buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

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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28 Aug 2013

Secret Things

I was reading the story of Jairus, the synagogue ruler who went to Jesus to heal his daughter. I have read this passage many times and actually love the story concerning the bleeding woman who intersects Jairus’ story. I experienced her pain for real and I can identify with her. But this time reading the story found in Mark 5:21-43, I saw something that I hadn’t really seen before. Don’t you just love that about the Bible? I do!

Jesus tells Jairus to believe and sent everyone else away except for Peter, James and John, his inner circle. What I found fascinating was: there are some miracles done in secret while others are done out in the open. The story of the daughter’s healing was a miracle done in secret; only experienced by the parents of the girl and Jesus’ inner circle. No one else was allowed to see what Jesus was going to do. The miracle of the bleeding woman was done in the crowd – everyone heard her testimony immediately after the miracle took place.

I have been pondering on these secret things since I went to a Living Proof Live event back in April. Beth Moore spoke about God’s secrets. He only reveals to us when we are mature enough to keep them until His time of revelation. He gives us the platform to share when He wants the secrets to be shared. Beth pointed out: in this day and age we share everything we know immediately after revelation. We don’t take in what we learn and ponder them before we share them. We take in a word and immediately tweet about it rather than actually letting the word get down into our hearts. This was profound for me. I have been considering this every time I have had a revelation lately. I am discerning what is for me, and what is beneficial for others to know. Sometimes it’s hard to know when to stay silent.

I have been writing my story for the last year, but for the last few weeks I have been diligent about writing. Since reading this passage and pondering on the secret things, I am discerning when it’s time for revelation on my story. My Mom asked me not to share my story until she was gone and I have honored that request. However, I don’t know if it’s something I should share while my Dad is still alive. I don’t have clarity on that time. Not that it has anything bad about him, but it might bring up pain for him that he has already long since forgotten.

I have been called to write my story, so I am obeying in the writing. When it’s time for revelation that is God’s timing and not mine. Discernment is required for all things secret!

“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2-3

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21 Aug 2013

Wheat and Weeds

One Saturday morning in July, I went out to clean up my yard. Weeds are very abundant in my yard. I commenced to pulling them up. I have written about weeds in the past, but this time I considered something I had just heard from Beth Moore. She spoke about something God had placed on her heart concerning the time drawing near. God is revealing to her about the need for revival in this land. I think we can all agree with her assessment.

Beth spoke of the times coming up where false teachers and good teachers will be in the same field as shown in the parable about the wheat and weeds. This will be allowed for a time. God has revealed to Beth, the good teachers will be seen by the majority as false teachers. The good teachers will have to endure the suffering during that time. They will be discredited. They will be grieved to know that no one is listening to the Truth being spoken. She had more to say on the subject but this really spoke to me. She tells the audience not to believe her words, but to study and seek confirmation in God’s word for this truth.

As I was pulling my weeds, I was thinking of her insights about the parable. I also remembered a devotional on this same passage (Matthew 13:24-30), which I just read a few days prior Beth’s message. The devotional pointed out we are not to judge who are the wheat and the weeds – only God can make that judgment. We just need to make sure we are in the wheat category! However, with Beth’s insight we do need to judge the teachers. We are not to be deceived and are to scan scripture for the Truth. We are to be diligent about studying for ourselves the Word so that we will know when someone is speaking falsely.

We need to be able to understand the truth up front, right now, so that we will not be deceived. The truth needs to be spoken and we need to hear it, even if we don’t like what is being said. The teaching of Jesus is very divisive meant to cut to the heart for repentance. But Jesus always spoke out of love. The ones who are speaking on His behalf will speak out of that same love as well. We need to recognize the difference and know the ones to whom God has placed in the field to speak the truth for our repentance before the harvest comes.

The weeds were sown while everyone was sleeping (verse 25). Wake up; it’s time to be ready for the harvest!

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” Matthew 13:27-30

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14 Aug 2013
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Small Tasks

As I sit down to write on this particular morning, I am humbled by revelations on my character. Sometimes when I write, I feel that I come across as knowing all the answers or I hear such great things from God. I am just a sojourner just like you. Most days all I hear is silence. A few of those days I swing on doubt rather than belief. I have just read the first chapter of Jonah, and I so get his running when he heard what God wanted him to do. If it’s hard or something that takes me out of my comfort zone, I might have the urge to run on most days as well. Most days, I don’t believe I am going to do anything really great for Jesus. I believe He has tasks assigned to me just as Jonah had a task assigned to him. But I think in the grand scheme of God’s plan, they will be small tasks of obedience.

There a just a few people who are called to be Jonah or Moses or Paul of their times. There are many others who are called to be the support staff to those of greater significance in the Kingdom. I am sure there are even fewer who have a great vision or dream that God has placed in them. Whether we just don’t dream anymore or we’re just not prepared properly to receive it.

I am struck by the fact that God prepares us so much more for the tasks ahead for years before the dream or vision is revealed. Moses had forty years in the back country tending his father-in-law’s flock before he was given his great vision. It was the day in and day out tasks of learning how to survive in the desert with a flock – maybe sheep, knowing they relied upon him to feed them and water them. Moses had his support group as he led God’s people in the desert for forty years after their escape from Egypt. He was trained to handle the tasks of moving them about to find the water, the food and the shelter.

King David had years as a shepherd boy then a warrior before he ever became king. David had his mighty band of warriors as well as Jonathon. Jonathon realized his role was not going to be king, but he was a mighty big encourager to the one who was going to be crowned king.

We all have a role in God’s kingdom. We all have to be prepared for it. Each step of obedience is a step toward fitting into the role God has assigned. Each task accomplished is one more character building exercise. God is more concerned about our character than what we actually accomplish. It really takes the pressure off to know that it’s up to God and not us. We are to be obedient in what He gives us, but He has a purpose that He will fulfill, not us. Whew, it’s all about Jesus, not me! Thank you Jesus!

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:10-11 (NLT)

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07 Aug 2013
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Giving All

I went on the mission trip hoping for a revelation while I was on it. But there was no revelation while I was there. God has been at work in one area of my life for a while now. He has been showing me over the last couple of years my struggle to give complete control to Him. As I am writing this post, I am fully aware how much I need to trust Him in my finances. I look at my bank balance and see very little in it. Yet, I have so much more than those in Honduras. I park my car in a garage that is bigger than many of the cement houses where the villagers actually live.

One thing that is becoming evident as I consider my trip: I am so truly blessed, but it’s not for my benefit. I saw so many needs while I was there. I didn’t feel like I did very much to help while I was there. I left feeling I should have done more. Two things that keep popping up in my mind are: the treasure is in the field, and the Acts church – the first church – gave so no one would be in need (Acts 2:45). Both treasures are heart issues. Where do I put my treasure? Am I willing to give even if I have to sell something in order to give more? Giving obtains true treasure. The treasure is in the field but also, the treasure is stored in heaven.

Job told us in Scripture, we come into this world naked, and we will leave it naked (Job 1:21). Everything we have is God’s; we are just stewards of His possessions. As I passed hills throughout Honduras, I was struck with the thought: God owns cattle on a thousand hills. On the flight into the country, I noticed there is no border from the sky. You cannot tell when you are flying from one country to the next because there is no physical border from the air. God only sees two kingdoms: His and Satan’s.

There seems to be a distribution problem in His kingdom. I saw pastors in Honduras that are living on next to nothing doing God’s work, but barely surviving to support their families. I don’t think this is God’s distribution problem; it’s ours. God has given us blessings here in this country to help care for those in His kingdom elsewhere. Jesus taught so much more about money than any other topic because He knew how much money could hinder our walk with Him. Our hearts need to be right in order to be a better steward of what He has given us.

I don’t feel like I did much to help while I was in Honduras. Maybe it’s not about what was done there, but what I can do here to help those in need there. God is in the process of realigning my heart. My treasure is in the field and in heaven. The question is: Am I ready to give it all for God’s glory?

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21

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31 Jul 2013

Preparation

On Memorial Day, I was outside cleaning up around my house and made a few observations as I was cleaning up weeds. A few years ago (maybe ten years or so), I removed all the grass and put in mulch on one side of my house. It was a shady area. There were a couple of trees on my side of the property line and two large cedar trees on my neighbor’s side. As the years went along, the trees got really big and became a real problem for me. It kept the siding on the house from getting sunshine which led to mold and mildew being a real nuisance.

I have issues concerning the trees around my house. My house was struck by lightning when I first moved in. It hit one of the trees on that side of the house and ricocheted to my house. I have been wanting all the trees down since then. I finally got the trees down on my side about three years ago. So what do I do about my neighbor’s trees? Well, I prayed for God to remove them. I know, trivial things to pray about, but I prayed anyway. In hindsight, it was a really good thing for me to cut my trees down because God answered my prayer in a very big way.

In April, 2011, a tornado made its way through my city and across my neighborhood. Those two cedar trees were laid down perfectly between my house and my neighbor’s. If the other trees had been there, they might have ended up on top of my house (right where I would have been kneeling in my closet). I believe God prompted me to get those trees taken down. I even had done some major work on my house the year before and trust that too was in preparation for the storm to come. This was not how I expected God to answer my prayer for my tree problem. But He had prepared me in a large way for the storm to come. I had done the work I knew to do in advance of what God was going to do.

I see this too as a metaphor for spiritual storms. There are things I need to be doing in order to be prepared for the storms that will come in my life. I need to be strong in the Word. I need to be on my knees praying diligently for the things I know to be praying for. There are many preparations before the storms arrive, and they will come.

As I was pulling weeds on Memorial Day, I was reminded of my prayer. I prayed for the removal of the trees and now I have weeds. Nothing had grown on that side of the house for years, but now that it’s sunny and weeds flourish. The house is no longer moldy and mildewed, but the paint is fading fast. Whether it is sunny or shady, there are always issues to deal with. Either way, there is work to do. Time spent in preparation is essential to be ready for whatever storm comes my way.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34

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