Friday, July 29, 2011
Loving God with Our Emotions:
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Who do you crave time with: family or God?
In my last post I wrote about craving the Lord. We are called to make the Lord our number one passion. There are noble things in this world. For instance, parenting is extremely noble; it is a blessing from the Lord and a responsibility too. Culture and even the church tells me as a parent to crave time with my kids. I agree that I should desire to spend time with my children and to invest into them. However, nowhere in the Bible does it tell me to “crave” time with my kids. Nowhere in the Bible does it tell me to make time with my kids the most important thing in my life.
What are You Craving?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
FINDING JOY
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. 10 If you obey My commands (holiness), you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love. 11 I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." - John 15:9-11
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
LEAVING A LEGACY
Friday, July 01, 2011
A Biblical Key to Answered Prayer:
Why do the prayers of some seem to always be answered, while the prayers of others don’t? Is it because some people know what to say and how to say it? Is there a trick to seeing our prayers answered or is it just the luck of the draw?
Well, we know that the Lord is sovereign and perfect in all He does. He will answer the prayers that He wants to answer; those prayers that are “according to His will.” But it also looks like the Bible doesn’t guarantee everyone equal access to the Lord and equal results in prayer.
Check out these passages of scripture and notice how obedience and righteousness are correlated to answered prayers. How much more of God’s kingdom would we experience if we embraced the sanctified and obedient lifestyle Christ died for us to live?
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” - James 5:16
“O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name.” - Nehemiah 1:11
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14
These are just a few passages that make this correlation. God’s Word is full of this truth. I contend that we will see great revival, the kingdom of God will come in greater measure, and our prayers will be answered when the church embraces obedience and righteousness.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Two Different Responses to God
Monday, February 28, 2011
Dreams Come True
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
God's Response to Confession
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Are Your Hands Tied?
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Ultimate Blessing
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Encounter Before Execution
I just finished teaching from the 23rd. Psalm. This passage of scripture is very familiar to most Christians. Maybe too familiar. Maybe this familiarity actually causes us to overlook some amazing truths.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Leading by Example & Encounter
The Holy Spirit is raising up shepherds to teach God's people to live after His own heart. They will feed others from the reality they encounter through their own unyielding personal pursuit of God. They will only be able to shepherd others because they have given themselves wholly to the great Shepherd. - Mike Bickle
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Christian Patriotism - Psalm 33:12
WE NEED REAL PATRIOTS! When we make God our Lord, then we who are Christians can be the kind of patriots our nation desperately needs. Is there such a thing as Christian patriotism? I think there is.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” – Psalm 33:12
Friday, July 09, 2010
Finding Delight in God's Word - Psalm 1:2
We build on yesterday's post from Psalm 1. The Psalmist, in verse 2, continues by instructing us that true happiness, the blessed life, is found by those who are really “INTO” God’s Word.
Blessed is the man whose.. delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. - Psalm 1:2
How close should we get?
In my previous post about Psalm 1:1, "It's a Slippery Slope", I discussed the Psalmist's warning that who we hang out with matters greatly and what we listen to shapes us.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
It's a Slippery Slope - Psalm 1:1
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. – Psalm 1:1
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." - 1 Corinthians 15:33
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Do we believe?
Belief has got to be more than a thought, more than a mental ascension, more than a feeling. When we truly believe in something, we step out and take action based on that belief. Our beliefs determine our actions. For the Christian, belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for our sins, forgave us, and has given us His grace… changes everything. It changes everything.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Make Giving Common
3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. - Matthew 6:3-4Jesus is encouraging us to allow giving to be so much about God and also so common in our lives that it becomes second nature. Remember our second nature is who we are when we live by the Spirit and not by the flesh. It is who we are because we have been radically changed by the grace and presence of Christ. Where we don’t even think about keeping track of what, how often, or how much we give. We don't add it up in our minds so that we become proud of our own generosity.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The Orchestra
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Jettison the Junk
Memory Verse:
Friday, December 18, 2009
Go Deep
Memory Verse:
Monday, November 30, 2009
A Whole Notha' Level
Memory Verse:
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Live It & Share It
Memory Verse:
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Where does persecution come from?
For the enemy has persecuted my soul; - Psalm 143:3 nasb
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12
Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. – John 3:19 18
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” - John 15:18-21Jesus tells us, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you." There are people who believe that if they love the world enough; if they do enough good things for people; they will be loved. But, you just can’t love people enough for them to love you back. Jesus is perfect love. He loved the world in word and in deed. He healed, He comforted, He forgave, He even made water into wine, but the world still crucified Him.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Got persecution?
In His final Beatitude, Jesus tells us that it is about to get tough. Persecution happened to the prophets, it is happening to me, and it will happen to you.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. – Matthew 5:10-12
In fact, everyone (all) who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. – 2 Timothy 3:12
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Got Peace - Part Two
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. - Isaiah 26:3We stay in perfect peace when we stay focused on God. No matter what the world says, no matter what our circumstances are, no matter the economy, no matter the doctors reports, no matter what. So, do you want peace? Then bring God into your situations and stay focused on God and His truth. What does God say about it? Believe it, confess it.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Got Peace - Part One
Peace is being in right relationship with God! Peace is being in right standing before God. Peace means that Jesus is Lord of your life, your relationships, your attitude, your finances, your everything.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Keeping the heart pure
"If the pure in heart see God, then tell me how to have a pure heart because I want to see God."
“8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Phil. 4:82. This involves RENEWING OUR MINDS: We renew our minds by reading the Word of God – the Bible. When we read God’s Word, we fill our minds with life and with truth – with purity instead of filling it with the filth and follies of this passing world.
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (be purified) by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:23. Prayer & Fasting: Communing with the Holy One purifies our hearts. When we pray and when we fast, our focus is on God and nothing else. This strengthens our heart. In fact, scripture tells us it is so important that we should, “pray without ceasing” – 1 Thes. 5:17. Always be in a state of prayer (communing with God); allowing God to be involved in our everything. We need to wake up praying, not planning our busy day – Praying. It is no accident that I see God and His will so much clearer when I am purposely focused on Him during times of intense prayer and fasting? Could it be that my heart has undergone a cleansing from other affections? Could it be that I have just taken a spiritual bath and come to a place where my heart has been rinsed of gunk that had attached itself?
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. - Proverbs 13:20
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10
Friday, November 06, 2009
Want to see God?
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. – Matthew 5:8
Thursday, November 05, 2009
The way to God is through the heart
Yesterday we talked about how the PURE IN HEART chase after God and not other stuff. The PURE IN HEART pursue God and not selfish things. The PURE IN HEART seek God and they find Him because God has told us, “If you seek me, you will find Me.” The PURE IN HEART forsake all other affections and long for God alone. The PURE IN HEART are crazy in love with God and don’t allow anything else to compete for His affection.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. – Matthew 5:8
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
What motivates you?
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. – Matthew 5:8
“A wicked heart is a mind in a state of devotion to self; a pure heart, a mind in a state of devotion to God. It is a state of moral purity, resulting from a committal of the soul to God.” – Charles Finney
Thursday, October 29, 2009
What you want...
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. - Psalm 19:7-11
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Forgiveness is hard, but...
God never told us it would be easy to forgive. He never said that showing mercy was easy – it cost Jesus His life to show us mercy. But, Jesus has clearly told us that it is the only way; that it is a non-negotiable. We have to forgive because we have been forgiven much. We have to show mercy because we have been shown much mercy.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Sow justice - reap justice. Sow mercy - reap mercy.
37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." - Luke 6:37-38
- When you don’t judge others for their junk, you will receive good measure (loads) of mercy.
- When you don’t condemn others for the things they have done against you, then you will not be condemned.
- When you forgive others (even forgive them for the extremely hurtful, horrible, sick stuff), then you will be given complete forgiveness – overflowing.
- When you give out this mercy, it will be given to you in such large amounts that it will be running all over you and this will make you happy in God. AMEN!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Judging others is a way of seeking justice
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Matthew 7:1-2This is a very clear statement from Jesus: If we demand justice and repayment for the sins that others have committed against us, then we will be dealt with in the same manner. OUCH! Let God judge. Leave any vengeance to God. We are called to be merciful.
The way we treat others is the way God will treat us. If we seek justice for others, then God will hand us over to justice. I don’t know about you, but I can’t handle that kind of justice. I can’t handle what I deserve - not from God, not from Satan, not from this cruel world. But, when I extend mercy to others; when I don’t judge others; when I forgive others for their sins against me, I then remain in the place of mercy and escape the place of justice – Hallelujah.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Got Mercy?
Our flesh cries out for justice. "They owe me and I want it. What they did to me was wrong and they should pay. Give me justice!" Our world is built on the principle of justice. Look at the court systems, look at the massive numbers of lawsuits. It is all about justice, but where is the mercy?
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. – Matthew 5:7
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Justice, Mercy, Grace
Justice is giving someone what they deserve.
It is justice to send me to hell.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Desperate for the Righteousness of Christ
The righteousness of Christ isn’t something we just wear like a mask. Rather, it is who we must become. His righteousness must be allowed to fill us to the full; to take us over. So that, we begin to become righteous as He is righteous - "Be Holy as He is Holy". So that we think like Jesus and act like Jesus. That is the real transformation that happens to those who are in Christ, who are meek, who are led by the Spirit and not by the flesh.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. – Matthew 5:6
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Finding Happiness in God - Audio Teaching
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Got mourning?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. – Matthew 5:4
Friday, October 02, 2009
Life after death
New life only comes after death. If we want new life in Christ, we must die to self. This is true about our lives and it is also true about ministry. We must allow our plans to die so that God can bring His plans to life.
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. – Luke 9:23-24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds – John 12:24
Thursday, October 01, 2009
In the battle? Start crying.
20 They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. 21 They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—fifty thousand camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep and two thousand donkeys. They also took one hundred thousand people captive, 22 and many others fell slain, because the battle was God's. And they occupied the land until the exile. – 1 Chronicles 5:20-22
Friday, September 25, 2009
The extreme makeover
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! - 1 Corinthians 5:17
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Jesus said it’s all about repentance
Many say that the primary message of Jesus when He ministered on this earth was love. No doubt about it, Jesus spoke a lot about love and demonstrated pure love. However, the primary spoken message of Jesus was really repentance. Yes, repentance.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matt. 4:17In fact, Jesus’ the whole Sermon on the Mount is a cry for repentance. This all starts to become clear when we see that the word “repentance” as used in the Greek means to “to change one’s mind for the better, to think differently, and to allow this new way of thinking to thoroughly change one’s actions and lifestyle.”
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Answer the call and see miracles
Amazing things happen when we do what God has called us to do. Let’s look at the Gospel of Mark’s take on the Great Commission to see what kind of results we can expect when we live out the calling that Christ has placed on our lives:
15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe (those who have come to Christ as a result of us going and making disciples): In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." - Mark 16:15-18
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Let's save the world
As a red-blooded man, I have had my fill of dreams where I was the one who came crashing through the door to save the day; where I was the one who blew up the plans of the enemy; where I was the super hero. In the Great Commission, Jesus gives His followers an amazing gift; He gives us clear insight into why we exist; why we are here. Additionally, He makes us part of the greatest possible adventure that life can offer - we get to partner with Christ to SAVE THE WORLD. Check it out...
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - MAtthew 28:18-20

