The kids and I went to the Indiana vs. Arkansas basketball game this afternoon. We were given tickets to sit court-side. I’ve been to several IU games but - by far - this is the closest I’ve been to “the action”.
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This experience left me with few observations;
(1) I could hear what the players, coaches, and officials were saying and they could hear what I was saying. (I will admit that I yelled several encouraging words at the Hoosiers and some not-so encouraging words to the opposing team and the officials.)
(2) You must be aware that more people will see you - in the arena and on television. (We showed up in the “big screen” twice and two people sent me “screen shots” of our family on ESPN.)
(3) Fans are much more passionate and engaged court-side than they are “in the rafters”. (Every play was an occasion to jump up and cheer or stand up and yell.)
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Then I think about The Church; Could it be that many people are not close enough to “the action”? Could it be that many people are satisfied watching from a distance in the rafters (or even watching on tv or Facebook)?
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Perhaps this is why some Christians cannot hear the voice of God, why they struggle to understand His Word, or feel as though God cannot hear them. Perhaps this is why some believers fail to live a life of love, joy, and peace before others, as Jesus has called His followers to. Perhaps this is why so many followers of Jesus lack a passion and excitement to worship and serve The Lord.
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Could it be that you are not sitting “court-side” with Jesus right now? Could it be that you are missing out on “the action”? Could it be that you have never experienced His presence in this way?
The Psalmist begins; “I waiting patiently for the Lord...”. This is a good reminder for us all - to wait and to wait patiently for the Lord. And yet, he concludes his Psalm; “...God, do not delay” (Psalm 40).
What are you waiting on right now?
Are you waiting in hopeful anticipation?
Are you waiting patiently for The Lord?
“Blessed are this who trusts - who hope - who wait - in The Lord” (Psalm 40:4).
I stand by the door. I neither go to far in, nor stay to far out. The door is the most important door in the world - It is the door through which men walk when they find God. There is no use my going way inside and staying there, When so many are still outside and they, as much as I, Crave to know where the door is. And all that so many ever find Is only the wall where the door ought to be. They creep along the wall like blind men, With outstretched, groping hands, Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door, Yet they never find it. So I stand by the door.
The most tremendous thing in the world Is for men to find that door - the door to God. The most important thing that any man can do Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands And put it on the latch - the latch that only clicks And opens to the man's own touch.
Men die outside the door, as starving beggars die On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter. Die for want of what is within their grasp. They live on the other side of it - live because they have not found it.
Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it, And open it, and walk in, and find Him. So I stand by the door.
Go in great saints; go all the way in - Go way down into the cavernous cellars, And way up into the spacious attics. It is a vast, roomy house, this house where God is. Go into the deepest of hidden casements, Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood. Some must inhabit those inner rooms And know the depths and heights of God, And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is. Sometimes I take a deeper look in. Sometimes venture in a little farther, But my place seems closer to the opening. So I stand by the door.
There is another reason why I stand there. Some people get part way in and become afraid Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them; For God is so very great and asks all of us. And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia And want to get out. 'Let me out!' they cry. And the people way inside only terrify them more. Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled. For the old life, they have seen too much: One taste of God and nothing but God will do any more. Somebody must be watching for the frightened Who seek to sneak out just where they came in, To tell them how much better it is inside. The people too far in do not see how near these are To leaving - preoccupied with the wonder of it all. Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door But would like to run away. So for them too, I stand by the door.
I admire the people who go way in. But I wish they would not forget how it was Before they got in. Then they would be able to help The people who have not yet even found the door. Or the people who want to run away again from God. You can go in too deeply and stay in too long And forget the people outside the door. As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place, Near enough to God to hear Him and know He is there, But not so far from men as not to hear them, And remember they are there too.
Where? Outside the door - Thousands of them. Millions of them. But - more important for me - One of them, two of them, ten of them. Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch. So I shall stand by the door and wait For those who seek it.
'I had rather be a door-keeper So I stand by the door.
There are three different scenarios when it comes to believers and sin.
First, there are professing believers who overlook sin because of hardened hearts.
Second, there are professing Christians who believe the lie that we are all by nature sinners, that the blood of Jesus is powerful enough only to free us from the penalty of sin, but not from bondage to it.
These two groups, being given to sin, are like kryptonite in the body of Christ, bringing weakness to the entire body because of their willful disobedience to Christ.
However, there is a third group—believers who are in a struggle to get free from sin [and recognize that freedom from sin is possible and promised through Christ].
The truth is, the first-century Christians were the superhumans of their day, and the world stood in awe of them. Here are just a few of their exploits found in Scripture:
No one in their communities lacked anything—no one had physical needs of any kind, and there was no one on government assistance (Acts 4:33–35). Entire cities came to Jesus in a moment, and the gospel swept through entire regions in a matter of years (Acts 9:32–35, 19:10).
God’s power operated through them so much they had to convince people they weren’t gods (Acts 10:25–26, 14:8–18)—think about that for a few seconds. They had worship times so powerful they shook the ground (Acts 4:31). And as a result of those things, they had a reputation of being people who had turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).
What should really challenge us is that God makes it clear in His Word that the Christians of the last days will do even more than these early believers.
This evening - minutes into a project in the garage - I smacked my thumb with a hammer. I immediately felt the pain shoot through my left hand and into my wrist. Although there was little pain in my thumb, I could feeling the throb.
Dropping the hammer on the floor, I walked to the far corner of the garage to assess the damage. Momentarily I waved my hand in the air and grit my teeth together in pain, Then, I calmly exclaimed (to myself), "That really hurt!".
Walking over to my workbench I decided to grab a pry bar. Except, in the moment, I couldn't remember what a pry bar was called. What's more, I couldn't remember where my pry bars were located. I probably stood in front of my workbench for two minutes trying to gather my thoughts. As I rummaged through a cabinet - and then a shelf - I continued to struggle with my thoughts. Looking directly at my pry bar I asked myself (audibly), "What am I looking for?".
Seconds later - finally with a pry bar in hand - my mind cleared and I came to a realization. I was unable to think clearly because of the momentary pain that I was dealing with.
The reality is that when we face pain - momentary or long-lasting - we struggle to think and act in a rational way. Think about it, if you have ever faced overwhelming pain - physically, emotionally, or otherwise - your pain takes precedence. Soon the thought of your pain is unshakable and it begins to overshadow all other rational thoughts. You may even find that your normal actions are overcome by the reality of your painful experience.
And when we consider the reality of our world today it is undeniable that countless people are hurting. So many individuals are dealing with the painful scars and experiences of their past, struggling with the painful reality that surrounds them, fearful of the painful and uncertain future that awaits them.
Could it be that the pain that is overwhelming our world today is causing many to think and act in confusion? Could it be that the anger and aggression that we see so prevalent in our world today is brought about by the pain that so many are dealing with every day?
This pain is leading to more hurt.
And this hurt is leading to more pain.
And this pain is leading to more hurt.
Which will only lead to more pain.
And this will continue to build more and more.
Until someone steps up and stops the cycle.
At some point someone must step forward and absorb the hurt of the world.
I believe that this is the particular call of The Church around the world today. You see, as followers of Jesus, we are the only ones equipped to step up to absorb the hurt. Because, as followers of Jesus, we are the only ones that do not have to keep the hurt of society - the pain of the world in our lives.
As followers of Jesus are given the supernatural ability to absorb the hurt and then to turn it over to Jesus.
Will it be painful? Yes. Will it cause us pain? Yes. However, the hurt - and the pain - that we face is temporary and - as we walk with Jesus - it will only draw us closer to Him as we turn it all over to Him and as He takes it all away.
This scene from "The Green Mile" is a visual illustration of the way we - as The Church - can take the pain of a hurting world and turn it over to Jesus in a spiritual way.
So, are you prepared to absorb the pain?
Who do you know that is hurting right now?
Who are you praying for God to lead you to?
Someone must step forward and absorb the hurt of the world.
The Holy Spirit is not a spark that is ignited on a Sunday morning and quickly dies out.
The Holy Spirit must be a flame that burns deep within our souls always. For in this way our hearts are passionate, our minds are focused, and our spirit is alive.
The Holy Spirit may be extinguished by the world that we live in, but only if we allow it.
The Holy Spirit is a spark that is ignited at the moment that we come face to face with Jesus - when we align ourselves with His will for our lives - when we dedicate our ways to Him - when we commit our lives to Him.
The Holy Spirit, then, must be fanned for His fire to stay alive and active within our soul.
Yes, the Holy Spirit must be fanned on a Sunday morning through our worship of God and through the hearing of His Word.
And, the Holy Spirit must be fanned through our daily acts of worship; prayer, Scripture reading, accountability, sharing with Christian friends.
The Holy Spirit is not a spark that is ignited on a Sunday morning and quickly dies out. For He is larger than the local church. If it is the responsibility of the local church and its leaders to bring you the Holy Spirit each week your walk with Jesus will never progress.
The Holy Spirit must be a flame that burns deep within our souls always.
Fan the flame - today and always.
Fan the flame - let the spark be ignited.
Fan the flame - feed the fire and passion for God in your life.
As we prepare to start 2017, let me offer Isaiah 40:28-31;
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
If we go forth in our own strength, we will fail, and utterly fall; but having our hearts and our hope is in heaven, we will be carried above all difficulties, and able to lay hold of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.
As we prepare to start 2017, let us commit to placing our hope in God and being strengthened in Him and by Him.
I was talking to a couple of ladies this morning about the relationship between Christmas and Easter. In the midst of this conversation two words came up - two of my favorite words - "redeemed" and "reconciled".
We understand that Jesus came from heaven - that He was sent - to redeem all of humankind from the penelty of sin - that is death. We also understand that Jesus gave up His life on a Roman cross so that our sin debt would be paid. Furthermore, we understand that Jesus arose from the dead - that He arose from the tomb - so that we could be eternally reconciled with God our Father.
This afternoon I was reminded of one of my favorite passages of Scripture - a passage I think of often around Easter but rarely around Christmas. And yet, without the gift of Jesus at Christmas we cannot celebrate the gift of Christ at Easter.
Romans 5:6-11; You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because Godʼs love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
(Romans 5:1-5 NIV)
We have been justified - pardoned - acquitted - of our sinful acts - this means that we are declared blameless in God's sight.
This justification comes through faith - our confidence of and assurance - in Jesus Christ.
Because of this we have peace - unity and harmony - with God our Father. And why wouldn't we have peace with The Almighty God, knowing that He views us without blame? Furthermore we have peace with Jesus knowing that He has reconciled us with God.
Now we stand unified with Jesus as our Savior - as the one that saves us from the penalty of sin - and Lord - as the one that leads our lives.
Through Jesus - our Savior and Lord - we have access to God's marvelous, matchless grace. This grace in which we stand safely and securely in.
So, given all of this, let us boast. We do not boast in our own selves or our own abilities. No, let us rejoice - with great joy - I say it again, rejoice - in Jesus Christ - in the hope of the glory of God.
We have this hope only through Christ - and in what He has done for us. We have the hope - the great expectation - that we will one day soon stand before God and He will impart His glory on us.
Yet, we not only rejoice in hope, we also rejoice in our current suffering. We are able to rejoice because we trust that our suffering - our trials, our hardships, our distress, our pressure, our trouble - produces perseverance. We learn not to give up or give in - even in the midst of suffering. This perseverance, then, produces spiritual maturity - because it drives us to a total dependence on God and a complete reliance on Him.
In all of this, we will not - now or ever - be disappointed. How could we be disappointed? We are basking in God's eternal and unsurpassable love. And, God's Spirit is living in us bearing constant witness to His great love to us.
Since we have been justified by faith, what else do we need?
This afternoon I was driving back from Indianapolis and I was hungry. Because I was by myself the question came to me, "Where is somewhere that I can go for lunch that my wife and children typically will not allow me to go?" Immediately I exclaimed, "White Castle!"
I should explain that my wife hates White Castle, she hates the taste, she hates the smell, she hates the long-reaching effects (they are called "belly bombs" and "sliders" for a reason).
So there I was, at the White Castle drive-thru, ordering a sack of burgers. And, as I placed my order, I knew that I would soon have to apologize to my wife for my actions. But, regardless, I went ahead and ordered a sack.
Driving down the road it didn't take long before the burgers were gone. In their place was a stomach aching from an act of gluttony, a car reaking from grease, onions, and pickles, eyes filled with regret, a mind flooded with sorrow, and a heart desiring to repent.
And even though I knew in advance that my wife would not approve of my actions, and that I would need to make amends and apologize to her for the damage I was doing to my body and to her vehicle, I went ahead, ordered and consumed multiple burgers.
This afternoon I am paying for my actions!
I cannot help but reflect on how closely this resembles our spiritual life.
So often we are tempted by a selfish desire and - even though we know that it will do damage to our body, our mind, our heart, our soul, and those who are closest to us - we move forward.
We navigate the road, pull into the drive-thru, place our order, and consume as much as we can. All the while we know that we will soon have to appologize and repent of our ways.
We focus on the temptation that is before us until the temptation becomes sin in our life.
What we are left with is a body that has sinned, a mind flooded with sorrow, a heart that desires to repent, and a soul that is broken.
You see, The most troubling aspect about our sin is that we are scarred for the future.
Even as I sit this afternoon, still feeling the effects of the burgers, still knowing the pain that I have caused my wife (in her vehicle anyhow) I have to admit that I could eat another "slider" right now.
It is the same way with our sin. What once was a surface level desire - a temptation that otherwise would pass by - has the ability to imbed itself deep into our life. Over time our temptation becomes sin, our sin becomes addiction, and our addiction becomes our identity.
So, the next time you are tempted by a selfish desire, call out to God. Let him remind you of the far-reaching pain that your sin will cause - to yourself, to those closest to you, and to Him.
Several nights ago I sat in my living room and God began to move in my heart. He moved me to a new level of passion for His Church and for His Kingdom. He stirred within me the desire to see His Church conquer new ground and to move throughout communities like never before. He stirred within me the hunger to see His Kingdom come on earth.
Several nights ago I sat in my living room and God began to speak to my mind. He spoke a clear vision to instruct and commission His Church in new ways. He spoke a simple method for directing His Church in ways that enable His Spirit to move and His will to be done.
Several nights ago I sat in my living room and God gave me a word; "RESET".
After God gave me this word - although I did not fully comprehend what He was directing me to - I began to write and dream
Today, several days later - still struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what God has called me to share - I want to share the first stage of "RESET".
I am confident that God is not moving in and speaking to me alone. I believe that the hearts and minds of many others are being moved in the same direction. I believe that this movement of God's Spirit is going to transcend denominational, political, racial, and cultural lines. God is about to move through His Church in a powerful way and I believe that He is calling for you and I to join together to accomplish His call.
This is not a local church ministry.
This is not a program or an initiative.
This is not a community activity.
This is not a outreach event.
This is a movement of God.
For those who have a shared passion for Christ's Church and for God's Kingdom, I want to invite you to join me.
The call to you is simple and clear, a heart for the call. More specifically - the words shared with me - a "missional heart".
I was reminded of this quote of John Wesley's the other day, "Give me one hundred..."
As I contemplated this statement I allowed my imagination to run. As a local church Pastor I spend hours considering how I might inspire large groups of people to take up the call and fulfill the mission that Jesus has called The Church to; "Go and make disciples of all nations..."
Yet, this statement is not about inspiring the masses. This statement has to do with pouring into leaders and inspiring those that have a heart and a passion for God and for His kingdom. This statement speaks of those who have not only recognized God's call, but have taken it up - accepting and affirming His call in their lives. This statements speaks of those that have a heart - and love - for God and a desire to share His love with all those they encounter.
As I continued to contemplate this statement I found myself shifting my focus. I shifted my focus from simply inspiring The Church as a whole. I shifted my focus toward identifying the leaders that God was calling me to pour into and inspiring them.
Then, as I continued to contemplate this statement, I was wrecked by a convicting question; "Am I one of the one hundred?".
Am I one of the one hundred that truly fear nothing but sin? One of the one hundred that have a boldness to call sin sin rather than striving to appease others with soft language and softer discipline?
Am I one of the one hundred that truly desire nothing but God? One of the one hundred that show evidence of my commitment to God through the use of my time, my attention, my money, my talents, and my resources?
Am I one of the one hundred that will truly shake the gates of hell? One of the one hundred that will go up against the perversion, the sin, and the evil that dominates our culture, ruins lives, and seems to be overcoming our world?
Am I one of the one hundred that will truly set up the kingdom of heaven on earth? One of the one hundred that will live a life of joy, hope, and love that will transform lives and change the world?
Am I one of the one hundred?
As I continue to contemplate this statement, let me invite you to do the same. Let me invite you to go through this statement, line by line, and ask yourself "Am I one of the one hundred?".
Give me one hundred who fear nothing but sin...
Give me one hundred who desire nothing but God...
Give me one hundred who will shake the gates of hell...
Give me one hundred who will set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth...
I went to an elementary school basketball game the other night. As the game began I realized, very quickly, that the students on our team had been taught a couple of specific plays. When the coach would yell out the play names the team members would take their positions on the court and would run that exact play.
Throughout the game the coach continued to yell out one of the two plays, and each time the team members would run that specific play.
You see, our team had been trained very well on these plays. The issue was that our team would run the play - by the book - without deviating from it - even if the opposing team's defense had adapted - even if the opposing team had stolen the ball on the other end of the court.
As the game progressed I realized that our team had not learned the fundamentals of basketball; passing, dribbling, guarding, and shooting. What they had learned was plays - how to set them up and how to execute them. Yet, because they lacked the basics, these plays were worthless.
As the game concluded it occurred to me that many churches are operating under the same premise.
We have learned several "plays" - several programs - as The Church and we run these programs week after week while seeing very little outcome. We lack the conversions, life transformation, and spiritual growth and we wonder why. Then, in response, we learn new "plays" - new programs - for The Church and we begin to implement them.
We run these programs in our churches week after week and all the while our opposition - the evil one - has adapted to the "plays" and stolen "the ball" at the other end.
Maybe it's time we returned to the fundamentals; Scripture, true prayer, Christian fellowship, and spiritual discipleship. Only through these "basic fundamentals" will we begin to turn the tide in our culture and see growth in The Church.
Let us not learn more "plays" and more programs. Let us learn Jesus.
Last night we hosted a "Singspiration" at the church. It was a wonderful - spirit-filled time of worship and praise through various modern songs.
A few days before the event I created a graphic and shared it on Facebook hoping to promote the event. I was compelled to take it down when a friend pointed out that I was promoting a "SINspiration".
Today I was reflecting on a truth I heard a few days ago; "Satan is not creative, he does not create anything. Instead he perverts God's created beauty".
If allowed, Satan will pervert everything beautiful that God has created - including the very worship of God.
Let us focus our heads, our hearts, and our hands to God and let us refuse to allow God's beauty to be perverted.
Have you ever been wrecked by the very words that come out of your mouth?
Today - as I was preparing for the message tomorrow morning - I spoke words that cut me to the heart and wrecked me at the moment I spoke them. In the midst of preaching (to myself I proclaimed, "How can we claim that Jesus is the answer for our world when we don't depend on him as the answer for our churches - our homes - our relationships?"
As I proceeded to fall to the ground and to pray through this very phrase, I was more and more convicted by the Holy Spirit.
As believers we make the claim that Hesus is the answer for our world - that He and He alone is the source of hope, healing, and joy that the world needs so desperately. And yet, we often find ourselves in the midst of difficult situations - worried, fearful, or searching for answers within our own control - and we leave Jesus out.
Relationships are broken, souls are lost, illness plagues us daily, and we struggle with our emotions and yet we fail to go to Jesus and trust in His power and provisions.
Let us renew our faith in and faithfulness to Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
Let us depend on Jesu as the answer and as our answer.
