I wonder who Jesus would spend his time with in the present day?
To hear some people talk, it would just be people that fit a certain mold. You would have to be a clean cut, own your own home in a nice neighborhood, married with two kids and have a nice income type of person. You would not miss a service. You would give huge offerings. You would never have a down day. You would be perfect!!!
I am tired of hearing some people(even some ministers) act like Jesus spent all of his time in the temple hanging out with all the "saved" folks. NO!!!! Jesus was out ministering to people that no one else gave the time of day. People with no hope. People who were troubled and hurting. People that were hungry. People that had diseases. Outcasts, loners, and sinners.
Here is an elementary example. When we as "the church" want to minister to people, we do not take food to the nicest restaurant in town and walk in asking if anyone needs to be fed with our can goods! We go to the rough neighborhoods and give it to those who need it!
The last time I checked, God's grace and mercy was for everyone! It is time to reach out to those that are hurting and stop pretending like people with issues are not deserving of the Gospel.
Divorced people, single mothers and fathers, drug addicts, alcoholics, even people that have tattoos and piercings and wear different clothes than you! Homeless men and women, criminals, diseased, etc... That is who Jesus Christ would be spending his time with! So please stop pretending like they are not worthy. Need I remind you that even you had to get on your face and ask Jesus to forgive you and be the Lord of your life.
You may be the only Jesus that people see. Just because someone is different than you does not mean that HE loves them less than you. We are supposed to strive to be like Christ.....its time we start acting like him.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Ordinary Men
Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
They had just "lost" their Master, Teacher, and Friend. Jesus was not walking with them anymore. He was gone just as he had told them. Something inside of them was different now that he was gone.
Jesus said to them in Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Indeed, they received the power. They gathered in an upper room and a sound from heaven came roaring through and it filled the house where they were. The world would never be the same.
The church that had 120 members went to 3,000.......and that was the first day! They were inspired, determined, and full of the Holy Spirit. They were ready to take on the world and share the gospel of their Savior. Miracles, signs and wonders were taking place. The sick were being healed of their diseases. Evil spirits were being cast out. But with the growing power from God came growing danger from the persecutors. Before long the gospel had spread to Judea and Samaria....Saul is converted, Peter's chains fall off in prison, and on and on...
Back to Acts 4:13. There was nothing special about Peter and John. Yes, they were 2 of the 3 that were closest to Jesus during his ministry on Earth, but nothing about them screamed excellence. They were "ordinary men". They were not theologians. They were not professors of religion. They were men. Men that had been selected and called by God to do extraordinary things. When the people saw the miraculous take place right before their eyes, they were shocked. They made note that the only way this could happen; the only way that a lame man could get up and walk had to be something to do with Jesus!! They had to have been with him! They had been with Jesus. They had also been in an upper room.
You and I as Christians do not do what we do to receive glory from man. We do it to honor God so that he can receive glory. However, it should be our hearts desire to live our lives in such a way that people say "surely they have been with Jesus". Make time today to get alone with Jesus and your life will be impacted in a powerful way.
They had just "lost" their Master, Teacher, and Friend. Jesus was not walking with them anymore. He was gone just as he had told them. Something inside of them was different now that he was gone.
Jesus said to them in Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Indeed, they received the power. They gathered in an upper room and a sound from heaven came roaring through and it filled the house where they were. The world would never be the same.
The church that had 120 members went to 3,000.......and that was the first day! They were inspired, determined, and full of the Holy Spirit. They were ready to take on the world and share the gospel of their Savior. Miracles, signs and wonders were taking place. The sick were being healed of their diseases. Evil spirits were being cast out. But with the growing power from God came growing danger from the persecutors. Before long the gospel had spread to Judea and Samaria....Saul is converted, Peter's chains fall off in prison, and on and on...
Back to Acts 4:13. There was nothing special about Peter and John. Yes, they were 2 of the 3 that were closest to Jesus during his ministry on Earth, but nothing about them screamed excellence. They were "ordinary men". They were not theologians. They were not professors of religion. They were men. Men that had been selected and called by God to do extraordinary things. When the people saw the miraculous take place right before their eyes, they were shocked. They made note that the only way this could happen; the only way that a lame man could get up and walk had to be something to do with Jesus!! They had to have been with him! They had been with Jesus. They had also been in an upper room.
You and I as Christians do not do what we do to receive glory from man. We do it to honor God so that he can receive glory. However, it should be our hearts desire to live our lives in such a way that people say "surely they have been with Jesus". Make time today to get alone with Jesus and your life will be impacted in a powerful way.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Dead Lion
This post is for those that do not believe they are not "good" enough or "talented" enough to do a work for the Kingdom of God.
Ecclesiastes 9:4
4 Anyone who is among the living has hope - even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
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I remember at 12 years old receiving the call to preach and 100% knowing that I was called to minister. I also remember being scared to death and it being 6 years before I stood up before a group of people to preach. I was scared to death for 6 years. I ran from it. I did whatever I could to try to escape that call. I hid behind playing music, being involved in my church drama team, etc. I used every excuse in the book. I am too young. No one will want to hear what I have to say. I will not be able to preach the way I want to preach. There are so many preachers that are better than me!!
Finally accepting the call to minister has been challenging at times but has also been one of the most rewarding things in my life! God has allowed me to have an impact on people. There are still ministers much more talented than me. There are many, many preachers that are better than I am. But I am working for God and enjoying every minute of it!
Ecclesiastes 9:4 talks about a live dog and a dead lion. The lion is a proud animal. It is powerful. A gifted fighter and hunter. A roar that can be heard for miles around! The king of the jungle. Then you have the dog. I picture a stray dog with its hair matted. Fleas. A dog that no one wants. That is not doing any good for anyone. No benefit. Scared and skittish.
This verse has been on my mind for weeks! It is a verse of hope. It is a verse that contradicts our thinking. We look at those that are better and more talented than us. That are better looking. The people that are gifted and seem to have it all going for them. Then we take a look at ourselves in the mirror. We are often times our worst critic! We do not see what God sees. What is being said in this verse? A live dog is better off than a dead lion. On the food chain, so to speak, the Lion is at the top. The dog isn't. The lion is the king of the jungle. The dog isn't. But what good can a dead lion do? None. A live dog is better than a dead lion because it is alive!!! God just needs a willing, obedient vessel that he can use! You do not have to be the most talented! You do not have to be the best looking! You just have to be willing to step out in faith and allow God to use you!!
My prayer is that this comes across the same way that I feel it inside. I want to encourage you to not look at the lions in your life as restrictions. You are alive!! Step up to the plate and accept the call of God on your life!!
Ecclesiastes 9:4
4 Anyone who is among the living has hope - even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
I remember at 12 years old receiving the call to preach and 100% knowing that I was called to minister. I also remember being scared to death and it being 6 years before I stood up before a group of people to preach. I was scared to death for 6 years. I ran from it. I did whatever I could to try to escape that call. I hid behind playing music, being involved in my church drama team, etc. I used every excuse in the book. I am too young. No one will want to hear what I have to say. I will not be able to preach the way I want to preach. There are so many preachers that are better than me!!
Finally accepting the call to minister has been challenging at times but has also been one of the most rewarding things in my life! God has allowed me to have an impact on people. There are still ministers much more talented than me. There are many, many preachers that are better than I am. But I am working for God and enjoying every minute of it!
Ecclesiastes 9:4 talks about a live dog and a dead lion. The lion is a proud animal. It is powerful. A gifted fighter and hunter. A roar that can be heard for miles around! The king of the jungle. Then you have the dog. I picture a stray dog with its hair matted. Fleas. A dog that no one wants. That is not doing any good for anyone. No benefit. Scared and skittish.
This verse has been on my mind for weeks! It is a verse of hope. It is a verse that contradicts our thinking. We look at those that are better and more talented than us. That are better looking. The people that are gifted and seem to have it all going for them. Then we take a look at ourselves in the mirror. We are often times our worst critic! We do not see what God sees. What is being said in this verse? A live dog is better off than a dead lion. On the food chain, so to speak, the Lion is at the top. The dog isn't. The lion is the king of the jungle. The dog isn't. But what good can a dead lion do? None. A live dog is better than a dead lion because it is alive!!! God just needs a willing, obedient vessel that he can use! You do not have to be the most talented! You do not have to be the best looking! You just have to be willing to step out in faith and allow God to use you!!
My prayer is that this comes across the same way that I feel it inside. I want to encourage you to not look at the lions in your life as restrictions. You are alive!! Step up to the plate and accept the call of God on your life!!
Friday, May 20, 2011
May 21......Rapture?
The buzz is at a fever pitch. Mr. Harold Camping, 89, has predicted that the rapture will take place tomorrow. All over the internet there are articles. People are criticizing, laughing, joking, and simply just amusing themselves with his declaration. It does not help that he has done this once before in 1994. We have all rolled our eyes and laughed it off.
Even the unsaved person knows the Bible says, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." We know that we will not be able to predict when it is coming, however, it is coming! We have heard "Jesus is coming soon" for generations. Time is running out. He truly is coming soon. Our world is in shambles and everything is setting up just like the Word said it would.
With that thought in mind, do not take lightly the second coming of Christ. It may not be May 21, but it is coming. He is coming quickly and when he does there will not be time for last minute changes. Make a decision today to serve him. Ask him into your life. Ask him for forgiveness. Believe in him and seek his face for the rest of your days. I promise your latter days will be greater.
What if it happened right now? Before you got to the end of this sentence, the trumpet sounded. Are you ready?
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life. 1 John 5:11-12
Even the unsaved person knows the Bible says, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." We know that we will not be able to predict when it is coming, however, it is coming! We have heard "Jesus is coming soon" for generations. Time is running out. He truly is coming soon. Our world is in shambles and everything is setting up just like the Word said it would.
With that thought in mind, do not take lightly the second coming of Christ. It may not be May 21, but it is coming. He is coming quickly and when he does there will not be time for last minute changes. Make a decision today to serve him. Ask him into your life. Ask him for forgiveness. Believe in him and seek his face for the rest of your days. I promise your latter days will be greater.
What if it happened right now? Before you got to the end of this sentence, the trumpet sounded. Are you ready?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
True Ministry
On April 27, 2011, our area was rocked with an outbreak of tornadoes. Countless people lost their homes. Many lost their lives. Some were left with only the clothes on their back. The pictures are breathtaking, but to see the devastation with your own eyes is gut wrenching. In many areas it is as if 100 bulldozers lined up side by side and moved forward. I am truly amazed at the power that weather possesses. The destruction is unlike anything I have ever seen.
Having experienced two different tornadoes that day, I can say I have a new found respect for storms. My wife, my baby, and myself, along with several others were stacked in a bathroom when a F3 tornado smashed through Trenton, GA. It was the scariest moment of my life. At the same time, it was the most empowering. We all began to pray with authority and boldness. No one received a scratch. We walked outside and were amazed by the destruction. It was total chaos. People were screaming and running everywhere.
What has happened since has been astonishing.
The word minister means to serve, or wait tables. Ministry has been evident in the purest sense of the word. Nearly every able bodied person and all churches have united to assist the hurting, broken, and those in need of food, water and supplies. Power companies from many states have come through to assist. Churches congregations have come to volunteer and serve. Organizations, charities and even the Federal Government have come in to assist. The numbers are astounding.
I am proud of my fellow brothers and sisters. They may not consider themselves a "minister", but for nearly two weeks they have truly set the table for those in need.
Having experienced two different tornadoes that day, I can say I have a new found respect for storms. My wife, my baby, and myself, along with several others were stacked in a bathroom when a F3 tornado smashed through Trenton, GA. It was the scariest moment of my life. At the same time, it was the most empowering. We all began to pray with authority and boldness. No one received a scratch. We walked outside and were amazed by the destruction. It was total chaos. People were screaming and running everywhere.
What has happened since has been astonishing.
The word minister means to serve, or wait tables. Ministry has been evident in the purest sense of the word. Nearly every able bodied person and all churches have united to assist the hurting, broken, and those in need of food, water and supplies. Power companies from many states have come through to assist. Churches congregations have come to volunteer and serve. Organizations, charities and even the Federal Government have come in to assist. The numbers are astounding.
I am proud of my fellow brothers and sisters. They may not consider themselves a "minister", but for nearly two weeks they have truly set the table for those in need.
The tornado that came over Sand Mountain into Trenton. Courtesy of Bill Clingan.
37Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. -Romans 8:37(AMP)
Friday, April 22, 2011
Holiday Jesus
Resurrection Sunday is nearly here. A time where church parking lots and pews are packed. Easter is a time when you go to the store and buy a new suit or a new dress. The whole family walks into church decked out!! Throw the ham in the oven and head to church!
On the Pastoral side of Easter, there will not be another Sunday throughout the year when there will be more unsaved people in the congregation. More time is spent on studying and perfecting a sermon that will pull at the heart and convict the one sitting in the pew that does not know Jesus.
For some people, it is the only day of the year that they will walk into a church. Maybe for a family member. Perhaps they just feel it is their obligation. It could even be a tradition. Whatever the reason, they come. Unfortunately, they will not sit on that pew for an entire year after that.
I fear that people that do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ only thank him when they are allowed off of work because of him. On Good Friday, Christmas Eve, & Christmas, people are very thankful when they don't have to get up and head to their jobs. That is far as it goes for most. Some will not consider what Easter truly means.
My prayer is that this weekend, people do not just celebrate Holiday Jesus, but they are radically saved by Resurrected Jesus! The one that laid down his life so that we may live. I pray that a revival shakes our churches regardless of what name is on the sign in the front lawn of the church. Let's agree that this Easter people will not leave the same way they walked through the door. Sunday is coming.
Acts 2:24
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
On the Pastoral side of Easter, there will not be another Sunday throughout the year when there will be more unsaved people in the congregation. More time is spent on studying and perfecting a sermon that will pull at the heart and convict the one sitting in the pew that does not know Jesus.
For some people, it is the only day of the year that they will walk into a church. Maybe for a family member. Perhaps they just feel it is their obligation. It could even be a tradition. Whatever the reason, they come. Unfortunately, they will not sit on that pew for an entire year after that.
I fear that people that do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ only thank him when they are allowed off of work because of him. On Good Friday, Christmas Eve, & Christmas, people are very thankful when they don't have to get up and head to their jobs. That is far as it goes for most. Some will not consider what Easter truly means.
My prayer is that this weekend, people do not just celebrate Holiday Jesus, but they are radically saved by Resurrected Jesus! The one that laid down his life so that we may live. I pray that a revival shakes our churches regardless of what name is on the sign in the front lawn of the church. Let's agree that this Easter people will not leave the same way they walked through the door. Sunday is coming.
Acts 2:24
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Don't Block the Trend
We all know have read, preached, listened to the scriptures about the life of Elijah. I even preached about him as recently as a week ago. Last night at church the minister made a point that I had not thought about. It is right there in front of us!
Elijah was a great man of God. He performed miracle after miracle. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is when Elijah calls fire down from heaven. What a sight that must have been! How strong his faith must have been when God proved who was the true God through him. Then shortly after that he receives a threat against his life from Jezebel. What does he do? He flees.
I am going to list some scriptures. See if you can see a trend develop.
1 Kings 17
2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
....
7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”
....
1 Kings 18
1 After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.
....
Do you see it? Everywhere Elijah went God sent him! God says, "Go" or "Leave here". When Elijah listened to him, God always supernaturally provided for him. A miracle always took place when God sent him. Now read this scripture and see what you notice....
1 Kings 19
2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness.
What is missing from verse 3? God did not say, "Go" or "Leave here"!! What could have happened? What would have happened? What should have happened? What was going to happen if Elijah didnt take matters into his own hands?
How often do we take matters into our own hands and miss our miracle? Why do we become fearful after God has delivered us time and time again? Stand still, wait on the word of the Lord! When God says to go or to leave then you do it, but not until then! When we are faced with a trial or life places a life changing decision in front of us......wait on God. It will be worth it and you will eliminate a lot of messes in your life.
God was not finished with Elijah and provided for him in the wilderness. God is not finished with you and he will provide for you. Even after bad decisions.
Elijah was a great man of God. He performed miracle after miracle. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is when Elijah calls fire down from heaven. What a sight that must have been! How strong his faith must have been when God proved who was the true God through him. Then shortly after that he receives a threat against his life from Jezebel. What does he do? He flees.
I am going to list some scriptures. See if you can see a trend develop.
1 Kings 17
2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
....
7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”
....
1 Kings 18
1 After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.
....
Do you see it? Everywhere Elijah went God sent him! God says, "Go" or "Leave here". When Elijah listened to him, God always supernaturally provided for him. A miracle always took place when God sent him. Now read this scripture and see what you notice....
1 Kings 19
2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness.
What is missing from verse 3? God did not say, "Go" or "Leave here"!! What could have happened? What would have happened? What should have happened? What was going to happen if Elijah didnt take matters into his own hands?
How often do we take matters into our own hands and miss our miracle? Why do we become fearful after God has delivered us time and time again? Stand still, wait on the word of the Lord! When God says to go or to leave then you do it, but not until then! When we are faced with a trial or life places a life changing decision in front of us......wait on God. It will be worth it and you will eliminate a lot of messes in your life.
God was not finished with Elijah and provided for him in the wilderness. God is not finished with you and he will provide for you. Even after bad decisions.
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