A long time ago, a brother in Christ and myself prayed about starting a Christian meeting on the west side of Jacksonville. (and No, this is not “Westside Story”). So after sharing our heart with the Elders at the meeting we were in, we started meeting on Sunday nights in a rented hall. Not too long after, we started meeting on Sunday mornings, and conducting church meetings at that rented hall. We had somewhat of a nice crowd to start with, some were from our other meeting that lived on the west side, and some new believers, and others were somewhat regular visitors.
I took on a lot of responsibilities, It was a drinking hall, so each Sunday morning, I opened the building to air out the smoke, cleaned all the bottles and trash, set up all the chairs after sweeping. Then I scooted across town to pick up a lady that loved the believers there, and wanted to be in fellowship with us. I led the singing, and sometimes preached, and I led the bible study at times.
There were some Sundays that the brother I worked with in starting this meeting was out of town preaching. Those days, I was “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer” I know that’s a weird term, but frankly, I did everything, led the singing, taught the bible study, and preached. Then I cleaned up the place before I went out for lunch.
I remember one of those days, I was leading the singing, and giving announcements, that I made a statement, I said “I think the men of this meeting need to measure their commitment to the Lord, and this work for him, to step up, and share the burden of service, to share in the speaking, and singing, in the plan of God, I shouldn’t be a “”One Man Show”””. Basically, I challenged them to “Man Up” for the Lord. Well, I remember well that day, because after the meeting, I was taken aside by a fellow believer, and was frankly told “Mike, the Lord’s work is not a show”. Well, as you might guess, I knew that already, and it was not at all what I meant, but like water on a ducks back, I let it roll.
After many years of walking (stumbling mostly) with the Lord, and serving him in different meetings of God’s people, I have come to realize one thing. Church is just one big show most of the time. I mean it, we have the song leader, and if he is out, we scramble to find a replacement song leader because that is what the people in the pews are expecting to see isn’t it? Then it’s preaching time. What if the preacher is out, we scramble to get someone to preach, because, that’s right, you guessed it, it is what the people in the pews have come to expect. The show MUST go on. And although most churches are not like my earlier experience, and one person seems to do everything, it is very much that. There are a handful of people that do everything, and the “people in the pews” pay their dues, and expect to be entertained. Let the substitute preacher be a little boring, and the pew peeps will wag their tongues like nobody’s business. They all have an opinion, just how does Brother so-in-so measure up to Brother what’s his name? The worship leader didn’t move me this morning, or, wow, I really felt the spirit in the song service today! It’s all about being entertained.
Reading in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, he dictates letters to the church in chapters two and three, seven letters, and the fifth one he address the church this way: “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” We have fancy churches, fancy programs, and fancy clothing for all the Pew peeps, but there is “Death” in the lives of the very people that should make up the church, You and me. What would happen if the preacher and the song leader didn’t show up one Sunday? I begged a fellow believer who shared the preaching, and I the singing with, to do that very thing, to not show up one Sunday. Imagine, who would “Man Up” God’s church is made up of believers, working together to encourage each other, to teach each other, to love each other, to cry with each other, and to rejoice with each other. God has given every one of us an amazing gift, a supernatural gift, so that we would be equipped to do all these things, yet here we sit in the pews, letting someone else do it all. I cringe when I hear someone say “I really felt the Spirit in the meeting today” knowing all they did was sit there and be entertained.
Do you really want to experience the power of the Spirit of God in the meeting you attend? Do you ever wonder what it would be like to see and feel the power that can shake the walls as we pray? Then ask God right now, “What is MY gift”? “How do you want to use me in this church”? Then listen to him, and he will show you. As you commit to his service, you too will began to feel the real power of his Spirit.
Sunday’s coming, will the show go on? Or, will we change the script, and let God use us to change the world?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Place In Heaven
As we read the creation story, we see the most beautiful garden ever created. Then placed in it were all the different animals, birds, and fish of every kind. The trees were fruitful, and the flowers were bright and beautiful, and God himself walked in this garden, being the brightness of it. Then he created man, and placed him in the garden to care for it. He was given the task of naming all the creatures, of all the bird types, animals, and all the different kinds of fish. But with all the creatures in the garden, there still was no like kind for man to have a relationship with. So God used a rib from Adam, and created his wife. I can only imagine her beauty, and the wonder and excitement the first time that Adam saw his bride. All in all the first part of the book of Genesis was a perfect world, a perfect garden, perfect creatures, and a perfect couple. It goes without saying, that at this point there was no Mother-in-law in the picture.
We are told that the lovely couple was naked. Reading the story, it seems that they were unaware that this was an issue in polite society. I can only imagine what it was like traipsing around the garden with no clothes on. Now on the subject of man being naked. These thoughts came to me while watching a football game the other day. And it hit me, that had not sin came into this world, that all 22 players on the field, and all the officials, with all the coaches, and all the other players, and all the fans in the stands would still be naked, and I thought… Oh My. But as human history reveals, sin was introduced into the world, and when the woman and the man ate of the forbidden fruit, from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their eyes were open, and they realized that it is not nice to be naked in polite company, and immediately procured some K-Mart brand fig leaves to cover their bodies.
Now we know that because of the actions of our father Adam, we all have been banned from the garden, and that means a whole lot more in spiritual terms than just not seeing and enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the whole world. It meant for mankind, that we did not have a place in the home of God. We read in the Bible that there are a lot of created beings that have a place in heaven, but there was not a place for man anymore. It is so wonderful now to understand the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he explained this to his disciples. He said that he was going to go away, and he was going to make a place for us. It took his disciples a long time to understand that though his “earthly” father was a carpenter, that our Lord was not going to heaven to build us a house with a hammer and nails. Though the hammer and nails were used in the preparation of our place in heaven, it was not our Lord that swung the hammer… It was you and I. Yes that’s right, it was our sin we inherited from our father Adam that kept us from heaven, and it was our sin that had to be paid for before we could have our place with God restored. So in truth, it was us that swung the hammer that day, and buried the nails deep into the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus. But it was his love for us that kept him there, that bare all that dirty laundry from our past and future in his own body, as God punished him for me. Now, just like Adam and Eve, who watched in horror and pain, God take a little lamb, and kill it, skin it, and then wrap their naked bodies with the skin of that poor little beast. We too see in horror and pain that precious Lamb of God, killed because of our sin, and his righteousness (skin) was wrapped around our spiritual naked bodies, making us right in the sight of God. It was this act of our Lord Jesus Christ that has prepared us a place in heaven… Hallelujah, what a savior!
Now I hope you have already accepted his free gift of salvation, and have the assurance of a home in heaven. If not, why not today? I cannot promise that everything in this world will turn to roses, but I can tell you that God promises you a home in heaven. Yes mother-in-laws will be there too, but I am pretty sure that the football team will have clothes on.
MFL
We are told that the lovely couple was naked. Reading the story, it seems that they were unaware that this was an issue in polite society. I can only imagine what it was like traipsing around the garden with no clothes on. Now on the subject of man being naked. These thoughts came to me while watching a football game the other day. And it hit me, that had not sin came into this world, that all 22 players on the field, and all the officials, with all the coaches, and all the other players, and all the fans in the stands would still be naked, and I thought… Oh My. But as human history reveals, sin was introduced into the world, and when the woman and the man ate of the forbidden fruit, from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their eyes were open, and they realized that it is not nice to be naked in polite company, and immediately procured some K-Mart brand fig leaves to cover their bodies.
Now we know that because of the actions of our father Adam, we all have been banned from the garden, and that means a whole lot more in spiritual terms than just not seeing and enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the whole world. It meant for mankind, that we did not have a place in the home of God. We read in the Bible that there are a lot of created beings that have a place in heaven, but there was not a place for man anymore. It is so wonderful now to understand the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he explained this to his disciples. He said that he was going to go away, and he was going to make a place for us. It took his disciples a long time to understand that though his “earthly” father was a carpenter, that our Lord was not going to heaven to build us a house with a hammer and nails. Though the hammer and nails were used in the preparation of our place in heaven, it was not our Lord that swung the hammer… It was you and I. Yes that’s right, it was our sin we inherited from our father Adam that kept us from heaven, and it was our sin that had to be paid for before we could have our place with God restored. So in truth, it was us that swung the hammer that day, and buried the nails deep into the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus. But it was his love for us that kept him there, that bare all that dirty laundry from our past and future in his own body, as God punished him for me. Now, just like Adam and Eve, who watched in horror and pain, God take a little lamb, and kill it, skin it, and then wrap their naked bodies with the skin of that poor little beast. We too see in horror and pain that precious Lamb of God, killed because of our sin, and his righteousness (skin) was wrapped around our spiritual naked bodies, making us right in the sight of God. It was this act of our Lord Jesus Christ that has prepared us a place in heaven… Hallelujah, what a savior!
Now I hope you have already accepted his free gift of salvation, and have the assurance of a home in heaven. If not, why not today? I cannot promise that everything in this world will turn to roses, but I can tell you that God promises you a home in heaven. Yes mother-in-laws will be there too, but I am pretty sure that the football team will have clothes on.
MFL
Saturday, October 9, 2010
At The End Of The Day - Emily and Danny Are One
The Big Day has come. My little girl is getting married. All the preparations, all the money, and all the excitement has come to this day. Family and friends from all over have come to witness this day, when two will become one. It is a wonderful feeling to see all the people that are special in Emily’s and Danny’s life, come to share this with them. They are special to us as well. In a sense this is like a family reunion, my family having to travel to be here, and Lisa’s family who lives near, and Danny’s family having traveled so far. My only stress has been, and being highlighted today, has been that we cannot all be together. Some in our home, some in motels, some leaving to drive that long way back home tonight. Even trying to get just my family together for a meal is chaos. There really is no way for all of us to enjoy each other’s company, to spend time with some exclude others. Then, there is the parting, saying goodbye to some we will not see for a very long time. This will always be like this until our Lord returns for us, calling us home, to a place where we will never part from each other. When we are truly home, we will be able to enjoy the love, comfort, and fellowship of each one all the time.
I have always taken the responsibility to love, to protect, to be a friend, and even be my little girl’s Valentine. But at the end of the day, “This Day”, she will have committed these things to someone else. Danny will now love her, protect her, be her best friend, and always be her Valentine forever. It’s kind of sad in a way, but exciting in another, because in this life, we will always have the hindrances to fellowship with friends and family, whether it be the distance, or the crowd being too large to be with everyone, she will always have her best friend at the end of the day. Every night when I go to bed, my best friend in this whole world is right there beside me, to love me no matter how dumb I have acted that day, to remind me that I am the greatest thing in her life, and the give me the assurance that I need for the next day. I am thankful for my wife. Now I know that Emily too will have that assurance, comfort, and love that has sustained me for so long. I am thankful for Danny, not for taking my job away, but for being these things for my little girl.
Congratulations My Little Sunbeam!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Bell Road and Blue Lights
I know we all have that one road where we always warn our friends, that “they always have speed traps on this road” And when we stop and think about what we just said, we realize that we really can’t remember the last time we saw a “speed Trap” on this road. The thing is, one day we are driving merrily on our way, to a happy place, when all of a sudden, from a side road, a police car pulls out behind us, with Bright Blue Lights flashing like aliens from another world, Then the siren blaring, as if announcing to the whole world what a horrible person I must be. Isn’t it embarrassing sitting there, police car, triumphant in his kill, lights still flashing, it’s a wonder they don’t leave the siren on as well. You just know, somebody is going to drive by that knows you, so you duck down real low as the officer writes that little piece of paper that will ruin the rest of your life… Happy Place, you can forget about any happy place today, you have been pulled over and are getting a ticket.
So there you are doing the “Gonna Get A Ticket” prep talk to yourself. Rehearsing your defense, and response to the officer when he finally walks to your window. I know your thoughts during this time, first it’s the innocent act practiced: “Good Morning Officer, Was I doing something wrong?” Then the Tough Guy act: “With all the criminals in this town, robbing banks and killing people, why are you wasting your time on a simple traffic stop like me?” And then finally, the Oh dear me act: “ If I get a ticket, I will lose my job, my home, my wife and the dog” Then he approaches, and with a firm voice, says, “License and registration, and keep your hands on the wheel”. And for some unknown reason, we all become babbling idiots.
Now back to my point, the whole experience is so traumatic that we will always remember that place in the highway kingdom, as the one place the police are always there. But I have found a place in the “Highway Kingdom” where they really are there all the time. And no, I have never got a ticket there. I remember and warn, because it is true. That place is Bell Road. I know, even when I say the name, Nashvillians all over the globe trembles a little. Yes it is true, they are there all the time, I have even come to recognize the officers that are there all the time, and where they set up shop. So, I had to think on this a bit, and came to two conclusions that the police would make one spot a regular place, when all over this great country, in the Highway Kingdom it is not normal to have one specific place or road that is consistently patrolled. The first of these conclusions is, that Bell Road must have a large amount of accidents, fatalities, and/or people endangered by speeding motorist. But I am confident that none of these things are true, leaving the only consistent thing being the speed trap. So my second theory is the “Fish are biting” theory. What I mean is, the speed limit is way too slow for this stretch of highway, that is the only connector between two places, and used by almost everybody in the world. So I figure, if the speed limit is way too slow, that even the best of us drivers that want to obey the law will speed when trying to drive at a speed that feels right for the road. So, the mentality is, if I am already speeding a little, I might as well go all the way, making just about everybody in the world speed on this street. I know, you can attest that it is not everybody, because of the one hundred cars in front of you, there is always that one car driving five miles under the speed limit. I do have an answer, and this is serious, so if you are someone who knows that mysterious person or department that cares about these things, and has the ability to make change, please share this little bit of wisdom with them. Raise the speed limit fime miles an hour faster, that’s all, I am confident that all the normal people that are only speeding because they are already adding the five mph will be satisfied with the change, and no longer speed. Now, I am not talking about Mr Tailgater, or Mr hand out the window exhibiting his longest finger to the world in front of him, they will always speed, and will always be mad, but for the rest of us, we will no longer be the fish in the Police Departments recreation of giving tickets, and bell road will once again, be a normal place, a safe place, a road to that Happy Place we all long for!
So there you are doing the “Gonna Get A Ticket” prep talk to yourself. Rehearsing your defense, and response to the officer when he finally walks to your window. I know your thoughts during this time, first it’s the innocent act practiced: “Good Morning Officer, Was I doing something wrong?” Then the Tough Guy act: “With all the criminals in this town, robbing banks and killing people, why are you wasting your time on a simple traffic stop like me?” And then finally, the Oh dear me act: “ If I get a ticket, I will lose my job, my home, my wife and the dog” Then he approaches, and with a firm voice, says, “License and registration, and keep your hands on the wheel”. And for some unknown reason, we all become babbling idiots.
Now back to my point, the whole experience is so traumatic that we will always remember that place in the highway kingdom, as the one place the police are always there. But I have found a place in the “Highway Kingdom” where they really are there all the time. And no, I have never got a ticket there. I remember and warn, because it is true. That place is Bell Road. I know, even when I say the name, Nashvillians all over the globe trembles a little. Yes it is true, they are there all the time, I have even come to recognize the officers that are there all the time, and where they set up shop. So, I had to think on this a bit, and came to two conclusions that the police would make one spot a regular place, when all over this great country, in the Highway Kingdom it is not normal to have one specific place or road that is consistently patrolled. The first of these conclusions is, that Bell Road must have a large amount of accidents, fatalities, and/or people endangered by speeding motorist. But I am confident that none of these things are true, leaving the only consistent thing being the speed trap. So my second theory is the “Fish are biting” theory. What I mean is, the speed limit is way too slow for this stretch of highway, that is the only connector between two places, and used by almost everybody in the world. So I figure, if the speed limit is way too slow, that even the best of us drivers that want to obey the law will speed when trying to drive at a speed that feels right for the road. So, the mentality is, if I am already speeding a little, I might as well go all the way, making just about everybody in the world speed on this street. I know, you can attest that it is not everybody, because of the one hundred cars in front of you, there is always that one car driving five miles under the speed limit. I do have an answer, and this is serious, so if you are someone who knows that mysterious person or department that cares about these things, and has the ability to make change, please share this little bit of wisdom with them. Raise the speed limit fime miles an hour faster, that’s all, I am confident that all the normal people that are only speeding because they are already adding the five mph will be satisfied with the change, and no longer speed. Now, I am not talking about Mr Tailgater, or Mr hand out the window exhibiting his longest finger to the world in front of him, they will always speed, and will always be mad, but for the rest of us, we will no longer be the fish in the Police Departments recreation of giving tickets, and bell road will once again, be a normal place, a safe place, a road to that Happy Place we all long for!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Christmas in December!
I remember when I was a kid, it seemed like Christmas would never come. It seemed like an eternity from the very first sign of Christmas decorations seen in department stores after Thanksgiving’s day to that magical moment Christmas morning, when all these wonderful presents appeared under our Christmas tree. It always was such an exciting time of year for me. I was the saver in my family of six siblings, and when my Dad would finally take me Christmas shopping, I had already made a Christmas list, and had formed my ideas of what I wanted to get for each sister, Brother, and my Mom and Dad. I enjoyed so very much selecting each gift from the wide variety of things at our local Pic-N-Save. Then on Christmas Eve, when all our Families got together to eat, eat, and eat some more, then open presents from aunts and uncles, I watched proudly as each sibling and Mom and Dad opened their gifts from me, I would go to each one after I saw their expression of what I knew was sheer delight, and explain why I thought that was the perfect gift for them. We also were allow to pick and open one gift from our parents on Christmas eve, after everyone else had left, and we had begged until we broke our Mom’s heart. I always had such bad luck choosing too, it was always some sort of clothes in the gift I chose, but I wasn’t allowed to choose again.
As I have grown up, it seems that Christmas seems to come much more quickly than when I was a child. I haven’t actually interview any kids lately about this, but I would think that it must be coming more quickly for them as well. The good news is that the department store owners have realized this as well, and I have seen a trend over the years to start the holiday season a little earlier each year. It started with seeing Christmas decorations out in stores just before Thanksgiving’s day. I can almost hear some of the older folks saying, “it sure seems like they are putting the decorations out extremely early this year”. And so it was, year after year as Christmas seemed to come quicker and quicker, the decorations were displayed earlier and earlier. Then it hit me this year when in the middle of September, walking through a store, I saw Christmas trees and decorations, and I heard myself say ““it sure seems like they are putting the decorations out extremely early this year”. Oh no, I am getting older. But anyway, I started thinking, if the retail world keeps up this pace, it will not be long until we actually have “Christmas in December” I mean really, it makes sense. I think that would be so cool, maybe the kids will get to experience the wonder and joy I did as a child, with a short time between the appearance of the season, and the day Christmas morning finally comes, it will seem like forever again, and the moment will be as magical for them as it was once for me.
Merry Christmas!
MFL
As I have grown up, it seems that Christmas seems to come much more quickly than when I was a child. I haven’t actually interview any kids lately about this, but I would think that it must be coming more quickly for them as well. The good news is that the department store owners have realized this as well, and I have seen a trend over the years to start the holiday season a little earlier each year. It started with seeing Christmas decorations out in stores just before Thanksgiving’s day. I can almost hear some of the older folks saying, “it sure seems like they are putting the decorations out extremely early this year”. And so it was, year after year as Christmas seemed to come quicker and quicker, the decorations were displayed earlier and earlier. Then it hit me this year when in the middle of September, walking through a store, I saw Christmas trees and decorations, and I heard myself say ““it sure seems like they are putting the decorations out extremely early this year”. Oh no, I am getting older. But anyway, I started thinking, if the retail world keeps up this pace, it will not be long until we actually have “Christmas in December” I mean really, it makes sense. I think that would be so cool, maybe the kids will get to experience the wonder and joy I did as a child, with a short time between the appearance of the season, and the day Christmas morning finally comes, it will seem like forever again, and the moment will be as magical for them as it was once for me.
Merry Christmas!
MFL
Friday, September 10, 2010
Butterflies - 5
THE GIFT
We have to ask ourselves at this point in the study, What was the gift that Peter and John gave to this poor lame man?
Acts 3:6 6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
The man was clearly there to beg for money, food, or any gift of value. Peter said, I don’t have “silver and gold” but what I do have, I give to you. We could certainly say that the gift was his healing. Watching that man jump up and down on those new legs and feet, his leaping around, and praising God, must have been a sight to see. Also, can you imagine being Peter and John, and seeing God do such a miraculous thing as this? But I am sure, that it was not the power God worked through them to heal this man that could thrill their heart.
But as we examine this story, we must realize, that the Apostles were not looking for people to bring physical healing to, though we see them doing that quite often. But their drive and passion was pointing people to the Lord Jesus. So, if the gift that Peter had, that he offered to this man was not healing, what was it? And the answer is Eternal Life. But there was a problem, this man couldn’t see the glory just inside the Beautiful gate because of his awful disease. He was consumed with it, and it had blinded his eyes, though the glory was right in front of him. We too will come in contact with people every day, that though salvation is right in front of their eyes, they cannot see it, because of all the things in their lives, and we have to do what I have heard a very wise evangelist say one time, we have to get people lost, before we can get them saved. We have to remove the thing that blinds them from the Love of God, in this case, it was this man’s desire to survive as a lame man in a whole man’s world. So the gift wasn’t the healing, that only served to help this man see the Lord, and his salvation.
But back to the gift for a moment. Eternal Life. There are people all through history that have given their lives, rather than denounce the name of Jesus, Why? There are people that have sold everything that they own in this world, and moved to a strange land, lived in mud huts, slept on a dirt floor, just for a chance to point someone to the Lord Jesus Christ, Why? It is because this Gift of Eternal Life is of more value than all the gold and silver in the world. Its value will last beyond the existence of this world as we know it, and its joy, runs far deeper, and surer than any happiness all the money in the world can offer.
Read this passage with me, I will add a little comment in parenthesis, but let God’s word move your heart as you read this:
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes (Because we being in sin, having no hope, and without God in this world, we were poor, and destitute in this world) he became poor (Not only did he die, but he bore in his body your sin, the sins of the whole world, and suffered the eternal judgment we deserved), that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Romans 6:23 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You carry in your heart, that precious gift of God, Eternal Life. When all the world is falling apart, when all around you is chaos, there is a deep abiding peace and Joy that floods your soul. When even death knocks on our door, we do not fear, for this life is eternal. Death is an early exit, and a blessed homecoming. Don’t ever think of our mission as a mobile hospital, bringing physical healing, and prosperity to man, but by using miracles like that, and preaching, and living for God, shinning for him in this sin darkened world. For the greatest gift we ever received, was God’s son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And that will be the greatest gift you can ever offer to anyone in this world.
Butterflies! How beautiful God has made a worm like me. When you get to heaven, look for me, I will be fluttering all over, ever consumed with his wonder, love, and grace.
We have to ask ourselves at this point in the study, What was the gift that Peter and John gave to this poor lame man?
Acts 3:6 6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
The man was clearly there to beg for money, food, or any gift of value. Peter said, I don’t have “silver and gold” but what I do have, I give to you. We could certainly say that the gift was his healing. Watching that man jump up and down on those new legs and feet, his leaping around, and praising God, must have been a sight to see. Also, can you imagine being Peter and John, and seeing God do such a miraculous thing as this? But I am sure, that it was not the power God worked through them to heal this man that could thrill their heart.
But as we examine this story, we must realize, that the Apostles were not looking for people to bring physical healing to, though we see them doing that quite often. But their drive and passion was pointing people to the Lord Jesus. So, if the gift that Peter had, that he offered to this man was not healing, what was it? And the answer is Eternal Life. But there was a problem, this man couldn’t see the glory just inside the Beautiful gate because of his awful disease. He was consumed with it, and it had blinded his eyes, though the glory was right in front of him. We too will come in contact with people every day, that though salvation is right in front of their eyes, they cannot see it, because of all the things in their lives, and we have to do what I have heard a very wise evangelist say one time, we have to get people lost, before we can get them saved. We have to remove the thing that blinds them from the Love of God, in this case, it was this man’s desire to survive as a lame man in a whole man’s world. So the gift wasn’t the healing, that only served to help this man see the Lord, and his salvation.
But back to the gift for a moment. Eternal Life. There are people all through history that have given their lives, rather than denounce the name of Jesus, Why? There are people that have sold everything that they own in this world, and moved to a strange land, lived in mud huts, slept on a dirt floor, just for a chance to point someone to the Lord Jesus Christ, Why? It is because this Gift of Eternal Life is of more value than all the gold and silver in the world. Its value will last beyond the existence of this world as we know it, and its joy, runs far deeper, and surer than any happiness all the money in the world can offer.
Read this passage with me, I will add a little comment in parenthesis, but let God’s word move your heart as you read this:
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes (Because we being in sin, having no hope, and without God in this world, we were poor, and destitute in this world) he became poor (Not only did he die, but he bore in his body your sin, the sins of the whole world, and suffered the eternal judgment we deserved), that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Romans 6:23 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You carry in your heart, that precious gift of God, Eternal Life. When all the world is falling apart, when all around you is chaos, there is a deep abiding peace and Joy that floods your soul. When even death knocks on our door, we do not fear, for this life is eternal. Death is an early exit, and a blessed homecoming. Don’t ever think of our mission as a mobile hospital, bringing physical healing, and prosperity to man, but by using miracles like that, and preaching, and living for God, shinning for him in this sin darkened world. For the greatest gift we ever received, was God’s son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And that will be the greatest gift you can ever offer to anyone in this world.
Butterflies! How beautiful God has made a worm like me. When you get to heaven, look for me, I will be fluttering all over, ever consumed with his wonder, love, and grace.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Butterflies - 4
Acts 3:1 1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Acts 3:4 4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
Acts 3:11 11And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
What now? Isn’t that a question to all believers? Now that God has saved me, now that I am standing, walking, leaping, and praising God, What Now? The Lord Jesus trained twelve men to serve him after he was gone. Over three years he told them all about the kingdom, all about the father, all about future events, and so much more, that John writes in his Gospel account, that the world would not be big enough to contain all the books that could be written about him. But it seems that, over and over, they were left scratching their heads. Now you can’t say Peter didn’t try, and try as he might, he seemed to always put his foot into his mouth. Peter, and the other disciples leave me hope. Sometimes I feel I just will never get it. Just when I think I got it all figured out, something, or someone comes along and proves me all wrong.
I am saved, I love God, I worship, I study the bible, and I give to the Lord’s work. But really, what now? After our Lord died on the cross, and it was told the disciples, that he had risen from the grave, they saw the Lord alive. He let them touch him, and see and feel the nail prints in his hands, and the hole in his side from the soldiers sword. He then told them what he wanted them to do. Then we read in John 21:3 :” Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” It hadn’t been very long since he showed himself to them, and in the delay between meetings, they didn’t know what to do, so off they go a fishing. The amazing thing in that story, was that these professional fishermen, spent all night, and caught nothing. It was then in the morning hours, that the Lord stood on the shore, and asked them the question, Children, have ye any meat? I mean, what were they doing out there anyway, was it for the fun, or was it to get food? Then the Lord said, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” And they got a net full of fish. It wasn’t for the fish, or the money that could be made from selling them, that the Lord did this. It was to change their perception of life. To take what he had taught them, and put the truth into action. For three years they heard the teachings from him, saw the miracles, saw the dead raised, and the blind to see. Was there anything that he could not do? Have we realized that he can do anything, that he is able. It is in this passage that Peter is brought into fellowship with the Lord again, and here he is given direction and purpose. He was to feed people spiritually. That could mean, to preach the gospel to the lost, teach the saved, encourage the weak, and yes, to help people change their perspective on life, or, simply to point them to the Lord Jesus Christ.
We see them going to the temple at the hour of prayer. It may be that they were looking forward to a time of corporate prayer. Maybe they had expectations of an opportunity to preach the gospel, maybe it was to just be available for the next person that God loved as much as he loved you and me. Have you ever asked God to lead you to someone that needs Christ? Remember our last study, we concluded that not only is God able to do above all we can even imagine to ask, but will do so, when we ask. It may be that we don’t ask, because we know he will answer.
We see both Peter and John mentioned together in this story three times. One thing I glean from that is though we serve God ourselves, as we allow him to lead us individually, we are never really alone, we have others in his church that will stand with us in the work. This story with both Peter and John reminds me of when a brother and I would go out to the mall, or park, or door to door to share the gospel. He would talk most of the time, but I prayed. I would ask God to hinder Satan and his demons from clouding the mind of the person we were talking to. I would ask God to open his or her mind. I would ask God to give my brother wisdom to speak his word and message. That is what I see in John, he was the one that wanted to know more about the Lord, he didn’t want to miss one word spoken by him, and John wanted to be as close as he could. But Peter, always wanted to be right in the middle of the action. This is the way I see this miracle, They both fastened their eyes on this man, they both knew he needed to be turned toward the Lord. But there was an obstacle, he was lame. They both knew that this was possible with God, and John prayed, and Peter acted. Wow, can you imagine yourself telling someone born lame, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”? And then yanking him to his feet, right there in public? That’s not only faith, but pure purpose. They knew what God wanted them to do, and he wants us to do the same, To go into all the world and preach the gospel, to turn people to God, help them change their perspective on life, and come to know real life in Christ Jesus. Maybe yanking someone to their feet is not the method God wants to use, but he does want us to be sold out to the gospel. He wants us to have the same perspective that the Apostles had, knowing that God is able to do above all that we think or ask, and knowing that he is able to use us to bring hope into other people’s lives.
One more thing we see in this story, is Peter and John, open to fellowship and discipleship. This man is beside himself with Joy, and the wonder of new life. We see him holding both of them. When someone is brought into the family, we need to care for them, and let them hold on to us until they learn they can hold on to God. All they know is that we know God, and they are desperate to know him now, they become hungry for his word, they have questions, and each new truth, is like a child tasting sugar for the first time. Never be the Christian, to shrug off a new or old believer that clings to you, and wants to know more. Feed them, Feed my sheep, that is what the Lord told Peter.
I go a fishing... Is it for men?
Acts 3:4 4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
Acts 3:11 11And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
What now? Isn’t that a question to all believers? Now that God has saved me, now that I am standing, walking, leaping, and praising God, What Now? The Lord Jesus trained twelve men to serve him after he was gone. Over three years he told them all about the kingdom, all about the father, all about future events, and so much more, that John writes in his Gospel account, that the world would not be big enough to contain all the books that could be written about him. But it seems that, over and over, they were left scratching their heads. Now you can’t say Peter didn’t try, and try as he might, he seemed to always put his foot into his mouth. Peter, and the other disciples leave me hope. Sometimes I feel I just will never get it. Just when I think I got it all figured out, something, or someone comes along and proves me all wrong.
I am saved, I love God, I worship, I study the bible, and I give to the Lord’s work. But really, what now? After our Lord died on the cross, and it was told the disciples, that he had risen from the grave, they saw the Lord alive. He let them touch him, and see and feel the nail prints in his hands, and the hole in his side from the soldiers sword. He then told them what he wanted them to do. Then we read in John 21:3 :” Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” It hadn’t been very long since he showed himself to them, and in the delay between meetings, they didn’t know what to do, so off they go a fishing. The amazing thing in that story, was that these professional fishermen, spent all night, and caught nothing. It was then in the morning hours, that the Lord stood on the shore, and asked them the question, Children, have ye any meat? I mean, what were they doing out there anyway, was it for the fun, or was it to get food? Then the Lord said, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” And they got a net full of fish. It wasn’t for the fish, or the money that could be made from selling them, that the Lord did this. It was to change their perception of life. To take what he had taught them, and put the truth into action. For three years they heard the teachings from him, saw the miracles, saw the dead raised, and the blind to see. Was there anything that he could not do? Have we realized that he can do anything, that he is able. It is in this passage that Peter is brought into fellowship with the Lord again, and here he is given direction and purpose. He was to feed people spiritually. That could mean, to preach the gospel to the lost, teach the saved, encourage the weak, and yes, to help people change their perspective on life, or, simply to point them to the Lord Jesus Christ.
We see them going to the temple at the hour of prayer. It may be that they were looking forward to a time of corporate prayer. Maybe they had expectations of an opportunity to preach the gospel, maybe it was to just be available for the next person that God loved as much as he loved you and me. Have you ever asked God to lead you to someone that needs Christ? Remember our last study, we concluded that not only is God able to do above all we can even imagine to ask, but will do so, when we ask. It may be that we don’t ask, because we know he will answer.
We see both Peter and John mentioned together in this story three times. One thing I glean from that is though we serve God ourselves, as we allow him to lead us individually, we are never really alone, we have others in his church that will stand with us in the work. This story with both Peter and John reminds me of when a brother and I would go out to the mall, or park, or door to door to share the gospel. He would talk most of the time, but I prayed. I would ask God to hinder Satan and his demons from clouding the mind of the person we were talking to. I would ask God to open his or her mind. I would ask God to give my brother wisdom to speak his word and message. That is what I see in John, he was the one that wanted to know more about the Lord, he didn’t want to miss one word spoken by him, and John wanted to be as close as he could. But Peter, always wanted to be right in the middle of the action. This is the way I see this miracle, They both fastened their eyes on this man, they both knew he needed to be turned toward the Lord. But there was an obstacle, he was lame. They both knew that this was possible with God, and John prayed, and Peter acted. Wow, can you imagine yourself telling someone born lame, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”? And then yanking him to his feet, right there in public? That’s not only faith, but pure purpose. They knew what God wanted them to do, and he wants us to do the same, To go into all the world and preach the gospel, to turn people to God, help them change their perspective on life, and come to know real life in Christ Jesus. Maybe yanking someone to their feet is not the method God wants to use, but he does want us to be sold out to the gospel. He wants us to have the same perspective that the Apostles had, knowing that God is able to do above all that we think or ask, and knowing that he is able to use us to bring hope into other people’s lives.
One more thing we see in this story, is Peter and John, open to fellowship and discipleship. This man is beside himself with Joy, and the wonder of new life. We see him holding both of them. When someone is brought into the family, we need to care for them, and let them hold on to us until they learn they can hold on to God. All they know is that we know God, and they are desperate to know him now, they become hungry for his word, they have questions, and each new truth, is like a child tasting sugar for the first time. Never be the Christian, to shrug off a new or old believer that clings to you, and wants to know more. Feed them, Feed my sheep, that is what the Lord told Peter.
I go a fishing... Is it for men?
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