I hope you enjoy this quiz. When you think you know the answer, just click on the word “ANSWER”
1. What must we do in order to have Christ live in us; and the life which we now live in the flesh we live by faith in the Son of God? ANSWER 1
2. What should we present to God as our reasonable service? ANSWER 2
3. What do you need to take up daily in order to go after Christ? ANSWER 3
4. Do not yield your members as instruments of what, but as instruments of what? ANSWER 4
5. If we belong to Christ, what have we done with the flesh? Answer 5
I hope you enjoyed the quiz and I pray that the answers to the quiz are answers to an abundant life which our God desires for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope”
Technorati Tags: bible, quiz, christian, sacrifice, crucifixion, christ, revival
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ultimate Sacrifice
I have found that my life in the military helped prepare me for my life as a Christian. Obedience to orders, respect to leaders, preparation, fellowship and working with others, and self sacrifice.
This is Memorial Day Weekend when we remember those who have died in the service to our country. I praise God for them and for their sacrificing all for us. Their sacrifice has bought us freedom in this country.
I pray that we as Christians will also sacrifice our lives for Christ.
Romans 12: 1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Technorati Tags: Sacrifice, military, Memorial, Christian, Prayer
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Compassion and Prayer
Compassion means to suffer with, to live with those who suffer. When Jesus saw the woman of Nain he realized, This is a widow who has lost her only son, and he was moved by compassion. He felt the pain of that woman in his guts. He felt her pain so deeply in his spirit that out of compassion he called the son to life so he could give that son back to his mother.
Henri J. M. Nouwen
I have a problem. I always thought that I am who I am, and this is just the way I naturally am. I have continually assumed this about myself, but now I doubt its validity. I have a lack of passion. I do not excite easily, and I do not become sorrowful easily either. I am a person whose emotions are generally very even keeled.
That sounds like something which is not a matter of concern and could even be desirous, but now I understand that it is not how I was created. I was created to be a person of passion. When events happen in my life, for good or evil, I take it in stride. I am not saying I am emotionless. I am saying I do not feel the deep passions which others feel. I do not have the compassion for people which I should have. I don’t become sorrowful at the death of someone. I don’t become thrilled when someone is healed. I merely think that God has moved. His will was done. Blessed be the name of the lord. Prayer, without compassion, is weak and powerless.
Compassion, without the power of prayer, reaps sorrow. The Holy Spirit taught me that today in my quiet time. I was dumbstruck. I had never understood until then about compassion and prayer. They are intimately intertwined together. You cannot have one without the other and live an effective Christian life.
To have a deep compassion and no power in prayer, will only send you into the deep pit of depression. You see the needs in the world, but you have no way to meet those needs. You see sickness and pain, but you can only stand by and watch the people die and suffer. God does not want you to have a compassion for people and not be able to do something about it. Jesus had compassion. When the scriptures speak of his compassion, he reached out to help people. He cured the blind. He cast out the demons. He fed the 5000. He raised the dead. All because he had compassion for people and then reached out with the power from God to meet the need.
I am praying to know the compassion of Christ. He will answer my prayer because He wants me to know His heart. He wants me to cry with Him and rejoice with Him. He wants me to know the heart pain He holds for people. I want to know His pain and I hunger for His passion.
When I have the compassion of Christ, my prayers will then have the power of Christ as well. I will not be uttering empty words as I pray, but words of love and compassion. My heart will hunger for healing and not be satisfied with saying “Well, I guess it is just God’s will for you to stay this way.” Prayer without compassion is weak and anemic.
I refuse to stay weak and anemic. I refuse to settle for anything less than the heart of Christ. I will not stand by and let people suffer without me suffering with them. I will know the tears of God. I will know his compassion. Once I know His compassion, I will also know His power to meet those needs. I will pray and the needs of the people will be met by His power. The blind will see. The lame will walk. The dying shall live. People will see and know God
Photo Credit: Sorrow by bluestar_tam
Technorati Tags: Revival,, healing,, compassion,, passion,, evangelism, suffering, prayer, power
Henri J. M. Nouwen
I have a problem. I always thought that I am who I am, and this is just the way I naturally am. I have continually assumed this about myself, but now I doubt its validity. I have a lack of passion. I do not excite easily, and I do not become sorrowful easily either. I am a person whose emotions are generally very even keeled.
That sounds like something which is not a matter of concern and could even be desirous, but now I understand that it is not how I was created. I was created to be a person of passion. When events happen in my life, for good or evil, I take it in stride. I am not saying I am emotionless. I am saying I do not feel the deep passions which others feel. I do not have the compassion for people which I should have. I don’t become sorrowful at the death of someone. I don’t become thrilled when someone is healed. I merely think that God has moved. His will was done. Blessed be the name of the lord. Prayer, without compassion, is weak and powerless.
Compassion, without the power of prayer, reaps sorrow. The Holy Spirit taught me that today in my quiet time. I was dumbstruck. I had never understood until then about compassion and prayer. They are intimately intertwined together. You cannot have one without the other and live an effective Christian life.
To have a deep compassion and no power in prayer, will only send you into the deep pit of depression. You see the needs in the world, but you have no way to meet those needs. You see sickness and pain, but you can only stand by and watch the people die and suffer. God does not want you to have a compassion for people and not be able to do something about it. Jesus had compassion. When the scriptures speak of his compassion, he reached out to help people. He cured the blind. He cast out the demons. He fed the 5000. He raised the dead. All because he had compassion for people and then reached out with the power from God to meet the need.
I am praying to know the compassion of Christ. He will answer my prayer because He wants me to know His heart. He wants me to cry with Him and rejoice with Him. He wants me to know the heart pain He holds for people. I want to know His pain and I hunger for His passion.
When I have the compassion of Christ, my prayers will then have the power of Christ as well. I will not be uttering empty words as I pray, but words of love and compassion. My heart will hunger for healing and not be satisfied with saying “Well, I guess it is just God’s will for you to stay this way.” Prayer without compassion is weak and anemic.
I refuse to stay weak and anemic. I refuse to settle for anything less than the heart of Christ. I will not stand by and let people suffer without me suffering with them. I will know the tears of God. I will know his compassion. Once I know His compassion, I will also know His power to meet those needs. I will pray and the needs of the people will be met by His power. The blind will see. The lame will walk. The dying shall live. People will see and know God
Photo Credit: Sorrow by bluestar_tam
Technorati Tags: Revival,, healing,, compassion,, passion,, evangelism, suffering, prayer, power
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Is Salvation a One Time Event?
Tell me not of your justification, unless you have also marks of sanctification. Boast not of Christ's work for you, unless you can show us the Spirit's work in you. - J.C. Ryle
Salvation is a one time event, but also is not. When we hear the word salvation we think about the day we accepted Jesus as our savior. For me that day was when I was in Navy boot camp. I can point to a specific time in my life when Jesus became my savior. On that day, I became justified before God. My sins were wiped clean because Jesus took them all upon himself. Romans 5:9
Today, I am working on my salvation. I love my God and I try my best to do His will in my life. I try to accomplish what the scriptures say in order to be more Christ-like. Slowly, God has stripped away sin from my life and is doing a good work within me to bring me closer to the person He desires. Slowly, but surely He is sanctifying me. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Justification is a one time event in your life, when you accept the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Sanctification is the continual work of God within you to bring your life into a more righteous way of living. Both are forms of salvation.
If you have Jesus as your savior, you have been justified, but that does not mean you have been sanctified. If you die to self and make Jesus the true lord of your life, then you are being sanctified. This is when real growth in your spiritual life begins.
There is a third salvation called glorification. This is yet to come for us. When we die or rapture occurs, we will be in the presence of God. We will be given a new body which shall never die. We will receive many heavenly blessings at this time, including a new knowledge of God. You will have a glorified body, soul and mind. Justification gave you eternal life in Heaven but without sanctification you might get to heaven but with nothing to show for your life. Philippians 3: 20,21
We need to give our lives to Jesus, not just for justification but for sanctification. We need to give Him all of ourselves to Him. Do not do it for any rewards but simply out of love. He died for you out of love, now you need to die to self out of love for Him.
Technorati Tags: revival, salvation, justification, sanctification, glorification, church, repentance, e
Salvation is a one time event, but also is not. When we hear the word salvation we think about the day we accepted Jesus as our savior. For me that day was when I was in Navy boot camp. I can point to a specific time in my life when Jesus became my savior. On that day, I became justified before God. My sins were wiped clean because Jesus took them all upon himself. Romans 5:9
Today, I am working on my salvation. I love my God and I try my best to do His will in my life. I try to accomplish what the scriptures say in order to be more Christ-like. Slowly, God has stripped away sin from my life and is doing a good work within me to bring me closer to the person He desires. Slowly, but surely He is sanctifying me. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Justification is a one time event in your life, when you accept the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Sanctification is the continual work of God within you to bring your life into a more righteous way of living. Both are forms of salvation.
If you have Jesus as your savior, you have been justified, but that does not mean you have been sanctified. If you die to self and make Jesus the true lord of your life, then you are being sanctified. This is when real growth in your spiritual life begins.
There is a third salvation called glorification. This is yet to come for us. When we die or rapture occurs, we will be in the presence of God. We will be given a new body which shall never die. We will receive many heavenly blessings at this time, including a new knowledge of God. You will have a glorified body, soul and mind. Justification gave you eternal life in Heaven but without sanctification you might get to heaven but with nothing to show for your life. Philippians 3: 20,21
We need to give our lives to Jesus, not just for justification but for sanctification. We need to give Him all of ourselves to Him. Do not do it for any rewards but simply out of love. He died for you out of love, now you need to die to self out of love for Him.
Technorati Tags: revival, salvation, justification, sanctification, glorification, church, repentance, e
Monday, May 23, 2011
My Three Fathers
I am sure you have heard how our view of God, our heavenly father, comes from how we view our earthly fathers. Many people have a problem with God because of their earthly fathers.
My early memories of my biological father were all of him being angry. I once was given an ear of corn from a neighbor and went home eating it. My father saw me with that corn and rushed out. Grabbing the corn from me, he stuck his face in front of mine and yelled at me. I have no idea what he said, but I remember his anger. He once got mad while we were fishing and threw all of our poles and the dog into the river. I do not have any early memories of him where he is not angry.
The night he left my mother and I, I was in my bed when he bursted through the door. He began to tear everything in my room apart. He threw my record player against the wall breaking it apart. He tore my clothes in two. Once he was done and everything in my room was broken, he left never to return.
Soon after my father left, my mother remarried and my step father adopted me. He was a good man, but I still loved my biological father. My way of thinking was that if I accepted this man as my father then my real father would be lost forever. Over time my attitude towards him wore down my step father, and he became abusive.
He would take wooden boards and make paddles out of them. If I did anything wrong he would use them on me hard enough that he would break them on my backside so that he would have to then use his hand. I believe in spankings but not like this. One time, he tried to break my arm but my mother stepped in and stopped him.
He would tell me how worthless I was. I couldn’t do anything right. He told me I was going to end up in prison someday. I do not remember him ever telling me anything good when I was growing up. He never told me that he loved me.
If I was to look at my earthly fathers as my guide as to what my heavenly is like I would have a very warped view of God. He would be a very angry and vindictive God. He would be destroying all I owned to punish me. I would be battered around by him and told how worthless I was. He would abandon me. I would be alone in the times I really needed him. God would be untrustworthy and hateful. He would be a bearer of sorrow, shame, pain, loneliness, worthlessness, destruction, hate, anger, and much more.
God worked a miracle in my life and showed me that He is not like my earthly fathers. He is faithful and true. He will never leave me or forsake me. God’s love for me is pure and no matter what I do He will not point a finger at me accusingly.
I found out that while my earthy fathers were fallible and sometimes did not act as a father should, my heavenly father never failed and always did what was best for me. He has become the father I had always desired.
I have forgiven my earthly fathers for not meeting the needs I had. I respect them for trying to do their best while still living a life without Christ and his guidance. I am made of flesh just like them, and I make mistakes as well. Thankfully, I don’t have to follow them. I have my Heavenly father to follow instead.
Technorati Tags: Father, God, love, abuse, hatred, Heavenly, anger
My early memories of my biological father were all of him being angry. I once was given an ear of corn from a neighbor and went home eating it. My father saw me with that corn and rushed out. Grabbing the corn from me, he stuck his face in front of mine and yelled at me. I have no idea what he said, but I remember his anger. He once got mad while we were fishing and threw all of our poles and the dog into the river. I do not have any early memories of him where he is not angry.
The night he left my mother and I, I was in my bed when he bursted through the door. He began to tear everything in my room apart. He threw my record player against the wall breaking it apart. He tore my clothes in two. Once he was done and everything in my room was broken, he left never to return.
Soon after my father left, my mother remarried and my step father adopted me. He was a good man, but I still loved my biological father. My way of thinking was that if I accepted this man as my father then my real father would be lost forever. Over time my attitude towards him wore down my step father, and he became abusive.
He would take wooden boards and make paddles out of them. If I did anything wrong he would use them on me hard enough that he would break them on my backside so that he would have to then use his hand. I believe in spankings but not like this. One time, he tried to break my arm but my mother stepped in and stopped him.
He would tell me how worthless I was. I couldn’t do anything right. He told me I was going to end up in prison someday. I do not remember him ever telling me anything good when I was growing up. He never told me that he loved me.
If I was to look at my earthly fathers as my guide as to what my heavenly is like I would have a very warped view of God. He would be a very angry and vindictive God. He would be destroying all I owned to punish me. I would be battered around by him and told how worthless I was. He would abandon me. I would be alone in the times I really needed him. God would be untrustworthy and hateful. He would be a bearer of sorrow, shame, pain, loneliness, worthlessness, destruction, hate, anger, and much more.
God worked a miracle in my life and showed me that He is not like my earthly fathers. He is faithful and true. He will never leave me or forsake me. God’s love for me is pure and no matter what I do He will not point a finger at me accusingly.
I found out that while my earthy fathers were fallible and sometimes did not act as a father should, my heavenly father never failed and always did what was best for me. He has become the father I had always desired.
I have forgiven my earthly fathers for not meeting the needs I had. I respect them for trying to do their best while still living a life without Christ and his guidance. I am made of flesh just like them, and I make mistakes as well. Thankfully, I don’t have to follow them. I have my Heavenly father to follow instead.
Technorati Tags: Father, God, love, abuse, hatred, Heavenly, anger
Sunday, May 15, 2011
God is Addicted!
I know it sounds ridiculous, but it is true. God is addicted. He cannot help it. The one who is all powerful has an addiction which has not been able to break. In fact, He has not even tried to break His addiction. Think of how hard it is for someone in the world to break from a drug addiction. God’s addiction is so powerful that compare to it, a heroin addiction looks as weak as an addiction to Chocolate.
God looks at you and cannot help Himself. He loves you, desires for you. He enjoys gazing at you so much that He even has the hairs on your head counted. He wants you to know Him as well as He already knows you. He is absolutely addicted with love for you. He cannot stop thinking about you, and how He can express His love for you. He has so many blessings He is ready to shower on you that Bill Gates would be jealous. The Holy Spirit is ready to pour out gifts to you in a never ending stream.
So why aren’t you receiving them? Jesus is your bridegroom whose wedding gifts to you await, but you have not truly committed yourself to Him yet. You are looking in the mirror and can’t take your eyes off yourself. He wants you to look upon Him. His eyes never leave you. His heart beats forth your name. Jesus wants you to love Him as much as He loves you. He wants the joy of showering you with His love. He only waits for you to commit your whole self to loving Him.
Song of Solomon 8:6 “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.”
Photo Credit: Dinner by Loveyousave
Technorati Tags: Revival, love, addiction, commitment, church,
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Do You Want Credit For Your Earthly Deeds?
"Saint Augustine said that it’s only by the grace of God that we ever do anything even approximating a good work, and none of our works are good enough to demand that God reward them. The fact that God has decided to grant rewards on the basis of obedience or disobedience is what Augustine called God’s crowning his own works within us. If a person has been faithful in many things through many years, then he will be acknowledged by His Master, who will say to him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant. The one who squeaks in at the last minute has precious little good works for which he can expect reward." - R. C. Sproul
Have you ever thought about what life time rewards you will receive in Heaven? Rewards you have earned for your good or evil works while you have lived?
If you have never accepted Christ as savior, then you have the privilege of paying the debt which your sins have earned. Each time you have done something wrong it has been noted by God. He is all knowing and He doesn’t need to peek at every detail about your life. He doesn’t enjoy keeping track of your short comings, but He still knows about them. At the time of your death all those sins will need to be paid for. The bill comes due and the cost for each black mark against your life is eternal death. Just one of those sins would send you into eternal damnation.
However, lets back up a moment. What about those good deeds you did? Don’t they also count? The price of sin is not payment by good works. They don’t count for you during Judgment. Any credit and benefits for your good works are found right here in this world. In your life people will thank you and show appreciation for what good things you have done. That is the reward you receive for your good life. People will remember you for being a man or woman who was kind, generous and good. You can accept the credit for your good works and enjoy them here in this world. For a short time in history a few people might reward your memory, but in the end it will all be for nothing. Matthew 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
If you are a Christian, who knows Jesus as Lord and Savior, your sins have also been noted by God. However, you have the privilege of standing before God with the debt of your sins paid for by Jesus. He takes the credit for all the sin you have ever committed. Death is still the price for all your sin, but instead of you paying the price, Jesus did it for you on the cross.
Your good deeds have also been noted by God. Every time you have done something for God or for other people, God has taken note. When you get to Heaven you will be greatly rewarded for your righteous deeds. You will be given crowns to wear and Godly recognition and blessings. You will find eternal rewards far beyond your imagination. Revelations 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."
However, everything you will be given is only possible because of the work of Christ and not because of you. You will receive all these grand accolades and rewards, but find that you are wholly unworthy of them. It was Jesus who gave you any righteousness. Jesus is the one who should be receiving the crowns, rewards and glory, not you.
In Revelation 4: 10 – 11 it says, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.’” I believe that if the 24 elders find that their crowns are deserved by Jesus much more then they, so will we.
With an insight born of Godly wisdom you will cast yourself before Jesus and worship Him for His great love and sacrifice for you. You will cast your crowns at His feet. Every reward you have received will be given to Him who truly deserves them. All that you are and have, will be presented to the lover of your soul to use for whatever purpose He desires.
A Christian has nothing good or evil in his life that is his own to keep. We own nothing. It all belongs to our God. There is no need to fear God for any sin you do because Jesus paid the price. There is no reward for you to keep for any good thing you accomplish because Jesus will get the credit. So why should you do anything good?
You were created to be loved by God and to return that love to Him. We do God’s will out of love. He has given us life. His joy is found in blessing you and making your life abundant with joy and fulfillment. There is no way you could ever out love God. We don’t need to fear punishment to keep us from doing evil. We don’t need promises of rewards to do good. We only need to love Him and our lives will be full of good works.
Technorati Tags: Revival, prayer, rewards, crowns, Heaven, works,
Have you ever thought about what life time rewards you will receive in Heaven? Rewards you have earned for your good or evil works while you have lived?
If you have never accepted Christ as savior, then you have the privilege of paying the debt which your sins have earned. Each time you have done something wrong it has been noted by God. He is all knowing and He doesn’t need to peek at every detail about your life. He doesn’t enjoy keeping track of your short comings, but He still knows about them. At the time of your death all those sins will need to be paid for. The bill comes due and the cost for each black mark against your life is eternal death. Just one of those sins would send you into eternal damnation.
However, lets back up a moment. What about those good deeds you did? Don’t they also count? The price of sin is not payment by good works. They don’t count for you during Judgment. Any credit and benefits for your good works are found right here in this world. In your life people will thank you and show appreciation for what good things you have done. That is the reward you receive for your good life. People will remember you for being a man or woman who was kind, generous and good. You can accept the credit for your good works and enjoy them here in this world. For a short time in history a few people might reward your memory, but in the end it will all be for nothing. Matthew 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
If you are a Christian, who knows Jesus as Lord and Savior, your sins have also been noted by God. However, you have the privilege of standing before God with the debt of your sins paid for by Jesus. He takes the credit for all the sin you have ever committed. Death is still the price for all your sin, but instead of you paying the price, Jesus did it for you on the cross.
Your good deeds have also been noted by God. Every time you have done something for God or for other people, God has taken note. When you get to Heaven you will be greatly rewarded for your righteous deeds. You will be given crowns to wear and Godly recognition and blessings. You will find eternal rewards far beyond your imagination. Revelations 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."
However, everything you will be given is only possible because of the work of Christ and not because of you. You will receive all these grand accolades and rewards, but find that you are wholly unworthy of them. It was Jesus who gave you any righteousness. Jesus is the one who should be receiving the crowns, rewards and glory, not you.
In Revelation 4: 10 – 11 it says, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.’” I believe that if the 24 elders find that their crowns are deserved by Jesus much more then they, so will we.
With an insight born of Godly wisdom you will cast yourself before Jesus and worship Him for His great love and sacrifice for you. You will cast your crowns at His feet. Every reward you have received will be given to Him who truly deserves them. All that you are and have, will be presented to the lover of your soul to use for whatever purpose He desires.
A Christian has nothing good or evil in his life that is his own to keep. We own nothing. It all belongs to our God. There is no need to fear God for any sin you do because Jesus paid the price. There is no reward for you to keep for any good thing you accomplish because Jesus will get the credit. So why should you do anything good?
You were created to be loved by God and to return that love to Him. We do God’s will out of love. He has given us life. His joy is found in blessing you and making your life abundant with joy and fulfillment. There is no way you could ever out love God. We don’t need to fear punishment to keep us from doing evil. We don’t need promises of rewards to do good. We only need to love Him and our lives will be full of good works.
Technorati Tags: Revival, prayer, rewards, crowns, Heaven, works,
Friday, May 13, 2011
Life is an obstacle to Revival
If revival is being withheld from us it is because some idol remains still enthroned; because we still insist in placing our reliance in human schemes; because we still refuse to face the unchangeable truth that, 'It is not by might, but by My Spirit.
What is the biggest obstacle to a revival? Answer: Life.
What? Wait a minute! Christianity is all about life. Life is our goal isn’t it? Life comes from God, so how can life be a hindrance to a spiritual revival of God’s spirit working within us? It is because, your life is in the way of the eternal and perfect life which God has for you.
God’s power is under His authority, and you have your own will. As long as you allow your will to live, God cannot control your ways. If you are not under His authority then how can he entrust you with His power? If you do not have the power of God working in your life, how can he use you to bring revival?
We want a revival? We can try to bring about a revival by making elaborate plans. We would organize who will do what, and gather all the materials we think will be necessary. We set the time and bring in great speakers who can preach powerful messages. We have 24 hour prayer going on to prepare the souls of those who attend. Everything is in its place, and everything is absolutely perfect, except for one thing. No one has turned to God for the guidance and power for the Revival. We made all the plans ourselves and trusted in our own strength. We need to rest in God and not in any man. No one allowed God to work in their lives to bring about His power to the revival. God still might work in some people's hearts but not in the powerful manner He truly desires.
There is one question you really need to answer. Is living your life, the way you want, worth the loss of hundreds of souls? Your prayers, your plans and your witness, filled with the power of God as He directs you in the way you should go, could be the difference in the eternal lives of your friends, relatives and in the lives of anyone who meets you. Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for others? Is the loss of your life, your will, worth giving if it means gaining eternal life for even one other person?
Are you willing to be Christ to those around you? Are you willing to fulfill Luke 9:23 in your life? “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Technorati Tags: revival, church, prayer, life, death, Jesus, Christ, self, Humanism
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
A Politically Correct Jesus for Today
Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander the Great, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning, he shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of school, he spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, he set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times.
Philip Schaff
What would Jesus be like if he was what our modern world desired him to be? What does a Politically Correct Jesus look like?
Instead of calling upon people to turn from their sin, Jesus would understand that people are made they way they are by society. The conditions they lived in when growing up formed them into the people they are. They couldn't help it.
When a woman who was caught in the very act of adultery was brought before him and asked what to do with her, he would have answered, “How can you blame this woman when all she did was follow her inner desires. We have desires which we must let free. Teach her to use a condom and everything will be fine.”
Would a politically correct Jesus ever have called someone vipers and snakes? He even told them that they are condemned to Hell! (Matthew 23:33) How can he do such a thing? Think of those poor people's self-esteem.
Sorry, but Jesus was never Politically Correct. His work was not swayed by what others thought about his words. The only person he wanted to please was the Father. When Jesus spoke, he told people what they needed to hear, even when it made them uncomfortable or even angry. He did not hold back and play nice when it was needed.
He also always spoke out of love. Yes, calling someone a snake doesn’t seem very nice but sometimes hitting someone between the eyes with the truth is what is needed. His desire was not to insult or sound important. He did not care if his words made someone a friend or enemy. He cared that his words were of God, they were true and they affected people by turning them to God. He never condemned anyone, but he certainly tried to convict them.
He also did not worry about what the laws were, if they were against God’s decree. Today if something is legal or culturally accepted, we turn a blind eye to it. Jesus would have been standing on the highest hill in town proclaiming God’s ways.
Do we really expect a revival without being willing to tell people the truth about sin and Hell? How can we expect God to speak to people when we gag Him? Tell people that sin is sin. Warn them of the fiery Hell that awaits those who refuse His salvation.
Are you, a Politically Correct Christian or a Christ Correct Christian?
Technorati Tags: revival, preaching, political, Jesus, Christ, sin, correctness
Philip Schaff
What would Jesus be like if he was what our modern world desired him to be? What does a Politically Correct Jesus look like?
Instead of calling upon people to turn from their sin, Jesus would understand that people are made they way they are by society. The conditions they lived in when growing up formed them into the people they are. They couldn't help it.
When a woman who was caught in the very act of adultery was brought before him and asked what to do with her, he would have answered, “How can you blame this woman when all she did was follow her inner desires. We have desires which we must let free. Teach her to use a condom and everything will be fine.”
Would a politically correct Jesus ever have called someone vipers and snakes? He even told them that they are condemned to Hell! (Matthew 23:33) How can he do such a thing? Think of those poor people's self-esteem.
Sorry, but Jesus was never Politically Correct. His work was not swayed by what others thought about his words. The only person he wanted to please was the Father. When Jesus spoke, he told people what they needed to hear, even when it made them uncomfortable or even angry. He did not hold back and play nice when it was needed.
He also always spoke out of love. Yes, calling someone a snake doesn’t seem very nice but sometimes hitting someone between the eyes with the truth is what is needed. His desire was not to insult or sound important. He did not care if his words made someone a friend or enemy. He cared that his words were of God, they were true and they affected people by turning them to God. He never condemned anyone, but he certainly tried to convict them.
He also did not worry about what the laws were, if they were against God’s decree. Today if something is legal or culturally accepted, we turn a blind eye to it. Jesus would have been standing on the highest hill in town proclaiming God’s ways.
Do we really expect a revival without being willing to tell people the truth about sin and Hell? How can we expect God to speak to people when we gag Him? Tell people that sin is sin. Warn them of the fiery Hell that awaits those who refuse His salvation.
Are you, a Politically Correct Christian or a Christ Correct Christian?
Technorati Tags: revival, preaching, political, Jesus, Christ, sin, correctness
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Jehoshaphat Praise and Worship
"When God's people begin to praise and worship Him using the Biblical methods He gives, the Power of His presence comes among His people in an even greater measure."
Graham Truscott
Jehoshaphat did not wait until his enemy was destroyed before he began to Praise and Worship God (2 Chronicles 20: 18-30). As soon as God gave the prophetic answer by way of Jahaziel King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah worshiped and praised God for answering them. They were so sure that God was going to destroy their enemy, that it was as if it had already happened. In fact, from God’s viewpoint, it had already happened.
There is no need for us to wait and see if God is going to keep his promises. If He says He will save you, He will save you. If He says He will provide for you, He will provide for you. When God speaks, it is done.
So why worry about something God has said is true? Have faith in the one who is faithful. Praise Him for His goodness. Worship Him for His mighty deeds. Thank Him for answering your prayers, even if you don’t see the answer yet. Worship Him from the time you speak to Him about a need, when you see Him meeting that need, and afterwards when you are testifying to God’s faithfulness to others. Praise and worship the Lord Almighty who faithfully answers our prayers.
For more on Jehoshaphat, click here.
Technorati Tags: revival, prayer, praise, worship, church, christianity, Jesus, Christ
Monday, May 9, 2011
Jehoshaphat and Spiritual Gifts
A truly humble man is sensible of his natural distance from God; of his dependence on Him; of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom; and that it is by God's power that he is upheld and provided for, and that he needs God's wisdom to lead and guide him, and His might to enable him to do what he ought to do for Him.
Jonathan Edwards
Jehoshaphat had called a fast of the Nation of Judah and the people humbled themselves so as to die to their own self will. He had then prayed with confidence knowing that God’s will was for Abraham’s descendants to have the land. God saw the state of their hearts. He listened to their prayer of faith. He then answered by way of spiritual gifts within the congregation.
2 Chronicles 20: 14-17 tells about Jahaziel who rose up and prophesied to the people about what God was going to do. Jahaziel had fasted and prayed. He was ready to be an instrument of God. He listened to what God said to him and then shared with the people God’s word for them.
There really is nothing new or special in this word. It is very simple. When we have emptied ourselves of our will, God’s power is able to work more powerfully and God can speak more clearly to us. God’s spiritual gifts can be manifested so much greater in the life of someone who is given over completely to God.
Go to part 5 of Jehoshaphat, Praise and Worship
Technorati Tags: revival, prayer, miracles, healing, church, power
Jonathan Edwards
Jehoshaphat had called a fast of the Nation of Judah and the people humbled themselves so as to die to their own self will. He had then prayed with confidence knowing that God’s will was for Abraham’s descendants to have the land. God saw the state of their hearts. He listened to their prayer of faith. He then answered by way of spiritual gifts within the congregation.
2 Chronicles 20: 14-17 tells about Jahaziel who rose up and prophesied to the people about what God was going to do. Jahaziel had fasted and prayed. He was ready to be an instrument of God. He listened to what God said to him and then shared with the people God’s word for them.
There really is nothing new or special in this word. It is very simple. When we have emptied ourselves of our will, God’s power is able to work more powerfully and God can speak more clearly to us. God’s spiritual gifts can be manifested so much greater in the life of someone who is given over completely to God.
Go to part 5 of Jehoshaphat, Praise and Worship
Technorati Tags: revival, prayer, miracles, healing, church, power
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Jehoshaphat’s Prayer
Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer.
E. M. Bounds
Does prayer work? I admit that I have prayed and not seen any results from my prayer. From that evidence, I could conclude that God does not answer prayer. I would also be wrong in that conclusion. Let's look at Jehoshaphat’s prayer and see what he did. 2 Chronicles 20: 6-13
The first thing Jehoshaphat prayed was praise to God. (v6) He is God in the heavens, ruler of all kingdoms, power and might are His. No one can stand against Him. He drove the inhabitants of the land out to give the land to the descendants of Abraham, who is God’s ‘friend forever.’”
The second thing Jehoshaphat prayed was saying what they were doing in their situation. (v8) God’s people lived in the promised land and build a sanctuary for Him. If any evil came upon them, they would stand before God’s house, and before Him, to cry out in distress because He would hear them. They were going to be attacked (v10) by people who would take what God had given to God’s people.
The third thing prayed is a call for God to fight against Judah’s enemies because Judah was powerless to come against them. Their eyes were on God for their salvation.
Jehoshaphat was crafty and sly. He didn’t just go to God saying, “We have this enemy who are coming to kill us. Please help us! We are defenseless against them.” He used God’s word and promises before God, to say “Here is why you will answer my prayer.”
Jehoshaphat begins by saying how great and powerful God is. Then he brings before The Lord, that Abraham (their father) was God’s friend forever. God had given this land to Abraham and his descendants. God’s house was in this land, and the people were dependent upon Him to keep His promises and to help defend the land which God had given to them. They were powerless against the evil which was coming upon them. They didn’t look to armies, money allies or any other worldly strength. Their eyes were on God alone.
That is where I failed in my prayers. I never sought out what God’s heart was in the things I prayed. I didn’t look to see if God had ever promised to answer my prayers in the way I had desired or not. I had never laid claim to anything from God, but instead only whined about how I wanted something.
Grow up Christian. Stop whining and start winning. Pray with confidence, knowing God will answer your prayers because He has already told you in His word what His will is. Now you just need to pray it.
Go to part 4 of Jehoshaphat, Spiritual Gifts.
Technorati Tags: revival, prayer, answers, church, God, Jesus, Christ, Christianity
E. M. Bounds
Does prayer work? I admit that I have prayed and not seen any results from my prayer. From that evidence, I could conclude that God does not answer prayer. I would also be wrong in that conclusion. Let's look at Jehoshaphat’s prayer and see what he did. 2 Chronicles 20: 6-13
The first thing Jehoshaphat prayed was praise to God. (v6) He is God in the heavens, ruler of all kingdoms, power and might are His. No one can stand against Him. He drove the inhabitants of the land out to give the land to the descendants of Abraham, who is God’s ‘friend forever.’”
The second thing Jehoshaphat prayed was saying what they were doing in their situation. (v8) God’s people lived in the promised land and build a sanctuary for Him. If any evil came upon them, they would stand before God’s house, and before Him, to cry out in distress because He would hear them. They were going to be attacked (v10) by people who would take what God had given to God’s people.
The third thing prayed is a call for God to fight against Judah’s enemies because Judah was powerless to come against them. Their eyes were on God for their salvation.
Jehoshaphat was crafty and sly. He didn’t just go to God saying, “We have this enemy who are coming to kill us. Please help us! We are defenseless against them.” He used God’s word and promises before God, to say “Here is why you will answer my prayer.”
Jehoshaphat begins by saying how great and powerful God is. Then he brings before The Lord, that Abraham (their father) was God’s friend forever. God had given this land to Abraham and his descendants. God’s house was in this land, and the people were dependent upon Him to keep His promises and to help defend the land which God had given to them. They were powerless against the evil which was coming upon them. They didn’t look to armies, money allies or any other worldly strength. Their eyes were on God alone.
That is where I failed in my prayers. I never sought out what God’s heart was in the things I prayed. I didn’t look to see if God had ever promised to answer my prayers in the way I had desired or not. I had never laid claim to anything from God, but instead only whined about how I wanted something.
Grow up Christian. Stop whining and start winning. Pray with confidence, knowing God will answer your prayers because He has already told you in His word what His will is. Now you just need to pray it.
Go to part 4 of Jehoshaphat, Spiritual Gifts.
Technorati Tags: revival, prayer, answers, church, God, Jesus, Christ, Christianity
Friday, May 6, 2011
Jehoshaphat Fasted
Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.
Andrew Murray
The first thing Jehoshaphat did, upon learning of the impending attack on Judah, was to call upon a national fast. He did not call upon them to pray but to fast. Shouldn’t he have appealed to the people to pray?
I used to think of fasting as the magic ingredient that somehow changed God to be more benevolent and give me what I sought after. If I desired something bad enough I would express that desire by fasting. Wrong! Fasting does not change God. Fasting changes me.
When fasting, we are putting aside our flesh and allowing God to work on our spirit. We are crucifying the old man and letting him die, so that Christ can live and control us. As we become more Christlike by fasting, we are allowing the power of God to flow through us in a more powerful way.
By proclaiming a fast among the people of Judah, Jehoshaphat was calling upon the nation to draw nearer to God. He knew that in order for their prayers of salvation to succeed, the flesh had to die, and God’s righteous lifestyle must be manifested.
God desires to work in your life. He wants to do great things with you and through you. He has great plans for your life but, unless you are willing to be like Christ, he cannot move within you as he desires. Fasting helps to kill self and allows God that opportunity of working His power in and through you. Because of the nation of Judah fasting, God could move within the people and fight for them. He can do the same with you, if you’re willing.
Go to part 3 of Jehoshaphat, Prayer
Technorati Tags: revival, fasting, prayer, church, Christian, Jesus, Christ, Salvation
Andrew Murray
The first thing Jehoshaphat did, upon learning of the impending attack on Judah, was to call upon a national fast. He did not call upon them to pray but to fast. Shouldn’t he have appealed to the people to pray?
I used to think of fasting as the magic ingredient that somehow changed God to be more benevolent and give me what I sought after. If I desired something bad enough I would express that desire by fasting. Wrong! Fasting does not change God. Fasting changes me.
When fasting, we are putting aside our flesh and allowing God to work on our spirit. We are crucifying the old man and letting him die, so that Christ can live and control us. As we become more Christlike by fasting, we are allowing the power of God to flow through us in a more powerful way.
By proclaiming a fast among the people of Judah, Jehoshaphat was calling upon the nation to draw nearer to God. He knew that in order for their prayers of salvation to succeed, the flesh had to die, and God’s righteous lifestyle must be manifested.
God desires to work in your life. He wants to do great things with you and through you. He has great plans for your life but, unless you are willing to be like Christ, he cannot move within you as he desires. Fasting helps to kill self and allows God that opportunity of working His power in and through you. Because of the nation of Judah fasting, God could move within the people and fight for them. He can do the same with you, if you’re willing.
Go to part 3 of Jehoshaphat, Prayer
Technorati Tags: revival, fasting, prayer, church, Christian, Jesus, Christ, Salvation
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Jehoshaphat’s Revival
Study the history of revival. God has always sent revival in the darkest days. Oh, for a mighty, sweeping revival today!
Adrian Rogers
When times of trouble assault us, we turn to God. Thankfully, God is merciful. Even after we have ignored him, He does answer our plea for help if we humble ourselves before Him.
2 Chronicles 20: 1-30 is the story about how the enemies of Judah were coming upon them in a great army. King Jehoshaphat knew that his only hope lay in God. He declared a fast throughout Judah and the people all came together in Jerusalem to pray and seek the Lord. After Jehoshaphat led the people in prayer, Jahaziel came forward with a prophetic answer from God to their prayers. When King Jehoshaphat and the people heard the word from God, they bowed down to worship Him.
The armies of Judah went forth with choirs of people praising God, before them. Following the prophetic word which had been given, they found the armies of their enemy at the Wilderness of Tekoa. The lord set ambushes upon the enemies of Judah and in the rout the enemies' armies destroyed each other. When Judah found the army, all that remained were corpses.
God does assist those who seek Him even when we are practically forced to seek him out of desperation. In the next few post, we will examine the four spiritual actions Jehoshaphat utilized during this revival of the people of Judah.
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Spiritual Gifts
4. Praise and worship.
Go to Part 2 of Jehoshaphat, Fasting
Photo credit: Larry Helyer's blog
Technorati Tags: revival, prayer, fasting, church, humility,
Adrian Rogers
2 Chronicles 20: 1-30 is the story about how the enemies of Judah were coming upon them in a great army. King Jehoshaphat knew that his only hope lay in God. He declared a fast throughout Judah and the people all came together in Jerusalem to pray and seek the Lord. After Jehoshaphat led the people in prayer, Jahaziel came forward with a prophetic answer from God to their prayers. When King Jehoshaphat and the people heard the word from God, they bowed down to worship Him.
The armies of Judah went forth with choirs of people praising God, before them. Following the prophetic word which had been given, they found the armies of their enemy at the Wilderness of Tekoa. The lord set ambushes upon the enemies of Judah and in the rout the enemies' armies destroyed each other. When Judah found the army, all that remained were corpses.
God does assist those who seek Him even when we are practically forced to seek him out of desperation. In the next few post, we will examine the four spiritual actions Jehoshaphat utilized during this revival of the people of Judah.
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Spiritual Gifts
4. Praise and worship.
Go to Part 2 of Jehoshaphat, Fasting
Photo credit: Larry Helyer's blog
Technorati Tags: revival, prayer, fasting, church, humility,
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Praying for revival
Monday, May 2, 2011
Rise Up Priest and Pray
“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.” - Charles Spurgeon
You are called to pray for the lost. 1 Timothy 2: 1-4 says. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”
God wants all men to be saved, and he calls upon us to pray for them. Whose job is it to speak to God for those who cannot? The priest is the one who goes before God and cries out for the people. If you know Jesus as your personal savior, you are a priest according to 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”
The unsaved are not priest. They do not have the same rights as you do to go before God. You have the power of God within you. You can reach God in ways they never could, without Christ. Pray for them to have their eyes opened to the truth that salvation is found in Christ Jesus. Pray that their hearts be softened to the good news of the Gospel. If you don’t do it, who will?
Technorati Tags: Prayer, revival, church, unsaved, priesthood, priest,
You are called to pray for the lost. 1 Timothy 2: 1-4 says. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”
God wants all men to be saved, and he calls upon us to pray for them. Whose job is it to speak to God for those who cannot? The priest is the one who goes before God and cries out for the people. If you know Jesus as your personal savior, you are a priest according to 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”
The unsaved are not priest. They do not have the same rights as you do to go before God. You have the power of God within you. You can reach God in ways they never could, without Christ. Pray for them to have their eyes opened to the truth that salvation is found in Christ Jesus. Pray that their hearts be softened to the good news of the Gospel. If you don’t do it, who will?
Technorati Tags: Prayer, revival, church, unsaved, priesthood, priest,
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