeping watch. How many people need a modern-day Barnabas to come alongside them to give them a ministry opportunity? How many people sit rejected on the sidelines because of a failure? Maybe their life was so dark that their conversion is still shadowed. Where is the brother or sister in the calling of a first-century Barnabas to look for the forgotten, to believe in the divine call, to hope for the best?

What the church needs today is Barnabas-minded people! People are abandoning the call of personal evangelism today. Some are suffering sitting in the shadows of doubt or inadequacy. This challenge is before us…to be a Barnabas! Look around…see who is being overlooked, who is being rejected and neglected and bring them encouragement today!

Jeremiah 22:16

"He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?"Declares the LORD…

Whose cause are you pleading…if it’s your own…that might be why no one is following you! Look for those that are afflicted and have needs. Plead their case. Pursue them...and then mentor them! That is what Barnabas did. He encouraged a discouraged Saul.

Fill The Wedding Hall

2010-02-01T11:09:00.000-06:00

Acts 9:23-25

After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

The man that sent other men running is now on the run…The people don’t believe Saul. His former life at this point, is louder than his message. The Jews now conspire to kill him. Welcome to being a Christian Saul. Welcome to the world of living on the run and hiding. Saul, the man who enjoyed the pursuit, is now living in hiding. It’s ironic.

However, by the grace of God Saul was able to make a few disciples because the scriptures tell us “his followers” came to him and saved him in the middle of the night. I love it! Saul isn’t even there a long time but he has followers. Where are our followers, maybe the better question is who is following us?

To lead, you must have followers otherwise you’re not leading…you’re just walking. You don’t get followers unless you break out of your skin and start to deliver the message you have been entrusted with.

Matthew 22:8-10

"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

You are called to fill the wedding hall! Be bold and be courageous! No one wants to follow someone who can’t be sold out to what they believe. If no one is following you it might be because you have yet to get excited…you’ve yet to get a little crazy…you’ve yet to get a little passionate. Maybe that is why people often quote the church as “asleep”. Well it’s time to wake up…it’s time to get fired up…and let our hearts be passionate once again about what God is doing! Not with what he is going to do…but about what He is doing right now!

Life Versus Message

2010-02-01T11:08:00.002-06:00

Acts 9:20-22

At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

“At once…” (NIV)

“Immediately…” (NLT)

“Went right to work…” (Message)

However you want to say it…Paul couldn’t wait any longer. His heart was on fire…it had been baptized in fire…it had been birthed in fire. So he preached. He preached with all of his heart that Jesus is the Son of God. Saul is excited…it’s overflowing out from his heart and into his mouth. His words are piercing and effective…so much so, that the crowds are astonished. They literally can’t believe it. The murderer has become the preacher. The one who chased us to death, now preaches to us eternal life. All of this defied their logic…but that’s how it is isn’t it? God defies logic. He is beyond our thoughts and even our imagination…and that is when we get shook up. We don’t like to admit it but we get doubtful and, if you’re really being honest with yourself, a little afraid. Who could blame you? Saul doesn’t exactly have the greatest of background at this point. His credibility is basically zero to none, right? After all it has only been a few days since he was there to kill them…you just can’t expect them to completely trust him yet now can you?

Credibility is important in ministry…

Are you what you appear to be? I hope so…but hear me out, if you are not…it could be the reason you aren’t listened to and are not taken seriously. Saul had zero credibility. Who is going to believe him? That is what fear does…it makes us doubt and disbelieve our circumstances…and that could cost us our life…I say that because Saul was teaching the good news…not his own news…he was witnessing the Gospel of Christ and proving that Jesus is the Messiah…not railing false accusations…but his credibility and integrity was so much in question that it was hard to focus on anything else.

“Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews”

Saul grew powerful in the Lord. His testimony and his witness astonished and amazed all that heard him preach. He was bold and a tad bit reckless. As I read this I couldn’t help but think of a conversation that I had the other day about where has the Holy Ghost power of the church gone? Where are its men of power? We see it in new believers but it never last long.

You see, new believers are excited. So excited that they change things…excitement does that. Excitement doesn’t seem so revelational right now and the proof is in our life. Are we excited for Christ? Do we act like it? Why not? Why aren’t we excited anymore? Why can’t we recall what it was like when we first accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior? Some say that they can recall, but a life that has been changed is challenged to change others…

Really Living

2010-02-01T11:06:00.000-06:00

Acts 9:17-19

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

“Ananias went…”

I’ll say it over and over again…God loves obedient men/women. The obedience of the servant creates the opportunity of blessing. If you want to be blessed….bless others. It’s just that simple. There are some fundamentals that are just undisputable.

The New King James, the KJV, and the NIV all record that immediately Saul’s eyes were healed and his sight was restored. The Message Translation records it this way, “No sooner than the words left his mouth.” The New Living Translation says “instantly”. Just like that change is birthed. There is an acute awareness of our iniquity before us. Some things are immediately healed and restored and then there are some that leave with time, as we grow closer to the One who is able.

What a wonderful testimony. What a wonderful chapter…but it isn’t over…it is just beginning…

The murderer is now sitting down at a meal with Brother Ananias. I bet he never saw that coming. You kill those that want to kill you…not make them dinner…but that is what we see now. They are sitting, eating, and fellowshipping with one another.

Saul, the guy that had penned up all the warrants of arrest, penned this to the Romans years later…

Romans 1:16-17 (Message Translation)

Its news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: "The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives."

I hope you are really living!

Chosen Instrument of Suffering

2010-02-01T11:04:00.000-06:00

Acts 9:16

“For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Who wants this? Who wants God to have this vision of your life? Who wants to know that they are going to suffer much for the sake of the Gospel? Who wants that job? No one does! Maybe that is why God chooses. It’s quite possible that we are going to have to trust God sometimes as we endure trials of suffering in our life and have comfort to know that it is for His glory. I am not going to say that you are going to understand it…but you will have to endure it. I know that isn’t comforting but know this…that you will discover a depth with God few will ever know…maybe now it makes sense that when we read…

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God said he would show him how much he would have to suffer…but in suffering Saul found strength, hope, love, mercy, grace, and compassion. Paul suffered…but his suffering would later produce some of the greatest writings of the New Testament and ultimately lead him to take the Gospel where many feared to go!

Ananias

2010-02-01T11:02:00.000-06:00

Acts 9:10-16

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

We are now introduced to a man named Ananias. The scripture records that he was a disciple living in Damascus…his life was about to be intertwined into the life of Saul forever. Listen, God uses people to present the gospel…not animals, not inanimate objects, and not angels. He uses us to proclaim His grace and mercy. He uses us as witnesses…

Saul heard the good news from a complete stranger that he had planned to destroy. Saul didn’t believe in Jesus because he truly had never had an experience with Christ. But now, in the hands of a common man, Saul finds himself blind and helpless. Instead of a spirit of revenge, Saul finds mercy, grace, and love. He finds compassion in the hands of Ananias and he hears the gospel for the first time.

I love the work of prayer in these scriptures…Saul was found praying by Ananias. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? If you are struck blind by a flash of light and hear a large audible voice you’d be praying too. It was Saul’s defense mechanism…it should be your defense mechanism. Saul’s stress and anxiety was combated by prayer. Prayer here is the key to these passages. Saul is praying. Ananias is praying. God is speaking to both of them through prayer in the form of a vision. Sometimes we miss having a grand vision because we don’t have the prayer life that opens the coax connection between us and God…and this is a vision you don’t want to miss! You don’t want to miss the vision that it’s fallen into your hands to go and witness the gospel of Jesus to the greatest enemy of the church at that time. If you miss that opportunity heads literally roll…people go to prison…wives become widows…children become orphans. You can’t miss that vision…or is it that we are afraid of a vision like Ananias’s?

One of Them

2010-02-01T11:01:00.001-06:00

Acts 9:3-9

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

NKJV – “Suddenly a light shone…”

NIV – “Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him…”

Message – “He was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light…”

No matter how you want to say it…In a flash of light a life was changed forever. That is how it is isn’t it? God meets us right where we are at. He comes to us in a flash of lightening…suddenly, immediately, and quickly. He speaks to us and our heart just melts. I find it interesting that God meets Saul…and Saul meets the ground. Again, that is how it is…Who can stand before the Almighty God? Saul, who terrified and sent many into trembling, is now feeling the trembling in his own heart and soul. In an instant all of his plans were gone…now there is nothing but the darkness…a sea of perpetual black and void.

Saul steps out in faith…blind faith…literally…he had to…all of his choices were stripped from him. His plan was now hidden from him…his path was gone. God removed all distractions from Saul’s eyes…Saul’s future was about to change…and here is a great lesson. New eyes are needed for new vision.

Saul’s journey to Damascus has now taken an interesting turn. Saul had a mind to terrorize every believer there…not become one of them…

The Way

2010-02-01T10:59:00.000-06:00

Acts 9:1-2

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

The scripture says that Saul was hunting people who were of “the Way”…notice that “Way” is capitalized…because it’s important…

In the early church we were not called Christians, at least not yet. We were called the “Way”. This is very important, because at this point in time the early church was viewed by how they conducted themselves and how they treated others. If some of you are hearing this for the first time…here are a few scriptures to verify this fact…

Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23, Acts 24:14, Acts 24:22

Over and over in the Book of Acts this is a common reference to the Saints of God…and it’s important…because what this generation of believers could use today is to be known for how they live their life. That sense of integrity has long since left the church many years ago. The churches today are really more known for what they’re against than what they are for. We have a bad tendency to be reactive rather than proactive. What that means is, we get upset when our views, opinions, or thoughts are challenged…but we fail to exercise them into our life…that is why we get called hypocrites.

It’s time to start living what we preach. If ever there was a time when our life needs to shine, it’s now. How we live our lives gives credibility to our message and ultimately gives glory to God.

Steering Through Chaos

2010-01-27T11:41:00.002-06:00

Just received another opportunity to review the book, "Steering Through Chaos" by Pastor Scott Wilson. 2010 is starting out pretty great! This will be the second book I've got to review this year! Looking forward to getting some reading done!

The Fruit of Your Plans

2010-01-21T08:57:00.003-06:00

Jeremiah 6:16 (New Living Translation)

This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.

The old way isn’t the relevant way. The old way isn’t the technological way. It is the ancient way as some translations quote this verse. It is the way of prayer, communion, and actually reading your Bible to know God. It is a return to the fundamental basics of loving God enough to actually spend time with Him…to love God enough to pursue a greater relationship with Him.

The young preachers of my day are guilty of not spending any time talking about such things today…but they are starting to. Just recently I was asked to review a book in which the author says that God is calling for a new reformation…and yet this reformation is not so new…The author is calling for a reformation of the great commandment to “love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” He is calling for us to go back rather than forward. If I’m being honest, all I could think about while reading this was, “He is just coming to this conclusion now in his life?”

For all of our zeal and fire in trying to evangelize the world, my generation struggles in the basics. We want to run before we walk…and we’ve become somewhat palsied because of it. That is why we lack in power and in the Spirit.

Jeremiah 6:19 (New American Standard)

Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their plans, because they have not listened to My words, and as for My law, they have rejected it also.

Look at the description of what the Lord says that the disaster will be…the fruit of their plans. That’s the truth. The other translations describe it as “the fruit of our schemes”, “the games that you are playing”, and “the fruit of your thoughts”…whatever way you want to look at it…the one thing you better come to grips with is that there is only one way…and that is God’s way. All other roads lead to destruction.

We must go back to go forward! We must return to prayer and Bible reading and get to know the God of the Bible…not the God of our imagination. We must abandon our God-less plans and pursue a life-long relationship with Jesus Christ. We must seek the ancient ways and the old ways. We must develop a closer relationship with God by depending on the great “I AM”…not some program. God is a relational being and delights to know us…He delights in loving us…He delights in doing good to us…but make no mistake about God’s plan…God’s plan is to reconcile the world to himself by transforming and conforming the world into the image of Christ. That is priority number one…because whatever isn’t conformed and transformed will be burned up in the eternal fires of hell.

The Desert Road

2010-01-21T08:57:00.001-06:00

Acts 8:27-31

So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

This wasn’t coincidence that Philip met this man on the south road…this was a God ordained moment. Philip is living the adventure of his life…Literally God is leading him in the way he should go…and listen…that is how it is…you don’t know what you are doing next sometimes…sometimes you are just told to go…so you do it…and it leads to great experiences and it leads others to Christ.

I think what I loved the most in this scenario is the fact that Philip could’ve stayed in Samaria. After all Samaria was hopping with excitement while Philip was there. It doesn’t make any sense to leave a place where you have found absolute success. But hear me…God so loved Ethiopia that He sent Philip away from a successful city wide ministry and back onto the “desert road.”

Creating Missionaries

2010-01-21T08:56:00.001-06:00

Acts 8:1-4 (New King James Version)

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

Stephen is dead. That chapter is over. Now we are introduced to the man that for all purposes sat in the back and watched as a council of spiritless preachers stoned a man to his death. The scripture now desires to label Saul as a man that was pleased or consenting to the death of Stephen. Saul understood why they were stoning him and absolutely agreed that it needed to be done. For Saul, however, it was really more than that…You see something stirred up inside of Saul. Something resonated with his soul to see justice done to those that would rail blaspheme against God and God’s people. Something stirred up inside of him to do what he believed to be right…

There is nothing more dangerous than a young man/woman with a passion to see justice.

So Saul terrorizes the church…chasing them down and imprisoning men and women everywhere. He was relentless…the scripture says that he made “havoc” of the church and scattered its followers…the result is underground churches that are scattered like the wind.

Let me read to you how the Message Translation reads…

Acts 8:3-4 (Message Bible)

And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus.

Did you catch that? “The followers of Jesus all became missionaries…”

Here is one thing we have in common with the “Acts Church”…we struggle to be evangelistic and missional…we usually aren’t evangelistic and missional unless we are pushed to be…let me remind you that it is in the first chapter of Acts that we see this mandate made by Jesus…

Acts 1:8 (New King James Version)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This is God’s redemptive plan of action…That you will receive power…when…the Holy Spirit has come upon you…and this is directly related to being a witness to God and for God. Some of you today wonder where has the Spirit of the Lord gone from our churches here in America…it could be quite possible because we are misusing its power for our well-being than the well-being of those God has called us to serve? I’m not saying that we don’t have healing services…I’m not saying that we don’t have moments of when the Holy Spirit falls on us to use the gifts that God has given us…what I am saying is that the power given to us when the Holy Spirit falls is first and foremost given to us so that we might evangelize and energize the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others! The more you become like Christ, the less self-serving you will become. Christ lived to serve…and so it should be found in us. It’s then that God will honor His promise to send us power from on high…and when that power comes we will know to use it for what it was intended to be used for…the enlargement of God’s kingdom…and not our churches…

It took the church quite some time to get outside the four walls. Miracles are happening all over the place. Great things are happening…but it was never God’s plan that it stay right there in Jerusalem. It was never God’s plan that the church be inclusive. The Churches responsibility and mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ…to our community first, then to the surrounding communities, and then to the rest of the world. That is His plan…that is His mission…and if you are a follower and disciple of Christ…then it is yours.

So when the Church fails to get outside of its comfort zone…when it fails to bring the Good News to its neighbor…God makes a way… Death in this life is no punishment, Hell is punishment. God is so willing that none should perish and that all know that Jesus is Lord that he allows men like Saul to be birthed into being…men that have a will and passion to see the church in havoc…men that have a passion to see the church destroyed…because listen…the church never left Jerusalem. They were told that they were supposed to…but they didn’t. It took this persecution to create missionaries.

Stephen

2010-01-21T08:55:00.001-06:00

Acts 6:9-15

Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God." So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Opposition arose…That is the nice way to say it.

More and more the religious elite could see their influence and credibility slipping through their fingers. Men were leaving the broken down law driven system and yearning for the freedom of Christ. Wouldn’t you? Even today there are still churches that operate under giant legalistic terms…you’ve got to talk this way, walk this way, dress this way…that isn’t the gospel. The Gospel declares that God is a forgiving God and is understanding that you don’t have it all together. God knows you are messed up. God knows it’s easier for some of us to create a rule based system to follow because we don’t naturally want to follow God.

My wife likes to say it like this, “People are coming to church…conforming to a set of rules…but their heart isn’t being transformed by the Holy Spirit.” What wonderful wisdom that is. Well here is what it looks like. Stephen is the example here of what you are supposed to look like as a disciple of God…because he is a regular guy. He is a 3^rd generation Christian…

Notice how the religious elite try to argue with Stephen…but it goes nowhere. So they stir up the people to gossip…because if there is one thing that hasn’t changed in 2000 years…it’s gossip. Gossip is a formable business these days. We have magazines, TV programs, and websites everywhere dedicated to bringing the latest gossip to the forefront. We feed off of it and call it entertainment today.

They produced false witnesses…I think the Bible is too kind here…they produced liars that were willing to falsely condemn men to death. These men aren’t religious men at all…they are men of money, greed, power, and corruption. They have abused the system for the gain…

So they brought Stephen before the entire council…

There he is standing in the center…the hateful stares of spiritless preachers…Pastor Rick Dubose, the North Texas District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, once said, “There isn’t a man meaner in the world than a man of God that has lost the anointing.” Can you imagine this scene? Stephen is standing in the center of the room with most likely the full knowledge of what they have said and done. He doesn’t deserve this…but he is facing it. Can you relate? Some of you have been in situations in your life where you didn’t deserve the situation…but you had to face it.

So the council looks down on him…they stare down their noses…having plotted this entire event. What do they see? Do they see a man bitter about the situation that he is in? Do they see a man that has no heart for them? Do they see a man standing before them ashamed and not confident in his God?

No…

They see him standing there and the scripture records his face was like an angel…and listen…last I checked in scriptures in the Bible…angels appeared heavenly, holy, and terribly frightening…

I long for the day where men of God will bear the countenance of these heavenly beings again…Preachers used to be terribly frightening men/women…they used to have a great deal more zeal for what God thought…and a lot less for what men thought…

One such man was George Fox…I don’t suspect many of you have ever heard of him…

George Fox was born in 1624 in England. George was 11 years old when he surrendered his heart to the Lord and grew up to be a frightening preacher. He was born long after the Reformation fires had burned out. The clergy of that time had given themselves an abundance of education…but also comfortable living. So fox began preaching…He had little education, no training, and no advantages of any kind. However, the Spirit of God was on George Fox…It is recorded about George that when he preached men got the shakes. The name Quaker was given to Fox and his followers because of the quaking of the men/women who came to hear him preach.

In reading this man’s biography I loved how the writer make this statement about George Fox, “Though he made others shake…no man could make him shake.”

Where are the great men/women of God that are willing to take a stand on what is right? We are dealing with lives in the balance. How much do we love those that we are called to save? Do we love them enough to tell them the truth? Jesus did! More than ever today we are in need of discernment. We need God to reveal to us today who needs to be talked to like the lady at the well…and who needs the tongue lashing like the Pharisees.

Lord grant me the courage to stand boldly, as Stephen did, and proclaim your Way, Truth, and Life!

Simon The Magician

2010-01-21T08:54:00.000-06:00

Acts 8:9-11 (New American Standard)

Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from the smallest to the greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.

“Claiming to be someone great…”

Interesting, really? I don’t think so. I think we’ve heard this dog and pony show before. Many claim to be great but that is how you know that they aren’t really so great. For the most part we recognize it when someone has a better view of themselves than others do…we call it arrogance…or pride.

And here is the thing…

You might have some gift like Simon does. He had a gift of creating awe inspiring moments (our modern day media pastor)…but He was using it for his own glory and not God’s…and that is how it is, isn’t it? In the church we see gifted people all of the time…but do they have a pure heart? Are they using the gift that God gave them to reflect the glory of God?

Each one of us possess gifts from God…to some it’s obvious…to others, not so much…but in all things if you are in the full knowledge of Christ…it is your responsibility to use your gift in a way that edifies the body of Christ to the glory of God! We are not an independent people that are just allowed to gallivant freely and use our gift to wherever we see fit. We are servants of the Most High God! We must seek His will for our life…and that includes our gifts as well…

Many today don’t seek God out when using their gifts…they are just seeking the attention of man and hoping to fill in that missing gap with their unique gift or talent. They wield their God given gift around as if they weren’t bought with a price and as if it’s theirs to use for their own glory. Its’ dangerous business…and usually one that leads to depression, doubt, fear…and worst of all it distances you from God.

When I was called into ministry, the Lord blessed me with a great zeal for Him and His word. He also had blessed me years earlier, before I was saved, to be a musician. Now here is what I experienced early on in my ministry; my calling to pastor was there. It was strong and I knew it with all my heart…but also there in my heart was music. I loved music. All music. Music was my passion, my heart, and my soul. I preached for about a year or so before I was offered an opportunity to play music on a greater scale. Now I am going to be honest…I have never felt that music was what God specifically called me to do…but at that time my passion for the music was greater than my passion for God. So I jumped on the opportunity…and let me say…it was a short and successful run at it. We, as a band, did well in the music scene…but it was some of the most miserable years that I’ve ever gone through. At the end of that run, I literally cut the strings on my guitars…sold my amps and equipment…and quit for a few years….

I didn’t understand that God was to be my source. I didn’t understand that my gift was given to me so that I would edify Christ and it wasn’t given to me so that I could use it self-servingly. In the end, and I am just being honest here, I was loving myself more than I was loving God. I was loving my gift more than I was loving God…and I was hoping that since God was my message, that He would also make the music more than what it was…which was man-centered.

But before I bare all the weight…let me point to the next thing that is important we recognize…The scripture says twice that they “gave him attention”. We all play our part in bloating the egos of men/women when we can’t discern those that are fishing for attention and compliments. Simon was constantly before the people, which is where he wanted to be, but the scripture is specific that the people liked being in front of him and further added to his ego. They gave him the attention he wanted but that isn’t what he needed.

As I was researching all of this I couldn’t help but think of Absalom, David’s first born. He too needed to be before the people at all times too. He played into the hands of evil men because he loved to be exalted and praised greater than he loved wisdom. 2^nd Samuel 14:25 records the fact that the people praised him for his wonderful beauty…and yet is was his beautiful hair that hung him to his death. Vanity runs deep within our veins and we are need of a great God now more than ever to deliver us of this great disease.

Let us move on and we’ll come back to this in a little bit…

Acts 8:12-13 (New American Standard)

But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. And even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip; and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

“But when they believed Philip preaching the good news…”

Listen…they might have been entertained…they might have been fooled…they might have settled for a cheap imitation of joy while they watched Simon the Magician…but when they heard the good news…that is when the real rejoicing began. If you’ll remember it was just a few verses ago that the scripture says that the entire city rejoiced at the coming of Philip…because he brought the good news with him…gospel good news, amen? They might have been lost in sin with the magician…but now they are alive in Christ! I love it! Even the magician got saved! Simon couldn’t deny what was happening. He was witnessing it firsthand…this was no mere magicians trick…this was the mysterious King of Glory. Simon was a magician and yet he could spot no sleight of hand…this was a power he had not known…this wasn’t some form of trickery. This was God!

Acts 8:14-17 (New American Standard)

Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

There are whole theologies wrapped up in these verses…

Samaria had received the word, they were baptized, but they hadn’t been baptized by the Spirit. These are great differences and every Christian should have a basic understanding of this. I’m not going to get into this one…but I think it is worth your investigation to look into this. Also, in reading and researching this, I find it very interesting that the Spirit didn’t immediately come to them as they heard the word like it did in Acts chapter 2. The Spirit fell as the apostles laid hands…and here is a great fact…

You don’t get to define how the Spirit moves. You don’t get to control the Spirit. It comes precisely when it wants to and to whomever it wants to. You don’t get to wield it as a power given to you to maintain and monitor. It is the power of God and a Comforter to His people. The Spirit isn’t defined by one event like in Acts 2…in this case it is received as the apostles laid hands on the people. So it is reasonable to say that the Spirit can fall corporately and it can also fall on an individual’s separately. I bring that up so that we remember not to place God in a box. Just because the Spirit fell like it did in Acts 2 doesn’t mean that it’s going to fall like that every time we have service. If anything, that should be a good reminder of who is in control and who isn’t…

Acts 8:18-24

Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that if possible the intention of your heart may be forgiven of you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

Now we are at the root…

Now we are seeing the heart of Simon…

Luke 6:45 (NIV)

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

I think Simon genuinely wants to help people. I think he is gifted in being a man that can grab the attention of the people. It would be all too easy to demonize him. But listen…The man that used to live off the attention of others is now trying to live the Gospel of Christ which tells you that you must die to your fleshly desires. The Christian life is about living a life that exalts the God of heaven…it is what we were created for! It’s hard. It isn’t easy to lay ourselves down before God. It isn’t easy to give God our gifts, our dreams, and our desires. However, it is the key to true joy and happiness.

Sometimes to get to that point we first must address the issues that keep us from living it…

Peter said it like this, “Your heart isn’t right.” Sound familiar. I hope so, because I think it is something that is all too familiar. For Simon, his unhealthy heart is exposed as bitterness…and bitterness isn’t pretty. It festers and grows until you are isolated…because no one wants to be around someone that is always bitter. Simon is bitter because it isn’t all about him anymore. It isn’t about what he can do and he is really having a hard time dealing with that. So he reaches out and out of his own heart the issue is exposed. Now Simon is going to have to deal with this, no doubt about it and there are many people out there just like him…

And listen…Peter is speaking in love here…might be a little harsh but it is still in love…but that is what love looks like. Yes love receives us like we are…but love also helps us to become greater than we are. That is what Christ is doing in us. He is working those things out. It hurts. It’s painful. We don’t like it sometimes when the contents of our heart are poured out for all to see…but that is what it takes to be conformed unto Christ.

I said we would come back to the first series of scriptures…so let’s do that real quick…

Acts 8:9-11 (New American Standard)

Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from the smallest to the greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.

“Who formally was practicing magic…”

Change…that is what it looks like…We lay ourselves before the cross of Christ with our hearts exposed to embrace the change that is going to come from within. Simon formally practiced magic…he used to be one way…now he is another. Is Simon’s road going to be difficult? Yes, but isn’t most of this life difficult? Since I’ve became a follower of Christ…this life has been difficult…because I have had to lay down much of who I was to become what He wants me to be…which is more like Jesus.

What in your life is going to be exposed to you in 2010? What are the things in your life that are in need of change or correction?

Hands On

2010-01-21T08:53:00.000-06:00

Acts 6:6

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

The ministry of the “laying of hands” has been around since the early church. Praise God that it is still alive and well. There is something about laying hands on someone and praying for them. Do I believe that God can touch someone without laying hands on someone? Absolutely! However, when we touch someone, it’s as if we share in their burden…we partake of their passions…and we become one in spirit. We lay hands symbolically to convey a transfer of power, anointing, and blessing…but we also convey love, sympathy, and compassion.

Widows & Orphans

2010-01-21T08:52:00.000-06:00

Acts 6:1

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

The Church was growing by leaps and bounds and here is a lesson to be learned. Anytime an organization balloons in growth there are always going to be leadership gaps. The scripture says that the number of the disciples was increasing daily. More people equal more problems…and that is precisely what we see happening as widows are being overlooked…but before I address that…let’s look at the heart of what is happening here…

“The Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews…”

A Grecian Jew was someone that wasn’t born in Israel. They were born from another area and were sometimes looked at as lesser Jews. Obviously the Hebraic Jews were born in Israel and often paraded themselves as the authentic thing. So what you have here is prejudicial acts in the church. One race of people claiming to be better than the others…but listen are now under the blood of Christ trying to reconcile differences in the church…and here is the thing…that is going to breed problems…but the intentions here are great. God is breaking down barriers. Normally the Grecian Jews wouldn’t have attended a Hebraic synagogue because Grecian Jews speak Greek…Hebraic Jews spoke Aramaic. However, under the leadership of the Apostles we see some of the first ever bilingual services happening and we are seeing some of the problems that are in need of being worked out.

Last thing I want to look at here is the fact that there was some form of ministry that included distributing food to widows on a daily basis. The early church tackled the responsibility of taking care of widows, orphans, and the poor. Literally from the beginning…we’re only in chapter 6 here…there seems to be a ministry that helps people. That’s important. This is the heart of God. You’ve heard me say it over and over. My heart is helping people. I want to help the poor and downtrodden of our society. I want use our abundance of resources and supplies in an effort to grow the kingdom. I want to bring Jesus to the heart of the poor and needy…and so should you.

My 2010 Prayer...

2010-01-06T09:29:00.002-06:00

Job 42:5

“My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.”

This is my prayer this year. It’s dangerous, I know…but I am more afraid not to pray it than the circumstances of praying for it. It could mean a difficult road ahead…and who am I kidding…I won’t be prepared…but I want God this year more than last year. I want to be able to say “He is enough”.

My prayer and hope is that this year I will be able to finish some of things that I have started. I want to finish the fictional book that I started writing last year for my kids. I also have another book that God is birthing within in me for this year...but I am overwhelmed in my heart to finish what I started before tackling something new. So a few things are on my radar...but none match my first ambition...

To know God greater than ever before...to include Him more into my life than I have been. To spend more time in prayer with Him than I have been. To live the Gospel greater than I can preach it. All I want is Him and Him alone...to know Him with greater understanding...to love Him with more of my heart...to see His plan and purposes fulfilled upon the earth...and to be a part of it...however big or small. To be grateful for everything; good times and suffering.

Teach me, Father...your ways...

The Battle in the Heart

2010-01-06T09:15:00.002-06:00

Jeremiah 1:19

"They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD."

Jeremiah 20:14 (paraphrased)

"Cursed be the day I was born!"

What a contrast from the beginning...

God tells Jeremiah that the fight will not overcome you. I wonder if Jeremiah ever thought that the fight for his own soul would come from the inside. When God tells you that the fight against you will not overcome you, I bet Jeremiah never thought that his own mind and heart would be or could be the enemy.

But that is how it is isn't it?

It seems often that our greatest battles aren't with others but within our own flesh. The greatest battles are often within our own souls. Flesh is waging war with the Spirit...and we feel beat up and ripped apart. I actually saw a study on PBS TV last night that stated depression actually takes a physical toll on the brain, thus the reason they look at depression as a physical illness and not just some mental condition.

The more God grows my heart...the more I believe that the greatest battles in our lives happen within our own souls. There is a wretched time when self-pity rises up to choke us of our annointing, appointing, and calling. There are times when our greatest enemy is ourselves.

Be on guard against such times...

The Seven "I's"...

2010-01-06T09:08:00.002-06:00

Just started reading through Jeremiah yesterday...noticed this...

Jeremiah 1: 5-8

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

1. I formed you...

2. I knew you...

3. I set you apart...

4. I appointed you...

5. I send you...

6. I command you...

7. I am with you and will rescue you...

Wake up "man of God" and take hold of these seven absolute truth's to your calling.

God has made you and knows you! He appointed you and sent you out with a holy and royal command to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth...He will be with you and will rescue you. Take heart and courage...and GO!

Two-Fold Suffering

2010-01-06T09:01:00.003-06:00

Job 42:5

“My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.”

Job 42:7-9

After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer.

Very interesting text this week...

Suffering isn't just about us...it is also about others.

God cares so much about us and those that are around us that He is willing to use our circumstances, not only in a way that touches us and changes us, but also as a witness to others. God cares about our friends. Not only did Job come out in greater knowledge of God...but so did the friends of Job.

When was the last time you thanked God for using your unfortunate moments in life to show you another side of Himself...as well as using you as a witness to your friends? Meditate on that...

Suffering...

2010-01-06T08:58:00.001-06:00

Acts 5:40-42

They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts chapter 4 started with the healing of a crippled man lying helpless at the gate of the temple. It started spectacular. It started with momentum. Peter and John find themselves having an overnight stay in a jail cell because of it…but God delivered them and by the next day they are out.

Let me interject that we have an understanding that the world isn’t going to always get our message…as a matter of fact we are told by Jesus that they are going to hate us for it. So the apostles aren’t surprised when the religious sect that crucified Jesus throws them in jail. However, chapter 5 starts out with an internal issue in the church that doesn’t sit well with God and a harsh reality sets in on the church that God will reveal our hearts publically. Ananias and Sapphira die because their pride had swollen their eyes shut. God once again answers mightily and the church is saved from the inside out.

So the Word of God prevails and travels onward capturing the souls of men, women, and children from all over Jerusalem…but the religious elite are going down without a fight…so the apostles find themselves in jail again. This time, however, God sends an angel to deliver them…and once again they are out and about preaching the Gospel.

What is my point?

God anointed them to heal the sick…it lands them in jail…God delivers them. God exposes a married couple in the church as frauds and killed them dead as an example to others and saves the apostles from having to deal with the issue. The apostles continue to preach the Gospel which lands them in jail again…God delivers them in the form of sending an angel…

This time, however, they might have been spared a return to jail…but they took a beating.

Did you hear that? They were beaten…

God chose not to deliver them of the beating. Did they deserve it? No! Yet that didn’t move the hand of God.

There are some theologies out there today that actually make people think that they will never suffer…or that God is going to deliver them out of every circumstance. I don’t know where that comes from…but I know it has to end. Suffering is a great teacher…one that we don’t like…but it often reveals what is actually in our heart.

Probably one of the most notable people in the Bible associated with suffering is Job. Job suffered. If you know his story…then you know at the end of his suffering he makes this statement…

Job 42:5

“My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.”

Job could tell you more about God than any of his friends…and in the end his friends have to rely on his knowledge of God to pray for them and seek God for them. Suffering is a great teacher…far greater than we give credit for…

Stir My Heart, Oh Lord

2009-12-28T11:21:00.000-06:00

Ezra 1:5

Then the heads of fathers' households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.

I read this last night. It impacted me greatly. Why, because I am stirred up right now. I am stirred to correct that which has gone on for too long uncorrected. My heart burns with a fire to protect the sheep from men who have long since lost their heart for what is right and honorable. My heart hurts because I see something dreadful and I feel inadequate to address it.

I feel like Jeremiah…

Jeremiah 1:4-8

Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth, because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you," declares the LORD.

But I am afraid. I am afraid to speak up and yet my heart burdens me to be bold. The Lord is very well acquainted with my circumstance and yet He hasn’t removed me from it either. Why has he made me this way?

Then I read Ezra last night and God speaks to me through His Word…

“…everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD…”

God speaks to men’s hearts. He stirs them. He keeps some men stirred about kingdom affairs at all times. Some men God grabs by the heart and sets them aside for specific kingdom duties. To some teachers, pastors, evangelist, prophets, apostles…to some builders, destroyers, soldiers, etc…

What is God stirring within you?

God is stirring me to rejuvenate pastors back into a holy reverence with God. I am done hearing from pastors, “that is how we’ve always done ministry”…because here is the thing…it’s failing. It’s quite possible that we don’t need another book telling us how to grow a church until we start to write the ones that tell pastors how to grow in God. Pastors today are struggling with the basics; prayer, integrity, honesty, morality, ethics, and devotion. It’s quite possible that the church is the way it is because of the way pastors are. Isn’t the old saying, “As the pastor goes, so goes the church”?

God is stirring in me to preach from the mountain tops to today’s pastors and tell them to “RETURN”! Return to your first love. See the folly of your pride and return to God. Remember the days of your youth. Remember the fire by which you were baptized to preach. Remember once again that ministry is a privilege. It’s a privilege to serve God and His people. Remember that they are His people.

Most of all…Remember that God is the God of second chances…and that this is your second chance to do it right. Pick yourself up “man of God” and be forgiven…healed…holy…and sanctified for service once again. Shine your light and blaze a new trail…be stirred in your heart once again.

Transition

2009-12-28T11:17:00.000-06:00

This next weekend marks my 1 year anniversary serving as a pastor at First A/G Marble Falls. What a ride! It’s been a great time with great people. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, but God has been faithful and good to us here. If I had to sum up this year in one word, it would be “transition”.

The transition from living over a decade in one place to moving over four hours away was difficult. My daughters had to adapt from having all of our family living with a mile or so, to not seeing them except on holidays. We transitioned from home schooling our children to sending them to public school (which has been great). We transitioned from living in a 2000 square foot home to a 1200 square foot home, which caused us to get rid of a lot of stuff and simplify our life.

In ministry we transitioned from working with youth to working with adults. It’s been great! We helped in establishing small groups and on the worship team. For seven months it seemed that we were right on track to establish the dream and plan that was set out before us. Then God spoke and just like that our senior pastor had to move on. So we transitioned into being whatever God needed us to be here.

Can I be honest? It’s been hard. There are a lot of things I have seen good and bad that have come about during this time of transition.

I watched the church as they missed their senior pastor. They were still hurting from the last senior pastors departure. It was a difficult time. However, the Lord guided us through by keeping us focused on what’s important…the mission. Pastor or no pastor, we must maintain the mission. God is going to hold us accountable regardless of whether we have pastors or not. So I watched as this church pressed in and unified itself to purchase 380 shoes to give away to children all across the community. I watched as the finances poured in. It was a marvelous thing. God answered by sending the largest attending crowd ever to our church and the largest altar call ever as well!

Now it’s time for another transition. Next weekend our new senior pastor will preach our celebration service. We are celebrating God answering our prayers of sending us a new pastor and for sending us a harvest. We are celebrating the future or our church. We are celebrating new direction. We are celebrating new life. We are celebrating new leadership. There is hope in the air again and our church is showing signs of it.

So if you live around Marble Falls, Texas…come by and see us…God is doing something new here.

Where are the Watchmen?

2009-12-28T11:16:00.000-06:00

Matthew 2:1-3

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

Let me just set up this whole scenario so we can get a better picture of it…

The birth of Christ has happened. We’ve talked about that. We’ve heard the story over and over. We even know this part of the story. The “three kings” part of the story, as it is often called. However, a little truth be told that none of these men are kings. I don’t know where that comes from. But these men aren’t kings. Actually if you do a study over the word “magi” you will find that it is more closely related to the word “magician” and is actually where we get our word “magic” today. Here is a little more truth for you now…the word “magi” meant almost the same thing back then. Magi, from the Greek word pronounced “magoi”, originated as a religious class from Babylon or Persia. They were wealthy, highly educated in the knowledge of their time, and well regarded. Magi were men of astrology and other forms of divination. They mapped the stars and were known for interpreting dreams and such. Now if you remember your Bible history then you know that Israel was taken captive by the Persian Empire. So it’s no surprise to me that we see Magi having some knowledge about the Jewish Savior.

But here is the thing that struck a chord with me…Verse 4 thru 6…this is what the Lord spoke to me…

Matthew 2:4-6

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ "

How come the chief priest and teachers of the law didn’t see or have an understanding that Christ was entering into the world? How do you miss that? If you are a priest, teacher, pastor, or preacher how do you miss the fact that the “Messiah” has come into the world? This is the One you preach about. This is the One you teach about. This is the One that you model your life after. This is the One that you have spent the greater part of your life memorizing every detail of His Word. Listen…they knew where he was going to be born…but they didn’t realize that the hour had come.

So this is what the Lord spoke to me this week…

“Where are my watchmen today?”

The chief priest and teachers in the day of Herod were the foremost experts on God. They knew where the child was to be born. They knew all of the details and prophecies that must happen to bring this event into reality…yet they never saw it coming and completely missed its arrival. This breaks my heart, because in all of our intellectualism and fancy technology we are no closer to God than 2000 years ago.

This is my heart. This is the reason I entered into ministry so late…because God gave me a vision that His watchmen are sleeping…and listen…they are doing a lot more than sleeping…but we won’t go into that…

Who will warn God’s people? Where are God’s men and women? Where are this generations David Wilkerson’s? Where are this generations Blanche Brittan who in the 1950’s, she planted over 40 churches? Where are God’s watchmen? Where are the men and women of God that are more concerned with God than their own life?

Ezekiel 3:17 & 33:7

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me."

Where are the warnings today? How come we don’t hear them? Where are the voices of the Lord? Are we so entertained that we are missing out on what God wants for our lives? It’s quite possible. Where is our passion, where is our fire?

Isaiah 21:8

And the lookout shouted, "Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post."

Who will be found standing when the Lord returns? Who will notice? I guess what my overall fear is when I read the scriptures found in Matthew is…I don’t want to be guilty of memorizing knowledge without the wisdom to allow it to manifest in my life. I don’t want to be able to give you an answer on where Christ is to be born without also recognizing the fact that the single greatest moment in history is about to take place. God’s watchmen must stand watch. They must see not only the approaching of the enemy but also of the Lord. “Every night I stay at my post”, it says…

Every night I am watching. Every night I am listening intently. Every night I am keeping guard. We are to be waiting upon the Lord…

And here is God’s warning to those who are watchmen…

Ezekiel 33:6

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.'

This is a stern approach for the man or woman of God to be at their best. This is not a game. God is coming back in all His glory and who will even notice His arrival? Where are the hearts that burn for God’s arrival? Where are the hearts that burn for revival?

Look back with me to Matthew…

Matthew 2:7-8

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

Herod, bitter and fearing that others might rise up and revolt, sought to kill the child Jesus. He even acts as if he wants to see the child and acknowledge his kingship. However, the Magi are also called the “wise men” and aren’t fooled by such childish trickery…

Can I point out the obvious?

Maybe the reason the chief priest and teachers missed the sign of Christ birth is because they were in the pockets of evil men? This isn’t the first time… In 1 Kings Chapter 22 we see the story of a lone prophet of the Lord that stands up to 400 prophets of the Lord.

I know this isn’t pretty…but this is ministry. If you’re surprised…so am I…and yet today we are still dealing with priest and prophets that are teaching and prophesying according to what pay’s the best. It’s ugly and it’s true.

Allow me to leave you with this quote from the late Leonard Ravenhill, “The salt of the earth that is saving America at this hour is the Church. Believers, this is your hour. Believers, arise. Believers, begin now to watch, to weep, to work, and to war."

Birthright/Adoption

2009-12-28T11:14:00.000-06:00

I did a study a while back on the DNA of Jesus in which we studied the genealogy of Christ. I found it fascinating and intriguing. It’s easy to find…simply open up the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

In Matthew’s gospel Jesus is the adopted son of Joseph who comes from the line of David. In Luke’s gospel Jesus is the birthright son of Mary who also comes from the line of David. But here is something of great importance that can only be seen when we combine both gospels. Jesus was the physical son of Mary and He was the adopted son of Joseph…thus He is the King over those who are called by birthright and those that are adopted. He is the king of both those who are by birthright the children of promise and He is king of those who have been grafted in. His very genealogy testifies that He came to save both Jew and Gentile and reconcile the entire world to himself.

The Heart of God

2009-12-28T11:11:00.000-06:00

Matthew 1:18-19

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

I love it. This is a real story. It has real hardships. Immediately we have to focus in on the fact that Joseph sees Mary and she is already pregnant. Can you imagine? Your heart is set on marrying this woman. You’ve waited for the right time, the right opportunity to make her your wife. She is a woman of virtue. She has kept herself pure. Listen…the scripture says Joseph was a righteous man. He did and kept the way of the Law. He was a good man, and let me translate the word good here, Joseph was a holy man. He desired and had a passion for doing things God’s way. Marrying a woman that sleeps around is not his idea of the right thing…but that is exactly what is presented before him. If you piece the Gospels together…Mary didn’t appear pregnant before she left to see her cousin Elizabeth…no…she shows up that way once she gets back.

That’s when things get weird…right?

Joseph see’s that his bride to be might not be as virtuous as he thought. I am sure he started to look at the situation a bit differently. You see in those days if a woman is caught like that she could possibly have been stoned. That was the cultural. Joseph had every right to not want Mary. I can’t say for sure, but I know if it were me, I would be angry…and wouldn’t I deserve the right? Joseph loved her…and let’s be real here…if my wife or soon to be wife comes up to me and says that she is pregnant with God’s baby, I might not say that I’ve heard that before, but I’m sure not going to I believe her…because that isn’t how babies are made. Women can’t have babies by themselves. It takes two to make that dance happen. Are you still with me?

So here is the thing. Mary isn’t lying. She is telling the truth, but Joseph just can’t believe what is so entirely impossible…and yet he is not without compassion for her...because he loves her. Read verse 19 with me again…

“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”

As hurt as Joseph was he couldn’t hurt Mary. He didn’t want to expose her publically; rather he sought out a solution to divorce her quietly. It isn’t pretty but it was compassionate, sensitive, and loving. He could have made a spectacle, but he didn’t. That wasn’t what Joseph was all about.

Matthew 1:20-25

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

But after he had considered this…

Joseph considered all that he would do to separate himself from Mary. He had a plan…but here is the thing, God has a plan and God reveals it to Joseph in a dream. Can I state the obvious? I’ve had a lot of dreams. I’ve had some dreams that I really thought were God dreams. I’ve had dreams that I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that they are just a figment of my imagination. So why is this dream so convincing? Why this dream? Yea, it dealt with his circumstance…but why believe it, when it pointed to something so utterly impossible.

Listen…

John 10:14 reads…

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…”

And again in John 10:27…

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Joseph knew God because he was a man of God. That means he prayed, he spoke with God, he followed after God. Joseph knew this was a God dream because he was a man who knew God. Can we say that about ourselves? When God speaks to us, do we struggle to know if it’s Him? Let me just say that even as much as I pray and seek to understand God that even I struggle in this area. However, let me also say that in my struggle to hear from God only makes me pursue God more. I want to know him. I want to hear his voice. I want to recognize his voice pattern, like He recognizes mine.

What happens next is phenomenal. Joseph wakes up and is absolutely obedient. Matthew doesn’t give us some drawn out “prophet Jonah” like conversation in which Joseph questions God’s will and design for his life. There is no conversation because for Joseph, God said it and that was enough. Let me point out something obvious here…God gives great responsibility, great vision, and great courage to those who are obedient. Joseph is obedient. He even abstains from being with her as the Lord commanded. That isn’t an easy task for newlyweds. Newlyweds enjoy being newlyweds.

An obedient man or woman of God has a heart that bleeds for God. It desires to do the things of God. It desires to be in communion with God. It wants what God wants.

We know the rest of the story. Unto us a child is born. Unto us a Savior is given. He is Christ the Lord. Jesus is birthed right into the middle of a huge drama that is unfolding. God as man is birthed into the world. That is huge. It was so big that it split time and history. Can you imagine the enormous magnitude of this entire thing? Now can you imagine it in the hands of a 15 year old virgin girl and a young Jewish man? Can you say nervous, scared, and freaked out a bit? This was monumental. This was epic.

Unfortunately the drama doesn’t end there. No from there it just gets scary.

Matthew Chapter 2 paints a grim picture for the first few days of Jesus. The child’s life was in danger from the moment He came out of the womb.

Matthew 1:18

"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

Herod, in an effort to kill off any opposing prophesied threat, decided to put to death every male child below the age of 2 in Bethlehem. I can’t help but think of all the movies that I’ve seen portray the birth of Jesus. I can see the angels singing “Joy to the World” and everyone is so happy and blessed that the Redeemer has come…but when I read Matthews account, I can’t hear the music over the cries (the scripture says there was great weeping and mourning) of small children being butchered by the hands of jealous evil men. Of course Christ is spared because once again God can count on Joseph to understand and know His voice. They are of like hearts and like passions at this point, and seek to protect that which is precious to both of them…the child Jesus.

So Joseph lives on the run. He flees to Egypt.

Egypt…twice now a place of refuge for God’s people, once with Joseph and now with Jesus, was to be a temporary home. There they stayed until the people that had once sought to kill them all were dead. God speaks to Joseph again and now it’s time to go back.

As I read and studied over this I can’t help but see something obvious. God speaks and Joseph obeys. It’s rather simple and yet we mess it up more than anything. We are so wicked in our hearts. We question and question. We are so stubborn and stiff-necked, as the KJV would say. Oh, how the Lord desires a man that is obedient.

“Obedience is the road to freedom, humility the road to pleasure, unity the road to personality.” C.S. Lewis

Obedience is nothing more than sanctification. It is the living proof that you have become part of something greater. It is the outward physical evidence of an inward spiritual change. Paul said in Romans that God’s will is for you to be conformed unto the image of Christ. We are to be replica’s of the first born of God.

380 Shoes

2009-12-22T08:37:00.002-06:00

This past Sunday was our "300 pair of shoes for 300 kids" outreach event. In a nutshell it was great. In fact it was better than great...it was awesome!

We ended up with 380 shoes to hand out! We also had probably the biggest attending crowd ever in the history of our church. It was inspiring and humbling. God is so much bigger than my imagination or expectation. I am just so thankful for what the Lord is doing in Marble Falls.

All that aside...our altars were full and many returned to the Lord that night. It was such a humbling experience. There were a few people that wanted my sermon notes, so I thought I would post them here.

So...it's Christmas...and it's time that I be were I am at...so I will write more once the holidays are over...

I am happy to have all of you here tonight. It’s Christmas. This is the time of year we are busy about family, traveling, and many other things. It’s really easy to forget that 2000 years ago something so incredible happened. A child was born. This wasn’t just any child. This child was to be the redemption of all of mankind…and listen…most of you know the story. Most of you have heard about Jesus. You know the story of him being born into this world to be the atoning sacrifice for all of mankind. We might not fully understand it, but we’ve heard it. Tonight, with all of these shoes behind me, I want to refer to you this one scripture…

Galatians 2:20 (paraphrasing)

“I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ in me…”

We didn’t, out of our own hearts, conceive to do something like this. We don’t get to take credit for this idea or even the finances that had to come together to make this happen. We can only give credit to the one who passionately pursues our heart, our Lord Jesus Christ. It is Him and Him alone that has put this entire thing together. It is Him and Him alone that has drawn you, even now, to this place. It isn’t by coincidence that you are here tonight. You see, God is always calling His children to him. Tonight He wants more than anything for you to know how much He loves you. He wants you to know that He is with you even now. He is with you even when you refuse to acknowledge it. He is with you in your greatest moments and even in your darkest hours.

Listen…I don’t know where you are at spiritually tonight…but I do know more than anything that God is calling some of you to return to Him. He is tugging on your heart right now…and maybe you already know Jesus. Maybe you already have a relationship with Him but have long since walked away…let me tell you…tonight is your night. Anyone can hand out shoes and we are happy to do so, but I’ve got to be honest…what God wants is far more than just to give shoes to you. He wants to give you gift of salvation and the gift of a relationship with Him. He loves you and is calling you to return to Him.

So this is your night and this is a special night because this is the night you come home. This is the night where the Bible says that all the angels sing praises unto God as every son and daughter return to the arms of God. This night will be a great homecoming event for those who chose to return…those that decide today to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ.

And listen…some will say I’ve done this or I’ve done that…none of that matters…2000 years ago God birthed into this world a son who would bare the weight of sin on His shoulders. His sacrifice on the cross redeemed us from our past and from our future. All God has asked from us is a relationship. I stand here today as a witness to this. I am a witness of His everlasting grace and mercy. I stand here before you today pleading with you that your past doesn’t have to dictate your future…there is still hope…there is still time. Your redemption is but a decision away. This Christmas the greatest gift you receive won’t be a pair of shoes…it will be a new life…a restored life…a blessed life.

The Primal Movement

2009-12-22T08:28:00.001-06:00

In true Mark Batterson fashion, the book explores both scripture and countless other physiological aspects of the Great Commandment. While the book isn’t as intense as his other two, Primal encourages us to go back rather than forward. It’s a call to return to God and love Him with our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

As I read Primal two words came to mind, “reverse engineering”.

I couldn’t help but think that his books are really out of order. I saw Primal as a book meant to be read first as it explores where our passion should come from. Mark is tormented by the statement, “Our heart should break for the things that break God’s heart.” What a gut wrenching statement that is long overdue in the realm of ministry leaders. Probably one of the most shocking statements made in the entire book is the self confession that Mark has taken a deep look inside and concluded that he was becoming a “professionally paid Christian”. Ouch! I love raw unfiltered truth. It’s a magnet to me. As soon as this statement was made I was hooked into a reading frenzy.

As I continued to read, I am always in awe of Marks unique ability to see the supernatural in the natural. He does a great job showcasing the glory of God in the most unforeseen things. There are times where it is a bit excessive to my personal taste, but I am fully aware that he is a pastor and that pastor’s tend to be redundant. So I shrug it off and continue to explore the pages with wild excitement because I know the author is a lion chaser. Lion chasers are adventurers. They blaze new trails and take giant risk. Such was this book. It is a call backwards to a place of reverence, a place of holiness and purity. It is the call back to the basics, something my generation and today’s “conference leading pastors” need to take a look at.

Primal is excellent read and worth every penny. It is an investment of eternal proportions and worthy of sitting on anyone’s bookshelf. If you’ve never read a book by Mark Batterson, pick this one up first. Then read Wild Goose Chase and last In A Pit with A Lion On A Snowy Day. It makes more sense.

Primal makes you discover what is most important. It’s a return to the basics. It’s a return to what is most important. Wild Goose Chase motivates you to come of out the cage of what has been holding you back. In a Pit with A Lion On A Snowy Day challenges you to live out your calling and have the courage enough to boldly go where you faith leads you.

Coming Soon

2009-12-21T11:36:00.000-06:00

I finally recieved my copy of Primal by Mark Batterson! Been reading for the past few days and will post a review tonight.

Got a few other things ready to post as well...

- Posted via iPhone!

WE NEED REVIVAL!

2009-12-03T10:26:00.001-06:00

Revival starts when we are sick of what has been and start to pray with a desperate voice for can be. Revival is for when we long to see souls confess and repent more than we love the comfort of our own life. Revival starts when our hearts break for the things that break Gods heart…and I completely agree with Leonard Ravenhill when he says that the only reason we haven’t had revival is because we are content with the way things are.

He is right.

I was reading over the week an article from Time Magazine calling this decade the worst decade ever, they actually titled the article, “00-10 The Decade from Hell”…

Here is a condensed excerpt…

“At exactly two minutes after midnight on January 1, 2000 an alarm sounded at a nuclear power plant in Onagawa, Japan. Government officials and computer scientists around the globe held their breath. Was this the beginning of a massive Y2K computer meltdown? Actually no, it was an isolated event, one of a handful of glitches to occur as the sun rose on a new decade. No. The dreaded millennial meltdown never happened.

Instead, it was the American Dream that was about to dim. Bookended by 9/11 at the start and a financial wipeout at the end, the first 10 years of this century will very likely go down as the most dispiriting and disillusioning decade Americans have lived through in the post World War 2 era.”

The article goes on…

“The U.S. has endured not one but two market crashes — one at each end of the decade. You might recall the first Wall Street crash, when swooning tech stocks tanked the market from 2000 to 2001, not long after the Nasdaq hit an all-time high of 5049 on March 10, 2000. The economy went into a recession that now seems laughably mild. What followed wasn't funny at all: the most divisive and confusing presidential election in history, a discombobulated drama that we once thought could occur only in the Third World.

Then came the defining moment of the decade, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, which redefined global politics for at least a generation and caused us to question the continental security we had until then rarely worried about. We waged war in Afghanistan that drags on and today is deadlier than ever. Then came our fiasco in Iraq. Don't forget the anthrax letters and later the Washington, D.C., snipers and the wave of Wall Street scandals highlighted by Enron and WorldCom.

Sometimes it was as if the gods themselves were conspiring against this decade. On Aug. 29, 2005, near the center point in the decade, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southeast Louisiana, killing more than 1,500 and causing $100 billion in damages. It was the largest natural disaster in our nation's history.

There is nothing natural about the economic meltdown we are still struggling with as the decade winds down. A housing bubble fueled by cheap money and excessive borrowing set ablaze by derivatives, so-called financial weapons of mass destruction, put the economy on the brink of collapse. We will be sorting through the damage for years. Meanwhile, the living, breathing symbol of this economic sordidness, prisoner No. 61727-054, a.k.a. Bernie Madoff, rots away in a Butner, N.C., jail cell, doing 150 years for orchestrating the biggest Ponzi scheme in the history of humanity.”

This isn’t my take on things…Time magazine is a worldly magazine. This isn’t bias opinionated church propaganda…this is all fact. There has never been a time like the time we live in now. We live in it and we are responsible for it. There has never been a greater moment than now for a revival…but we can’t have just a revival…we must also have a reformation.

It’s time for a resurgence of true gospel preaching. Even now I have been listening to countless other pastors out there saying that God is stirring them up to go back to the cross. Praise God! There lies all the answers! All of our hope, all of our strength, and all of our faith lies in the old rugged cross of Christ!

When we will be dissatisfied with the status quo? When will we get fed up with what used to be and chase what can be? When will the church rise up and return to her secret place with such a passion as to seek God for revival or die trying?

God's church is here and it loves you!

2009-12-03T10:24:00.001-06:00

Devotion - Acts 5:13

Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

You can put it like this, “Listen, I am not going to join your crusade…but I appreciate all that you are doing.” That isn’t a cut-down…as a matter of fact…I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you are not going to join my church…that’s ok…but I hope to at least impact you and influence you in some way or another in an effort that the works of Christ be manifested and witnessed before you.

You might not dare join God’s church…but you will appreciate the fact that it is here and it loves you. God is always offering love…and so should its church. I don’t know if you knew this but God offers grace and mercy free. He is pouring it out…listen…regardless if you take it or not…it still is being poured out.