"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and see his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" (I John 3:16-17, NIV).
The Holy Spirit continues to convict my heart concerning the challenge that the modern day church is facing. Do I truly have a strong desire to let my light shine so that people can recognize the love of God that should be at work in my life? Each of us will be presented with daily opportunities to share those "blessings" that God has so freely deposited in our lives. What am I (we) doing will all that God has released in our lives? I am not just speaking concerning the blessings of possessions; no, I am referring to those spiritual blessings that God has so freely released in my life. Christ loved me before I ever understood the need to love myself. Christ loved me even when I was living in the spirit of rebellion and disobedience. Christ loved me even when I would grow cold and indifferent toward His Word and toward the working of His Spirit in my life. What am I (we) doing with the awesome love of God that has been shared with us? We must become "active" witnesses of the mercy and love of God so that the world can recognize that Christianity is more than just a group of people who try to live under a code of spiritual conduct. Christians are called to demonstrate and release the love of God to a world that needs to sense and feel the genuine love of God. We must stop ignoring those opportunities to share the "true" love of God with people whose lives are in disarray and trouble. We must lift our eyes and see the field of labor and harvest in which God has planted us. (See John 4:34-35).
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Becoming a Difference Maker, Part 4
Many of us have heard this "sermon" since we were born and many times more since we were "born again." We know that the Word of God calls for us to make a difference in the world in which we live and conduct our lives. But why is that always so challenging to fulfill? Why are we so intimidated by the opinion of others? I live in Kentucky yet I am a die hard Alabama Crimson Tide fan; I do not find that difficult, as a matter of fact I enjoy the opportunity to be "different." I make all types of choices to be "different" on a daily basis yet when it comes to demonstrating my love and devotion to Christ I can find myself being intimidated by the thoughts, opinions, and actions of others. These thoughts are not meant to condemn us rather they are meant to remind us that we do have the courage and the fortitude to be a difference maker when the opportunity arises. Many of us are sensing the Spirit of God challenging each of us to take our stand in this day and time and declare that we do love Jesus Christ and that we are not embarrassed to surrender our lives to His Lordship. Look for opportunities to be a "difference maker" today. You maybe surprised at the reaction of people when you choose to live out your love for Christ. There are people who will receive your testimony; not everyone will reject your decision to follow the principles of Christ in your life. We must learn to be consistent in our daily life regardless of the response or opinions of other people!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Becoming a Difference Maker, Part 3
I am certain that each of us recognize that the relentless enemy of our soul has a plan in place that seeks to hinder our effectiveness as "difference makers" in our society. His plan is one of the reasons that we face the constant bombardment of the attacks of the enemy which comes in many shapes and forms. The enemy implements his strategy day after day; but in the midst of these struggles we find the presence of the Lord working in our lives so that we can become successful witnesses regardless of the situations that we are facing. This recognition of the presence of God does not mean that the strategies of the enemy can not be complicated or even in some cases hurtful and challenging but it does mean that the grace of God is sufficient for our circumstances.
The message that we preach/teach and practice must be different than the message that the "world" is promoting and presenting. We must stand against the rising tide that is accepting secular humanism and situational ethics as the way that we need to live. We must live in a manner that will demand that the world take another look at the message that we are declaring. I truly believe that people are looking for authentic Christianity. People are looking for believers who will demonstrate that the message of the Gospel has truly made a difference in their personal lives. The "old story" of the Gospel message must become fresh in our lives so that this freshness will be released through us on a daily basis through interaction with people that God places in our path. Is it possible that many people have heard the message and now they are looking for people who will choose to "live out" that message on a daily basis? I truly desire to see my life produce what the Gospel desires to produce in me as well as through me. Will each of us ask God to help us to become a "difference maker" in this challenging day and time?
The message that we preach/teach and practice must be different than the message that the "world" is promoting and presenting. We must stand against the rising tide that is accepting secular humanism and situational ethics as the way that we need to live. We must live in a manner that will demand that the world take another look at the message that we are declaring. I truly believe that people are looking for authentic Christianity. People are looking for believers who will demonstrate that the message of the Gospel has truly made a difference in their personal lives. The "old story" of the Gospel message must become fresh in our lives so that this freshness will be released through us on a daily basis through interaction with people that God places in our path. Is it possible that many people have heard the message and now they are looking for people who will choose to "live out" that message on a daily basis? I truly desire to see my life produce what the Gospel desires to produce in me as well as through me. Will each of us ask God to help us to become a "difference maker" in this challenging day and time?
Monday, June 7, 2010
Becoming a Difference Maker, Part 2
On Friday, I shared the scripture where Jesus taught that the people of God (church) are to become "salt and light" in the midst of our world. I am still being challenged by the conviction of the Holy Spirit in my life as well as the lives of those to which I am given the opportunity to minister the Word of God. Will we rise to the occasion or will be content to allow the culture of the world to set the pace for our lives? We must remember that the enemy of our soul operates with a planned strategy for our demise. We are able to identify the degeneration of our society. We see this through the evidence of political corruption; the challenge of international peace that always seems to be at the brink of world war; we identify the continued challenge of the culture of addictions that has gripped our society and the problems that ensue from this evil plague; and we are able to recognize the breakdown of the family unit as we have known. I have listed these challenges to let you know that the problems that we face are real but I also want to declare that the God that we serve is also ALIVE & VERY REAL! I am called to position myself so that the Holy Spirit can work through me in these dangerous times. I am truly convinced that God's plan reveals the continued service of the church in these difficult times. Will I continue to place my life at the disposal of the Lord or will I choose to live a life simply dedicated to "me and my fleshly needs?" We are at the intersection of decision concerning this question; will we become "salt & light" or will we be content to blend into the world and not make any difference for the cause of Christ?
Weekend Review: I was given the privilege to minister at New River Ministries in Radcliff, KY on Sunday. The presence of the Lord was awesome as people gathered to exalt and lift up the name of the Lord. New River is a new church plant in which myself and my wife are participating. The worship was encouraging and uplifting, the fellowship with fellow believers was enriching, and the Word that God placed in my heart challenged all of us to be "saints in circulation" so that we can be useful workers in the Kingdom of God. The work is progressing very nicely but we need your prayers as we look to relocate to a larger building. The Lord is certainly able to provide the facility that we need if we will remain focused on the call that God placed on our hearts when we began this outreach to the Radcliff/Fort Knox area of Kentucky. Feel free to email me any name and addresses of friends or family who may live in the Radcliif area or who may be stationed at Fort Knox either now or in the future. We would be honored to make contact with them and assist them in any possible way. Please continue to cover this ministry in your prayers as we seek to please God in all that we do and say.
Weekend Review: I was given the privilege to minister at New River Ministries in Radcliff, KY on Sunday. The presence of the Lord was awesome as people gathered to exalt and lift up the name of the Lord. New River is a new church plant in which myself and my wife are participating. The worship was encouraging and uplifting, the fellowship with fellow believers was enriching, and the Word that God placed in my heart challenged all of us to be "saints in circulation" so that we can be useful workers in the Kingdom of God. The work is progressing very nicely but we need your prayers as we look to relocate to a larger building. The Lord is certainly able to provide the facility that we need if we will remain focused on the call that God placed on our hearts when we began this outreach to the Radcliff/Fort Knox area of Kentucky. Feel free to email me any name and addresses of friends or family who may live in the Radcliif area or who may be stationed at Fort Knox either now or in the future. We would be honored to make contact with them and assist them in any possible way. Please continue to cover this ministry in your prayers as we seek to please God in all that we do and say.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Becoming a Difference Maker
Matthew 5:13-14:, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." (NJKV)
I truly believe that these words of Jesus challenge us with the opportunity to make a difference in the world. I truly believe that Jesus expects the church (true believers in Jesus Christ) to make a difference in our part of the world. Salt and light makes a difference. Try eliminating these two valuable items from your daily life and see if you notice any difference. The church is to make a difference just as salt and light makes a difference in our natural life. I had to ask myself this question; "Is my life and service as a Christian truly making a difference in the lives of people that I interact with on a daily basis?" I fully understand that the impact and influence of my life may vary in importance from day to day; nevertheless that fact should not hinder my desire to be a difference maker. We must look for the opportunities to be "salt and light" in the midst of these difficult and challenging days. Am I (we) truly prepared to fully accept my (our) responsibilities and stop making excuses for my (our) ineffectiveness as a believer? I do not want to issue this challenge in a spirit of criticism; but I do sense the urgency of the moment. The enemy is filling this world with so much false doctrine and even a false "gospel" message that someone needs to hear the warning bell of the Spirit and respond to our call to responsibility. We need to respond to the warning call of the Spirit just as the fireman responds to the call that a house is engulfed in flames. We would be alarmed if the firemen did not respond to the call for help; is not God looking for people who will truly represent Him in the midst of the darkness that is surrounding our world today? I am convinced that someone is going to respond to the call from the Spirit and I desire to make myself available to God so that I can become salt and light and make a difference in my part of the world. Will you be willing to answer that same call in your life?
I truly believe that these words of Jesus challenge us with the opportunity to make a difference in the world. I truly believe that Jesus expects the church (true believers in Jesus Christ) to make a difference in our part of the world. Salt and light makes a difference. Try eliminating these two valuable items from your daily life and see if you notice any difference. The church is to make a difference just as salt and light makes a difference in our natural life. I had to ask myself this question; "Is my life and service as a Christian truly making a difference in the lives of people that I interact with on a daily basis?" I fully understand that the impact and influence of my life may vary in importance from day to day; nevertheless that fact should not hinder my desire to be a difference maker. We must look for the opportunities to be "salt and light" in the midst of these difficult and challenging days. Am I (we) truly prepared to fully accept my (our) responsibilities and stop making excuses for my (our) ineffectiveness as a believer? I do not want to issue this challenge in a spirit of criticism; but I do sense the urgency of the moment. The enemy is filling this world with so much false doctrine and even a false "gospel" message that someone needs to hear the warning bell of the Spirit and respond to our call to responsibility. We need to respond to the warning call of the Spirit just as the fireman responds to the call that a house is engulfed in flames. We would be alarmed if the firemen did not respond to the call for help; is not God looking for people who will truly represent Him in the midst of the darkness that is surrounding our world today? I am convinced that someone is going to respond to the call from the Spirit and I desire to make myself available to God so that I can become salt and light and make a difference in my part of the world. Will you be willing to answer that same call in your life?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Walking in Love
Do I truly have a desire to demonstrate the genuine love of God or am I content to hide behind the religious rhetoric of the language of the church? Is it possible that the people around us are tired of just hearing us talk about loving them? Is it possible that they are tired of hearing about the love of God yet find small cliques of people when they attend our church services? Can we not hear the wake up call from the Holy Spirit? Someone needs to arise and allow the love of God to be lived out through them.
Will we accept the challenge or will be content to travel the road marked "status quo?" I am refusing to travel that road; I hear the Lord calling us to a spiritual adventure that will lead us down the path of revival and renewal. Will you commit your life to God so that He can lead you into your spiritual destiny? Spiritual opportunity is knocking at the door of our lives; will we choose to answer the door?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
"Love one Another"
In the follow up to Memorial Day it is very fitting that the Lord led me to a passage in John 13. Let us remind ourselves of the words that Christ spoke as He is spending some final time with His disciples prior to His death. Let us reflect on verses 34 & 35: "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (KJV).
Jesus is establishing a "spiritual trademark" that will be a distinguishing characteristic of His followers/disciples. The characteristic of His disciples will be the mutual love that they possess for one another. In the days of Jesus, the disciples of different teachers were known by their habits, or some particular creed or rite. The disciples adopted their teachers creed or practices; but Jesus is raising the standard by which His disciples would be known. Their identification would be more than some rite or religious statement; they would be identified by the love that they demonstrated to one another. Is the love of Christ truly at work in my heart? Do I live out that love in my actions and inter-actions with fellow believers as well as non-believers who need to see the principles of Christ at work in our lives? We need more than rites or rituals in the modern day church; we need the true demonstration of God's love at work in our lives. The church must be known for our "love one to another."
A writer of early church history made this statement; "See, they said, how they love one another, and are ready to lay down their lives for one another." Can that statement be made about the modern day church or have we become known by what we say rather than what we do?
Jesus is establishing a "spiritual trademark" that will be a distinguishing characteristic of His followers/disciples. The characteristic of His disciples will be the mutual love that they possess for one another. In the days of Jesus, the disciples of different teachers were known by their habits, or some particular creed or rite. The disciples adopted their teachers creed or practices; but Jesus is raising the standard by which His disciples would be known. Their identification would be more than some rite or religious statement; they would be identified by the love that they demonstrated to one another. Is the love of Christ truly at work in my heart? Do I live out that love in my actions and inter-actions with fellow believers as well as non-believers who need to see the principles of Christ at work in our lives? We need more than rites or rituals in the modern day church; we need the true demonstration of God's love at work in our lives. The church must be known for our "love one to another."
A writer of early church history made this statement; "See, they said, how they love one another, and are ready to lay down their lives for one another." Can that statement be made about the modern day church or have we become known by what we say rather than what we do?
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