Who Do You Say He Is?

In Matthew Chapter 16 jesus turns to those closest too Him and - in response to many saying that He was Elijah reincarnated - asks "Who do you say that I am?" Who do you say that He is?

The One Who Is And Was And Is Coming

I spent some time this morning reading through the book of Revelation. It's the last book in the Bible written by the "beloved disciple" John. John has been exiled to the Isle of Patmos and there he receives this final revelation from God of what is to come for the world. In the first chapter of this letter of prophecy John writes about this God who is describing these things to him through an angel that has come to show him. John begins:

"Grace and peace to you from the One who is and was and is coming, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ. Jesus is the faithful witness, the first among those raise from the dead. He is the ruler fo the kings of the earth . He is the One who loves us, who made us free from out sins with the blood of his death. He made us to e a kingdom of priests who serve God his Father. To Jesus Christ be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Look, Jesus is coming with the clouds, and everyone will see him, even those who stabbed him. And all peoples of the earth will cry loudly because of him. Yes, this will happen! Amen. The Lord God says, "I am the aplpha and the Omega. I am the One who is and was and is coming. I am the Almighty."" (Revelation 1:4b-8 - NCV)

I love the way God describes himself as "the One who is and was and is coming". God has no boundaries. He is infinite and beyond anything I could type here in mere words. He is presently alive and existing as a God who is active in our lives. He didn't create us and dump us. He longs to have us know Him more deeply. He already knows us deeper than we know ourselves. He was, or always has existed. He has no time limits. Instead He is the beginning the Alpha of all things and only He can be the Omega or end of all things. And then the best part of all this is that He is coming again to start this world fresh with a new Heaven and a new Earth. He is coming. There is hope. Just as the Jews whispered of a coming Messiah we also, not needing to whisper, can shout to all that the Messiah is coming again.

How great is our God.

The Furious Longing Of God | Pt.2

Luke 11:1-4 NCV - ¹ One time Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his followers said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his followers."² Jesus said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, may your name always be kept holy. May your kingdom come. ³ Give us the food we need for each day. ⁴ Forgive us for our sins, because we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us. And do not cause us to be tempted.'

Reading through Brennan's chapter on "our Father" has been a truly settling experience this morning. Once again there's not a whole lot of "new" material here but such good truth to be reminded of. In the chapter Brennan focuses on prayer. Specifically how Jesus taught His disciples to pray, beginning with "our Father", or "Abba".

"Abba means in literal English: daddy, papa, my own dear father." "Pagan philosophers such as Aristotle arrived at the existence of God via human reason and referred to Him in vague, impersonal terms: the uncaused cause, the immovable mover. The prophets of Israel revealed the God of abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in a warmer, more compassionate manner. But only Jesus reveled to an astonished Jewish community that God is truly Father."

Brennan uses this beginning notion of "our Father" to ask the question "Is your own personal prayer life characterized by the simplicity, childlike candor, boundless trust, and easy familiarity of a little one crawling up in Daddy's lap?" There is a beautiful calm in know and loving God as our Father.

There are so many horrible stories of "fathers" who haven't lived up to their Godly example. So many who have hurt in more ways that I care to elaborate on here or imagine those they were charged to care for. If God is our Abba, our Father, then the greatest single act of rebellion against his character would be for a father to not act like one. To not offer the love his family needs and deserves. I'm so sorry for any of you who have experienced that type of a man. I do not understand nor have I experienced that. But, know that Abba loves you. You belong to Him. He welcomes you with open arms into a sweet embrace of his furious love for you.

For the next few days I will be doing as Brennan instructs. Maybe you should to. Find a chair. Sit quietly with palms turned up and pray with the rhythm of your breathing, "Abba, (as you inhale) I belong to You (as you exhale)".

It's so necessary to remember these truths.

Blessings.

The Importance Of A Team

There are few things in ministry that are as important as surrounding yourself with a good team. Aside from personal growth and accountability, maintaining one's own relationship with Christ, surrounding yourself with those who eat sleep and breathe serving our Lord is vital.

For the next few days I'll be in Charlottesville, Virginia planning out the upcoming year with our student ministries leadership team. We basically come together and evaluate from top to bottom what student ministries looks like. We scrap the things that aren't being effective and build more into the things that are growing and resulting in life change. Our goal is to win students to Christ, grow students in Christ, and send students out for ministry in Christ's Kingdom. If one of our programs or environments doesn't meet that criteria we scrap it. I've been spending quite a bit of time praying for these few

days. There is so much that hangs in the balance with what we plan and how we plan it out.

Our time today was awesome. We got a lot of stuff out on the table and set a pretty decent foundation for where we'll be going tomorrow. We got the chance to unwind and relax a bit with dinner at the Mellow Mushroom followed by some good games of bowling. I love this team.

Who's on your team? Are they hindering or helping the work you are doing?

The Footsteps Of Faith: Based On Romans 4

“Faith is the basis of all relationship and effectiveness in the Christian life.”

-Dr. Michael R. Mitchell

What is faith? According to Hebrews 11:1 (NCV) – “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.” It is with this faith that we thrust forward into the thoughts about what faith means for every individual on the planet. Have the basics of faith in Christ changed over time? Do they change based on cultural shifts or norms? Let’s take a look at Paul’s account in Romans 4 of Abraham’s faith for some clues to how this all comes together.

Faith More Than Works: The Faith Of Abraham

Paul begins his topic by addressing how Abraham was made right with God. In verses 2 and 3 Paul writes on how Abraham was made right with God not by works but by faith. Paul goes on in 14 & 15 to say that if it was the law, or works, that saved Abraham then faith in God is worthless. Paul concluded that Abraham was made right with God though his faith and not through anything he did.

It’s the same way today; we are not made right with God through our works. We are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Circumcision and Baptism: Outward Expressions Of Inner Faith

The other question that arises with Abraham was, “Does circumcision make you right with God.” Paul gives Abraham as an example stating that circumcision is not what made him right with God rather it was his faith in God.

A modern expression of circumcision would be baptism. Baptism doesn’t make anyone right with God. Infant baptism doesn’t save the baby. Baptism, as was circumcision, is an outward expression of inner faith.

Faith In Christ: One Death For All

Finally Paul’s examples of Abraham are not just so we can remember Abraham or to make Abraham’s name famous but so that all could know that we are made right with God through faith. Paul closes with these thoughts “God will accept us also because we believe in the One who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Jesus was given to die for our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.”[1]

---

[1] Romans 4:24b-25 (NCV)

ReBlog - "I'm Through With Christianity" - Geoff Surratt

Geoff is the Pastor of Ministries at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Since the election Newsweek has resorted to running more and more sensationalistic headlines each week. A few weeks ago the cover screamed "WE ARE ALL SOCIALISTS NOW" followed by "STRESS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE"; the editors have obviously decided the only way to survive the digital onslaught is to follow as closely as possible behind The National Enquirer. I'm sure "ANGELINA JOLIE GIVES BIRTH TO 72 YEAR OLD MAN!" is not far behind. So when I got this week's issue I was reluctant to read the cover story, The Decline and Fall of Christian America. Since Christopher Hitchens, author of God is Not Great, How Religion Poisons Everything, has recently become a regular contributor I knew that Newsweek would take great delight in the latest statistics showing that religion in America is sliding into the abyss. What I did not expect was to be heartened by the article.

You see, I am one of the many Americans who would no longer describe themselves as a professing Christian. I cannot in good faith associate any more with what the label Christian has come to represent in America. Christianity is now a set of political views, a way to distinguish different groups of people (Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus), a movement to impose a certain view of morality on others regardless the condition of their hearts.

In order to be a faithful Christian I can only vote for politicians who say they hold the party line on the right issues. It does not matter if I agree with their economic views, their foreign relations policies or their theory on education; if they pass the Christian litmus test they are my candidates. The fact that voting for these Christians again and again has produced little change, in fact we see abortion more acceptable and gay marriage legalized at a faster pace, can't be factored into the equation. As a member of the Christian party I have to toe the line.

Christianity in America seems to be led by self-appointed spokesmen who attack others without charity, seek places of prominence wherever they go and live outrageously extravagant lifestyles. They are so important that they can't possibly be expected to fly with commoners on commercial airlines. One leader needs a jet that costs $3000 an hour to operate so they can get from one Christian event to another and be home in time to record their Christian television show. But it is my duty to defend them because they are on my team. Jesus' commands to serve, to do acts of kindness in private and to prove your discipleship by pure love for others seem to be secondary for Christian leaders in America.

The main goal of Christianity in America is to build a Christian society where Christian values are taught in the schools, Christian morals are enforced in the workplace and Christian laws are followed in the courtrooms. And if Christians can't force non-Christians to act like Christians, we'll just build our own separate society. We'll shop in Christian stores, buy from Christian salesmen and live in Christian neighborhoods. And if we need to we'll buy guns and defend our Christian values to the death.

I am flawed in my faith and every day I make mistakes that I am ashamed of. But I love Jesus more and more the older I get, and I love the church with all my heart; I just can't buy into the Christian thing anymore. So I quit. I am resigning from the Christian party, the Christian club, the Christian religion. I am going to devote the rest of my life to loving God with all my heart and loving my neighbor as myself. I am going to spend all of my energy learning more about Jesus so I can follow him as closely as I can. Every day I am going to pick up my cross and follow Jesus; I am going to try be a light in my community and salt in a desperate world. I'm just not going to be a Christian anymore. Are you with me?

Meditation | Pt. 2

"The inner reality of the spiritual world is available to all who are willing to search for it."

- Richard Foster

MEDITATION

The meditation I'll be taking part in tonight is aimed at centering oneself by concentrating on breathing.

The meditation begins once again in a seated position whether in a chair or on the floor is your choice. "Slowly become conscious of your breathing. Inhale deeply (through your nose), slowly tilting your head back as far as it will go. Then exhale (through your mouth) allowing your head slowly to come forward until your chin nearly rests on your chest.

Do this for several moments, praying inwardly something like this: Lord, I exhale my spiritual apathy, I inhale Your light and life. Then after doing this for a few moments become silent outwardly and inwardly."

Focus your attentions on Christ living within you. If your mind wanders from this ""exhale" the matter into the arms of the Master and draw in His divine breathe of peace. Then listen once again."

Close your time in meditation with a moment of praise and thanksgiving to God for who He is and what He has done and is going to do in your life.

THE EXPERIENCE

I found a comfortable spot on my bed sitting in the lotus position for this exercise. At first it made me really sleepy so I had to move to the floor to keep from wanting to doze off.

As I began breathing slowly in and out for this meditation I began to feel very calm and focused. I could hear the fountain in the pond behind our apartments splashing through my bedroom window. I inhaled and exhaled many things in prayer and meditation to God. I inhaled His strength, His courage, His peace, His love, His forgiving heart, His sacrifice on the cross, His victory over death and the grave. I exhaled my insecurities, my selfishness, my inhibitions in sharing my faith more, my sometimes quick temper.

I then stilled my body and my mind and focused only on the cross. I focused on the image of Jesus being crucified and then thoughts of forgiveness and dirtiness came over me. I am so filthy and unworthy of Christ's cross. I am (as David Crowder sings in the song Wholly Yours) full of earth, stained with dirt, prone to depravity. When Christ is everything that is bright and clean, the antonym of me, divinity.

But, the truest sign of grace was this... from wounded hands... redemption fell down... liberating man.

I closed my time quietly singing the words to that song.

When I opened my eyes I felt slightly lightheaded and very very calm. This could be the physical aspect of moving my head back and forth in that manner inhaling and exhaling for so long more than it was anything "spiritual" but, my heart and mind were focused on Christ.

I don't know that I'd recommend this meditation as it seems to disorient more than focus, especially for the young believer. However I will say that it's beneficial for the more mature believer who can differentiate between "feelings" and the Holy Spirit actually speaking and moving.

All quotations taken from The Celebration Of Discipline by Richard Foster

Meditation | Pt. 3 is Tomorrow.

Blessings.

Worship (Hebrews 13:15-16)

“How can the directives of Hebrews 13:15, 16 be practically applied in a worship service?” or “What are the effects of worship on spiritual formation?”

"So through Jesus Let us always offer to God our sacrifice of praise, coming from lips that speak his name. Do not forget to do good to others and share with them, because such sacrifices please God." - Heb. 13:15-16 (NCV)

There are a number of things one can take from these verses and apply them to practically to a worship service. The first of thing would be "So through Jesus..." It's important to remember that a corporate worship service is not a performance. It's not a production with bells and whistles to "ooh & ahh" our "audience". A worship service should be organized and planned out with the thought in mind "How can I bring God the most glory this morning?" God's glory is most revealed and the most worship given to Him through the cross of Christ. It was there where the ultimate "sacrifice of praise" took place. Jesus is our greatest example of worship.

So through Jesus we should "always offer to God". the key word here is always. Worship shouldn't just be offered up on a Sunday morning or a Wednesday night. Our sacrifice of praise should ALWAYS be offered up to God. This means 24/7. For the purposes of the corporate worship service, this type of thinking must be taught to all within the Church.

This sacrifice of praise must be given from "lips that speak his name". I would think this means those who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. Surely not everyone who says "Jesus" knows Him as Lord. If that was the case anytime someone stubbed their toe on something and shouted "Jesus!" in a not so praiseworthy manner they would be lumped into this group. This is NOT the case.

The writer of Hebrews continues in verse 16 to remind the reader to "do good to others and share with them". One might remember Jesus words one the greatest commandment and the next like it to love God and love people. (Matt.22:35-40) When we are truly loving God we will love people in an act of worship. When we love people as God desires for us to and doing good to them we will be loving God as well. (Matt 25:35-40) The writer of Hebrews concludes this passage with this thought as well, why do we do this? "because such practices please God".

Worship becomes more genuine as one's spiritual growth enhances. While the spiritual disciplines are a large part of the individuals spiritual formation they are also taking part in worship. As one spends more time with God in in the disciplines one naturally worships.

Vacation Day #1 - Jesus Loves Moms Too

Kristin and I got up this morning and headed out on our spring vacation away from the hustle and bustle of normal life into the hustle and bustle of relaxing enjoyment.... we made our way south and stopped at a true southern BoJangles complete with Cheerwine making our way through the first of the Carolinas and ending up in the second, that's where' I'm writing from now. We're in Summerville, SC visiting some friends of ours, Darien & Anita Gabriel. Darien was my youth pastor for most of my middle school and all of my high school years. He was then and is now still one of my greatest spiritual influences and mentors. Tonight we spent some time with the community of which he is the pastor and watched the movie The Passion Of The Christ by Mel Gibson, the first time for me since it's silver screen release, in it's entirety. I found myself getting emotional watching this film, but I didn't get emotional where I thought I would. I didn't cry at the crucifixion or the scourging. The moments that tugged at my heart the most where the moments between Jesus and His mother Mary. Maybe it's because I view my mother and the most influential person in my life ever and that I have such a strong connection with her that these moments were where I choked up a bit. I'm not sure. What I do know is that I was deeply moved by Jesus relationship with her. It's good to see Jesus' more human than deity side once in a while. I'm so thankful for what Christ did on the cross. I'm also thankful that he wasn't some Zeus like Grecco-Roman deity firing lightning bolts down from the heavens. I'm thankful that Jesus had a real mom that he loved like I love mine.

Abiding In Christ (John 15)

To "abide" means to accept or act in accordance with a rule, according to the Apple Dictionary Application. To "abide in Christ" would then by definition mean to accept Christ all that He is and to act in accordance to His rule and His teachings.

In John 15 Jesus gives the metaphor of Him being the "true vine" and what I would consider all created people to be the branches. Jesus equates God the Father to the Gardener who prunes the branches, which do not produce fruit. Those who do not produce fruit would be considered, in my mind, to be non-Christians. Christ-followers, those who abide in Christ, produce fruit because they are tied directly to their source of life, the True Vine. If a branch is not producing fruit it's not part of the True Vine. If one is connected to the True Vine the branch MUST produce fruit. It is a natural process of being connected to the true vine.

To "abide in Christ" one must first know Christ as Savior, then the process of gleaning from their relationship with Jesus must take place in order to grow and produce fruit. While all Christ-followers produce some sort of fruit, just as a fruit bearing plant that is watered daily and fertilized grows better fruit that one that is not, the same is true with the Christ-follower. The more time spent exercising spiritual disciples such as spending time in the Word of God and in prayer the higher quality of the fruit produced.

"Abiding in Christ" is a way of life. It's a complete acceptance of Christ as the ultimate ruler and His teachings as the ultimate rules for life, but not only to accept these things but also to live them out. Jesus himself says in John 15 that if one does not remain in Him that they can do nothing. So not only is it vital for the life of the Christ-follower to spend time “abiding in Christ”.

The Cross + (Anything) = Worthless

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NCV) - There is one God and one mediator so that human beings can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who is himself human. He gave himself as a payment to free all people. He is proof that came at the right time.

The cross of Christ plus anything else is worthless.

Here in Timothy as I read this morning I'm reminded of this fact. Yesterday in our Glory Revealed book study that we do with the powersource worship band the topic was the exclusivity of Jesus. We looked at Jesus claims to be THE way THE truth and THE life. This wasn't A way, or a POSSIBLE truth, or IF YOU'RE LUCKY life. Jesus was exclusive in the fact that he claimed to be God. There was no way around it. There were not other paths to eternal life.

In John 14:6 Jesus is exclusive:

John 14:6 (NCV) - Jesus answered, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.

Another passage we looked at was in Jude:

Jude 1:25 (NCV) - He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now and forever. Amen.

Over he past few weeks here at Thomas Road pastor Jonathan has been working through a series called "Jesus is Enough". He's walked through how Jesus is enough in our good times, our bad times, our strength, our weakness, and Jesus is enough for our salvation. His sacrifice on the cross covers all our sin. His death on the cross was enough. If we needed anything other than the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for our salvation then we decide that the cross wasn't enough and we cheapen Christ's death.

This week is Passion Week. It is the week which leads up to the event of Jesus death and resurrection (easter). It's hard for me to read through the crucifixion passages and not distance myself from them. I don't like to remember that I am a major player in that story. I distance myself from the fact that Jesus was nailed to that cross because of my sins. I distance myself from the fact that Jesus had to take on all the pain and suffering and guilt of my sin and pay the penalty of death that was rightfully mine.

But, this story is my story.

Jesus died on the cross for me.

Out of love he laid down his life.

Because of love he took the nails.

All for love.

For me to look at that scenario and brush it off by saying it wasn't enough for my salvation makes me sick to my stomach.

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was more than enough for my sin and the sins of the entire world.

He is it.

Jesus is truly the answer.

I'm so thankful for the cross.

I'm thankful for the cost.

I'm thankful for this sinner saved.

Blessings to you and yours this week. Remember the cross of Christ and be thankful for it.

Calling On The Gods

In Norse Mythology there are a number of gods and goddesses for many different things. You had Thor the god of Thunder, Forseti the god of justice, and Loki the "trickster". (pictured on the bottom from left to right) These gods had significant ploy with the people who followed them. There are many places in mythology where a human in great need or in the middle of a quest or a king going to war would call on the power and grace of the gods. In some cases the gods would come down and meet with those calling on them and strike deals for their services. So to win a war may mean sacrificing a child or eternal servitude in chains. While some gods seem to err more on the side of good there are others who err on the side of evil.

I was thinking about the lyrics to a song "I Can't Do This" by the band Plumb. The chorus lines repeat the phrase "I can't do this, I can't do this by my self, I can't do this, I can't do this God I need Your help." This is the same situation we find many humans in the Norse Mythology as well as where we find ourselves so often in our modern everyday lives. We're left feeling lost and confused and frustrated. We feel like we can't make it through like we can't do it. Then we call on God for grace and power. For those of us who know Him as our savior and can call ourselves Christ-followers there is not exchange made for God's services. We serve a God, the one and only God by the way, who longs to know us and do good things for us. He wants the best thing for us. God isn't some tyrant sitting up on a cloud firing lightning bolts at people. He is a greatly personal God who longs to have relationship with us. In fact rather than asking us for something in order to have the relationship He gave all He had. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die via crucifixion for the sins of mankind.

For some great blogs to answer the question "Is Jesus God" checkout the following posts.

http://oursoulpurpose.blogspot.com/2009/03/christianity-has-always-been-known-as.html

http://oursoulpurpose.blogspot.com/2009/03/is-jesus-god-pt-2.html

http://oursoulpurpose.blogspot.com/2009/03/is-jesus-god-pt-3.html

Could Jesus Have Been God's Son, But Not God?

I don't have too long to write this as I forgot my charger this morning and my batter is slowly waning away. I had a thought. I'm not saying I agree with it. My wife and I were talking through some things last night at the question came up: "If someone doesn't believe that Jesus is God, but does believe they are God's Son and the only way to heaven... do they still go to heaven?" I've spent some time thinking through this... I even dreamed about it... and to be sure I'm not sure where I rest. I've always said it's what you do with Jesus that shapes everything. And (this is me thinking out loud) if Jesus were not God but, God's Son and still lived a sinless life that would make him able to still be the pure spotless lamb that died on the cross for the payment of sins...

Now don't get me wrong I do believe that Jesus was God's Son and God at the same time. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and conquered the grave because he loved you and I and didn't want to leave us in the sinful state we're in without a way out.

It just gets a little tricky. I'm hoping to hash this out with one of my good friends this morning. What are your educated thoughts? I don't want opinion. Give me scripture and basis for your arguments. I have enough of my own opinion trying to get out of the way of scripture. I don't need more of that. I need solid answers. I'm digging deep in the Word this morning for this one.

Spiritual Authority: Do I Have It?

This morning I was asked a question about Spiritual Authority.

Quite frankly it was do I have it? More pointedly do I feel like or live like I have it.

As a pastor biblically I have Spiritual Authority. It comes from Scripture and through Jesus. To be honest, I don't feel like I have this authority for the majority of the time. It's easy to get lost in the politics of the week sometimes and forget to rest in my Father's arms.

The path to authority is earned. It's earned by the deposits I make in my people that I am to shepherd.

If I claim authority in Jesus name I had better know what he would do in that situation.

Responsibility is the backside of the coin for Spiritual authority...

I feel like a lack of respect for spiritual authority stems from something much deeper.

A lack of respect for God and His holiness...

So how do we teach this?

We must model it in our own lives.

We must teach it by how we live.

Am I doing this?

Do I love like I have the authority of Scripture and of Jesus Christ backing me?

If not... why not? How do I fix it?

The Love Of Our Lord

Listening to Punk Goes Pop: Volume Two this morning. Steaming it from imeem.com feeling pretty god about the mix so far. There a re few I could do without but there always are. Reflecting this morning on the love of Jesus and specifically how to love like Him. How to cary His example of love over into my life. In John 15 Jesus says in v.12 "This is my command, love each other as I have loved you."(NCV) It's not an option. It's a command. Jesus then continues with what 'the greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends." v.13 Wow. Jesus did this ... he literally fleshed this out. His flesh and bone has town from his body during his scourging before the cross so much that he was unrecognizable. The man of sorrows found in Isaiah. Jesus thank you for the cross. Thank you for the cost you paid no greater love have you ever showed to me than to be nailed to the tree. There is no one like you God.

This Disease (Lyrics)

This Disease

I've climbed the highest mountain

I've swam the deepest seas

I've found my worth in nothing less than everything You see in me.

If I have the cure for this disease

How am I loving if I choose not to speak?

I work out my salvation

We're all sinners underneath

I've got a condition caused by Your love for me

If I have the cure for this disease

How am I loving if I choose not to speak?

I get lost in Your eyes when I try speak

You broke my chains and now I am, I am free.

Like a drug You flow through every part of me

Jesus You're the only cure for this disease.

The Great Abolitionist

How can I set the captives free?

With the blood of Christ that covers me.

How can I live in liberty?

Through the love of Christ within me.

Oh God, You are a God who saves!

You're in the business of freeing slaves,

From sin and the eternal grave

Oh God, You are a God who saves!

You looked down into my life,

And found darkness deep inside.

You made a way to rectify,

With Jesus crucified. 

Oh God, You are a God who saves!

You're in the business of freeing slaves,

From sin and the eternal grave

Oh God, You are a God who saves!

We thank You for the cross!

We thank You for the cost You paid!

We thank You for the sinner's saved!

We thank You for the cross!

LORD Jesus I thank You for Your cross and the death where You shed Your blood  for me there to save me from my sin. From the dark slavery of sin. You are the Great Abolitionist

Forgiveness & Consequences

Psalm 99:8 (NCV) - : LORD our God You answered them. You showed them that You are a forgiving God, but You punished them for their wrongs." 

There have been so many times when we have assumed God's forgiveness means not having consequences for my sin. At least I know for most of us we wish it was that way. I mean who wants to get into trouble. Wouldn't it be easier... don't we wish God would just forgive and then forget about the consequences? See when we think this way, we forget the fact that God is a holy and just judge. We forget that he must deal with our sins and that His Son died on the cross for our sins. Jesus paid the ultimate penalty for us. So we must deal with our own sin consequences. When we don't we place a barrier between God and us that doesn't need to be there. Consequences are a part of sin. Does God forgive? Yes. Do we still have consequences? Yes. We just need to own up to it. 

"Is Jesus President or King?" by Matt Willmington

I have the privilege of working with man amazing men of God. On of who is my superior's superior Matt Willmington. He just recently posted this blog and I wanted to share it with all of you. The words ring sad but true (not the Metallica song). Enjoy. 

As I recently wrote, its been amazing to see the outpouring of admiration and support for Barack Obama. His approval rating has dropped since he actually took office and began leading, but the honeymoon is still in full swing. People are desperate for him to be a great leader.

But even his fans probably wouldn’t want him to be the king of America. They still prefer him to be our president.

I’ve never met a president. My father has - Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. I had the chance to be in the same room with both of those presidents. And I once was in a crowded airport in the presence of the late King Hussein of Jordan.

There’s a difference between a king and a president.

• A president deserves an inauguration
• A king deserves a coronation

• A president governs a democracy
  
• A king rules a kingdom
  

• A president is elected when all citizens vote
  
• A king is voted in office by no one
  

• A president swears an oath [35 words to be exact]
  
• A king swears by his family name
  

• A president governs based on a constitution
  
• A king rules based on a bloodline
  

• A president hears the people raise their voice in opinion
  
• A king sees the people bend the knee and bow the head

The problem with many of us is that we sometimes treat Jesus as our president instead of our king.

We act as if His kingdom is a democracy, as if we get to cast a vote for His leadership, as if we can voice our opinion about His agenda, as if He should adjust His policies based on our wishes.

Our American Christianity has been infected with democracy and capitalism. Those ideas make for a great nation and economic system - but they are not the design of the kingdom of God.

Two scenes show this contrast: John 12 and John 19.

John 12 tells the story of Jesus followers celebrating His Triumphal Entry. He rides on a donkey from Mt.Olives into Jerusalem on a Sunday, fulfilling prophecy [Zechariah 9:9, Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 62:11]. They enthusiastically accompany Him, shaking palm branches and singing Psalms 118, “Hosanna!” They recognize Jesus as their king.

But five days later John 19 shows a violently different picture. Its Friday morning, in Pilate’s courtyard. A religious crowd, including the Jewish leaders, are crying out for Jesus’ crucifixion. “He is not our king!” These religious people - perhaps some of the same ones who at the beginning of the week had considered Jesus their king - were now treating Him like a president. He had disappointed their desires for a political, economic, or military solution to their troubles - and so they were “voting Him out.”

Jesus had threatened their power.

He exposed their sin, hypocrisy.

He ruined their religion.

The honeymoon was over.

Its amazing but true. Over time, passionate followers of King Jesus can subtly become religious voters, citizens who want Him to respond to their lobbying. But Jesus is a king, not a president. So how do we keep proper perspective?

Look back to John 12. The Sunday morning Mt.Olives crowd had these characteristics:

1. They knew scripture, and so they recognized the prophecy unfolding in front of them. If I stay focused on God’s Word it will always point my attention to the King.
2. They risked scorn or worse from the Romans to worship the King publicly and joyfully. If I practice reckless, passionate worship I will stay focused on the King.
   
3. They followed Jesus down the road towards the Temple. If I practice devout obedience, I will maintain my submission to the King

Where is your allegiance? Is Jesus king, or president of your life?

If you answered the latter, then its time for a Triumphal Entry into your heart.

Boxing Up God In Pages & Ink

I am wondering when we decided we could box God up in text books and decide He would be OK with it. I mean.... where do we get the right to decide how God gets to be God? The more and more I read textbooks on theology and about how God has to do this and has to do that.... I just get this sense of... did God weigh in on this? Is He OK being told we He can and can't do? I mean He is God right? This is more me ranting than anything else.... I think.... I just..... where did we lose our awe factor of God? When did God become something we get entertained by on Sunday mornings in large auditoriums with plush seats? Did Jesus model that?....... God help me to not box You up in my heart and life. It's my prayer you would dwarf my cynicism if it's not of You and that You would organically grow and move in my heart. Make my heartbeat Yours God.