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I was reading this yesterday. It is a story of a prayer summit hosted in South Korea by one of the pastors of a very large Reformed church there. In fact, one of his emphasis' is on prayer. The importance of prayer, the need for prayer, the absolute essential-ness of prayer. They invited the churches of North America to join them in prayer for revival.
It is interesting because they have all sorts and kinds of prayer that they do there, but one type of prayer which really took the mostly Western Pastors by surprise was a prayer in which the whole congregation gathering in the sanctuary earl;y in the morning, would in unison, start calling out their prayers to the Lord. This particular prayer was called the Tong Sung Prayer and apparently, it is used quite extensively in that area and culture.
What was interesting about it was not so much the prayer itself, but the reaction of the clergy there when asked if they would ever think this sort of prayer would be welcomed back in their churches in North America. Quite a fee of them responded with hesitancy about whether or not such a type of prayer would thrive in their churches or would even be welcomed there. This struck me as typical about some of the clergy I know here. Many of them are too afraid of offending people or trying something new in their churches. They have gotten in too much of rut and I would think spiritually, they may be in need of a doctor.
But if they just sat and prayed about it and meditated on the experience, they may be surprised to discover that this is just what the Doctor ordered. I am talking about the Holy Spirit working in the hearts and minds of believers. North America, you know, does not have the Holy Spirit bottled up somewhere where we are siphoning it off in little bottles, doling it out in small quantities as we think it is needed, in order to "make it Last" longer. Seriously, that is how some people must think of the Holy Spirit!
In truth, there is no end to the Holy Spirit. He is God and there is no end to that. In fact, the more of the Holy Spirit is let out to do His work, the more of Him that we have. Think about that! It's not that we have a bottomless bottle of Him, but the more we pour out, the more bottles we have! Each one of them bottomless and undrainable.
So Pastors, I issue this challenge to you. Not only in the CRC, but throughout the Christian Church. Stop trying to bottle up the Holy Spirit; allow Him to flow! Do not be fearful of letting Him out to do His work. You will never run out of Him and who knows? Maybe by releasing Him in our churches, we just might find that we will have abundantly, what we have been longing and praying for in the Church. Revival! Pure, Holy, God-praising, Christ-centered, life-changing Spirit-filled R-e-v-i-v-a-l!
Amen?
Blessings All!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Get out of the Boat!
Latest Blog post. Get out of the Boat! http://baaaaa.com/
This was a guest post...I will be posting more soon. Enjoy!
Blessings All!
This was a guest post...I will be posting more soon. Enjoy!
Blessings All!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Consider it all Joy!
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James. One of my favorite books of the New Testament. As you go through it you will notice so many practical assertions that it will not only boggle your mind, but it will also force you to think on how you are living your life. This is not an accident. James' thrust in the whole book is to answer the question, "Now that I have become a Christian, how should I live?". We all need to consider. These words in the first few verses from James tell us a stark reality; that being a Christian will really be tough.
I have heard people who are evangelizing others tell the people, "Once you become a Christian, all your problems will disappear!" I am here to tell you that this is a lie! They will not disappear...they will however be able to be given to the LORD. But they do not magically go away. Oh No! In fact, I believe that if you are following Christ the way you should, you may well increase your trials and problems. After all, I have heard it said that if you make wave, you should not expect clear sailing. These words are true.
Another thing that James says about trials is the word "when", Translated as "whenever" in some versions. Either give the same flavor to the statement...these trials are inevitable. They WILL come. You will not avoid them and you should not try. Why? because these trials serve to shape you into the kind of person God wants you to be. We should not avoid something that will make us better. Neither should we avoid something that the LORD sends our way in the first place.
These trials that come our way serve to test our faith. Let's look at it this way. Do athletes who complete have to practice at what they do? Of course they do. Some of them practice for hours and hours and hours to become better at what they do. But the practice pays off. Their cardio improves, their coordination improves, just about everything that is related to their field of endeavor improves. But it comes at a price. They need to sacrifice. But they believe in doing so is well worth the result.
How about us as Christians? Do we strive for endurance? Do we strive for the perfection of our faith? How do you do that? How successful are we at doing that? Why or why not?
I can tell you from my own experience. I work out at least 3 times a week...more if I can find the time. When I first started working out 4 years ago, I certainly could not do the things I do today. At first I got tired easily. I could not do many reps. I sucked. It was a cold slap in the face to me because when I was younger I was really into working out and lifting weights. Don't get me wrong, I was never great...but I was at least good. Then for years I neglected to work out..just too busy with raising a family and trying to make ends meet. It consumed all my energy. But I was determined to change that and went on a train schedule which should have improved my strength and flexibility...and you know what? It did! But I had to keep at it. Increments were slow and painful and I still have a ways to go, but I am much better at it today than I was 3 or 4 years ago and I strive to improve.
Being a christian and increasing your faith is exactly the same process. Paul give numerous examples where he compares being a Christian to running a race or competing in a contest. James way of telling us is much the same way. Yes, you will encounter trials, problems, setbacks. The good news is that if you persevere, you will triumph. The good news is that your faith will strengthen...the good news is that at the end, you will hear your Coach say, 'Well Done!'
Keep up the good fight my Brothers and Sisters! Keep up the good fight of faith! The end will be worth it...Jesus promises it.
Blessings All!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Forewarned is Forearmed
James 1:13-15 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
There is a natural progression to sin and death. James saw this and he warned us about it. The question is, "What shall we do?" James also tells us not to blame God, He is not responsible for our faults or bad judgement. In fact, nothing but good can come from God. So where does this all come from?
Paul gives us a clue in Romans when he laments that there is a battle inside of him between the 'old man' before Christ came to abide with His Holy Spirit and between the 'new man'; the time after his conversion to Christianity. This is where the problem lies. Again, the question remains, "What shall we do?".
Fortunately God does provide an out for all of us. Paul states in Ephesians 6:10-20:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Let no one say that bad things come from the Lord and let no one say they were not warned about the consequences of bad choices and sin. Above all, let no one say that the Lord abandoned them and left them with no instruction or tools with which to avoid such behavior.
Dig deep within yourself and within God's word. You will find the answer. Always He is with us. Always he is just a prayer away. He always will be there waiting...waiting...with open arms.
Blessings all!
There is a natural progression to sin and death. James saw this and he warned us about it. The question is, "What shall we do?" James also tells us not to blame God, He is not responsible for our faults or bad judgement. In fact, nothing but good can come from God. So where does this all come from?
Paul gives us a clue in Romans when he laments that there is a battle inside of him between the 'old man' before Christ came to abide with His Holy Spirit and between the 'new man'; the time after his conversion to Christianity. This is where the problem lies. Again, the question remains, "What shall we do?".
Fortunately God does provide an out for all of us. Paul states in Ephesians 6:10-20:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Let no one say that bad things come from the Lord and let no one say they were not warned about the consequences of bad choices and sin. Above all, let no one say that the Lord abandoned them and left them with no instruction or tools with which to avoid such behavior.
Dig deep within yourself and within God's word. You will find the answer. Always He is with us. Always he is just a prayer away. He always will be there waiting...waiting...with open arms.
Blessings all!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Not as Orphans
Not as Orphans
Text: John 14:16-20
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
One of my favorite chapters is John 14 where Jesus is comforting His disciples before His death on the cross. He was giving them valuable information, which at the time, I doubt that they understood until much later on. However we, having the benefit of hindsight, can look at this and realize what a gift Jesus was giving.
But I wonder if we really, truly understand what Jesus was saying to his disciples and by extension, to us today?
1) I will ask the Father
Jesus himself will be interceding for us. This is not something we initiate. This is something God does for us. Just like our physical lives, our spiritual life is also in god's hands and in His control. This is how it should be. Your own experiences tell you this is right. What has happened to your life each and every time you have tried to control it? If you are like me, you've made a mess of things. it is only when I have yielded my life over to God that things started taking a turn for the better. Do not be too hasty to be captain of your own ship. Running upon rocks is far to easy to do.
2) he (The Father) will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.
This gift that Jesus will ask the Father for will be a) An advocate. One who will defend us. A barrister who will be with us whenever we are accused of something. He will defend us. His sole purpose it to b) help us when we cannot help ourselves. This defense will not cost us a dime. It is given freely by the Father because Jesus has asked for it. And importantly, c) (He will) be with you forever! This is a big deal! Not only do we have an advocate and helper free of charge, but He will be with us forever...not just until we die...God transcends that...it is forever. I take Jesus at His word. The Spirit of Truth will be with us...forever. We know this advocate as the Holy Spirit.
3) This gift is not for the world. It is for people who believe in Jesus.
Jesus was talking to his disciples whom he had chosen and who believed in his message. These were people who had an intimate relationship with him and whom he had given a mission to spread the Good News and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
4) Because I live, you also will live.
Jesus was talking about his death, burial and resurrection. Because He will live after His death, we will also live! Death has no hold over Jesus and neither will it conquer us. Because Jesus will live on, we will also live on. We are not certain how this will be, nor are we certain when this will be, but we can be certain that it WILL BE. I trust in Jesus. He has never lied. He is capable of bringing to pass, whatever promise He makes.
We who believe in Him today are included in this promise. We all have an intimate relationship with Jesus; we all are given the the Holy Spirit as a seal of our relationship and redemption; we are all given a mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus to all the world.
On that day, the day of our redemption, we realized that Jesus was in the Father and we are in Jesus and he is in us. In other words, all of us...God the Father, Jesus, the Hold Spirit and us...are related..forever...and ever...Amen!
I would strongly suggest you ponder these words that Jesus has left us. It is truly amazing information which will help you understand the unique relationship that you and I have with the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen?
Blessings All!
Text: John 14:16-20
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
One of my favorite chapters is John 14 where Jesus is comforting His disciples before His death on the cross. He was giving them valuable information, which at the time, I doubt that they understood until much later on. However we, having the benefit of hindsight, can look at this and realize what a gift Jesus was giving.
But I wonder if we really, truly understand what Jesus was saying to his disciples and by extension, to us today?
1) I will ask the Father
Jesus himself will be interceding for us. This is not something we initiate. This is something God does for us. Just like our physical lives, our spiritual life is also in god's hands and in His control. This is how it should be. Your own experiences tell you this is right. What has happened to your life each and every time you have tried to control it? If you are like me, you've made a mess of things. it is only when I have yielded my life over to God that things started taking a turn for the better. Do not be too hasty to be captain of your own ship. Running upon rocks is far to easy to do.
2) he (The Father) will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.
This gift that Jesus will ask the Father for will be a) An advocate. One who will defend us. A barrister who will be with us whenever we are accused of something. He will defend us. His sole purpose it to b) help us when we cannot help ourselves. This defense will not cost us a dime. It is given freely by the Father because Jesus has asked for it. And importantly, c) (He will) be with you forever! This is a big deal! Not only do we have an advocate and helper free of charge, but He will be with us forever...not just until we die...God transcends that...it is forever. I take Jesus at His word. The Spirit of Truth will be with us...forever. We know this advocate as the Holy Spirit.
3) This gift is not for the world. It is for people who believe in Jesus.
Jesus was talking to his disciples whom he had chosen and who believed in his message. These were people who had an intimate relationship with him and whom he had given a mission to spread the Good News and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
4) Because I live, you also will live.
Jesus was talking about his death, burial and resurrection. Because He will live after His death, we will also live! Death has no hold over Jesus and neither will it conquer us. Because Jesus will live on, we will also live on. We are not certain how this will be, nor are we certain when this will be, but we can be certain that it WILL BE. I trust in Jesus. He has never lied. He is capable of bringing to pass, whatever promise He makes.
We who believe in Him today are included in this promise. We all have an intimate relationship with Jesus; we all are given the the Holy Spirit as a seal of our relationship and redemption; we are all given a mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus to all the world.
On that day, the day of our redemption, we realized that Jesus was in the Father and we are in Jesus and he is in us. In other words, all of us...God the Father, Jesus, the Hold Spirit and us...are related..forever...and ever...Amen!
I would strongly suggest you ponder these words that Jesus has left us. It is truly amazing information which will help you understand the unique relationship that you and I have with the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen?
Blessings All!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Reflections
Reflections
Yesterday in church, the Pastor during the prayer time, opened the floor up to anyone who wanted to say what they were thankful for in 2011. Very appropriate, although my first thought was, "Where do I begin?". Although I did not get up and speak, I guess because I was so overwhelmed at the thought, it did spur me to write this and share with you some of the things I was thankful for this past year. I am hopping that it will also nudge you into thinking about the same. It is always good to reflect!
I am thankful for my family. My dear wife, who by the way, has decided to stay with me at least one more year. This will be year 37. She has trouble making up her mind. :-) But besides my wife, I have 3 wonderful sons, 2 of them are married to wonderful women who have made them better people. My youngest son is now in a relationship which I pray will lead to marriage as well. We met his significant other and are thrilled with her! She really is a a person who makes my son a better man. Seriously. He needs her, even if he can not see it now. This is another thing for me to pray about.
I also have 6 wonderful grandchildren. Each one is a blessing. I often say that if I knew that having grandchildren was so fun, I would have skipped having children and would have gone straight to the grand-kids part. Others have pointed out my folly on this, but I still maintain the concept.
I am thankful for my brother. I have written about him in the past. He continues to be an inspiration to me. I appreciate his love for the LORD.
I am thankful for my church family...and it is a family. We share each others struggles and pains, but we also rejoice when one of us is lifted up and blessed. It is such an important and meaningful part of my life, I simply cannot put is aside. I pray that each one reading this would have the kind of church family that I have. Just a blessing!
I continue to be amazed at how the LORD works. Not only in my life, but in those around me as well. I am doubly astounded when He works with me. I would probably have given up long ago. But He continues to inspire me and works with me so that I can become the kind of man He wants me to be. I am forever grateful about that! I hope you are too as He works with you.
I could go on and on and on and...well, you get my point. We must all stop sometimes and just count our blessings, don't we? It is so easy to get caught up in the negative things of life. So easy to become bitter and doubtful, we must always encourage one another to see the good that God has done.
Make no mistake, these blessings are not my own. I have not earned them. They have been given to me to share. So dear friends, why don't you take some time and write your own blessings down and share them as well. I find when I am feeling down, or when things are not going my way, just pulling them out and reflecting on them is a great way to put everything back into perspective...everything back on the right track.
Try it out and see if is will work for you too. I am confident that it will because God is Good! Happy reflections.
Blessings all!
Yesterday in church, the Pastor during the prayer time, opened the floor up to anyone who wanted to say what they were thankful for in 2011. Very appropriate, although my first thought was, "Where do I begin?". Although I did not get up and speak, I guess because I was so overwhelmed at the thought, it did spur me to write this and share with you some of the things I was thankful for this past year. I am hopping that it will also nudge you into thinking about the same. It is always good to reflect!
I am thankful for my family. My dear wife, who by the way, has decided to stay with me at least one more year. This will be year 37. She has trouble making up her mind. :-) But besides my wife, I have 3 wonderful sons, 2 of them are married to wonderful women who have made them better people. My youngest son is now in a relationship which I pray will lead to marriage as well. We met his significant other and are thrilled with her! She really is a a person who makes my son a better man. Seriously. He needs her, even if he can not see it now. This is another thing for me to pray about.
I also have 6 wonderful grandchildren. Each one is a blessing. I often say that if I knew that having grandchildren was so fun, I would have skipped having children and would have gone straight to the grand-kids part. Others have pointed out my folly on this, but I still maintain the concept.
I am thankful for my brother. I have written about him in the past. He continues to be an inspiration to me. I appreciate his love for the LORD.
I am thankful for my church family...and it is a family. We share each others struggles and pains, but we also rejoice when one of us is lifted up and blessed. It is such an important and meaningful part of my life, I simply cannot put is aside. I pray that each one reading this would have the kind of church family that I have. Just a blessing!
I continue to be amazed at how the LORD works. Not only in my life, but in those around me as well. I am doubly astounded when He works with me. I would probably have given up long ago. But He continues to inspire me and works with me so that I can become the kind of man He wants me to be. I am forever grateful about that! I hope you are too as He works with you.
I could go on and on and on and...well, you get my point. We must all stop sometimes and just count our blessings, don't we? It is so easy to get caught up in the negative things of life. So easy to become bitter and doubtful, we must always encourage one another to see the good that God has done.
Make no mistake, these blessings are not my own. I have not earned them. They have been given to me to share. So dear friends, why don't you take some time and write your own blessings down and share them as well. I find when I am feeling down, or when things are not going my way, just pulling them out and reflecting on them is a great way to put everything back into perspective...everything back on the right track.
Try it out and see if is will work for you too. I am confident that it will because God is Good! Happy reflections.
Blessings all!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The BEST Resolution is not
The BEST Resolution is not
This is the time that everyone makes resolutions on how they will be improving during the coming year. I don't know about you, but how has that worked out in the past? Mine, not so much.
So instead of making a resolution this year I instead want to have an attitude...a mindset. Promises have not worked in the past..it is doubtful they will work in the future. What I really want to do is wait for God...not just wait, but wait expectantly. There is a big difference.
Paul said to the Philippians that he is continuing to press on. He had not attained his goal yet, but he pressed on in order that he might attain it..in God's time. What is we had the same attitude? What is we forgot the past? What if we realized that we have not attained our goal, and that we can never attain our goal with out God's help? Would that change our attitude? Of course it would! I might add that it takes the pressure off of us and puts it squarely on God...just where it needs to be!
So clearly, my exhortation to you is to not even make a resolution. But my all means, keep on pressing forward with the expectancy that Paul had. Knowing that God is in control and HE will guide you and make you the kind of person HE wants ...the kind of person He needs you to be. Just the kind of person you want to be!
So remember: The best resolution is not...
Happy New Year!
Blessings All!
Philippians 3:13-15
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are [a]perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
So instead of making a resolution this year I instead want to have an attitude...a mindset. Promises have not worked in the past..it is doubtful they will work in the future. What I really want to do is wait for God...not just wait, but wait expectantly. There is a big difference.
Paul said to the Philippians that he is continuing to press on. He had not attained his goal yet, but he pressed on in order that he might attain it..in God's time. What is we had the same attitude? What is we forgot the past? What if we realized that we have not attained our goal, and that we can never attain our goal with out God's help? Would that change our attitude? Of course it would! I might add that it takes the pressure off of us and puts it squarely on God...just where it needs to be!
So clearly, my exhortation to you is to not even make a resolution. But my all means, keep on pressing forward with the expectancy that Paul had. Knowing that God is in control and HE will guide you and make you the kind of person HE wants ...the kind of person He needs you to be. Just the kind of person you want to be!
So remember: The best resolution is not...
Happy New Year!
Blessings All!
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