Exciting…thrilling…best thing ever! Life filled with…
• opportunities and blessings;
• true joy and real satisfaction;
• meaningful activities and compelling purpose;
• peace that passes all understanding;
• contentment and a deep, abiding satisfaction.
All of these, and so much more…this is the Christian experience!
Being a Christ follower, a true believer and confessor of His, is an amazing adventure. He promises His followers an abundant life and that He delivers. He gives generously and blesses abundantly. He empowers, emboldens and encourages each day. More than just watching and rooting for us, He intercedes for us with the Father and indwells us with the Spirit. Through the perils and temptations, and in spite of our set-backs and failures, nothing in this world matches walking with Jesus! The Christian experience truly is exciting…thrilling…the best thing ever!
But I wonder if we often overlook the most incredible part of the journey: God’s Love. Of all that Jesus offers and delivers; of all the benefits received by being His; the most amazing of all has to be that God loves me…and you…each of us, personally and intimately!
It is because of His love that we can have a relationship with Him at all. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). You should notice three key truths from this verse.
First: God’s Love originates in God. God loves first. Believers are those who receive the love he offers; then return His love – through our hearts – back to Him. This amazing love finds its beginning and ending in Him! “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Second: God’s Love is a gift. The love in God’s heart compelled Him to do something for mankind; specifically, for you and me. And what He did was give: “He gave…” the verse states. And what a gift it was: “His One and Only Son!” It is very important to realize that God’s love is a gift. Gifts are not earned; then they would be wages. Gifts are not given because they are necessarily deserved. Gifts are given because of love in the heart of the giver for the one receiving the gift. Not one of us deserves God’s love, but He gives it to us anyway.
Third: God’s Love makes eternal life possible. I think sometimes Christians believe God’s gift to us was salvation. But we should remember the sequence: God gave us Jesus; and Jesus, on the cross, provided the payment that purchased our salvation. The gift was, and is, Jesus Himself! God gives Himself (in the form of the Son) to every man, woman and child who simply will believe and confess. Amazing love, indeed!
Receive God’s Love into your heart. Receive God’s Love as His gift to you. Receive the abundant life here, and eternal life hereafter, that God’s Love provides.
There are many wonders in the Christian life. There are also many trials and tribulations, as well as many victories and successes. It is a great and marvelous adventure! But the most exciting, thrilling, best part ever…is God’s Love!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Cry of Jesus' Blood
From the Nuggets File:
The blood of Abel was not voiceless, and the blood of Jesus was not [silent]; it cried so as to be heard amid the thrones of heaven, and blessed be God, it spoke for us and not against us; it spoke not worse things, as it might well have done, but better things…it did not ask that we might be driven vagabonds and fugitives upon the face of the earth, and to be at last banished from God into hell forever, but it cried, “Father, forgive them,” and it prevailed, and the curse was taken away and a blessing came to the sons of men.
Charles Spurgeon, Christ in the Old Testament, pg. 16.
The blood of Abel was not voiceless, and the blood of Jesus was not [silent]; it cried so as to be heard amid the thrones of heaven, and blessed be God, it spoke for us and not against us; it spoke not worse things, as it might well have done, but better things…it did not ask that we might be driven vagabonds and fugitives upon the face of the earth, and to be at last banished from God into hell forever, but it cried, “Father, forgive them,” and it prevailed, and the curse was taken away and a blessing came to the sons of men.
Charles Spurgeon, Christ in the Old Testament, pg. 16.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Needed: Men Mighty in Prayer
From the Nuggets File:
The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men....What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use - men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men - men of prayer.
E.M. Bounds, Power Through Prayer, pgs. 8-9.
The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men....What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use - men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men - men of prayer.
E.M. Bounds, Power Through Prayer, pgs. 8-9.
Friday, July 15, 2011
A View from the Outside
Have you ever wondered why unbelievers are blind to the beauty of Jesus, His teachings and works? We know they are; they don’t see Him the same way we, His followers, do. I recently read something that helped me understand why this is true.1
What we see promised in the Tabernacle, we see fulfilled in Jesus! But for those outside our faith, their view is different…just as a stranger standing outside the Tabernacle would have seen something much different than those allowed to enter. And these two viewpoints would have been in sharp contrast to each other.
Various coverings concealed the inner two rooms of the Tabernacle: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. So from the outside, the Tabernacle was not particularly attractive; but on the inside there was breathtaking splendor and beauty. The priests got to see the inside and experience the beauty and full meaning of the Tabernacle.
The stranger, on the other hand, standing outside would see only two things: the white linen fence surrounding the court, and the top part and roof of the building inside the court. As he glanced at the roof, the stranger would see only the drab leather curtain made of badger skins; perhaps bleached by the hot desert sun. As for the white linen wall, the stranger outside certainly sees it but fails to realize its significance: representing the righteousness of Christ.
Two views of the same Tabernacle…two radically different experiences.
Just as the priest inside and the stranger outside see the Tabernacle differently, so also do believers and unbelievers see Jesus differently. Both can read about the life and work of Jesus; and the unbeliever may admit that Christ was not an ordinary man and might even admire Christ’s ideals and moral character. But he does not understand the deity of Christ.
The unbeliever might be impressed with the wisdom and teachings of Jesus, but doctrines such as the virgin birth are foolishness to him. The unbeliever fails to see the value of the atonement, the validity of the resurrection or the reality of His coming again. For the unbeliever Jesus, at most, is a great man; one whose caring, good deeds should be examples for us all. What the unbeliever cannot see from the outside is the beauty of Jesus, who He really is and what He accomplished!
The Bible tells us why the true beauty of Jesus is not appreciated by unbelievers: “He had no form or splendor that we should look at Him, no appearance that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2). For those who look only upon the external, there is nothing about Jesus that causes them to want to be in right relationship with Him. Elsewhere the Bible states: “But the natural man does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to know it since it is [discerned] spiritually” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The stranger cannot see and comprehend who Christ is, for it is all foolishness to him.
From the outside you cannot see Jesus for who He is, what He offers, and the benefits of aligning one’s life with Him. You must experience these things from the inside; you must be a follower of His. Take an act of faith…step inside the Christian experience. See and know Jesus!
1 Some thoughts from this section are taken from: Theodore H. Epp, Portraits of Christ in the Tabernacle, pgs. 17-19.
Think for a moment of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament.
What we see promised in the Tabernacle, we see fulfilled in Jesus! But for those outside our faith, their view is different…just as a stranger standing outside the Tabernacle would have seen something much different than those allowed to enter. And these two viewpoints would have been in sharp contrast to each other.
Various coverings concealed the inner two rooms of the Tabernacle: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. So from the outside, the Tabernacle was not particularly attractive; but on the inside there was breathtaking splendor and beauty. The priests got to see the inside and experience the beauty and full meaning of the Tabernacle.
The stranger, on the other hand, standing outside would see only two things: the white linen fence surrounding the court, and the top part and roof of the building inside the court. As he glanced at the roof, the stranger would see only the drab leather curtain made of badger skins; perhaps bleached by the hot desert sun. As for the white linen wall, the stranger outside certainly sees it but fails to realize its significance: representing the righteousness of Christ.
Two views of the same Tabernacle…two radically different experiences.
Just as the priest inside and the stranger outside see the Tabernacle differently, so also do believers and unbelievers see Jesus differently. Both can read about the life and work of Jesus; and the unbeliever may admit that Christ was not an ordinary man and might even admire Christ’s ideals and moral character. But he does not understand the deity of Christ.
The unbeliever might be impressed with the wisdom and teachings of Jesus, but doctrines such as the virgin birth are foolishness to him. The unbeliever fails to see the value of the atonement, the validity of the resurrection or the reality of His coming again. For the unbeliever Jesus, at most, is a great man; one whose caring, good deeds should be examples for us all. What the unbeliever cannot see from the outside is the beauty of Jesus, who He really is and what He accomplished!
The Bible tells us why the true beauty of Jesus is not appreciated by unbelievers: “He had no form or splendor that we should look at Him, no appearance that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2). For those who look only upon the external, there is nothing about Jesus that causes them to want to be in right relationship with Him. Elsewhere the Bible states: “But the natural man does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to know it since it is [discerned] spiritually” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The stranger cannot see and comprehend who Christ is, for it is all foolishness to him.
From the outside you cannot see Jesus for who He is, what He offers, and the benefits of aligning one’s life with Him. You must experience these things from the inside; you must be a follower of His. Take an act of faith…step inside the Christian experience. See and know Jesus!
1 Some thoughts from this section are taken from: Theodore H. Epp, Portraits of Christ in the Tabernacle, pgs. 17-19.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Good Shepherd
From the Nuggets File:
The shepherd does not die for his sheep to serve as an example, throwing himself off a cliff in a grotesque and futile display while bellowing, “See how much I love you!” No, the assumption is that the sheep are in mortal danger; that in their defense the shepherd loses his life; and by his death they are saved. That, and that alone, is what makes him the good shepherd.
The shepherd does not die for his sheep to serve as an example, throwing himself off a cliff in a grotesque and futile display while bellowing, “See how much I love you!” No, the assumption is that the sheep are in mortal danger; that in their defense the shepherd loses his life; and by his death they are saved. That, and that alone, is what makes him the good shepherd.
Jesus: "I am the good shepherd...I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:11a,15b)
D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, p. 386.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
To Pity...and Forgive
From the Nuggets File:
It is according to the nature of God to pity the miserable and forgive the guilty, "for he is good, and his mercy endureth forever."
Charles Spurgeon, Christ in the Old Testament, pg. 4.
It is according to the nature of God to pity the miserable and forgive the guilty, "for he is good, and his mercy endureth forever."
Charles Spurgeon, Christ in the Old Testament, pg. 4.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The Russians Are Coming!
Upon moving to St. Petersburg, Florida, I began to sense God wanted us involved in reaching St. Petersburg, Russia. Our St. Pete was founded and named by a native of the Russian St. Pete; our city has a sister city relationship with them; and we have Russian immigrants, businesses and restaurants in our area. I've met several who have the same sense from God - something is brewing! Indeed, over the last two years amazing things have been happening, related to this idea.
So, on September 17 we are hosting Global Cities: St. Petersburg. The morning session will be a time of learning about ministry in St. Petersburg, Russia; meeting our missionaries on the ground; and skyping with others involved in ministry there. With each we will pause to encourage and pray.
In the afternoon, SPIFFS (St. Petersburg International Folk Festival Society) will host an educational time discussing the history of our city and the relationship between the two St. Petersburgs. This will be open to the public - hosted at North East Park Baptist Church.
And in the evening we are hosting the first annual Russia Festival at a local park. A Russian choir will sing, a well-known music group will perform as will a Russian dance troupe, and there will be other cultural expressions. This will be an evening for Russians in Florida to have a piece of home, and for our citizens to experience a taste of Russian culture.
Our desire is for this day to become an annual event. The pastors of Russian churches in Florida are lonely. They need encouragement and fellowship opportunities with each other. This day can be their annual mini-convention/time of revival.
Please pray for this event coming in September. Pray for the Russian pastors and Christians in Florida. Pray for the ministry being done to reach Russians in St. Petersburg, Russia.
And if you would like to be involved in an amazing work of God...email me.
The Russians are coming! Praise God...they are coming!
So, on September 17 we are hosting Global Cities: St. Petersburg. The morning session will be a time of learning about ministry in St. Petersburg, Russia; meeting our missionaries on the ground; and skyping with others involved in ministry there. With each we will pause to encourage and pray.
In the afternoon, SPIFFS (St. Petersburg International Folk Festival Society) will host an educational time discussing the history of our city and the relationship between the two St. Petersburgs. This will be open to the public - hosted at North East Park Baptist Church.
And in the evening we are hosting the first annual Russia Festival at a local park. A Russian choir will sing, a well-known music group will perform as will a Russian dance troupe, and there will be other cultural expressions. This will be an evening for Russians in Florida to have a piece of home, and for our citizens to experience a taste of Russian culture.
Our desire is for this day to become an annual event. The pastors of Russian churches in Florida are lonely. They need encouragement and fellowship opportunities with each other. This day can be their annual mini-convention/time of revival.
Please pray for this event coming in September. Pray for the Russian pastors and Christians in Florida. Pray for the ministry being done to reach Russians in St. Petersburg, Russia.
And if you would like to be involved in an amazing work of God...email me.
The Russians are coming! Praise God...they are coming!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
A Patriotic Message
Today was July 3rd...the 4th is tomorrow, a day of national celebration. In church today we sang patriotic hymns, wished everyone a happy 4th, even had the flag prominently displayed. The message was from 1 John 5:6-11.
We didn't discuss patriotism, or being a good citizen. We didn't talk about bravery, courage, freedom or praying for our leaders (all important topics, just not ours for the day). We did talk about...
...the most important thing for helping America...
...Christians believing in the One who paid our debt, proved life beyond death was real, and who offers us this eternal life in Heaven freely - if we will only believe.
It's important to remember that this new life is not ours because we KNOW facts ABOUT Jesus; but when we KNOW JESUS! A personal, intimate relationship is required. Afterall, as the Bible says, the demons believe in God - that is, they know God and lots of facts about Him - and they tremble. But they do not have a personal, saving relationship with Him.
John made it clear that if we believe, then we can KNOW we are safe and secure; that Heaven is our destination. This assurance; this "I know that I know" certainty, is the most important thing for each Christian to settle in their own life. For once we know, we no longer have any doubts. And without doubts nagging at us, we are much more confident and assured...which leads to more faithful and obedient Christians.
And what America needs most, is more Christians, who from a position of victory and strength in Christ, are living faithfully and obediently each day! This is the answer - the only answer - for helping America, and our world!
We didn't discuss patriotism, or being a good citizen. We didn't talk about bravery, courage, freedom or praying for our leaders (all important topics, just not ours for the day). We did talk about...
...the most important thing for helping America...
...Christians believing in the One who paid our debt, proved life beyond death was real, and who offers us this eternal life in Heaven freely - if we will only believe.
It's important to remember that this new life is not ours because we KNOW facts ABOUT Jesus; but when we KNOW JESUS! A personal, intimate relationship is required. Afterall, as the Bible says, the demons believe in God - that is, they know God and lots of facts about Him - and they tremble. But they do not have a personal, saving relationship with Him.
John made it clear that if we believe, then we can KNOW we are safe and secure; that Heaven is our destination. This assurance; this "I know that I know" certainty, is the most important thing for each Christian to settle in their own life. For once we know, we no longer have any doubts. And without doubts nagging at us, we are much more confident and assured...which leads to more faithful and obedient Christians.
And what America needs most, is more Christians, who from a position of victory and strength in Christ, are living faithfully and obediently each day! This is the answer - the only answer - for helping America, and our world!
Friday, July 1, 2011
What are we doing?
"...you have to know what the organization was set up to do..."1
What are we doing as the Church in the world today? Are we meeting the objectives or accomplishing the vision? Doesn't seem like it.
Our society is growing more non-Christian each day. Over 70% (maybe way over) of our churches are declining or dead. Even among the largest evangelical groups, the number of new converts - new Christians - is down from past years. Meeting the objectives? Accomplishing the vision? I don't think so!
Why aren't we? Probably because we have lost touch with "what the organization was set up to do." We have grown too busy doing too many good things; but have forgotten what God intended for the church to accomplish. Look at the weekly bulletin at most churches. Lots of activity (almost all of it for the already saved!). Follow a typical pastor around for a few days. Meetings, counseling sessions, visits, phone calls - lots of these coming in the middle of the night - plus all the normal activities at the church building. All this leaves precious little time for sermon/lesson preparation. And he hasn't even had time to pray yet! The lives of many church goers are just as busy.
Maybe it's time for a simple reminder: We only have one command and one commission.
We are to love - love God, our neighbors and ourselves. Seeing our love for God and each other, and by experiencing our love for them, non-Christians are impacted profoundly. To paraphrase: seeing how much we do care, they begin to care about the God we know!
We show our love best when taking the Gospel into the world and sharing with others what Jesus has done for us. In fulfilling the Great Commission, we make disciples...the Kingdom expands!
What are we doing? Answer: too much activity; too little results! Spend some time reflecting on the passages of Scripture about the early church. Focus. Let God's original purpose for this organization become the one driving force when planning, and especially when putting things on the calendar.
Let's try to do what we were designed to do...what God wants us, as His Church, to do.
1 Allen, Roger E. Winnie-the-Pooh on Management: In which a Very Important Bear and his friends are introduced to a Very Important Subject Penguin Group: New York, 1994; pg. 45. (A silly, humorous, yet profound presentation of the basics of effective organizational management. - Pastor Sam)
What are we doing as the Church in the world today? Are we meeting the objectives or accomplishing the vision? Doesn't seem like it.
Our society is growing more non-Christian each day. Over 70% (maybe way over) of our churches are declining or dead. Even among the largest evangelical groups, the number of new converts - new Christians - is down from past years. Meeting the objectives? Accomplishing the vision? I don't think so!
Why aren't we? Probably because we have lost touch with "what the organization was set up to do." We have grown too busy doing too many good things; but have forgotten what God intended for the church to accomplish. Look at the weekly bulletin at most churches. Lots of activity (almost all of it for the already saved!). Follow a typical pastor around for a few days. Meetings, counseling sessions, visits, phone calls - lots of these coming in the middle of the night - plus all the normal activities at the church building. All this leaves precious little time for sermon/lesson preparation. And he hasn't even had time to pray yet! The lives of many church goers are just as busy.
Maybe it's time for a simple reminder: We only have one command and one commission.
We are to love - love God, our neighbors and ourselves. Seeing our love for God and each other, and by experiencing our love for them, non-Christians are impacted profoundly. To paraphrase: seeing how much we do care, they begin to care about the God we know!
We show our love best when taking the Gospel into the world and sharing with others what Jesus has done for us. In fulfilling the Great Commission, we make disciples...the Kingdom expands!
What are we doing? Answer: too much activity; too little results! Spend some time reflecting on the passages of Scripture about the early church. Focus. Let God's original purpose for this organization become the one driving force when planning, and especially when putting things on the calendar.
Let's try to do what we were designed to do...what God wants us, as His Church, to do.
1 Allen, Roger E. Winnie-the-Pooh on Management: In which a Very Important Bear and his friends are introduced to a Very Important Subject Penguin Group: New York, 1994; pg. 45. (A silly, humorous, yet profound presentation of the basics of effective organizational management. - Pastor Sam)
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