Gold from Spurgeon

If you are considering ministry or if you have found yourself in ministry already then I need to give you some mandatory reading... I read this about a year ago when I was flirting with the idea of going into full-time ministry at a church. It was formative for me and now as I re read I am floored by how anointed this man was and continues to be through his writing. What I am commending to you is at least the first three chapters of Lectures to My Students by C. H. Spurgeon. It is dynamite and it might save your life and the lives of others if you simply read the first three chapters. If you have already found yourself in ministry then also read chapter 11 "The Minister's Fainting Fits".

Here is a link to read online but it would be a good one to hold in your lap or throw at a wall. (Some books are challenging and this is one of them)
http://books.google.com/books?id=HfP1ox6GidMC&dq=c.+h.+spurgeon+lectures+to+my+students&pg=PP1&ots=5kxABNNYOd&source=bn&sig=vjEERGhr2809_-pq6Z0p4dFnE9U&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result

Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for? I am thankful for my family, for my beautiful girlfriend Ashley, for my little brand-new baby niece Harper. I am thankful for my calling to 'preach the word' and that I get to fulfill that role with a group of young passionate Christ centered teens. I am thankful for the leaders that make CSM happen on a weekly basis. I am thankful for my passion for Jesus name. Most importantly I am thankful for the saving work that Jesus accomplished on the Cross.  

Now don't keep it bottled up in you... tell Jesus about it, or tell others about it. Write a note to a friend or make them a card. Let's practice the meaning of this holiday by expressing our thankfulness.

John 19- Love

"Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "here is your mother" (vs 26-27)

Has Jesus commissioned you to love others? I can't even imagine the weight of my dying Savior's last words spoken... an issue to love. Imagine the effect that would have on you? Seeing Jesus hanging on the cross and he tells you to love his mother. The end of verse 27 says, "from that time on, this disciple took her into his home."

Reality is, when you become a disciple you adopt that mission of love. How have you demonstrated the love and compassion of Christ lately. His concern while hanging on the cross was for others. His desire for us is that we would take up his concern and carry it on to the end of the ages. But, how are we doing at that? How are we doing at loving our neighbor? I can think of a millions of things I have done for myself lately but I have a hard time thinking of only a few things I have done for others.

God give us a passion to live out your love. Help us to see the needs of others even when our needs seem so big. Help us to care more about others than we care about ourselves. It will take a miracle for this to happen in selfish me. So, we need you to make this happen. I can't muster up this kind of love even with all my strength and efforts. God I need you to make this love come to life. Amen

John 19- Knowing But Not Submitting

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS. (vs. 19)

The Jews were furious saying, "do not write 'the king of the Jews' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." (vs. 21)

The danger of decision... It is scary to me that it is so easy to carve a sign stating 'King of the Jews.' I am not saying that it is literally easy to carve a sign (I grew up on a tree farm with wood and knives but I would probably cut myself again if I tried to do this now). Instead, I think it is easy to say that, 'Jesus is king' figuratively speaking. 

Imagine a church service where you are compelled to name Jesus as lord (AKA king). Much is made of him in an hour worship service and it culminates with a pastor pleading for you to 'decide' for Christ. He even has you close your eyes and repeat after him. You think to yourself, 'why not? I've tried everything else.' Easy right? Like posting a notice. Jesus is king. Fact. Declared. Amen. The end.

My cautious warning to all 'professing' believers that have 'decided' for Christ is be careful that you don't end up in the 'Lord Lord' group(Matthew 7). They claimed to know him but he considered them strangers. They witnessed his ministry in action but they didn't have fellowship with Him. It is important that you take your relationship with him further than Pilate did. Pilate simply acknowledged, Jesus disciples lived for him with a passion. There is a difference. You can see it played out. Nominal christianity is a statement of a fact, 'Jesus is king'. Authentic Christianity is a glad submission to his kingship. Are you a patriotic citizen of Jesus' Kingdom or do you simply acknowledge his kingship but do little to support the advancement of the Kingdom? 

Friend, if you are uncertain then plead for a passion. Just simply ask God to do a miraculous work of making you fall in love with his Glory. Ask him to rescue you from the pitfall of false conversion found in Matthew 7 and Acts 5. What could possibly be worse than standing before the King of Kings and finding out that you might have posted a sign about him declaring your christianity but he calls you out on the insignificance of a sign.

Heart Burning

Over the last little bit I have felt spiritually dry... It is not something that any saint ever enjoys... And I am not even sure why it comes? But, it is certainly part of the journey. Any one who has been travelling heavenward for any amount of time knows that valleys are real. That not every day or week is a mountaintop experience where you feel like you are so close to God. Sometimes you find yourself in the 'valley of despair.' You look around and there are big ominous mountains surrounding you and a fog is over your head. It is bleak and dark. And the mountains look so large and treacherous that you think there is no way for you to climb out. 

That is where I have been residing fora couple weeks... In my particular case I know the reason... My time with God has dwindled. It has been crowded out by teachings and writings and bible studies and ministry.

"The great enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ in this present day is the conception of practical work that has not come from the New Testament, but from the systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted upon, but no private life with God." -Oswald Chambers

So, on Sunday I humbled myself before the lord and cried out to my maker, "All I need is you. You are my portion. 'whom have I in heaven but you? And on earth there is nothing I desire besides you.(Psalm 73:25)' God restore my joy in you. Don't let me fake it. I have to tell a bunch of students to be in love with you and if I still feel like this at 6pm I'll just be faking it."

God is good. He answers prayers like that. He fills us with joy and makes our hearts burn. Even when we are spiritually dense. Like the story in Luke 24. There are two disciples walking to Emmaus. Jesus walks with them, but they do not realize it is him, and he 'explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself.' Then when he breaks bread with them their eyes are opened to realize it was King Jesus. But he disappears from their sight and they say these incredible words, "were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Have you ever felt that before? Your heart burning within you because of the affections that Jesus is stirring up in you? That is what I am praying for. My heart to burn. I want to be consumed by a fire for Jesus' name and glory. I am resolved to let everything else wait until I feel that burning. Ministry can wait. Family can wait. Thanksgiving can wait. This is the most important thing. Being glad in God. Being on fire for Him. 

Here is the beauty of a valley... It gives your relationship with Him depth. A person that always lives in a perpetual bliss I cannot relate to. What happens when a friend gets cancer or someone gets in a car wreck or a teenager turns from God? A cookie cutter Christian cannot relate. I don't need a pat Christian response. I need a saint who has been through the furnace of affliction and bears the markings from the fire. I need someone who can say that God is faithful even if the world is falling apart around me. I need that sort of depth. If you are in a valley realize that God is weaning you from the world. He is allowing the darkness for a season so that the only light you crave is Himself. And when the light of His glorious Son breaks over the horizon there will be no comparison to the joy that you will experience. Praise God. Even in the valley praise God.

Go to God... Your Other God

That is supposed to be a parody on the saying, 'go to your right... your other right.' We generally say that when giving directions and the person doesn't know their right from left. So we have to jokingly redirect them. That is why the title of this article is 'go to God... no, your other God.' Not that there are two Gods, but when I say go to God where do you actually go. You probably take a turn in the wrong direction. So this morning let's try to get on the right path.

As a reader of these articles I am concerned for you... one reason is because I worry about steering you astray. It is a dangerous thing to publish ideas on the interweb when it is early in the morning and the proper amounts of caffeine aren't pumping through my system yet. But, the other reason why I am worried about you is because Satan is very tricky....

I am learning lately that for me the problem is not that I waste my time going to smutty places like television or questionable websites. I don't waste my time by having pointless conversations when I should be working. (There are still struggles but when they are obvious like that they can be delt with quickly) I actually have a hard time with spending too much time on good things. Let me try to explain. When you want to encounter God do you pick up a good christian book? Do listen to a sermon online? Do you journal about God? Do you surf to this website or other christian websites?

I do all of those things to some extent... Here is the tragedy, I can spend all my time talking, thinking, and writing about God and not actually spend time with God. The analogy that I came up with is this; I am in a room with my family and friends eating dinner. I love my dad so I begin to talk about him to my friend Jake. "Did you hear that dad started a new project this week? He has been working really hard." Then I proceed to talk about all these things that my dad is doing and that I admire. Here is the tragedy... my dad is at the other end of the table. Even though it might be flattering that we talk about him, he wants us to talk with him. And as Christians we can do this to God. We can talk about him, we can read about him, we can write about him in our journals. But what God really wants is for you to be with him. To talk to him not about him.

So, as a reader of this website my hope is that you don't come here to meet God. Maybe you need a little pointer to find out which direction to go and I hope to do that for you. But, this should not substitute your time with him. Please make an effort to spend time with Him. That is his desire. And while your hanging with Him tell him to make sure that I am spending time with him too! Tell him to break my Internet for a day if I don't schedule a date with him. Tell him to make me sick so I lay in bed and talk to him. Tell him to do whatever it takes to make sure that I am spending time with him. I am being selfish I know but I love my time with Him!

Let me end with a quote from an amazing man that lived long ago and started many orphanages. He didn't have lots of money and he wasn't some amazing leader. He was a man that enjoyed his fellowship with God and he believed that it was by prayer and fellowship with the word of God that great things are accomplished. George Muller said this, “I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord.” Are you doing that friend? Are you making sure that your soul is happy in the Lord? Are you spending time with him doing that? I can promise you that no christian book or website or preacher can make you glad in God quite like God himself can. Spend a little time with Him today.

John 19- Mocking Jesus

There is something in us that knows that we should honor Jesus... When the soldiers who were responsible for Jesus had a free minute they twist together a crown of thorns and put it on Jesus head. They also clothed him in a purple robe(the color of royalty) and then began to mockingly shout, "Hail, king of the Jews!" and then they struck him on the face.(John 19: 2-4)

We all know that Jesus deserves some credit. We hear him talked about at church and even the history channel makes a fuss about him because they don't know what to do with this God man? So, we make petty allegiances to him. How many of us have walked an isle at a church? How many of us have slipped a hand up to profess his kingship? How many of us have prayed that Jesus would be lord of our lives as a minister led us? But then we walk away from his lordship. In the emotional moment of a well planned church service or summer camp it is easy to place a crown on Jesus head and to put him in royal garments in your mind's eye. But then it is just as easy to walk out of the church into the church's parking lot, or van ride home if you made a decision at camp, and start to think about your desires. Maybe you start thinking of what you will have for lunch or something like that. Or maybe what you will do with the rest of your day... Because in reality you are still your own king.

Dear friend, I am hoping that God would cure us of a half-hearted commitment to him. It is time to surrender all. If you hold back but make small claims about who Jesus is, then I think that you are playing the role of the mocking soldiers. Dressing Jesus up to be king but mocking him openly.

My suggestion for you is to completely surrender. Take an afternoon and just spend it with Jesus telling him that you want him to be your Lord. Ask him to reveal to you his Kingship. Ask him to show you the desire of the king's heart and the laws of his kingdom. Ask him to show you his plans for your every decision. Then obey. This is what it means to come under his lordship... to know and obey King Jesus' every desire. Then you will be a true citizen of the kingdom.

John 18- Out of This World

Jesus is a crazy dude! As we have camped out in the gospels this year it has been cool to watch him in action. To see what he was all about. To see him with a baby in his hand cooing and giggling and blessing and then to see the other side of him speak a word and watching a detachment of soldiers fall on their faces. He is incredible. You cannot walk away from reading the gospels without having a deep appreciation for Jesus.

At the end of John 18 we see Jesus and Pilate talking with each other and Pilate is trying to find out if Jesus is a king. Jesus tells him plainly, "I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:37) But before that Jesus tells us the nature of his kingdom... "My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place. (vs. 36)" You can say that again. He is out of this world and he is calling us into his kingdom. My question for you is does your life make sense like it is part of this kingdom? Is your life like any other worldly person... what kingdom marks do you have that show that you are a part of a far out group of followers?

I don't want to live a life that makes sense. I don't follow a Jesus who says that 'my kingdom is not of this world' but then everything I do emulates worldliness. That is not what I am trying to be about. The purchases that I make. The people I interact with and the things I say. The way that I am joyful no matter what the circumstances. The way that I cling to the cross. The ways that I spend my time. It should all point to a Kingdom led by king Jesus.

Does your life look like a citizen of the kingdom of worldliness? Or does it say that you hail to the king Jesus?

Thoughts on Fear

What is the purpose of fear? Why are we told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom or understanding? What is the function of the word fear and our capacity to fear?

Think about how you view fear. I love a good scare. I went to a haunted house this year and it was lame because it simply wasn't scary... I also love roller coasters and the measurement for how good a roller coaster is is based on how terrified I am during the ride... If it doesn't illicit any feelings of 'WHOA' then it isn't doing its job. So, why do we have that capacity and why do we fill it with thrillers and rollers coasters?

Because God made us with the capacity to feel the effect he has on us. Fear points to his Glory. Fear of him shows how magnificent he truly is. When you read something like a detachment of soldiers falling at Jesus feet, or when you read about Daniel getting picked up by an angel and placed on his hands and knees because he fell flat after getting an eyefull of that angel's magnificence... that points to God. Ezekiel sitting by a river for seven days after being terrified from a vision of the Lord points to God's glory. Or Ezekiel being picked up by his hair and carried by an angel that is a little scary, but that also points to God's glory.

Fear helps us understand the greatness of God. Like standing on the top of a mountain and realizing that you could be a CEO, lawyer, professional athlete, world's greatest dad, or whomever, but if you slip it is over. You are small... the mountain is mighty. That is the effect fear should have on us. God is mighty... I am small. And then when he says things like "you are adopted into my kingdom. I call you son." That should blow your mind. Fear is good. I feel sad for people that shy from this teaching in the bible because they want a god they can relate to. A buddy. Be careful that you respect him for being so magnificent. He is mighty we are not. He is big. Read any encounters that the prophets have with God to cure you of not fearing God. (Daniel 10-12, Ezekiel 1-3, Isaiah 6, Rev 5) Any of those accounts will show you that fear is God's gift to us to show us what he is like. And I am willing to venture to say that no roller coaster, or skydiving, or any thrill you can find, can possibly compare to the flood of emotions that will accompany seeing Him face to face.

John 18- I am He

Jesus had went out to the olive grove knowing that Judas would come there to betray him... When the detachment(group) of soldiers arrived led by Judas, Jesus asks, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth" they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:1-6 paraphrased and condensed)

Holy smokes... I don't care how much you tell me that Jesus is fuzzy and comfy and nice. There is still this side of him that terrifies me... A band or detachment of soldiers I am sure fit with weapons and wearing their shields and armor. Coming for one man. But when Jesus simply speaks they fall down prostrate. They back up and fall down. Like a scared little dog that wets himself when a stranger comes in. This is the effect Jesus had on them and he still has this effect on me. He is God. He is almighty and I worship him in fearful and reverent adoration. Jesus is not my homeboy... he is my master.

Does Jesus command your respect? Is he magnificent and awesome to you? Or is he a means to an end? Is he the guy that you simply run your plans by and ask him to bless an idea you have or a financial burden you are carrying? Or, is he your master and when you think about him do you glance at the ground because you realize that he is mighty and he is God? Does Jesus have high regard to you? Or do you casually talk about him or think about him like an old school buddy that you spent time with long ago. Or a pen pal that you talk to at your convenience.

They drew back and fell to the ground... that has a profound effect on me. It makes me worship him more. It makes me want to serve him more passionately.

God give us just a glimpse of your Son's glory today. Help us to draw back and fall down. Recognizing his authority and might and radiance. He is the image of the invisible God. He is magnificent. He is perfect. Help us to give him the honor that is due his name. Cleanse us from any pompous attitudes that make Jesus out to be our genie in a bottle... getting us what we want. Jesus you are worthy... the lamb that was slain to take away the sins of man, you are worthy!

Slow and Steady or Can it be Quick?

Well unfortunately I didn't wake up today looking like a David Clark or Billy Graham. Being sanctified is slow and steady I am learning. It takes patience. It takes God's long suffering and forbearance. It takes time. As I teach students I witness God slowly crafting on each of them... It is like watching waves slowly lap at a stone... The results aren't noticeable as you sit there for an afternoon but what about a week? What about months? Or years? God is patient. We need to be faithful and recognize that he is patiently making us more like his son.

But, then I also wonder, how many of us really want to be like Jesus? Maybe our lack of noticeable progress is due to our lack of desire to progress. Maybe it is fun to talk about as long as it is a theory and not a lifestyle. Do you really want to love people that sacrificially? Do you really want to spend money knowing that it has an effect on eternity or eat cereal to God's glory? Do you want to be a homeless people lover like him? Do you want people to constantly say you are a little off including pastors and influential "Christians" in your life? Do you want to be mistreated by the people that should understand your passion the most? That's what Jesus constantly faced. Persecution. Misunderstanding. Loneliness. Being a real saint is lonely business. ...Actually, if we are honest, we would rather live for ourselves and talk about our Christianity... We would rather love ourselves and look after our own spiritual and personal issues. We would rather spend our money on things that we love and enjoy without thinking about it. We would rather eat whatever we want and who cares about God's glory when I am eating? And, I definitely want a nice house or apartment and I want it to look cool and be a safe haven for me. In fact, God wants me to have a nice house!? I have to provide for my family that's biblical! I also want to be accepted by everyone and most importantly good church goers. That's the reality. A christianity up to a point. Let's not go overboard Cory.

If you want to actually look like Jesus, at whatever the cost, read on...

I believe we probably aren't eagerly asking God to make us like Jesus. I believe that if we prayed desperately that God would break off worthless parts of our lives and transform us to be like Jesus that he would be faithful. I believe that if we asked for it right now, so we can glorify his name, God would answer that prayer. Would you be willing to live this one out though? ...right off the bat you can bet your life it will look like Jesus' time in the desert being tempted by Satan... then it would be followed up by years of mistreatment and misunderstanding. Abandonment by people you love and admire and finally resulting in a sacrificial giving of your life. You want that? Count the cost friends.

I personally have found that there is nothing in life more valuable than being a follower of Jesus. I don't care if my very life is at stake. I don't care if my reputation is slandered. I don't care if people call me weird for radical beliefs that play out into real life scenarios. I am going for it. I am sick of talking about it. I want to live it.

A Conversation With God- by Katelyn

A very wise person once told me that the Bible was Gods voice and words given to writers and authors to record for everyone to hear. After being told this, my view and approach to the Bible have been transformed. The Bible is not something to be read out of obligation, and it is not something that is supposed to be on a checklist. It is the words of the God, who is bigger than all that we are, and he wants to share with us what he has to say. God is not a wall that you talk to, that never replies to your requests and concerns. He wants to tell you the answers to some of your questions, and he wants to help you live in a way that brings him glory. The way that he shares these things is through his Word, but we have to be willing to listen. The way that I have found that makes this easier is to pray before you begin to read. I usually ask for the time that I spend reading to be his, and that I will follow his agenda and not mine. I usually ask for wisdom to be able to understand what he says to me, and that he would be revealed to me. From there I will read until something hits my heart. It could be one verse, or it could be three chapters. If things feel irrelevant, or they are confusing, I simply remember that God promised to reveal himself to those who seek him with their whole hearts. I believe that we will never grow in our faith if we do not learn to listen. God has already given us wisdom that has stood the test of time, and he has made it more than accessible for us, so now it is our job to seek him out, and pursue his voice.

-Katelyn

John 17- Unity

"I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:23)

What relationships do you have with other believers that prove to the world that Jesus is real? This is a tragedy of Casual American Christianity, we isolate ourselves and believe that our faith is our own individual journey. We think that it is a personal relationship with Christ and somehow it can exist on its own without having any other people involved besides maybe the pastor on stage who teaches the word. This is the train of thought; if I come to church and learn about God then that is my faith journey. It is a very American, independent, isolated way of thinking... Let me ask you these questions. When you come to church don't you prefer to sit by yourself or maybe a couple people you know? Don't you desire to be un-bothered by the other people and wouldn't it be nice if you had a bat cave exit sometimes so you could slip out with out getting caught in a bunch of conversations? That is how I feel sometimes. I enjoy being by myself and worshiping by myself.

This is not what Jesus had in mind when he was praying to the Father. He wants us to interact with one another. He wants us to do it in such a way that people would look at us and think we really are Christ followers. Unity so that the world can see. What relationships are you trying to make that happen in? Complete unity. That should be our aim as Christians to be unified so we can show the world what Jesus is really like. We need to be a community that actually cares about each other. A community that extends beyond service times.

John 17- Jesus is THAT Magnificent

Those you gave me out of the world... For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them... (John 17:6,8)

Since the beginning of time man has been trying to relate to God... trying to understand our role and trying to understand God. It does not surprise me that man has always given himself a lot of credit. That is a side effect of the Fall. Our big fat egos that love to be noticed and admired. We don't like things to be out of our control and we don't like submitting to anything... we feel like if we try hard enough and exert our will we can achieve what we want. Which is why when Jesus says things like, "you gave me them" or, "I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me" we have a hard time making sense of it. Our pride cries out, "I was not given, I earned this. I made the commitment. I professed my faith. I attended church and that's why I am a Christian!" Notice the use of "I's".

Could it be possible that God is that magnificent that he calls people? That he decides whom he will give to be saved? I am not saying that we do not have a will that is exercised... in fact it says that Jesus gave his disciples God's words and they accepted them. That is not the sort of language that he would use if we had no choice. This also doesn't dismiss our responsibility. What this does for me is magnify God... When someone says that God is sovereign and then they decide that they can change or thwart God's plan by their actions they are saying that they are more powerful then God. Picture God in heaven with his hands tied begging you to come to him to turn from sin to love his Son. Does that make you think more of God or less? Or more realistically to me, picture God in heaven accomplishing his desires even by using the calamity of some to magnify the perfections of his glory and mercy in others(Romans 9:22-23). That is a magnificent God that I barely begin to understand but I stand in awe and worship him.

This is not a popular belief in the modern evangelical circles that I travel. I understand that at first this sounds so abrasive and wrong. Why can God call? Why can God give? So he doesn't call some? How is that fair? I encourage you to read through Romans 9... don't simply read but ask God to make sense of the text. It is a hard pill to swallow but I think the more I see about God in scripture the more I realize that Jesus is that magnificent and I am that puny. I am not a big deal. God is.

John 17- The Difference Between Religion and Loving Christ

This is important. I have been a Christian for 8 years now. I grew up going to church but it wasn't a love relationship with Jesus. It was obligation or duty or simply a label. I was a "christian." My family attended church. It was expected that I attended church. I learned early on what Jesus did on the cross and that I needed him to be my savior because I sin. I learned that there was a gap between me and God and I needed Jesus to bridge the gap. Makes sense, sign me up. So, while I was still young I prayed the sinner's prayer and invited Jesus into my heart. No fireworks, no huge conversion, no crazy story of going from a life of partying and drugs to being completely free. I didn't burn my secular CD's. I didn't have to cut ties with crazy friends. I simply believed and confessed like I was told to and I was a "christian." Unfortunately, this is the sad story of many christians... the reason I say sad is because I don't think that results in a genuine belief. I don't think that simply understanding and doing what you feel compelled to do makes you a "real" and "authentic" Christian.

It was when I was 18 years old that Jesus became precious. All of a sudden the cross became more than a bumper sticker or something to be worn around a neck but it actually became my life. What Jesus did in his death, burial, and resurrection became everything. He became my treasure.

That is what Jesus says in John 17:1 "Father, the time has come. Glorify your son, that your Son may glorify you." Glorify. Is Christ glorified to you? Did the cross become precious? Is it everything? Is God everything to you? When it hits you like a ton of bricks you feel it... It is like gaining sight. It is like you finally understand what the fuss was about... It is like a light goes on and all of a sudden the fog clears and you see Jesus magnified and lifted high. He is the Son of God. He is perfect and he gave you perfection by taking what you deserve and giving you rights to be sons and daughters. You were cursed but he became your curse. Then you fall at his feet and worship him in adoration mingled with fear and respect. It is intense! It consumes you.

Has it hit you yet? Has it became dear to you yet? Or is christianity simply something you participate in. A religious duty. A religious label. A holy habit. It has to be more than that. Jesus is a treasure and until you feel the weight of that I would be hesitant to call yourself a believer. "There are many who will say to me on that day 'Lord Lord...' and I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.' (Matthew 7:21-23)" I have heard of church going full time ministers who have not found the cross precious... I believe the bible is clear of what happens to them. Read Acts 5 and see false believers in action. They went through all the motions but Jesus wasn't glorified to them. I am talking about Ananias and Sapphira... They were professing believers at the start of the Church in Jerusalem and they would have sat under Peter's amazing sermon... they would have said the sinner's prayer... they would have been baptized... they even sold their land to give to the apostles to help with the church.... they are super christians in our eyes. But, Jesus wasn't glorified to them. He wasn't their everything. It was just a show. And the Spirit found them out. Don't let your story parallel theirs.

Is Jesus glorified to you? Is he your everything? If the cross is just a symbol to you then push your chair back from your computer and get on your knees and beg that God would grant you the mercy to see Christ glorified. It may seem silly but it is the most important thing you could possibly do. You might be at work or school or even at home but do not budge until God grants you your wish.

God make us love you by showing us how magnificent you really are! Make us see how incredible the cross is! We are not going anywhere until you show us your glory. Work can wait. Family can wait. School can wait. Seeing your glory is the most important thing right now. Show us your glory. 'Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.'

Eating Cereal To the Glory of God

I almost forgot about this... last week during FUEL I said that there is a way to eat cereal or chicken or anything to the glory of God...

First off, I didn't make this up. I am not pulling this out of my head but actually out of the bible. Paul says to the Corinthians that 'whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.(1 Corinthians 10:31)' What did Paul mean? How do we do these mundane tasks to God's glory?

The example that I meant to use on Wednesday was cereal but someone distracted me by yelling out "chicken!" So, lets look at eating cereal to the glory of God and you can figure out chicken on your own.

The first thing that you would have to do is select a cereal... This might seem ridiculous but I will show you all the details and the amount you actually do this will depend on the person I suppose... Your body is a temple. God does not desire that you make it to a ripe old age of 35 then fall over dead of a heart attack. So, when you are choosing you need to think through if it is actually good for you. Having Cinnamon Toast Crunch® and puring a pound of sugar on top and using chocolate milk is a bad idea...not to mention that would be gross. So chose one that makes you acknowledge that your time on earth is limited and you want to be healthy so you can proclaim the gospel to more people for a longer amount of time.

Note: This doesn't mean that you have to be a health nut to bring God glory and it also doesn't mean that Christians can never eat unhealthy food. I am simply saying that it glorifies God when you think through what you eat. This is not legalism just a concern for the glory of God.

Secondly, you can ask people around you if they would like to share. You can pour a bowl for a brother or sister or even serve your parents... If they don't want cereal you could offer them toast or something. This helps to cultivate a servants heart and will give God much glory that his son or daughter is living out the command to "love your neighbor as yourself."

The third thing you do now that you have selected your cereal and poured your bowl... you thank God for the blessing of having food. You were born into a privileged nation where you have plenty... it is good to realize that at the moment you are about to eat there are millions of people around the globe at that very second who are desperate for a meal. Some, will find something but it probably won't be nearly as good as your tasty bowl of cereal. But, others might not ever have another meal. And, like one of our high schoolers Wilky, some might eat mud just to fill their stomachs so they don't have to feel the pain of starvation. So thank God that you have food.

Then, pray for those that don't... if every meal you eat you think about and pray about others that don't have, chances are you will do something about it. That is God's desire for his church. That Christians would help others in need and through that God gets much glory.

Enjoy your cereal! Eat with a glad and sincere heart praising God. By this point you should be pretty pumped that God loves you as much as he does and that he has provided for you. So enjoy your cereal....

See that wasn't hard... now I challenge you to do everything to the glory God. Then you will be a true disciple.

Fighting Sin

Lately, this has been a subject we as a youth group have talked about a lot... for some reason a verse jumped out of my head and hit me like a pool ball in the end of a sock across my face... It floored me man and it would do you well friends to store this one up in your heart(memorize).

"In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (Hebrews 12:4).

Couldn't be more simple stupid. When sin is staring you in the face and you are doing your typical trying to suppress your thoughts of God so you can indulge your flesh, recite this one to yourself: "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." In fact, you aren't even resisting. You are going down like a chump. You're not even trying. Let alone trying hard enough to bleed. You're a wimp. Don't let God catch you being a wimp.

Wrestle sin to the cross. Abstain from everything evil. Fight it man to the point of death, or you will die. Resist. Flee. Fight. Don't let sin win.

Acts

I'm not even sure how long it has been... maybe a few years ago? Maybe even longer, my family decided to step away from the book of Acts for a little while. We had spent 2 years going through it and applying it and we had only reached the beginning of chapter 13... so we took a break.

Tonight, we picked it back up again. Let me just say that as we as an online group are finishing up the Gospel of John I am now eagerly looking forward to writing on Acts. I am floored by how amazing the story of the beginning of the Church is. It is mind blowing and I can't wait.

Acts is also a play by play of what my hero was up to... It is his travel plans and his ministry crusades. Paul was awesome and I can't wait to paint a picture of what he was doing as he travelled and ministered.

John 16- Joy and Sorrow

"I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.... now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy... I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:20,22,33)

Do you see a pattern here? Sorrow joy... sorrow joy... sorrow joy. Grief then joy. Grief then rejoicing. Trouble then overcoming. This is the pattern of the Christian life. This leads me to ask a question... is that really fair bible? How is it that you want me to be sad and happy? How are we supposed to be grieving but happy? And, shouldn't we always be joyful? If we are calling others to follow us then wouldn't joy be a great sales point? So why all this business about grief Jesus?

I do think that it is biblical to feel sad but still rejoice. But, our sadness should arise out of meaningful things. I don't think our hearts should break over petty things. There are things about this world that shouldn't be that big of a deal. We need to severe our love for petty things and the effect that they have on your soul. I am thinking about stuff like a car and having a mysterious dent shouldn't bring our world down. There are a million examples of things that shouldn't bring your world down what is yours? Money... when bills add up does that bring you sorrow? Sports... when your team has a bad week does that make you upset for a few days? When someone leaves the toilette seat up do you crumble with frustration? When someone goes in the 10 item or less lane at Walmart with a full cart do you lose it? When someone drives super slow and you are in a hurry does that make your blood boil? This is not what Jesus has in mind.

I think that our sorrow should come from things that matter. It should break our hearts that others don't know God. The fact that we have sin should grieve us. I think that watching a world that is corrupt and ruled by the prince of the air should make us sad. I think that our lack of faith should make us grieve. So there is a good grief. There is sorrow that is good. Paul describes it as godly sorrow (2 Corinth 7:10) that leads us to repentance. This is good. Sorrow can lead us to the cross. It is a sorrow that leads to repentance and ultimately to grace.

Then there are the verses that tell us to rejoice. Philippians 4:4 says, "rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again; Rejoice!" When the apostles were beaten in Acts 5 they went away rejoicing that they were counted worthy of suffering for the namesake. This is bizarre stuff?! This is gospel stuff.

Let me tell you a story about a group of people that went to visit some Christian friends in prison. While they were at the prison their houses were ransacked. What do you think they felt? Upset? Furious? Bitter? Unbelief that God could allow that to happen? I mean they are good Christians and doing a noble thing by visiting other good persecuted Christians!? Maybe enraged is a good way to describe them? ...Nope they were joyful "because they knew they had a better possession and an abiding one (Hebrews 10:34)."

Does that begin to describe you? Because that is what Jesus is talking about. Sure you might encounter some troubles in this life, sure you will be grieved, but 'I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away.' So, enjoy some of that joy now. Rejoice that you are called and loved. Rejoice that you have a possession that will last for eternity... God. "Whom have I in heaven but you. And earth has nothing I desire besides you. (Psalm 73:24)"

Paul sums it up so perfectly in 2 Corinthians 6:10, "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." This is your struggle friend... being sorrowful yet always rejoice... being poured out yet being filled... facing trouble but overcoming... being grieved yet being filled with peace and joy. "You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy. (vs. 22)"

John 16- For Your Good

"It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." -Jesus (John 16:7)

Imagine what it would be like to walk with Jesus... what if there was a stir and someone said that Jesus was in Chicago and it was believable and truthful. Would you rush there? I would. I get star struck about Christian pastors that have had a profound impact on me. I can't even imagine what it would be like to see Jesus. Try to think through what it would be like to see him in action. Would you push your way to the front of the crowd? Would you hang on his every word? Would you lay in bed and think about what he said and then tell yourself, "I have to get to sleep so I am not tired for tomorrow when Jesus does even more crazy things!"

But Jesus teaches us that it is better that he leaves so he can send the Counselor to us. We have a gift and not many of us get that excited. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit and we rarely even think about Him. We can manage a week without even noticing His presence. Does that sit well with you? To be honest I am embarrassed by my lack of regard for the Spirit. I need to recognize that He is here and He is powerful.

Have you disregarded the Spirit? Have you seen Him at work? Has he convicted of Sin or empowered you to 'do greater things than these?' If not then I urge you to pray for Him to blow your socks off. He will.

Don't Waste Your Interneting

Here is a topic that I have to wrestle with everyday. I sit down at my desk at the church and there is a stupid laptop sitting in front of me. It isn't a fancy one just basic and simple like any pastor's computer should be. But it is connected to a high speed internet. At my fingertips the whole world is available. From sermons and free online bible helps to funny videos of people getting hit in the crotch with whiffle balls and everything in between.

It is bizarre to me that on days that our connection is down the whole staff grumbles with the thought, "what are we going to do?" As if our internet is a highway to God and without it we cannot commune with him. Or, "we can not work without it" is a more justifiable excuse yet what do we really need to accomplish? Data entry? Responding to emails? Communicating with those we serve? Can't that be done in less time with less distractions?

I believe that this is something that I struggle with... How can I sit in front of a computer with the internet and not waste my time? How can I log on and not spend extra minutes perusing? Extra time surfing? Extra time wasted?

But this isn't just my struggle. My heart breaks for my students that spend countless hours online. They log on to AIM or myspace of facebook and just surf and surf and surf. Minutes go by then hours and before you know it your life goes by man!? I think this is a real problem!

And another calamity is how many people have an online profile that completely twists their self image. They portray themselves to be or at least to communicate exactly what they want others to know.... namely, I am fun, and cool, and hip, and trendy, and good looking. And it distances us from the real world. We have a cyber image that we are struggling to live up to. Or, we just make ourselves look very interested in worthless things. I am ashamed at how many people I know have so many images of themselves "wasted" or "lit up" or "high" or "partying". It breaks my heart. Especially when I see my students' pages like that. As your pastor let me just say it how it is... that isn't cool. I might not be the coolest person but I can tell you that trying to look like you swear and drink and sleep around has never been and will never be cool.

But back to the initial question. How do you spend any amount of time with a computer without surfing the web to pointless things? Here are a couple suggestions that I have for myself and you:
1) Have a purpose
2) Set a time limit
3) Take breaks from the computer
4) Stay away from sites that cause you to wander(if you don't have a purpose then you are simply wasting time looking around)
5) Pray before you log on (how many of us have asked God to direct our time on our computers? I would venture to say hardly any)
6) When you do surf keep it to several sites that you know are good and life giving.

John 15- Hated

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." -Jesus (John 15:18-19)

Hated by the world. That is what we are called to be. But in my estimation we are doing everything we can to be accepted. I am guilty of this. I want to be appreciated. I want to be noticed and liked. So, I try to fit in. I try to impress.

As Christians we are supposed to look like aliens and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11). We are supposed to look like a foreign exchange student that stands out immediately. Our accent should be funny. Our appearance should be awkward. People should say, "you're not from around here are you?" That is the essence of being an alien... But we are also sojourners. Pilgrims. We are not only out of our natural habitat. We are not planning to stay here. It is one thing to be awkward yet trying to fit in. It is a whole other thing to say I am different because I am heading somewhere else. HEAVEN.

Let me just take a minute to articulate my thoughts on the heaven is here, or some other place debate. There are teachings that claim that we bring heaven to earth when we live out the kingdom lifestyle now. I think that is partly true. I think we get a glimpse of heaven when we actually love our neighbors like ourselves but I also think that we lose the power of the later. There is a time when we step into the kingdom and it is completely perfect. It might be this ball of dirt that we are standing on but it will be completely renewed. Read Heaven, by Randy Alcorn if you want an in depth look at scriptures take on heaven. I believe that it is going to be radically different than what we know about here. History confirms for me that even the greatest Christian movements have their downfalls and I am hoping for something much better. Anyways.

Because we are different and heading somewhere else we should be hated. I know that is not our natural desire, but it should start to become more and more normal for us. Jesus was hated. He says we will be persecuted and hated. Does this feel awkward to you? Are you so far from biblical Christianity that this sounds false? I know for me it kind of does seem like a false teaching. But look at your bible. All of the early Christians were persecuted and hated. It is still happening right now and the global church is growing in spite of persecution. So, how can you justify that God is calling multitudes to lay down their lives for their faith and then he wants you to sit comfortably in your church chair and casually live out your faith while trying to be well liked by everyone. That is not the radical all out commitment that God calls us to. He wants more. He wants us to feel and look so different that it hurts because we are hated. We should feel our commitment.... in our bones. Just like you feel it when you are hated.

Hated. Different. Awkward. Let me sum it up by looking at what my hero the apostle Paul says; "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)

It is that simple. Jesus says we will be hated because we do not belong to the world. Paul says that if he tries to please man then he isn't even a real servant of Christ. Where does your allegiance lie? Is it to God, with a self-sacrificing spirit that is willing to lay down or set aside all of your worldly comforts, or is to your flesh, which is begging to be admired and liked by man?