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building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

Archive for the category “Faith”

06 Nov 2013

Born to Live

For the third time in the last couple of weeks, I have heard a message from the passage of the “lost things” in Luke 15. Okay God, I’m listening! The message this time around was about the Father and also the fact that celebration happens at the end of every parable in this chapter. I have always loved these parables, but this time around it felt like an epiphany. It was all about the celebration in heaven over finding those lost things. Jesus came to find the lost; He came for the sinners of this world. When one person is found or saved from destruction, there is a mighty celebration in heaven going on. I got to thinking about death soon after this message; I guess because I was studying the Cross of Jesus at the time and my Mom’s fourth year in heaven was right around this time. And the thoughts started following concerning death in general.

We are not born to live but born to die. The minute we are born, the clock starts ticking. We all have a death date according to Scripture. We don’t know how long we have to live on this earth. We are born to die; however, Jesus changes things. We are all born physically alive but spiritually dead. Only through Jesus are we born spiritually alive – this is our second birth (see John 3). Once we received the grace of salvation through belief of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we become spiritually alive. At that point we are no longer born to die, but we are born to live. We exchange a physical death for a spiritual life – we will live in abundant life for eternity. We will have some sort of exchange from this life to the eternal life – some would call this a physical death – I would surmise that we really don’t die at all but pass from here to there in an instant. Our last breath here on earth is our first real breath of fresh air ever taken. Isn’t that an amazing thought? We will no longer struggle with this physical limitation, but will truly be living in a new reality!

God has been working on this dying thing (or surrendering) for me for a couple of months now. We are told to die daily to our selfish desires (nature). Now, if I could only do it! After Jesus was resurrected, He went back to heaven so the Father would send us a helper (the Holy Spirit) to live within us. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to live as we should. I know I can’t do it alone. I’ve tried. It’s too hard. My selfishness is too much a part of me. Paul states in Romans 7, we do the thing we do not want to do because of our sin nature that lives within us. The Holy Spirit is at odds with our sin nature. It’s only when we die to the sin nature that the Holy Spirit will help us live in the abundant life. Yes, I am born to live abundantly only after I die daily. Ah ha! Got it.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:4-7

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30 Oct 2013
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New Vision

What’s your image of Jesus? Do you know Him as Lord and Savior? Do you see Him as just a man who happened to live long ago? I grew up in a Christian home. There hasn’t been a time in my life where I questioned who Jesus was (is). However in the last few years, I have found a new vision of Jesus. I have a new appreciation for who He is in my life. He is not just my Lord and Savior; He is my source of life and light. I have taken the time to get to know the real Jesus, not the image I have in my head, but the one that is forming in my heart through His word. Scripture tells us that the Word took on flesh and dwelt among us.

I no longer see Him as a meek soul wandering around healing people or forgiving them of their sins. He was a Jewish man, in a Jewish community, doing Jewish things like going to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He upheld the strict laws given to Moses found in the first five books of our modern-day Bible. He went about His business each and every day. He was a carpenter by trade until His ministry began at the age of thirty. When His journey started toward the cross, He had the body of a carpenter. He was a strong man. His appearance would have been as any Jewish man of His time. He would have worn His hair long and had a beard. He would have worn a turban and long garments with sandals on his feet. I can imagine He exuded joy from His every pore. I see Him laughing and excited to see His friends discover something new. His face would have expressed peace. I would think His whole demeanor would have shown love pouring from His heart.

Even now, His attitude is still love and passionate for us. Even though we can’t physically see Him, I know His heart is poured out on us. His love envelops us. His comfort wraps His arms around us. He is passionate about me; about you. His heart longs for us to know Him as He knows us. Scripture tells us He knows the number of hairs on our heads – and for me, it changes daily (even hourly)! He laughs when we laugh. He cries when we cry. And when we ignore Him, I’m sure He feels the same thing we would if we were ignored by someone we love.

Jesus knows our circumstances. He longs to help us with them. He wants to share in our burdens. He wants to chase the darkness away. He is the light and there is no darkness around Him. Jesus is passionate about His people. And He is passionate about every lost soul walking this earth without a hope. He died for each and every person. And He is passionate about His church. Do I have the things of Jesus in mind? Am I as passionate as He is about lost souls or His church? He is creating a new vision in me. How about you? What is your vision of Jesus?

When I turned to see who was speaking, there behind me were seven candlesticks of gold. And standing among them was one who looked like Jesus, who called himself the Son of Man, wearing a long robe circled with a golden band across his chest. His hair was white as wool or snow, and his eyes penetrated like flames of fire. His feet gleamed like burnished bronze, and his voice thundered like the waves against the shore. He held seven stars in his right hand and a sharp, double-bladed sword in his mouth, and his face shone like the power of the sun in unclouded brilliance. Revelation 1:12-16 Living Bible

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23 Oct 2013

Safe or Faith

I am to live a life of faith not a life of safe. I had this thought not too long ago. I think for years I have heard “safe” instead of “faith.” I believe I am finally coming into the fullness of who I am to be. I am to be a person of great faith. I am tired of living in the comfortable. It’s actually quite boring to be honest. I want adventure. I want to get up every morning anticipating a day that can be a life-changer for someone, and I get to be involved in the process! Right now, I don’t have those thoughts. But I can change that. I can say “yes” to all God calls me to.

God has been at work at my church in a mighty way. He has called my pastor and the elders to start a new “School of Ministry” to begin equipping us to disciple others. They were challenged to help us to become the missionaries we are all meant to be. That doesn’t mean we are all called to go to other nations, although some of us will be. But we are all called to take the message of the Good News to our friends and neighbors. I don’t know exactly what that looks like for me, but it means that I am not to play it safe anymore. I am to live that life of great faith. It means I need to love and serve others as I am led to do. It may actually cost me something to do this thing. I may actually be called to the mission field at some point. But first I need the equipping. I need to be ready.

As I was contemplating this new path (whatever that is), Scripture was put on my heart. I don’t believe in coincidences. The Scripture was 1 Timothy 4:12-16 (I’ll include it below). I think this is a word to all. We are to be devoted to studying the Word and teaching others. We are to watch how we live and what we believe. Others are watching us. Others are paying attention to what we say and what we do. Others will see our progress. I believe this is true. I believe we are to live with integrity so that others understand our words and actions are the same. I don’t have it all figured out, but I am progressing in my walk of faith. That’s what this life is all about – progress. Success comes when we do what we are called to do – live a life of faith. Take the risks God asks us to take. He is the reason we are all alive today. I am excited to live in faith so that I may experience a greater life. I am tired of boring! It’s time to live it out LOUD! Who’s with me?

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:12-16

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16 Oct 2013

Eye Problem

I have been struggling with an eye problem off and on for a year now. Not both eyes, just my right one. It’s very annoying and frustrating. I have often thought: “why has this been allowed?” I know this is very minor compared to all the ones really suffering from disease. It’s trivial, I know. But it’s still annoying me to the point of screaming sometimes. When it’s aggravated, it itches and nothing will lessen it. I can’t figure out the cause, and I’ve tried to find the root but nothing is coming close to understanding it. I have prayed for healing many times in the past. Right now, I am still suffering with it. I have to trust God will bring me understanding through it or use the lesson for His purpose.

As I have been considering this ailment, I recognize another avenue to explore and further consider. Is this an attack for a spiritual reason? I am at the end of writing my story, for the most part. I am done with the majority of the work. Is Satan using my eye problem to keep me distracted? I know when I am under the influence of this problem I have a real time trying to focus on what needs to be done. It has even gotten me discouraged at times. So this is a possibility that I am dealing with a spiritual warfare issue.

Another thought has come about through careful consideration. I have been focused on my “I” problem. I do too much focusing on my issues and not others. God has used this time over the last few weeks to show me how self-involved I truly am. This is not a good thing. I know people who are truly suffering with health concerns. I do bring their issues before God but usually it will be as an afterthought and not forethought. This is not who I want to be. Since the “I” problem has been revealed, it’s time to make some changes. I want to be who God wants me to be. I want to focus on others more than I do on me.

My pastor spoke about surrendering one Sunday morning. This has been a theme over the last couple of weeks. I have spoken to God about surrendering. Yet, I still have issues with this concept. I don’t consider the eternal purposes of God. Peter was rebuked when he didn’t have the right perspective about Jesus dying. I need to consider God’s viewpoint and not mine. I need to surrender to the plan of God. Does “it” glorify God or does “it” only concern me? How is what I’m experiencing reflect God to others?  When I finally “get it” maybe my eye problem will be finally resolved. Until then Jesus, keep after me until I have the purposes of God in mind before anything else!

 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Luke 9:23-25

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09 Oct 2013

Abounding Grace

Grace. God’s grace. I know the concept, but sometimes I think there is more to it. It can’t be that easy, can it? I am learning it is that easy. God gave us a gift we could never pay for. He sent His son, the only one worthy to come before the Lord on our behalf. There is nothing I could ever do to pay Him back. There is really no sense in even trying to “even the score.” I just have to receive the gift with gratitude and humility.

My salvation story started so long ago that sometimes I forget that it was not by my efforts that I am saved. I know the past sins are paid for. I know everything that was done on my behalf. But then I think about my attitude now. I believe I am good now so it’s all about me working out my salvation (so to speak). The big sins that were committed so long ago have been forgiven and forgotten. The little sins are also forgiven, but have I repented from those as well? Am I trying to pay for those by my good deeds? I have forgotten that even my good works are nothing but filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6).

I was reminded not long ago, God has never been disappointed in me. God knew me before I was ever born. Nothing I have ever done, said or even thought was a surprise to Him. Yet, He was not disappointed. He might have been displeased, more than once, I’m sure. It’s a real wonder that I am still alive. But God’s grace abounds. I try to live righteously, but I can’t do it in my own power. God’s power is sufficient. Beth Moore stated in her Living Proof simulcast in September: “Grace is not permission to stay but the power to go.” We walk in grace. We are dead to the sins of our past. We are to write an obit for the old self. The old self no longer controls us. It is dead. The old self is not Lazarus. It has not been raised back to life. The stone has not been rolled away. These thoughts came from Beth, but have been speaking volumes in my soul.

Andy Stanley said that the epicenter of the Christian faith is grace. We are all getting something for nothing. Grace is undeserved favor. The Bible speaks of grace in the New Testament, but in the Old Testament the same concept is called favor. We are highly favored to receive such grace! But it wasn’t because of any good in us. It is because of the goodness of God. His great love for us saved us. He sent His Son. His Son got up on the cross for us. With Jesus’ last breath, He said “it is finished.” It’s done. Praise God for this undeserved favor! His grace abounds where sin fails us. Thank you Jesus!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

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02 Oct 2013
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All In

The pastor asked the question “Now what?” I have been asking that particular question for the last two plus years. I have been searching high and low for the answer, but it just wasn’t coming to me. However, God was working hard to prepare me to hear the answer. It was like a “duh” moment when the answer came. Jesus said as you are going about your daily life, make disciples of Jesus. Put time into the lives that are in your circle of influence. Yeah, I understand that concept. I get it but how does that relate to my calling? Yeah, that is my calling.

Jesus left the earth with the commission to the disciples to go out and do what He did. And they did; all the way until their death. And the ones they invested in invested in others. And on and on. Until the Gospel message reached through the centuries, through the nations until it reached my ears. Jesus didn’t have a “Plan B.” In the game of tag, we’re it. As the preacher spoke the next Sunday, he made the comment the church in America has quit producing disciples. We have turned to the consumer Gospel. It’s the Good News too good to share. So we don’t. I am guilty of that. I listen to numerous sermons week after week. I am studying the Bible hard for my benefit. But what about others?

How is the Good News supposed to live past this generation unless we share it? But how do I put the things I am learning into practice? The blog is one thing but am I really helping others follow Christ through my blog? Am I helping to disciple any one? Is there anyone following Jesus because of me? No, I would say not. It’s not too late for me to use the remaining time of my life to do just that, to put things into practice. God has given me a voice. I am to use it for His purpose to help others follow Jesus.

We should be modeling the first body of believers found in the Book of Acts. I get it. I understand what we are experiencing here in America is not really what this message is all about. I should be serving Jesus where Jesus wants me, doing the things Jesus taught and loving others as well as I love myself. His message to the disciples was “follow me.” And they did. And that’s the message of today. Either I am all in or not. It’s my decision, no matter where, no matter what, no matter how. Jesus said to follow Him. Yeah, I get it. I’m all in. Lead on!

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:14-18a

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25 Sep 2013

Clearing the Land

Recently, I was taking my daily walk. I made my way through the streets of my neighborhood to the new neighborhood adjacent to mine. My heart dropped a bit as I noticed the stately oaks and pines were no more. As each tree fell, I wondered if this was really progress. Does every neighborhood have to be cleared completely of every tree? I was sad to see them fall. As I was homeward bound, I had this thought: every building project has to have groundwork done before the building can rise. Every land has to be cleared; every foundation must be built in order to have a secure footing.

In my season of preparation (as I like to call this time), the groundwork has to be done. The pruning, the fertilizing, the preparation for bearing fruit is essential in order to build a lasting legacy. I don’t have kids so why am I concern with a legacy? There are many people who are watching how God works in my life. Probably ones I don’t even know are watching and those are the ones where the legacy will be planted. My footing has to be secure. My solid rock must be laid before the beauty can rise out of the ashes, so to speak. I don’t know yet the building that is being planned but I know this: Jesus is always building His church. I have felt for many years that Jesus is doing something wonderful in the Body of Christ. There are “dry bones” coming to life. There is an army of Christ’s soldiers preparing for battle. And maybe a woman will be in charge to lead the way – hey, it’s happened before (look at Deborah in Judges 4 and 5).

I’m not saying I will be in charge, but I know God has placed me here in this time, and in this place for a greater purpose than collecting trinkets that will not last. He has a purpose designed for each one of us but the groundwork has to be done. The Breath of God has to be placed in us in order to empower us to do the work we are called to do. We have to surrender to the Holy Spirit as He leads us to make the changes necessary in our hearts. Surrender. I have never liked that word. It sounds so weak. But I have come to realize it takes someone strong and courageous to surrender to another authority greater than our own. It’s hard to do. When we believe we can handle all our own problems, we stand in the way of something greater. God’s plan. It’s the plan that we need to surrender to.

As I finished my walk, the thought of the trees came back to me. I heard a story of the mighty trees of Lebanon being cut for the temple of God in the original building program. The trees were not sad to be cut because they knew they were going to be used to glorify God. They had a greater purpose. I don’t know the fate of the trees from the adjacent neighborhood, but I have a feeling they will be sold for a new purpose. I know many days I sit at a table that was once a tree. I have offered many blessings as I have sat at my table. In a way, I guess the table did have a part in glorifying God.

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

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18 Sep 2013
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Wavering

Doubt. Belief. Confidence. Fear. Trust. Unbelief. Have you ever had all those feelings wrestling in your spirit? I had them all in mere moments of one another just the other day. My spirit had been convicted of my lack of faith. Got up from my quiet time, confident my heart was set right before Jesus. But in just moments as I was taking my daily walk, the wrestling began. I am in a spiritual battle concerning my trust in God. Trust in what He has promised through His word. Trust that He is who He says He is. Trust that all things are possible even when it looks impossible. I am stuck with Egypt behind me and the Red Sea before me. Is there a way that I just can’t see right now? Faith says to be sure of the things I am hoping for and to be certain in the things that are not seen (Hebrews 11:1). As I was concluding my walk, the word that was given in my spirit was the word to Gideon from the angel of the Lord: “go in the strength you have” (Judges 6:14).

I am wrestling also about what I am supposed to do, and what God is supposed to do. What are my responsibilities? I read the passage about Peter collecting the tax money from a fish. The money was found after Peter went to fish. Jesus told Peter go do what he was trained to do – go fish – and the provisional tax money would be provided in an improbable place – in the fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:24-27). Jesus asked Peter to go back to what he knew for just a short time until the tax money was found. Is this something Jesus is asking me to do? The strength that I have had in my past was financial work. If I go back, is it like I am giving up on what the Lord has called me to do? Or is this just for a short time until the provision is met? Or maybe it’s to get back on track with writing my story. One of the questions circling in my mind: if I knew I could not fail, what would I do?

Lots of questions with very few answers, right now. As I discern the real meaning behind the word given, I have to believe without seeing. I have to trust God and His Word. I should have the confidence in my heart that He’s enough for me even when I see the Red Sea before me. He has a way out that I am not seeing right now. And if I need to fish for a little while, then I have to trust God to move me into the right position for the right time for what I am called to do. I have to quit looking at the waves and just fix my eyes upon Jesus. I have His peace filling every pore of my being. He is the only one who has all the answers! Thank you Jesus!

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord is Peace. Judges 6:12,14,24

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11 Sep 2013

Taking My Pulse

This year, I wanted to live with intention. We can do nothing of significance by accident. We have to intentionally make better food choices if we intend to get healthy. We have to intentionally spend time with others in order to become better friends. We have to intentionally read the Bible if we ever expect to grow in our relationship with Jesus. There are things we have to do in order to make sure we are going to live a significant life. I don’t want to waste what I have been given, and I don’t think you do either.

For the last few months, I have been asking God where I am falling short of living more purposeful in serving Him fully. Right now, I can feel Him taking my pulse. He has his finger on the vein that leads to my heart. He is pointing out where I have a trust issue. He is not condemning me for my lack of trust or my lack of faith. I asked Him to show me where I am having issues, and He is merely responding to my question. What I do next is up to me. I can either ignore it or I can respond as He wants me to respond. He has given me an idea of what I should do. I am in the middle of a wrestling match waiting on the outcome. Will my selfish nature win or my supernaturally given nature win?

I am reminded about a wrestling match between God and Jacob found in Genesis 32. The encounter with God changed Jacob. He was face to face with the human form of God. Jacob was holding on to receive a blessing. And only when the day broke did the blessing occur. God touched Jacob, which resulted in a limp. And God changed Jacob’s name to Israel because of Jacob’s new nature. Jacob means “He cheats” in Hebrew while Israel is said to mean “He struggles with God.” Jacob was a deceiver before the encounter and afterwards, moved into the promise that God had given his forefathers. Jacob became the nation of God’s people.

I said I surrendered to God, but have I really? This is where the pulse is beating right into my heart. If I am not totally surrendered in this one area, I may miss out on the blessing He has waiting to give me. But I have to be sure I am not surrendering for the wrong reason. It’s not about the blessing; it’s about the giver. If I can’t be surrendered to the giver of life, then I have real trust issues that need to be solved before I can go any further down this narrow road toward the Promised Land. I have to believe God is who He says He is. I have to believe He is enough for me. Jesus is my answer. Lord, let my heart beat for you alone!

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10

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04 Sep 2013

Making a Difference

I have been attempting to write my story for over a year now. Last year, I started writing because I felt compelled to do so. I finished the first draft by the end of the year. However, I felt compelled to focus in another direction with my story. So I started again around the first of this year. I wrote for a few weeks then came to a dead-end. I put it aside and didn’t pick it back up until August 1. I have been in the writing mode ever since. My hope is that it will make a difference in someone’s life. But my focus is not on one person. My focus is on Jesus. I want Him to tell His story through me and my experiences.

I was reading a passage found in John 4 which really spoke to me about the love of Jesus. The Gospel of John is all about Jesus. If you have never read the Bible, this is a good place to start. In this passage, Jesus felt compelled to go through Samaria en route to His hometown. There were many roads He could have taken to get to where He was going. But on this day, He had a divine encounter to keep. Samaria was not looked on favorably by the Jewish people. Most avoided that area and the people. Jesus, however, went to the well to meet a woman. In doing so, changed one woman and changed one town. One woman who had a sinful past. One woman who everyone looked down on. One woman who felt compelled to go back to her village and tell the people about a man she just met.

Women were looked down on; they were considered property. Yet, many times Jesus spoke to women. He showed compassion and love to them like they had never experienced before. On this day, the woman went back to the village and told everyone to “come and see” this man who knew her completely. Through this woman’s testimony about Jesus, the whole village was changed. Verse 39 said many believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony. One woman made a difference in her community just by telling her story.

I am so encouraged by this story. I don’t know if God has any great plans for my testimony. I just know I am compelled to write it. What He does with it after it’s done, that’s for Him to decide. I am obedient to what I hear even when I was delayed in writing it. But my focus is where it should be – on Jesus. For the encounter I had with Jesus was life changing. I will never be the same (THANK YOU JESUS!) It’s also encouraging to see how one woman can make a difference. Even when I think I am less than significant, God can do greater things with those who are willing to share the love of Jesus with others. That’s what it’s really about. Sharing the love of Jesus without fear! One person at a time until the whole world knows.

They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42

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