"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
In America, most people’s lives are devoted to the acquisition and retention of money or the things that money can buy.
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.”
“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”
Are you aware of your cross? Are you even trying to find out what it means for you?
“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”
Why have you never been told to give up everything you own and follow Jesus? Why have you never been told that living for money is in conflict with living for God? Why is no one teaching you about how to identify your cross? Why are you not being taught to give up your life in service to Jesus?
Only your teachers can answer that. Jesus definitely taught these things. Christ spoke everything in quotes. One possible explanation is that so few pastors live what Jesus taught that they couldn’t teach what Jesus taught. You can’t lead someone to a place you have never been.
“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”
Whose life are you clinging to today?
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Learning to Live Again
I have been on a great journey over the last few years. God has taken me from the structured Modern American Church system and placed me on a path of Reformation outside of that system. I left the denominations, church hierarchy, the system and methods of American church. In the process He has been tearing down all of my preconceptions of how He intended the Church to minister in the world.
As I have surrendered the things of the world I have discovered more clearly the things of God. The house is gone and so are the car, the IRA, any savings, and a paycheck. For a period of time a shower and reliable heat were missing. Those things were removed from me for a reason. I needed to see clearly how God works His plans. I look back now and I see how He has allowed me to obtain and maintain so many things that I looked upon as blessings. In reality they were clouds that kept me from seeing clearly His hand at work.
He planted a vision in my heart that was so big it scared many of those I shared it with. Many said I was crazy and some still say that. This vision was very specific. It outlined the place, the work and the result. One very important thing was missing. That was the method. Until I had all of my worldly possessions removed I could not see clearly enough to grasp the method. It was outside of my ability to understand. How could a modern American raised in the culture of self-indulgence, ever understand the power of sharing our resources among a group of sold out Christ followers who have no desire to own the things of the world?
Those things I once saw as blessings, were things that perish. I now see them as merely tools God uses to accomplish His vision. Specifically the vision He gave me to steward. The difference is huge. If the thing doesn’t move the vision forward, I don’t want it. If the thing moves the vision forward I can rest assured that God has a plan for getting it for me to use. When I have those things I once took for granted like a shower and heat, I rejoice daily and I am filled with joy over the blessing of them. When they are removed from me I continue to pursue the vision and look to see more clearly what God is doing.
The biggest blessing I have found is in the group of people that are struggling to walk this path with me. They too have given up the desire for things. They throw their resources together and watch as God builds His work through this vision of reformation and renewal. It is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. That is not because the work is hard but because the surrender is hard. Being willing to truly forsake the things of the world in order to participate in the work of God was only a concept I gave lip service to a few years ago. Now I can say that He has taught me how to be content in whatever circumstance I may find myself in. I can truly embrace an often-quoted passage of Scripture in a way that was once just shallow. It is one of the most often quoted and out of context passages I know.
It is Philippians 4:12-13 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Understanding and living this verse is a requirement for our missionaries. God has made it possible for us to learn this as we minister. What a blessing it is to know God in such a way.
As I have surrendered the things of the world I have discovered more clearly the things of God. The house is gone and so are the car, the IRA, any savings, and a paycheck. For a period of time a shower and reliable heat were missing. Those things were removed from me for a reason. I needed to see clearly how God works His plans. I look back now and I see how He has allowed me to obtain and maintain so many things that I looked upon as blessings. In reality they were clouds that kept me from seeing clearly His hand at work.
He planted a vision in my heart that was so big it scared many of those I shared it with. Many said I was crazy and some still say that. This vision was very specific. It outlined the place, the work and the result. One very important thing was missing. That was the method. Until I had all of my worldly possessions removed I could not see clearly enough to grasp the method. It was outside of my ability to understand. How could a modern American raised in the culture of self-indulgence, ever understand the power of sharing our resources among a group of sold out Christ followers who have no desire to own the things of the world?
Those things I once saw as blessings, were things that perish. I now see them as merely tools God uses to accomplish His vision. Specifically the vision He gave me to steward. The difference is huge. If the thing doesn’t move the vision forward, I don’t want it. If the thing moves the vision forward I can rest assured that God has a plan for getting it for me to use. When I have those things I once took for granted like a shower and heat, I rejoice daily and I am filled with joy over the blessing of them. When they are removed from me I continue to pursue the vision and look to see more clearly what God is doing.
The biggest blessing I have found is in the group of people that are struggling to walk this path with me. They too have given up the desire for things. They throw their resources together and watch as God builds His work through this vision of reformation and renewal. It is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. That is not because the work is hard but because the surrender is hard. Being willing to truly forsake the things of the world in order to participate in the work of God was only a concept I gave lip service to a few years ago. Now I can say that He has taught me how to be content in whatever circumstance I may find myself in. I can truly embrace an often-quoted passage of Scripture in a way that was once just shallow. It is one of the most often quoted and out of context passages I know.
It is Philippians 4:12-13 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Understanding and living this verse is a requirement for our missionaries. God has made it possible for us to learn this as we minister. What a blessing it is to know God in such a way.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Learning to Build
I remember learning how to build things. I would watch, as my dad would assemble the tools and the materials. He would layout the plan and ponder over it. When I first looked at the plan I could not understand it. It was far beyond my comprehension. He would start to measure and cut and all I could do was hand him tools as he asked for them. He would have to describe them to me because I didn’t even know which one was which. I would watch him use each one. I would pay close attention to how he handled it and how he worked with it.
As the parts began to take shape I could see how the thing we were building resembled the thing on the plan. There was always a point in each project where I was baffled as to how the thing would get from where it was to what the finished project looked like on the plan. I still lacked understanding of how to build.
I remember that as I grew older I was allowed to help in more ways. At some point my dad would hand me a tool and ask me to take my turn. I now had a saw in my hand and was expected to make the cut. I would begin to get nervous. The pressure was on. I tried to handle the saw the way I had seen my dad do it but I would cut crooked. I waited in fear of reprimand but instead my dad would remove the piece of wood and then show my once again how to cut it. As I went through a bazillion mistakes, I eventually learned how to use each tool. With experience I learned to read the plan.
I look at my life now and I see my heavenly father taking me through this process once again. He has shown me a plan, which I do not understand. The end will be beautiful but I am still clueless as to how we get from here to there. The tools are both familiar and there are new ones I have no experience using. I have made plenty of mistakes using these tools. Each time I do He gently removes the ruined part and shows me once again how to use the tool.
I am serving a master builder. He laid His son as the chief cornerstone of the project I am working to build. He made the plan, prepared the work, selected the tools, and is overseeing the entire project. I am being allowed the privilege of participating in building according to the plan.
As I first began to work for my Lord I was always nervous about what I was doing. Just like that kid who first picked up that saw I was afraid of the response I would get for that first crooked cut. I soon realized I was building according to His plan and He was training me to be a builder. He knew it would take practice to learn to use these new tools. He was always watching to correct any mistakes I made and to allow me to try again until I learned. He is great at correcting mistakes.
The plan I am participating in is an incredible project. It is way more than I could ever hope to comprehend when I first started. Now that I am older and I have some experience with the tools and with reading plans, I am beginning to see the finished product. I must admit that I still do not fully understand how we get from where we are to the finished product. I still, at times, feel like that little kid staring at the parts my dad had cut and the plans that we were working from and wondering how the next piece fit.
As the parts began to take shape I could see how the thing we were building resembled the thing on the plan. There was always a point in each project where I was baffled as to how the thing would get from where it was to what the finished project looked like on the plan. I still lacked understanding of how to build.
I remember that as I grew older I was allowed to help in more ways. At some point my dad would hand me a tool and ask me to take my turn. I now had a saw in my hand and was expected to make the cut. I would begin to get nervous. The pressure was on. I tried to handle the saw the way I had seen my dad do it but I would cut crooked. I waited in fear of reprimand but instead my dad would remove the piece of wood and then show my once again how to cut it. As I went through a bazillion mistakes, I eventually learned how to use each tool. With experience I learned to read the plan.
I look at my life now and I see my heavenly father taking me through this process once again. He has shown me a plan, which I do not understand. The end will be beautiful but I am still clueless as to how we get from here to there. The tools are both familiar and there are new ones I have no experience using. I have made plenty of mistakes using these tools. Each time I do He gently removes the ruined part and shows me once again how to use the tool.
I am serving a master builder. He laid His son as the chief cornerstone of the project I am working to build. He made the plan, prepared the work, selected the tools, and is overseeing the entire project. I am being allowed the privilege of participating in building according to the plan.
As I first began to work for my Lord I was always nervous about what I was doing. Just like that kid who first picked up that saw I was afraid of the response I would get for that first crooked cut. I soon realized I was building according to His plan and He was training me to be a builder. He knew it would take practice to learn to use these new tools. He was always watching to correct any mistakes I made and to allow me to try again until I learned. He is great at correcting mistakes.
The plan I am participating in is an incredible project. It is way more than I could ever hope to comprehend when I first started. Now that I am older and I have some experience with the tools and with reading plans, I am beginning to see the finished product. I must admit that I still do not fully understand how we get from where we are to the finished product. I still, at times, feel like that little kid staring at the parts my dad had cut and the plans that we were working from and wondering how the next piece fit.
Monday, November 7, 2011
To Be or Just to Claim to Be – That is the Question
Are you a Christ follower? Are you His disciple? Do you talk the talk or walk the walk? Here is how Jesus determines those who are His disciples.
A love for Christ that surpasses your love for anyone or anything - "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.
Suffering in service - "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Sacrifice - So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
Obedience is a must - Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
A love that shows - "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
A true disciple of Christ will be busy about making other Disciples of Christ according to the pattern outlined above. We don’t have to guess if we are a disciple. Jesus tells us we can know if we are His disciples.
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
In today’s church in America the teaching of Christ has changed to accommodate the culture. How can we expect people to give up all material possessions in such a materialistic world? How can we obey all the teachings when so many run in contrast to our culture? How can we be expected to make other disciples? Why should we suffer in this country when we have so much?
The simple truth is that Jesus made the rules and they have not changed. He did not say here are the rules for now and I will give you other rules later. The way to follow Christ has not changed over time. The way the church teaches many to follow Christ has changed over time. Who are you a disciple of – your church – or Jesus Christ?
A love for Christ that surpasses your love for anyone or anything - "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.
Suffering in service - "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Sacrifice - So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
Obedience is a must - Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
A love that shows - "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
A true disciple of Christ will be busy about making other Disciples of Christ according to the pattern outlined above. We don’t have to guess if we are a disciple. Jesus tells us we can know if we are His disciples.
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
In today’s church in America the teaching of Christ has changed to accommodate the culture. How can we expect people to give up all material possessions in such a materialistic world? How can we obey all the teachings when so many run in contrast to our culture? How can we be expected to make other disciples? Why should we suffer in this country when we have so much?
The simple truth is that Jesus made the rules and they have not changed. He did not say here are the rules for now and I will give you other rules later. The way to follow Christ has not changed over time. The way the church teaches many to follow Christ has changed over time. Who are you a disciple of – your church – or Jesus Christ?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
The Partial Path to Christ-likeness
I have a question for you if you are a Christ follower. Is your faith centered on your church, its members, and its building?
I have noticed two things I see the modern method of American Christianity doing that I am not sure it even realizes it is doing. The first is to center the focus of our faith on the church. It does this by focusing all it does on itself. The things it participates in that are outside the church are still focused on getting people to the church building on a set day of the week. Does this describe your faith experience? Is it centered on serving and ministering to the lost in your community as you share the gospel?
The second thing I have noticed is that many ministries are focused on getting people “saved”. The majority of the time, talent and treasure are placed on getting people to church where they can hear the gospel and respond in faith. Its what comes next that I have noticed is odd.
Does your church take the next step as being one of connecting them to the church body? Or does it give them a clear path to walking out their gift and passion in public service? If it does the second choice then you would know because someone would have sat you down and said something like – “Now that you are a follower of Christ here is how you go from new birth to full maturity and actively use your spiritual gift to grow the kingdom.”
The sad truth is that many ministries today hope that the second part just happens. There is no plan to take the average convert from new birth to maturity. That is one reason it takes so many years for Christians to mature in the American church. Instead of making disciples we are focused on making converts that will become members of our church. This distorts our God designed purpose of being disciple makers in a fallen world to becoming passive participants in a church system. So Sad!
I have noticed two things I see the modern method of American Christianity doing that I am not sure it even realizes it is doing. The first is to center the focus of our faith on the church. It does this by focusing all it does on itself. The things it participates in that are outside the church are still focused on getting people to the church building on a set day of the week. Does this describe your faith experience? Is it centered on serving and ministering to the lost in your community as you share the gospel?
The second thing I have noticed is that many ministries are focused on getting people “saved”. The majority of the time, talent and treasure are placed on getting people to church where they can hear the gospel and respond in faith. Its what comes next that I have noticed is odd.
Does your church take the next step as being one of connecting them to the church body? Or does it give them a clear path to walking out their gift and passion in public service? If it does the second choice then you would know because someone would have sat you down and said something like – “Now that you are a follower of Christ here is how you go from new birth to full maturity and actively use your spiritual gift to grow the kingdom.”
The sad truth is that many ministries today hope that the second part just happens. There is no plan to take the average convert from new birth to maturity. That is one reason it takes so many years for Christians to mature in the American church. Instead of making disciples we are focused on making converts that will become members of our church. This distorts our God designed purpose of being disciple makers in a fallen world to becoming passive participants in a church system. So Sad!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Church Attendance Trends in the USA
80% of the WWII generation attended church.
50% of the “Baby Boomers” attend church.
30% of “Baby Busters” attend church.
3% of “Gen X'rs” attend church.
65% of the Baby Boomers have dropped out of the institutional church.
60% of Gen X’rs have never been in a church a single time, not even for a wedding or a funeral!
50% of the “Baby Boomers” attend church.
30% of “Baby Busters” attend church.
3% of “Gen X'rs” attend church.
65% of the Baby Boomers have dropped out of the institutional church.
60% of Gen X’rs have never been in a church a single time, not even for a wedding or a funeral!
Friday, October 14, 2011
On Pastoring the Community
Every community is in need of pastoring. Some communities are in more need than others are. Our community has a problem with drugs and violence. One of the ways we decided to pastor our community was to make sure that the services offered by the city were being provided to our community. One service many may take for granted is to have streetlights on at night. In our community we noticed that the lights were often not working and that repairs were taking a long time to get accomplished.
Our neighborhood is comprised of about 70 square blocks. It is a somewhat dangerous place to roam about at night. We thought that might have led to the lack of repair on the streetlights. We found out which city department was responsible for reporting the outages and we decided to assist them. We went out one Friday night with note pad and pen and we drove down every street in our neighborhood. We only had one instance where a car tried to block us in but I managed to get past them before they could get out. I am sure they just needed directions or something. By the end of the night we had documented 42 street lights out in our neighborhood.
I am happy to report that after one week it appears that 40 of these have been repaired. Our area is brighter at night and that will help to deter crime. We are making this a regular activity of ours. Last week, as we checked on the repairs to the reported lights, we found several more that had gone out. In our simple daily walk to live our faith and pastor our community we have found that the most basic of services can be held back if we do nothing. There are many other services the city offers that we see lacking in our community. Instead of looking for someone to blame and complaining about the lack, we have decided to assist them in their job.
Our next step will be to make sure we praise the civil servants that helped us correct these issues and to teach the community members how to access these services. As we do this publicly we will care for the residents, show our love for the community and promote unity between the city and its residents. All the while we get the privilege of shepherding the community Christ has given us charge over.
Our neighborhood is comprised of about 70 square blocks. It is a somewhat dangerous place to roam about at night. We thought that might have led to the lack of repair on the streetlights. We found out which city department was responsible for reporting the outages and we decided to assist them. We went out one Friday night with note pad and pen and we drove down every street in our neighborhood. We only had one instance where a car tried to block us in but I managed to get past them before they could get out. I am sure they just needed directions or something. By the end of the night we had documented 42 street lights out in our neighborhood.
I am happy to report that after one week it appears that 40 of these have been repaired. Our area is brighter at night and that will help to deter crime. We are making this a regular activity of ours. Last week, as we checked on the repairs to the reported lights, we found several more that had gone out. In our simple daily walk to live our faith and pastor our community we have found that the most basic of services can be held back if we do nothing. There are many other services the city offers that we see lacking in our community. Instead of looking for someone to blame and complaining about the lack, we have decided to assist them in their job.
Our next step will be to make sure we praise the civil servants that helped us correct these issues and to teach the community members how to access these services. As we do this publicly we will care for the residents, show our love for the community and promote unity between the city and its residents. All the while we get the privilege of shepherding the community Christ has given us charge over.
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