Category: Uncategorized

Does He get a piece, a sliver, or an empty plate?

I wonder what percentage of most church goers’ budgets go to tithing, helping the needy, supporting orphans and widows. I wonder what percentage of our time is dedicated to loving God and loving others,  remembering Christ, surrendering our will to be a living sacrifice to honor the Lord?

I wonder what percentage of most organized religions budgets actually go to help the needy,  the addicted, the widows and the orphans who have no money to offer in return for the services provided? Compared to how much money is spent to provide services and benefits and comfort to those who will bring in more money. How much is spent advertising the name of Jesus and the gospel,  versus how much is spent selling a brand and name of their own. 

Continue reading “Does He get a piece, a sliver, or an empty plate?” →

From an ex-Muslim:

From an ex-Muslim:

“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

Some times people asks me why I left Islam? Here is answer for them; I am NOT Muslim anymore. I was BUT not now.
* When I learnt the true Moham-mad and his evil deeds like to get married with Aysha who was only six years old and had sex with her when she was only nine! Its made me sick. Its crime. Therefore I call him a real pedeophile.How come a prophet can do this evil act!?

Continue reading “From an ex-Muslim:” →

Through the eyes of a child

God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our redemption and the Love of our Saviour.

Every year we attend a local Church pageant which tells the Story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast members in realistic costumes.

The Magi enter the huge auditorium on Llamas from the rear, descending the steps in pomp and majesty. Roman Soldiers look huge and menacing in their costumes and makeup.

Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in my heart. It was the year we took our then three-year-old Granddaughter, Bailey, who Loves Jesus. She was totally mesmerized throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if she were a player. She watches as Joseph and Mary travel to the Inn and is thrilled when she sees the baby Jesus in His Mother’s arms.

Later when Jesus, on a young Donkey, descends the steps from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey began jumping up and down, screaming, “Jesus, Jesus! There’s Jesus!” Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every fiber of her being. She alternated between screaming his name and hugging us. “It’s Jesus. Look!” I thought she might actually pass out.

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Jesus through the eyes of a Child in Love with Him, seeing Him for the first time. How like the blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, “Jesus, Jesus!”, afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought.

This was so much fun but… then came the arrest scene.

On stage, the Soldiers shoved and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of Gethsemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the crowd of Women, with terror and anger. “Stop it!” she screamed. “Bad Soldiers, stop it!” As I watched her reaction, I wished we had talked to her before the play.

“Bailey it’s OK. They are just pretending,” but she shouted “They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!”She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking “How cute!”. Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him. In a most powerful scene, the Soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross down the steps of the auditorium from the back. They were yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and beaten.

Bailey was now hysterical. “Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it,” she screamed. She must have been wondering why all these people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream.

“Jesus, Oh, Jesus!” People all around us began to weep as we all watch this devoted little Disciple see her Jesus beaten and killed as those first Century Disciples had. Now going back and forth between her Mother’s lap and mine for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, “Bailey, it’s OK. Jesus is going to be OK. These are just people pretending to be Soldiers. She looked at me like I was crazy. In my lap, we talked through the cross and burial. “Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!”

The Tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone rolled away. A Super Bowl Touchdown cheer couldn’t come close to matching this little one’s reaction to the resurrection. “Jesus! He’s OK Mommy, it’s Jesus!” ” It’s Jesus!”

I prayed that she wasn’t going to be traumatized by this event, but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall never forget seeing Jesus’ suffering, Crucifixion, and Resurrection through the eyes of an innocent Child.

Following the pageant the Actors all assembled in the foyer to be greeted by the Audience. As we passed by some of the Soldiers Bailey screamed out, “Bad Soldier, don’t you hurt Jesus.”

The Actor who portrayed Jesus was some distance away surrounded by well-wishers and friends. Bailey broke away from us and ran toward Him, wrapping herself around his legs, holding on for dear life. He hugged her and said, “Jesus Loves you.” He patted her to go away. She wouldn’t let go. She kept clinging to Him, laughing and calling His name. She wasn’t about to let go of her Jesus.

I think God in Heaven stopped what ever was going on that day and made all the Angels watch Bailey and said… ..”Now, look there! You see what I meant when I said;”  … “Let the little Children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” ( Matthew 19:14 )

Then Jesus called a little Child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little Children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little Child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one little Child like this in My name receives Me. Matthew 18:2-5 (N.K.J.V)

– Author Unknown

Father, forgive us

We as a society encourage panhandling and begging with our attitude of handing out money instead of getting involved personally with helping one another. Many of us would rather not have to worry with the messiness of helping, we would rather write a check to a church or charity for tax write off so we can hold up the receipt and say “I did my part” when the conviction comes knocking at our heart (or maybe our hearts are hardened past hearing any conviction at all).

It’s sad, but people like the drug addicted sinners panhandling on corners are exactly the type of broken people at the “bottom” of the chain of society who need to put some in check who are at the “bottom” when it comes to having hearts of mercy, love and forgiveness.

We overlook the needs of the oppressed and hurting – or put them on public display for their faults and shortcomings – contrasting the ugliness of their lives against our picket fences and grand, beautiful houses, bought with the mammon that we pile up and cling to – while our brothers and sisters suffer in the consequences of their circumstances, and yes, of their life choices.

Continue reading “Father, forgive us” →

Not just giving, nor just sacrificial giving, but Grateful and Generous Giving

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.  For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Luke 21:1-4 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.21.1-4.NLT

How many of us are giving just from our surplus, just from what we’ve budgeted that we can afford to give, which takes no faith in God to do amazing and wonderful things? How many of us have grown comfortable not seeing, God active in our lives because we aren’t willing to extend ourselves to a point that requires trusting the Lord to provide.

And don’t get me wrong,  this isn’t a finger pointed out at you in condemnation – these are arms wide open saying,  “You don’t know what you are missing.”

My wife and I were in bad shape, financially speaking, maritally speaking, spiritually speaking – until we made a decision and we stepped out into waters over our heads, and placed our trust in the Lord. And now,  with every new step that we take – not as a sacrifice,  but in a new level of gratefully trusting and relying on God to provide, we find Him faithfully pouring out, His blessings upon our lives.

So I’m telling you not to guilt you into trusting God – I’m telling you that what the world tells you is foolish is sometimes the very solution to your problems. When we were facing foreclosure on our house and bankruptcy as our only viable solution a few years ago and we were trapped in our worldly thinking, we felt hopeless. But when we decided to be not only faithful tithers, but also generous givers of our time,  money,  and love unto others – we look up just a little while later and we are caught up on our bills and getting ready to hopefully be debt free in the coming year.

When we gave up keeping score in our marriage and decided to each do our best to serve one another, our marriage was healed to a partnership entwined with God,  and with our daughter living and seeking after God, and with family bonds tighter than ever before.

When we made time in our busy schedules and put God first in our mornings with family devotionals,  with service unto others,  with encouraging and loving and counseling others in the Word of God, our lives became blessed with a closer relationship with God, with days more free from the consequences of our old foolish actions, with new friends who are faithful and encouraging and comforting.

You see, we aren’t sacrificial givers of our money,  of our time, of our talents. We’ve seen past the lie that any of it is ours anyways. The veil has been lifted and we now understand that it is all His,  given to us – so we are grateful and blessed with the opportunity to use it ALL for His glory and honor. And that He doesn’t stop purring out the blessings,  as we pour out,  it just makes room for Him to pour more in.

So we aren’t sacrificial givers – even though the worldly minded might place us in that category. We are grateful and generous givers,  because we have learned these traits from our Father who lives us and who is generous to us.

Don’t miss out on the blessings that He has for your life and for those that you can help with your pouring out of your love,  your time,  your talents,  and yes,  even your money. There are many that are in need of help,  of hope, of salvation,  of purpose,  of meaning in their lives. Be a part of the solution – stand up and start walking with Him out across the waters,  trusting Him in greater and deeper ways. You won’t drown.

The Kingdom of God. NOW, in YOU

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs.  You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you. ”
Luke 17:20-21 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.17.20-21.NLT

When examining your life, are you aware of the Holy Spirit’s work within your life, and around you touching the lives of others?

Much of the work of the Kingdom of God is not miraculous signs and wonders. Much of the work is only evident in the change occurring inside hearts and lives that takes time to be seen – just like a seed planted in the soil that will one day grow into a large,  fruit bearing tree.

But the Kingdom of God is either come in your life and you are flowing with the life giving waters of the Holy Spirit alive in you as a new creation – or you are dead. Yes, a physical body can be up and walking around and participating in this physical world, but if there has been no death of the old nature and birth of a new,  Christ nature – then those persons are like lifeless zombies or robots,  there is no real life in them.

You see,  we don’t have to wait until death to experience and participate in the Kingdom of God. This Jesus thing isn’t about buying a ticket that you have to wait until death to ride on the train. No, this Christian walk is about His Kingdom come to earth in your life today – that His will be done through you today – that His imprint, His mark upon your life, His Holy Spirit alive in you,  shine through the darkness of this world like a great light on a hill. You are His messenger, you are His ambassador,  you are part of His royal priesthood,  you are a son or daughter of God.

And you must choose to believe what is true about you and learn to ignore those attacks by the enemy who want you to be weak in faith – because you have a purpose. Until His triumphant return is complete and the world is reconciled fully into His final judgement, or until you are absent from the body and return into His presence, You are His Kingdom come on earth, You are part of the living body of Christ at work in this physical world.

The Kingdom of God is already among you. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Do you not feel His voice urging you even now at this moment? Do you not feel the touch of His hand upon your life? Do you not see the opportunities before you to demonstrate His love in the challenges that today and overcome them through faith?

I pray that we will all have healthy spiritual eyes to discern the challenges and trials of our day and see them overcome by our faithfulness – resulting in an outpouring of love, joy,  peace,  patience,  kindness,  goodness, self control, and hope.

I pray that we will believe who Christ tells us that we are,  and that we will be truly alive today,  and that we will be equipped with this new heart and with this Word of God written upon the tablets of our hearts – so that His Kingdom will be manifest through the body of His church today – so that His will is done today and not our own.

I pray that we will experience the change in this world that comes when people can see past the veil of c religious practice and lay hands upon the very presence of the living God and changing them from the inside out,  touching their lives with the very imprint of his Holy Spirit as He reforms us into His own likeness,  as we are transformed to become more like our teacher.

I pray that we will be redeemed into His holy ministry of the reconciliation of this world into His grace for, His glory and honor.

I pray that we would all know Him as our Heavenly Father.
I pray that we would all begin to grasp the holiness of His name,  of His being,  of His nature.
I pray that we would all choose to participate in His Kingdom work come to earth in the work of his humble and faithful servants.
I pray that we would all follow His will and not our own,  for His purpose and design is to prosper us and lift us up and to provide for us a greater and more perfect life eternal.
I pray that we would trust Him to provide for all of our needs,  so that we will be open handed to all those in need and want.
I pray that we will all both receive forgiveness and extend forgiveness,  for the Lord seeks mercy in our hearts and not just sacrifice in our deeds.
I pray that we will all know personally the touch of His power and glory and honor as His Kingdom work is evident in us today as well as for all eternity.
Amen.

Clinging to the blessings, or clinging to God?

When it comes to the physical “bread” that the Lord provides,  I wonder how many of us cling to that for security instead of trusting in the Lord to always provide?

Each day the Lord provides what is necessary for us to do His work, to be the body of Christ,  to love and serve others. And He gives us enough for that day’s work and He will give us enough tomorrow for that day’s work as well. He doesn’t expect us to hold onto it,  to horde it, He expects us to use it for His glory and honor each day. It is all His,  He is just entrusting us to be good stewards and use it wisely to meet our needs and to love and serve others.

Give us  each day our daily bread,
Luke 11:3 ESV
http://bible.com/59/luk.11.3.ESV

Notice that I say to meet our needs,  not our wants. I wonder how many times my wants get in the way of how these physical blessings are meant to serve God’s will and to help fulfill others’ needs? I wonder how many of us isolate ourselves from becoming aware of the need of others so we have an easier excuse for the piled up, unused physical blessings that we are clinging to for security?

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:34-40 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.25.34-40.ESV

But you see, the physical blessings are nothing,  they are worthless,  they will rust and root and disappear into the dust of the earth just like our physical bodies. The physical blessings are a vehicle,  a vessel,  an opportunity for those greater blessings to be manifest – an opportunity for the work of the, Holy Spirit to touch lives and bear fruit – love, joy,  peace,  patience,  kindness,  goodness,  faithfulness, self control. And these spiritual blessings nourish our eternal soul and the eternal souls of others through our witness, our testimony,  our life as a living sacrifice to honor the Lord – while the physical blessings only nourish our temporary flesh of we are clinging to them as our own.

I wonder how many times we miss out on the greater blessings,  that we miss out on the miraculous, because we are so intent on clinging to the vessels,  the vehicles,  the thing that is meant to produce the true blessing when it dies and breaks open to reveal the spiritual blessings within.

Each of us is to take this gospel of Christ, that He died on the cross,  that He was buried, c and that He is raised to life – and we are to follow in His footsteps. There are many things that we cling to that need to be cut out of our lives and removed from our lives,  that need to be cast off into the grave,  so that in their place new life,  new righteousness in Christ,  new eternal blessings can be realized.

And yes, it takes faith, and yes, there is a cost. But if you do not believe the Lord, aren’t you already lost and separated from His eternal glory?

So I say to you,  if you will refuse the Lord,  if you will deny Christ and have made your choice to be partakers of iniquity and inhabitants of the lake of fire – then come,  you oppressers of the poor, you murderers of your own brothers, you witholders of the needs of others – come,  and take from me what is the Lord’s and instead give me Jesus. Hand over to me your eternal birthright for a bowl of soup if you must.

“Then he will say to those on his left,  ‘Depart from me, you  cursed, into  the eternal fire prepared for  the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’
Matthew 25:41-43 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.25.41-43.ESV

But I beg you instead to lay down your treacherous life of serving self, surrender and die to Christ,  and find life eternal and know the true blessings and purpose that is meant for your life.

Decide today who you will serve.

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and  money.
Matthew 6:24 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.6.24.ESV

Decode today who you will trust.

Decide today if you are intent on feeding the flesh,  or nourishing your spirit.

Decide not just in your mind but in your heart,  and commit yourself to this walk.

Take up your cross and bear it today,  friends. And pay that the Lord will give me the strength to do the same.

I love you.

So we should ask ourselves,  am I more

Be the Church

So thankful to have men in my life who continue to keep me humble in the Word of God and in service for His Kingdom. So thankful for late nights discussing the Word of God and seeing light being shared lovingly and boldly with those we come in contact with. So thankful for seeing ministries coming together to help each other and give freely to one another as stewards of the Lord’s resources, not as someone giving “their stuff away”.

In a world focused on self exaltation, and in a world littered with religious institutions building up walls of division between themselves and advertising their own names more than the name of Jesus Christ – it is encouraging to know there is unity to be found,  there are faithful servants to be found, there are those giving and loving and serving the needs of others and not just playing religion.

Continue reading “Be the Church” →

He does the Lifting

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
James 4:10 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jas.4.10.NLT

Yes, our job is to humble ourselves. We are to be a servant to others. We are to love our enemies. We are to give open handedly to those in need.

We are to recognize “little me, big God”.

Continue reading “He does the Lifting” →