Yep, it's that time again; for some it's pretty new clothes for the ladies, egg hunts, bunnies, chicks and peeps, ham dinners and the semi-annual trip to church.
For Christendom, the day marks a special observance. No, it's not the actual anniversary of Jesus' resurrection, and it's not a biblical holy day, but it is a day of gathering, a unique day of observance for those who are called by His name.
We observe and reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us and His triumphal return, the vanquishing of physical death and His glorious return to the right hand of the Father in heaven.
"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" ~ 1 Corinthians 15:55
We are reminded, if need be, that this physical life is temporary, temporal, short term. We are reminded that Jesus waits for us, that He paved the way on that cross to our return to God as well. We are reminded that we who are called by His name are aliens, strangers in a strange land, once destined for a second death but now born again and looking forward to a new life with Him who is our Lord.
Born once, die twice; born twice, die once.
We raise our hands in church and sing "Hallelujah" but i'ts more than that; i'ts the quiet reflection of our position in His family, of His glorious love for us and, through His love, our ability to love one another.
I confess, my church attendance has been poor lately and I am sore in need of renewed fellowship, but it's not about church and i'ts not about pomp and ceremony. It's about the power of concerted, purposeful prayer and the gathering of sincere hearts to praise, to worship, to cry out His name and, in doing, to partake of restoration, of peaceful gathering, of the deafening serenity of His presence among us.
Yes, where ever and whenever we are in mindful communication with Him, there He is, but, oh, what a time when we are joined together in synchronous praise! Hallelujah indeed!
"Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals." ~ Psalm 150
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
delusional?
It's not uncommon to hear lost folks refer to saved folks as "delusional"; the irony does not escape us.
1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
So often I wish that I could easily explain the concepts of God, the reality of our world, the inescapable truths to those who can not begin to understand, as I also could not before, in a manner that would be quickly understood, believed and accepted.
Each time I watch "The Matrix" I ponder the similarities between this fictional "reality" and the same unreality that exists here for those who are not lined up with God's Holy Spirit.
How do you explain to the "Neo's" of this world, that there is another existence, more real than can be imagined, but not attainable until one lets go of "reality" and steps out in faith to receive the unimaginable existence that is God's grace unfolding?
How do we get them to "take the blue pill"?
We don't. We just tell them what we know to be true, prayerfully and with tenderness, and allow the Holy Spirit do His job, warming the heart and mind of those who are called. We know He will, because He did the same for each of us in His family.
Awakened, reborn, alive.
1Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
So often I wish that I could easily explain the concepts of God, the reality of our world, the inescapable truths to those who can not begin to understand, as I also could not before, in a manner that would be quickly understood, believed and accepted.
Each time I watch "The Matrix" I ponder the similarities between this fictional "reality" and the same unreality that exists here for those who are not lined up with God's Holy Spirit.
How do you explain to the "Neo's" of this world, that there is another existence, more real than can be imagined, but not attainable until one lets go of "reality" and steps out in faith to receive the unimaginable existence that is God's grace unfolding?
How do we get them to "take the blue pill"?
We don't. We just tell them what we know to be true, prayerfully and with tenderness, and allow the Holy Spirit do His job, warming the heart and mind of those who are called. We know He will, because He did the same for each of us in His family.
Awakened, reborn, alive.
1Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
share the blessing
forwarded by a friend
This Easter season take the initiative to share the good news of Jesus with your family, friends, and neighbors. Here are some good pointers I read recently and wanted to pass along to you.
1. Go to people. The heart of evangelism is Christians taking the initiative to actually go out and "fish for men." Acts 17:17 describes for us how Paul was effective in his day and time: "Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the gentile worshippers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there."
2. Communicate with people. Engage them. Sharing the Gospel involves communication. People must be focused upon and then understand the Gospel to respond to it. It is our responsibility as Christians to make it as clear as possible for all who will listen. "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" (2 Cor. 5:11).
3. Relate to people. Effective witness involves not only the transmission of biblical information; it also includes establishing a relationship with the other person. Hearts, as well as heads, must meet. "So, affectionately longing for you," said Paul to the Thessalonians, "we were well pleased to import to you not only the good news of God, but also our own lives, because you have become dear to us" (1 Thess. 2:8).
4. Remove barriers. Part of our responsibility involves having the skills to eliminate obstacles, real or imagined, which keep an individual from taking the Christian message seriously. When God sent the prophet Jeremiah forth, He said, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth . . . and I have ordained you to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." Sometimes our task as well is one of "spiritual demolition," of removing the false so the seeds of truth can take root. Apologetics sometimes serves in that capacity, of preparing a highway for God in someone's life.
5. Explain the gospel to others. We need an army of Christians today who can consistently and clearly present the message to as many people as possible. Luke says of Lydia, "The Lord opened her heart so that she heeded the things which were spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14). Four essential elements in sharing the gospel:
7. Make every effort by every means to establish them in the faith. Stay with them, ground them in the Scripture, help them gain assurance of their salvation, and get them active in a vital fellowship/church.
This Easter season take the initiative to share the good news of Jesus with your family, friends, and neighbors. Here are some good pointers I read recently and wanted to pass along to you.
1. Go to people. The heart of evangelism is Christians taking the initiative to actually go out and "fish for men." Acts 17:17 describes for us how Paul was effective in his day and time: "Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the gentile worshippers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there."
2. Communicate with people. Engage them. Sharing the Gospel involves communication. People must be focused upon and then understand the Gospel to respond to it. It is our responsibility as Christians to make it as clear as possible for all who will listen. "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" (2 Cor. 5:11).
3. Relate to people. Effective witness involves not only the transmission of biblical information; it also includes establishing a relationship with the other person. Hearts, as well as heads, must meet. "So, affectionately longing for you," said Paul to the Thessalonians, "we were well pleased to import to you not only the good news of God, but also our own lives, because you have become dear to us" (1 Thess. 2:8).
4. Remove barriers. Part of our responsibility involves having the skills to eliminate obstacles, real or imagined, which keep an individual from taking the Christian message seriously. When God sent the prophet Jeremiah forth, He said, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth . . . and I have ordained you to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." Sometimes our task as well is one of "spiritual demolition," of removing the false so the seeds of truth can take root. Apologetics sometimes serves in that capacity, of preparing a highway for God in someone's life.
5. Explain the gospel to others. We need an army of Christians today who can consistently and clearly present the message to as many people as possible. Luke says of Lydia, "The Lord opened her heart so that she heeded the things which were spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14). Four essential elements in sharing the gospel:
- someone talking (Paul)
- things spoken (gospel)
- someone listening (Lydia)
- the Lord opening the heart.
7. Make every effort by every means to establish them in the faith. Stay with them, ground them in the Scripture, help them gain assurance of their salvation, and get them active in a vital fellowship/church.
Monday, April 11, 2011
grace
"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." ~ Genesis 6:5-8
Noah found favor; grace.
The Lord gave grace to Noah; grace for God's children is an established characteristic of God.
God was graceful.
God is graceful.
God is grace.
Thank you, Lord, for your grace, for your mercy, for your kindness, for your love fo me.
Undeserved, grace poured out, and mankind is saved to begin anew.
Noah found favor; grace.
The Lord gave grace to Noah; grace for God's children is an established characteristic of God.
God was graceful.
God is graceful.
God is grace.
Thank you, Lord, for your grace, for your mercy, for your kindness, for your love fo me.
Undeserved, grace poured out, and mankind is saved to begin anew.
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