Captivated By Christ
June 1-2013
Eph.4:1-8
Paul,the prisoner of the Lord entreated the church at Ephesus to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which they had been called.
v.2.With all humility and gentleness,with patience,showing forbearance to one another in love,
v.3.being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
v.4.There is one body,and one Spirit,just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
v.5.One Lord,one faith,one baptism,
v.6.One God and Father of all,who is over all,and through all,and in all.
v.7.But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
v.8.Therefore it says,when He ascended on high He led captive a host of captives,and gave gifts to men.
When I think of the high calling with which we have been called I wonder who is sufficient for these things?
Of and in my flesh there is nothing that is worthy,or even remotely capable,or,willing to carry out these instructions to the church.So then the answer is in Christ,the gift giver.
Have I been captivated by the Christ who gave gifts to men?Has He really taken over me body and soul,and all that I am,or ever expect to be?What about forbearance?Which is really another word for tolerance.Do I tolerant other's short comings in love?Or do I just grumble that so and so needs to grow up?
Somehow I believe if we are really cognizant of the sacrificial love we have received from Jesus,then our view of others will become more lovely even as He is lovely,and pure,and holy,as we should be as we give up ourselves into His right to captivate us.Pastor Lynn.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Addicted to His Presence
Tonight I just received a call from a guy who was sharing with me his desire to change because he is addicted to drugs and alcohol. I felt this was a reaffirming word to me because last Sunday morning during our worship time the Lord spoke to me a word which has made me ponder the different spectrums of the meaning in what He said to me; “Addicted to My presence”. What I feel the Lord has shared with me over the last several days I feel it’s not speaking of being addicted in a bad way, and some might think I am splitting hairs, but I feel He was sharing with me a process we need to go through and not simply become satisfied until we are able to push through and lay hold of the Person of Jesus Christ and not just the external blessings that come with Christ. Heb. 10:19-25
"Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, LET US DRAW NEAR TO GOD WITH A SINCERE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH, HAVING OUR HEARTS SPRINKLED TO CLEANSE US FROM A GUILTY CONSCIENCE AND HAVING OUR BODIES WASHED WITH PURE WATER..."
The Lord draws us in many different ways from before we came into knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and continues to draw us along with many different experiences. When the manifested presence of God comes upon His children we see different virtues of God and the experience is glorious to behold. Exodus 33:22-23, “When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove My hand and you will see my back; but My face must not be seen.”
But I have seen way too many believers get caught up in the presence of God and run here and there looking for the next big experience and fail to move on seeking the person of Christ, then when the experiences come to a close, too many find themselves falling back into a comatose state of existence in their Christian walk.
The sun’s rays offer warmth and growth for the earth, but would not exist if their source, the sun, was not there or we are in a room with people when a dynamic individual walks into the room sparking life and a charismatic atmosphere, yet we really don’t know him. We can’t continue to pursue His presence and not His Person. This is a warning to be heeded!
God’s presence in our lives is a by – product of His person. How do we pursue His Person? Only by getting deep into the Word and meditating, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the very face/person of Christ to us, examining our personal lives (not the lives of those around us), worshipping and being obedient to His instructions. I understand that we must go to work, walk the dog, make dinner, etc. but our true passion is seeking the face of Christ. Also we might find ourselves giving up distractions that we thought we had to have in to order to seek His face, but Christ tells us to count the cost. Many years ago as I was walking and praying I made this declaration, “Lord, I just want to know You” and surprisingly, this is what came back to me, “If you really knew Me would You like Me?” For the first time the realization hit me that my preconceived thoughts and way of thinking of Christ; from a western, capitalistic, fundamentalist, charismatic, conservative view, could possibly be wrong. If Jesus was here would his comments to me be very unpleasant or sweet? I share this message not at the place of total accomplishment, but right along side you. But as we practice these simple disciplines throughout the week I believe the River of Life will over flow out of us making the Niagara Falls look like a drippy faucet.
I feel this is what Christ is speaking to me; to press in past His glory/presence and behold his face. P.S. From a simple minded country boy, “I think I will really like Him for who He is.”
"Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, LET US DRAW NEAR TO GOD WITH A SINCERE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH, HAVING OUR HEARTS SPRINKLED TO CLEANSE US FROM A GUILTY CONSCIENCE AND HAVING OUR BODIES WASHED WITH PURE WATER..."
The Lord draws us in many different ways from before we came into knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and continues to draw us along with many different experiences. When the manifested presence of God comes upon His children we see different virtues of God and the experience is glorious to behold. Exodus 33:22-23, “When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove My hand and you will see my back; but My face must not be seen.”
But I have seen way too many believers get caught up in the presence of God and run here and there looking for the next big experience and fail to move on seeking the person of Christ, then when the experiences come to a close, too many find themselves falling back into a comatose state of existence in their Christian walk.
The sun’s rays offer warmth and growth for the earth, but would not exist if their source, the sun, was not there or we are in a room with people when a dynamic individual walks into the room sparking life and a charismatic atmosphere, yet we really don’t know him. We can’t continue to pursue His presence and not His Person. This is a warning to be heeded!
God’s presence in our lives is a by – product of His person. How do we pursue His Person? Only by getting deep into the Word and meditating, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the very face/person of Christ to us, examining our personal lives (not the lives of those around us), worshipping and being obedient to His instructions. I understand that we must go to work, walk the dog, make dinner, etc. but our true passion is seeking the face of Christ. Also we might find ourselves giving up distractions that we thought we had to have in to order to seek His face, but Christ tells us to count the cost. Many years ago as I was walking and praying I made this declaration, “Lord, I just want to know You” and surprisingly, this is what came back to me, “If you really knew Me would You like Me?” For the first time the realization hit me that my preconceived thoughts and way of thinking of Christ; from a western, capitalistic, fundamentalist, charismatic, conservative view, could possibly be wrong. If Jesus was here would his comments to me be very unpleasant or sweet? I share this message not at the place of total accomplishment, but right along side you. But as we practice these simple disciplines throughout the week I believe the River of Life will over flow out of us making the Niagara Falls look like a drippy faucet.
I feel this is what Christ is speaking to me; to press in past His glory/presence and behold his face. P.S. From a simple minded country boy, “I think I will really like Him for who He is.”
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Covenant Relationship In honor of my covenant brother,Mike McKinney
Recently I have thought about covenant relationships and the new covenant that Christ has established with us and the Church. Pastor Mike McKinney and I served together on a pastoral team which strived for a New Testament expression of faith and practices. We would sit down and talk for hours together about the Kingdom of God and the dynamics of community life that Christ so desired amongst his children. We desired that the Church would come into a revelation of covenant lifestyle within the church and would begin to practically walk out the “one-anothers” of scripture.
What does it mean to be in covenant relationship with God? It means that we have repented of our sin and entered into the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus as Savior. It means that we have willingly and whole-heartedly surrendered our will to the will and purposes of God. Out of gratitude for the gift of eternal life, we submit ourselves as servants of Jesus. A covenant is different than a contract. A contract focuses upon the exchange of goods or services. A covenant focuses upon relationship. It involves a commitment to another and service for the benefit of another. Marriage is the best human example of a covenant relationship.
Marriage is a voluntary covenant relationship, but once it is entered into, marriage involves certain responsibilities, privileges, and blessings. Marriage is a covenant because it involves the whole being, especially the attitude of one’s heart. It is rooted in a commitment to love, honor, and serve your spouse. It means putting your spouse’s interest above your own.
Likewise in the Church we enter also into a covenant relationship with one another as Christ has prescribed through the teachings of the “one anothers”. This is something that we do not hear much teaching on, and sadly, most of our Church gatherings resemble that of the contract agreement of “what can you do for me?” But if we enter a covenant relationship to commit to love, respect, honor and serve one another, and if we take upon ourselves the responsibility for the betterment of the community, so that my presence, talents, gifts and resources are made available to help build up and encourage the community which I have committed to help become more like Christ, how different the world would view the Church. This was what Mike McKinney had in his heart; to walk in covenant relationships. Mike strived to build into someone else’s life the quality of Christlike character that would glorify Jesus Christ. I saw so many times Mike going out on a limb giving someone help or the benefit of good will, desiring to see them succeed in the Kingdom of God and life. He would tell me if I must err, I will err on the side of grace. I miss my brother this season but I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit gave me the opportunity to have a covenant relationship with this man and walk in the reality of the “one another’s” of the Kingdom of God. May our lives exemplify the humility of character, the heart that surrenders, and the hands and feet that assume the responsibility of the gospel of Christ.
What does it mean to be in covenant relationship with God? It means that we have repented of our sin and entered into the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus as Savior. It means that we have willingly and whole-heartedly surrendered our will to the will and purposes of God. Out of gratitude for the gift of eternal life, we submit ourselves as servants of Jesus. A covenant is different than a contract. A contract focuses upon the exchange of goods or services. A covenant focuses upon relationship. It involves a commitment to another and service for the benefit of another. Marriage is the best human example of a covenant relationship.
Marriage is a voluntary covenant relationship, but once it is entered into, marriage involves certain responsibilities, privileges, and blessings. Marriage is a covenant because it involves the whole being, especially the attitude of one’s heart. It is rooted in a commitment to love, honor, and serve your spouse. It means putting your spouse’s interest above your own.
Likewise in the Church we enter also into a covenant relationship with one another as Christ has prescribed through the teachings of the “one anothers”. This is something that we do not hear much teaching on, and sadly, most of our Church gatherings resemble that of the contract agreement of “what can you do for me?” But if we enter a covenant relationship to commit to love, respect, honor and serve one another, and if we take upon ourselves the responsibility for the betterment of the community, so that my presence, talents, gifts and resources are made available to help build up and encourage the community which I have committed to help become more like Christ, how different the world would view the Church. This was what Mike McKinney had in his heart; to walk in covenant relationships. Mike strived to build into someone else’s life the quality of Christlike character that would glorify Jesus Christ. I saw so many times Mike going out on a limb giving someone help or the benefit of good will, desiring to see them succeed in the Kingdom of God and life. He would tell me if I must err, I will err on the side of grace. I miss my brother this season but I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit gave me the opportunity to have a covenant relationship with this man and walk in the reality of the “one another’s” of the Kingdom of God. May our lives exemplify the humility of character, the heart that surrenders, and the hands and feet that assume the responsibility of the gospel of Christ.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Understanding the beatitudes in Matt.5:1-12 requires us to comprehend the meaning of the term blessed. Many people think the word means "happy" but that view is inadequate.
Happiness,in an utimate sense,is certainly a part of being blessed by God, but divine blessing goes far beyond mere happiness. It involves God's favor, His willingness to come near and dwell among His people. This is the chief meaning of the Aaronic blessing in Num. 6:22-27. The hope of Israel was that God would shine His face on the people, that there wouild be close, fellowship between the creator and His creatures. The New Testament expands on this, revealing that our ultimate hope is the Beatific Vision-face-to-face communion with God and His glory in eternity(1Cor.13:12; 1Jn.3:2).
How do we enjoy the Lord's favor and experience a taste of His presence now, and then, for all eternity, the fullness of His glory? The answer is found in the very first beatitude.Jesus tells us that only the "poor in spirit" will receive the kingdom of heaven(Matt.5:3. Poverty in spirit is emptying of our self-reliance and claim we (falsely) believe to have on God. It is a recognition that we are utterly dependent on divine grace and undeserving of His favor. It is repentance for setting ourselves up as (gods)and then a resting in the Lord's promise of salvation.
This exerpt was borrowed from Tabletalk, a daily devotional magazine published by Ligonier Ministries.
Happiness,in an utimate sense,is certainly a part of being blessed by God, but divine blessing goes far beyond mere happiness. It involves God's favor, His willingness to come near and dwell among His people. This is the chief meaning of the Aaronic blessing in Num. 6:22-27. The hope of Israel was that God would shine His face on the people, that there wouild be close, fellowship between the creator and His creatures. The New Testament expands on this, revealing that our ultimate hope is the Beatific Vision-face-to-face communion with God and His glory in eternity(1Cor.13:12; 1Jn.3:2).
How do we enjoy the Lord's favor and experience a taste of His presence now, and then, for all eternity, the fullness of His glory? The answer is found in the very first beatitude.Jesus tells us that only the "poor in spirit" will receive the kingdom of heaven(Matt.5:3. Poverty in spirit is emptying of our self-reliance and claim we (falsely) believe to have on God. It is a recognition that we are utterly dependent on divine grace and undeserving of His favor. It is repentance for setting ourselves up as (gods)and then a resting in the Lord's promise of salvation.
This exerpt was borrowed from Tabletalk, a daily devotional magazine published by Ligonier Ministries.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Being what you already are.
I guess one of the most difficult things for a christian is to be what God has already declared him to be. 2 Cor.5:17 "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come." And in Rom.5:1 "Therefore having been justified by faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Yes we are declared to be righteous through our faith in Christ!
Why then is it so difficult to walk it out daily? Maybe it is that we don't see ourselves the way God does. He sees us in His son with whom He is well pleased.
We are saved from the wrath to come because God has already poured out the wrath; reserved for me on His Son when He suffered on the cross.
So now we can work out our salvation in fear and trembling knowing that we are free to do so. It was for freedom that Christ set you free so that sin need not reign in your mortal bodies. Even so consider youselves to be dead to sin but alive to God.
When we were dead in our trespasses and sins, we were dead to the things of God, but now we are made alive to the things that God has for us. By the grace of God we can be what He has made us to be. Amen!
Why then is it so difficult to walk it out daily? Maybe it is that we don't see ourselves the way God does. He sees us in His son with whom He is well pleased.
We are saved from the wrath to come because God has already poured out the wrath; reserved for me on His Son when He suffered on the cross.
So now we can work out our salvation in fear and trembling knowing that we are free to do so. It was for freedom that Christ set you free so that sin need not reign in your mortal bodies. Even so consider youselves to be dead to sin but alive to God.
When we were dead in our trespasses and sins, we were dead to the things of God, but now we are made alive to the things that God has for us. By the grace of God we can be what He has made us to be. Amen!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
An Eternal Persprective
"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last.And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!.” Job 19:25-27 NLT
Job had an eternal perspective that transcended his earthly problems. Job’s confidence in God is astounding. In the midst of his darkest hour he reaffirms his belief in the Eternal. I am afraid our modern evangelicalism has sold us a message devoid of eternal things. Often the appeal to the lost is about God’s blessings: healed relationships, better circumstances and solved problems – in short it presents God as primarily concerned about our life here and now. The message is summed up with the slogan, “You can have a great life now with God!”
When Christians lose their eternal perspective they often lose the true motivation to endure, persevere and ultimately triumph over day to day difficulties. Like Job we have to be able to say with confidence, no matter what happens today, there is confidence in something better tomorrow – “My redeemer lives and I shall see Him.”
This life and this physical body are the temporary parts of our life. Our Soul and Spirit are eternal. I often tell young people, “do not trade the eternal for the temporary.”
Prayer for today: Father I ask you to infuse my being with an awesome sense of eternity. Like Job I want to be overwhelmed by the reality of it, so that it captivates and motivates me to live for you and to reach others with the message of Jesus Christ and the truth that they too can enjoy an eternity with their redeemer God.
Job had an eternal perspective that transcended his earthly problems. Job’s confidence in God is astounding. In the midst of his darkest hour he reaffirms his belief in the Eternal. I am afraid our modern evangelicalism has sold us a message devoid of eternal things. Often the appeal to the lost is about God’s blessings: healed relationships, better circumstances and solved problems – in short it presents God as primarily concerned about our life here and now. The message is summed up with the slogan, “You can have a great life now with God!”
When Christians lose their eternal perspective they often lose the true motivation to endure, persevere and ultimately triumph over day to day difficulties. Like Job we have to be able to say with confidence, no matter what happens today, there is confidence in something better tomorrow – “My redeemer lives and I shall see Him.”
This life and this physical body are the temporary parts of our life. Our Soul and Spirit are eternal. I often tell young people, “do not trade the eternal for the temporary.”
Prayer for today: Father I ask you to infuse my being with an awesome sense of eternity. Like Job I want to be overwhelmed by the reality of it, so that it captivates and motivates me to live for you and to reach others with the message of Jesus Christ and the truth that they too can enjoy an eternity with their redeemer God.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Christian Idolatry??
By Steve Highlander
The idea of idolatry would make most Christians shutter. Yet we find many Christians who have a perception of God that is more like idolatry than Christianity. Consider the following passage:
“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusts in them.” Psalm 115:4-8
Keep in mind idolaters where very religious. Many people believe in God, but the god they believe in is relatively powerless. They really don’t believe that God will speak to them today, even though Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” They pray for God to intervene in the affairs of men but deny the reality of miracles. They don’t really believe that God can touch their lives in a powerful way, even though God Himself, in a time of trial, poses the rhetorical question to Moses, “is the Lord’s hand grown short?” We say things like, “God don’t you see what I am going through?” Or “Why don’t you hear my prayers?” Or “God I need a touch from you.” All the while our core belief system doesn’t really allow for a God that can work supernaturally on our behalf.
The key thought in the verse above is: “… the works of men’s hands.” We cannot afford to create our own scaled-down version of God and expect it to work.
God is not like the idols – powerless, sightless, speechless and unable to work directly and miraculously in our lives if need be. Perhaps this is one key reason why the 1st commandment was not to have any gods (manmade concepts of God) or idols before Him.
When God revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush and Moses asked His name, God said, “I am that I am,” or more correctly in Hebrew, “I will be that which I will be.” In other words God revealed Himself as being unaffected by man’s opinions of Him. To put it in modern terminology God said, “I will be who and what I am, not what you want me to be, deal with it.”
God who created the universe and stands outside of time and space is not bound by the same restrictions we humans face. We all need to take our faith up a notch and stop limiting God.
The idea of idolatry would make most Christians shutter. Yet we find many Christians who have a perception of God that is more like idolatry than Christianity. Consider the following passage:
“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusts in them.” Psalm 115:4-8
Keep in mind idolaters where very religious. Many people believe in God, but the god they believe in is relatively powerless. They really don’t believe that God will speak to them today, even though Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” They pray for God to intervene in the affairs of men but deny the reality of miracles. They don’t really believe that God can touch their lives in a powerful way, even though God Himself, in a time of trial, poses the rhetorical question to Moses, “is the Lord’s hand grown short?” We say things like, “God don’t you see what I am going through?” Or “Why don’t you hear my prayers?” Or “God I need a touch from you.” All the while our core belief system doesn’t really allow for a God that can work supernaturally on our behalf.
The key thought in the verse above is: “… the works of men’s hands.” We cannot afford to create our own scaled-down version of God and expect it to work.
God is not like the idols – powerless, sightless, speechless and unable to work directly and miraculously in our lives if need be. Perhaps this is one key reason why the 1st commandment was not to have any gods (manmade concepts of God) or idols before Him.
When God revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush and Moses asked His name, God said, “I am that I am,” or more correctly in Hebrew, “I will be that which I will be.” In other words God revealed Himself as being unaffected by man’s opinions of Him. To put it in modern terminology God said, “I will be who and what I am, not what you want me to be, deal with it.”
God who created the universe and stands outside of time and space is not bound by the same restrictions we humans face. We all need to take our faith up a notch and stop limiting God.
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