Category Archives: Our Spiritual Process

“Now Faith Is…”

16 Wednesday Nov 2011

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Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

People have always struggled in trying to define faith.  Now I am not talking about trying to manipulate God into moving favorably in our lives.  I am also not talking about making a “blind leap in the dark.”  People who believe this is a good description of faith miss the central truth of faith’s meaning.  Hebrews 11 reminds us, “Now faith is!”

True faith is confident obedience to God’s word in spite of circumstances or consequences. Faith is described in a two-fold way.  It is the “substance of things hoped for,” and “the evidence of things not seen.”

The word translated “substance” (hupostasis) in the Greek, means literally ‘to stand under or to support.’ Faith is the foundation that gives the believer the confidence to stand. The verse could be translated “faith is the confidence of things hoped for.”

This is illustrated in the life of the missionary Hudson Taylor. “When Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary, first went to China, it was in a sailing vessel. Very close to the shore of cannibal islands the ship was caught in a calm. It was slowly drifting toward the shore …and the savages were eagerly anticipating a feast.

The captain came to Mr. Taylor and sought him to pray for the help of God. ‘I will,’ said Taylor, ‘provided you set your sails to catch the breeze.’ The Captain declined to make himself a laughing-stock by unfurling the sails in a dead calm. Taylor said, ‘I will not undertake to pray for the vessel unless you will prepare the sails.’ And it was done. While engaged in prayer, there was a knock at the door of his stateroom. “Who is there?” The captain’s voice responded, ‘Are your still praying for wind?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Well,’ said the captain, ‘you better stop praying for we have more wind than we can manage.’”

Here is a great example of faith being present in a person’s life.  When a need came to Hudson Taylor’s attention, he was willing to pray about it.  First, he wanted the captain to exhibit a little faith himself in the Lord’s provision.  He was the man in charge of the vessel.

How many of us have asked people to help pray for our own personal needs at times?  Did we believe in those moments God was really going to answer right away?  We should always set our sails to catch the wind of heaven’s actions.  Why?  Because the Bible plainly states that “Faith Is!”

Blessings,

Pastor

Faith In God’s Future!

09 Wednesday Nov 2011

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Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.”  Genesis 50:24-25

 

I know you have heard of “death-bed confessions.”  Some people also make “death-bed requests” of their family and friends as well.  Maybe you have had to carry out one or two of these requests.  Some have made requests like, “Don’t allow this or that to happen at my funeral.  I want to be buried at so-in-so place.”    Usually people make these requests when they are short on time or in need of help beyond their capabilities.

Here we have in the Bible Joseph making a deathbed request to have his bones carried out of Egypt to the land of Israel.  It would take a whopping 400 years to complete.  You have to have people who love you to carry out a 400 year old promise.

The question arises as to why Joseph was not content to be buried in Egypt? Why was he so insistent on going with the Israelites when they eventually did leave Egypt? I think I know the answer.

 Joseph was interested in being a part of what God was doing on the earth, whether he was dead or alive.

Can you say with integrity that you want to be a part of what God is doing today, whether or not you live to see all of it fulfilled in your lifetime? Joseph knew that God would keep his promises and wanted to go where He was taking his children in the future. He not only saw his life as helping to fulfill God’s will upon the earth, but wanted to be a part of those blessings forever.

Joseph was not interested in having some pyramid named after him or having Geraldo opening His tomb some 5000 years later.

Question – What are you interested in? Are you more interested in the rich and famous than the godly and pure? Are you trying to make a lot of money so you can retire early? What motivates you? Instead of building a pyramid for man’s honor, Joseph wanted to live in the house of faith.

 

Faith is not getting our will done in heaven, but getting God’s will done on the earth. The vision and mission of God and His plan and promises have been passed on to us. We have to come to a spiritual place in our lives where we do not simply read the promises in the third person but apply them in the first person of our lives.

 

I believe God is raising up a new generation of believers called to do just this.  The only question is will you believe the Lord’s promises and answer His call? If you need encouragement…remember the bones of Joseph.  They carried Joseph’s casket out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and throughout the wilderness wanderings. The Israelites carried this casket for more than forty years. There was more faith in the bones of Joseph than in the feet of the Israelites.

Don’t allow the bones of Joseph to have more faith in God’s promises than you.  Ask the Lord to speak to you about what He wants to accomplish in your generation.  I believe He is waiting to share with you His plans for the future.

Blessings,

Pastor

 

Adversity!

06 Sunday Nov 2011

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33,

 

Jesus didn’t say you might have trouble, or you will only have trouble when you’re out of God’s will – He said you WILL have trouble. Jesus is clear on the point that we will all go through trouble. If you are going through troubling times right now, I have good news for you.  YOU ARE GOING THROUGH IT.

George Barna reports that over 70 million Americans today are struggling to find some meaning in life, and that over 50% of Americans struggle with some type of depression.

The peace that Jesus offers us comes only through a relationship with Him. The world can’t give us peace and it can’t take away the peace that Jesus gives. It’s a peace based on our relationship with him, not on our performance (how “good” of a Christian we are), not on our feelings, and not on our circumstances.

Sometimes though God will lead us into a storm.  This is where our expectations of God and reality clash.  It is here in the storm God creates the opportunity for greater growth.  The strain of life is what builds our strength.  The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity.  It actually means being delivered in adversity.

For two years, scientists sequestered themselves in an artificial environment called Biosphere 2. Inside their self-sustaining community, the Biosherians created a number of mini-environments, including a desert, rain forest, even an ocean. Nearly every weather condition could be simulated except one, wind. Over time, the effects of their windless environment became apparent. A number of acacia trees bent over and even snapped. Without the stress of wind to strengthen the wood, the trunks grew weak and could not hold up their own weight.

We all need some adversity.  Think of all the things God could have prevented – sin – pain – heartache – evil, and even the devil.  He didn’t.  He has given everyone a choice.  God has given us a choice in the midst of all the hard times… and with all the temptations we face to love Him and serve Him. That’s what makes love – love it’s a choice.

Someone once said, “Sometimes He calms the storm.  Sometimes He lets the storm rage on and calms the child.”

Choose this week, whatever your circumstance, to be the child of God who continues to abide in the peace of the Lord.

 

Blessings,

Pastor

 

 

Don’t Settle For Less Of God, When You Can Have More!

23 Sunday Oct 2011

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13 Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:13-14

Moses was truly a man of God.  When God withdrew Himself from the camp of Israel, Moses quickly inquired of the Lord to reverse His course.  It is easy to praise Moses for taking the right course of action.  Understand, he did not have to intercede for the people.  The Bible is full of folks who took the wrong course and neglected their higher calling. I like this about Scripture.  The Bible shows people’s good choices and their bad choices.  I like knowing people have flaws and warts.  In this passage though we have the anatomy of a good decision.

There is an important principle here we can learn from Moses’ life…Do not live or move without the presence and blessing of God.  Does this sound simple?  It is very simple.  Why settle for less of God’s presence, when you can have a lot more of the Lord in your life?  When the Lord began to withdraw His presence, Moses countered with three petitions of His own.  I personally believe we can ask the Lord for these same three things.

  • Teach Me Your Ways
  • Let Me Know You
  • Allow Me To Live In Your Favor

It is not like Moses had never experienced the Lord along these same lines.  Moses wanted to go deeper in His relationship with God.  He wanted more!  There is an unspoken truth here in Moses’ life and in our lives too.  If we settle with what we have already experienced with God, we cannot grow further in the Lord.  Settling means we have become satisfied.  As great as Moses’ experiences had been, he still wanted more of God.  Think about it…Moses heard God speak from a burning bush.  He witnessed the ten plagues poured out on the Egyptians.  He watched the Red Sea divide and afterward swallow up the Egyptian army.  While God’s finger carved out the Ten Commandments, Moses stood by to record the event.  Every one of these events was life changing on its own.  Still, Moses wanted a deeper walk with God.

If Moses felt the need to grow deeper in the ways of God, should we seek anything less?  The question is not whether or not God is willing to reveal more of Himself to us.  The Bible is full of verses offering these types of promises.  The real question is whether we will follow Moses’ lead and ask the Lord for more of His presence.  I encourage you as I encourage myself…seek the face of the Father and ask Him for more of His presence.  You just might hear these words, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Blessings,

Pastor

The High Cost of Complaining

20 Thursday Oct 2011

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1 Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 The people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD and the fire died out. 3 So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.  Numbers 11:1-3

Complaining is an activity all of us have participated in at one time or another. Most of us utter complaints without even thinking about it. It seems almost natural to vocalize our displeasure when things don’t quite turn out as we think they should.  To watch the evening news gives one the idea that complaining has become the national past-time. The reason the newscaster has to throw in a story with a happy ending at the end of the newscast is to avert nationwide depression due to all the negative news.
The Bible has much to say about the practice of complaining. The Scriptures tell us not only what people complain about, but also how it affects others and how God responds to it. We may not take our complaining seriously, but God does.  Numbers chapter 11 gives us a good idea of just how serious the sin of complaining is to God.  When it is all boiled down, complaining is an accusation against God. Complaining accuses God of unjust treatment.  As this real life situation played out, notice the familiar themes.  By the way…the word here for “complain” means to whine in self-pity and remorse.

  • The people developed “ingratitude” for God’s continued care.
  • The people constantly complained about what they didn’t have – “meat”.
  • The people constantly complained about what they used to have – “the food from Egypt”.
  • The people constantly complained about what they did have – “manna”.
  • The results of constantly complaining…IT IS CONTAGIOUS!
  • Complaining led to muttering, muttering led to mourning.
  • Even Moses began to moan and groan about the people to the Lord.  The people’s complaints eventually wore him down.

Eventually, complaining must be corrected.  God corrected the situation by fire and giving them the desires of their heart, meat.  They ate so much so fast, they vomited it out their noses.  Yuck!

Some would accuse the Lord of being harsh and vindictive.  The truth is if a person is allowed to continue to live with a spirit of complaining, they will eventually grow hard and bitter.  I am sure you have seen some “spoiled brats” out in the world.  They were given everything they wanted and yet are constant complainers.   The Lord would have His children grow to be sensitive to this sin and realize the impact ingratitude can have on our hearts and lives. It is a deadly spiritual toxin.   This is why I Thessalonians 5: 18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

If you are prone to share in this sin, repent and make a list of things for which you should be thankful.  Take some time to express to the Lord how grateful you are for His provisions.  It will change your life and the atmosphere around you.

Blessings,

Pastor

Will You Do Desperate Things?

13 Thursday Oct 2011

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For they do not care what anyone thinks.

They do not care what anyone says.

They will go where no one else will go.

They won’t let anything stop them.

They will do desperate things.

      I submit to you that most of us are not desperate.  We will avoid being desperate at all costs.  We arrange our lives to assure that all of our needs and wants are secured.  To be desperate means you have an “urgent need“.  In fact, desperation only comes when there is a recognized need that is beyond our own ability to meet.  Is there anything right now you are desperate to obtain? 

      Let me suggest one area for the believer that should keep us all desperate for the rest of our lives.  Have you ever thought about the huge gap between what God has made available to us, and what God expects of us…compared to where we actually live?   Would you admit there is a large chasm?  It used to bother me to read about all the wonderful promises of God in the Bible and then witness the high level of apathy in church.  It later dawned on me.  It’s not religion, or ceremony, or tradition, or methods, or programs, or preaching, or singing that brings the power of God into a church or person….It’s desperation.  If God was pleased with those types of activities, He would have shown up a long time ago. 

      As each generation passes, we as believers are slipping further and further from the Lord.  I believe God is about to raise up a new, desperate generation that has one goal in mind.  The new generation will desire to know Him.  They will not be enamored with the rituals of yesteryear.  They will not be as interested in “doing the right things” or “believing the right things“, but their only attraction will be in “knowing the Right Person…intimately.”  They will agree with Paul who said, “That I may know Christ and the power of His resurrection.”  (Philippians 3:10)

      I want to encourage you today to allow the Lord to create a sense of desperation in your heart.  No, that doesn’t mean you will have to visit the hospital because your foot was chopped off.  Desperation doesn’t have to come through hardship or foxholes.  All anyone has to do is allow the Lord to speak to our inner most being.  “For the eyes of the LORD range (roam) throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”  (II Chronicles 16:9)  The Lord knows His own.  He can instill within each of us the virtues we need to be continuously drawn to Him.  Hey, are you desperate enough to chase after Him today?   

Blessings,

Pastor

The Cross – Bridge of Deliverance

05 Wednesday Oct 2011

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The Cross Walk

By Georgy

       Maybe you have been at this place before…several times.  You heard God’s call to bear something in your life.  The first few times you picked up the burden only to lay it back down.  In your heart you knew your obedience…bear it!

       Every believer’s walk is different.  But many look around to spy what other believers are bearing or not bearing.  God doesn’t allow “cross-disobedience” or cross comparisons with fellow travelers.  (see John 21:18-23)  When Peter inquired about the burdens John had to bear, Jesus replied, “What is it to you?  You follow Me.”  Ouch!  All God’s children are unique and special.  Your obedience is not my obedience and my obedience is not your obedience.  We both may know what “bearing” feels like, but it will not be the same thing.
     I remember a line in the movie The Lord of the Rings – The Return of the King that illustrates this very issue.  Sam says to Frodo as they struggle to the end of their journey, “I can’t carry it for you (the ring), but I can carry you.”  Sam grabs Frodo like a sack of potatoes and proceeds up to Mount Doom.  It is an exciting scene.  Why couldn’t Sam just grab the ring and take off himself?  It was not his burden to bear.  His burden was helping Frodo.

      Each of us is given something to bear in this life.  We are kindred spirits with slightly different journeys.  Here are some helpful hints.

  • Don’t constantly be asking for the Lord to remove your burden.  Yes, you may arrive at the point when your burden can be released.  Until that time your calling is to bear.  In fact as the cartoon suggest, your burden may be your bridge of deliverance. 
  • Instead, pray for strength to carry your burden.  Why, because God is a burden bearer too.  We are more like the Lord when we carry burdens than any other moment in life.  This is why Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.”
  • Always be discerning about your burdens.  As a pastor I have had to learn the hard way there were certain burdens God never intended for me to carry.  Now other people intended for me to carry certain burdens, but God didn’t call me.  Beware!  Others will not be happy over your decision…but God will.
  • Beware of false guilt!  This is kin to my previous point.  God doesn’t lead us in this fashion.  God simply speaks and convicts.  Guilt is a human emotion and a terrible leader.  Don’t be motivated by guilt.  Process your guilt and get back on your word!
  • Expect the devil to attack.  The enemy always attacks when we are most vulnerable.  It is unfair, I know.  This is simply the ways he operates.  But if you stay in your process, you will grow stronger and he will be defeated!
  • Expect the Lord to glorify Himself through your process of burden bearing.  Think about the stories that impacted your life the most and glorified the Lord.  Most assuredly, they were stories of people bearing enormous burdens.  They were not broken by their experience, but grew stronger through it.     

      There is a cross in your future.  If you have been neglecting to carry the burdens the Lord has laid before you, then simply confess it, repent, and get back to your process.  Life is not about your destination.  Life is about the journey.  Choose to glorify the Lord today by taking up your cross, bearing it, and following Him. 

Blessings,

Pastor

The Bipolar Believer

04 Tuesday Oct 2011

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       I love roller-coasters. I want to visit them in amusement parks, but I don’t want to live on one.  They are good for a thrill or two, not a way of life. 

      The plight of many believers is trying to live in two opposite worlds…at the same time.  They straddle an imaginary line of their own creation.  This belief keeps them in good graces with God while affording them ample opportunities to engage in more materialistic affairs.  Sound crazy?  It is!  Yet, this is the reality for many believers.  This is why the Lord states emphatically in Revelation 3:15-16, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” 

      The question is …what does this do to a person over an extended period of time?  I believe it reinforces a bipolar type of existence.   Here are some of the highlights:

  • They alternate between being spiritually on fire to being spiritually washed out.
  • Their highs are really high and their lows are really low. 
  • They fluctuate between varying moods.  Their mood swings are noticeable to others and many times ugly.
  • They struggle with the need to assess blame on someone or something. 
  • They are constantly trying to fill holes in their lives that cannot be filled.  Their lives are like “sink holes.” 
  • The world revolves around them and their needs. 
  • They are spiritual “vampires”.   They will tap into you, suck you dry, and leave you for dead. 

      Does this sound like anyone you know?  Maybe you have been trying to help someone in this condition.  Maybe this describes you?  How do you end this never-ending cycle?  I am glad you asked. 

  1. The “imaginary line” doesn’t exist.  God is not fooled by our flirtations with “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.”  If we purposefully dance along the edges of sin, we will always fall into it.  None of us can dance in these places.  It is only imaginary because we tell ourselves we can flirt with the line between good and bad.  So stop fooling yourself. 
  2. The devil knows our playground!  God is not fooled and the devil is not fooled either.  He knows that those who play with fire get burned.  Instead of being in the position of rebuking Satan out of our lives, he is allowed to tempt us into further sin.  The bipolar believer loses his authority over the evil forces in their life.  This authority can be taken back at any time, but those living in two worlds cannot discern the truth. 
  3. Repent and Return to the Lord.  By grace the Lord is always ready to receive a repentant and sincere believer.  Repentance is not just a one time event, but a way of life.  The goal should be to keep “short accounts with God.”
  4. Do not ride on the roller-coaster of a bipolar believer.  Like I said, “It is a nice place to visit, but you never want to live there!”  You cannot help a person if you are constantly on his/her’s emotional journey.  Their lows are so low; you will never be able to pull them up.  But they sure can pull you down and keep you down.  Instead, be a constant variable in their life.  One that is stable, growing in the Lord.  This way you can reach out to them in love.

      The Lord never intended for His children to live in this fashion.  Through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, we all can stand in freedom.  But we cannot flaunt our freedom and push the lines between right and wrong.  Those who desire spiritual freedom can be free.  It is always our choice. 

Blessings,

Pastor

Are You “Gonna Fly Like an Eagle?”

20 Tuesday Sep 2011

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“ Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, That hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions.”  Deuteronomy 32:11

      A female eagle has an interesting way of picking a mate. She will pick up a twig and fly high into the air and drop it. Male eagles will fly beneath her and try to catch the twig. She will do this until a male has caught the twig three times.   She is not trying to be difficult. 

      The future mother is testing the male for his ability to catch young eagles as they are directed out of the nest for flight. When it’s time for the young eagle to fly on its own, the mother begins to stir up the nest.  The nest, once so comfortable, is gradually torn apart by the mother.  Eventually she pushes her young out of the nest. She carries the young eaglets on her back up high into the air and shakes them off.  How rude!  It is the responsibility of the father to swoop down and catch the young eaglets until they learn to fly on their own.

      The way eagles teach their young to fly is the same way the Lord teaches His children to soar.  Sometimes in our walk with the Lord we resemble young eaglets who need to learn the laws of faith and flight.  At other times the Lord requires believers to exemplify traits of the eagle parents, tough love.   This circle of growing, learning, and testing is repeated over and over again.  The lessons of faith, hope, and love never end. 

      Remember, we need to be ready and expecting opportunities for growth.  Just as the female eagle is testing the male for his reliability, a believer will be tested by God in his or her faithfulness and dependability.   The day is coming when we are no longer learning the lessons of flying or out trying to catch twigs.  Eventually we are given the responsibility for catching souls and walking in the truths of  Kingdom realities. 

      The question is not will these types of lessons will happen in your life.  The question is how well did you fly the last time the Lord pushed you out of the nest?  Growth, maturity, and fruit bearing are on the Lord’s agenda for your life.  Get ready, your next flying and twig catching opportunities are just around the corner. 

Help Me Lord, I’m Leaning the Wrong Way!

18 Sunday Sep 2011

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5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

       There is a wonderful promise here in Proverbs.  The Lord will make our paths straight if we will trust Him, acknowledge Him and resist the temptation to order our lives around our own reasoning.  Most believers know the importance of this verse and even have it memorized.  How about you… do you have it memorized?  It is easier to quote than walk out on a daily basis.  Why?  We find ourselves “leaning” the wrong direction! 

      We are instructed to “lean” on God, to put our full weight upon Him.  We lean upon our own understanding when we give our limited knowledge more power than God.  A big part of faith is not simply discovering Who to place your faith upon, but letting go of the place where your faith once rested.  Most people’s faith is on autopilot.  They simply trust and believe because they have seen it work in the past.  Someone said, “You go to a doctor whose name you can’t pronounce. He gives you a prescription you cannot read. You take it to a pharmacist you have never seen. He gives you medication you do not understand and yet you take it without question”.  We follow these well worn ruts, not even giving them a second thought. 

      Real spiritual faith cannot simply exist on autopilot.  Why?  It will be challenged at every turn.  Like the analogy above, you will receive words, promises, and instructions from a God you cannot see.  This God goes by numerous names which are in Hebrew and Greek… you struggle to pronounce.  You are to believe His words, when all the world says different.  Not only are you to believe them, you are called to stand firm when everything within you say run, lean on your own understanding!  As you stand believing this invisible Lord, an invisible enemy attacks you as you stand on those words… all for no apparent reason.  For the most part you are on your own.  No one really understands exactly what you’re going through.  Still you are called to trust.  This is the reality and essence of sincere faith!