Be Ready To Move With God

October 27, 2014 — 5 Comments

Are you ready to be responsive to the promptings of God, to go where he leads and seize opportunities he puts before you?

Be Ready To Move With God

In Ephesians the Bible speaks of putting on the armor of God to launch out and advance God’s will and Word in the world. Paul challenges us to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and then says to make sure your feet are “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)

The thoroughly equipped soldier in Paul’s day wore sandals with thickly studded soles. Such sandals not only protected the feet of the soldier, they also made it possible for the soldier to move swiftly and surely. In hand to hand combat, the ability to move quickly and change directions instantly could mean the difference between victory or defeat.

Consider the importance of well-fitted foot ware in sports. A boxer doesn’t want shoes that are too big for him and cause him to slip or move to slowly in the ring. Nor will he fail to tightly lace his shoes before a fight. He needs his shoes to serve him well by equipping him to be ready, ready for any movement he must make. In order to take advantage of an opening he must be able to shuffle and move on his feet rapidly.

It’s all about readiness: Being responsive, able to change directions, quick to take advantage of an opportunity, immediate in taking defensive posture.

When you are fitted with readiness…

You recognize God wants to use your life as you make the most of every opportunity.

Stop thinking that you are merely hear sucking air as a spectator. Start believing what God’s Word teaches, you are here for God’s purpose. Start believing he has given you this time to do his will in the world. Start making the most of each opportunity. Seize your opportunities to, at any time,…

*Make a friend.

*Meet a need.

*Speak a word of encouragement.

*Share your testimony.

*Tell the gospel.

*Move or change carriers.

*Respond to a call to commit to a volunteer ministry at your church.

*Start a new ministry or Christian group.

*Engage in a foreign or domestic mission project.

You prepare yourself for divine opportunities and challenges.

How? You stay in God’s Word, maintain constant communion through prayer, undergo training as you take opportunities to learn through your church, as well as maintain Christian disciplines such as a devotion life, church attendance, ministry involvement, giving, as well as developing strong and spiritual Christian relationships. This makes you sensitive to God and able to discern his promptings.

You predetermine to responsively obey God’s Word and spiritual promptings.

God has called you to be ready to share his gospel and do his will at any moment. The Lord has appointments and initiatives for you to advance his Kingdom each and every day. He has plans for you this very day that will advance his will through your life.

You display flexibility as you do the will of God.

If you are going to truly do God’s will you have to be ever ready to change course, change your stance, even change your mind. You can’t be set in your ways or in control of every circumstance if you are going to be dynamically used of God.

So I encourage you to be ready to move with God anyway he might lead. Surrender to him now and make yourself available to move quickly to make the most of each opportunity he will place before you.

Question: How do you make yourself available to God’s daily plan to use your life for his glory? Share it with us. You can leave a comment by clicking here.

In Walking with Jesus

Imagine A Church!

October 24, 2014 — 1 Comment

Imagine a church overcome with passionate love for Christ. Imagine that church loving a city with the same love with which Jesus loved her.

Imagine A Church!

Dream with me of a church that purposefully penetrates the community, bringing manifestation of Kingdom expressions.

See in your mind’s eye modern day disciples weeping in prayer over the condition of lost people’s souls.

Visualize a church that worships so authentically and communicates the gospel so clearly that unbelievers are overwhelmed and brought to their knees with conviction.

See a congregation that meets in ever multiplying small groups throughout the residences and businesses and on a church campus for Bible study, and ministry.

Dream with me of a church of transformational testimonies, a growing congregation filled with people who love to tell the story of how Jesus delivered them from death to life.

Imagine a church so filled with faith that she always refuses to allow obstacles and challenges to keep her from fulfilling God’s mission.

Imagine a church with worldwide impact, a church that not only gathers the multitudes, but intentionally sends workers into the worldwide harvest of souls.

Imagine this church.

With God it will be!

But know this, you are meant to be a vital part of bringing such a vision into reality. This weekend, go to church and determine to be a part, along with others, of seeing God’s vision for his church come to pass.

You can leave a comment by clicking here.

In Serving Jesus

Be Yourself!

October 22, 2014 — 2 Comments

Are you trying to be like someone else? How is that working for you? Stressful isn’t it? It is also very sad, for trying to be someone other than yourself keeps you from discovering the person God made you to be.

Be yourself!

When I was in my young twenties and a seminary student training for the ministry, I was enamored with a particular well known preacher in our denomination. He had an amazing way with words, but with it he had a booming deep voice that was powerful to hear.

I wanted to be a great preacher like that man. I wanted a voice like his. I wanted it bad.

So I sought to emulate this man’s preaching. Now don’t get me wrong. I believe in having mentors. I even believe in learning from and emulating qualities of people who have gone before you. That is one way we learn and grow. But in this situation I was being ridiculous.

I was called to a small little Texas country church and I started my preaching career. I began to preach like this man. I would speak normally to everyone I encountered in the church and community, but when I got into the pulpit I would transform. I would force my voice to go deep and I would speak with a booming loud voice.

I think about it now and shake my head. I was foolish, immature.

At the end of every Sunday, I could hardly talk. My throat was sore and my voice was raspy.

It would take about a year for me to realize what I was doing. I was projecting a very poor copy of someone else’s voice and I was not finding my own. It was then I made a change.

I started to preach with “my voice.” Funny thing, I stopped having sore throats on Sunday nights and most importantly people responded to my ministry more. They saw me as real and that drew them.

What is my point? Be yourself. Sure, learn from others. Glean lessons and even some stylistic things from others who are successful in ways you wish to be successful. But be careful! Make sure you are still being you, that you are leading with your own personality and gifting.

After all God made you to be you, to minster to the world around you with who you are and who God made you to be.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

You can leave a comment by clicking here.

In Serving Jesus

Don’t Quit

October 20, 2014 — 10 Comments

Some of you are tired and weary and you are thinking about quitting that which God called you to do. You feel like what you are doing is too hard or filled with too many problems. But would you read this short post as I encourage you not to quit.

Don’t Quit

Last week I was on the campus of Liberty University where I teach in an adjunct capacity. This school is the largest Christian University in the world and yet it is only 43 years old. When you walk on the campus you are amazed at the growth. Literally hundreds of millions of dollars worth of new construction is going up each year. The place is enjoying much success.

The founder of Liberty was the late Dr. Jerry Falwell. The University owes it’s success to Falwell’s tenacity in building the school over the years. When you study the history of that institution you do not find a story of easy success. You read of challenges and struggles, many of which could have downed the school in the early days. Why did those difficulties not down the school? Simply put Falwell led the organization never to quit.

He regularly preached a message entitled, “Don’t Quit.” In that message he argued that life is full of problems and you will never get out of having problems. He stressed that the Bible never promises a life free of challenges, on the contrary the scriptures speak of finding God and Kingdom opportunities in the midst of trials. He preached that problems are necessary for spiritual growth.

Dr. Falwell used to have a plaque in his study that read, “Life is filled with glorious opportunities, brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.” That is a powerful word and one you should consider.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

What is it that you are considering quitting?

Could it be your job, your marriage, your volunteer position at church, the pursuit of that dream that you have never been able to shake, a relationship with a friend, that diet or exercise plan, or even your relationship with God?

My friend, if it is something God has placed in your life to do…don’t quit. Remember the promise of God that says, “for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Too many people quit too early. They quit before they finish, even before God is finished using and growing them in a situation. Don’t be that person that quits.

Instead, be that person who embraces the challenge and keeps your eyes on the prize. Be that person who accepts that life is opportunity disguised as monumental problems. Don’t be weary in doing good, but give your all for God and trust him through the inevitable challenges.

My friend, if the Lord called you to it, DON’T QUIT IT!

Question: What are scriptures or famous quotes that encourage you not to quit? Share them with us so that others may likewise be encouraged. You can leave a comment by clicking here.

In Walking with Jesus

Billy Graham’s Grandson Taught Me Something Today

October 1, 2014 — 8 Comments

Today I had the privilege of eating lunch with Billy Graham’s grandson, Evangelist Will Graham.

Having Lunch with Will Graham

For the past 2 ½ years a large group of pastors and laypersons from our city have been planning a Will Graham Evangelistic Event for our region. In April of this next year Will Graham, in partnership with our churches, will be conducting a multi-day event to saturate our city with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Today was our launch event and by divine providence my staff and I had the blessing of eating lunch at Will Graham’s table. I deeply enjoyed getting to know this man and learn of his ministry.

I opened the conversation by expressing my appreciation for the way his father, Franklin Graham, handled the care of Dr. Kent Brantly, the famed ebola virus survivor so prominent in the media these days. Without the efforts of Graham and the Samaritan’s Purse ministry Dr. Brantly would not have received the life saving care that he desperately needed. Franklin and his staff worked round the clock to make the needed negotiations for Brantly’s careful return to the states. Will was quick to tell me that it was the efforts of President Obama to expedite the process of Brantly’s return to the states that really made the difference.

There are many lessons that could be drawn from today’s event and my meeting of Will Graham. But there was one that stood out most for me.

Will reminded us of what Jesus said in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest truly is plentiful.” (NKJV) Jesus was referring to the people who need the Lord and are ready to receive Christ as the Lord and Savior of their lives.

He told us that we would all strive to share the gospel in April when the Graham Evangelistic Event would be conducted. But then he very seriously reminded us of an important truth.

The harvest is ready now! He said, don’t wait for the evangelistic event to start sharing Jesus with those around you. There are people in our families, among our friends, and folks in our community that are ready to hear and respond to Christ now.

He reminded us that God is always at work in the lives of people around us readying them to hear the good news of Jesus.

But so many times we shrink back from sharing the gospel with them. We say, “our relationship with them is not strong enough for me to broach a spiritual subject.” Or “I don’t think they are ready for this yet.” But who are we to judge that?

We need to take Jesus at his word and know that many souls around us are ready to be harvested for the Kingdom. All we must do is share the message of Christ with them so that they too can respond to the good news of salvation.

Jesus came to bring people from all walks of life into a redeemed and glorious relationship with God the Father. We who sinned against God were deserving of death and hell, but God in his great mercy sent his perfect, sinless Son, to bear our sins on the cross. Because of this we can place our faith in Christ, surrender to him as Lord, and know that our sins are forgiven and that in him we have eternal life.

This is a message that people need to hear now. Not later, but now. God has prepared a harvest to be gathered all around us, a harvest of people ready to be brought to the Lord through faith in Christ.

So this week when a door of opportunity to discuss spiritual matters and share the gospel affords itself, walk through that passage way, open your mouth, and share the good news of Jesus. Sure, not everyone will respond in faith right away. But you might be surprised how many people will be ready for the message and open to giving their lives to Jesus Christ.

Question: Many of us shrink back from sharing our faith in Jesus. Why do you think that is and what can we do to overcome those barriers to our personal sharing of the good news of Jesus? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

In Serving Jesus

Here Is Something You Can Count On Today

September 24, 2014 — 8 Comments

Why is it that people lash their faith so tightly to their feelings? Our emotions are fickle, always changing. Yet our God never changes. We often get a confused view of God when we look at him through the distorted lenses of our fluctuating moods.

Feelings Are Fickle

So often I have heard people testify of their confidence in God’s goodness when the weather is fair and their circumstances sweet. Then I have seen those same people declare their belief that God has forgotten them, withdrawn his forgiveness from them, and hidden his divine favor when their hearts are down and their circumstances frustrating.

But the fact is this… though our moods fluctuate and our circumstances shift, God’s love and grace toward us are divine and unmovable constants.

Consider the words of Paul,

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:4-6)

The great preacher of the past, Charles H. Spurgeon, commenting on the above passage, had this to say…

“How marvelous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of divine love! But it is only “in the One He loves.” Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension. When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could but see that all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do not really depress them in their Father’s sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the one God loves, always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would be, and how much more they would honor the Savior! Rejoice then, believer, in this: you are accepted “in the One He loves.””[1]

Fellow believer in Christ, don’t allow your view of God’s mercies to be lashed to your fickle feelings. Are you down today, feeling like you could not be divinely loved? Know that you are loved. You are loved in Christ and that love will never be lifted from your soul. Are you instead feeling on top of the world? Wonderful, but know that your happy feelings are not, in and of themselves, indicators of God’s favor. That Jesus came and died for your sin and rose to be your Savior is the only indicator of mercy that you need.

So friend, rest today in the grace of God that you received when you received Christ. If you are down, acknowledge it, but also acknowledge that though you know your feelings are in the dumps God’s love toward you in Christ is unchanging and he will bring you through.

Question: How has the knowledge of God’s grace brought comfort to you in recent days? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

[1] Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, p. 534.

In Discovering Jesus

The Need for Real Men

September 19, 2014 — 6 Comments

Our culture and our churches desperately need robust examples of manhood. Perhaps our present society’s greatest deficit is in the area of strong and godly men. Because of this, families crumble, women suffer, and children struggle throughout their lives.

Real Men

The world is crying out for an army of real men to rise up to love their wives, rear their children, stand for Christ, and show the way.

By real men, I do not refer to the macho man of action films or the lusty player that seduces the ladies. By real men, I speak of men who love God, have submitted their character to the Lordship of Christ, and who take responsibility for themselves and those God has entrusted to their care. I refer to men of principle and commitment, men who follow through with their vows even when life gets hard.

As a Christian leader I am struck by how many men, particularly young men, do not know what a real man looks like.

But the truth is our culture does not give men very definitive answers. It used to, but it no longer does.

Where will a man receive his vision for manhood?

Will he find it in the community? Probably not. There are no rites of passage offered every boy in our culture, no distinctive initiation. This needs to change.

Will he find it in the family? Maybe, but many do not. We live in a day where for a few generations fathers have been rather absent in family life, at least in a staggering number of families. There is something a boy marching to manhood needs from his father. He needs validation. He needs blessing. But few receive this.

Will he find it in church? He should, but once again many do not. For the most part the church has done little to help a man know what it is to be a man. We have not been deliberate in addressing the spiritual role of men. Take a look at many churches and you see that women outnumber the men. Often the image we portray in the church is that spirituality is predominantly a female pursuit. This is sad. After all, the Bible is overflowing with stories of men, real men, surrendering their lives to the Almighty God.

Where can a man go to capture a vision of manhood? I believe we must look to Scripture! The revelation of God.

The Bible is clear…

“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.” Proverbs 29:18a

This makes sense when you look at men who have not been guided by revelation and have cast off restraint…

Think about it!

*Men commit 90 percent of major crimes.

*Men commit 100 percent of rapes.

*Men commit 95 percent of burglaries.

*Men commit 91 percent of the offenses against the family.

*Men comprise 94 percent of drunk drivers.[1]

Robert Lewis in his book, Raising A Modern Day Knight, points out that the Bible compares Adam and Jesus Christ as displaying two very different kinds of masculinity.

Adam represents man whose life is “separated from God.” His selfishness and sin created the rift.

But Jesus Christ represents man “in union with God.” A life based on faith.

Consider these Principles of Manhood:

A real man rejects passivity. In Genesis 3, Adam chose a passive posture and yielded to the temptation that brought him separation from God and ultimately death. But Jesus rejected passivity and descended from heaven to earth to bring salvation to man. (Philippians 2:5-8)

A real man accepts responsibility. Adam blamed Eve for his failure. But Jesus, who was without sin took responsibility for bearing sin by going to the cross. The need today is for men who will accept the responsibility that God has entrusted to them for their homes, business, and reputations.

A real man leads courageously. Men were created to lead, but Adam abdicated his leadership. Jesus leads with courage and he is our example.

A real man expects the greater reward. Adam was looking at the immediate pleasure. Jesus looked to the greater reward. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Lewis points out what a real man looks like…Men of godly action, responsibility, courage, and a willingness to go the hard way to win the greater reward.

Men, let’s rise to that level of manhood and encourage and equip others to do the same.

Question: What are other characteristic of a real man, a godly man? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

[1] Robert Lewis, Raising A Modern Day Knight, p. 46

In Leadership

Something Every Christ Follower Should Do

September 15, 2014 — Leave a comment

If you knew God had ordained a mission for you to accomplish, wouldn’t your heart start beating faster. You would know that your life counted for something far greater than the mundane pursuits that consume most people. The truth is he has ordained such a mission.

Witness for Christ

Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) Jesus called us to be his witness. What is a witness?

A witness is simply a person who gives testimony to a fact. He or she testifies to something they know is true by personal experience.

Jesus comes into our lives, saving us from our sin, granting us a grace that gives us a peace that lasts forever, and filling us with his Spirit. We experience the Lord in a life changing way. How wonderful a gift we have received from God!

But God doesn’t want us to keep that to ourselves. He wants us to share this with others so that they too can have a powerful experience with Christ. God wants us to be witnesses to others of the marvelous grace he has granted to us, so that they too can taste and see that the Lord is good.

Many people get nervous about sharing their faith with others. Often we can be afraid we might be rejected or thought of as religious nut. But despite this God still calls us to be his witnesses in the networks of relationships in which he has placed us.

And why is that? Simple. God loves the people around us. Sure he loves you and has extended his grace to you, but as he extended grace to you, he was thinking of more than just you. He was extending grace to you for you, but also for all those whom through you would also hear of the Lord’s Good News.

God has placed you around people who need to know of the hope found in Jesus. Don’t you see? God has provided you in their lives to tell them of that hope. Your calling is significant. Very significant!

So what does a believer need to do to be a witness? Here are a few things…

Live for Jesus with a passion. Let your relationship with Jesus touch every part of your life. Love God and let his love for you bring you joy and inspire love in your heart for others.
Care about the souls of those around you. Pray for the people around you who may be far from a personal and soul saving relationship with Christ. Develop a heart filled concern for their eternal destiny. But not just that. Care about the everyday issues people face. Just care about people.
Know the Gospel. Get clear on the Good News of Jesus. Get comfortable explaining what Jesus did for us on the cross and how we are called to respond in repentance and faith. Read about the gospel in scripture, good Christian literature, and rejoice in the gospel as you listen to gospel centered preaching. A good grasp of the gospel will make it natural to share this divine good news with others.
Tell your testimony. Tell others the story of how God has changed your life. Explain how you came to know Christ as Savior and how that changed you. Sometimes your testimony will be about how you were converted to the Lord. Other times it might be about how God brought you through a challenging time or helps you gain healthy perspective on your life. Your testimony is powerful because it is your story. People love stories. We learn about people by learning their stories.
Invite people to join you at church. This can be so powerful. When you bring someone to church you are inviting them into an entire congregation full of people who have been and are being transformed by Jesus. You are doing more than merely exposing them to the Pastor’s sermon. You are inviting them to see Jesus at work among the people of God. Often that is more powerful than any sermon the minister will preach.

So God does have a mission for you. It is significant. You are to be his witness in your little part of the world.

So who around you can you start witnessing to today? Reach out to them.

Question: What are some ways you have sought to be a witness to others? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

In Serving Jesus

An Amazing Wife

September 5, 2014 — 6 Comments

So often our prayers are all about what we don’t have. But maybe we need to focus instead on thanking God for what we do have. The times I feel the most blessed are the times when I realize the great things God has already granted.

An Amazing Wife

This morning I had one of those moments. As I sat next to my wife over a bowl of breakfast cereal, it hit me. I am married to a wonderful woman.

Stefanie and I met back in the Fall of 1986. It was our freshman year of college and we met at the Christian campus ministry we both frequented. We fell in love quickly and didn’t wait long before we got engaged. Fortunately we did wait to graduate from school before we married, but married just weeks after receiving our degrees.

Over the years she has walked with me through the good and the bad.

There have been some good times…

*Rearing four amazing children.

*Establishing a relationally and financially stable home.

*Doing ministry together.

*Some really cool trips and vacations.

There have been some hard times…

*Periods where we didn’t have much money.

*Issues of health and surgeries.

*Difficult periods of ministry and family stress.

But despite it all she has been my partner through it all.

What makes all that more amazing is that I have not always been easy to live with (on second thought…I’m not sure I have ever been easy to live with). I have had a continuous tendency to overwork. All too often I have put my career over my family. I can’t count the times I didn’t leave work stress at work, but dragged it home.

Through it all she has stuck with me. I can’t put into words what that has meant to me. Apart from my relationship to the Lord, it really is the most amazing gift in my life.

What makes me sad is all of the times I have not recognized just how important she is to me. I should have awakened every day celebrating in my heart and mind how marvelous it is for me to have her.

I love her. I really do. I would not be the man I am today without her. I would not have these wonderful children that mean so much to me. I would not possess the wisdom that I do (she helped shape my discernment). I would be very much alone without her.

I have an amazing wife.

Thank you God! Thank you God!

Question: Who is it in your life that means so much to you? Have you expressed to them and to the world how much they mean to you? Have you thanked God for them? Why not do so today? In fact, why not do it here? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

In Walking with Jesus

Live In The Moment

September 2, 2014 — 1 Comment

Everything changes! Nothing stays the same. Life is constantly in motion. Furthermore, we have no idea what kind of twists and turns await us. The key to navigating this reality of life is to “live in the moment.”

Everything Changes

Of course, this has been difficult for me to achieve. It is challenging to live in the moment without overly thinking out my future or analyzing my past. I like control and I want all my tomorrows figured out and my future challenges pre-wrestled down.

But life just doesn’t give me that option. I am not able to have that kind of certainty about my future.

Last night I received a phone call late in the evening. It was one of my church members in distress. A private plane had crashed in Colorado and several members of her family were killed. I am sure no one in this family anticipated that tragedy or the life altering consequences of it.

James said, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:13-14)

Perhaps you have plans concerning the format of your life in a year. There is nothing wrong with plans. In fact, I would encourage you to have them. Plans give focus to life and sharpen your efforts. But be sure to leave room for the adventure of God. He will probably surprise you with things you could never anticipate.

Some of those surprises are exciting. This past year I received some thrilling opportunities in my job that enabled me to make a difference. I also received some financial blessings that I didn’t know were coming and helped my family with college expenses. Yippie!

But of course some surprises are challenging. I was disappointed in some relationships this year (you probably were too) and some people I dearly loved died. I miss them fiercely.

These were all things I didn’t know were coming. But they came. If I had known all of this ahead of time, I think I would have been a wreck anticipating them.

We need to plan, but we need to live in the moment. The only time we have is the time we are living now. We don’t know what is next, not really, not completely. So it is important that we live today, applying ourselves to God’s will.

After all, God is with us now and he will be with us tomorrow. We might not know what is coming down the pike, but he does. In fact he is already there, waiting for us, while at the same time walking with us in this moment.

Are you anxious about what is next? I have to admit I sort of am. But the truth is, I shouldn’t be. I should live with God in the moment and trust him with what is next. He has a plan for me and he will carry it through.

It makes sense for me to choose to trust in him.

Question: Do you ever struggle living in the moment? What helps you trust in God for what is to come? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

In Walking with Jesus

When you are fitted with readiness…

“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.” Proverbs 29:18a

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