Dyin' to Live

Today's topic: dying. I know, not the most fun thing to consider in the world, but one that is absolutely essential if you want to follow Christ. The reality of Jesus' life was that he left the eternal to become temporal in order to redeem us, but after His death and burial, He was resurrected to new life. Our call is no different, we must die to ourselves in order to be raised to new life which comes by knowing the Father. As John 17:3 tells us: this is eternal life, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Coming into relationship with God is what opens the door of eternal life for all of us. That is why natural death, though sad and a loss for those who remain, should never be feared by the follower of Christ because in knowing Him, we've already entered into eternal life.

The question then is how do we die to ourselves? The key is repentance. Jesus began His ministry by preaching: repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17). How do we access the Kingdom? By repenting of all that is not of God and turning to Him through accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Now you may be saying, "sure I know this. I've already done that." Whether you have or not, the truth is, unless we continually repent (turn away) from all of those things that are not pleasing to God and turn to Him, we are fooling ourselves with religious actions. Our fruit must be of those who continually repent and die to ourselves that we may continually experience life in Him. How do you speak to your spouse, children and co-workers or classmates? How do you drive :-)? What do you watch on television? What do you listen to? What are your thoughts like toward others and about yourself? How do you spend your money? All of these things, and so many others, testify as to whether or not we're continually dying to ourselves in order to live to Him. Keep Jesus in focus and we'll keep what He loves in focus. Nothing else will shed light into all areas of life like He will (Psalm 119:130). He is the word of God (John 1:1-2) and will truly lead us into all truth by His Spirit. Jesus called us to take up our cross daily to follow Him (Luke 9:23-25) signifying a continual death to self. Our response to Jesus' command should be as the Apostle Paul who declared: I die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31). By doing this, he realized he would walk in the totality of all that Christ had for him. We have the opportunity everyday to do just the same.

So today, remember that if we're in Christ, we are new creations. Old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Let's allow everything that doesn't please him to die so that we may experience His life at work in us and truly say, "I'm dyin' to live."

Worship

Here's a powerful post written by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church regarding worship. It really reminded me of a word I shared last year: http://4worship.blogspot.com/2009/07/worship-unrestricted.html except on a much deeper level. His insightfulness regarding what worship truly is, is powerful. Here is the link:

Bring it to Life

My encouragement for you today comes from a simple yet profound statement made regarding the advent of Jesus' time here on earth as recorded in John 1. 'And the word became flesh and dwelt among us...' (v.14). This statement signifies much more than just a quick glossing over the fact that God sent His son to earth. It's a statement, due to it's depth, that requires us to look at what was done by God and then what we must do in light of that. The fact is that we are called to be the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27) and today, the word must still become flesh and dwell among us.

When Jesus redeems us by His blood, we become restored children of God according to His will, meaning that we now become not only partakers of His divine favor and grace, but also ambassadors who represent His character to the world (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). In a very real sense, Jesus not only came as the messiah, but also as the forerunner for us in allowing God's word to be realized in our lives and in the lives of those around us. When Jesus was manifested in the flesh, the reality was that all of who He was in God as 'the Word' became a reality that we could tangibly witness and interact with. I would dare say that we are called to represent Him in the same way, allowing the word to become a reality in us that people can witness and interact with, thus being drawn to the Father. Remember that prior to His ascension, Jesus prayed for those who would believe in Him because of our [although spoken to the original disciples this statement is directed to all disciples] word. He was literally installing us as those who would do what He did, not as messiahs in our own right, but as His representatives. So the responsibility rests on us to allow God's word, written and spoken, to become a reality in us as we submit to it. As we do this, God will be glorified in us and His Kingdom will continue to advance because it won't be about us, but about Him. Obstacles, won't be seen as hindrances, but stepping stones to greater places He's called us to. Temptations won't be snares for us, but opportunities to show the power of the Word and the Spirit. Darkness will be dispelled and light will prevail as we continue in His word as true disciples (John 8:31-32) who are changing and becoming what He wills.

Ephesians 2:10 says that we were created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. So let's allow the word to become flesh in our lives and in turn see God's greatness displayed. Remember today, and everyday, to receive the word and allow the Holy Spirit to bring it to life in you.

Remember the Little Things

In light of last week's post, I'd like to refer you to a post I wrote in September 2010 entitled 'The Little Things'. I believe it definitely expresses a key component in fulfilling what God has called each of us to do.

Here's the link: http://4worship.blogspot.com/2010/09/little-things.html

Enjoy!

It's Time to Rest

Amidst the business of life, there is always a deeper call. One that most of us recognize to some degree, but often put aside not realizing the full importance thereof. It's the call to deeper things in the Father. And more often than not, those deeper things are only attained through laying aside our works to take up His. Many times when we look at this topic we only go as far as the weekly sabbath which God has provided as a time of rest, reflection and recharging to continue walking in all that He has for us. I would like to take it a step further today and talk about the sabbath rest in our lives that comes when we stop pursuing those things that we're not called to, and start moving full steam ahead in the things that we are called to.

Upon salvation, we enter a new kingdom: the Kingdom of God. In so doing, we have changed affiliation, citizenship, teams, families, and any other analogy that you could come up with to represent this revolutionary change. It's obvious to us that once we're saved we now are called to be children of God, but in every house the kids have different personalities, giftings and callings. The question today is what is yours? Are you walking in the calling the Father has for you and living each day toward that, or are you simply living life with the hope of Jesus' return because you're not sure what you should do other than pray, read your Bible, go to church and not sin? Understand, there are basic tenets of faith that we're all called to, but what is it that He is calling you to do specifically? Leave the door open for Holy Spirit to direct you, as the word says, 'into all truth' (John 16:13). With this posture, you'll be able to proceed knowing that each day when you lay your head on the pillow, you've done the things that He's purposed for you to do, and fulfilled another day of your calling. Whether it be simple or more vast than you can imagine right now, tune in to God's station to hear His message for you. Take the time to turn everything else off that would be a distraction so that what He says can ring loud and clear.

The bottom line, let's focus ourselves on being fruitful in our calling this year and not just being busy about life. Only you will know where and what He is calling you to do so keep your spiritual eyes and ears open so you're ready for the message. He loves us and has so much for us, but business and blurred vision can be major detractors from these things. Let's only be busy about the things He has for us to do. Let us realize the power of His word and Spirit and the rest that is to be received in His presence by ceasing from our works (what we want) and taking up His works (what He wants) - (Hebrews 4; esp. v.9-12).

So today, seek to know His purpose for this season of your life if you already haven't. Put down your works and take up His. Fulfill your calling and not what you think are obligations. Allow any blurred vision to become clear and remember, it's time to rest in Him.

'Tis the Season

Well here we are again at Christmas time: schedules full, budget stretched, rushing here, rushing there. Amidst all of the business of the season I want you all to remember these things: Jesus is Lord and we're celebrating His coming to save us, this is a great season to be thankful in all things, and that our hearts should be as His toward others - loving, giving and serving.

So often as we reach this time in the year we find ourselves so overcome by the commercialism and the self-inflicted business and turmoil that we lose sight of giving thanks to the Father and loving others. My challenge to us all, as it has been freshly presented to me by the Holy Spirit, is to keep those things clearly in view so we can fully enjoy this time and fulfill God's purpose. Remember the fact that in his infinite mercy, Father God chose to send Jesus to rescue us from sin (Romans 5:8) and that we have a great opportunity to express our gratitude for and to Jesus, while drawing others to know Him and do the same. So as we open up this Christmas season, let's truly realize that it is a great time to highlight for the entire world what we hold dear all year long: the divinity of Jesus and His work on our behalf, cherishing the relationships that God has blessed us with, and calling the lost of this world to know their purpose in the one true God.

May your Christmas season be blessed as you give thanks to God and express who He is to the entire world (Psalm 100:4; Matthew 5:13-16).

Overcoming in Him

Last Sunday I had the privilege of hearing a powerful message from my senior pastor, Apostle George Brantley, out of 1 John 5. The core of his message dealt with the fact that keeping God's word is not a burden (v.3). This point can easily be passed over, but we have to take a deeper look when we hear a statement like that. How often do we actually approach obeying the word of God as something we have to do rather than our privilege as His children? I know that I personally have done it many times. In some situations we can come across like the child who says, 'okay Dad, whatever you say', when we'd rather do something else. Now, don't get me wrong, there's a place for us of dying to our will to obey His, but there should come a point in our lives when the keeping of His word is not a burden, but a joy because He has graced us to do it. Not only are we given the task, but the strength and resources to do it by our everlasting, loving, merciful and gracious Father.

As we believe in Jesus and keep his word, we become His children who overcome the world, victorious in Christ (1 John 5:1-5). His love never fails, and when we realize that He loves us and graces us to do His will, our approach to keeping His words becomes much brighter, hopeful, directed and full of purpose. How great is the grace that He has lavished upon us in order for the mystery of His will to be know and done by us (Ephesians 1:7-10). It's a great day when you know that regardless of what you face, in Him you overcome the world.