Do you think about eternity?
What are your thoughts on heaven and hell?
Does the idea of heaven or hell have any affect or influence in how you live on a daily basis?
Let me just say a BIG amen to this post by Ben Arment. Check this out…“What you complain about is your calling to fix.“ Come back and let me know what you think.
What an opportunity for God to release creativity into your life for ministry.
What are you complaining about?
What are you going to do about it?
Self-pity is a pit and leads to bondage. The worst pits are the ones you dig yourself.
There is no room in leadership for self-pity. It will drag others into the pit with you.
Self-pity is sin. ”…and whatever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23 When we dwell on our situation looking for pity and wallowing in it, we prove our doubt in God’s sufficiency.
Self-pity is fleshly and carnal minded. Joy is the byproduct of the spiritual life. Galatians 5 tells us that one apect of The fruit of the Spirit is joy. It’s the fruit of abiding in Jesus and walking in the Spirit. What is not of the Spirit is flesh. “Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out, into the open, into a spacious, free life.” Romans 8:6 (MSG)
Self-pity leads to bondage. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” II Corinthians 10:4 (KJV) If this preoccupation with self in our state of pity is carnally minded and leads to death but faith in God leads us out into the open to freedom, then self pity puts us in bondage. It creates a stronghold bound by walls and chains doubt.
Self-pity seeks attention. It seeks to get it’s needs met by attention from others instead of faith in God to be our deliverer. It can also be seeking to get God’s attention through pity.
Self-pity leads to sinful behavior. Self-pity will digress into seeking attention through a victim mentality and blame. This can turn into gossip and slander and bearing false witness. We can excuse all kinds of behavior when we seek pity. Unfortunately, others will go there with us. They will crawl into the pit with us. Missery loves company. It can also develop into self-righteousness or a false righteousness. You think you are right, after all you are the victim. You tell others of the wrong that has been done to you because it elevates you and dismisses you behavior and focuses on others. It’s a shift of blame. You feel justified but never feel satisfied.
Self-pity is self-deception. It is blindness. You don’t realize the spiritual state you are in because of your flesh fest.
Self-pity stunts spiritual growth. It stops you dead in your tracks. It holds you in that and to that moment. It will bring you down and not let you move forward. Pity holds on to the past. and drops an anchor in your life causing you to be battered by the storms of life unable to navigate free of other dangers.
This will have to be Part 1. Check back for part 2 and “The way out of the PIT.”
I had an awesome encounter yesterday. I just stopped in to Port City Java to get a cup and check my e-mail. A guy came over and sat down at my table. He asked me if I would write an entry in his journal. I thought this was a little weird and for some reason it was a little uncomfortable. He said he had noticed a book on my table and he asked me what it was about. I said it was a book written by a Pastor about the journey of following Jesus. He asked if I was in ministry. I told him I was a Pastor. He asked a few other small talk questions then said that he would often ask other people to just write something in his journal and that I could take my time and write anything I wanted. I felt God move me even though I was tentative. So I agreed.
Now was the big thing. What do I write? After all this is not my journal and I don’t know anything about this guy. It was a real step of faith. I prayed to myself asking God to guide me in my thoughts. Then-I began to write.
What I wrote did not seem as significant as what took place after I finished writing. When I was done I went over to his table and handed the journal back. Then I sat down. I asked him what he was reading. He explained that it was a book on Zen meditation. Many thought were firing through my brain at lightning speed. What do I say to that? I said “That’s cool.” Sounds brilliant!? Was that the best I could come up with? Truthfully, it was the only thing that came to mind. He looked at me, backing his head up a little with a questioning smile, and said “I’m surprised you would say that being a Pastor.” I said “Well the Bible says a lot about meditation.” He asked where. I said the book of Psalms in particular. He said show me. So I got my Bible and read to him from Psalm 119 about meditation on God’s precepts and fixing our eyes on His ways.
This sent us into a conversation over many issues about Christianity and following Jesus. For an hour we talked. It was obvious that something had painfully shaped how he felt about church and Christians. His mom was christian in a very legalistic denomination and his dad was Buddhist. They divorced over religious issues and probably others, when the kids were grown.
I told him as our conversation was coming to a close that I really enjoyed the time with him and his openness. He told me that he hoped he did not offend me. I said to him that when it is our agenda to always convert people instead of knowing people we offend them or at least walk away disappointed because we didn’t reach our goal. When it is our chief desire to connect and know people and we value them as created by God even if they don’t know him, it opens doors through relationship that will never open through trying to argue or convince people.
God is so good. If we stay open to people and to His leading we will experience some incredible things and He will use us in the process.
What great encounters have you had lately?
What are we waiting for?
Jesus said, (John 4:35) “lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest.” As followers of Jesus and especially leaders in ministry we cannot lose sight of this fact. We can be confused about the difference between waiting for the harvest and preparing laborers for the harvest. The harvest is always there. Jesus said in this same passage that we say “four more months then the harvest.” He then reminds us to look, it’s ready. The implication is that our eyes or focus is on something else and we are missing the fact that it’s ready. We have to keep our eye on the harvest.
Jesus also say that we get to reap from what others have already prepared and labored for. I like that. We don’t have to wait to see fruit. We just have to get out into the field and reap.
This harvest is happening so fast and is so ready that He said the sower and reaper get to rejoice together. There is a place for all of us in the harvest.
We need to be harvest ready.
How are you laboring in the harvest?
My highlight from toady’s message - I got to show a clip from the movie Transformers.
I mentioned in an earlier post that me and Jesus were on a journey. One of the things I’ve been pondering is found in a quote from this movie.
“50 years from now, don’t you want to say you had the guts to get in the car.” - Sam
This is a defining moment for Sam and Makala, will they go home or will they become a part of living the adventure? Will they take the risk? Will they take the road less traveled? Or will they play it safe?
Maybe it was not so theatrical and with no building music in the background but this is exactly what was going on when Jesus spoke to Peter and Andrew on the shore of Galilee saying, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” This was a defining moment. They had no idea what was exactly ahead for them.
3 years down this road Peter was so in love with Jesus, he said he was willing to go where ever Jesus went even if it was to the cross. In John 21:15-22 Peter has now witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion and failed miserably by denying that he knew Him. He was probably evaluating Jesus call to “Follow him.” After the resurrection, Jesus comes to Peter and has a little breakfast with him on the shore. Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” Peter replies “Lord you know I do.” Jesus says “Feed my sheep.” This He does three times. Then Jesus describe the kind of death Peter would suffer and then again as He did in the beginning, He says, “Follow me.” Peter goes on to ask “what about John.” Jesus says “What is that to you if he lives or dies, you follow me.”
Jesus call to us to follow Him. If we choose, it will be a life filled with meaning, purpose, adventure, mystery, and danger, perril, sacrifice, and unlimited posibilities. We don’t know all that will happen. Each persons life and journey is unique as is their purpose. But will we “get in the car?”
I don’t want to settle for a life without meaning. I want to say I had the guts to risk it all, where ever Jesus takes me. I want to Follow Him! Will you?
Have you had a defining moment?
Did you have the guts to take the risk?
I did it! I went and cast my vote this morning. I hope you do as well.
As sense of excitement comes over me as I sit here thinking about it. Not so much about the candidates I picked but the process I get to be a part of. My one vote, as small a contribution as it may be, is a part of a greater whole. It’s not an insignificant part. As a matter of fact it’s a necessary part.
Casting my vote made me a part of something bigger than myself. I believe we all have a longing to be a part of something greater - a sense of belonging - a necessary part. We hope our part makes a difference. As it pertains to the outcome of our election and who becomes our next Commander in Chief, I hope my part makes a difference. After all it affects my life.
The best vote I cast was 22 years ago. There were only two candidates up for election - Jesus and me. I cast my vote with Jesus and things have never been the same since. He has radically changed my life. No one could be a better Commander in Chief. He turned my life from a kingdom of darkness to a kingdom of light. My future changed from death and destruction to life and peace.
That one vote brought a sense of belonging to something so much bigger than myself. I became a part of the Kingdom of God and a part of God’s family - a significant part, a necessary part.
Have you cast your vote yet? There are really only two choices. Choose wisely, it will affect everything.
“Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
Been fishing lately?
Caught anything?
Who are you teaching to fish?
Jonathan, my 10 year old informed me when I got home today that if he was good he would get to go with a friend to a local amusement park next week. His statement implies an understood expectation, standard, and reward.
This made me think of a verse in the Bibe.
“And a ruler asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.’” Luke 18:18-19
I hear people talk all the time about what or who they think are good. When you ask some people about following Christ they point to the fact that “they are a good person.” Whether they realize it or not, this statement implies a known standard that establishes their goodness - even if it is only known by them. The question is, “Good compared to what?”
“Of course we would not dare clasify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards!” II Corinthians 10:12 (GNB)
Jesus says something in Luke 18:18-19 that indicates what our standard of goodness is. When asked “Good Teacher, what must I do?”, He gives a response that tell us what the standard of our goodness is and who it is we must look to for that standard - GOD alone.
We most often think of ourselves as good people, but by what standard. What is the measuring stick? What standard do we use to determine the goodness of others? Do we measure ourselves on the same scale that we do other people?
The truth is, if we fall short of God’s goodness, then it’s not really goodness at all? Jesus said there is only one who is good.
We normally complain about anything that is substandard. Don’t settle for anything less. Raise the bar. Raise the standard.
“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
As is my custom, I tucked my two boys into bed an prayed with them. My sons have gotten into a habbit of thanking God for all of our family and then one by one every animal we have ever had dead and alive. No, this is not going to be a theological discussion on “prayers for the dead.”
I am always looking for teachable moments. Jonathan (10yrs) begings his prayer and gets to the pets - “…and thank you Jesus for Charlie, Wishbone, Tucker, Sinbad, Waves 1, and Waves 2.” At this point I stopped his prayer (maybe I’m going to hell for that one) and said “Jonathan we don’t need to pray for our dead pets.” If your curious, we don’t have a petting zoo, most of the list above is deceased and Waves 1 and Waves 2 are fish that belonged to their sister which died due to the boys helping assist in their suicide via the toilet.
It was Nathan’s (8yrs) turn to pray. Keep in mind the picture above of the baby shark in formaldehyde. Nathan begins to pray in the same manner as his brother - “Jesus, thank you for Mom, Dad, Jordan, our two dead cats and…. the poor dead baby shark (as he stretches his hand forth toward the shark - maybe too much TBN - kidding) Lord please make him alive.”
Oh ye of little faith - that shark began to swim around. OK, maybe not. But, do we believed like children and do we have the audasity to step out on faith and ask for the ridiculous.
Jesus told his disciples “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24
How BIG is your GOD?
What makes for longevity in ministry? I read a figure yesterday, that 1500 ministers a month drop out of ministry. Why?
If you are a minister thinking about quiting, please listen. If you are in ministry, listen. If you are in a church and are being ministered to, please listen. I want to share the secret with you.
Ministry cannot be founded on a love for people no more than a marriage can last on a couples love for each other alone. Ministry cannot last on talent, giftedness, or drivenness - unless you are Superman, and we know the answer to that.
I won’t drag you on with a long devotional today. Here it is:
“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
The Apostle Paul tell us that the key is the love of God. It was the love of God that controlled what He did. The word controlled is also translated constrains. I know the force of that word. It is a word that pushes from the inside out. It’s not contolled by the love for people, though you need to love people. But, people will fail you. If you are in ministry, you know how you can be ministering and serving people who at the same time expect you to while abusing you, hurting you, not listening to you and turning on you. Sounds like being a shepherd to sheep. Shepherds tend and care while the sheep bite them, bite each other, go the other way and all the while expecting to be fed and cared for.
I know what it’s like to not want to and then the love of God pushes from deep within me, constraining me to press on for His sake and the sake of those He loves, died and rose for.
If you are in ministry you must put your focus on Christ and His love. Let His love drive you and direct you. Let His love energize you, sustain you, and hold your focus. If you don’t, you can find yourself one amongst the 1500 or so casualties of ministry.
“For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
If you are one being ministered to and served, have grace and mercy on us.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.” Hebrews 13:17-18
In processing my thought from Sunday’s message, I began to think about God’s glory. What is God’s glory? I heard one of the best descriptions of Glory this past week by Jeff kapusta in his message “Why Questions?”
Psalm 19:1 (NIV) says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
Glory is adoration, affection and bigness. It is the awesomeness of God. I want to see the glory of God in my life just like you can see His glory in creation. I want someone to look at my life and say, “I don’t understand it, but that is awesome; that is so incredible it must be God.” Isn’t that what the Apostle Paul was talking about in 2 Corinthians 4:7.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
We are to reflect God’s glory through our lives. When people examine your life they should see Jesus!
Glory comes from magnifying God. We magnify God when we look at Him as Moses did when he drew near to God on Mt Sinai to talk to Him. Drawing close to God caused Moses to reflect the radiance of God’s glory. Others saw it on him.
When we look to God instead of placing our focus on all our problems, God is magnified instead of our circumstance. The closer we are to Him the small our problems seem. Many people focus so much on their circumstances, it steals their faith and they can’t see that God is bigger than their issues. Their problems seem insurmountable. When we truly see God as He really is, then we will see our problems for what they really are - small in comparison to a Big God.
When we look to God, He is magnified. When He is magnified, we behold His glory. When we behold His glory, others see God in us.
Most of you who know me, know that I have been plagued with plumbing problems. Our house was flooded twice from plumbing issues. As a result, the down stair ceiling fell in and flooded our den, garage and laundry room. (Read Count it all Joy….)
We finally got everything repaired and….. last night I discovered that one of my boys flushed something, lets just say, that should not and cannot go down the pipes. I have spent most of today trying to snake our drain lines. What happened to me is to nasty to describe. Let’s just say my day was CRAP! If this word offends you then you have no idea what I’ve experienced today.
Last Sunday I talked about the kind of life that Jesus offers to us. It’s a life that rises above the issues of this world. It’s not a life without issues. It’s a life not ruled, controlled or defined by our issues.
The Apostle Paul described his life in Christ and the issues he faced.
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 (KJV)
How do we do this? How do we rise above the CRAP in our lives?
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (KJV)
Paul says our afflictions are light and momentary. You may say at this point “Paul, has no idea what I’m going through.” You may feel like it has been a lifetime of difficulty.
However, this is Paul’s point. It’s about perspective. Meaning, your perspective through the eyes of the flesh or God’s through eye of faith. Every difficulty is heavy to us, but to God it’s light. Our afflictions can seem to never end, but to God they are temporary in view of eternal life with Him. It’s all about where you are looking.
Verse 18 gives us the key to living the life of Christ that rises above the CRAP. It says look at the things which are not seen, the eternal things. When our eyes are in the right place the rest of us will follow: our mind, our mouth (words), and our actions. When we focus on the CRAP, it is magnified. When we look at Jesus and the things of the Kingdom of God, He is magnified and faith increases. When we focus on our difficulties we cause them to seem insurmountable and all encompassing. When we do this we rob God of glory through us. (look at v.15)
So are you going to wallow in your CRAP or rise above it where you experience the kingdom of God and the life of Jesus?
It is killing me that I have to wait til next season for another episode of Eli Stone. I sat and watched the season finale last night and then Amy and I sat up and watched three more episodes online that we has missed.
If you have no idea who Eli Stone is then you need to go online to ABC.com and watch. Short - Eli is a lawyer who begins to have visions, like George Micheal singing to him. These visions seem to be leading him to the cases that need him. The cases he takes seem to be for the greater good, which is against his money grubbing firms ideals.
This show is about faith, fighting for something good, and making a difference in the lives of people - even when it will seem to cost you everything. It’s about taking some things on faith.
I you have been watching and saw the last show, you know why I’m chomping at the bit for the next one.
As George would say, “You gotta have faith, faith, faith…..”
So if by definition Christian means “Christ follower” and the Bible tells us to put on Christ and to have the likeness of Christ…..How does your life line up with this definition? If you were Jesus what would you be doing right now? How would you be living right now? What should change about your life in order to be what you really claim to be? Do we really believe if we do not live like what we say? James said “You say you have faith, I’ll show you my faith by what I do.” (James 2:18 my paraphrase)
You may not like this statement. I believe being saved and being a Christian are two different things. Being saved depends on me believing in the finished work of Christ in His death and resurrection. However, being a Christian has to do with me cooperating with the Holy Spirit’s work in and through me. Notice my job or work. I must work to cooperate with Him. My job is to obey His leading in following Him and daily conforming to Him and acting like Him.
I have witnessed lately in my own life, people who are saved but not Christian. They believe in the saving work of Christ but look and act like they don’t know Him.
Are you a Christian?
Lead Pastor of The Dwelling Place Community Church in Wilmington, NC
Subscribe to this Blog Feed
Recent Comments