“The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians” (12:36). "Massive revival that transforms the value systems of the West is now virtually inconceivable to those enamored with closed systems. But if God graciously intervenes and makes the people “favorably disposed” to the preaching of the Gospel…" (D. A. Carson, For the Love of God. Volume 1, February 28.)
Above all else we need the Lord to make us favorably disposed to the Gospel. It is not enough that the already redeemed feel this way. We need to pray and to seek God's face to request that in His undying grace and unending mercy that He would allow our nation to be willing and desirous of having God's favor upon us.
Imagine living in a neighborhood, a city, and a nation or imagine sending your kids to a school or you and your spouse going to work where the people sought first and foremost the pleasure of God. Imagine if the first thought of every man woman and child was not "What's in it for me?" or "How can I get the upper hand?" or "How can I earn more, look better, and be the best?" Imagine if the first thought and ultimate desire of everyone was to know that God would answer this question this simple but powerful question of them in the affirmative, "Lord, am I pleasing you with my thoughts, actions, and attitude?"
It is then that God has made us favorably disposed toward Him. Pray to that end.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Spiritual Renewal Sunday March 15
Spiritual Renewal Sunday is coming! On March 15th we are going to have a special day of focus to consider how Jesus wants us all to take one step forward with Him. The goal for the day is not that we simply get excited, get greater clarity about who God is, or even to get more connected to people at church. Those things will probably happen and that is great. The real purpose is to come closer to Jesus. This may take the form of something as simple as giving Jesus one more hour of your week.
There are three things we all need to do to make the most of this day. #1 Pray! Pray that God will be honored. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be present in powerful ways and transform our lives. Pray that Jesus will enter hearts and minds and bring renewal, love and hope. #2 Prepare and expect God to work in your life. Sometimes it is easier to ask God to change someone else than it is to allow Jesus to change us. Ask Jesus to speak to you in a fresh new way and make a change in you that will make you more like your Lord. #3 Bring people with you. Bring someone with you that does not know Jesus. Bring someone with you that is not involved in a local church. Bring someone with you that claims Living Hope to be there church, but has not been in a while. Don’t just merely invite them to come. Bring them with you. Sit with them. Talk with them before and after Sunday. Encourage them and love them in Christ. Help them to know the love of Jesus through your life and help them take one step forward with Jesus.
Spiritual Renewal Sunday March 15
Spiritual Renewal Sunday is coming! On March 15th we are going to have a special day of focus to consider how Jesus wants us all to take one step forward with Him. The goal for the day is not that we simply get excited, get greater clarity about who God is, or even to get more connected to people at church. Those things will probably happen and that is great. The real purpose is to come closer to Jesus. This may take the form of something as simple as giving Jesus one more hour of your week.
There are three things we all need to do to make the most of this day. #1 Pray! Pray that God will be honored. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be present in powerful ways and transform our lives. Pray that Jesus will enter hearts and minds and bring renewal, love and hope. #2 Prepare and expect God to work in your life. Sometimes it is easier to ask God to change someone else than it is to allow Jesus to change us. Ask Jesus to speak to you in a fresh new way and make a change in you that will make you more like your Lord. #3 Bring people with you. Bring someone with you that does not know Jesus. Bring someone with you that is not involved in a local church. Bring someone with you that claims Living Hope to be there church, but has not been in a while. Don’t just merely invite them to come. Bring them with you. Sit with them. Talk with them before and after Sunday. Encourage them and love them in Christ. Help them to know the love of Jesus through your life and help them take one step forward with Jesus.
There are three things we all need to do to make the most of this day. #1 Pray! Pray that God will be honored. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be present in powerful ways and transform our lives. Pray that Jesus will enter hearts and minds and bring renewal, love and hope. #2 Prepare and expect God to work in your life. Sometimes it is easier to ask God to change someone else than it is to allow Jesus to change us. Ask Jesus to speak to you in a fresh new way and make a change in you that will make you more like your Lord. #3 Bring people with you. Bring someone with you that does not know Jesus. Bring someone with you that is not involved in a local church. Bring someone with you that claims Living Hope to be there church, but has not been in a while. Don’t just merely invite them to come. Bring them with you. Sit with them. Talk with them before and after Sunday. Encourage them and love them in Christ. Help them to know the love of Jesus through your life and help them take one step forward with Jesus.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Facebook Phenomenon
About a year ago a friend from seminary emailed me and encouraged me to get a facebook account so we could keep up with each other more effectively. I had never heard of it before and was not real sure how an online program could enable friends to keep up any better than the means we already had. After all we had email, blogs, and websites. But I went ahead and signed up and I am so glad I did.
At first I had a handful of friends get connected with me and then old high school friends, friends from college, pastors, and church members from my current church and other churches I’ve served began to connect with me. My wife Carrie also signed up and she started to get connected with people she had not spoken to in years.
I find myself on facebook everyday confirming new friends, answering messages, making comments about what I’m doing or have done that day, reading other people's comments about their day, and responding back and forth. It is amazing! I have contact with friends on three continents and all over the nation. I get to see pictures of the events that are shaping their lives and learn about the challenges they are facing.
It is easy to get connected and to navigate the site and it is a lot of fun. I hope to see you soon on www.facebook.com.
At first I had a handful of friends get connected with me and then old high school friends, friends from college, pastors, and church members from my current church and other churches I’ve served began to connect with me. My wife Carrie also signed up and she started to get connected with people she had not spoken to in years.
I find myself on facebook everyday confirming new friends, answering messages, making comments about what I’m doing or have done that day, reading other people's comments about their day, and responding back and forth. It is amazing! I have contact with friends on three continents and all over the nation. I get to see pictures of the events that are shaping their lives and learn about the challenges they are facing.
It is easy to get connected and to navigate the site and it is a lot of fun. I hope to see you soon on www.facebook.com.
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Power of Love
"Love... Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:7
I have been reminded all week of the power of love and how beautiful it is, when it is lived out.
On Sunday I was reminded of the power of love when I saw a man back in church I had not seen in a while. We buried his wife a few months ago. About four years ago, he took a turn for the worse with his health and she took such great care of him. She was very protective of his dignity and never complained a minute about the sacrifice she was making. It required her to remain at home, when she had many opportunities to be away. Church and other activities were not possible and with love she was able to bear that burden. Her health failed this fall and he began caring for her. He then made the sacrifice and it was horribly painful for him to watch her die. But he never left her side. That's love.
This week I prayed and visited with a man whose wife just cannot overcome an illness that is baffling doctors. While his friends are out playing golf in the nice warm weather we have had, he has remained by his wife's side. He has cried over her. He has daily comforted her. He has made sure she has received the best care possible. There are many sacrifices he is having to make and he makes them gladly. That is love.
I spoke with a couple where the husband had committed adultery several years ago. They held hands at one point. She rubbed his shoulder at one point. He put his arm around her so they could laugh together. And that all in a five minute conversation with their pastor. There has been complete restoration of their marriage. She has forgiven him. He has been faithful to her. That is love.
And all week long I have come across friends who have shown love to their spouses in real ways. I haven't seen the TV love - the fancy meal with the generous gift and getting all dressed up to impress. I probably will this weekend. And that is good and nice. But what love really looks like is the day to day bearing, believing, hoping, and enduring that love does. That is love.
I have been reminded all week of the power of love and how beautiful it is, when it is lived out.
On Sunday I was reminded of the power of love when I saw a man back in church I had not seen in a while. We buried his wife a few months ago. About four years ago, he took a turn for the worse with his health and she took such great care of him. She was very protective of his dignity and never complained a minute about the sacrifice she was making. It required her to remain at home, when she had many opportunities to be away. Church and other activities were not possible and with love she was able to bear that burden. Her health failed this fall and he began caring for her. He then made the sacrifice and it was horribly painful for him to watch her die. But he never left her side. That's love.
This week I prayed and visited with a man whose wife just cannot overcome an illness that is baffling doctors. While his friends are out playing golf in the nice warm weather we have had, he has remained by his wife's side. He has cried over her. He has daily comforted her. He has made sure she has received the best care possible. There are many sacrifices he is having to make and he makes them gladly. That is love.
I spoke with a couple where the husband had committed adultery several years ago. They held hands at one point. She rubbed his shoulder at one point. He put his arm around her so they could laugh together. And that all in a five minute conversation with their pastor. There has been complete restoration of their marriage. She has forgiven him. He has been faithful to her. That is love.
And all week long I have come across friends who have shown love to their spouses in real ways. I haven't seen the TV love - the fancy meal with the generous gift and getting all dressed up to impress. I probably will this weekend. And that is good and nice. But what love really looks like is the day to day bearing, believing, hoping, and enduring that love does. That is love.
Monday, February 9, 2009
God Provides
I read this during my devotional time this morning.
2 Samuel 5:23 “so David inquired of the Lord”
Learn from David to take no step without God. Christian, if thou wouldst know the path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou wouldst steer thy ship through the dark billows, put the tiller into the hand of the Almighty. Many a rock might be escaped, if we would let our Father take the helm; many a shoal or quicksand we might well avoid, if we would leave to his sovereign will to choose and to command. The Puritan said, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself, he’ll cut his own fingers;” this is a great truth. Said another old divine, “He that goes before the cloud of God’s providence goes on a fool’s errand;” and so he does. We must mark God’s providence leading us; and if providence tarries, tarry till providence comes. He who goes before providence, will be very glad to run back again. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go,” is God’s promise to his people. Let us, then, take all our perplexities to him, and say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Leave not thy chamber this morning without enquiring of the Lord. (C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening : Daily Readings; February 9 AM).
It reminded me of a decision a single sister in Christ made last week. She’s been out of work for two months and was offered a job on Wednesday, but she had no peace about it. It was a part-time job and it required her to work on Sunday morning and miss church. We talked and prayed on Wednesday night. She also spoke and prayed with many of her brothers and sisters in Christ at Living Hope.
Compelled by her desire to obey God and not give up meeting with the church as some are in the habit of doing (Hebrews 10:25), she turned the job down. This was a big step. Not only did it keep her unemployed, but it also threatened her unemployment benefits. She was risking a lot with this decision. But she knew what it is God has commanded and she trusted Him.
She is now working for that company, but not in the job that was offered. No, soon after she declined the part-time position they called to offer her of a full-time position! Not only is it a full-time job, but she will not be required to work when the church is gathering for worship. “We must mark God’s providence leading us; and if providence tarries, tarry till providence comes.” She waited on God and God took care of her.
Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
2 Samuel 5:23 “so David inquired of the Lord”
Learn from David to take no step without God. Christian, if thou wouldst know the path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou wouldst steer thy ship through the dark billows, put the tiller into the hand of the Almighty. Many a rock might be escaped, if we would let our Father take the helm; many a shoal or quicksand we might well avoid, if we would leave to his sovereign will to choose and to command. The Puritan said, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself, he’ll cut his own fingers;” this is a great truth. Said another old divine, “He that goes before the cloud of God’s providence goes on a fool’s errand;” and so he does. We must mark God’s providence leading us; and if providence tarries, tarry till providence comes. He who goes before providence, will be very glad to run back again. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go,” is God’s promise to his people. Let us, then, take all our perplexities to him, and say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Leave not thy chamber this morning without enquiring of the Lord. (C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening : Daily Readings; February 9 AM).
It reminded me of a decision a single sister in Christ made last week. She’s been out of work for two months and was offered a job on Wednesday, but she had no peace about it. It was a part-time job and it required her to work on Sunday morning and miss church. We talked and prayed on Wednesday night. She also spoke and prayed with many of her brothers and sisters in Christ at Living Hope.
Compelled by her desire to obey God and not give up meeting with the church as some are in the habit of doing (Hebrews 10:25), she turned the job down. This was a big step. Not only did it keep her unemployed, but it also threatened her unemployment benefits. She was risking a lot with this decision. But she knew what it is God has commanded and she trusted Him.
She is now working for that company, but not in the job that was offered. No, soon after she declined the part-time position they called to offer her of a full-time position! Not only is it a full-time job, but she will not be required to work when the church is gathering for worship. “We must mark God’s providence leading us; and if providence tarries, tarry till providence comes.” She waited on God and God took care of her.
Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Monday, February 2, 2009
Eyes that Can See Ears that Can Hear
I've heard many "calls" for revival recently but with very little teaching and exposition on revival. It seems that in these urgent days there are too few leaders who actually are leading God's people corporately to repent, pray, seek holiness and return to God.
Do we not realize that scripturally it is impossible to have a call for revival without a call for repentance? This has always been God's requirement for His people. The passionate, unceasing corporate prayer that is always present in revival is desperately lacking as well. In short, I see little evidence of sincere brokenness among God's people for our present condition or the condition of our nation.
We call for revival without actually crying with tears and brokenness for revival. The "call for revival" seems almost like a spiritual fad, with no true passion and sincerity of heart. Many will say "amen" when they hear mention of the need for revival. But the "call" is fleeting and soon passes away. And then we quickly move on to other activity and return to our business as usual with no follow-through by the leaders of God's people.
Click here to continue. . .
Do we not realize that scripturally it is impossible to have a call for revival without a call for repentance? This has always been God's requirement for His people. The passionate, unceasing corporate prayer that is always present in revival is desperately lacking as well. In short, I see little evidence of sincere brokenness among God's people for our present condition or the condition of our nation.
We call for revival without actually crying with tears and brokenness for revival. The "call for revival" seems almost like a spiritual fad, with no true passion and sincerity of heart. Many will say "amen" when they hear mention of the need for revival. But the "call" is fleeting and soon passes away. And then we quickly move on to other activity and return to our business as usual with no follow-through by the leaders of God's people.
Click here to continue. . .
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Good Question
This morning we began our study of the book of Acts and I spoke about the resurrection of Christ. Luke explains that Jesus gave "many convincing proofs" that He was raised to life after His death and burial. One of the many proofs that we have that Jesus is alive is the eyewitness testimony of each of the apostles that died for their faith in the resurrected Jesus.
The fact that these men would die for their belief in the resurrected Christ is significant to me. I made the statement that I believe that people will lie to live, but will not die for a lie. There are plenty of people that would lie to save their lives. But no one would die to save a lie.
The apostles knew that Jesus was alive and they died for that belief.
After the service today, someone asked me about terrorists. She asked, "Don't terrorists die for a lie?" That is a good question. And the answer is of course yes. But there is a difference in the death they die. They die the death of suicide assassins. They die this death because they believed something that was told to them.
The apostles died not because they believed something they were taught since childhood. These men died because they were perpetuating a claim. They died believing and spreading something they had seen and were responsible for others having their lives shaped by their teaching. If their faith claim about Christ was a lie, they would have simply denied it and lived. It is not a lie. Jesus is alive and the apostles chose to die and live with Jesus in heaven rather than live on earth lying about their Lord.
That's my take on the difference between terrorists and the apostles. What is yours?
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