Several of you have asked me why I am selling my motorcycle. Simply, it is an act of obedience to God.
I very much enjoy riding. I like the bike I have. I haven't had a close encounter with a larger vehicle that has scared me into selling it. I am not in personal financial difficulty causing me to have to sell it. I am selling it because that is what God wants me to do.
Recently, I withdrew to my mountainside, a friend's ranch house, where I fasted, prayed and meditated on God's word. I went down with my own agenda, and plans on what I wanted to accomplish, but God had his. He gave me a vision (several times) that had to do with my riding. He led me to specific passages. He spoke to me. None of which had to do with the plans I had for "my" time alone with God. I found out it was his time with me.
As unrelated as it may sound, one of the things he revealed to me was for me to sell my motorcycle and no longer ride. This was the second time this month that God has spoken to me so clearly and specifically. I believe he is working on and testing my faith and commitment to him. Selling my motorcycle is a simple act of obedience that has me giving up something I really enjoy--because this is what God wants.
If you are a member of Journey--I really do anticipate with confidence, that the Lord is about to do something phenomenal with and in Journey. I believe that his power is about to break through in amazing ways.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Following Jesus, Answering "the" Call?
What does it mean to follow Jesus? My sermon this last Sunday was on this topic. Following Jesus is living for him and fulfilling the ministry of Jesus, daily. In other words, being someone who loves the Lord, loves their neighbor, and is compelled by Christ's love to show it daily wherever they exist and beyond. This is what I believe being "missional" is. (Missional is a new buzzword, used to describe a refound concept--every member of the Lord's body is a missionary, called to follow Jesus daily, sharing the Good News and living the Good News). We are a church that is seeking to be "missional." If the above is true for us as individual Christians, then it is true for us as a community of faith (a church). A community of believers who loves the Lord, each other and is compelled by Christ's love to show that loved daily wherever we exist and beyond.
Some words used to describe or refer to following Jesus are, "called," "discipleship," "ministry," and "the ministry." I think confusion happens when we make "called" and "full-time paid ministry" synomymous. Every Christian is called to "the ministry." Every Christian is called to live a new lifestyle, fulfill God's mission in Jesus, and to be an active member of Christ's new community (church). Some of us are called to pastoral ministry. Some of us are called to leave our homes to take the Good News to foreign lands. Some of us are called to leave our homes and go across town, state or nation to plant a church. Some of us are called to minister through our present careers and places in life. All of these are significant and important for God's purposes to be fulfilled in this world.
Because Jesus knew the hearts of humans and their situations, when he called different people to follow him, he addressed the areas of their hearts that needed changed and commissioned them where they needed to be. The rich young ruler needed to change his heart concerning money and possessions, so he was called to sell all. Zacchaeus view changed because of his encounter with Christ, so he was called to follow Jesus where he was. Imagine what kind of impact a Tax Collector with Jesus' values would have had. Some whom Jesus healed were told to go home and tell what had happened to them. Then some were told not to go home, because they really needed to understand what commitment to Jesus means.
Questions to ask ourselves are: How do I follow Jesus, answering his call as a stay-at-home mom (or dad)? How do I follow Jesus, answering his call as a lawyer, nurse, doctor, realtor, banker, truck driver, school teacher, CEO, mail clerk, grocery store worker, mechanic, carpenter, insurance agent, contractor, student, etc? What does it look like for me to pick up Jesus' cross daily in my life?
Following Jesus means--living a lifestyle that comes out of your relationship with God in Christ, holy, compassionate, just--based in God's ethics, morals and values. Following Jesus means sharing the grace you have received with others--materially & spiritually--bringing people to God through exhibiting Christ's love and sharing your story of faith with others. Following Jesus means being his hands, feet and voice in a world that needs him desperately--as do we all.
When the crowd asked what to do, John the baptist gave some practical ways of what it means to live according to God's ethics, morals and values...
Luke 3:10-14 "What should we do then?" the crowd asked.
John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"
He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay."
When Jesus told the crowd he was the light of the world, he showed that when following him, we are filled with life and are the light to the world, wherever we are...
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Some words used to describe or refer to following Jesus are, "called," "discipleship," "ministry," and "the ministry." I think confusion happens when we make "called" and "full-time paid ministry" synomymous. Every Christian is called to "the ministry." Every Christian is called to live a new lifestyle, fulfill God's mission in Jesus, and to be an active member of Christ's new community (church). Some of us are called to pastoral ministry. Some of us are called to leave our homes to take the Good News to foreign lands. Some of us are called to leave our homes and go across town, state or nation to plant a church. Some of us are called to minister through our present careers and places in life. All of these are significant and important for God's purposes to be fulfilled in this world.
Because Jesus knew the hearts of humans and their situations, when he called different people to follow him, he addressed the areas of their hearts that needed changed and commissioned them where they needed to be. The rich young ruler needed to change his heart concerning money and possessions, so he was called to sell all. Zacchaeus view changed because of his encounter with Christ, so he was called to follow Jesus where he was. Imagine what kind of impact a Tax Collector with Jesus' values would have had. Some whom Jesus healed were told to go home and tell what had happened to them. Then some were told not to go home, because they really needed to understand what commitment to Jesus means.
Questions to ask ourselves are: How do I follow Jesus, answering his call as a stay-at-home mom (or dad)? How do I follow Jesus, answering his call as a lawyer, nurse, doctor, realtor, banker, truck driver, school teacher, CEO, mail clerk, grocery store worker, mechanic, carpenter, insurance agent, contractor, student, etc? What does it look like for me to pick up Jesus' cross daily in my life?
Following Jesus means--living a lifestyle that comes out of your relationship with God in Christ, holy, compassionate, just--based in God's ethics, morals and values. Following Jesus means sharing the grace you have received with others--materially & spiritually--bringing people to God through exhibiting Christ's love and sharing your story of faith with others. Following Jesus means being his hands, feet and voice in a world that needs him desperately--as do we all.
When the crowd asked what to do, John the baptist gave some practical ways of what it means to live according to God's ethics, morals and values...
Luke 3:10-14 "What should we do then?" the crowd asked.
John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"
He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay."
When Jesus told the crowd he was the light of the world, he showed that when following him, we are filled with life and are the light to the world, wherever we are...
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Let God be in Control?
The Lord has been dealing with me in several areas of my own spiritual growth and has visited me in ways I have never experienced before. Specifically, the Lord has been asking me, "Who is in control?" My quick, religious, "spiritual" response is, "Of course, you are Lord!" But really, when deeply examining myself and the ministry I am leading, the real answer has been, "I believe in you Lord, but it is up to me to get things done." And, "I believe in you Lord, but I have a difficult time believing you, allowing you to really be in control of not only my life, but the ministry of which I lead." Ironically when the Lord is really in control, I am enabled and empowered to live and lead in much greater ways.
Thankfully, the Lord is patient and kind. Also, thankfully, he is direct and convicting. He has spoken to me and revealed to me the absolute must of submitting all control over to him and acting out of that context of faith and belief, in every aspect of my life. I am listening more intently to him, committed to hearing and acting on whatever he says, in ways that stretch me--letting God out of the box I have created that limited the way I "allowed" God to work--in my life and in the ministry he has entrusted to me.
Where will this take me? Where will this take the church? We are on a journey of faith--we are called to trust in the Lord, obey the Lord and follow him wherever he leads. He is the One who provides us with our mission & purpose. He is the One who is the God of Impossibilities. He is the One who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. Let's see where he leads and be committed to following him--it will be awesome, it will be amazing, it will be powerful.
Acts 2:42-47 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
John 14:11-13 "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."
Thankfully, the Lord is patient and kind. Also, thankfully, he is direct and convicting. He has spoken to me and revealed to me the absolute must of submitting all control over to him and acting out of that context of faith and belief, in every aspect of my life. I am listening more intently to him, committed to hearing and acting on whatever he says, in ways that stretch me--letting God out of the box I have created that limited the way I "allowed" God to work--in my life and in the ministry he has entrusted to me.
Where will this take me? Where will this take the church? We are on a journey of faith--we are called to trust in the Lord, obey the Lord and follow him wherever he leads. He is the One who provides us with our mission & purpose. He is the One who is the God of Impossibilities. He is the One who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. Let's see where he leads and be committed to following him--it will be awesome, it will be amazing, it will be powerful.
Acts 2:42-47 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
John 14:11-13 "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Post at the End of the Row
A friend of mine, Delbert, grew up in a farming family. He shared a story with me that really made me think hard about where my focus has to be--the True Post at the end of the row.
Delbert said that when he was a boy, his father taught him to plow, and that one way he kept the rows straight was to focus on a fence post at the other side of the field. He said that once he was plowing at dusk with the sun going down it was difficult for him to see, the browns were all running together, the dirt, the dead grass, the skies were even blending with the horizon. He wanted to finish the field he was plowing so he kept on. Delbert was also tired and becoming somewhat sleepy. He made a turn at the end of the row to begin another row. He saw a fence post across the field, focused on it and began the row. He wasn't paying a lot of attention to what kind of row he was plowing, because he was having a difficult time seeing the post. The closer he got to the other side of the field, he began to notice the post was larger than the others. As he got even closer he noticed that the post was moving. When he got close enough to make out the post it was a cow!! He turned around and noticed how the row he had just finished was anything but straight.
"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3).
There are so many "things" that will hinder our journey--distractions by desires, distortions by motives, exhaustion due to independence, possessions, attractions, pursuits....When hindered and our eyes begin focusing on a "moving target" like the priorities, pursuits and promises of the world, our paths are anything but "straight." When our focus is on anything but Jesus and our priorities, pursuits and promises don't come from our journey after him, the storms of life, the challenges of life and the difficulties we face will put us down for the count.
However, when we do keep our eyes on the One who endured the most physically excruciating pain, the most emotionally devastating rejection, and the most spiritually demanding test--we will not grow weary or lose heart, because of the joy set before us. Jesus laid the path, he blazed the trail, he pioneered the way for us--leading us in faith, trust and hope that empowers us for the journey. Jesus is the True Post that is sure and certain.
Delbert said that when he was a boy, his father taught him to plow, and that one way he kept the rows straight was to focus on a fence post at the other side of the field. He said that once he was plowing at dusk with the sun going down it was difficult for him to see, the browns were all running together, the dirt, the dead grass, the skies were even blending with the horizon. He wanted to finish the field he was plowing so he kept on. Delbert was also tired and becoming somewhat sleepy. He made a turn at the end of the row to begin another row. He saw a fence post across the field, focused on it and began the row. He wasn't paying a lot of attention to what kind of row he was plowing, because he was having a difficult time seeing the post. The closer he got to the other side of the field, he began to notice the post was larger than the others. As he got even closer he noticed that the post was moving. When he got close enough to make out the post it was a cow!! He turned around and noticed how the row he had just finished was anything but straight.
"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3).
There are so many "things" that will hinder our journey--distractions by desires, distortions by motives, exhaustion due to independence, possessions, attractions, pursuits....When hindered and our eyes begin focusing on a "moving target" like the priorities, pursuits and promises of the world, our paths are anything but "straight." When our focus is on anything but Jesus and our priorities, pursuits and promises don't come from our journey after him, the storms of life, the challenges of life and the difficulties we face will put us down for the count.
However, when we do keep our eyes on the One who endured the most physically excruciating pain, the most emotionally devastating rejection, and the most spiritually demanding test--we will not grow weary or lose heart, because of the joy set before us. Jesus laid the path, he blazed the trail, he pioneered the way for us--leading us in faith, trust and hope that empowers us for the journey. Jesus is the True Post that is sure and certain.
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