At the beach

Friends and relatives who have been to Disney World or the original Disneyland all tell me the same thing; the theme park was great, but their kids preferred the beach.

The park offered fun at every turn--the food, the shows, the street spectacles, the rides--all were meant for enjoyment and entertainment.

A time for solitude and reflection at the beach

But the next day, when everyone was tired, they all opted for a quiet time at the beach. The children felt the sand squish between their toes as warm foam swirled around their legs. They listened to the beckoning sounds of the pounding surf, and stared into the clear tidal pools filled with creatures. They made elaborate sand castles and warmed their backs in the sun.

Somehow, a man dressed in a static Mickey Mouse head just didn't compete.

And this is what the American church experience has been for me for several years now.

I've been to a lot of churches--In fact, I was saved in Sunday School. I have attended churches that felt like the Matterhorn bobsled ride at Disneyland--full of wait and boredom, with a promise of something exciting in the future, but without its fulfillment in the here and now. 

I've also been to "amusement park" churches (A.W. Tozer calls this "Golden calf" Christianity). Like one immense pep-rally, participants sing songs about reaching the lost in the wide, wide world, and about the nations, and about all kinds of corporate things we all should be doing. At one service they even turned off the lights and handed out glow sticks so that everyone could wave them around--it was fun, I have to admit--sort of like a rock concert without the drugs and alcohol. 

Author Sherry Hayes

But it wasn't real, anymore than the Mickey Mouse caricature who goes around shaking hands with the park visitors. I have been to so many of these and come away feeling empty--a sense that what goes on there just doesn't jive with the rich relationship I experience daily with my Lord. 

At one church service a man stood up and boldly proclaimed that the only reason any of us were alive was to proclaim the Gospel. He was only a babe in Christ, and some misguided souls quickly had him convinced that personal holiness meant to be lived and walked out in our daily life had no applicable meaning in the "real" world. Within two years he and almost all of the leadership of that church had become involved in several adulterous relationships--what weeping and sadness had been caused by the unbalanced attempt of some to fill up the chairs on Sunday.

But I don't buy it--I don't want to have an amusement-park life.

I prefer the beach.

Here at home, in my everyday life, I experience more of Jesus, and more of the power of His Holy Spirit, than at any hyped-up service I have ever attended.

Olivia and Faith alone, in their quiet discoveries

It's taken years to really understand what I have now come to know--the truly rich life is the quietly private, and set apart one. It's like staring out my back window at the clouds above the prairie or while walking in a nearby nature park and pouring my whole heart out to Him (the Lover of my soul). It is opening a hymn book and singing aloud with my children. How many times have I felt as though I had glimpsed a little corner of Heaven.

Sometimes it's when I'm cooking a pot of spaghetti, or even folding clothes in the wee hours of the morning following a bout of insomnia that He meets with me. How precious these intimate times are! Frequently it's when we are gathered as a family, praying and reading the Word together, that He speaks to me. I hear His thoughts echoed in the prayers of my sweet innocent children--that is when I know He is visiting with us.

When I am being filled with His Spirit in this way, it's not hard to share with those around me. I don't have to gather around with a group and hand out leaflets, I just stay open to His leading, and doors open up in the grocery line, or at the bank.

Fellowship happens with anyone who is willing--at any time. I have friends and relatives with whom I can share these joys, and they rejoice with me. We bolster each other up and pray for each other--this is the gathering together that truly builds and edifies.

I am so grieved by our sad state here in America. I remember hearing of contrite Chinese believers who leave the floor wet with tears of repentance when they gather together to seek God's face. I heard they are amazed at what we seem to have accomplished without the leading or power of God's Holy Spirit.

But there is a remnant--I hear it in the comments of many of you who read here--and I see it elsewhere in the uncharted regions of Christianity. God is calling His beloved ones out, those who have been treated like paupers, and even losers by the relevant and popular ministries of today because they dare to live counter-cultural lives.

I know how lonely it can seem. I know how many times we may question ourselves and field the inquiries of others who don't really understand. However compromise is not an option. And when we find that we are the loneliest, we have a special portion from Him reserved for those times when we feel forsaken--how precious!

And yet, I am not by myself--many others have walked here before me. 

Remember you are not alone--He sees you.

What will you do with Jesus?

Joseph, baby Jesus and Mary in the manger

It is perfectly acceptable to speak of Him as a sweet babe. We wrap Him in swaddling clothes and lay Him in a manger; we even cover Him with light and give Him a radiant halo.

But He is all grown up. He is no longer swathed in cherubic sweetness. He was a man--better than that He said he was the Savior--the Lord--the Son of God--what then, will we do with Him?

We can call Him a great teacher--but His lessons are too harsh. His message was about dying in order to live, and losing in order to gain. He traveled throughout Israel like a common transient--He gleaned His food from the fields and slept with only a rock as His pillow. He gave until His skin was bruised and torn and His life's blood flowed. 

Though he was God, yet He was not His own Boss. He laid down His own will and took up His Father's. He fully submitted to God, "Not my will, but Thine", and in the surrender of His life He demonstrated to us the way to life. He is not the fulfiller of dreams, He is the Dream. 

"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

We can call Him a Prophet--because He spoke the words of God. But He was God, and He was the Word.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:1-5)

We want to include Him in a group of all sorts of good, spiritual men, but He will not fit. He was not good, He was Goodness. He was not spiritual, He was the Son of God, the very God Himself in the flesh. There is nothing spiritual besides Him, and all attempts to glory in any other is vain.

We cannot have Jesus and...

Savior and Lord of all!

...Jesus must stand on His own. Yes, He was a lamb led to the slaughter, yet God declares Him the Lion of Judah. He comforts and loves all who are His own; He died that all might live, but it is a "free-will" choice--to choose Him--to choose life. Each of us must decide for ourselves, because if we are not for Him, we are against Him.  

Someday, when the tombs of all the other "gods", prophets, and kings are swept away into forgetfulness, Jesus will take His place as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Will we be able to claim Him as our Treasure, our One Desire, our God and King, or will we be smitten to the ground, fearful of our fate before His Holy Majesty?

What will you do with Jesus?

Article written by Sherry K. Hayes

The Glory of the Latter House by Carter Colon

http://www.tscnyc.org/media_center.php?pg=sermons&spg=video#top

Bryan Duncan Launches Kickstarter Campaign

Bryan Duncan singing about life and the need for Jesus

Plans New Album and Re-Issue of Past Albums

Recording artist Bryan Duncan announced a Kickstarter campaign to fund the release of his 23rd album and the re-issue of eight out-of-print Cd's. The campaign runs through December 16, 2011 and according to Kickstarter’s policy must reach its goal to receive any funding. 

Kickstarter.com is a web site that describes itself as a new way to fund and follow creativity.

“The cool thing about Kickstarter,” says Duncan, “is fans get to be a part of my music project. That’s a lot better than re-tweeting something I said or tagging me in a photo.” 

Duncan’s supporters can also receive special incentives for participating in the Kickstarter campaign - autographed albums, house concerts, duets in concert or on their own albums—and the chance to talk with Duncan by phone or videoconferencing.

“My fans and I share many of the same experiences. We’re all just learning what it means to experience God’s grace in all of life’s circumstances. Interaction with them often is the inspiration for songs,” Duncan says. “ So it’s exciting to have a way to connect with some of them during the writing and recording process.”

Duncan views music as a calling so he’ll be writing and singing as long as he’s able, with or without a record company.

“If you’ve got a calling, you’re compelled to do it—regardless of how painful it gets or what everyone else thinks about it. I’m grateful, though, that there are people who have listened to my music and supported me for so many years.”

Duncan has experienced a lot of highs and lows over his 38-year career. “I used to see the lows as failure and just feel a lot of frustration. But now I hear God more clearly in hard times.”

“There have been periods of my life when I didn’t have a wonderful relationship with God because I couldn’t receive anything. I was a little too proud to say, 'I really need your help.' I’m discovering that to be broken and needy is humbling, but it allows God to show me what his real values are. The more I turn my eyes to God, the more I can’t imagine where I would be without him.”

Bryan Duncan playing his guitar during a quiet moment.

Duncan started performing professionally in 1973 with the Sweet Comfort Band and recorded six albums before launching a solo career in 1985. He has released 13 solo albums and three more with the NehoSoul Band, selling in excess of 1 million records.

Duncan was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007, along with Amy Grant and Al Green. He has received three Dove Awards and one Grammy Award.

http://devotions4misfits.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/bryan-duncan/

Chosen to be Holy by Alan Redpath

Jesus receives the little children

Please listen to this sermon.  From time to time I will discover great sermons on Sermon Index.

These will be posted and perhaps removed after a short season.  Please be sure to listen while they last! 

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.  

14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:13-14)

 http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=12124

In His service,

William

The Name to Use

If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:14) 

What a broad scoped promise! Anything! Whether large or small, all my needs are covered by that word anything. Come, my soul, be free at the mercy seat, and hear thy Lord saying to thee, "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." 

What a wise promise! We are always to ask in the name of Jesus. While this encourages us, it also honors Him. This is a constant plea. Occasionally every other plea is darkened, especially such as we could draw from our own relation to God or our experience of His grace; but at such times the name of Jesus is as mighty at the throne as ever, and we may plead it with full assurance. 

What an instructive prayer! I may not ask for anything to which I cannot put Christ's hand and seal. I dare not use my Lord's name to a selfish or willful petition. I may only use my Lord's name to prayers which He would Himself pray if He were in my case. It is a high privilege to be authorized to ask in the name of Jesus as if Jesus Himself asked; but our love to Him will never allow us to set that name where He would not have set it.

Am I asking for that which Jesus approves? Dare I put His seal to my prayer? Then I shall have that which I seek of the Father.

By Wood John, Servant of God in Pakistan

Ten Shekels and a Shirt

Rev. Paris Reidhead, Pastor

A clarion call to repent and live for God's glory alone. How to avoid the trap of humanism! The following link (below) is one of the most well-known sermons of the 20th Century by Paris Reidhead, "Promoting Genuine Biblical Revival". This sermon is about 52 minutes long but well worth listening to with an open heart!

Ten Shekels and a Shirt

Reflections of the Lord's Beauty

Jesus looks at the city of Jerusalem

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15)

The portion of other men fills their bodies and enriches their children, but the portion of the believer is of another sort. Men of the world have their treasure in this world, but men of the world to come look higher and further.

Our possession is twofold. We have God's presence here and His likeness hereafter here we behold the face of the Lord in righteousness, for we are justified in Christ Jesus. Oh, the joy of beholding the face of a reconciled God! The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ yields us heaven below, and it will be to us the heaven of heavens above.

But seeing does not end it: we are to be changed into that which we gaze upon. We shall sleep a while and then wake up to find ourselves as mirrors which reflect the beauties of our Lord. Faith sees God with a transforming look. The heart receives the image of Jesus into its own depths, till the character of Jesus is imprinted on the soul. This is satisfaction. To see God and to be like Him—what more can I desire? David's assured confidence is here by the Holy Ghost made to be the Lord's promise. I believe it. I expect it. Lord, vouchsafe it.

Amen.

Reflections of the Lord's Beauty, Daily Devotional Reading by Charles H. Spurgeon.

Should we preach with authority?

Charles Westley preaching to the people the gospel of Jesus!

A few years back, I listened in astonishment as postmodern leaders talked about replacing "preaching" with "having a conversation.”At first, I thought that maybe they were confusing individual conversations with how we should speak to the masses, but I was wrong. They felt that we should stop preaching from the pulpit, and start being more passive and less confrontational; never mind the fact that Jesus said, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." (Luke 4:43). But according to many post moderns, it's time to replace "preaching" with "conversing."

Don't get me wrong. I'm not questioning cosmetic issues such as styles of worship, ambiance, lighting and mood. I'm challenging the dangerous practice of removing foundational principles; Spirit-empowered preaching is foundational.

I'm also not suggesting that we never converse with people. Quite the contrary, we must be slow to speak and quick to listen, but when we are called to preach, a whole new dynamic takes place: The Spirit of God speaks, convicts, draws, heals, breaks, restores, wounds and rebuilds. In the book Spirit empowered preaching, the author said, "It must be understood that the preacher does not share, he declares." Preaching is not a little talk. It is not a fireside chat. To substitute sharing and discussion for preaching is to risk the integrity of the gospel itself."

"What does this have to do with me; I'm not a pastor, or a preacher", you might ask. It has a great deal to do with any Christian regardless of his or her calling. Let me explain. There is a very troubling trend in the evangelical church, as a whole. Foundational doctrines such as the cross, sin, judgment and repentance were declared openly in the early hours of church history, as well as in American history when revivals and awakenings spread across our landscape.

Jesus teaching about the Kingdom of God

Today, these foundational truths are often neglected, watered-down, or avoided altogether in the hope of not offending, securing an audience, or being user friendly. Judgment is never mentioned; repentance is never sought; and sin is often excused. This leaves people confused and received because they believe in a cross less Christianity that bears no resemblance to Jesus' sobering call to repentance. Even though you may not be a Christian leader, we all are called to share God's Word with others, especially the difficult truths. Then we are also able to offer hope.

"To convince the world of the truth of Christianity, it must first be convinced of sin. It is only sin that renders Christ intelligible" (Andrew Murray, 1794 - 1866). In other words, the crucifixion only makes sense in light of the consequences of sin. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15), yet, we're not suppose to mention sin, repentance or judgment?

Again, the good news about Christ can only be appreciated with the bad news as the backdrop. There are times when the saints must be fed, and there are times when the sinners must be warned (Charles H. Spurgeon). Preaching, witnessing, teaching, and so on must be done with God-given authority to truly be effective. "When we fail to proclaim God's Word faithfully, we run the risk of encouraging sin and perverting the words of the living God." (cf. Jeremiah 23). *

 * Should we preach with authority? By Shane Idleman

A Covenant He Remembers

Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane

He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. (Psalm 111:5)

Those who fear God need not fear want. Through all these long years the Lord has always found meat for His own children, whether they have been in the wilderness, or by the brook Cherith, or in captivity, or in the midst of famine. Hitherto the Lord has given us day by day our daily bread, and we doubt not that He will continue to feed us till we want no more.

As to the higher and greater blessings of the covenant of grace, He will never cease to supply them as our case demands. He is mindful that He made the covenant and never acts as if He regretted it. He is mindful of it when we provoke Him to destroy us. He is mindful to love us, keep us, and comfort us, even as He engaged to do. He is mindful of every jot and tittle of His engagements, never suffering one of His words to fall to the ground.


We are sadly unmindful of our God, but He is graciously mindful of us. He cannot forget His Son who is the surety of the covenant, nor His Holy Spirit who actively carries out the covenant, nor His own honor, which is bound up with the covenant. Hence the foundation of God standeth sure, and no believer shall lose his divine inheritance, which is his by a covenant of salt. *

1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

The flagellation of Christ

3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:1-11)


* A Covenant He Remembers, Daily Devotional Reading by Charles H. Spurgeon.

The Wrath of God was Poured Out, (because of you and me)!

September 2011 - Word from the Lord

Jesus testifies to His mission.

This is a prophetic word I received from an email earlier this month. I thought I'd share. Peace, joy and blessings.

I am bringing change to all areas of life; some are obvious and many not. The face of the landscapes are in change. Yes, even within you I am at work. Do not fear what you do not know.

I am testing the trees of the forests. My Spirit is blowing over and through them. The mature have learned to bow before me and bend in my ways.

Yet even in them pruning is necessary. The weak and inner decayed are exposed. Many are yet to fall. They become a part of oncoming generations.

There are changes coming and you are to learn to recognize what is me. Study my ways and do not be fearful. Listen for the sound of my voice. You will find it has many tenors and tones. I am directing those who know me.

If you live in fear you do not know me. I am love. I bring fear to the ungodly as their ways and progresses falter. It crumbles in my light, yet my people will prosper.

Greg Mann, Church Without Walls.

Making the Team

An excerpt from Voddie Baucham's book called "Family Driven Faith”

Making the Team

Pastor Voddie Baucham

Another full-screen issue is found in the ever-so-popular arena of sports. Not long ago I had the privilege of sharing my views on Biblical parenting with several classes at one of the world’s largest seminaries. One of the things the students found most intriguing was the fact that my wife and I homeschool our children (more about that later). Several students asked me the same question: “What about sports?” Their curiosity was piqued even more when I responded, “Who cares?” They didn’t know if I was being provocative or if I had simply taken leave of my senses. Inevitably they would follow up with something like, “How do your kids learn teamwork and sportsmanship?” Or “How do your children learn to be competitive?” At this point I answered their question with another question. “How did Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, or George Washington learn those things?” Better yet, since Jesus is our ultimate model of Christian manhood, how did He learn those things? Was Jesus in Little League?

I’m not trying to say that it is necessarily wrong for children to play organized sports. My point is simply this: Being a member of an organized traveling baseball squad at age ten doesn’t add a single day to one’s life. In fact, many of these activities get in the way of much loftier pursuits. People turned boys into men and girls into women for most of recorded history without dragging them around town with their tongues hanging out in an effort to keep up with their overachieving, undereducated, theologically illiterate peers as they try to win trophies that will eventually gather dust in a basement somewhere.

If I teach my son to keep his eye on the ball but fail to teach him to keep his eyes on Christ, I have failed as a father. We must refuse to allow trivial, temporal pursuits to interfere with the main thing. Making the team is a tremendous achievement; however, it must be put in its proper perspective. No sports endeavor will ever be as important as becoming a man or woman of God.

The Divine Light in Darkness

The Divine Light in Darkness                               

Jesus, the Light of the world!

For thou wilt light my candle. (Psalm 18:28)

It may be that my soul sits in darkness; and if this be of a spiritual kind, no human power can bring me light. Blessed be God! He can enlighten my darkness and at once light my candle. Even though I may be surrounded by a "darkness which might be felt," yet He can break the gloom and immediately make it bright around me.

The mercy is that if He lights the candle none can blow it out, neither will it go out for lack of substance, nor burn out of itself through the lapse of hours. The lights which the Lord kindled in the beginning are shining still. The Lord's lamps may need trimming, but He does not put them out.

Let me, then, like the nightingale sing in the dark.

Expectation shall furnish me with music, and hope shall pitch the tune. Soon I shall rejoice in a candle of God's lighting. I am dull and dreary just now. Perhaps it is the weather, or bodily weakness, or the surprise of a sudden trouble; but whatever has made the darkness, it is God alone who will bring the light. My eyes are unto Him alone. I shall soon have the candles of the Lord shining about me; and, further on in His own good time, I shall be where they need no candle, neither light of the sun. Hallelujah!

John Wood, September 26, 2011

Walking with the Lord by Greg Mann

...that is when I carried you.

Walking with the Lord is a banquet and not a buffet. We don't choose a god of our liking to be the meat of our spiritual sustenance—our Truth is not Jell-O that wobbles and wiggles into any shape we like. And dessert does not come first.

Our society prides itself on being able to serve up the best desserts. Indulgences prove prosperity and the most expensive sweets are dished up to whoever opens their hands. I'm afraid the church has broken its diet while still proclaiming it has lost weight. We put on expensive clothes to hide our spiritual obesity and offer the same bad habits to all who accept the invitation to get in the buffet line. Just pull out your wallet, pay the man, get your ticket, and then gorge. There's plenty of soda and sticky buns. But it's OK because the soda is diet.

Over using, the metaphor of food, churches today look like Dairy Queens. Flashy neon advertises the Blizzard of the month, soft serve cones, greasy fries and burgers that are little more than dressing on dry bread with a chip of meat hidden in the middle. We are spiritually obese worshiping the god of the buffet and promising the world spiritual food that doesn't require much chewing and is healthy if we remember to spit out the bones. Cheap meat has bones. Bones will choke.

Our diet is obedience and repentance. We eat in the order the Lord serves. We may not like vegetables, but they make us strong. Dessert before dinner makes us spiritually fat and lazy, then there's no appetite for the Bread of Life. Therefore the sweets we eat are the fruits of the Vine, a blessing for the discerning.

If anyone has overeaten the offerings of the world, fast and pray. The Lord will cleanse and provide a program of proper eating—the Bible. This word is now finished because it's lunchtime. Praise the Lord and pass the broccoli.

Choice Men

The Apostle Paul preaching at Corinth

I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. (Isaiah 48:10)

This has long been the motto fixed before our eye upon the wall of our bedroom, and in many ways it has also been written on our heart. It is no mean thing to be chosen of God. God's choice makes chosen men choice men. Better to be the elect of God than the elect of a whole nation. So eminent is this privilege, that whatever drawback may be joined to it we very joyfully accept it, even as the Jew ate the bitter herbs for the sake of the Paschal Lamb. We choose the furnace, since God chooses us in it.

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego in the furnace

We are chosen as an afflicted people and not as a prosperous people, chosen not in the palace but in the furnace. In the furnace beauty is marred, fashion is destroyed, strength is melted, glory is consumed, and yet here eternal love reveals its secrets and declares its choice. So has it been in our case. In times of severest trial God has made to us our calling and election plain, and we have made it sure: then have we chosen the Lord to be our God, and He has shown that we are assuredly His chosen. Therefore, if today the furnace be heated seven times hotter, we will not dread it, for the glorious Son of God will walk with us amid the glowing coals.

Inspirational YouTube clip:

That's Not My God by Paul Washer