Great truths are found within the pages of the book we call the Bible. The fact that the Bible contains within it the very order and details of creation is itself a great phenomenon. The stories of men and women who braved the harsh stones thrown at them by life cannot be overlooked. The many examples of bravery and overcoming unexpected trials are very encouraging. The countless mentioning of how evil was outdone by the good and how wickedness has to run from the light of truth is all too exciting. The word of God is in no wise able to be described by any frail words of our language.
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We all know this and most, if not all, have heard or read something from the Bible. We have heard the great story of how God created the worlds within the first six days of creation and how David defeated all odds and became King. We gather together in round table discussions and talk about theology, in light of what Jesus might have written on the ground when the Pharisee’s brought to him the woman caught in the act of adultery. We spend hours arguing Eschatology and who the Anti-Christ is. We agree on some point and disagree on others. We debate about what Paul meant when he said this or what was James really trying to say with that. Oh the wonders that one book can produce.
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No book has ever influenced life as we know it now like the Bible. Not one book has been able to totally and completely make its way into every area of society and radically affect the politics of so many cultures. Not one book has the power to change lives and stir up emotions. Only the Bible has the power to bring to naught and yet also build. Thank God for his word.
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But the question that still arises is; do we really believe what is in that book? Are we just readers and hearers of the word or do we actually trust that the Bible is a matter of rock solid, unmovable, unshakable, uninterrupted, un-bias, without favor, without doubt, complete, perfect, whole, and final ACTUAL true word of almighty God, the created and sustainer of heaven and earth?
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May I submit to you my brothers and sisters, that there is in fact a great lack of faith in the word of God. I know that I have been guilty of saying I believe with my mouth and yet with my heart I have doubted. I am 100% sure that everyone that reads this blog has at some point doubted the word of God. If not, please let me know! For example, Jesus said;
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Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
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Jesus is telling his disciples that the works that he has done shall be done in greater manner. I would like to ask you, have you ever seen a blinded eye opened? Have you seen a deaf ear unstopped? Have you watched as lame legs received strength? Have you seen a dead man rise? Have you seen water turned into wine? Seen a man walk on water? Seen boils and scabs of infection disappear?
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Has the power of God diminished? Are the miracles of healing and the wonders expired? Have the displays of the miraculous gone away with the passing of the apostles? The answer is NAY!! The church is larger than it has ever been. There are more born again Holy Ghost filled people than has ever been. There are more churches built to the glory of God than has ever been. There are more displays of the five-fold ministry than ever in the history of mankind. There are still people being healed and delivered all around the world. Our brothers and sisters from around the world come to our churches in North America and boost our faith with their testimonies of miracles being poured out. And thank God for that.
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But may I tell you, my fellow laborers in Christ that the reason that we have not seen a greater display of miracles is because we have put our trust in the doctor BEFORE we appeal to the Doctor of Doctors. We have not seen the great display of the miraculous because our generation is simply struggling to BELIEVE and have FAITH in the promises of God. James said ‘we have not because we ask not.’
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Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
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Jesus Christ is right now seated upon his throne bringing all things under dominion through the advance of his kingdom through you and me. We are the instruments by which Christ is taking authority over every spirit and opposition that rises up against his rule and reign. I just want to Yell at the top of my lungs that it’s time for our generation to believe again. Thank God for the doctors and the advance of medicine but God is still able to do exceedingly, abundantly and above all we are able to ask or think. The physicians and lawyers have limits but our God has no LIMIT to his power.
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Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Act 2:19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
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Brothers and Sisters, it’s time to believe again. We have the ability. We have the power. We’re filled with the right ingredient. We just need to flip the switch up to the “on” position. Grant it God!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
A True Love for God
Psychologists and those that study the activity of the human brain have always come up with reasons for certain feelings. They are confident that certain feelings are a result of certain situations and ‘This’ is just the product of ‘That.’ But even they cannot explain how two people with the same circumstances react completely differently and their “feelings” toward the situation are very much the opposite of each other. This is because God created us to be different from each other and yet we all know that feelings, whether hidden or exposed, are an everyday reality for us. Your reactions are produced by feelings, your ideas and conclusions to certain events are all a result of how you feel. You can laugh at something one day and cry the next day without anything circumstantially changing. How many times have we gotten up from our sleep and been induced with a certain feeling that we are unable to explain?
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The most passionate feeling of all is the feeling of love. Not the romantic feeling of love in the sense of a Romeo and Juliet ‘L-O-V-E’ story, rather the kind of love that flows from the depth of a person’s soul. The kind of love that makes a woman pick a car up to save her trapped child. The kind of love that would cause a father to jump in front of a bear to save his son. The kind of love that seemingly has no rhyme or reason. It’s a love that is unexplainable and so deep it cannot be expressed in words. This love was so perfectly demonstrated on the Cross by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture declares;
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Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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Jesus Christ was the ultimate example of what true unbiased and non-partisan love really is. It is Christ who gave us the perfect result of what deep love can produce. There was a scribe of the Pharisees that came to Jesus one day and asked him this question; “Which is the first commandment of all?” This man no doubt knew the order in which the law was laid out. He was a man who was steeped in the study of the law and the ways of the letter. He wasn’t asking Jesus which law was first in order, he wanted to know which one of the laws was the greatest in importance. Which one of the laws held the most weight? What law is the greatest one to acknowledge and keep?
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Jesus’ response to him was;
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Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
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Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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Jesus Christ was the ultimate example of what true unbiased and non-partisan love really is. It is Christ who gave us the perfect result of what deep love can produce. There was a scribe of the Pharisees that came to Jesus one day and asked him this question; “Which is the first commandment of all?” This man no doubt knew the order in which the law was laid out. He was a man who was steeped in the study of the law and the ways of the letter. He wasn’t asking Jesus which law was first in order, he wanted to know which one of the laws was the greatest in importance. Which one of the laws held the most weight? What law is the greatest one to acknowledge and keep?
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Jesus’ response to him was;
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Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Mar 12:29And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
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This was nothing new to the scribe. He knew the law. He already understood the importance of the SHEMA. It was the most significant law in Jewish religious practices. But Jesus didn’t just stop with the exclamation of the most obvious. He continued;
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Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
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WHAT?! This scribe must have been dumb-founded. The Pharisee had no problem accepting the fact that God is one and the SHEMA was already a part of his everyday life. But the second part of Jesus’ statement must have taken him by udder surprise. Jesus quoted the SHEMA and in the same sentence proclaimed to the scribe that, to love your neighbor as yourself is equally important. Jesus was telling the scribe that out of all the laws that are in your manual and out of all the religious practices that are laid out in your handbook, the greatest laws are the most overlooked and ignored. Jesus explained to the scribe that in order to understand the SHEMA, you must also understand that the love you have toward your neighbor is directly connected to your love for God. In fact, according to John you CANNOT have true love toward God and NOT love your neighbor. It is IMPOSSIBLE to proclaim that God is one and love him while hating your brothers and sisters. John said;
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1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
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WOW!!! That’s some strong language John. But being a liar can’t be so bad. Don’t we all lie sometimes? It’s not that I actually “hate” him/her I just don’t “love” them. But I still love God with all my heart, mind and strength. John heard the words of Jesus at the last day saying;
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Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
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I really wonder how many people will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and proclaim that they always believed there was one God and that they truly loved him. I must confess that I tremble at the thought that so many people who are harboring hatred toward a brother or sister will come before God on the day of judgment and emphatically exclaim that they loved God with a pure heart. And much to their surprise and dismay Jesus will look at them and say;
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Mat 7:23 …I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
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GOD, don’t let me live this life professing to love You and not love my brother or sister. My prayer today is that we would love one another in the fear of God and not allow Satan to convince us that a little bit of dislike or hatred is OK. Many people embrace the idea that you should love everyone that does good to you and hate those that disagree and even despise you. But Jesus said;
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Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
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We don’t need to get caught in the trap of hating our neighbor because of attitude, past experiences, personality, social status, ethnic background, race, color, pedigree, intellect or any other reason. Jesus looked at the woman caught in the act of adultery and forgave her and through love did not “condemn” her but told her to go and sin no more. If you are struggling with hatred or even resentment toward your brother or sister, please be careful to hear the words of Jesus Christ;
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Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
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Friends, the word of God is very real and true. It is through the word of God that we will be judged. The scripture is given by the inspiration of God. Please don’t take my words for it, open up your heart and let the Lord speak to you. I have been raised by Godly parents who have taught me since I was a child to Love everyone regardless of who they are. But I pray that this blog post will help someone who might be struggling in your relationship with God and/or other. Read the words of The Apostle John;
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1Jn 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
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I would love to hear what you have to say. Please leave a comment. God Bless!
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This was nothing new to the scribe. He knew the law. He already understood the importance of the SHEMA. It was the most significant law in Jewish religious practices. But Jesus didn’t just stop with the exclamation of the most obvious. He continued;
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Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
.
WHAT?! This scribe must have been dumb-founded. The Pharisee had no problem accepting the fact that God is one and the SHEMA was already a part of his everyday life. But the second part of Jesus’ statement must have taken him by udder surprise. Jesus quoted the SHEMA and in the same sentence proclaimed to the scribe that, to love your neighbor as yourself is equally important. Jesus was telling the scribe that out of all the laws that are in your manual and out of all the religious practices that are laid out in your handbook, the greatest laws are the most overlooked and ignored. Jesus explained to the scribe that in order to understand the SHEMA, you must also understand that the love you have toward your neighbor is directly connected to your love for God. In fact, according to John you CANNOT have true love toward God and NOT love your neighbor. It is IMPOSSIBLE to proclaim that God is one and love him while hating your brothers and sisters. John said;
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1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
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WOW!!! That’s some strong language John. But being a liar can’t be so bad. Don’t we all lie sometimes? It’s not that I actually “hate” him/her I just don’t “love” them. But I still love God with all my heart, mind and strength. John heard the words of Jesus at the last day saying;
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Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
.
I really wonder how many people will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and proclaim that they always believed there was one God and that they truly loved him. I must confess that I tremble at the thought that so many people who are harboring hatred toward a brother or sister will come before God on the day of judgment and emphatically exclaim that they loved God with a pure heart. And much to their surprise and dismay Jesus will look at them and say;
.
Mat 7:23 …I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
.
GOD, don’t let me live this life professing to love You and not love my brother or sister. My prayer today is that we would love one another in the fear of God and not allow Satan to convince us that a little bit of dislike or hatred is OK. Many people embrace the idea that you should love everyone that does good to you and hate those that disagree and even despise you. But Jesus said;
.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
.
We don’t need to get caught in the trap of hating our neighbor because of attitude, past experiences, personality, social status, ethnic background, race, color, pedigree, intellect or any other reason. Jesus looked at the woman caught in the act of adultery and forgave her and through love did not “condemn” her but told her to go and sin no more. If you are struggling with hatred or even resentment toward your brother or sister, please be careful to hear the words of Jesus Christ;
.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
.
Friends, the word of God is very real and true. It is through the word of God that we will be judged. The scripture is given by the inspiration of God. Please don’t take my words for it, open up your heart and let the Lord speak to you. I have been raised by Godly parents who have taught me since I was a child to Love everyone regardless of who they are. But I pray that this blog post will help someone who might be struggling in your relationship with God and/or other. Read the words of The Apostle John;
.
1Jn 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
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I would love to hear what you have to say. Please leave a comment. God Bless!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Hello Everyone!!
I know it has been a while since I have posted. I suppose that is because I have been very busy lately and not made the time to write something. I would like to say that I am still alive and doing well. I hope everyone else in blog-world is doing great as well. Cross your fingers and hold your breath...... I will endeavor to post something of worth soon.
God Bless everyone!!
God Bless everyone!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Blogger Alert!!
My "little" sister has finally joined the rest of us in blogworld and started her very own blog. She has been a lurker for a while, like most of us were before we stepped out into the great unknown and actually got our own spot on the worldwide web. So check her blog out
I would like to known by the show of a comment. How long were you a lurker before you started a blog? And who has ever used fake names to leave comments? Let me know. This should be fun.
I would like to known by the show of a comment. How long were you a lurker before you started a blog? And who has ever used fake names to leave comments? Let me know. This should be fun.
Friday, March 27, 2009
OZARK ARKANSAS!!
I had a great weekend last week. I was privileged to go visit some of my great friends and also have the distinct honor of being asked to preach Sunday. The Townley's are some of the greatest people to walk the face of the earth. Everyone that knows me, probably knows the great drummer and recording artist Cory Townley. We have probably been to every major conference together. But the trip wouldn't have been complete without Dalayna and Carl Jones in the mix. Thank God for great friends.
We ended up having such a great time with 2 people getting the Holy Ghost and 1 backslider praying through on Sunday, that Bro. Townley asked me to stay Monday night as well. The Lord moved and we had another great move of God, so we're going to do it all over again this coming weekend. There is a great revival and power of God there in Ozark and I'm excited to see what all God is going to do. Please be in prayer and believe with us that great things will happen and a revival like never before will break into that town. AMEN!
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Besides church activities. I was so happy to do one of my favorite activities. RIDING HORSES! (and mules) I was pretty much born and raised in the city. But I do have some country "Genes." I have attached some pictures of our excursion. I hope you all enjoy.
Getting ready to head out.
Me on a paint TW
Heading out to the great unknown. There were no trails folks. We were relying on Bro. Andy's knowledge of the hills and forest.
An awesome shot of Horse Shoe Bend.
Just an example of how steep the hills were that we were riding up and down.
Bro. Andy and I on the edge of the steep bluff.
Bro. Andy and Cory Townley. LOL. Love the whole 12 year old boy look.
Another shot of the steep ride.
Bro. Andy's little dog Bennji with his catch. A Squirrel.
Crossing the river. In 40 somthing degree weather by the way.
Deep crossing here. If you look close you can see the waterline hafway up Bro. Andy's boot.
Bennji crossing the river with his bad self.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Gains vs. Losses
Gain vs. Loss
I would venture to say that all of us have a fundamental understanding of the concept of gains and losses. Even though we may not completely understand the psychology behind what drives gains or losses we have all experienced it to some extent or another. The fact remains certain that if you are reading this post you are right now in the midst of an exchange between a gain and a loss. While some might opt for sleep, others decline the gain of rest and reach forth to gain an inside look at what Tim Rivers has to say about gains and losses. Every one makes decisions about what we would be willing to give up in order to gain another. However, in every case where there is a gain its predecessor is a loss. You might not agree with that concept, but stop and think about it. For example, if you are gaining knowledge at an accredited College or University you are losing other opportunities that might give way for income during the time your spending reading text books.
The terms gains and losses are very familiar in the field of accounting. They are the very foundation of accounting and economics. The terms gains and losses are also referred to debits and credit. To come up with a balanced account debits must equal credits. Our entire country is build around the idea of gains and losses. We fight wars based on what we are going to gain and what we are willing to lose. We sign contracts that give us a greater gain compared to our loss. Many marriages are sadly built on this comparison concept. Many men and women enter relationships only because of what they are able to gain from it and it isn’t long before they find out that both of them are losing more than they anticipated gaining and thus the divorce rate is sky high. The reality is that gains and losses exist in every aspect of our lives.
Although many say that the concept and use of the gains vs. losses theory is a fairly new idea. In reality this concept goes back to the very beginning of time. God created Adam and Eve in the garden with the tools needed to accomplish extra-ordinary things. The only restriction given to them is that they should not eat of the tree of knowledge and evil. Their gain was that they would be the earthly representatives of God in the earth and their loss was that they did not have permission to eat of the forbidden fruit. However, Adam and Eve chose to eat of the fruit because they were under the influence that to gain equality with God was as simple as eating the fruit and yet the opposite happened. They gained knowledge of their nakedness and lost the perfect fellowship they had with their creator.
This idea of gains and losses is especially prevalent in the New Testament with the powerful, life altering beginning of Christ’s ministry in the earth. The greatest example of exchange is declared in Philippians 2:5-8;
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
What an amazing example of a gain vs. a loss. Jesus’ ministry was constantly calling for the loss of one thing in order to gain another. When Jesus began to call his disciples he didn’t give them a list of benefits and a retirement package, he simply called to Peter, Andrew, James and John to lose their nets and gain an opportunity to be fishers of men. He called Matthew to lose the seat of tax collector to gain the ministry of basket collecting. All throughout the scriptures we find Christ calling for men and women to lose their former way of living and current position to gain fellowship with God.
However, there is a vast difference in the gains vs. losses that we have grown so accustomed to. According to most individuals as long as gains and losses are equal life isn’t so bad. But in reality most people are more aware of the loss than the potential gain. This is why Marketers will spend millions of dollars per year to try and build a great enough need within the consumer that they will concentrate more attention on what they might gain as opposed to what they will lose.
The Kingdom of God is unlike the ways of men. The Bible completely destroys our weak concept of what gains are and what a loss is. The Government of Christ doesn’t run like the so-called democratic political entities of this world. The Bible boldly declares that in order to gain eternal life you must lose your own life. This unapologetic, bold declaration to follow, even called for one young man to sell all that he had and follow after Christ. The catch however, is that the gain is greater than the loss. When God asks for your life, he gives you life that is incomparable in return. That’s why Jesus told the woman at the well that the water which he gives will never run dry.
As you read this post, I hope you are able to think about what you had to lose in the last few weeks and months concerning the kingdom of God. I know that you might not understand God’s process of math, but I promise you this one thing, in God’s books debits never equal credits.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
I would venture to say that all of us have a fundamental understanding of the concept of gains and losses. Even though we may not completely understand the psychology behind what drives gains or losses we have all experienced it to some extent or another. The fact remains certain that if you are reading this post you are right now in the midst of an exchange between a gain and a loss. While some might opt for sleep, others decline the gain of rest and reach forth to gain an inside look at what Tim Rivers has to say about gains and losses. Every one makes decisions about what we would be willing to give up in order to gain another. However, in every case where there is a gain its predecessor is a loss. You might not agree with that concept, but stop and think about it. For example, if you are gaining knowledge at an accredited College or University you are losing other opportunities that might give way for income during the time your spending reading text books.
The terms gains and losses are very familiar in the field of accounting. They are the very foundation of accounting and economics. The terms gains and losses are also referred to debits and credit. To come up with a balanced account debits must equal credits. Our entire country is build around the idea of gains and losses. We fight wars based on what we are going to gain and what we are willing to lose. We sign contracts that give us a greater gain compared to our loss. Many marriages are sadly built on this comparison concept. Many men and women enter relationships only because of what they are able to gain from it and it isn’t long before they find out that both of them are losing more than they anticipated gaining and thus the divorce rate is sky high. The reality is that gains and losses exist in every aspect of our lives.
Although many say that the concept and use of the gains vs. losses theory is a fairly new idea. In reality this concept goes back to the very beginning of time. God created Adam and Eve in the garden with the tools needed to accomplish extra-ordinary things. The only restriction given to them is that they should not eat of the tree of knowledge and evil. Their gain was that they would be the earthly representatives of God in the earth and their loss was that they did not have permission to eat of the forbidden fruit. However, Adam and Eve chose to eat of the fruit because they were under the influence that to gain equality with God was as simple as eating the fruit and yet the opposite happened. They gained knowledge of their nakedness and lost the perfect fellowship they had with their creator.
This idea of gains and losses is especially prevalent in the New Testament with the powerful, life altering beginning of Christ’s ministry in the earth. The greatest example of exchange is declared in Philippians 2:5-8;
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
What an amazing example of a gain vs. a loss. Jesus’ ministry was constantly calling for the loss of one thing in order to gain another. When Jesus began to call his disciples he didn’t give them a list of benefits and a retirement package, he simply called to Peter, Andrew, James and John to lose their nets and gain an opportunity to be fishers of men. He called Matthew to lose the seat of tax collector to gain the ministry of basket collecting. All throughout the scriptures we find Christ calling for men and women to lose their former way of living and current position to gain fellowship with God.
However, there is a vast difference in the gains vs. losses that we have grown so accustomed to. According to most individuals as long as gains and losses are equal life isn’t so bad. But in reality most people are more aware of the loss than the potential gain. This is why Marketers will spend millions of dollars per year to try and build a great enough need within the consumer that they will concentrate more attention on what they might gain as opposed to what they will lose.
The Kingdom of God is unlike the ways of men. The Bible completely destroys our weak concept of what gains are and what a loss is. The Government of Christ doesn’t run like the so-called democratic political entities of this world. The Bible boldly declares that in order to gain eternal life you must lose your own life. This unapologetic, bold declaration to follow, even called for one young man to sell all that he had and follow after Christ. The catch however, is that the gain is greater than the loss. When God asks for your life, he gives you life that is incomparable in return. That’s why Jesus told the woman at the well that the water which he gives will never run dry.
As you read this post, I hope you are able to think about what you had to lose in the last few weeks and months concerning the kingdom of God. I know that you might not understand God’s process of math, but I promise you this one thing, in God’s books debits never equal credits.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Friday, January 9, 2009
True Friend
(Making up for lost time...)
What does the word friend really mean? I hope I’m not being to presumptuous when I say that all of us have been guilty of calling many people our friends who in reality are no more close to us than the man or woman we nod at as we pass by them on a busy street. The word friend has become a word to describe anyone who we have met and pronounced a pleasant person. Our enemies are those we have met and don’t particularly agree with in fellowship.
A friend is someone that holds some sort of meaning to you. A person of interest in your life, if anything were to effect them, you would be effected in some form or fashion as a result of your connection to them.
Jesus noticed many of these types of people in his ministry. The Bible speaks of great crowds and many multitudes that would travel from afar to see Jesus in action. Many people sacrificed their time and energy to see the Lord heal the sick and raise the dead. Often time’s people would call him Master and Lord and refer to him as a great man or prophet. But these were the people who were only a part of a great crusade. They were infatuated with Jesus’ ability to speak and the miracles he performed. They loved the great excitement that could be felt through the crowd as he raised a man who had never walked from his bed and told him to walk. They clapped in great ovation unto Jesus when he said “Neither do I condemn thee…” to a woman caught in the act of adultery. They slapped each other on the back and whooped in support when Jesus drove out the money changers from the temple with a woven whip.
But they were not in love with Christ for who he was. They were only his “friends” as long as he had a show for them to attend. They were in love with the things and not with the one who made the things happen. This group was called “The multitude…”
However, among the multitude emerged another group of people. These people went beyond the normal following Jesus from town to town and from mount to mount. This group involved themselves directly in Jesus’ ministry. They helped people with infirmities come to Jesus. They went and set up the revival grounds and spread the news that Jesus was on his way. They not only applauded Christ when he divided the fish and bread, but they were the one’s that carried the baskets to the multitude and they even picked up the remains. They were the one’s who sat at the feet of Jesus wherever he was and took to heart his teaching and even implemented his teaching into their everyday lives. They weren’t just the average follower. This group was called “The Disciples…”
Among this group called the disciples was another group. If you have read much of the NT you have most likely noticed the names Peter, James and John. These three, although a part of the twelve disciples and also a part of the multitude, were in a very significant way much different than the average follower of Christ. Peter, James and John appear in the synoptics five times: at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1), in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37), at the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37), and for the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31) and for Jesus’ “Apocalypse” (Mark 13:3). This is of great importance because there was something about the relationship between these men and Jesus that brings great revelation and insight into how our relationship with God should be.
Peter, James and John are, in a sense, NT counterparts of the OT Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were the spiritual ancestry of the OT Israel, from which were born the “Twelve” tribes of Israel. Likewise Peter, James and John represented the “Twelve” disciples and became the spiritual ancestry of the NT Church.
The ironic thing about the whole idea of friendship is that we often relate friendship with a person who is of benefit to us. Such as someone we can borrow money from when we’re broke or a person who would wake up in the middle of the night to come help us change a tire on the side of the Highway. But in reality the measure of a true friend is what one is willing to do for another. Jesus called his disciples his friends but he also called Judas “friend” when he came to betray the Lord. Remember it was Jesus who said;
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
So the real question that we should ask is not what kind of friend is that person to me, rather we should stop and look in the mirror and ask ourselves, what kind of a friend am I to them?
It’s easy to be a part of the crowd and just follow. It’s not that hard to become a disciple and get more involved than the average person. But the difference is made when you step away from the crowd and separate yourself from the disciples and enter into a true friendship. When you go beyond just knowing Christ, but you actually spend time with him alone, that’s when you become a true friend of God. Peter was the one who received the keys to the kingdom. James was among the trio when Jesus spoke to them about the end. John received the great revelation of who Jesus Christ was. A friend is someone who doesn’t worry about what they receive in return, but their goal is to give what they have.
I thank God for all of you who have come into my life. I pray I will be a true friend to you and that God would bless you in this New Year and that your relationship with Him would become the strongest it has ever been. And for those I have never met, I look forward to the day I get the chance. God Bless!
What does the word friend really mean? I hope I’m not being to presumptuous when I say that all of us have been guilty of calling many people our friends who in reality are no more close to us than the man or woman we nod at as we pass by them on a busy street. The word friend has become a word to describe anyone who we have met and pronounced a pleasant person. Our enemies are those we have met and don’t particularly agree with in fellowship.
A friend is someone that holds some sort of meaning to you. A person of interest in your life, if anything were to effect them, you would be effected in some form or fashion as a result of your connection to them.
Jesus noticed many of these types of people in his ministry. The Bible speaks of great crowds and many multitudes that would travel from afar to see Jesus in action. Many people sacrificed their time and energy to see the Lord heal the sick and raise the dead. Often time’s people would call him Master and Lord and refer to him as a great man or prophet. But these were the people who were only a part of a great crusade. They were infatuated with Jesus’ ability to speak and the miracles he performed. They loved the great excitement that could be felt through the crowd as he raised a man who had never walked from his bed and told him to walk. They clapped in great ovation unto Jesus when he said “Neither do I condemn thee…” to a woman caught in the act of adultery. They slapped each other on the back and whooped in support when Jesus drove out the money changers from the temple with a woven whip.
But they were not in love with Christ for who he was. They were only his “friends” as long as he had a show for them to attend. They were in love with the things and not with the one who made the things happen. This group was called “The multitude…”
However, among the multitude emerged another group of people. These people went beyond the normal following Jesus from town to town and from mount to mount. This group involved themselves directly in Jesus’ ministry. They helped people with infirmities come to Jesus. They went and set up the revival grounds and spread the news that Jesus was on his way. They not only applauded Christ when he divided the fish and bread, but they were the one’s that carried the baskets to the multitude and they even picked up the remains. They were the one’s who sat at the feet of Jesus wherever he was and took to heart his teaching and even implemented his teaching into their everyday lives. They weren’t just the average follower. This group was called “The Disciples…”
Among this group called the disciples was another group. If you have read much of the NT you have most likely noticed the names Peter, James and John. These three, although a part of the twelve disciples and also a part of the multitude, were in a very significant way much different than the average follower of Christ. Peter, James and John appear in the synoptics five times: at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1), in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37), at the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37), and for the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31) and for Jesus’ “Apocalypse” (Mark 13:3). This is of great importance because there was something about the relationship between these men and Jesus that brings great revelation and insight into how our relationship with God should be.
Peter, James and John are, in a sense, NT counterparts of the OT Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were the spiritual ancestry of the OT Israel, from which were born the “Twelve” tribes of Israel. Likewise Peter, James and John represented the “Twelve” disciples and became the spiritual ancestry of the NT Church.
The ironic thing about the whole idea of friendship is that we often relate friendship with a person who is of benefit to us. Such as someone we can borrow money from when we’re broke or a person who would wake up in the middle of the night to come help us change a tire on the side of the Highway. But in reality the measure of a true friend is what one is willing to do for another. Jesus called his disciples his friends but he also called Judas “friend” when he came to betray the Lord. Remember it was Jesus who said;
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
So the real question that we should ask is not what kind of friend is that person to me, rather we should stop and look in the mirror and ask ourselves, what kind of a friend am I to them?
It’s easy to be a part of the crowd and just follow. It’s not that hard to become a disciple and get more involved than the average person. But the difference is made when you step away from the crowd and separate yourself from the disciples and enter into a true friendship. When you go beyond just knowing Christ, but you actually spend time with him alone, that’s when you become a true friend of God. Peter was the one who received the keys to the kingdom. James was among the trio when Jesus spoke to them about the end. John received the great revelation of who Jesus Christ was. A friend is someone who doesn’t worry about what they receive in return, but their goal is to give what they have.
I thank God for all of you who have come into my life. I pray I will be a true friend to you and that God would bless you in this New Year and that your relationship with Him would become the strongest it has ever been. And for those I have never met, I look forward to the day I get the chance. God Bless!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Fun Times at a Youth Night
Piggyback Race
Piggyback continued
The Apex of True Youth Ministry
Let's just say Travis had some issues...
I tried to lend a helping hand..
Some issues just get worse with the passage of Time...
...
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