I just wanted to take a few moments and express some appreciation. I'm appreciative of the fact that God allowed me a front row seat as 4 people had their hearts and lives changed forever. I'm appreciative of the fact that I go to a church that allows more forms of worship than the traditional 3 hymns before the sermon. All forms of worship are encouraged....THANKFULLY!!
I write worship poetry. At no time in my life (I grew up in church) have I ever attended a church that had that as part of it's corporate worship time....and why? David was a man after God's own heart, whose specialty was song and poetry (ever read the book of Psalms?). So why do we not see more forms of worship in our churches today since we as the church are supposed to reflect the heart of God to a watching world? How did the people worship in Daivid's time? Song, dance, and poetry are just a few of those ways. Do we see those types of worship in most churches today? NO!
Poetry - no
Dance - absolutely not
Songs - yes.....with restrictions
Now here's a good question; what kind of music is acceptable to God? Is it your traditional hymns? Is it your modern praise and worship music? Now about the spontaneous song of praise that flows from the heart of someone who has a real intimate knowledge of and love for God. Well, while the first two choices are both excellent choices, it's the third one that really reaches the heart of God. You style of music doesn't matter, it's the heart that sings the song that matters! There's where the real worship comes from. So in my case, there's no music attached as I offer up this form of worship to my Wonderful, Loving Heavenly Father!
More Than Conquerors
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies
We’re in His command
On all of God’s promises
In Victory we’ll stand
If anyone is in Christ
They’re a new creation
Old things have passed away
Standing firm on a new foundation
We’re marching through this life
With our King victorious
Till we leave behind this old house
For one so glorious
Traded in the house on sand
For one built upon the Rock
And until I see my Jesus
I am never going to stop
Not wanting to condemn the world
But to save it through His Son
That by His grace and not my works
My new life has begun
I’ll fight the fight
I’ll run the race
I’ll live in Victory
Until I see Your face
We are more than conquerors
With the Savior King
We are more than conquerors
His praises we’ll sing
We are more than conquerors
With Jesus above
We are more than conquerors
Because of His love
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
UKRAINE
As the day approaches that we leave for Ukraine, I can't help but to get in mission mode. Today I am sharing a poem that is born out of the heart of missions. Until you go, you may never understand this. If you've gone before, this will probably put the picture of a child you've seen on the mission field in your head. I know for me, there are numerous faces that come to mind when I read this:
Window to the World
A loving hug, a tender touch
They ask so little, they give so much
Ever looking, seeking God’s love
The kind that comes from the Father above
You see their hurt, you see their pain
You see their joy when you know their name
You see the darkness, their misery
You see without Him, their lives are empty
Go and tell all the nations
Tell them they were bought, He paid the price
Making disciples, teaching His word
Sharing the Good News of His sacrifice
They live without love, without a home
They live in this world, but they’re all alone
They feel forsaken, no hope for them
They can know His love if they’re told about Him
For God so loved the world He sent His Son for you and me
Not that anyone would perish but worship Him for eternity
Jesus loves them all, every boy and every girl
You can see their need for Him in their eyes, their windows to the world
The eyes are the window to the soul, so our society deems
They’re the soul’s window to the world is how it really seems
The world stands there looking in, to decide what you’re about
But it’s the broken heart, the searching soul, that’s really looking out
They’re all His little children, each and every one
To love Him is to love them, just as He has done
Jesus died for us, finally providing us our worth
He did this while we were yet sinners, even before our birth
You’re forever blessed with a broken heart, at home and while away
Though your body may be forced to leave, your heart will always stay
Pieces of your heart, forever scattered, like chaff thrown in the wind
So happy to get home, but never complete, till you return again
Once you go you will never be the same. Thank God for that! If you start to feel like they will just take from you, you could never be more wrong. They will give to you more than you will ever give to them!
Window to the World
A loving hug, a tender touch
They ask so little, they give so much
Ever looking, seeking God’s love
The kind that comes from the Father above
You see their hurt, you see their pain
You see their joy when you know their name
You see the darkness, their misery
You see without Him, their lives are empty
Go and tell all the nations
Tell them they were bought, He paid the price
Making disciples, teaching His word
Sharing the Good News of His sacrifice
They live without love, without a home
They live in this world, but they’re all alone
They feel forsaken, no hope for them
They can know His love if they’re told about Him
For God so loved the world He sent His Son for you and me
Not that anyone would perish but worship Him for eternity
Jesus loves them all, every boy and every girl
You can see their need for Him in their eyes, their windows to the world
The eyes are the window to the soul, so our society deems
They’re the soul’s window to the world is how it really seems
The world stands there looking in, to decide what you’re about
But it’s the broken heart, the searching soul, that’s really looking out
They’re all His little children, each and every one
To love Him is to love them, just as He has done
Jesus died for us, finally providing us our worth
He did this while we were yet sinners, even before our birth
You’re forever blessed with a broken heart, at home and while away
Though your body may be forced to leave, your heart will always stay
Pieces of your heart, forever scattered, like chaff thrown in the wind
So happy to get home, but never complete, till you return again
Once you go you will never be the same. Thank God for that! If you start to feel like they will just take from you, you could never be more wrong. They will give to you more than you will ever give to them!
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Great Physician
Today I have a praise report!
My brother's mother-in-law was hospitalized last week with a sinus infection, pneumonia, and a stroke. Today she WALKS out of the hospital! Yes I said she is walking out of the hospital today.
Now who has ever heard of someone in their sixties, entering the hospital already taxing their body fighting pneumonia and a sinus infection, to see them WALK out of the hospital a week after having a stroke? I never have seen somebody beat those odds in grand fashion like that! Never!
How did this happen? A miracle of modern medicine maybe? NO! The healing hand of Jehovah-Rapha or Rophe (Hebrew name for the God who heals us)! All thanks, all praise, and all glory goes to our Creator who heard the cries of many on this woman's behalf.
She will tell you herself that she is getting a second lease on life and will not waste it. This stroke could have very easily killed her. God saw fit to spare her. Why? We don't know yet, but His purpose for her will be revealed in His time. This is a woman that walked with God at one point in her life,only to walk away from Him.
When we walk away from God, He will do WHATEVER it takes to get us back! He is more concerned with our end result, with the building of our character, and most of all with our relationship with Him. God will do anything it takes to have that relationship with you (remember: He sacrificed His own Son so we could be in fellowship with Him)!
What does the statement (WHATEVER) look like in action? In her case, her left side may not regain full motor function, but her life was spared so she could regain the fellowship with God she once had. He is not limited to just affecting our health. He may affect the health of those around us (kids, parents, spouse, etc), he may cause us to lose our job, it could be a car accident, an accidental pregnancy, a natural disaster, an act of violence, or ANYTHING else it takes to get our attention! If you walk away from Him because of some form of hidden sin (only from man, not from God), He will put the spotlight on that sin for you.
Now you may be thinking; would God really cause me to lose my job resulting in the loss of my home and many other possessions? Yes! Would God allow my daughter to have an accident on her jet ski and be hospitalized, never making a full recovery? Yes! Would God allow my mistress to become pregnant which would just rip my family apart? Yes! In all of these situations and many more like them, God is allowing something that looks bad to us as humans to happen. But in any one of these situations, the affected persons may need just that to get their attention, to bring them back into the right fellowship with God, or to get help with a problem or an addiction that they may have never otherwise allowed to be fixed. It may be a parent that is no longer setting that Godly example for their children and/ or spouse. It may be a person in ministry, that if they're not doing right by God, they may be destroying the very people they are charged with helping. It may be somebody that is carrying the "christian" banner and the devil's baby at the same time. He will remove whatever idol or "god" you put before Him. Check the ten commandments, He warned us already!
I have a devo that is dedicated to this subject. I will leave you with that, today. But remember, if you're not living the way God says you should, and you know it, repent today! If He has not brought judgement against you yet, thank Him heavily as you get your life back on track, but know this; if you continue walking away from the Lord, He WILL do whatever it takes to get you back.
None Before Me
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. This is a rather familiar phrase, easily recognizable from the Ten Commandments. Most of our children have heard it and can give you a brief synopsis of its meaning. Yet how deep does that answer go?
In Ukraine (Summer 2008) I heard two ladies giving a testimony about their lives. These are two very godly women that had a story to share. Each one had a story very different from the other; yet the message that the Holy Spirit was giving me from the two was the same. One tells how her husband had a very successful job making more than enough money and how they lived very well. She knew God, just not very well. She had been babied in her early years by her dad and then her husband took over that position. She had full faith in her husband, his job and his relationship with Christ, but little regard for her own relationship. God decided to increase His efforts to draw her near; so in one evening, she lost her husband and his job. All the things that she had faith in disappeared instantly. She now had a husband that was incapacitated; his person, his job, and his faith were removed from her all in the span of a couple of hours. The result though, was that she did (eventually) gain that personal relationship with Christ that she needed to have all along the way. The whole time I was hearing her share this, the Holy Spirit kept saying there shall be no other gods before me. Fortunately they are both serving the Lord now in full time ministry.
The second lady shared the story of her life and how it was dominated for so many years by her mother. She had spent a lifetime worshipping her mother and having the kind of relationship with her mother that should have been focused on God the Father. As she would share the little bits of her faith with her mom that she could, she was met with laughter and ridicule. This would cause her faith to shrink and her relationship with God to suffer greatly. God had plans to use this woman to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. But before she could share with people her relationship with Christ and how they could have one, hers needed to grow exponentially. Unfortunately for her, because of her priorities being out of alignment, God took her mother. This was very difficult for her to swallow. Honestly, she spent more than a year being mad at God. With the drawing power of the Holy Spirit though, she did come into an incredible relationship with God. God was then able to use her to reach a lost world. She has an awesome burden for the lost and Christ-like love for children. Once again, as I heard her story unfold, the Holy Spirit kept reminding me that there shall be no other gods before me.
Now, what do you have in your life that is being that “god that is before God”? Do you have a souped up muscle car that you take to car shows that sometimes fall on Sundays? Do you play softball for teams that have you away from church on Sundays? Do you have a boat that you take fishing on Sundays because you can’t get out there on Saturdays, or worse yet, Saturday is just not enough. Do you take your little princess to pageants that happen to only fall on Sunday? Dog Shows? Sports of any type (played or watched)? Do you have anything that causes you to put your relationship with God in second place? When God gives us a command, He means it! When He says no other gods before me, when He says don’t forsake the assembling of yourselves together…He means it! As He continues to draw you back to Him, He will remove whatever we put in His way. He does not do this to punish us, but because he is most concerned with our character and has our long term benefit in mind.
We must learn to prioritize.; God said to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, not keep it selfishly for ourselves!
He will do anything, removing any person, place or object of affection to have a deeper, more personal relationship with the people He created. We were created to worship the King and not our things!
My brother's mother-in-law was hospitalized last week with a sinus infection, pneumonia, and a stroke. Today she WALKS out of the hospital! Yes I said she is walking out of the hospital today.
Now who has ever heard of someone in their sixties, entering the hospital already taxing their body fighting pneumonia and a sinus infection, to see them WALK out of the hospital a week after having a stroke? I never have seen somebody beat those odds in grand fashion like that! Never!
How did this happen? A miracle of modern medicine maybe? NO! The healing hand of Jehovah-Rapha or Rophe (Hebrew name for the God who heals us)! All thanks, all praise, and all glory goes to our Creator who heard the cries of many on this woman's behalf.
She will tell you herself that she is getting a second lease on life and will not waste it. This stroke could have very easily killed her. God saw fit to spare her. Why? We don't know yet, but His purpose for her will be revealed in His time. This is a woman that walked with God at one point in her life,only to walk away from Him.
When we walk away from God, He will do WHATEVER it takes to get us back! He is more concerned with our end result, with the building of our character, and most of all with our relationship with Him. God will do anything it takes to have that relationship with you (remember: He sacrificed His own Son so we could be in fellowship with Him)!
What does the statement (WHATEVER) look like in action? In her case, her left side may not regain full motor function, but her life was spared so she could regain the fellowship with God she once had. He is not limited to just affecting our health. He may affect the health of those around us (kids, parents, spouse, etc), he may cause us to lose our job, it could be a car accident, an accidental pregnancy, a natural disaster, an act of violence, or ANYTHING else it takes to get our attention! If you walk away from Him because of some form of hidden sin (only from man, not from God), He will put the spotlight on that sin for you.
Now you may be thinking; would God really cause me to lose my job resulting in the loss of my home and many other possessions? Yes! Would God allow my daughter to have an accident on her jet ski and be hospitalized, never making a full recovery? Yes! Would God allow my mistress to become pregnant which would just rip my family apart? Yes! In all of these situations and many more like them, God is allowing something that looks bad to us as humans to happen. But in any one of these situations, the affected persons may need just that to get their attention, to bring them back into the right fellowship with God, or to get help with a problem or an addiction that they may have never otherwise allowed to be fixed. It may be a parent that is no longer setting that Godly example for their children and/ or spouse. It may be a person in ministry, that if they're not doing right by God, they may be destroying the very people they are charged with helping. It may be somebody that is carrying the "christian" banner and the devil's baby at the same time. He will remove whatever idol or "god" you put before Him. Check the ten commandments, He warned us already!
I have a devo that is dedicated to this subject. I will leave you with that, today. But remember, if you're not living the way God says you should, and you know it, repent today! If He has not brought judgement against you yet, thank Him heavily as you get your life back on track, but know this; if you continue walking away from the Lord, He WILL do whatever it takes to get you back.
None Before Me
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. This is a rather familiar phrase, easily recognizable from the Ten Commandments. Most of our children have heard it and can give you a brief synopsis of its meaning. Yet how deep does that answer go?
In Ukraine (Summer 2008) I heard two ladies giving a testimony about their lives. These are two very godly women that had a story to share. Each one had a story very different from the other; yet the message that the Holy Spirit was giving me from the two was the same. One tells how her husband had a very successful job making more than enough money and how they lived very well. She knew God, just not very well. She had been babied in her early years by her dad and then her husband took over that position. She had full faith in her husband, his job and his relationship with Christ, but little regard for her own relationship. God decided to increase His efforts to draw her near; so in one evening, she lost her husband and his job. All the things that she had faith in disappeared instantly. She now had a husband that was incapacitated; his person, his job, and his faith were removed from her all in the span of a couple of hours. The result though, was that she did (eventually) gain that personal relationship with Christ that she needed to have all along the way. The whole time I was hearing her share this, the Holy Spirit kept saying there shall be no other gods before me. Fortunately they are both serving the Lord now in full time ministry.
The second lady shared the story of her life and how it was dominated for so many years by her mother. She had spent a lifetime worshipping her mother and having the kind of relationship with her mother that should have been focused on God the Father. As she would share the little bits of her faith with her mom that she could, she was met with laughter and ridicule. This would cause her faith to shrink and her relationship with God to suffer greatly. God had plans to use this woman to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. But before she could share with people her relationship with Christ and how they could have one, hers needed to grow exponentially. Unfortunately for her, because of her priorities being out of alignment, God took her mother. This was very difficult for her to swallow. Honestly, she spent more than a year being mad at God. With the drawing power of the Holy Spirit though, she did come into an incredible relationship with God. God was then able to use her to reach a lost world. She has an awesome burden for the lost and Christ-like love for children. Once again, as I heard her story unfold, the Holy Spirit kept reminding me that there shall be no other gods before me.
Now, what do you have in your life that is being that “god that is before God”? Do you have a souped up muscle car that you take to car shows that sometimes fall on Sundays? Do you play softball for teams that have you away from church on Sundays? Do you have a boat that you take fishing on Sundays because you can’t get out there on Saturdays, or worse yet, Saturday is just not enough. Do you take your little princess to pageants that happen to only fall on Sunday? Dog Shows? Sports of any type (played or watched)? Do you have anything that causes you to put your relationship with God in second place? When God gives us a command, He means it! When He says no other gods before me, when He says don’t forsake the assembling of yourselves together…He means it! As He continues to draw you back to Him, He will remove whatever we put in His way. He does not do this to punish us, but because he is most concerned with our character and has our long term benefit in mind.
We must learn to prioritize.; God said to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, not keep it selfishly for ourselves!
He will do anything, removing any person, place or object of affection to have a deeper, more personal relationship with the people He created. We were created to worship the King and not our things!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
heart, life, or both
When we hear the Good News of the Gospel and choose to respond to it, should we give our heart to Christ, our life to Christ, OR BOTH? The answer is both!
Some people give their hearts to the Lord but they decide to keep the lifestyle for themselves. They show up in church and say YES I am a Christian, but their lifestyle reflects that of someone who has never given their lives to Christ. This causes people outside of the church to view the church as a den of hypocrites. They want to know why is he/ she living the same way I am, but he/ she is going to Heaven and I’m going to hell? This “religion thing” must be bogus and made up. Remember, we as the church body, represent Jesus to the world. How well are we representing Him?
Some people give their lives to the Lord, but they decide to keep their heart for themselves. They attend all church functions, their on committees, they sing, they teach, they go on mission trips, and sometimes they even preach. They may even have the “Jesus fish” on the back of their car next to their Christians aren’t perfect, they’re just forgiven bumper sticker. But they have a fence around their heart, so they can feed it whatever they want to. Pride, anger, lust, envy, gossip, arrogance, jealousy, selfishness, and worldly ways are some of the dangerous things that can be fed to the heart that is kept away from God, even though the life has been given to Him. Even though their life looks so religious, it may still be in trouble. Remember, religious people had Jesus put to death so they could go back to watching for the Messiah. Talk about not seeing the forest because of all those trees in the way….wow!
For me personally, I want to be a full moon for God. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun to the whole earth, I too, want to reflect the Light of the Son to the whole earth. The Christians described above, can be anything from a waning moon, to a half moon, or worst of all a new moon. Now I have had times where I was nothing more than a new moon for Christ, but I pray He will eventually use me as a full moon.
The best example I’ve heard is: if you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you. Just as an apple tree would be convicted of being an apple tree by the fruit it bears, we too would be convicted or found “innocent” of being a Christian, by the fruits we bear. Unfortunately, I believe the day where we will be put on trial for being a Christian in America is not that far away! We are to be in this world, but not of this world. We are to be a people that is set apart! Are you set apart or just camouflaged in with the rest of the world? Do you look and sound like the world, or have you given your everything to your Creator?
The hope of this world does not lie in the lost, it lies within the people of God! We are their only hope of coming to know God personally. We are the ones charged with praying for this world. A true change can only come about when we pray and allow God to work! Repentance means a change in direction, so if we are going to see a change in the direction of the lives of those around us and in our country, we (God’s people) must first repent and seek God.
I am including some verses that go with today’s entry, but I am also posting (see below) a piece that I have posted before, that I think goes with today’s entry.
Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
2 Timothy 2:12
12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.If we deny him, he will deny us.
John 15:20
20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
1 Thessalonians 4:7,8
7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
It says right there in His Word that His people are to repent and pray. It says we are to live holy lives.Not my words but His! Are we hearing Him?
Selah
Some people give their hearts to the Lord but they decide to keep the lifestyle for themselves. They show up in church and say YES I am a Christian, but their lifestyle reflects that of someone who has never given their lives to Christ. This causes people outside of the church to view the church as a den of hypocrites. They want to know why is he/ she living the same way I am, but he/ she is going to Heaven and I’m going to hell? This “religion thing” must be bogus and made up. Remember, we as the church body, represent Jesus to the world. How well are we representing Him?
Some people give their lives to the Lord, but they decide to keep their heart for themselves. They attend all church functions, their on committees, they sing, they teach, they go on mission trips, and sometimes they even preach. They may even have the “Jesus fish” on the back of their car next to their Christians aren’t perfect, they’re just forgiven bumper sticker. But they have a fence around their heart, so they can feed it whatever they want to. Pride, anger, lust, envy, gossip, arrogance, jealousy, selfishness, and worldly ways are some of the dangerous things that can be fed to the heart that is kept away from God, even though the life has been given to Him. Even though their life looks so religious, it may still be in trouble. Remember, religious people had Jesus put to death so they could go back to watching for the Messiah. Talk about not seeing the forest because of all those trees in the way….wow!
For me personally, I want to be a full moon for God. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun to the whole earth, I too, want to reflect the Light of the Son to the whole earth. The Christians described above, can be anything from a waning moon, to a half moon, or worst of all a new moon. Now I have had times where I was nothing more than a new moon for Christ, but I pray He will eventually use me as a full moon.
The best example I’ve heard is: if you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you. Just as an apple tree would be convicted of being an apple tree by the fruit it bears, we too would be convicted or found “innocent” of being a Christian, by the fruits we bear. Unfortunately, I believe the day where we will be put on trial for being a Christian in America is not that far away! We are to be in this world, but not of this world. We are to be a people that is set apart! Are you set apart or just camouflaged in with the rest of the world? Do you look and sound like the world, or have you given your everything to your Creator?
The hope of this world does not lie in the lost, it lies within the people of God! We are their only hope of coming to know God personally. We are the ones charged with praying for this world. A true change can only come about when we pray and allow God to work! Repentance means a change in direction, so if we are going to see a change in the direction of the lives of those around us and in our country, we (God’s people) must first repent and seek God.
I am including some verses that go with today’s entry, but I am also posting (see below) a piece that I have posted before, that I think goes with today’s entry.
Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
2 Timothy 2:12
12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.If we deny him, he will deny us.
John 15:20
20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
1 Thessalonians 4:7,8
7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
It says right there in His Word that His people are to repent and pray. It says we are to live holy lives.Not my words but His! Are we hearing Him?
Selah
Real Living Translation
Real Living Translation
King James Version, New King James Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, Amplified, Holman Christian Standard Bible, The Message, and on…and on…and on. There are almost too many translations of the bible. The debates rage on over translation validity. “King James Version is the only true version!” I have heard that statement at an excessive level. Numerous times I’ve heard it said any other version can’t be a real version because of the time in history they were translated or the fact that they are not translated from the Dead Sea Scrolls. This is an impossibility since the King James Version was first published in 1611 and the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery process took place between 1947 and 1956. As a matter of fact, as of 2007, two volumes of the scrolls had not even been translated yet. This is one of many misconceptions that are keeping families apart from each other and from God. I’ve heard a couple of discussions recently where long time, strong Christians, that stick strictly to the King James Version, missed certain details because of the fact that it is written in Early Modern English. This means it is structured very differently from how we speak in our era. One of these people actually prides himself on reading the bible through numerous times but has missed things due to translation. However, in these discussions, their knowledge of what they were reading was enhanced as people shared with them from other translations which delivered it more clearly. On the issue of time period: the same Holy Spirit that guided men to translate texts in the 16th and 17th century, was just as powerful for the 20th century translators. Or if someone is convinced that they could not be lead by the Spirit as well in the modern era, that’s more of a testament to their own relationship. Personally, I think if you don’t read multiple translations (King James Version included) you are cheating yourself; but most of all, you are cheating those you share the Word with.
Let’s take the four gospels as an example. Does God need to repeat Himself? No. But in His Word, we have the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four books of the bible have the same central theme- the life of Jesus. Each one of the Gospels are telling the same story with a slightly different perspective, yet it’s still the same story. As a matter of fact, Jesus feeding the five thousand is the only one of Jesus’ miracles that is told in all four. So as we see, God uses the different perspectives to best teach us. In that same way we can use different perspectives on individual verses and passages to gain or convey a deeper understanding. Here are a few examples that may help. If you were going to share the Gospel in Nigeria, where English is their second language, it may be a better idea to use the New International Version. It is written in more of a formal English that they would better understand, hence the word international in its name. If you were going to read Paul’s letters to the churches, and you really wanted to read it as a letter, (which is how it is written) you may get more out of the New Living Translation for that. If you wanted to read a passage with the understanding that the original Hebrew listeners would have had, then the Amplified would help you with that. If you were going to share the Gospel with the Zulu people of South Africa, who have only an oral and not a written history, you may want to use The Message. Because of their affection for a story to be told to them, the story-like paraphrase of The Message may help you share the Word with them in a way that reaches them better. You may want to use the King James Version for its poetic nature or at other times for its heavy handed, “thou shalt not” approach, depending on what you are trying to convey. Do they each tell us that God created us for a love relationship with Him? Yes. Do they each tell us Christ died for us to pay our sin debt? Yes. Do they each have a Roman’s Road for us to “follow” to salvation? Yes. They tell us all the same things from creation to the life of Christ to the return of Christ for His bride. But each one gives us an extra piece of the “understanding” puzzle so we can eventually see the big picture God has given us in His Word. I have seen God glorified by people’s salvation under at least four or five of the different translations. Apparently, God can use any translation, because they all have their purpose; He just can’t use silence.
Tragically, there are broken families that could be transformed by God’s healing hand through a caring church fellowship, but remain broken because of a bible translation conflict from within the marriage. The translation that keeps more people out of church is one I like to call the Real Living Translation. That is the life you live in front of the world on a daily basis. We, as the church, are to live a life that is “set apart”. If we do not carry Christ’s light into the world, then are we promoting darkness? Don’t misunderstand me; any Christian can fall. Nearly all of us will, to some degree, fall during our walk with Christ. It’s not a surprise, nor is it permanent. In the event someone falls as we see in Proverbs 24:16 where it says, “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again…”. The key phrase after the “fall” is the “rise again” part! Christ did not expect us to be perfect and never fall. Instead, He expects us to rise again after the fall and rejoin the fellowship! This is not a place where I point fingers from behind a “holier than thou” banner. I, myself, have had those days where I did not appear to have any connection to God. I realized that when one of my buddies that I was closest to at the time said “What? You go to church? I would have never guessed that! Are you sure?” I realized at that point that I had gotten as far away from God as is humanly possible. My Real Living Translation was speaking volumes about the sinful life of one who had fallen. But thankfully God extended His hand, full of grace, raised me back up, and walked this lost sheep back into the fold. Just know that no one is above it!
I would be willing to stake the claim that nearly all of us know someone that says they don’t want to go to church because it is full of a bunch of hypocrites. We, as the church, are giving them that excuse by living for God on Sunday and living like the world the rest of the week(side note: the “hypocrites” excuse will not stand when we stand before God. He seeks a personal relationship with each of us, not one based on another person’s walk, or fall. We are all sinners saved by God’s grace). We have to step up and be Christians even when it’s a little uncomfortable, or if we have to make sacrifices (as Christ did for us). You may be the only bible someone ever reads! Do you want to be the reason that someone falls into an eternity without God?
Once, there was a lady who knew a Christian man who lived the Christian life in front of her. Throughout his journey, there was always something wonderfully different about him. He went on to become a preacher and later a pastor. The day finally came that the lady decided she wanted some of what he had. She wanted that same Jesus in her life, because of the Jesus she saw in his. That lady is my mother. I recently heard another wonderful story of how a teenage boy came to know Christ because of the life lived and the love shown to him by an elder pastor. The circumstances that he grew up in would not be considered ideal, but God used that pastor’s life to reach that young man. By the way, that young man has grown up to be my pastor. You don’t know, and may never know the impact you can have on the lives of others if you live the life Christ would have you to live. On that same note, you may never know how many lives you can ruin by refusing to live the life God has ordained for you. We are blessed that God is always watching; but are we being a blessing or a road block to those watching our lives? What is your Real Living Translation saying to a watching world- especially if you go, or went, to church?
You should know this: it is not hard to live the Christian life. God has given you an excellent reference manual with 66 love letters in it. Why would you not want to read the bible if you were viewing it this way? Especially if you accept the fact that it is not designed to limit your life, but to show you how to live like one who has been set free! Now we have a choice; live as the world, weakly…Or live in victory in Christ, weekly!
King James Version, New King James Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, Amplified, Holman Christian Standard Bible, The Message, and on…and on…and on. There are almost too many translations of the bible. The debates rage on over translation validity. “King James Version is the only true version!” I have heard that statement at an excessive level. Numerous times I’ve heard it said any other version can’t be a real version because of the time in history they were translated or the fact that they are not translated from the Dead Sea Scrolls. This is an impossibility since the King James Version was first published in 1611 and the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery process took place between 1947 and 1956. As a matter of fact, as of 2007, two volumes of the scrolls had not even been translated yet. This is one of many misconceptions that are keeping families apart from each other and from God. I’ve heard a couple of discussions recently where long time, strong Christians, that stick strictly to the King James Version, missed certain details because of the fact that it is written in Early Modern English. This means it is structured very differently from how we speak in our era. One of these people actually prides himself on reading the bible through numerous times but has missed things due to translation. However, in these discussions, their knowledge of what they were reading was enhanced as people shared with them from other translations which delivered it more clearly. On the issue of time period: the same Holy Spirit that guided men to translate texts in the 16th and 17th century, was just as powerful for the 20th century translators. Or if someone is convinced that they could not be lead by the Spirit as well in the modern era, that’s more of a testament to their own relationship. Personally, I think if you don’t read multiple translations (King James Version included) you are cheating yourself; but most of all, you are cheating those you share the Word with.
Let’s take the four gospels as an example. Does God need to repeat Himself? No. But in His Word, we have the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four books of the bible have the same central theme- the life of Jesus. Each one of the Gospels are telling the same story with a slightly different perspective, yet it’s still the same story. As a matter of fact, Jesus feeding the five thousand is the only one of Jesus’ miracles that is told in all four. So as we see, God uses the different perspectives to best teach us. In that same way we can use different perspectives on individual verses and passages to gain or convey a deeper understanding. Here are a few examples that may help. If you were going to share the Gospel in Nigeria, where English is their second language, it may be a better idea to use the New International Version. It is written in more of a formal English that they would better understand, hence the word international in its name. If you were going to read Paul’s letters to the churches, and you really wanted to read it as a letter, (which is how it is written) you may get more out of the New Living Translation for that. If you wanted to read a passage with the understanding that the original Hebrew listeners would have had, then the Amplified would help you with that. If you were going to share the Gospel with the Zulu people of South Africa, who have only an oral and not a written history, you may want to use The Message. Because of their affection for a story to be told to them, the story-like paraphrase of The Message may help you share the Word with them in a way that reaches them better. You may want to use the King James Version for its poetic nature or at other times for its heavy handed, “thou shalt not” approach, depending on what you are trying to convey. Do they each tell us that God created us for a love relationship with Him? Yes. Do they each tell us Christ died for us to pay our sin debt? Yes. Do they each have a Roman’s Road for us to “follow” to salvation? Yes. They tell us all the same things from creation to the life of Christ to the return of Christ for His bride. But each one gives us an extra piece of the “understanding” puzzle so we can eventually see the big picture God has given us in His Word. I have seen God glorified by people’s salvation under at least four or five of the different translations. Apparently, God can use any translation, because they all have their purpose; He just can’t use silence.
Tragically, there are broken families that could be transformed by God’s healing hand through a caring church fellowship, but remain broken because of a bible translation conflict from within the marriage. The translation that keeps more people out of church is one I like to call the Real Living Translation. That is the life you live in front of the world on a daily basis. We, as the church, are to live a life that is “set apart”. If we do not carry Christ’s light into the world, then are we promoting darkness? Don’t misunderstand me; any Christian can fall. Nearly all of us will, to some degree, fall during our walk with Christ. It’s not a surprise, nor is it permanent. In the event someone falls as we see in Proverbs 24:16 where it says, “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again…”. The key phrase after the “fall” is the “rise again” part! Christ did not expect us to be perfect and never fall. Instead, He expects us to rise again after the fall and rejoin the fellowship! This is not a place where I point fingers from behind a “holier than thou” banner. I, myself, have had those days where I did not appear to have any connection to God. I realized that when one of my buddies that I was closest to at the time said “What? You go to church? I would have never guessed that! Are you sure?” I realized at that point that I had gotten as far away from God as is humanly possible. My Real Living Translation was speaking volumes about the sinful life of one who had fallen. But thankfully God extended His hand, full of grace, raised me back up, and walked this lost sheep back into the fold. Just know that no one is above it!
I would be willing to stake the claim that nearly all of us know someone that says they don’t want to go to church because it is full of a bunch of hypocrites. We, as the church, are giving them that excuse by living for God on Sunday and living like the world the rest of the week(side note: the “hypocrites” excuse will not stand when we stand before God. He seeks a personal relationship with each of us, not one based on another person’s walk, or fall. We are all sinners saved by God’s grace). We have to step up and be Christians even when it’s a little uncomfortable, or if we have to make sacrifices (as Christ did for us). You may be the only bible someone ever reads! Do you want to be the reason that someone falls into an eternity without God?
Once, there was a lady who knew a Christian man who lived the Christian life in front of her. Throughout his journey, there was always something wonderfully different about him. He went on to become a preacher and later a pastor. The day finally came that the lady decided she wanted some of what he had. She wanted that same Jesus in her life, because of the Jesus she saw in his. That lady is my mother. I recently heard another wonderful story of how a teenage boy came to know Christ because of the life lived and the love shown to him by an elder pastor. The circumstances that he grew up in would not be considered ideal, but God used that pastor’s life to reach that young man. By the way, that young man has grown up to be my pastor. You don’t know, and may never know the impact you can have on the lives of others if you live the life Christ would have you to live. On that same note, you may never know how many lives you can ruin by refusing to live the life God has ordained for you. We are blessed that God is always watching; but are we being a blessing or a road block to those watching our lives? What is your Real Living Translation saying to a watching world- especially if you go, or went, to church?
You should know this: it is not hard to live the Christian life. God has given you an excellent reference manual with 66 love letters in it. Why would you not want to read the bible if you were viewing it this way? Especially if you accept the fact that it is not designed to limit your life, but to show you how to live like one who has been set free! Now we have a choice; live as the world, weakly…Or live in victory in Christ, weekly!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Spare Change
I recently (finished it Monday) wrote a song that is geared towards believers. It is a celebration of just a few of the things that God has done and continues to do in the life of all believers. I only list a few, but they're definitely some things that I as well as other believers are very thankful for. So this song is written as a way to praise and thank our God for His presence in our lives. I can not wait to hear what it sounds like with music put to it and the voices of my brothers and sisters lifting it up to our King. Enjoy!
Spare Change
Our lives are like water
Spilled out on the ground
Never to be gathered up again
Sands through the hourglass, pouring down
God poured out all of His love
Cracked and broken vessels He fills
Yet His love we could never pen down
With a thousand scrolls and quills
(chorus)
GRACE – though we don’t deserve it
MERCY – for which we’re yearning
SALVATION – though we can’t earn it
FORGIVENESS – keeps us returning
PEACE – far beyond our learning
LOVE – He’s not reserving
God gave us His best
So our all to Him we bring
Sing your praises to the King
All praise to the God who never changes
But who’s always changing me
He changes me from the inside out
With a change the whole world can see
Back to chorus
We push away the Father
Don’t know why He would even bother
To continue to draw me near
And provide peace to replace my fear
Back to chorus
Repeat last 3 lines after last chorus 3 times
Spare Change
Our lives are like water
Spilled out on the ground
Never to be gathered up again
Sands through the hourglass, pouring down
God poured out all of His love
Cracked and broken vessels He fills
Yet His love we could never pen down
With a thousand scrolls and quills
(chorus)
GRACE – though we don’t deserve it
MERCY – for which we’re yearning
SALVATION – though we can’t earn it
FORGIVENESS – keeps us returning
PEACE – far beyond our learning
LOVE – He’s not reserving
God gave us His best
So our all to Him we bring
Sing your praises to the King
All praise to the God who never changes
But who’s always changing me
He changes me from the inside out
With a change the whole world can see
Back to chorus
We push away the Father
Don’t know why He would even bother
To continue to draw me near
And provide peace to replace my fear
Back to chorus
Repeat last 3 lines after last chorus 3 times
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
loose lips
loose lips sink ships
sometimes those ships are relationSHIPS
This is an old saying with timeless truth to it.
We must be careful in what we speak with our mouths. Our tongues are the toughest 2.7 ounces we will ever do battle with. Paul tells us in his writings that we are to use our words to lift each other up and not destroy each other. I want to take a look at what God's Word has to say about loose lips:
Proverbs 20:19
A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers.
Proverbs 25:10
Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
Proverbs 25:23
As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
Proverbs 26:20
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
Psalm 41:6
They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.
Proverbs 16:28
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
Proverbs 17:4
Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.
Proverbs 11:13
A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come I won't like what I find, and you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.
The last one here, is Paul expressing his fears about what he is AFRAID he would find when he returned to Corinth. The things listed, were the worst things he could find in the church body, should they be present at the time of his return. Paul, who was stoned, beaten, and improsoned was more afraid of finding these qualities in the church than anything else he faced. Along with all the words of wisdom from King Solomon and King David about the subject, Paul shows the loose lips as one of the worst things he could encounter.
Proceed With Caution: A flaming tongue can be used to burn bridges unnecesarily.
Now what can we do with people who qualify as one with loose lips? Forgive them (forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; Jesus in Matt 6)! Leave their punishment, conviction, and education to God. He's better at it than we are anyway.
What should we do if we are guilty of loose lips? Ask God for forgiveness first and foremost and then seek the forgiveness of those who have been our victims.
Going forward, we should use all of our words to praise God, lift up our brothers and sisters, and teach the world about Him!
Jesus told us in Matt 6:33 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness......
If we are doing this, our words will be what they should be. If we are doing this, as well as following the rest of God's will, we will not be able to have loose lips. We will not be able to have our focus on the affairs of others if we are wholeheartedly focused on our Creator as we should.
Use your words to bless and not curse. Be a blessing to those around you and not a curse. Paul said in 1 Cor 8:13 .....for I don't want to cause another believer to stumble. Don't do things to cause your fellow believers to sin, the enemy does a good enough job at that, that he needs no help from Christ's followers.
I'll leave you to day with what Jesus said was the answer to the question "What is the greatest commandment?" and see how loose lips apply here.
Matthew 22:37-39
37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is the first and great commandment. 39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Selah
sometimes those ships are relationSHIPS
This is an old saying with timeless truth to it.
We must be careful in what we speak with our mouths. Our tongues are the toughest 2.7 ounces we will ever do battle with. Paul tells us in his writings that we are to use our words to lift each other up and not destroy each other. I want to take a look at what God's Word has to say about loose lips:
Proverbs 20:19
A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers.
Proverbs 25:10
Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
Proverbs 25:23
As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
Proverbs 26:20
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
Psalm 41:6
They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.
Proverbs 16:28
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
Proverbs 17:4
Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.
Proverbs 11:13
A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come I won't like what I find, and you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.
The last one here, is Paul expressing his fears about what he is AFRAID he would find when he returned to Corinth. The things listed, were the worst things he could find in the church body, should they be present at the time of his return. Paul, who was stoned, beaten, and improsoned was more afraid of finding these qualities in the church than anything else he faced. Along with all the words of wisdom from King Solomon and King David about the subject, Paul shows the loose lips as one of the worst things he could encounter.
Proceed With Caution: A flaming tongue can be used to burn bridges unnecesarily.
Now what can we do with people who qualify as one with loose lips? Forgive them (forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; Jesus in Matt 6)! Leave their punishment, conviction, and education to God. He's better at it than we are anyway.
What should we do if we are guilty of loose lips? Ask God for forgiveness first and foremost and then seek the forgiveness of those who have been our victims.
Going forward, we should use all of our words to praise God, lift up our brothers and sisters, and teach the world about Him!
Jesus told us in Matt 6:33 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness......
If we are doing this, our words will be what they should be. If we are doing this, as well as following the rest of God's will, we will not be able to have loose lips. We will not be able to have our focus on the affairs of others if we are wholeheartedly focused on our Creator as we should.
Use your words to bless and not curse. Be a blessing to those around you and not a curse. Paul said in 1 Cor 8:13 .....for I don't want to cause another believer to stumble. Don't do things to cause your fellow believers to sin, the enemy does a good enough job at that, that he needs no help from Christ's followers.
I'll leave you to day with what Jesus said was the answer to the question "What is the greatest commandment?" and see how loose lips apply here.
Matthew 22:37-39
37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is the first and great commandment. 39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Selah
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