Love one another

What has happend to our world?

I look at the world around me and I am saddened by all the violence I see, all the dysfunction the list could go on and on. But I realize the reason for this Jesus said, "in the last days the love of many would grow cold ." I've herd a lot of preachers say that it would people would grow cold towards God. But I really believe that what Jesus was talking about is that our love, care and concern for our fellow man has grown cold. We have become a people that is stuck on what I want. We forget about others and their needs. At some point we need to understand that Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Just my random thoughts for tonight.

Been  a long couple of weeks. but I do know that Jesus is still in control. I just know I have reached the point I don't care any more. I'm going to do what I'm going to do and the rest of the world can either get in the boat and row or get out of the boat.

Where we choose to set our mind makes the difference between life and death.

I was reading this morning and I ran across an article about the Sprit and the Flesh by Steven R Runge in my LOGOS Bible program. What he said was very powerful, "Where we choose to set our mind makes the difference between life and death. (Rom 8:6)" This got me to thinking about the work I do, many of our programs are created to "change" how a person thinks. We hope that as a person completes the program they will think differently. I find it interesting that in a system that tries to deny God and the his life changing power,: uses a the very principle God gave us in his word. Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Just my thoughts for the day

What gifts do you use

2Timothy 1:5-7

5           I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6         For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7           for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. ^[1]

I ran across this scripture passage this morning as I was reading my email.  It started me to thinking (I know ‘m working with tools here) that the reason some followers of Christ faith begins to wane; is we forget or don’t know the gifting God has given us. We then spend huge amounts of energy trying to do things we are not gifted or equipped to do. We do these things many times because someone told us we should do them or we see some ministry that is doing well and we fall into the trap of trying to minister or serve like _________. When what we really need to do if STOP and ask God to fan into a FLAME the gifts he has given us. We also need not be ashamed of the gifts that God has given us. Because God does not give needless gifts to his people, if each one of us will ask God to stir up the gift he has given us then faithfully use that gift the entire body of Christ will be blessed and strengthen. We also need remember that some of the greatest ministry takes place when no one is looking or it seems like it not that important.

One more thing that stood out to me in this passage is the fact Paul tells us what God DID NOT give us, The spirit of fear. But he gave us the gift of Power (to live daily for him) love( the ability to love him, ourselves and our fellow man) and self-control ( the ability to control our life.)  When we realize the ability to control our own desire weather they are good or bad rest within us, that’s when real victory comes. When we buy in to the lie that our desires cannot be controlled, the enemy keeps us bound in sick bodies, sick relationships, and sick habits, each of these things were created by satan to fool us in to destroying ourselves.  So I invite you to take a hold of this truth from God’s Word and begin to break free of those things that the enemy tells you have no control over in your own body.

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 2 Ti 1:5–7.

When life Goes Down

I was reading this morning  and thinking about some of the difficulties that Brenda and I have been facing lately when I read the following "When a life goes down on the eternal rock, Jesus Christ, then the structure will come up and will stand in the power of God." John G. Lake March 1,1914  the more I thought about that statement the more I realized that the enemy tries to drive us down to a point that we give up and he wins.
Then I realized that at times in our life we need to get back to what we know and what God has gifted us to do, (go back to the foundation Jesus Christ and him crucified) it is then we will find real peace, strength and power to pull down the strong holds of the enemy. We will never change our life, our family, our community, or our  nation till we return to the basics of our faith. we need to learn we can not program change or reform. It must come from a God breathed revival like the one describe in Acts chapter 2. 120 people turned their known world upside down in their generation without a telephone, telegraph, television, internet , Facebook, twitter or even one smartphone.  That generation also while facing percussion stated some of the first hospitals, orphanages and places to care for the elderly.  so I wonder what's our excuse? I know for me I realized that I have "learned" how to have church. I don't want church any more I want God to show wreck or programs and show us old fashion life changing encounters with the living son of God.

Thanks for letting me get this off my Chest
Have Blessed Day.

I must be less

       Today I was reading in John's Gospel John 3:30 where John the Baptist tells his followers that He (Jesus) must become greater and I (John) must become less. This got me to thinking that many of the issue I face are not because the enemy of my soul is so strong. It is because I try to be more than I should. I am just wondering how many believers could have a better walk with Christ if we could learn to stop wanting to have our way and die to self. Placing Christ completely at the forefront of our life and lived a life that said I want to please Jesus and not myself. I know as I did some soul searching, praying and talking to the Lord I found that I am guilty of want some things my way and not his. So starting today I want to change;  I want Christ to be first in all I do. I want my actions to reflect the love of Christ for my fellow man. I hope that is your prayer also.

Chaplain Steve

I was doing my devotions this morning. I've been reading Exodus, I got to chapter 34 and I felt God drop something in my heart that I really feel I need to share here. So here goes.... Chapter 34 of Exodus is the end of Israel's first rebellion against God at Mount Sinai. A gold calf jumped out of the furnace after Aaron threw in all their gold ear rings and jewelry and they worshiped it. (Aaron was a victim) you can read about that in Exodus 32. Then God tells Moses He's not going with them because they are rebellious and stiff necked. Moses intercedes for them and God agrees to go with them and he shows Moses his glory. Now we are up to speed here is what God showed me 34 The LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. 3 No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.” 4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. (NIV) Notice that God Calls Moses to present himself to (God) alone. At times God calls us to get alone with him and we need to shut out all the business of the world so he can restore us and what we have destroyed out of frustration of the rebellion we see (remember Moses destroyed the first set of the laws in Chapter 32) So the question would be this what have you destroyed out of frustration, that God is calling you to get alone with him so he can restore it? I hope this has been a blessing to you.....

God Loves Broken People

I started to read this book and never finished it. I think the reason behind this, the issues of my own life took precedence. This is no way a reflection on the author or the context of this book. What I did read I enjoyed. I would recommend this book.

I just finished reading the book Going Deep Becoming a Person of Influence by Gordon MacDonald. If found this book moved me deeply. As I read I realized that the American Church has been so focused on quaintly rather than quality when it comes to the spiritual issues. For example how big is your Sunday service running, pastors have been in many cases reduced to CEOs rather than shepherds. I found it refreshing that a pastor and congregation was willing to step out of the “normal” church model and return to the model that Jesus gave in the New Testament. I also found the longing in my heart to see this kind of model being repeated over and over again so that we once again begin to grow spiritually deep people, who will be able to change our world for the better. I would recommend this book to every pastor or church leader with the Challenge to grow deep people who will change their city one deep person at a time, for the Kingdom of God.

Peace Be with You

After I finished this book I found myself asking one question. That question is, Is America Christian in name only? The views that were presented caused me to question some of my own beliefs about dealing with those who have wronged me, hurt me, or despitefully used me. I found that if I am going to represent Christ I must be like him. This means that I must learn to overcome evil with good and leave getting even to God. One of the interviews that David Carlson presented really brought this idea of being Christ like means that we must respond to evil like Christ did and our heavenly father did at Calvary with forgiveness and restoration. I would recommend this book to anyone who maybe questioning “Why do we as American Christians feel we have the duty to destroy those who attack us?”

MAX ON LIFE

I finished reading Max Lucado’s book Max On Life, I would say that his answer’s to many of life’s hard questions were well thought out and scripturally based. The biggest struggle that I had with this book was after a few chapters the answer he gave seem to be repeated over and over. I understand that the Bible does hold the answers to all of life’s struggles. But it seemed that he used the same scripture to answer all the questions. So for me by time I reached the end of the book I found that I somewhat bored. I would recommend this book for anyone who may be struggling at some point in their life and are look for answers. I do think that this book would be a better reference book that you would turn to when you are looking for a place to start when looking for answers to life’s hard questions. Because I do think if you read this book straight through you’ll find that many of the chapters will sound very much alike. Over all I would give this book 3 stars.

The Final Summit

Just finished reading “The Final Summit” to be honest it was not what I had expected. I even considered not finishing it. However the story line kept pulling me back. I just had to find out what the answer for humanity’s redemption was. This book is a great book for the history buff. I thought it was great how the Mr. Andrews used some well known individuals from history. It was also interesting how he was able to incorporate the very personalities and even a few well known quotes into the story line. I would call this book a spiritual allegory and mystery novel. I would recommend this book. I did find this book an enjoyable book. I give this book 4 stars.

The Sacred Meal

I just finished reading The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher and Phyllis Tickle. I picked this book up because I have become very weary of “modern Christianity”. I have found that I am searching for the roots of my faith. I really enjoyed this book. I found the idea that no matter where we find ourselves in our Christian walk. Whether you are a Roman Catholic or you are a Holy Roller Pentecostal. We all share one common thing; we all celebrate the Sacred Meal. It is at this time we all stop and remember what Christ did for us and the promises that he made to us. I also like the fact that Gallagher reminded us that it is at communion God will at times put us face to face with the very people that we don’t want to have contact with, as if God is saying, “I made peace with you through the blood of my son, now you make peace with them at my table.” I also liked the fact that Gallagher did not get bogged down in the theological arguments about the bread and the wine becoming the body and blood of Christ. But she focused on the miracle that happens in us when we allow God to heal and restore use threw the work of the Cross. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a refreshing and thought provoking discussion of Communion.

Being renewed in the Presents of God

Today I was given the privilege to attend a worship service with a newly ordained Pastor and Friend that I work with at the prison. The presents of God was so real and powerful this morning you could not help feeling the healing and strengthening that comes from being in God's presents. I know that I had a God encounter of the real kind. As I lay on the floor under the power of the Spirit in the presents of God, I felt like Isaiah when he said, “Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isa 6:5-8 NIV. I too found my spirit crying God here am I send me. I found that my hunger for the holiness of God is burning hotter than ever. This raises the question for me, “when will we as God’s people slow down and get our eyes off what man says and look totally in the face of Jesus? I am beginning to think that much of the Church is afraid to have an Isaiah encounter with God, because he just might call us to do something great for him which would require us to move out of our comfort zone. So my challenge to you this week is ask God to move you out of your comfort zone and do something great for his kingdom.

The First of Many: I found myself standing a large Christian book store a few days ago, as I stood there I began to wonder what ever happened to personal Holiness. I was not looking for the legalistic type of holiness that has all the rules. “Don’t drink, smoke or chew or go with girls that do.” But a holiness that is driven by a passionate love for God and Christ, I think that somewhere we as God’s people have became so worried about offending someone that does not know about the love of Christ, we have forgotten that we have been called to personal holiness. So I am going to begin to look at the scriptures to see what they say about personal holiness. I am also going to take a look a historical holiness. I also would like all that might read this to understand that I have a core belief that if God will change the heart of an individual their lives will begin to reflect the holiness of God, motivated by love and not a list of rules created by some super saint somewhere.