Thursday, September 26, 2013

rivers

Ever notice that whenever Jesus addressed a crowd it was about teaching the Kingdom, performing miracles, signs and wonders to get through to peoples hearts, and ultimately show Abba's love and promises for us that we receive through Jesus.  So why then do folks feel the need to go to the crowds carrying signs of doom and hate, shouting judgment at people they have no relationship with and they wonder why people shy away from the church. When we encounter people we HAVE to demonstrate His Love, His Heart, His Kingdom. The signs we carry should be about how much He loves us not written on cardboard but written on our hearts communicated through words and acts of kindness with some signs and wonders mixed in to breakdown barriers and bring healing.
If we are to fulfill the great commission we must be carriers of Abba's heart, being willing to invest ourselves into others so that disciples can be made. We need to provide the rivers of living water, via the Holy Spirit, to the lost.

John 7:37-39 "On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)"

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

fearless safety

When Abba is our desire when we keep Him at the center of our lives, nothing in the world can successfully come against us. He will cover and protect and provide for us. His desire for us is to be able to come and sit at His feet, a place of safety, when we are there fear has no place in our lives. He gives us victory!

Psalm 27:1-14 "The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the LORD— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. Hear me as I pray, OLORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, OGod of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. Teach me how to live, OLORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."

Thursday, September 19, 2013

vomitted into your destiny

When I first committed my life to Christ one of the first Christian men I met was this guy named Leon, he was a stocky concrete guy, you could tell he had been through stuff, but he had a light in his eyes that I can still see. I shared a little of what I had recently gone through that got me on my knees. He simply put his arm around me, smiled and said sometimes we need to hit bottom before you look up. It was so simple and so freeing. 
When we run from our calling and destiny, it is like running into the deep dark places that cause us to hit bottom and when we choose to cry out to Abba He is quick to forgive and to set us on the shore of our destiny...
Jonah 2:6-10 "I went down to the bottoms and the very roots of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever. Yet You have brought up my life from the pit and corruption, O Lord my God. When my soul fainted upon me [crushing me], I earnestly and seriously remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Those who pay regard to false, useless, and worthless idols forsake their own [Source of] mercy and loving-kindness. But as for me, I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord! And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land."

Monday, September 16, 2013

salvation soapbox

I have been seeing and hearing a lot lately about our light shining into darkness. I think however that in in order for our light to shine the brightest that we need to have a good understanding of salvation and our condition before and after. Ephesians 2 gives us that. Did you know that on average most Christians will lead more people to Christ within the first three years of their salvation than through the rest of their walk. Two things are factors in this. First is that their experience is fresh and exhilarating and the "have" to share it and then secondly, the sad part really, is that they get sucked into programs and service to the church and lose sight of that initial excitement and zeal. I believe the lack of discipleship that happens is a disservice to new believers instead of learning how to mature their excitement and continuing a deep relationship with Christ, they are generally reduced to religious robots. This pattern I feel is starting to be broken, I believe that in order for the church to fulfill the great commission it needs to shift its focus from building a building and getting people to come to it to support it, to going out and making disciples and partnering with Jesus in building His kingdom.


AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins In which at one time you walked [habitually]....
http://bible.us/Eph2.1-22.amp

Saturday, September 14, 2013

how's your love

Abba's love is what its all about, He gives it so we we can share it. Others should know who we are by seeing how we love others and each other inside the body. We should be radical lovers for Abba.
John 13:34-35 "I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]."