I was re-reading my previous post and it occured to me that I should have added something more but instead of editing it, I'll make a new post. Call it part 2 of Faith with Feet :)
As I'm reading through the Gospels each day it becomes more and more evident to me that Jesus, during his short stay on Earth, was a very busy man. He never stayed anywhere very long, he was always going, always teaching, always healing...always seeking the lost. He didn't sit and wait for the lost to find Him. No, He went in search of the lost sheep and He found them everywhere He went!
He says in The Word....GO and make deciples of all nations. That one word- GO- is an order, a command. Jesus doesn't add, "If you want to." or "If you feel like it." He says "GO."
There are hurting people all over this planet. As Americans we've been pretty spoiled by not really being affected by the suffering that people in so many other nations endure. Yes, the people in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, South America are suffering and need Jesus. But in many cases there are intense spiritual needs much closer to home. If traveling abroad is something you simply cannot do, there are people in your state, in your town, probably in your neighborhood who are suffering. People right next door who need Jesus.
"GO!"
Being fairly new to our community, there are still many people I don't know, circumstances I'm not aware of. But the spirit in me is telling me to GO, find the hurting, bring Jesus to them. Someone, long ago, took a chance and shared Jesus with me. How can I not reach out to some lost and hurting soul and do the same?
I'm going to share another persecuted believer's story link here. Please, take some time each day to lift up our suffering brothers and sisters around the world in prayer.
Pastor Wang Xiaoguang has been in a Chinese prison for nearly 900 days...simply for teaching about Jesus. Please take a moment to pray for him and maybe even write him a letter of encouragement. http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_200_profile.html
Friday, March 30, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Does your faith have feet?
I was listening to my Ipod today and a song by Casting Crowns came on. It's a song that resonates in me; one that makes me take stock of my life and my walk. It's called, 'If We are the Body'. If you haven't heard the song, the chorus says:
If we are the body of Christ, then why are so many of us neglecting to do what He has commanded us to do? We should be helping the widows and orphans, we should be leading the lost to Him, we should be welcoming the traveler into our midst and loving him to Christ.
But something else that struck me is that we should also be walking the walk among our leaders. If we, the children of God, refuse to stand up and speak out for what we know to be right, if we refuse to be leaders ourselves, then we leave this country, this world, to those who don't believe. We leave control of this country to pagans, athiests, and those who would remove God from every aspect of our nation.
We must vote! We must write letters to our local, state, and federal leaders. We must participate in ways that will be God honoring and effective or this country will fall in the same manner that Rome did.
We must put feet on our faith! We must Go! This country was founded and built upon a the solid rock of Jesus and we, the sons and daughters of the almighty God, need to wake up and stand up and fight to keep that solid rock from being chipped away and undermining the stability of The United States of America.
Does your faith have feet? Are you willing to go when God calls?
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
If we are the body of Christ, then why are so many of us neglecting to do what He has commanded us to do? We should be helping the widows and orphans, we should be leading the lost to Him, we should be welcoming the traveler into our midst and loving him to Christ.
But something else that struck me is that we should also be walking the walk among our leaders. If we, the children of God, refuse to stand up and speak out for what we know to be right, if we refuse to be leaders ourselves, then we leave this country, this world, to those who don't believe. We leave control of this country to pagans, athiests, and those who would remove God from every aspect of our nation.
We must vote! We must write letters to our local, state, and federal leaders. We must participate in ways that will be God honoring and effective or this country will fall in the same manner that Rome did.
We must put feet on our faith! We must Go! This country was founded and built upon a the solid rock of Jesus and we, the sons and daughters of the almighty God, need to wake up and stand up and fight to keep that solid rock from being chipped away and undermining the stability of The United States of America.
Does your faith have feet? Are you willing to go when God calls?
Sunday, March 11, 2012
We Have Hope!
I'm reading a book, one I've read a dozen times at least. It's the first book in an amazing trilogy by Francine Rivers called A Voice in the Wind and on page 13 there is a passage that struck me and I wanted to share. A brother and sister in a desperate situation are having a conversation and the passage reads:
"Is this the will of God, Mark?"
"Father said it is not God's will that any should suffer."
"Then why must we?"
"We bear the consequences for what we have done to ourselves, and for the sin that rules this world. Jesus forgave the thief, but he didn't take him down off the cross." He pushed his hand back through his hair. "I'm not wise like Father. I haven't any answers to why, but I know there is hope."
"What hope, Mark? What hope is there?"
"God always leaves a remnant."
Jesus forgave the thief who hung beside Him on the cross, but He didn't take him off the cross. The thief was made to suffer the consequences of his actions but Jesus forgave him and assured him of his place in Heaven.
We, as children of God, are also forgiven but we, too, must endure our own consequences for our sin. We are assured of our place in Heaven but while we live in this sinful world we will suffer and many times we suffer for the sinful actions of others even if we didn't participate or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But we have hope! Even through the trials and suffering we experience we have Jesus by our side. He never said it would be easy, but He promised we would never have to go it alone. What a beautiful promise!
And to end this blog post, I'm going to share some song lyrics from one of my very favorite songs by an amazing artist, Ginny Owens. This song is called "If You Want Me To"
The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering that Your love put You through
And I will walk through the darkness
If You want me to
Cuz when I cross over Jordan
Gonna sing, gonna shout,
Gonna look into Your eyes and see You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You
And I will walk though the valley
If You want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley
If You want me to
Here is a link to a You Tube video of the song if you care to listen. She has such a beautiful voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVYRc7LtvUA
"Is this the will of God, Mark?"
"Father said it is not God's will that any should suffer."
"Then why must we?"
"We bear the consequences for what we have done to ourselves, and for the sin that rules this world. Jesus forgave the thief, but he didn't take him down off the cross." He pushed his hand back through his hair. "I'm not wise like Father. I haven't any answers to why, but I know there is hope."
"What hope, Mark? What hope is there?"
"God always leaves a remnant."
Jesus forgave the thief who hung beside Him on the cross, but He didn't take him off the cross. The thief was made to suffer the consequences of his actions but Jesus forgave him and assured him of his place in Heaven.
We, as children of God, are also forgiven but we, too, must endure our own consequences for our sin. We are assured of our place in Heaven but while we live in this sinful world we will suffer and many times we suffer for the sinful actions of others even if we didn't participate or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But we have hope! Even through the trials and suffering we experience we have Jesus by our side. He never said it would be easy, but He promised we would never have to go it alone. What a beautiful promise!
And to end this blog post, I'm going to share some song lyrics from one of my very favorite songs by an amazing artist, Ginny Owens. This song is called "If You Want Me To"
The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering that Your love put You through
And I will walk through the darkness
If You want me to
Cuz when I cross over Jordan
Gonna sing, gonna shout,
Gonna look into Your eyes and see You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You
And I will walk though the valley
If You want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley
If You want me to
Here is a link to a You Tube video of the song if you care to listen. She has such a beautiful voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVYRc7LtvUA
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Vote Your Conscience!
With elections in full swing the candidates are polishing up their speeches and ramping up their attacks on their opponents, dragging skeletons out of closets and pointing razor tipped fingers used to expose every perceived slight to the American people.
I cannot express enough, my friends, how very important it is to vote your conscience. Stop looking at the parties and, instead, look at the morals, values, and agenda of those running. Just because you are a registered Republican or Democrat does not mean you HAVE to vote for the person running in that party. Vote for the person who most closely represents your values, not matter what party they happen to be affiliated with.
And one more thing, read between the lines of the pretty speeches. Do your research and find out what these people REALLY think, how these people really vote, what these people really want for our country. Right now they're saying what they think the people want to hear, but we all know that campaign promises are rarely kept and what will we be getting when the campaign is over?
Above all- VOTE and VOTE INFORMED!
I cannot express enough, my friends, how very important it is to vote your conscience. Stop looking at the parties and, instead, look at the morals, values, and agenda of those running. Just because you are a registered Republican or Democrat does not mean you HAVE to vote for the person running in that party. Vote for the person who most closely represents your values, not matter what party they happen to be affiliated with.
And one more thing, read between the lines of the pretty speeches. Do your research and find out what these people REALLY think, how these people really vote, what these people really want for our country. Right now they're saying what they think the people want to hear, but we all know that campaign promises are rarely kept and what will we be getting when the campaign is over?
Above all- VOTE and VOTE INFORMED!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The soil of my heart
Tonight's lesson in church was on the parable of the sower in Mark 4. It got me to thinking, wondering what condition the soil of my heart is in. I'd like to say it's the good soil that is fruitful and productive but we all want to be the best but am I being honest?
The soil on the path is compacted and hard. The seed falls there birds gobble them up. The hard heart refuses to hear God's word and Satan swoops in and steals up the seed so that it cannot take root.
The rocky soil is...well, rocky. And if you've ever tried to grow things in rocky soil you know that the plants don't thrive. They dry out quickly and wilt, need extra water to keep them going and they fall over easily in the wind. The rocky heart is quick to receive the Word but when persecution and difficulties arrise in their life, they fall away and forget that God is there for them, just like the diligent gardener who tends his plants even in stony soil.
Other seed falls among the thorns and weeds. We all know what those represent. It seems like everywhere we look these days we see lustful images, profanity, drugs and alcohol, sin made to look good and good made to look evil. Thorns. Even the most faithful must guard their hearts against this onslaught of the world or we too will be choked out and fall away from the God who loves us enough to give up his own son.
And then there is the good ground, the fertile soil. The soft heart that is ready and willing and able to accept God's word at face value and to embrace it with no looking back. The one who goes out and shares the Good News with others and is willing to suffer the ridicule and persecution of the world with no regrets. Those seeds spring up and flourish, sending out deep roots that keep the heart solid in the wind and the leaves healthy in the sun. They grow up to produce 30, 60, or 100 times the initial investment.
So what condition is the soil of my heart? I've withstood temptation, persecution, and ridicule, I tell the world about the love of Jesus, and deep in my heart I feel the roots of His Word, His Love, His forgiveness. I believe the soil of my heart is good soil, healthy soil, ready to be productive and fruitful.
And in honor of those who are persecuted, sometimes to the point of death, simply because they love Jesus, I'd like to start listing the name and a link for information about a brother or sister in Christ who is imprisoned somewhere in the world. So today's name is that of a man I have been praying for for months.
Youcef Nadarkhani is in prison in Iran because of his love for Jesus and he has been sentanced to death for his refusal to recant and return to the Islam religion. Insiders in Iran say his death is iminent. Can you imagine being killed just for loving Jesus?!
Go here: http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_214_profile.html?_nc=4f9ec9bce62a9439ac9c7514e7ed15e8 to read more about Youcef's story. Please pray for him, lift him up and pray that God will fill his heart with a peace that only God can provide.
Please don't forget our suffering brothers and sisters around the world. And don't take for granted the freedom we still have here in our country, the freedom to worship.
The soil on the path is compacted and hard. The seed falls there birds gobble them up. The hard heart refuses to hear God's word and Satan swoops in and steals up the seed so that it cannot take root.
The rocky soil is...well, rocky. And if you've ever tried to grow things in rocky soil you know that the plants don't thrive. They dry out quickly and wilt, need extra water to keep them going and they fall over easily in the wind. The rocky heart is quick to receive the Word but when persecution and difficulties arrise in their life, they fall away and forget that God is there for them, just like the diligent gardener who tends his plants even in stony soil.
Other seed falls among the thorns and weeds. We all know what those represent. It seems like everywhere we look these days we see lustful images, profanity, drugs and alcohol, sin made to look good and good made to look evil. Thorns. Even the most faithful must guard their hearts against this onslaught of the world or we too will be choked out and fall away from the God who loves us enough to give up his own son.
And then there is the good ground, the fertile soil. The soft heart that is ready and willing and able to accept God's word at face value and to embrace it with no looking back. The one who goes out and shares the Good News with others and is willing to suffer the ridicule and persecution of the world with no regrets. Those seeds spring up and flourish, sending out deep roots that keep the heart solid in the wind and the leaves healthy in the sun. They grow up to produce 30, 60, or 100 times the initial investment.
So what condition is the soil of my heart? I've withstood temptation, persecution, and ridicule, I tell the world about the love of Jesus, and deep in my heart I feel the roots of His Word, His Love, His forgiveness. I believe the soil of my heart is good soil, healthy soil, ready to be productive and fruitful.
And in honor of those who are persecuted, sometimes to the point of death, simply because they love Jesus, I'd like to start listing the name and a link for information about a brother or sister in Christ who is imprisoned somewhere in the world. So today's name is that of a man I have been praying for for months.
Youcef Nadarkhani is in prison in Iran because of his love for Jesus and he has been sentanced to death for his refusal to recant and return to the Islam religion. Insiders in Iran say his death is iminent. Can you imagine being killed just for loving Jesus?!
Go here: http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_214_profile.html?_nc=4f9ec9bce62a9439ac9c7514e7ed15e8 to read more about Youcef's story. Please pray for him, lift him up and pray that God will fill his heart with a peace that only God can provide.
Please don't forget our suffering brothers and sisters around the world. And don't take for granted the freedom we still have here in our country, the freedom to worship.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
On Holy Ground
Several places in the Bible, people are told to remove their shoes because they're standing on Holy ground. Have you ever contemplated what makes a place holy? What about that particular patch of earth at that specific time in history made it holy?
Our pastor went on to explain that in each of those instances, 3 things were true of those being asked to remove their shoes.
1. They were humble.
2. They were faithful.
3. They were obedient.
And because of these 3 things they were able to be in the presence of God, therefore the ground on which they stood was Holy.
So, what does it mean to be humble? Faithful? Obedient? I turned to the dictionary to get a definition of those things and here is what I found:
1. Humble= Not proud or arrogant, modest, respectful, courtious, forsaking ones own will.
2. Faithful= Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant.
3. Obedient= obeying or willing to obey; complying with or submissive to authority
So have you ever stood on Holy ground? Have you ever felt the undeniable presence of God? Have you ever felt so full of the Holy Spirit that you wept or danced or shouted with joy because you simply couldn't contain yourself?
To be honest I hadn't ever really thought about it but ever since I started reading my Bible daily and studying the Word, I find my thoughts turned toward Jesus almost constantly. I cry during worship at church. I cry during service at church. The children I teach on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights come up to me and ask if I'm okay because they see my tears. And tonight our pastor approached me and told me he is so excited about how he sees the Lord moving in my life lately.
My heart is so full and I'm unable to describe it in a way that would even approach the magnitude of it.
I've been on Holy ground! I feel, lately, like I live on Holy ground! My thoughts are consumed by the greatness of our God, the grace, the mercy, the preciousness of our Lord. I feel Him around me all the time and it fills me up with so much joy that I can't keep it in. If only I could physically share this wonderous gift with those who have never had it but all I can do is tell people and hope and pray that they'll believe me and reach for it for themselves.
Exodus 3:5Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
Joshua 5:15The captain of the LORD'S host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
Acts 7:33- "BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, 'TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND.
Have you stepped on Holy Ground?
Our pastor went on to explain that in each of those instances, 3 things were true of those being asked to remove their shoes.
1. They were humble.
2. They were faithful.
3. They were obedient.
And because of these 3 things they were able to be in the presence of God, therefore the ground on which they stood was Holy.
So, what does it mean to be humble? Faithful? Obedient? I turned to the dictionary to get a definition of those things and here is what I found:
1. Humble= Not proud or arrogant, modest, respectful, courtious, forsaking ones own will.
2. Faithful= Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant.
3. Obedient= obeying or willing to obey; complying with or submissive to authority
So have you ever stood on Holy ground? Have you ever felt the undeniable presence of God? Have you ever felt so full of the Holy Spirit that you wept or danced or shouted with joy because you simply couldn't contain yourself?
To be honest I hadn't ever really thought about it but ever since I started reading my Bible daily and studying the Word, I find my thoughts turned toward Jesus almost constantly. I cry during worship at church. I cry during service at church. The children I teach on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights come up to me and ask if I'm okay because they see my tears. And tonight our pastor approached me and told me he is so excited about how he sees the Lord moving in my life lately.
My heart is so full and I'm unable to describe it in a way that would even approach the magnitude of it.
I've been on Holy ground! I feel, lately, like I live on Holy ground! My thoughts are consumed by the greatness of our God, the grace, the mercy, the preciousness of our Lord. I feel Him around me all the time and it fills me up with so much joy that I can't keep it in. If only I could physically share this wonderous gift with those who have never had it but all I can do is tell people and hope and pray that they'll believe me and reach for it for themselves.
Exodus 3:5Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
Joshua 5:15The captain of the LORD'S host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
Acts 7:33- "BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, 'TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND.
Have you stepped on Holy Ground?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Cottage Prayer Meeting
Our church has a revival meeting every year in March and this year is no different. For 8 weeks before the revival people volunteer to host Cottage Prayer Meetings where church members gather for some fellowship and a great deal of prayer. We pray for our country, our state, our community, our church, and our families. We pray for forgiveness, for the lost, and for hearts to be moved in service for Jesus.
We pray for Revival!
Not just the event at our church but for revival in our nation, in our world. God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
We, as Christians, as children of God, MUST pray for a revival in this land. If we don't pray and appeal to God on behalf of our nation, who will?
People are hurting in our world, people are soul sick, heart sick, sin sick and no one but Jesus can heal them. If you are reading this message, please, please, please, pray for revival in our land, in your state, town, church, home, family... and in yourself.
This week's Cottage Prayer Meeting was here at my house and it was such a blessing. I was moved to tears. My church family is such an enormous blessing to me and I thank God daily for them. I would be at loose ends without them and I know that revival is happening in me, in my family, in my church... it's like ripples in a pond and because God's word never returns empty, I know it will stretch far beyond our tiny little town here in West Kentucky. Will it reach your town too?
We pray for Revival!
Not just the event at our church but for revival in our nation, in our world. God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
We, as Christians, as children of God, MUST pray for a revival in this land. If we don't pray and appeal to God on behalf of our nation, who will?
People are hurting in our world, people are soul sick, heart sick, sin sick and no one but Jesus can heal them. If you are reading this message, please, please, please, pray for revival in our land, in your state, town, church, home, family... and in yourself.
This week's Cottage Prayer Meeting was here at my house and it was such a blessing. I was moved to tears. My church family is such an enormous blessing to me and I thank God daily for them. I would be at loose ends without them and I know that revival is happening in me, in my family, in my church... it's like ripples in a pond and because God's word never returns empty, I know it will stretch far beyond our tiny little town here in West Kentucky. Will it reach your town too?
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