In my entire time as a follower of Jesus Christ, I can clearly point to one decision that has impacted my spiritual life more than any other.
Many years ago, I was going through a period where I was feeling very unfulfilled in my walk. I was involved in plenty of ministry activities; using my spiritual gifts to serve others and felt that I was being obedient to God's calling. Yet somehow, I wasn't experiencing the joy and peace that comes with submission to His will.
Then one day at work, it hit me what was wrong. Staring me in the face was number 10 on a list that I look at every day entitled "Ten Things I Must Never Forget"---I cannot replenish myself without spending quality time every day with God. In my day-to-day routine, personal devotional time with God had become a hit-or-miss proposition instead of a life-sustaining daily necessity. That evening, I told my wife Cheryl that I was getting up a half-hour earlier every day to read, pray and spend time with God. She agreed and started doing the same as well. It was the jump start that both of us needed in our walk with the Lord.
Regular communication builds any relationship and it is essential to a strong relationship with God. In the morning, our minds are more free from problems and it allows us to commit the whole day to God. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation...let all who take refuge in you be glad...that those who love your name may rejoice in you. (Psalm 5:3, 11)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Oneness
In a world where we are so often categorized by our differences, believers in the person of Jesus Christ have many tremendous benefits of oneness. Ephesians 4:4-6 says There is one body and one Spirit---just as you were called to one hope when you were called---one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Believers are one in body through fellowship in the local church. We are one in spirit through the Holy Spirit, who is our ever-present helper in time of need. We are one in hope which is the glorious future that awaits us in Heaven. We have one Lord, Jesus Christ, to whom we all belong. We have one faith; our singular commitment to Christ alone. We have one baptism, a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ which defeated sin forever.
And most importantly, we have one God, our Heavenly Father, the Almighty Creator of the Universe who keeps us for eternity. We must strive to never let petty differences over styles and preferences to seperate us from true unity---our oneness.
Believers are one in body through fellowship in the local church. We are one in spirit through the Holy Spirit, who is our ever-present helper in time of need. We are one in hope which is the glorious future that awaits us in Heaven. We have one Lord, Jesus Christ, to whom we all belong. We have one faith; our singular commitment to Christ alone. We have one baptism, a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ which defeated sin forever.
And most importantly, we have one God, our Heavenly Father, the Almighty Creator of the Universe who keeps us for eternity. We must strive to never let petty differences over styles and preferences to seperate us from true unity---our oneness.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Strategically Placed
1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us: so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. As God's men, it can be very challenging to live this out in our daily lives and perhaps nowhere is this more true than in the workplace. Difficulty in our work goes all the way back to the Fall of man (Genesis 3:17-19), yet God still has a purpose and plan through our chosen vocations.
Whether you've been called to full-time Christian service or whether you work in the business world, in education, or are retired or caring for others---what you do is your calling and God wants us to fulfill that calling for His honor and glory. He has strategically placed each and every one of us in a place where we can serve others, where we can allow the love of Christ to be manifested through us and where we can make an impact for His Kingdom for His glory. God has personally blessed me with the opportunity to touch many people where I work and have a positive spiritual impact on their lives.
When we go to work tomorrow, let us not focus on the stresses of our jobs or the difficult people we may encounter, but rather let us remember that we are God's ambassadors where He has placed us and given us a mission field to reach others. Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and praise your Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Whether you've been called to full-time Christian service or whether you work in the business world, in education, or are retired or caring for others---what you do is your calling and God wants us to fulfill that calling for His honor and glory. He has strategically placed each and every one of us in a place where we can serve others, where we can allow the love of Christ to be manifested through us and where we can make an impact for His Kingdom for His glory. God has personally blessed me with the opportunity to touch many people where I work and have a positive spiritual impact on their lives.
When we go to work tomorrow, let us not focus on the stresses of our jobs or the difficult people we may encounter, but rather let us remember that we are God's ambassadors where He has placed us and given us a mission field to reach others. Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and praise your Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Why Not Tolerance?
The character traits of Jesus Christ, commonly called the fruit of the Spirit, are listed in Galatians 5:22-23---love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As God's men, the Holy Spirit works in our lives to produce these characteristics. Conspicuous by it's absence is another characteristic---tolerance. Isn't tolerance a good thing and something that we should manifest in our lives?
If we read the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), we see that both a priest and a Levite--men who should have had compassion for a man who had been beaten and robbed and left for dead--recognized the need of the injured Samaritan but chose to ignore it. They knew the man needed help, they had the means to help, but allowed him to remain in his hurting state.
Tolerance has the same result. It says I see that you are dying spiritually. It says I see that you are lost and have no hope and no future. Tolerance says what's right for you is okay--even if it separates you from a holy God. Tolerance isn't a fruit of the Spirit because God, in his infinite mercy and love for us, wasn't content to tolerate our sinful and broken state and He did something about it. Our Heavenly Father would never have allowed his one and only Son to die on the cross to pay our sin debt if tolerance was a part of who He is.
If we read the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), we see that both a priest and a Levite--men who should have had compassion for a man who had been beaten and robbed and left for dead--recognized the need of the injured Samaritan but chose to ignore it. They knew the man needed help, they had the means to help, but allowed him to remain in his hurting state.
Tolerance has the same result. It says I see that you are dying spiritually. It says I see that you are lost and have no hope and no future. Tolerance says what's right for you is okay--even if it separates you from a holy God. Tolerance isn't a fruit of the Spirit because God, in his infinite mercy and love for us, wasn't content to tolerate our sinful and broken state and He did something about it. Our Heavenly Father would never have allowed his one and only Son to die on the cross to pay our sin debt if tolerance was a part of who He is.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Think About Such Things
As hard as we try to do the things that bring honor and glory to God, we can easily get frustrated by our sin nature which continually causes us to stumble. We can help ourselves in this struggle by remembering that our actions are always preceded by our thoughts. What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. These words and actions both have the power to build others up or tear others down.
Philippians 4:8 says, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. The Apostle Paul tells us to program our minds on the things that will produce godly thoughts, which in turn will produce godly words and actions. If we struggle with impure thoughts we need to examine what we are putting into our minds through television, books, movies, magazines and even conversations and eliminate anything harmful.
Paul was keenly aware that the prime battleground for spiritual warfare is located in our minds. Above all else, we must stay connected to our Heavenly Father through prayer and reading His Word. We need to ask God to help us focus our minds on what is good and pure. It isn't always easy, but by realizing we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13), it can be done.
Philippians 4:8 says, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. The Apostle Paul tells us to program our minds on the things that will produce godly thoughts, which in turn will produce godly words and actions. If we struggle with impure thoughts we need to examine what we are putting into our minds through television, books, movies, magazines and even conversations and eliminate anything harmful.
Paul was keenly aware that the prime battleground for spiritual warfare is located in our minds. Above all else, we must stay connected to our Heavenly Father through prayer and reading His Word. We need to ask God to help us focus our minds on what is good and pure. It isn't always easy, but by realizing we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13), it can be done.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Relationship Breakers and Builders
On my list "Ten Things I Must Never Forget" is the reminder that everything I say or do has an impact on someone else. Each one of us, in our words and our actions, has both the power to do much good and much evil. Accordingly, the apostle Paul lays down a strong challenge: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).
All of things listed in this verse are sins of attitude and behavior. And because idolatry by definition is anything that takes priority over God, these sins must be dealt with. By cleansing our hearts of these things, we can also help avoid the sins of speech: But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:8). These are relationship breakers.
As God's men, we have a better choice that's found in Colossians 3:12--Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These are relationship builders. Because the Father's love has freed us from the penalty of sin and death, we can commit ourselves to the teachings of His Word. In doing so, we take on the attitude of Jesus Christ and break down the barriers that hinder human relationships.
All of things listed in this verse are sins of attitude and behavior. And because idolatry by definition is anything that takes priority over God, these sins must be dealt with. By cleansing our hearts of these things, we can also help avoid the sins of speech: But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:8). These are relationship breakers.
As God's men, we have a better choice that's found in Colossians 3:12--Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These are relationship builders. Because the Father's love has freed us from the penalty of sin and death, we can commit ourselves to the teachings of His Word. In doing so, we take on the attitude of Jesus Christ and break down the barriers that hinder human relationships.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Ready to Give an Answer
For those of us who desire to share our faith with non-believers, there is a great deal of wisdom in 1 Peter 3:15-16: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
We must first fix our eyes and our hearts of Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Because his shed blood paid our sin debt, we have the assurance of eternal life through faith in Him and we need to be prepared to share this great news with others and not keep it to ourselves. This also means thinking through our beliefs and spending quality time in God's Word to allow our minds to absorb more and more biblical truth; giving us greater ability to answer questions about our faith.
To share our faith with gentleness and respect is to relate how Christ changed you, not how He is going to change them. This approach is much more likely to open up a closed heart than one that points out the sin in others. Scripture promises that we will the criticized for living a Christ-honoring life and we are not to let fear of this stop us from telling our live-saving message. And because others will slander us for sharing our faith, we must focus on our lives and our testimonies to make sure our actions back up our words.
We must first fix our eyes and our hearts of Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Because his shed blood paid our sin debt, we have the assurance of eternal life through faith in Him and we need to be prepared to share this great news with others and not keep it to ourselves. This also means thinking through our beliefs and spending quality time in God's Word to allow our minds to absorb more and more biblical truth; giving us greater ability to answer questions about our faith.
To share our faith with gentleness and respect is to relate how Christ changed you, not how He is going to change them. This approach is much more likely to open up a closed heart than one that points out the sin in others. Scripture promises that we will the criticized for living a Christ-honoring life and we are not to let fear of this stop us from telling our live-saving message. And because others will slander us for sharing our faith, we must focus on our lives and our testimonies to make sure our actions back up our words.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
True Christianity
Throughout the New Testament, we see countless examples of forces at work within Christianity that could have destroyed or sidetracked the early church. Unfortunately, this happens all too often in today's churches because as believers we are sinners who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ--yet we are still sinners.
The hindrances to God's work from within the body of Christ are all too familiar: adding human traditions to God's law, placing too much emphasis on works instead of grace, reducing life to a list of "do" and "don't", believing that because we are saved by grace we don't have to worry about making sinful choices or leaning too much into our own understanding.
Micah 6:8 seems like an oversimplification: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Our Heavenly Father has revealed himself through his Word and we don't need to add to it or subtract from it, we just need to live by it and stay close to Him---clothed in his mercy, goodness, provision and protection.
The hindrances to God's work from within the body of Christ are all too familiar: adding human traditions to God's law, placing too much emphasis on works instead of grace, reducing life to a list of "do" and "don't", believing that because we are saved by grace we don't have to worry about making sinful choices or leaning too much into our own understanding.
Micah 6:8 seems like an oversimplification: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Our Heavenly Father has revealed himself through his Word and we don't need to add to it or subtract from it, we just need to live by it and stay close to Him---clothed in his mercy, goodness, provision and protection.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Defining Men's Ministry
As we enter into a new year, I think it is important to focus on the goals and purpose of Men's Ministry at OBC--including defining what Men's Ministry should be.
There is often a great deal of confusion and misperception about what Men’s ministry is and what it should look like. It can become a conglomeration of social activities and work details, a recruiting ground for other ministries, and a place of ongoing confusion. This confusion can cause a seasoned saint to opt out and avoid shepherding others. This can cause a newer believer to hide in fear and can cause those in between to remain on the sideline and believe that the church doesn’t really have anything for the Christian man.
Men’s ministry in its base form and definition is simply ministering to men. It’s helping, equipping, encouraging and empowering men to fulfill their God-given roles. It’s an opportunity to grab hold of our God-given responsibility and privilege as servant-leaders, husbands and fathers and live it to the fullest. This can only be done by men connecting with other men and opening God’s Word—together. Doing this allows us to grow spiritually and to lean on and encourage others in their daily walk. This is where true friendships are built and strong Christian bonds are formed. Bonds that are stronger than pride, jealousy, pity and fear. As we connect with one another, not only do we benefit personally, but our wives, our children, our church and others around us benefits as well.
Defining Men’s ministry also means defining what it is not. Men’s ministry is not a “help-wanted” ad for other ministries but a place for men to discover and develop their spiritual gifts and passions to be used for God’s glory. Men’s ministry is not just a place for new or spiritually immature Christians but a place for each and every man to build relationships, regardless of where they are in their walk. To be complete is to have Paul (somebody mentoring you), Silas (you encouraging spiritual peers) and Timothy (you mentoring somebody) relationships in your life.
Rest assured, just as he wants us to stay disconnected from God through unconfessed sin in our lives, Satan wants Christian men to remain in isolation from each other and to render us powerless. The most effective way to fight our spiritual enemy is to first be on our knees in prayer and then to rise up and stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers in Christ.
There is often a great deal of confusion and misperception about what Men’s ministry is and what it should look like. It can become a conglomeration of social activities and work details, a recruiting ground for other ministries, and a place of ongoing confusion. This confusion can cause a seasoned saint to opt out and avoid shepherding others. This can cause a newer believer to hide in fear and can cause those in between to remain on the sideline and believe that the church doesn’t really have anything for the Christian man.
Men’s ministry in its base form and definition is simply ministering to men. It’s helping, equipping, encouraging and empowering men to fulfill their God-given roles. It’s an opportunity to grab hold of our God-given responsibility and privilege as servant-leaders, husbands and fathers and live it to the fullest. This can only be done by men connecting with other men and opening God’s Word—together. Doing this allows us to grow spiritually and to lean on and encourage others in their daily walk. This is where true friendships are built and strong Christian bonds are formed. Bonds that are stronger than pride, jealousy, pity and fear. As we connect with one another, not only do we benefit personally, but our wives, our children, our church and others around us benefits as well.
Defining Men’s ministry also means defining what it is not. Men’s ministry is not a “help-wanted” ad for other ministries but a place for men to discover and develop their spiritual gifts and passions to be used for God’s glory. Men’s ministry is not just a place for new or spiritually immature Christians but a place for each and every man to build relationships, regardless of where they are in their walk. To be complete is to have Paul (somebody mentoring you), Silas (you encouraging spiritual peers) and Timothy (you mentoring somebody) relationships in your life.
Rest assured, just as he wants us to stay disconnected from God through unconfessed sin in our lives, Satan wants Christian men to remain in isolation from each other and to render us powerless. The most effective way to fight our spiritual enemy is to first be on our knees in prayer and then to rise up and stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers in Christ.
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