This blog goes in sequence very well following the last two that I posted. So, it will make more sense if you read the past two blogs first, however I will try to make this blog easy to follow regardless.
So, God moments...where are they? Well, let's talk church.
[My main points will derive from notes from the book "The God Chasers" by Tommy Tenney.
They will be in red italic]
So, the "house" of God: CHURCH.
What do you think of when you think of church? The music is great, the programs are entertaining and marketable, and you hear biblical values from the preacher? Or maybe not, maybe you feel like your church is lacking in some areas. What is my overall point here? What is church supposed to be about? Entertainment, feel-good comfort, and being blessed? I don't think so! Does this "picture" of church sound familiar? Is God moving in your church services? When was the last time something out of the ordinary occurred during a church service you attended?
"We categorically design our services to be man-pleasing services...we want them to have 'high entertainment index'. God would rather have moments with a few who really love Him than for everybody to come and be entertained. Yet we are hosting a party for God in which we trade presents with each other while totally ignoring Him!" (pg 61)
The Bible states in Revelation 3:15-16:
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Yikes! Does that sound like you or your church? Well, I am going to admit right now that this sounds by far too familiar and I am on a mission to be hungry for God, thus I am standing up to be in the 'hot' zone. I don't want to be spit out! God is our father and creator, why would I want to be thrown that far from Him? I don't want to put my life in that line of fire. But, how do we do that? Well, how about the fear of God? Where is that fear? The more I dive into the Word of God the more fear that dwells in me because although God is a loving God, He is also a God of anger and He hates, HE HATES it when we are lukewarm. How would you like it if your best friend was lukewarm in your friendship? Wouldn't you rather them be all in or all out instead of just "there" and just kind of your friend?
"We have turned our local churches into 'bless me clubs'. God wants to break open the heavens over our cities so the people who are without God will know that He is Lord and He loves them. Now that is the true purpose of God's visitation among men. We need to get our eyes off the toys and onto the purpose..." (pg 55)
Psalm 103:1 says:
"Bless the Lord, O my Soul" It does NOT say "O my Lord, bless my soul" Seriously we are so self-centered that we get thrown off course and lose our purpose and we even get so distorted that we are setting our selves up for disaster! And we wonder why we don't feel God's presence, or why our lives are going through trials and why we just aren't feeling spiritually fed...especially in church! This is because our churches have lost it's purpose. The church is so focused on attendance and getting enough people in the door to fill every seat. The church is so focused on appealing to the people with entertainment that the church loses it's purpose and God becomes lost in it all. We need to stop being takers and become givers. We need to throw out our 'toys of distractions' and realize that church is about God moving in us, not about doing fancy-good things that make us look cool, or pretending that we are pleasing to God if we do just enough things that seem 'God-like' We can serve in ministry and do many great things for God, but we need to be cautious not to forget to listen to Him so that we may be moved by Him. Otherwise, we end up taking control of our lives and even if we believe we are doing what is right and are serving others we can still end up in a wreck down the path because it was not God-led. He is our navigator, when we fight for the wheel, we can run ourselves into a deadly pole if we are not careful.
"We have wanted 'life' in our services when God was after 'death' in our gatherings! It is 'death' through repentance and brokenness that ushers in the presence of God and causes you to draw near to the Lord and yet live." (pg 64)
God can only come through and in us when we are completely NOT of ourselves, thus the death of ourselves/flesh. We are so self-consumed in our churches "Bless me Lord, move in me Lord' when we really have it all wrong. We are supposed to Bless the Lord as I mentioned, that is stated in Psalm 103:1, and He can only move in us IF WE LET HIM. It is our choice! Sure, God has the power to force His way in, but that is not who He is. He wants you to WANT HIM. In order for Him to move in you, you have to want Him badly enough to the point that you are willing to surrender everything within you.
"God is telling His church that it's not enough just to be blessed. It is not enough to receive His gifts and walk in His anointing. I don't want anymore blessings; I want the Blesser. I don't want any more gifts; I want the giver." (pg 55)
I want more of Him and less of me! This is exactly what He desires. We need to stop this "Oh God, gimme, gimme" mentality! We should be telling Him "I give you all of me, I give you all of me!" Take me to the places you have for me, in your name. This life is not about us, whether we choose to accept that or not. This life is about God and His kingdom.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that you shouldn't invite your friends or family to church. However, we should not do so with the mind set that you are putting the responsibility on the preacher to reach out to him/or her. That is what it has come to. And let's face it, how many people are accepting the invitation that you have put out there to join you at church? People aren't flocking to church, they are running from it! And we are so afraid or so uncertain that we can't even take the fear of lost souls of our own friends and family seriously that we make stupid excuses not to minister to them. HOW SAD! It is your responsibility! God says so.
Mark 16:15 says:
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'
He said to preach to ALL. Not some, not just your friends and family, but to ALL! He didn't say if or when this or that and the other...He said GO and preach to ALL. He didn't say it only the responsibility of preachers to share the gospel.
Matthew 28:19 says:
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
He says make disciples of ALL nations. He didn't say just countries A, B and C. No, He says ALL. Are you getting the idea yet? God is saying: "There are NO exceptions, do as I say!" The fear of the Lord must be within you because did you know that you are responsible for the lost souls that you come into contact with? Yes. It is true. This is serious because if you are not sharing the gospel with others, whether they like it or accept it or not, it is as if you are condemning them to hell. But, that sounds harsh! Well, it is! What if no one ever told you about Jesus Christ and you ended up in hell, how would that make you feel? But, but...not everyone deserves eternal life with Jesus. Well, guess what? NOBODY deserves it, no matter how good you are! But by the grace of God you can be saved, and ONLY by the grace of God!
So, here are my challenges for you:
1) Share your God experiences with people around you. They will listen and God will only become alive to them as He has become alive to you. Some may be skeptical of your experiences, but with skepticism comes curiosity also. SHARING God's love in demonstration and by the telling of your experiences is NOT shoving God's truth down anyone's throat and if they don't want to hear it, at least you can say you obeyed God in sharing His gospel (as long as it was authentic and I am not saying to stop after your first attempt either).
2) Become HOT for Jesus! Don't let your old faith and your church life hold you back and keep you hostage in staying lukewarm. Dare to be different by breaking the bondage's of whatever is holding you back. Whether it's a comfort thing or whatever...take charge in knowing that if God if for us then who can be against us? God is bigger than anyone or anything that could ever happen. So, you have no reason to fear ANYTHING! So, go against this modern day's society of what is acceptable. If it means it is going against God (being lukewarm) then you should be running in the opposite direction.
3) No more 'gimme, gimme' mentality. Give God all you've got! Let go and Let God!
PLEASE feel free to share your thoughts.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Forgotten God
Have you completely forgotten God in your daily routine? Do you think about Him in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening? Is your life just too chaotic from the crazy work schedule, to family life, your church life, and all the drama from family, friends, politics, etc? Sure, you've heard the saying "You should stop and smell the roses once in awhile". Well, in this case I am going to refer to God as the 'rose'. Have you stopped lately to look at Him, or smell His beauty and stand in awe at His amazing grace?
"The sad reality may be that most Christians in America don't have a real sense of the abiding presence of God because they refuse to clean up the clutter in their lives. And many of us who attempt to clear the clutter tend to get stuck in the log-jam of legalism." - Tommy Tenny
Do you have too much clutter in your life, the kind of clutter that clogs your mind and heart to the point that you don't have the compassion, love or even kindness towards others that Jesus has? Stop what you are doing, forget all the stuff going on in your life right now. When was the last time you were moved to tears because of something you saw that broke your heart? Let's say a homeless person or even just someone who has substantially less than you do. When have you last felt an ache in your heart because you felt the love of Christ so strongly that nothing in your life seemed as important as you thought it was in that moment? When did you see the need and hurt of others as weighing heavier than your problems? And let's face it - your problems are probably (not saying they are not important) something that is no where near as heavy a burden than those who say...don't know where they are going to sleep tonight, or don't know when or where their next meal will come from and haven't experienced this comfort or stability in knowing that they will be comfortable in a very long time. Have you stopped to count your blessing lately? How does that rose smell that you pass by every day?
I am moved and so proud of this man who decided that He was going to do the right thing even though things could have turned out a lot differently. Here is the story:
Julio Diaz has a daily routine. Every night, the 31-year-old social worker ends his hour-long subway commute to the Bronx one stop early, just so he can eat at his favorite diner.
But one night last month, as Diaz stepped off the No. 6 train and onto a nearly empty platform, his evening took an unexpected turn.
He was walking toward the stairs when a teenage boy approached and pulled out a knife.
"He wants my money, so I just gave him my wallet and told him, 'Here you go,'" Diaz says.
As the teen began to walk away, Diaz told him, "Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you're going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat to keep you warm."
The would-be robber looked at his would-be victim, "like what's going on here?" Diaz says. "He asked me, 'Why are you doing this?'"
Diaz replied: "If you're willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. I mean, all I wanted to do was get dinner and if you really want to join me ... hey, you're more than welcome.
"You know, I just felt maybe he really needs help," Diaz says.
Diaz says he and the teen went into the diner and sat in a booth.
"The manager comes by, the dishwashers come by, the waiters come by to say hi," Diaz says. "The kid was like, 'You know everybody here. Do you own this place?'"
"No, I just eat here a lot," Diaz says he told the teen. "He says, 'But you're even nice to the dishwasher.'"
Diaz replied, "Well, haven't you been taught you should be nice to everybody?"
"Yea, but I didn't think people actually behaved that way," the teen said.
Diaz asked him what he wanted out of life. "He just had almost a sad face," Diaz says.
The teen couldn't answer Diaz — or he didn't want to.
When the bill arrived, Diaz told the teen, "Look, I guess you're going to have to pay for this bill 'cause you have my money and I can't pay for this. So if you give me my wallet back, I'll gladly treat you."
The teen "didn't even think about it" and returned the wallet, Diaz says. "I gave him $20 ... I figure maybe it'll help him. I don't know."
Diaz says he asked for something in return — the teen's knife — "and he gave it to me."
Afterward, when Diaz told his mother what happened, she said, "You're the type of kid that if someone asked you for the time, you gave them your watch."
"I figure, you know, if you treat people right, you can only hope that they treat you right. It's as simple as it gets in this complicated world."
Produced for Morning Edition by Michael Garofalo.
When I reflect on this story, I think: "Wow! This is what Jesus would have done!" Are you willing to do as Diaz did? Why or why not? Are you afraid? Think about this...we pray constantly "Lord, please keep me safe on my way to ___________and when I am at________" Really? Are we that selfish and scared of death? What do we really have to be afraid of? We need to step out of our comfort zone and put ourselves even in the line of danger if God calls us out to. Regardless of the price, because after all didn't He pay the ultimate price? Is He not as worth it that we can't even risk our own lives for the glory of God? Have we forgotten about our purpose? Doesn't God say "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." - Matthew 22:37
He doesn't say sometimes, He doesn't say when we are comfortable or if it fits in our schedule...He says WITH ALL OUR HEART, SOUL AND MIND.
Have you forgotten God? His heart is full of beauty, love and grace that is immeasurable.
I just finished watching the movie 'The Blind Side'. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it as a top of the list movie for the "must see". In short, it is about 'The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.' A wealthy family took in a young boy, named Michael, who was homeless, uneducated and had the most dreadful early childhood. I can't help but be to moved and want to fall on the floor and ball my eyes out when his new mother presented him with his own room and Michael asked: "Is this for me? I've never had one before." and his mother replied "You've never had your own what? Your own room?" And he said "No...a bed"
That tears me apart! I can't even imagine never having a bed, I have always had a bed to sleep in. Can you imagine never having a bed until you were in high school? Can you imagine your wardrobe being the clothes you are wearing right now and an extra shirt you carry around in an old grocery bag and to do your laundry you just rinse your clothes out under a faucet at a laundry mat because you can't even afford any other way. Can you imagine having no home, no family, and no sense of belonging? All because your parents were irresponsible and they ended up with messed up lives that left you alone and abandoned. Can you imagine being homeless because you lost your job or because you just didn't get the education or opportunity to achieve such things? Do you think being homeless is a choice?
Homelessness is not a choice, it's a very unfortunate situation. And so many people take their luxurious lives for granted! Here is a perfect picture of what I am talking about:
So many times we ask God, where are you, why aren't you answering my prayers...have you forgotten about me? The truth is, He is asking us: have you forgotten me?
So, let me leave you with this one last question and really take it seriously and put a lot of thought into it...this is serious: Have you forgotten God in your life?
"The sad reality may be that most Christians in America don't have a real sense of the abiding presence of God because they refuse to clean up the clutter in their lives. And many of us who attempt to clear the clutter tend to get stuck in the log-jam of legalism." - Tommy Tenny
Do you have too much clutter in your life, the kind of clutter that clogs your mind and heart to the point that you don't have the compassion, love or even kindness towards others that Jesus has? Stop what you are doing, forget all the stuff going on in your life right now. When was the last time you were moved to tears because of something you saw that broke your heart? Let's say a homeless person or even just someone who has substantially less than you do. When have you last felt an ache in your heart because you felt the love of Christ so strongly that nothing in your life seemed as important as you thought it was in that moment? When did you see the need and hurt of others as weighing heavier than your problems? And let's face it - your problems are probably (not saying they are not important) something that is no where near as heavy a burden than those who say...don't know where they are going to sleep tonight, or don't know when or where their next meal will come from and haven't experienced this comfort or stability in knowing that they will be comfortable in a very long time. Have you stopped to count your blessing lately? How does that rose smell that you pass by every day?
I am moved and so proud of this man who decided that He was going to do the right thing even though things could have turned out a lot differently. Here is the story:
Julio Diaz has a daily routine. Every night, the 31-year-old social worker ends his hour-long subway commute to the Bronx one stop early, just so he can eat at his favorite diner.
But one night last month, as Diaz stepped off the No. 6 train and onto a nearly empty platform, his evening took an unexpected turn.
He was walking toward the stairs when a teenage boy approached and pulled out a knife.
"He wants my money, so I just gave him my wallet and told him, 'Here you go,'" Diaz says.
As the teen began to walk away, Diaz told him, "Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you're going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat to keep you warm."
The would-be robber looked at his would-be victim, "like what's going on here?" Diaz says. "He asked me, 'Why are you doing this?'"
Diaz replied: "If you're willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. I mean, all I wanted to do was get dinner and if you really want to join me ... hey, you're more than welcome.
"You know, I just felt maybe he really needs help," Diaz says.
Diaz says he and the teen went into the diner and sat in a booth.
"The manager comes by, the dishwashers come by, the waiters come by to say hi," Diaz says. "The kid was like, 'You know everybody here. Do you own this place?'"
"No, I just eat here a lot," Diaz says he told the teen. "He says, 'But you're even nice to the dishwasher.'"
Diaz replied, "Well, haven't you been taught you should be nice to everybody?"
"Yea, but I didn't think people actually behaved that way," the teen said.
Diaz asked him what he wanted out of life. "He just had almost a sad face," Diaz says.
The teen couldn't answer Diaz — or he didn't want to.
When the bill arrived, Diaz told the teen, "Look, I guess you're going to have to pay for this bill 'cause you have my money and I can't pay for this. So if you give me my wallet back, I'll gladly treat you."
The teen "didn't even think about it" and returned the wallet, Diaz says. "I gave him $20 ... I figure maybe it'll help him. I don't know."
Diaz says he asked for something in return — the teen's knife — "and he gave it to me."
Afterward, when Diaz told his mother what happened, she said, "You're the type of kid that if someone asked you for the time, you gave them your watch."
"I figure, you know, if you treat people right, you can only hope that they treat you right. It's as simple as it gets in this complicated world."
Produced for Morning Edition by Michael Garofalo.
When I reflect on this story, I think: "Wow! This is what Jesus would have done!" Are you willing to do as Diaz did? Why or why not? Are you afraid? Think about this...we pray constantly "Lord, please keep me safe on my way to ___________and when I am at________" Really? Are we that selfish and scared of death? What do we really have to be afraid of? We need to step out of our comfort zone and put ourselves even in the line of danger if God calls us out to. Regardless of the price, because after all didn't He pay the ultimate price? Is He not as worth it that we can't even risk our own lives for the glory of God? Have we forgotten about our purpose? Doesn't God say "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." - Matthew 22:37
He doesn't say sometimes, He doesn't say when we are comfortable or if it fits in our schedule...He says WITH ALL OUR HEART, SOUL AND MIND.
Have you forgotten God? His heart is full of beauty, love and grace that is immeasurable.
I just finished watching the movie 'The Blind Side'. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it as a top of the list movie for the "must see". In short, it is about 'The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.' A wealthy family took in a young boy, named Michael, who was homeless, uneducated and had the most dreadful early childhood. I can't help but be to moved and want to fall on the floor and ball my eyes out when his new mother presented him with his own room and Michael asked: "Is this for me? I've never had one before." and his mother replied "You've never had your own what? Your own room?" And he said "No...a bed"
That tears me apart! I can't even imagine never having a bed, I have always had a bed to sleep in. Can you imagine never having a bed until you were in high school? Can you imagine your wardrobe being the clothes you are wearing right now and an extra shirt you carry around in an old grocery bag and to do your laundry you just rinse your clothes out under a faucet at a laundry mat because you can't even afford any other way. Can you imagine having no home, no family, and no sense of belonging? All because your parents were irresponsible and they ended up with messed up lives that left you alone and abandoned. Can you imagine being homeless because you lost your job or because you just didn't get the education or opportunity to achieve such things? Do you think being homeless is a choice?
Homelessness is not a choice, it's a very unfortunate situation. And so many people take their luxurious lives for granted! Here is a perfect picture of what I am talking about:
So many times we ask God, where are you, why aren't you answering my prayers...have you forgotten about me? The truth is, He is asking us: have you forgotten me?
So, let me leave you with this one last question and really take it seriously and put a lot of thought into it...this is serious: Have you forgotten God in your life?
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Unearthly Weeping
"If God can get enough people in an area to reject the rulership and te dominion of satan, if enough of His people will reject satan's dominion in the right way-with humility, with brokenness, and in repentant intercession, then God will slap an eviction notice on the doorway of the ruling demonic power of that area. And when He does, then there is a light and glory that begins to come." - Tommy Tenney
Do you give just a lip service to God, but your actions don't follow what comes out of your mouth? Ever wonder "Where is God in this time, I need Him so badly right now, where is He?" Actually that is almost the same mentality that God is thinking about you the same time you are thinking it. Only it goes something more like this: "I am right here, all you have to do is come into my presence and have faith. I never left you...I want you so badly right now!" Did you know that when you don't experience God it is because you may be running from Him and/or you don't think He is big enough or doesn't understand you and your situation in depth enough? God is always there. He is constantly asking you "Do you love me?" The great thing is, is that He already knows everything there is to know about you, so you don't have to try to hide things or beat around the bush in telling Him things that are going on in your life. He understands you and your situation better than even you do!
Do you struggle with guilt or regret? Are you constantly being haunted by your past? The good news is...you don't have to! How is that possible? The key is REPENTANCE. We are commanded by God to repent on a daily basis. When we do this He listens and He gives us a second chance, time and time again. We must be humble, we must fall on our knees and bow down to all of Him. No holding back. When we try to go alone and do things our way, we will always experience some kind of hurt from guilt and/or regret. I must say that guilt and regret are 2 great tools for satan to mess with our heads. I have watched regret and guilt literally ruin lives.
There is no, not one thing that God cannot forgive you of if you ask for forgiveness. In the Bible Peter denied Jesus 3 times, he claimed to not even knowing Jesus. How hurtful do you think that was to Jesus? God did not cast Peter aside for doing this.
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. - Matthew 26:75
He deeply regretted what he had done, and he prepared himself to receive Jesus’ forgiveness with sincere humility and a contrite heart (Psalms 51:19). Jesus forgave Peter, first by saying “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36; John 20:19,21,26) and then by giving Peter three opportunities to retract his denials. Peter received Jesus’ forgiveness by saying, “I love you! I love you! I love you!” (John 21:15,16,17).
When Peter went to God with sincere humility He was going to God with a sense of death in himself. He was laying himself bare in all humility in the presence of God. This is how we receive a true cleansing of guilt and regret.
1 Peter 5:6-8 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Do you want revival in your life? "The depth of your repentance will determine the height of your revival. The more death that God smells, the closer He can come." - Tommy Tenney.
Our mission in life is to Love God and serve Him. When we flee from this purpose it leads us down the road of mistakes, which then leads us down the path of the wretched guilt and regret. How do we stay focused on our purpose, this world is so full of distractions? Entertainment being a big one. Movies, tv shows, video games, etc. How do you overcome such overwhelming distractions when everyone in this world sees these things as normal? The answer is: Spend time with God, spend time praying. REPENT. Repentance is not just about asking for forgiveness it is also about turning away from the things you are repenting for. This is often a big missed part in repentance. Two halves equal a whole. So, without asking for forgiveness and turning from your mistakes you certainly have not repented in whole. Surely God will tell you if you are being distracted from Him. The best way to avoid such distractions is to cut it off! Yes, it sounds drastic, but I can tell you right now from experience...it works! I literally cut things off cold turkey that were not of God. And boy did I get a reaction from my friends when I told them I know longer was watching the same tv shows as there were anymore. Especially by a non-Christian of mine. She just couldn't understand it. She was so confused that she waited until I was out of the room to ask my husband why I had turned away from such tv shows and if it was a change that was permanent. And guess what? It opened up several discussions for me to share the love of Christ and His love with her! Did she like hearing it? No, but she started to ask questions and that is key in planting seeds for the kingdom of God!
By turning away from such ungodly things God has revealed so much to me and I can hear Him so much more clearly now. It's amazing how He just lines up His purpose and direction step by step so easily when we STOP and listen.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
This is the testimony of where I am right now. Feel free to ask me questions because if you do not believe in transforming away from this world's distracting culture, I can testify that I have experienced the blessings that God has for all of us when we let our flesh 'die' and do all things for and in Christ.
Where do you start? Again, it has to start with repentance. We must drop everything that we are doing and everything that is within us and let God use us as He has planned. Release your regrets and guilt and move onto the beautiful place God has for you. It is a choice, you must choose to go there. Otherwise, you will continue the path of burdens that make you feel sick and purposeless. We must empty ourselves out. We must decrease, so that He may increase in our lives. You must experience unearthly weeping in repentance. You must let go of it all, no holding back. You must move out so that God may move in. Please bow your head as you fall onto your knees right now and experience the unearthly weeping that the Holy Spirit has brought upon us and repent. And as the Lord told Peter: "Peace be with you".
Do you give just a lip service to God, but your actions don't follow what comes out of your mouth? Ever wonder "Where is God in this time, I need Him so badly right now, where is He?" Actually that is almost the same mentality that God is thinking about you the same time you are thinking it. Only it goes something more like this: "I am right here, all you have to do is come into my presence and have faith. I never left you...I want you so badly right now!" Did you know that when you don't experience God it is because you may be running from Him and/or you don't think He is big enough or doesn't understand you and your situation in depth enough? God is always there. He is constantly asking you "Do you love me?" The great thing is, is that He already knows everything there is to know about you, so you don't have to try to hide things or beat around the bush in telling Him things that are going on in your life. He understands you and your situation better than even you do!
Do you struggle with guilt or regret? Are you constantly being haunted by your past? The good news is...you don't have to! How is that possible? The key is REPENTANCE. We are commanded by God to repent on a daily basis. When we do this He listens and He gives us a second chance, time and time again. We must be humble, we must fall on our knees and bow down to all of Him. No holding back. When we try to go alone and do things our way, we will always experience some kind of hurt from guilt and/or regret. I must say that guilt and regret are 2 great tools for satan to mess with our heads. I have watched regret and guilt literally ruin lives.
There is no, not one thing that God cannot forgive you of if you ask for forgiveness. In the Bible Peter denied Jesus 3 times, he claimed to not even knowing Jesus. How hurtful do you think that was to Jesus? God did not cast Peter aside for doing this.
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. - Matthew 26:75
He deeply regretted what he had done, and he prepared himself to receive Jesus’ forgiveness with sincere humility and a contrite heart (Psalms 51:19). Jesus forgave Peter, first by saying “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36; John 20:19,21,26) and then by giving Peter three opportunities to retract his denials. Peter received Jesus’ forgiveness by saying, “I love you! I love you! I love you!” (John 21:15,16,17).
When Peter went to God with sincere humility He was going to God with a sense of death in himself. He was laying himself bare in all humility in the presence of God. This is how we receive a true cleansing of guilt and regret.
1 Peter 5:6-8 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
We must go to God with everything that is within us and in order to do this we must let our flesh 'die' and give nothing less than that. If you want to get close to God then make sure that everything is dead.
If you really want to know Him, then EVERYTHING of our earthly desires and flesh MUST DIE.
Do you want revival in your life? "The depth of your repentance will determine the height of your revival. The more death that God smells, the closer He can come." - Tommy Tenney.
Our mission in life is to Love God and serve Him. When we flee from this purpose it leads us down the road of mistakes, which then leads us down the path of the wretched guilt and regret. How do we stay focused on our purpose, this world is so full of distractions? Entertainment being a big one. Movies, tv shows, video games, etc. How do you overcome such overwhelming distractions when everyone in this world sees these things as normal? The answer is: Spend time with God, spend time praying. REPENT. Repentance is not just about asking for forgiveness it is also about turning away from the things you are repenting for. This is often a big missed part in repentance. Two halves equal a whole. So, without asking for forgiveness and turning from your mistakes you certainly have not repented in whole. Surely God will tell you if you are being distracted from Him. The best way to avoid such distractions is to cut it off! Yes, it sounds drastic, but I can tell you right now from experience...it works! I literally cut things off cold turkey that were not of God. And boy did I get a reaction from my friends when I told them I know longer was watching the same tv shows as there were anymore. Especially by a non-Christian of mine. She just couldn't understand it. She was so confused that she waited until I was out of the room to ask my husband why I had turned away from such tv shows and if it was a change that was permanent. And guess what? It opened up several discussions for me to share the love of Christ and His love with her! Did she like hearing it? No, but she started to ask questions and that is key in planting seeds for the kingdom of God!
By turning away from such ungodly things God has revealed so much to me and I can hear Him so much more clearly now. It's amazing how He just lines up His purpose and direction step by step so easily when we STOP and listen.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
This is the testimony of where I am right now. Feel free to ask me questions because if you do not believe in transforming away from this world's distracting culture, I can testify that I have experienced the blessings that God has for all of us when we let our flesh 'die' and do all things for and in Christ.
Where do you start? Again, it has to start with repentance. We must drop everything that we are doing and everything that is within us and let God use us as He has planned. Release your regrets and guilt and move onto the beautiful place God has for you. It is a choice, you must choose to go there. Otherwise, you will continue the path of burdens that make you feel sick and purposeless. We must empty ourselves out. We must decrease, so that He may increase in our lives. You must experience unearthly weeping in repentance. You must let go of it all, no holding back. You must move out so that God may move in. Please bow your head as you fall onto your knees right now and experience the unearthly weeping that the Holy Spirit has brought upon us and repent. And as the Lord told Peter: "Peace be with you".
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Are you a hoarder?
Are you a hoarder? Do you have things that you don't need, that you don't use, and things you just can't let go of? I am sure you have plenty of things that are just collecting dust, or you keep things that you "just might use someday". Well, as I lay in bed last night, it was a bit chilly. And I thought about it and thought "wow, I am cold and I have a roof over my head and am wearing warm clothes and I am laying in a soft bed under blankets...and there are people out there that are cold that have none of those other things I just mentioned" I have clothes I cannot wear. I have things that have some kind of sentimental value that could be used by someone else. So, I ask myself...am I a hoarder? Why am I hoarding things I don't use and some things I have excessive amounts of? Because I am selfish. You are selfish. We all are.How do we overcome this "disease" of being a selfish hoarder? We must strive to be like Jesus. And do as He commands!
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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Where is Christ in Christmas?
Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Sinterklaas (Santa Claus).
Did you know that Saint Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes? So, where does worldly transformation come into play with who Santa Claus is and what Christmas has become? Christmas has become about giving gifts to families and friends. This has caused financial stress, unneeded debt, unnecessary materialistic build-up (most things, especially things bought for children rarely last even a year), depression and even death (caused by depression/emotions soaring high-suicide and death even caused by aggressive greedy shoppers on black Friday) What is Christmas really even about? Greed and who got the coolest/most expensive present? Who has the most amazing Christmas tree and lights and yard set-up?
Christmas is a holiday that represents the celebration of Christ's birth. What does that have to do with gift giving and Santa Claus? Sure Santa was a historical figure and possibly an example as to what we should be doing (GIVING to the poor), but we shouldn't be lying to our children about Santa. Sure, it's cute, but it's a lie. If we are going to give gifts to our children shouldn't we be raising them to know that they are being blessed by God and not a non-existent man? We are supposed to raise our children in the way they should go. Is teaching them lies really what we want to start off with as they are still young and vulnerable?
So, the debate: Christmas (a secular holiday) vs a Celebration of Jesus' birth. Which is it?
One or the other, or both? It can't be both that is contradicting. So, you either celebrate Christmas, a worldly holiday about gift giving, or you celebrate the birth of Jesus. So, why, as Christians, are we so easily pulled into the worldly view of Christmas and what it's about? What are we afraid of by not going along with what the "world" expects? What a way to share the word of God...by not celebrating in a secular way, people WILL ask. We are not to serve two masters.
I do not know one Christian who celebrates Christmas any different from a non-Christian. Why? People are afraid to go against the flow in fear of being treated differently. Why are people so afraid? What is there truly to be afraid of? What is gonna happen? You might be asked why you are doing something differently and you then have an open door to sharing the gospel...oooooo, SCARY! Wow, that is probably the worst that is going to happen. And think of all the people who will be blessed by you stepping out and serving others, like the poor and hungry by serving in some way. These people need family too! You probably just saw your family at Thanksgiving, can you imagine being homeless, hungry and cold in this season and you found out that no one would help you because you would rather just be home with your family? How selfish! I am not saying family is not important, I am saying that we should not put them on a pedestal that makes us actually go against the act of serving as God has called us to do. And when we put ourselves out there into the world serving others, it gives us a great opportunity to share the love and gospel of Jesus Christ, just as He did! It really isn't difficult, if anything it is an amazing experience! How do I know? I have cumulatively worked in soup kitchens for almost a year. (I still would be, regularly, if I was not a stay at home mom).
I just want to challenge you to go against the flow, against the traditions that are not critical for life and serve, but most of all LOVE AND OBEY GOD IN ALL YOU DO.
Did you know that Saint Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes? So, where does worldly transformation come into play with who Santa Claus is and what Christmas has become? Christmas has become about giving gifts to families and friends. This has caused financial stress, unneeded debt, unnecessary materialistic build-up (most things, especially things bought for children rarely last even a year), depression and even death (caused by depression/emotions soaring high-suicide and death even caused by aggressive greedy shoppers on black Friday) What is Christmas really even about? Greed and who got the coolest/most expensive present? Who has the most amazing Christmas tree and lights and yard set-up?
Christmas is a holiday that represents the celebration of Christ's birth. What does that have to do with gift giving and Santa Claus? Sure Santa was a historical figure and possibly an example as to what we should be doing (GIVING to the poor), but we shouldn't be lying to our children about Santa. Sure, it's cute, but it's a lie. If we are going to give gifts to our children shouldn't we be raising them to know that they are being blessed by God and not a non-existent man? We are supposed to raise our children in the way they should go. Is teaching them lies really what we want to start off with as they are still young and vulnerable?
So, the debate: Christmas (a secular holiday) vs a Celebration of Jesus' birth. Which is it?
One or the other, or both? It can't be both that is contradicting. So, you either celebrate Christmas, a worldly holiday about gift giving, or you celebrate the birth of Jesus. So, why, as Christians, are we so easily pulled into the worldly view of Christmas and what it's about? What are we afraid of by not going along with what the "world" expects? What a way to share the word of God...by not celebrating in a secular way, people WILL ask. We are not to serve two masters. I do not know one Christian who celebrates Christmas any different from a non-Christian. Why? People are afraid to go against the flow in fear of being treated differently. Why are people so afraid? What is there truly to be afraid of? What is gonna happen? You might be asked why you are doing something differently and you then have an open door to sharing the gospel...oooooo, SCARY! Wow, that is probably the worst that is going to happen. And think of all the people who will be blessed by you stepping out and serving others, like the poor and hungry by serving in some way. These people need family too! You probably just saw your family at Thanksgiving, can you imagine being homeless, hungry and cold in this season and you found out that no one would help you because you would rather just be home with your family? How selfish! I am not saying family is not important, I am saying that we should not put them on a pedestal that makes us actually go against the act of serving as God has called us to do. And when we put ourselves out there into the world serving others, it gives us a great opportunity to share the love and gospel of Jesus Christ, just as He did! It really isn't difficult, if anything it is an amazing experience! How do I know? I have cumulatively worked in soup kitchens for almost a year. (I still would be, regularly, if I was not a stay at home mom).
I just want to challenge you to go against the flow, against the traditions that are not critical for life and serve, but most of all LOVE AND OBEY GOD IN ALL YOU DO.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Are you hungry?
Highlighted sections are quotes/paraphrases from the book "The God Chasers" by Tommy Tenney
Do you experience God? How do you do that? Are you hungry for Him?
Are you sick of church? Most of the people who drive by our churches, live within sight of our steeples, and inhabit our meeting halls may be sick of church as well, they're also hungry for God. They're hungry to hear from something that's beyond themselves, something they are not hearing in the Church of today. The bottom line is that people are sick of church because the Church has been somewhat less than what the Book advertised! People want to connect with a higher power! Their hunger drives them to everywhere but the Church. They search in pursuits of the flesh to try to feed the hunger that gnaws at their souls. I don't know about you, but are you content just knowing about God? I certainly am not. I want more than that. You can know all about presidents, royalties, and celebrities; you can know their eating habits, address, and marital status. But knowing about them doesn't imply intimacy. By no means does knowing about them mean you know them. We talk about them like we know them, but in reality we really do not. For too long the Church has been only conversant in the things of God. We talk techniques, but we don't talk with Him. There is a significant difference between knowing someone and knowing about them. Knowledge about any person does not imply an intimate friendship. It's simply not enough to know about God. We have churches filled with people who can win Bible trivia contests but who don't now Him. Some of us have been entangled by everything from prosperity to poverty, and we've become such an ingrown society of the self-righteous that our desires and our wants and those of the Holy Spirit are two different matters. If we're not careful, we can become so interested in developing the "cult of the comfortable" with our comfortable pastor, our comfortable church building, and our comfortable circle of friends, that we forget about the thousands of discontented, wounded, and dying people who pass by our comfortable church every day! This is such an easy trap to fall into because our world is so secular that sometimes we forget that we need to stand up for what we believe in and take action by doing what we know is right and that is to follow God and His instruction. After all, it is sinning to go against what God instructs us to do. We need to find our hunger and become a God chaser! The beauty of being a God chaser is you're chasing the impossible, knowing it's possible.
We need to open up and let the Holy Spirit back in. We need to stop being so controlling and let God do His work. For too long we humans have only allowed the Holy Spirit to take control up to a certain point. Basically, whenever it gets outside of our comfort zone or just a little beyond our control, we pull in the reins (the Bible calls it "quenching the Spirit" in 1 Thess. 5:19) We have lost our Godly vision goggles. We need to be hungry for Him! We can do this by stopping what we are doing and seek Him, humble ourselves, pray and turn from our sinful ways! 2 Chron 7:14: If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
We need to seek Him, not just knowledge about Him, but we need to seek an intimate relationship with Him. "The word of the Lord to us is to stop seeking His benefits and seek Him.." We need to desire His presence, not just the "gimme, gimme" mentality. What kind of relationship is ever effective and long lasting with a mentality like that? I don't know of any. He wants an intimate relationship with us like we desire with our spouses and loved ones. It really is that basic. We have no less opportunity to be close to God than Isaiah the prophet did. We serve the same God. He hasn't changed. We need to desire more, more of God. Not for more of men or our fancy lifestyles, but for the presence of God! God doesn't care about anything, except wanting to be wanted. Do you know the feeling? So... you can relate, huh? Even in church he doesn't care about your music, your midget steeples, and your flesh-impressive buildings. Your church carpet doesn't impress Him-He carpets the fields. God doesn't really care about anything you can "do" for Him; He only care about your answer to one question: "Do you want Me?"
How can we show God that we hunger for Him and that we want Him? We need to leave behind our worldly distractions and close-minded lifestyle. We generally go to church to experience God, but we have programmed our church services so tightly that we really don't leave room for the Holy Spirit. We get nervous if HE tries to break out of our schedules. We can't let God our of the box too much because He can ruin everything. Our prayers should be: ruin everything that isn't of You! We need to wait on the Lord. When was the last time you or your church have 'waited' on the Lord? "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength" (Is 40:31). Do you want to know why we have lived beneath our privileged and have not had the strength to overcome our own carnality? Maybe it's because we haven't' waited on Him to show up to empower us, and we're trying to do too much in the power of our own soulish realm.
How do we experience God? We have to be hungry, He looks for the hungry. If you haven't heard from God in awhile ask yourself why that is. Are you too distracted? Do you want to hear Him? Are you hungry enough to want Him? He only comes when you are ready to turn it all over to Him, but you have to be hungry. How do we do that? Well, Jesus said: "Father, what are You doing? That's what I'll do. How long has it been since you've been so hungry for God that it consumed you to the point where you couldn't care less what people thought of you? For me, it is now! It has changed me and my relationship with God immensely! Rise up and pursue His presence. Become a God chaser! I am not talking just about an excitement of who God is, but a hunger for His presence.
We experience God by repenting. Repentance prepares the way and makes the road of our hearts straight. Repentance builds up every low place and takes down every high place in our lives. Repentance prepares us for His presence, you cannot live in His presence without repentance.
Yup, you're right these are not worldly things. They are not popular nor are they really advertised. But who cares?! I don't. When you pursue God with all your heart, soul, and body, He will turn to meet you and your will come out of it ruined for the world. Good things have become the enemy of the best things. How do you achieve the time to pursue God, how do you obtain a certain hunger that I speak of, you ask? Quit watching what you used to watch; quit reading what yo used to read if you are reading it more than you read His Word. He must be your first and greatest hunger. We have allowed things of this realm to satisfy our lives and satiate our hunger, We have come to God week after week, year after year, just to have Him fill in the little empty spaces. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Mt. 5:6). God is tired of being second place, he is even tired of being second to the local church program and church life!
Sure, churches set out to do a lot of good, and they do achieve much. However, what is the overall motivator here? It should be: "We do it because of Him and because it is His heart.", But if we're not careful, we can get so caught up in doing things for Him that we forget about Him. You can get so caught up in being "religious" that you never become spiritual. I don't care how much you know about the Bible, or what you know about Him. I'm asking you, "Do you know Him?" Do you have intimacy with Him? We have stifled our hunger for His presence by doing things for Him. A husband and wife can do things for each other while never really loving each other or ever enjoying the high level of intimacy that God ordained and designed for a marriage.
So, are you hungry for God? I pray that you are and that it is so intense that you don't care about anything else.
Lord, we want your presence, we are starving!
Do you experience God? How do you do that? Are you hungry for Him?
Are you sick of church? Most of the people who drive by our churches, live within sight of our steeples, and inhabit our meeting halls may be sick of church as well, they're also hungry for God. They're hungry to hear from something that's beyond themselves, something they are not hearing in the Church of today. The bottom line is that people are sick of church because the Church has been somewhat less than what the Book advertised! People want to connect with a higher power! Their hunger drives them to everywhere but the Church. They search in pursuits of the flesh to try to feed the hunger that gnaws at their souls. I don't know about you, but are you content just knowing about God? I certainly am not. I want more than that. You can know all about presidents, royalties, and celebrities; you can know their eating habits, address, and marital status. But knowing about them doesn't imply intimacy. By no means does knowing about them mean you know them. We talk about them like we know them, but in reality we really do not. For too long the Church has been only conversant in the things of God. We talk techniques, but we don't talk with Him. There is a significant difference between knowing someone and knowing about them. Knowledge about any person does not imply an intimate friendship. It's simply not enough to know about God. We have churches filled with people who can win Bible trivia contests but who don't now Him. Some of us have been entangled by everything from prosperity to poverty, and we've become such an ingrown society of the self-righteous that our desires and our wants and those of the Holy Spirit are two different matters. If we're not careful, we can become so interested in developing the "cult of the comfortable" with our comfortable pastor, our comfortable church building, and our comfortable circle of friends, that we forget about the thousands of discontented, wounded, and dying people who pass by our comfortable church every day! This is such an easy trap to fall into because our world is so secular that sometimes we forget that we need to stand up for what we believe in and take action by doing what we know is right and that is to follow God and His instruction. After all, it is sinning to go against what God instructs us to do. We need to find our hunger and become a God chaser! The beauty of being a God chaser is you're chasing the impossible, knowing it's possible.
We need to open up and let the Holy Spirit back in. We need to stop being so controlling and let God do His work. For too long we humans have only allowed the Holy Spirit to take control up to a certain point. Basically, whenever it gets outside of our comfort zone or just a little beyond our control, we pull in the reins (the Bible calls it "quenching the Spirit" in 1 Thess. 5:19) We have lost our Godly vision goggles. We need to be hungry for Him! We can do this by stopping what we are doing and seek Him, humble ourselves, pray and turn from our sinful ways! 2 Chron 7:14: If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
We need to seek Him, not just knowledge about Him, but we need to seek an intimate relationship with Him. "The word of the Lord to us is to stop seeking His benefits and seek Him.." We need to desire His presence, not just the "gimme, gimme" mentality. What kind of relationship is ever effective and long lasting with a mentality like that? I don't know of any. He wants an intimate relationship with us like we desire with our spouses and loved ones. It really is that basic. We have no less opportunity to be close to God than Isaiah the prophet did. We serve the same God. He hasn't changed. We need to desire more, more of God. Not for more of men or our fancy lifestyles, but for the presence of God! God doesn't care about anything, except wanting to be wanted. Do you know the feeling? So... you can relate, huh? Even in church he doesn't care about your music, your midget steeples, and your flesh-impressive buildings. Your church carpet doesn't impress Him-He carpets the fields. God doesn't really care about anything you can "do" for Him; He only care about your answer to one question: "Do you want Me?"
How can we show God that we hunger for Him and that we want Him? We need to leave behind our worldly distractions and close-minded lifestyle. We generally go to church to experience God, but we have programmed our church services so tightly that we really don't leave room for the Holy Spirit. We get nervous if HE tries to break out of our schedules. We can't let God our of the box too much because He can ruin everything. Our prayers should be: ruin everything that isn't of You! We need to wait on the Lord. When was the last time you or your church have 'waited' on the Lord? "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength" (Is 40:31). Do you want to know why we have lived beneath our privileged and have not had the strength to overcome our own carnality? Maybe it's because we haven't' waited on Him to show up to empower us, and we're trying to do too much in the power of our own soulish realm.
How do we experience God? We have to be hungry, He looks for the hungry. If you haven't heard from God in awhile ask yourself why that is. Are you too distracted? Do you want to hear Him? Are you hungry enough to want Him? He only comes when you are ready to turn it all over to Him, but you have to be hungry. How do we do that? Well, Jesus said: "Father, what are You doing? That's what I'll do. How long has it been since you've been so hungry for God that it consumed you to the point where you couldn't care less what people thought of you? For me, it is now! It has changed me and my relationship with God immensely! Rise up and pursue His presence. Become a God chaser! I am not talking just about an excitement of who God is, but a hunger for His presence.
We experience God by repenting. Repentance prepares the way and makes the road of our hearts straight. Repentance builds up every low place and takes down every high place in our lives. Repentance prepares us for His presence, you cannot live in His presence without repentance.
Yup, you're right these are not worldly things. They are not popular nor are they really advertised. But who cares?! I don't. When you pursue God with all your heart, soul, and body, He will turn to meet you and your will come out of it ruined for the world. Good things have become the enemy of the best things. How do you achieve the time to pursue God, how do you obtain a certain hunger that I speak of, you ask? Quit watching what you used to watch; quit reading what yo used to read if you are reading it more than you read His Word. He must be your first and greatest hunger. We have allowed things of this realm to satisfy our lives and satiate our hunger, We have come to God week after week, year after year, just to have Him fill in the little empty spaces. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Mt. 5:6). God is tired of being second place, he is even tired of being second to the local church program and church life!
Sure, churches set out to do a lot of good, and they do achieve much. However, what is the overall motivator here? It should be: "We do it because of Him and because it is His heart.", But if we're not careful, we can get so caught up in doing things for Him that we forget about Him. You can get so caught up in being "religious" that you never become spiritual. I don't care how much you know about the Bible, or what you know about Him. I'm asking you, "Do you know Him?" Do you have intimacy with Him? We have stifled our hunger for His presence by doing things for Him. A husband and wife can do things for each other while never really loving each other or ever enjoying the high level of intimacy that God ordained and designed for a marriage.
So, are you hungry for God? I pray that you are and that it is so intense that you don't care about anything else.
Lord, we want your presence, we are starving!
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