I feel so at home in the new church God placed me in. (Not that I don't miss you all in Council Bluffs and Junction City!) But there’s something I noticed almost as soon as I entered the doors of the church in Independence, KY. It wasn’t the décor, or the number of people. It wasn’t the music that was floating to the greeting area from the early sanctuary service. (And boy was it great!) It wasn’t the number of young children waiting to get to class, which always tickles my heart. It wasn’teven that special smell I always notice when entering a church were Holy Spirit is welcome. It was something totally different. It was something much, much simpler... It was because virtually every person who shook my hand or greeted me called me “Sister”. I wasn’t “Miss Rhonda”. I wasn’t Mom. I wasn’t Grandma. I wasn't the Sunday School teacher or Youth Leader. I wasn't that lady that sings or cooks the Wednesday meals. I was Sister. "Good Morning, Sister!" "Glad to see you again, Sister." Welcome to Community Family Church, Sister". Sister….a name that put me on the same level ground as every other man and woman serving God in that church. That name alone, Sister, told me that I was welcome into the family.
Growing up Pentecostal, our Pastor wasn’t Pastor Clark, he was Brother Clark. The Bible says we are heirs and joint heirs with Christ. Pentecostals took that seriously!! It didn’t matter how old or how young we were. We were all part of the same family…God’s. So everyone was either Brother or Sister. It was a term of respect, one you were given when you were born again into this new family. I didn’t realize just how much I missed that term.
Reminds me of the old Gaither song from the 70’s:
You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here,
It's because we're a family and these folks are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.
I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,The Family of God
When you go to church tomorrow, (if you don't already) greet each other as Brother and Sister. Start a new tradition…or revive an old one. After all, we are the family of God. And tomorrow is Sunday, the weekly family reunion. In the words of Brother Andy, "see you there, or see you in the air!"
Love ya!
Sister Rhonda
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Every week in Youth Group, the kids give praise reports and prayer requests. Some are testimonies of how God provides in ways unimaginable. One of the young men told of how he needed some work done on his car, and God provided him a new tire at no charge. COOL. One said he got that $80 backpack he was wanting. Now maybe that doesn’t sound so totally ‘rad’ to you, but it was a big deal to the youth who testified of it.
I hear genuine prayer requests, like my mom is going to the doctor and they suspect cancer. I can hear the pain, fear, and concern in that request. I take joy in being able, as a group, to pray for that request. One of the kids last night asked us to pray that she got a laptop computer for her birthday. I prayed that she had a GOOD birthday, no matter what she received. Honestly, sometimes the kids are just being silly when they ask for prayer. That’s OK…At least they’re in the house of God and know what prayer is.
But last night was different. Last night I heard a praise report from someone unexpected. The praise report touched me so deeply because it was a life changing event in this young person’s life. All I could think after she gave her testimony was WOW….This young person has always amazed me, but below the surface she has some pain. She is loved by her family, but I could sense she didn’t believe it. I won’t share the name; it would probably embarrass her and her family. But I will share the testimony. I hope it touches you the same way it touched me.
It went something like this. “My mom and dad told me they were proud of me. They told me they were happy that I’m their kid.”
She shared that when I asked if God had done anything wonderful in their lives that week. It was the best testimony I'd heard in a long time.
I hear genuine prayer requests, like my mom is going to the doctor and they suspect cancer. I can hear the pain, fear, and concern in that request. I take joy in being able, as a group, to pray for that request. One of the kids last night asked us to pray that she got a laptop computer for her birthday. I prayed that she had a GOOD birthday, no matter what she received. Honestly, sometimes the kids are just being silly when they ask for prayer. That’s OK…At least they’re in the house of God and know what prayer is.
But last night was different. Last night I heard a praise report from someone unexpected. The praise report touched me so deeply because it was a life changing event in this young person’s life. All I could think after she gave her testimony was WOW….This young person has always amazed me, but below the surface she has some pain. She is loved by her family, but I could sense she didn’t believe it. I won’t share the name; it would probably embarrass her and her family. But I will share the testimony. I hope it touches you the same way it touched me.
It went something like this. “My mom and dad told me they were proud of me. They told me they were happy that I’m their kid.”
She shared that when I asked if God had done anything wonderful in their lives that week. It was the best testimony I'd heard in a long time.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Shut up and listen!
I want to be a better listener.
Before I retired from Army civilian service, I managed a staff of benefits counselors who spent ½ their day on the phone counseling Army civilian employees around the world. Many times, the counselor would anticipate the question and answer before the caller was even able to complete their inquiry. This caused the counselor to miss the mark so many times, and resulted in mistakes in benefits transactions and caused untold frustration. The counselors who mastered listening skills were the most effective employees, and were the most sought after for advice and assistance.
Most people listen only with the intent to reply to what the other person is saying. Great listeners are not just hearing the words being spoken; they also try to understand the feelings behind the words. Words come from the head, but feelings come from the heart. When the person speaking senses that you genuinely care about what they are saying AND how they are feeling, you’ll win over their heart. When others know you care about what they feel, they’ll return the favor and care about what you have to say. A great listener creates fertile ground for planting the seeds of the Gospel.
Steven Covey says ‘seek first to understand, then to be understood.’ God’s Word says ‘answering before listening is both stupid and rude' (Proverbs 18:13). If you want to be a good witness, become a good listener.
Lord, make me a better listener.
Before I retired from Army civilian service, I managed a staff of benefits counselors who spent ½ their day on the phone counseling Army civilian employees around the world. Many times, the counselor would anticipate the question and answer before the caller was even able to complete their inquiry. This caused the counselor to miss the mark so many times, and resulted in mistakes in benefits transactions and caused untold frustration. The counselors who mastered listening skills were the most effective employees, and were the most sought after for advice and assistance.
Most people listen only with the intent to reply to what the other person is saying. Great listeners are not just hearing the words being spoken; they also try to understand the feelings behind the words. Words come from the head, but feelings come from the heart. When the person speaking senses that you genuinely care about what they are saying AND how they are feeling, you’ll win over their heart. When others know you care about what they feel, they’ll return the favor and care about what you have to say. A great listener creates fertile ground for planting the seeds of the Gospel.
Steven Covey says ‘seek first to understand, then to be understood.’ God’s Word says ‘answering before listening is both stupid and rude' (Proverbs 18:13). If you want to be a good witness, become a good listener.
Lord, make me a better listener.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Why am I in this zoo?
A baby camel asked his mother, “Mom, why do I have these huge three-toed feet?” His mother replied, “Well, son, your toes help you stay on top of the soft sand when we trek across the desert.”
A few minutes later the baby camel asked, “Mom, why do I have these long eyelashes?” His mother replied, “Well, son, your eyelashes help keep the sand out of your eyes on our trips through the desert.”
A few minutes later the baby camel asked, “Mom, why do I have these great big humps on my back.” His mother, who was getting a little impatient with her son, replied, “Well, son, your humps store water for our long treks across the desert, so you can go without drinking for long periods of time.”
“That’s great, Mom,” the baby camel said. “We have huge feet to stop us from sinking, long eyelashes to keep sand out of our eyes, and humps to store water. But….Mom?”
“Yes, son?”
“Why are we in the zoo?”
God created you for a purpose. He’s provided you with gifts and talents so that you can serve Him and make a difference in the world. Are you doing what God created you to do? Maybe you feel a little like the camel in the zoo. Life is easy, things are going along pretty smoothly, but you have a nagging feeling inside that maybe you aren’t living up to your God-given potential.
Living in a zoo isn’t all bad, but it’s certainly not what camels were created to do. Living outside the will of God may not be all bad for you, either. Perhaps you’ve got a well-paying job, a supportive family, and few troubles. But ask yourself, “Is this what God created me to do?” Jesus said, “The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy. But I have come that you may life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Let Jesus set you free and give you the abundant life that you were meant to live.
(From Hot Illustrations for Youth talks)
A few minutes later the baby camel asked, “Mom, why do I have these long eyelashes?” His mother replied, “Well, son, your eyelashes help keep the sand out of your eyes on our trips through the desert.”
A few minutes later the baby camel asked, “Mom, why do I have these great big humps on my back.” His mother, who was getting a little impatient with her son, replied, “Well, son, your humps store water for our long treks across the desert, so you can go without drinking for long periods of time.”
“That’s great, Mom,” the baby camel said. “We have huge feet to stop us from sinking, long eyelashes to keep sand out of our eyes, and humps to store water. But….Mom?”
“Yes, son?”
“Why are we in the zoo?”
God created you for a purpose. He’s provided you with gifts and talents so that you can serve Him and make a difference in the world. Are you doing what God created you to do? Maybe you feel a little like the camel in the zoo. Life is easy, things are going along pretty smoothly, but you have a nagging feeling inside that maybe you aren’t living up to your God-given potential.
Living in a zoo isn’t all bad, but it’s certainly not what camels were created to do. Living outside the will of God may not be all bad for you, either. Perhaps you’ve got a well-paying job, a supportive family, and few troubles. But ask yourself, “Is this what God created me to do?” Jesus said, “The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy. But I have come that you may life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Let Jesus set you free and give you the abundant life that you were meant to live.
(From Hot Illustrations for Youth talks)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Characters Welcome
Imagine that leadership is like a ladder. Like any ladder, it has two legs. One leg represents competency, which is another word for skills and abilities. The other leg represents character, which is moral and ethical strength. You can develop your competency to a great extent, but without the character to match it your leadership will fall – the same way a ladder with one leg can’t stand up.
In 2 Peter 1:5-8, he says “Don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, contemplating your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With those qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward…” Peter was clear; work hard to have good character.
You might be able to force some people to follow you because of your position, knowledge or power. But if you have character, people will WANT to follow you. God will open opportunities because He trusts you. God doesn’t measure greatness based on accomplishments. He defines greatness based on the depth of your character.
In 2 Peter 1:5-8, he says “Don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, contemplating your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With those qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward…” Peter was clear; work hard to have good character.
You might be able to force some people to follow you because of your position, knowledge or power. But if you have character, people will WANT to follow you. God will open opportunities because He trusts you. God doesn’t measure greatness based on accomplishments. He defines greatness based on the depth of your character.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
God's Will
An overweight man decided it was time to shed some pounds. He informed his co-workers he was going on a diet and would no longer be bringing donuts to the office. He knew it would be hard to resist stopping at the bakery on the way to work, but he committed himself to remaining strong and resisting temptation.
His co-workers were surprised one morning to see him arrive at the office with big box of donuts. When they reminded him of his diet, he just smiled.
“These are very special donuts,” he explained. “When I left for the office this morning, I knew I was going to drive by the bakery, and I wondered if maybe the Lord might want me to have some donuts today. I wasn’t sure, so I prayed, ‘Lord, if you want me to stop and buy some donuts, let there be an open parking place directly in front of the bakery.’ As you know, parking spaces in front of that bakery are hard to get!”
“So the parking space was there?” one of his co-workers asked.
“It was a miracle,” the man replied. “The eighth time around the block there it was!”
We need to remember that God’s will is not always our will. When we pray for God’s will to be done, we shouldn’t be trying to manipulate God into rubber-stamping what we have already decided to do. The Bible tells us that our hearts are wicked and “deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9). Most of the time, what we want to do is not what God wants us to do.
Jesus did not want to die on the cross, but rather than demanding His way, He prayed, “Father…not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 2:42) God always knows what’s best for us. We must submit ourselves to doing what He wants, not what we want.
His co-workers were surprised one morning to see him arrive at the office with big box of donuts. When they reminded him of his diet, he just smiled.
“These are very special donuts,” he explained. “When I left for the office this morning, I knew I was going to drive by the bakery, and I wondered if maybe the Lord might want me to have some donuts today. I wasn’t sure, so I prayed, ‘Lord, if you want me to stop and buy some donuts, let there be an open parking place directly in front of the bakery.’ As you know, parking spaces in front of that bakery are hard to get!”
“So the parking space was there?” one of his co-workers asked.
“It was a miracle,” the man replied. “The eighth time around the block there it was!”
We need to remember that God’s will is not always our will. When we pray for God’s will to be done, we shouldn’t be trying to manipulate God into rubber-stamping what we have already decided to do. The Bible tells us that our hearts are wicked and “deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9). Most of the time, what we want to do is not what God wants us to do.
Jesus did not want to die on the cross, but rather than demanding His way, He prayed, “Father…not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 2:42) God always knows what’s best for us. We must submit ourselves to doing what He wants, not what we want.
Monday, May 4, 2009
How do you know I'm a Christian?
A Sunday school teacher was trying to make the point that good Christians don’t keep their faith a secret. With her head held high and her chest thrust out, the teacher strutted impressively back and forth across the room. She asked, “Now, class, why do you think people call me a Christian?” The room was silent for a moment until one of the boys slowly raised his hand and said, “Probably because they don’t know you.” (story from Youth Talks)
Witnessing for Jesus means living for Him, not just talking about Him. We don’t have to have a title like Pastor, Deacon, or Sunday school teacher to bring others to Jesus. We don’t have to be a leader, but we do need to be a follower – a disciple of Christ.
Jesus chastised the religious leaders of His day for saying one thing, but doing another. Like the Sunday school teacher in the story above, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were pompous and self-righteous. They thought their title was their ticket to Heaven. But Jesus knew what was in their hearts. He called them “white-washed tombs” and hypocrites. Their daily lives and actions didn’t stack up against their teaching.
While we can fool people, we can’t fool Jesus. He knows every thought and intent of our heart. He knows when our words and actions don’t measure up. Since He holds our ticket to Heaven, what He thinks and desires of us matters most.
Jesus wants us to demonstrate humility in our daily living. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. We are all sinners and in need of a Savior. If we treat others with dignity and respect, we will do more to communicate Christ to a lost world than all the sermons in the world.
Witnessing for Jesus means living for Him, not just talking about Him. We don’t have to have a title like Pastor, Deacon, or Sunday school teacher to bring others to Jesus. We don’t have to be a leader, but we do need to be a follower – a disciple of Christ.
Jesus chastised the religious leaders of His day for saying one thing, but doing another. Like the Sunday school teacher in the story above, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were pompous and self-righteous. They thought their title was their ticket to Heaven. But Jesus knew what was in their hearts. He called them “white-washed tombs” and hypocrites. Their daily lives and actions didn’t stack up against their teaching.
While we can fool people, we can’t fool Jesus. He knows every thought and intent of our heart. He knows when our words and actions don’t measure up. Since He holds our ticket to Heaven, what He thinks and desires of us matters most.
Jesus wants us to demonstrate humility in our daily living. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. We are all sinners and in need of a Savior. If we treat others with dignity and respect, we will do more to communicate Christ to a lost world than all the sermons in the world.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Proclaim that you've been changed!
Mark 1:40-45 - A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go and show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to Him from everywhere. (NIV)
Have you ever eaten powdered donuts? My daughter brings them over when I babysit so the grandsons can eat them in the morning. As the boys enjoy their treat, the powder gets on their fingers and hands, their clothes, the furniture. Unless I contain the boys and quickly clean them off, the evidence of their morning treat is everywhere! As soon as the boys are done, they attempt to scurry off to their next activity. As I attempt to clean them, they are struggling and squirming. Many times they are too excited to sit still long enough to clean them up and send them on their way.
Looking at the boys covered in white powder reminds me of the story of when Jesus healed the leprous man. I could wipe the powder off the boys and furniture, or change their shirts. I could “clean the boys up.” But the leprous man wasn’t as fortunate.
When Jesus walked the earth, leprosy was a disease akin to AIDS of today. If you had leprosy, you were a social outcast. You were believed to have committed some sin that caused the disease. You were unclean (see Lev 13:45-45 and 14:2-32). Your skin would turn white and eventually body parts would fall off. The man with leprosy in the above scripture was a social outcast. He wore the sign of his sin on his body every day. He couldn’t get rid of it. He couldn’t hide it from anyone.
But when Jesus healed the leper and healed him from this disfiguring, uncurable disease, the leper couldn’t contain his joy! And who could blames him. Jesus warned the man to show himself to the priest and go through the normal cleansing process. But that would take 8 days! Who could wait that long? The former leper was so excited; he had to share the news NOW! He needed to tell others what Jesus had done. He could not keep this to himself! The result of the former leper sharing his testimony of how Jesus changed his life caused people to seek the Lord so much that Jesus had to stay outside the city. The city couldn’t contain the people who wanted to meet Jesus.
What would happen if every one of us who’s been touched by the Lord went out and EXCITEDLY told others? I doubt the churches could contain the people who would want to know more about Jesus. Psalm 107:2 says “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” What does this say to you? To me, it shouts when someone’s life has been changed, they cannot hide it!
Are you telling others what Jesus has done for you? Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! If you tell just one other person what Jesus has done for you, you will impact the Kingdom. Let us all proclaim that we’ve been changed!
Have you ever eaten powdered donuts? My daughter brings them over when I babysit so the grandsons can eat them in the morning. As the boys enjoy their treat, the powder gets on their fingers and hands, their clothes, the furniture. Unless I contain the boys and quickly clean them off, the evidence of their morning treat is everywhere! As soon as the boys are done, they attempt to scurry off to their next activity. As I attempt to clean them, they are struggling and squirming. Many times they are too excited to sit still long enough to clean them up and send them on their way.
Looking at the boys covered in white powder reminds me of the story of when Jesus healed the leprous man. I could wipe the powder off the boys and furniture, or change their shirts. I could “clean the boys up.” But the leprous man wasn’t as fortunate.
When Jesus walked the earth, leprosy was a disease akin to AIDS of today. If you had leprosy, you were a social outcast. You were believed to have committed some sin that caused the disease. You were unclean (see Lev 13:45-45 and 14:2-32). Your skin would turn white and eventually body parts would fall off. The man with leprosy in the above scripture was a social outcast. He wore the sign of his sin on his body every day. He couldn’t get rid of it. He couldn’t hide it from anyone.
But when Jesus healed the leper and healed him from this disfiguring, uncurable disease, the leper couldn’t contain his joy! And who could blames him. Jesus warned the man to show himself to the priest and go through the normal cleansing process. But that would take 8 days! Who could wait that long? The former leper was so excited; he had to share the news NOW! He needed to tell others what Jesus had done. He could not keep this to himself! The result of the former leper sharing his testimony of how Jesus changed his life caused people to seek the Lord so much that Jesus had to stay outside the city. The city couldn’t contain the people who wanted to meet Jesus.
What would happen if every one of us who’s been touched by the Lord went out and EXCITEDLY told others? I doubt the churches could contain the people who would want to know more about Jesus. Psalm 107:2 says “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” What does this say to you? To me, it shouts when someone’s life has been changed, they cannot hide it!
Are you telling others what Jesus has done for you? Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! If you tell just one other person what Jesus has done for you, you will impact the Kingdom. Let us all proclaim that we’ve been changed!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Which is Easier?
Mark 2:1-12: When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
The story in Mark 2:1-12 is familiar to most. Jesus was preaching in someone’s house. It was packed with people. So much so that people were standing outside the door to hear him preach. A group of friends carried a man who was paralyzed to the scene with the explicit intent of seeing Jesus. Their friend needed healing. How could they get their friend to Jesus through that throng of people! They tried and tried but they couldn’t. People pushed them back. I can almost hear the noise of the crowd as some said, “Who do you think you are! I was here first! Get in line like the rest of us!” But these friends of the paralyzed man were persistent. They went up to the roof and tore open a portion of it and let their friend down through the roof to Jesus so that their friend could be healed. Can you imagine how that disrupted the service that day? Can you image how that interrupted what Jesus was trying to teach!? Can you hear what the people were saying? “Who do these men think they are?” I can hear the owner saying, “They can’t destroy MY house! What do that think they are doing?” And when Jesus healed the man, I imagine there were people commenting under their breath, “What makes these men think their friend is any more deserving of seeing Jesus than I am?” I’m sure there was jealousy, resentment, and bitterness from others. But there was also awe! “Wow…Jesus healed this paralyzed man!” “What kind of a man is this than He can heal?” “I heard He’s the Messiah?” “Is He? Is He the promised one?”
Back when Jesus was ministering on the earth, people saw Him do some miraculous healings, and as a result, word quickly spread about Him. The people of Jesus day found it easy to believe that He could heal. But this concept that He could save them from their sin? That was foreign. That was considered blasphemy. Only God can save from sin! The common people weren’t concerned whether He said “your sins are forgiven” or “take up your mat and walk”. They were only concerned with the outcome. Jesus healed. But the religious people…they didn’t like the words Jesus chose in “your sins are forgiven”. It didn’t matter that Jesus just healed someone. He said the wrong words! They believed He had the power to heal, but didn’t believe He had the power to save from sin.
Today, it’s just the opposite. We find it easy to believe Jesus can save us from our sins, but not that He can heal us. We know He can save us, but when it comes time to believing in healing….that challenges us just a bit. Why is that? Is it because we don’t see it as often as they did in the times when the Bible was written? Is it because you hear the stories but haven’t seen it for yourself? Is it because you haven’t received healing personally? What causes our disbelief in healing? I think if Jesus were here today in front of us, He would realize we believe He can save from sins, but chastise us for our doubt that we can receive healing.
The truth is that we need both! The forgiveness of sin and receipt of healing go hand in hand. They aren’t separate. It’s not “either or”. When Jesus asked “Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? the outcome was still the same. He still healed the paralyzed man, and he also forgave him of his sins. Salvation and healing accompany one another.
When our missionaries go out onto the field, or when you and I go out into our community or school, or speak to unsaved loved ones, we must be able to communicate that Jesus saves from sin AND He heals. Salvation and healing aren’t separate; they are mutually inclusive. You and I have the right to both. When the world sees the signs and wonders (in this case, the healings), it can cause the unsaved to come to the knowledge of Christ. So many times throughout the Word of God you see salvation and healing associated. What's exciting is that along with it came growth in the Church. Not the individual church, but the Church. In Acts 5: 12 it says, “And through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders were done among the people” and in verse 14 it says “and believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” In between those two verses, it says in verse 13 that they “were all in one accord”. If we want to see salvation, we must believe we will see healing. Unity connects the two. When we join our spirits and lives together, when we link our faith with others, salvation and healings will come.
God is raising the spiritual bar for Christians who want to impact the world for Christ today. He wants to break through into people's lives supernaturally by giving them insights into the needs of people in order to bring them to Christ. Jesus often spoke supernaturally into the lives of others based on the circumstance of the moment. He often spoke of their current condition in life and invited them to make a change. Whether that current condition was a paralyzed man, a leper, a woman steeped in adultery, a young boy possessed by demons…He dealt with the situation and brought them a message of salvation. Which do you believe more? That the son of man can save from sin, or that the son of man can heal?
The good news is He does both.
Friday, April 10, 2009
They Hailed Him as King
History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small town, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did his best to grow up strong and healthy. Deep inside, however, he knew he had a special destiny to fulfill.
As he grew older, people began to notice him. There was something special about this young man. He had talent. He had charisma. He had gifts that none had ever seen! It wasn’t long before he started attracting crowds. Thousands came to see and listen to him. He chose a small band of loyal companions who traveled with him everywhere he went. Many of them gave up their normal jobs just to be with this man.
As his fame spread, some grew jealous of him. They thought this man was leading people astray and they plotted against him. But his popularity only increased. He touched the lives of young and old alike and brought them joy and laughter. Many hailed him as “king”.
Toward the end of his short life, he suffered quit a bit. Some who followed him fell away. He died alone. Those closest to him were left discouraged and confused. They never expected his life to end that way. Soon after his death, there were rumors that he didn’t really die. His followers spread the news all around. “HE LIVES!” they said. “He isn’t really dead.” Some claimed they actually saw him. Even today, many believe he is still alive.
But Elvis has really left the building. I was 14 when Elvis died. I was attending summer camp meeting at the Iowa campgrounds for the Church of God. I’ll never forget the message delivered at camp on the evening the news hit that Elvis died. That message was “Elvis was NOT the King.” There was a whole lot of rock and roll being talked about, but it was about the rock that was rolled away when our Savior rose again. That message has affected me to this day.
You see, if you word things generally enough, you can find a lot of similarities between Elvis and Jesus. There's probably a lot of similaries in this story and YOU. However, Elvis, you are I are simply human beings; Jesus was fully God and fully human. Elvis came to entertain us; Jesus came to save us.
There is only one King. He’s Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. He was born of a virgin, died to save us from sin, rose again on the 3rd day, and today sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for everyone who calls on His name.
There may be others who have been hailed as "King", some even called “Messiah”. But there is only one King of King and Lord of Lords. His name is Jesus. Ladies and Gentlemen….Jesus has NOT left the building.
(story adapted from Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks)
As he grew older, people began to notice him. There was something special about this young man. He had talent. He had charisma. He had gifts that none had ever seen! It wasn’t long before he started attracting crowds. Thousands came to see and listen to him. He chose a small band of loyal companions who traveled with him everywhere he went. Many of them gave up their normal jobs just to be with this man.
As his fame spread, some grew jealous of him. They thought this man was leading people astray and they plotted against him. But his popularity only increased. He touched the lives of young and old alike and brought them joy and laughter. Many hailed him as “king”.
Toward the end of his short life, he suffered quit a bit. Some who followed him fell away. He died alone. Those closest to him were left discouraged and confused. They never expected his life to end that way. Soon after his death, there were rumors that he didn’t really die. His followers spread the news all around. “HE LIVES!” they said. “He isn’t really dead.” Some claimed they actually saw him. Even today, many believe he is still alive.
But Elvis has really left the building. I was 14 when Elvis died. I was attending summer camp meeting at the Iowa campgrounds for the Church of God. I’ll never forget the message delivered at camp on the evening the news hit that Elvis died. That message was “Elvis was NOT the King.” There was a whole lot of rock and roll being talked about, but it was about the rock that was rolled away when our Savior rose again. That message has affected me to this day.
You see, if you word things generally enough, you can find a lot of similarities between Elvis and Jesus. There's probably a lot of similaries in this story and YOU. However, Elvis, you are I are simply human beings; Jesus was fully God and fully human. Elvis came to entertain us; Jesus came to save us.
There is only one King. He’s Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. He was born of a virgin, died to save us from sin, rose again on the 3rd day, and today sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for everyone who calls on His name.
There may be others who have been hailed as "King", some even called “Messiah”. But there is only one King of King and Lord of Lords. His name is Jesus. Ladies and Gentlemen….Jesus has NOT left the building.
(story adapted from Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Don't follow the crowd
One week before Jesus’s death, a crowd had gathered outside Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover feast. Because it was feast time, there were tremendous numbers of people. The crowds gathered weren’t awaiting THE SAVIOR. They were looking for a political savior to free them from the Roman government. They were looking for temporary freedom, not permanent freedom from their sins. As Jesus entered the city, people worshipped Jesus for the wrong reason, waving palm leaves and shouting “Hosanna” (which means ‘save us now’), hailing him as their political King.
Isn’t it interesting that even today, more than 2000 years after Jesus’s death, we are still worshipping the Savior for the wrong reasons? We must each ask ourselves if we are willing to worship Him as THE SAVIOR, THE KING, even when the crowd isn’t doing it. As we near Palm Sunday, let’s search our hearts and hail Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Allow Him to reign in our lives. Most of all, He deserves proper worship for all to see. We are called to worship our Lord in the crowd of people on Sundays in our local congregations and in our individual times of praise.
He deserves our praise for no other reason than HE IS GOD. Let us each cry out “Hosanna”.
Isn’t it interesting that even today, more than 2000 years after Jesus’s death, we are still worshipping the Savior for the wrong reasons? We must each ask ourselves if we are willing to worship Him as THE SAVIOR, THE KING, even when the crowd isn’t doing it. As we near Palm Sunday, let’s search our hearts and hail Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Allow Him to reign in our lives. Most of all, He deserves proper worship for all to see. We are called to worship our Lord in the crowd of people on Sundays in our local congregations and in our individual times of praise.
He deserves our praise for no other reason than HE IS GOD. Let us each cry out “Hosanna”.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Trust...and OBEY
Worship. How can such a simple word cause so much contention in the body of Christ? It amazes me every week that we call the song portion of service “praise and worship”. Isn’t the entire service praise and worship? Is there a right way to worship, or a wrong way to worship? Someone is always unhappy at how “worship” went, while others walk away refreshed. I was touched this Sunday when a "worship" team member said God is teaching him that worship isn't about the music. Isn't that truth?
So this morning I looked up the definition of worship on dictionary.com and what struck me the most is that it lists worship as both a noun and a verb. As most of us know, a noun is a person, place or thing. I am a person (I am fearfully and wonderfully made) and I worship a Person (for the Lord is great and greatly to be praised!). As a verb, worship expresses action (shout to the Lord, sing to the Lord, lift up holy hands).
After reading the Word today, and several articles on worship, I have come to the final conclusion (as many others have before me) that worship is obedience. If I am obedient to His Word, I will pray, read the Scripture daily, give tithes and offerings, be kind, love others, and many other simple Christian principles. I may dance, I may twirl, I may lay face down on the floor, I may lift my hands, I may SHOUT, I may sing, or I may do nothing at all but sit in His presence. Why? Because the Bible tells me so and gives many examples of how others have worshipped Him before us.
However, If I listen to His voice and obey it, I may awaken in the wee hours of the morning with a burden to pray for someone. Sometimes I don’t even know the person He told me to pray for. When I get to heaven, I’m sure He will let me know how my prayers affected a person or situation. I have gotten in my car but taken an out-of-the-way route to my destination because God told me to. As a result of my obedience, I’ve avoided accidents which may have caused harm or death to me, my loved ones or others. I have passed someone on the streets of downtown Omaha and simply smiled at them because I felt Holy Spirit saying that person needed encouragement. As a result of being obedient, it’s opened doors to share the gospel. These are just a few simple examples of my personal tests of obedience.
Am I always obedient? No. And I have reaped the rewards of my disobedience many times. But I strive to be obedient in all things. (Thank God He’s not finished with me yet!) It takes an extreme faith to be obedient to Him. As a parent, I expect obedience; as my Father, God commands it.
'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice. ' 1 Sam 15:22.
Obedience to Him is the highest form of worship.
So this morning I looked up the definition of worship on dictionary.com and what struck me the most is that it lists worship as both a noun and a verb. As most of us know, a noun is a person, place or thing. I am a person (I am fearfully and wonderfully made) and I worship a Person (for the Lord is great and greatly to be praised!). As a verb, worship expresses action (shout to the Lord, sing to the Lord, lift up holy hands).
After reading the Word today, and several articles on worship, I have come to the final conclusion (as many others have before me) that worship is obedience. If I am obedient to His Word, I will pray, read the Scripture daily, give tithes and offerings, be kind, love others, and many other simple Christian principles. I may dance, I may twirl, I may lay face down on the floor, I may lift my hands, I may SHOUT, I may sing, or I may do nothing at all but sit in His presence. Why? Because the Bible tells me so and gives many examples of how others have worshipped Him before us.
However, If I listen to His voice and obey it, I may awaken in the wee hours of the morning with a burden to pray for someone. Sometimes I don’t even know the person He told me to pray for. When I get to heaven, I’m sure He will let me know how my prayers affected a person or situation. I have gotten in my car but taken an out-of-the-way route to my destination because God told me to. As a result of my obedience, I’ve avoided accidents which may have caused harm or death to me, my loved ones or others. I have passed someone on the streets of downtown Omaha and simply smiled at them because I felt Holy Spirit saying that person needed encouragement. As a result of being obedient, it’s opened doors to share the gospel. These are just a few simple examples of my personal tests of obedience.
Am I always obedient? No. And I have reaped the rewards of my disobedience many times. But I strive to be obedient in all things. (Thank God He’s not finished with me yet!) It takes an extreme faith to be obedient to Him. As a parent, I expect obedience; as my Father, God commands it.
'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice. ' 1 Sam 15:22.
Obedience to Him is the highest form of worship.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
I surrender...
(This story is from the late Henri Nowen.)
Once upon a time there was a little river that said “I can become a big river.” It worked hard to become big, but in the process, encountered a huge rock. “I won’t let this rock stop me,” the river said. And the little river pushed and pushed until it finally made its way around the rock.
Next the river encountered a mountain. “I won’t let this mountain stop me,” the river said. And the little river pushed and pushed until it finally carved a canyon through the mountain.
Next the river came to an enormous forest. “I won’t let all these trees stop me,” the river said. And the river pushed and pushed until it finally made its way through the forest.
The river, now large and powerful, finally arrived at the edge of a vast desert. “I won’t let this desert stop me,” the river said.
But as the river pushed and pushed its way across the desert, the hot sand began to soak up its water until only a few puddles remained. Now the river was quiet.
Then the river heard a voice from above. “My child, stop pushing. It’s time to surrender. Let me lift you up. Let me take you over.”
The river said “Here I am.”
The sun then lifted the river up and turned it into a huge cloud. And the wind carried the river across the desert and let it rain down on the hills and valleys of the faraway fields, making them fruitful and rich.
What a powerful story this is. In our devotions today at the church, I shared with my Pastors that I felt God was telling me to get prepared and to stop doing things in my own strength. Then I read this story. It says to me that ambition and determination are wonderful attributes, but apart from God, they won’t get me very far. I learned this the hard way. When I was young, I felt invincible. Don’t we all? Culture taught me that I could do anything. If that’s true, who needs God, right? So there came a time when I tried it on my own. I walked away from God. Then when I came to a desert, I didn’t know what to do.
There’s always a desert up ahead. There’s always a time when the heat will become so intense I won’t know what to do. I don’t have the strength or the resources to make it through the desert on my own. My desert contains failures, rejections, disappointments, loss, and doubts among many other things. They leave my emotions in a puddle and I stop pushing and become stagnant. What do I do in the desert?
When I come to a desert, I may not have the time to hear God’s voice say “It’s time to surrender.” But I hear Him now. He wants me to stop pushing and let Him show me the way. He wants to lift me up and take me to the place He wants me to be. He will let what He has taught me rain down and pour into the lives of others. In that place where He will take me to, I will be fruitful in ways I can never imagine.
Listen! He’s saying “It’s time to surrender.” Lord, I surrender all.
Once upon a time there was a little river that said “I can become a big river.” It worked hard to become big, but in the process, encountered a huge rock. “I won’t let this rock stop me,” the river said. And the little river pushed and pushed until it finally made its way around the rock.
Next the river encountered a mountain. “I won’t let this mountain stop me,” the river said. And the little river pushed and pushed until it finally carved a canyon through the mountain.
Next the river came to an enormous forest. “I won’t let all these trees stop me,” the river said. And the river pushed and pushed until it finally made its way through the forest.
The river, now large and powerful, finally arrived at the edge of a vast desert. “I won’t let this desert stop me,” the river said.
But as the river pushed and pushed its way across the desert, the hot sand began to soak up its water until only a few puddles remained. Now the river was quiet.
Then the river heard a voice from above. “My child, stop pushing. It’s time to surrender. Let me lift you up. Let me take you over.”
The river said “Here I am.”
The sun then lifted the river up and turned it into a huge cloud. And the wind carried the river across the desert and let it rain down on the hills and valleys of the faraway fields, making them fruitful and rich.
What a powerful story this is. In our devotions today at the church, I shared with my Pastors that I felt God was telling me to get prepared and to stop doing things in my own strength. Then I read this story. It says to me that ambition and determination are wonderful attributes, but apart from God, they won’t get me very far. I learned this the hard way. When I was young, I felt invincible. Don’t we all? Culture taught me that I could do anything. If that’s true, who needs God, right? So there came a time when I tried it on my own. I walked away from God. Then when I came to a desert, I didn’t know what to do.
There’s always a desert up ahead. There’s always a time when the heat will become so intense I won’t know what to do. I don’t have the strength or the resources to make it through the desert on my own. My desert contains failures, rejections, disappointments, loss, and doubts among many other things. They leave my emotions in a puddle and I stop pushing and become stagnant. What do I do in the desert?
When I come to a desert, I may not have the time to hear God’s voice say “It’s time to surrender.” But I hear Him now. He wants me to stop pushing and let Him show me the way. He wants to lift me up and take me to the place He wants me to be. He will let what He has taught me rain down and pour into the lives of others. In that place where He will take me to, I will be fruitful in ways I can never imagine.
Listen! He’s saying “It’s time to surrender.” Lord, I surrender all.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
This little light of mine....
I came across this story and it shares a powerful message. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
The O’Learys and the MacMillans lived as neighbors at the turn of the century. One day a young man in a suit came to their village to explain that they would soon have electricity for the first time. The MacMillans responded with their typical enthusiasm and filled out the appropriate papers to have their house wired.
The O’Learys were more cautious. After all, they had lived for generations without electricity and had managed just fine. They weren’t about to throw money after every passing fad. So they decided to wait. If electricity was as good as everyone said, they could always sign up later.
In the weeks that followed, the MacMillans busily prepared their house for electrical power. They clamped wires and sockets to the walls and hung bulbs from the ceiling. When the big day finally came, the MacMillans invited their neighbors, including the O’Learys, to a grand lighting party. With a dramatic flourish, Mr. MacMillan threw a switch and the bulbs began to glow for the first time. The MacMillans house was illuminated more brightly than it had ever been lit before.
There was a gasp. “How lovely!” someone said. But then another gasp, “How filthy!” someone else said.
It was true. No one had noticed it before in the dim light, but years of oil lamps had left a film of dingy soot over everything. The walls were grimy, there were cobwebs in the corner, and dust covered the floor. The O’Learys decided right then and there that they would never install electricity in their home. They would never suffer the humiliation of having their dirty home exposed by the light.
After the party, the MacMillans went to work. They scrubbed the soot off the walls and ceiling, cleaned the cobwebs and swept away the dust. They had indeed been embarrassed by their dirty home when the lights came on, but within a day, their house was cleaner than it had ever been.
Meanwhile, the O’Learys continued to live comfortably in their dimly lit home filled with soot, cobwebs and filth.
How many of us are like the O’Learys, and choose to live in the dark so that the dirt and filth in our lives won’t be exposed? It’s not that others will see the dirt we have in our lives; we fear most that we’ll see it ourselves. So we avoid the light for fear of the seeing the truth because if the light exposes the filth, we’ll have to clean it up.
John 3:19-21 says “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he had done has been done through God.”
The O’Learys and the MacMillans lived as neighbors at the turn of the century. One day a young man in a suit came to their village to explain that they would soon have electricity for the first time. The MacMillans responded with their typical enthusiasm and filled out the appropriate papers to have their house wired.
The O’Learys were more cautious. After all, they had lived for generations without electricity and had managed just fine. They weren’t about to throw money after every passing fad. So they decided to wait. If electricity was as good as everyone said, they could always sign up later.
In the weeks that followed, the MacMillans busily prepared their house for electrical power. They clamped wires and sockets to the walls and hung bulbs from the ceiling. When the big day finally came, the MacMillans invited their neighbors, including the O’Learys, to a grand lighting party. With a dramatic flourish, Mr. MacMillan threw a switch and the bulbs began to glow for the first time. The MacMillans house was illuminated more brightly than it had ever been lit before.
There was a gasp. “How lovely!” someone said. But then another gasp, “How filthy!” someone else said.
It was true. No one had noticed it before in the dim light, but years of oil lamps had left a film of dingy soot over everything. The walls were grimy, there were cobwebs in the corner, and dust covered the floor. The O’Learys decided right then and there that they would never install electricity in their home. They would never suffer the humiliation of having their dirty home exposed by the light.
After the party, the MacMillans went to work. They scrubbed the soot off the walls and ceiling, cleaned the cobwebs and swept away the dust. They had indeed been embarrassed by their dirty home when the lights came on, but within a day, their house was cleaner than it had ever been.
Meanwhile, the O’Learys continued to live comfortably in their dimly lit home filled with soot, cobwebs and filth.
How many of us are like the O’Learys, and choose to live in the dark so that the dirt and filth in our lives won’t be exposed? It’s not that others will see the dirt we have in our lives; we fear most that we’ll see it ourselves. So we avoid the light for fear of the seeing the truth because if the light exposes the filth, we’ll have to clean it up.
John 3:19-21 says “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he had done has been done through God.”
Monday, February 16, 2009
God, will you defeat the Philistines?
Have you noticed when you are about to do something for God's Kingdom, when you step forward to volunteer, when you’ve made your mind up to give that special offering, Satan comes in opposition? You’re not alone. Satan's trying to prevent you from entering into the blessing and destiny God's planned for you.
When Jesus was born, Satan used Herod to try to kill Him. After Jesus was baptized, He fasted for 40 days and then Satan came to tempt Him. Satan tried to destroy the destiny of our Savior.
David suffered this same fate. When the Israelite’s heard of David’s anointing and God’s plan to make David King, so did Satan. Then Satan set up a plan to steal David’s destiny. The scripture says David went into his stronghold. He went to a quiet place and asked God to defeat the enemy (Philistines). “When the Philistines heard that David had been crowned king of Israel, they tried to capture him; but David was told that they were coming and went into the stronghold. The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. Then David asked the Lord, 'Shall I go out and fight against them? Will you defeat them for me?'" (2 Sam 5:17-19).
When God's plans for your life are revealed, Satan will come against you in order to take you off the path that God has set you on. Follow David’s example. Retreat to your stronghold, ask the Lord for His plan, and then wait for the answer. The battle belongs to the Lord.
When Jesus was born, Satan used Herod to try to kill Him. After Jesus was baptized, He fasted for 40 days and then Satan came to tempt Him. Satan tried to destroy the destiny of our Savior.
David suffered this same fate. When the Israelite’s heard of David’s anointing and God’s plan to make David King, so did Satan. Then Satan set up a plan to steal David’s destiny. The scripture says David went into his stronghold. He went to a quiet place and asked God to defeat the enemy (Philistines). “When the Philistines heard that David had been crowned king of Israel, they tried to capture him; but David was told that they were coming and went into the stronghold. The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. Then David asked the Lord, 'Shall I go out and fight against them? Will you defeat them for me?'" (2 Sam 5:17-19).
When God's plans for your life are revealed, Satan will come against you in order to take you off the path that God has set you on. Follow David’s example. Retreat to your stronghold, ask the Lord for His plan, and then wait for the answer. The battle belongs to the Lord.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Your Biggest Fan
The Sydney Swans were the joke of the Australian Rules football league. They had the worst record, the worst players, the worst coach, and the worst fans. Most of their home games were played in front of empty seats.
But a strange thing happened. The team got a new coach and a few new players – and started winning! Before long, the team that had been the laughing stock of the league was a powerhouse.
And since everybody likes a winning team, you can image what happened next. The stands began to fill. Thousands of people who had no interest in the team before began to attend games religiously. The Sydney Swans became the talk of the town. Everyone wanted to be identified with them.
Downtown Sydney was awash in the team’s colors and people could be seen wearing Swans merchandise everywhere. Soon it became almost impossible to get a ticket to a Swans game.
One Sunday afternoon the Swans were playing a rival team in front of a capacity crowd. As the TV cameras zoomed in on the revelry and joy in the stands, one camera focused on a single man who was cheering and waving a sign that he had obviously made himself. Grinning proudly, he held up his sign for all the world to see: “I WAS HERE WHEN NOBODY ELSE WAS!”
Jesus is that proud fan who was and is always there for you, even when you aren’t winning. When you feel like the biggest loser of all time, when nobody is there cheering you on, Jesus is proudly waving a banner, proclaiming his love of you. He told us Himself that He is with us always, even until the end … (Matthew 28:20). He’s there when nobody else is. Prov 18:24 tells us there’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That’s Jesus. He’s there beside you through thick and thin, good times and bad. Jesus is your biggest fan.
But a strange thing happened. The team got a new coach and a few new players – and started winning! Before long, the team that had been the laughing stock of the league was a powerhouse.
And since everybody likes a winning team, you can image what happened next. The stands began to fill. Thousands of people who had no interest in the team before began to attend games religiously. The Sydney Swans became the talk of the town. Everyone wanted to be identified with them.
Downtown Sydney was awash in the team’s colors and people could be seen wearing Swans merchandise everywhere. Soon it became almost impossible to get a ticket to a Swans game.
One Sunday afternoon the Swans were playing a rival team in front of a capacity crowd. As the TV cameras zoomed in on the revelry and joy in the stands, one camera focused on a single man who was cheering and waving a sign that he had obviously made himself. Grinning proudly, he held up his sign for all the world to see: “I WAS HERE WHEN NOBODY ELSE WAS!”
Jesus is that proud fan who was and is always there for you, even when you aren’t winning. When you feel like the biggest loser of all time, when nobody is there cheering you on, Jesus is proudly waving a banner, proclaiming his love of you. He told us Himself that He is with us always, even until the end … (Matthew 28:20). He’s there when nobody else is. Prov 18:24 tells us there’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That’s Jesus. He’s there beside you through thick and thin, good times and bad. Jesus is your biggest fan.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
When We All Pull Together
A man from a big city was enjoying a relaxing drive in the country when a dog ran in front of his car. He swerved to miss it but lost control of his car and ended up in a ditch. After a few unsuccessful attempts to get his car out, the man sat on his bumper and waited for help to arrive.
He didn’t have to wait long. A farmer who lived just down the road came to his aid with a big, powerful-looking horse. The man watched as the farmer hitched the horse to the car’s bumper. When the rope was secure, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Nellie, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. So the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buster, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. Next, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Coco, pull!!” But the horse still didn’t move. Finally, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buddy, pull!!” And the horse dragged the car from the ditch with very little effort.
The motorist was appreciative – and a little curious. “Why did you call out four names when your horse only responded to one?” he asked.
The farmer smiled. “Oh, Buddy is blind,” he explained, “and if he thought he was the only one pulling he wouldn’t even try.”
Just like Buddy, we need other people to bring out the best in us. I remember singing the song "When We all Pull Together" as a child. It's a powerful message that needs to be resurrected!
As the Scripture says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). That’s why God created us to be part of a community, part of a family, part of the church.
It’s very difficult to live a Christian life alone. It can be done, but like the verse says, one can be overpowered. If alone we can defeat 1000 enemies, and two can put 10,000 enemies to flight, imagine what we can do together!
We need everyone pulling together in the church. This Sunday (and every Sunday), hug someone you wouldn’t normally hug. Greet someone you don’t know. Tell someone who may have hurt you that you love them. We are in this fight together. And we can’t afford to have casualties in this war.
He didn’t have to wait long. A farmer who lived just down the road came to his aid with a big, powerful-looking horse. The man watched as the farmer hitched the horse to the car’s bumper. When the rope was secure, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Nellie, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. So the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buster, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. Next, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Coco, pull!!” But the horse still didn’t move. Finally, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buddy, pull!!” And the horse dragged the car from the ditch with very little effort.
The motorist was appreciative – and a little curious. “Why did you call out four names when your horse only responded to one?” he asked.
The farmer smiled. “Oh, Buddy is blind,” he explained, “and if he thought he was the only one pulling he wouldn’t even try.”
Just like Buddy, we need other people to bring out the best in us. I remember singing the song "When We all Pull Together" as a child. It's a powerful message that needs to be resurrected!
As the Scripture says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). That’s why God created us to be part of a community, part of a family, part of the church.
It’s very difficult to live a Christian life alone. It can be done, but like the verse says, one can be overpowered. If alone we can defeat 1000 enemies, and two can put 10,000 enemies to flight, imagine what we can do together!
We need everyone pulling together in the church. This Sunday (and every Sunday), hug someone you wouldn’t normally hug. Greet someone you don’t know. Tell someone who may have hurt you that you love them. We are in this fight together. And we can’t afford to have casualties in this war.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Open Book Test
I recently heard a TV Evangelist (Jentezen Franklin) speaking. (He’s one of my favorites!) He was talking about how silent God can be during tests. Isn’t that truth? It always seems like when we’re going through the toughest tests, we hear the least from Him? But Jentezen then said something that resonated in my spirit. In school, teachers don’t speak during tests. In the same way, God is also silent during the tests.
Good teachers teach the lesson. It’s up to the student to learn it. God is the ultimate Teacher. He’s informed us, taught us, and equipped us during the lesson. As the student, we must listen. We can’t be speaking while God is teaching. Like our school teachers, He’s also silent during the tests. However, the great thing about God’s tests is that they’re all open-book! He knew there would be lessons we didn’t learn from his classroom lectures. He knew some of us (including me) would be talking during the lesson, thinking we already had all the answers, believing we knew the lesson better than the Teacher. So He gave us His lesson plan and answers in His Word. He allows us to use the school book throughout the tests. It’s just like God to provide us a cheat-sheet.
Teachers don’t speak during the test. I will never hear God’s silence the same again.
Lord, I pray that when I’m going through times of testing, I remember you have already provided me the answers. Open my ears and my mind to receive the lessons you teach. I thank You for the times of silence, God. Because in them, I know that you’ve already taught me all I need to know. You are so wonderful, God. When I need remedial training, and feel like I’m failing the test You’re giving, You’ve provided me Your Word. I can always look up the answers. May I always remain “teachable” and learn Your lessons the first time. Amen
Good teachers teach the lesson. It’s up to the student to learn it. God is the ultimate Teacher. He’s informed us, taught us, and equipped us during the lesson. As the student, we must listen. We can’t be speaking while God is teaching. Like our school teachers, He’s also silent during the tests. However, the great thing about God’s tests is that they’re all open-book! He knew there would be lessons we didn’t learn from his classroom lectures. He knew some of us (including me) would be talking during the lesson, thinking we already had all the answers, believing we knew the lesson better than the Teacher. So He gave us His lesson plan and answers in His Word. He allows us to use the school book throughout the tests. It’s just like God to provide us a cheat-sheet.
Teachers don’t speak during the test. I will never hear God’s silence the same again.
Lord, I pray that when I’m going through times of testing, I remember you have already provided me the answers. Open my ears and my mind to receive the lessons you teach. I thank You for the times of silence, God. Because in them, I know that you’ve already taught me all I need to know. You are so wonderful, God. When I need remedial training, and feel like I’m failing the test You’re giving, You’ve provided me Your Word. I can always look up the answers. May I always remain “teachable” and learn Your lessons the first time. Amen
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