Can you stand a bit of testing?

I have been reading through the book of Acts during my devotional time. In case you are wondering, I do as I preach; I read my Bible everyday, some times many times a day, I pray every day, I fast often and I tithe, give offerings, and alms. I won't tell you to do something that I wouldn't do. This is kind of my point from Acts. While we want the power and anointing that the disciples carried with them are we willing to pay the price they paid?


In our culture, we have come to believe that anything bad that happens to us must be the Devil or our flesh. In my understanding that would be the truth, however if we believe that our lives are in God's hands then for anything to happen to us He must allow it to take place. Testing of our faith is what helps mold us into the image of Christ and fulfill our destiny. James 1:3 and Hebrews 11 specifically and most of the Bible generally. The book of Acts gives us living examples of how that works.


Let me give you two quick examples:


Acts 3 and 4 Peter and John moving in the grace the Lord had given them brought healing to a lame man. For this miracle, they are through into jail. Remember these are not nice jails like we have now, no TV, air conditioning, sewage system, only raw sewage flowing, rat and lice infested cells and no fresh air. they are then brought out of their cell, given the opportunity to preach to the religious leaders the salvation of Christ. For this they are threatened and then released. What would you have done? Would you have cried out to God for protection? Would you have asked the Lord for vengeance on your attackers? Would you have become afraid? Peter and John passed the test! They looked at it as an opportunity the Lord gave them to share their faith and testify of Jesus. They cried out to the Lord in Acts 4 that he would give them even more power to be His witnesses. Guess what happened? God gave them renewed power and they changed their world.


Acts 16 Paul and Silas are having such an amazing impact in the city of Philippi that even the demons are proclaiming the goodness of God. When Paul sets the young girl free her owners are so angry they are beaten and then thrown into prison in stocks. Paul and Silas unfazed by the situation begin worship the Lord through singing, God sends and earthquake which sets them free. Rather than fleeing they wait, the result to their imprisonment, the warden of the jail and his entire family come to Christ and the city of Philippi is shaken with the Gospel.


We are God's workmanship, we are His Children, we are His chosen, if we learn to trust Him in all things, great things will result. Bad things will happen to good people, if we trust Him with our lives and our future. He will always use them to advance the Kingdom and fulfill our destiny.


Is the testing worth it? The apostle's example shows us how we can trust the Lord, grow in power and might and fulfill God's plan for us. Yes, our growth, power, and destiny depend upon our really seeing who God is through us and to us, that is really what the testing does.

Old and new just don't mix.

There is an adage that says, "the first sign of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results."


In other words if you tried doing something one way and it didn't work no matter how many times you do it it still won't work you must change things. As humans, change is difficult for us. We don't like it. We fear it. It makes us feel uncomfortable. If you are longing for more, if you desire to achieve better or greater it will not happen by doing the same things over and over again. You must do something new. 


There is a law in science called entropy. Basically it means that everything eventually turns to ruin; metal will rust, wood will rot, our bodies grow old and will turn to dust. This law is the best that our world system can offer us. However, the good news is God's law is higher. Jesus was trying to help the people in Israel to get a grasp on God's higher law.


Luke 5:33 - 38


And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” 36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good. ’”


The ways of the Pharisees had become so burdensome, they began missing the point behind God's plan and purpose for the law. Our own righteousness and our own works don't draw us any closer to God, in fact they can lead us away from Him if we place our trust in them rather than God. Feasting and fasting, new patch on an old garment, and new wine in old wine skins are all showing that Jesus' ways and those of the Pharisee's will never be able to work together.


How does this apply to us? All of us have a nature that is based on our fleshly wants and desires. When we come to Christ often we bring that old nature with us and expect God to bless it. We can't lie and expect God's blessing. We can't manipulate people and expect God's blessing. We can't be arrogant, prideful, insecure or any of the other ways we functioned in our old nature and expect God's blessing. We have become new and we need to act like we are new. 


If we carry over the old nature then what will happen is our way will not bless God but lead us to destruction. There is always a tearing between our old nature and what God wants when we try to mix. Our ways do not honor God, nor will we be fulfilled. The Lord's plan is that we fulfill the dreams and desires that are on our hearts. He has placed those dreams there and they will only be fulfilled as we trust Him.


Where are you today? Have you reached a frustration with your life. Have you found yourself in a place where you are wondering what is going on with your life? Are you filling empty? Perhaps it is time for you to step back and ask the Lord if you are trying to mix your old ways with the new way of freedom the Lord wants you to walk. Ask the Lord to show you your heart and His plan. He can make you into a new wineskin and a fresh garment. Let Him have his way in you and through you. You will be amazed at what God can do!

What does the Holy Spirit do?

This weekend is Pentecost. The time where many in the church celebrate the birth of the church through the power of the Holy Spirit.


A little background....

1400 – 1500 hundred years before the birth of Christ, Moses lead the Children of Israel out of captivity. Their freedom came after the death angel at the first Passover feast, passed over the Jewish households and killed every first born of the house of Egypt.

50 days after their deliverance Moses presented the Israelites with the ten commandments. This was the First Pentecost Sunday  (Pentecost meaning 50^th day)

Jesus was crucified and resurrected during Passover. Then for 40 days He spent time ministering to and encouraging his disciples. He was then caught up into heaven but before that gave instructions to those around Him to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit, who came to them 10 days later, filling them with power. The power gave them boldness to preach the Gospel and on that day 3000 came to Christ. This is the birth of the church.

The Holy Spirit is still with us today. Here are a few of the things the scripture shows us that He does. It is a fairly exhaustive list but worth the read. (From Patricia King's ministry)

1. He leads and directs. (Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 2:27; 4:1; Acts 8:29; Romans 8:14)
2. The Holy Spirit speaks – in, to and through. (Matthew 10:20; Acts 1:16; 2:4; 13:2; 28:25; Hebrews 3:7)
3. He gives power to cast out devils. (Matthew 12:28)
4. He releases power. (Luke 4:14)
5. The Holy Spirit anoints. (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38)
6. The Holy Spirit “comes upon” or “falls on”. (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 2:25; 3:22; 4:18; John 1:32,33; Acts 10:44; 11:15)
7. He baptizes and fills. (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:15,41,67; 3:16, 4:1; John 1:33; Acts 1:4-5; 2:4; 4:8,31; 6:3,5; 7:55; 10:47; 11:24; 13:9,52; 1 Corinthians 12:12)
8. He gives new birth. (John 3:5,8)
9. He leads into worship. (John 4:23)
10. He flows like a river from the spirit man. (John 7:38-39)
11. He ministers truth. (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13)
12. He dwells in people. (John 14:17; Romans 8:9,11; 1 Corinthians 3:16)
13. The Holy Spirit gives comfort, health, and strength. (John 15:26; Acts 9:31)
14. He proceeds from the Father. (John 15:26)
15. He shows us things to come. (John 16:13)
16. He gives the gift of tongues. (Acts 2:4)
17. He releases prophecy, dreams and visions. (Acts 2:17,18; 11:28)
18. He can transport people physically. (Acts 8:39)
19. The Holy Spirit brings direction and guidance. (Mark 13:36; 13:11; Acts 10:19; 11:12; 21:11; 1 Timothy 4:1
20. He is Holiness. (Romans 1:4)
21. He is the Spirit of life and gives life. (Romans 8:1,10)
22. The Holy Spirit invites us to walk with Him. (Romans 8:4-5)
23. He groans, prays and intercedes. (Romans 8:26-27)
24. He is a Sword. (Ephesians 6:17)
25. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9)
26. He helps us in our weakness. (Romans 8:26)
27. He bears witness. (Acts 5:32 15:28; 20:23; Romans 8:15-16; Hebrews 10:15; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-8)
28. He is the Spirit of Adoption. (Romans 8:15)
29. He gives power to mortify the deeds of the flesh. (Romans 8:13)
30. He provides power for signs, wonders and preaching. (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4)
31. He ministers love. (Romans 15:30)
32. He searches the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
33. He quickens the mortal body. (Romans 8:13)
34. He brings revelation. (Luke 2:25; 1 COrinthians 2:10,12; Ephesians 1:17-19; 3:5)
35. The Holy Spirit reveals to us what has been given by God. (1 Corinthians 2:12)
36. He washes, sanctifies, purifies and justifies. (Romans 15;16, 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:2,22)
37. He gives gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Hebrews 2:4)
38. He seals us. (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30)
39. He is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
40. He changes us into the image of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
41. He is the promise of the blessing of Abraham. (Galatians 3:14)
42. He releases a cry to the Father. (Galatians 4:6)
43. He gives access to the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)
44. The Holy Spirit builds us together for a house for God. (Ephesians 2:22)
45. He strengthens us with might. (Ephesians 3:16)
46. He is unity. (Ephesians 4:3-4)
47. He is wine. (Ephesians 5:18)
48. He supplies. (Philippians 1:19)
49. He is fellowship. (2 Corinthians 13;14; Philippians 2:1)
50. He is grace. (Hebrews 10:29)
51. He is glory. (1 Peter 4:14)
52. The Holy Spirit speaks to the churches. (Revelation 2:11,17,29; 3:6,13,22)
53. He calls for the Bridegroom. (Revelation 22:17)
54. The Holy Spirit has the power of conception and anointing for God’s purposes. (Matthew 1:18,20; Luke 1:35)
55. He teaches. (Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 2:27)
56. He gives commandments. (Acts 1:2)
57. He provides power to be a witness. (Acts 1:8)
58. He provides boldness. (Acts 4:31)
59. He give sight. (Acts 9:17)
60. He commissions. (Acts 13:4)
61. He restrains. (Acts 16:6)
62. He appoints ministries and gives them authority. (Acts 20:28)
63. He releases love. (Romans 5:5)
64. He is righteousness, peace and joy. (Romans 14:17; 15:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:6)
65. He confesses Christ’s Lordship. (1 Corinthians 12:3)
66. The Holy Spirit brings the gospel. (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6)
67. He is keeping power. (2 Timothy 1:14)
68. He brings renewal. (Titus 3:5)
69. He moves on believers. (2 Peter 1:21)
70. He convicts the world. (John 16:8)

It is OK to ask questions!

In our intense information age we are flooded with new views of everything. It is not unusual to hear perfectly sensible, conflicting views on any subject. During an election season it is especially evident. These conflicts can create doubt and confusion. As Christians we will hear things that seem at first to be contradictory to our faith and we will also hear things that are absolutely contradictory to our faith. How do we figure it out? The best way is to ask questions.


You would think that this would be a "no-brainer" but for some this is a trial of faith, thinking that somehow questions show a lack of faith. I believe questions are the way we prove our faith and prove also God's love, mercy, and patience toward us.


John the Baptist had known from the time he was old enough to understand that Jesus was the Messiah. His mother and Jesus' mother were relatives. A miracle had taken place when they met for the first time after Mary became pregnant, read Luke 1: 39 - 45. Later, John baptized Jesus and he heard the voice of the God affirm Jesus and saw the presence of the Holy Spirit fall on Jesus, something very few had seen or heard in all of history.


Despite all of this affirmation, after John had been imprisoned by Herod, he was hearing the stories of Jesus ministry and he began to have doubts. John was called to a different ministry than Jesus. John was the forerunner calling people to repentance so that they would be prepared to hear the Father's heart shared through Jesus. John had in his mind what this would look like and apparently Jesus' ministry did not fit the mold. John had questions! 

Luke 7: 18,19


"Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. 19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another."


John was questioning with an honest heart. This was not a question out of bitterness, frustration, or anger instead it was an earnest desire for the truth. We are human, our flesh will cause doubts to arise, we can control our flesh by seeking the truth regarding any situation. Jesus said that He is the "truth", the Holy Spirit is the "spirit of truth". Seeking the truth will always bring the flesh under control and lead us to the Lord.


Are you going through a difficult time? Have you had a struggle that you just can't get over or through? Do you feel like you are all alone with no hope? Start asking questions! Talk to the Lord like he is really listening, because He is. He wants to lead us into the truth and the truth will bring you freedom. Do not give up on asking. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 for us to ask, seek, and knock. His challenge there is not simply to ask once but the Greek tense is of us to ask and keep asking until we get an answer.


Don't stop asking until you get and answer. Your enemy is not doubt but giving up!

Homosexuality, Marriage, and Faith

In our culture today, we are presented with all types of challenges.  One of those challenges is to love people the way that Jesus loves. The controversy arises as people make their own judgments of how Jesus would love. As men and women who love God, our passions can be a two-edged sword. On one hand, we should have a passion and zest for life about everything. On the other hand, our passions can control us, rather than fulfilling us.  They place demands on us that lead us away from our destiny.

Everything God made is good. Food is good, but to a glutton it can be a control factor. If a desire for food is out of God’s control and replaced with lust for food, the lust takes control.  This can ultimately lead to an untimely death due to various diseases. Food becomes the god of a glutton, for whatever you honor the most, is your God. The same can be said of a drug, pornography or sex addict, as well as the thief, liar and homosexual.

I know that when discussing homosexuality, many will revert to Levitical law. However, if we are going to do that, we must consider the whole Levitical law and if so, then our point becomes mute. Read the book of Leviticus if you want to understand what I mean.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church wrote this in chapter 6:9-11 of First Corinthians: 

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

If we believe the Bible to be God’s Word, then what conclusion can we draw from these few words of Paul? Here are three that I can see:

      1) Some who were now in the church were having sex outside of marriage, some were drunks, some served other gods, some were party animals, some passive homosexuals, and some aggressive homosexuals and so on.

    2)  Left to these conditions, they would spend eternity in hell. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God?”

        3)  All of these conditions were able to be overcome by the name of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Please understand Paul’s attitude here. It is not an attitude of hostility, anger, or “holier-than-thou.” Paul is speaking from a heart of love and compassion for all people trapped in sin. We must also understand that everything listed here is sin. Sin defined is simply missing the mark, and with each of these areas, those who commit them are missing God’s mark for their lives.

God’s plan for people is hope, trust, love, and receiving their fulfillment through Him. A thief is not trusting in the Lord to meet his needs. He is stealing from others, not believing that God can be faithful to him. A fornicator desires sex above lovemaking in its proper venue of marriage. Sex is the ultimate bonding of one body, one heart, to another for a lifetime. God’s Word establishes that it be the fruit of a covenant between one man and one woman. Fornication is sex outside of this union, which leads to broken hearts and wounded spirits, as well as psychological and physical damage.

So it is with homosexuality. The Bible defines it as sin. Some have played with the Greek definition here trying to make these words somehow refer only to prostitution. However the definition of homosexuality, as Paul uses it, is merely a man having sex with another man and can easily be extrapolated for lesbianism as well. Do homosexuals “love” one another? I have a number of gay friends and I believe they do.  But are all feelings of love healthy and true? I have had many men and women in my office who have “fallen in love” with someone else other than their spouse, but what they are really saying is, I have a need that this person is filling. It doesn’t negate that the feeling is there. It is a real feeling; it is simply being fulfilled in a way that will never completely fulfill them. Most of the time it is about woundedness, loneliness, or lust. There is a brokenness here that needs healing.

If the Bible says that stealing and drunkenness are wrong, then there must be a reason. Drunkards and thieves will never be able to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives because they demand their own way above the great plan that He has for them. So it is with homosexuality. God wants everyone who considers himself or herself gay, to understand a love that is deep, pure, and that will last a lifetime, trusting that God has a better plan and that the life they are now living is not one based on truth but on brokenness. There is a real genuine love that God has for every broken person. All of us were broken at one time or another. Falling in love with Jesus heals our brokenness and leads us away from our wounds, rejections, lust and so many other things. It leads us to wholeness.

Often when this discussion takes place, I am considered intolerant of others. That would be the farthest from the truth. If I truly believe the Bible states that homosexuals, thieves, liars, fornicators are going to hell, then I would be the most hateful of people to not express a plan of God’s love and healing about them and to them. I am intolerant of sin - my own and others -and anything that would keep people from knowing God’s great love for them.

So how does marriage fit into this discussion? Man does not have the right to dictate the definition of marriage. God created and defined marriage. It is not an institution established by man.

Genesis 2:24:

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Marriage is God’s institution for nurturing, growth, health, love, and a strong society and culture. Yes, marriages fail. Fornication, adultery, lying, and all sorts of things have corrupted it. None of that has to do with God’s intent and purpose. A man and woman submitted to God’s plan and purpose and committed to God can be a sign and an example of God’s great love for all people. Marriage, according to Ephesians chapter five, is an example of God’s great love for his church.

This battle over the culture is really not about marriage, law, or civil rights; it is simply about God’s plan and purpose for people. Our culture has walked away from the love of God and has instead chosen to define life and love as we see fit. In the book of Judges in the Old Testament, when every man did what was “right in his own eyes,” violating God’s plan and purpose, the nation suffered.

God’s plan for all people is freedom, love, joy, and a fulfillment of the destiny He has created for us all.  Please refer to Jeremiah 29:11

Keys to a successful marriage part 2

In the first article I mentioned the first three keys to a happy marriage; 1) Pray together, 2) Enable your spouse to be the best they can be, and 3) Be each others best friend.  I want to give you three more keys to a happy marriage

4) Fight Fair! I would have liked to not include this but, we are human. If you have any two people in a room you probably will have three opinions present. Until we are all dead to our own flesh, we will always be selfish, misunderstood, stressed, prideful, or just simply poor communicators, so we will argue. The Bible says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.} Ephesians 6:12.  Often, we set our focus to fighting and disrespecting our spouse rather than solving the problem.  Words said quickly, never can be taken back and establish long lasting wounds.  The enemy has done a great job destroying marriages.  Fight fair by realizing why you are arguing; you have a disagreement and you need to find a solution. Our flesh wants to win, our spirit cries out for a solution. We are called to love and respect each other. There will be disagreements, work toward solutions.

5) Forgive.  Because we have failed with the first four points, we often carry around baggage from past relationships and present ones.  Jesus said “Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, He will not forgive you,” Matthew 6:14  Jesus doesn’t say only if you’re right forgive or you don’t have to if you were hurt unjustly. Forgiveness is not just an action, it is a choice; sometimes it is moment by moment, sometimes daily.  We need to keep forgiving until we feel we have forgiven.  We are also told not to let the sun go down on our anger, the implication being, everyday we should strive to start new fresh and free.  Unforgiveness is a spiritual slavery that holds those in it’s clutches unwitting accomplices to their own misery. Freedom comes by choosing forgiveness. We are never more like Jesus than when we forgive. If Jesus could forgive those who hated him, how much more should we be willing to forgive those who love us?

6) Priorities – In Luke 10 Jesus is visiting friends and explains to Martha that Mary has chosen the best thing by sitting at His feet.  Priority 1 - must be being with Him.  If we are with Him we know what He is doing, we aren’t concerned about what others are doing.  When we are with Him, He can whisper and we hear His voice. Priority 2 - our spouses; between Ephesians 5, 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 Paul explains the holiness and priority that a marriage must have and that our spouses, next to the Holy Spirit, can be our greatest asset and next to Satan, can become our greatest detriment.  Peter writes that even our prayers are hindered if our relationship is not right. Priority 3 - Psalm 127:3 says that children are a gift from God.  1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 tell us that our children are our first disciples; thus a major priority. Priority 4 - what you do for God.  If we secure our relationship with the Lord, our spouse, and our children then the enemy has no room to attack, our foundation is secure and what we do for the Lord can proceed uninhibited.

If you are able to follow these 6 points, your marriage will get better. If you are not married you can apply most of these principles to all of your relationships.  If you are planning on getting married they will help you find the right spouse.  Either way, you will be happier and more fulfilled. Marriage is to be a team project, The Lord, you, and your spouse. With that team you will fail but find great joy. 

Keys to a successful marriage

I've been spending a lot of time lately helping couples through some of there issues. After 50 years you should still get a smile on your face when you think of your spouse.  I know, your thinking, "you’ve got to be kidding".  After nearly 29 years, I still get a smile when I think about Paige. We have had some rough roads but “God is faithful!” Allow me to share a few words of advice about having and maintaining a happy marriage. This will be part one of a two part blog.

1)    Pray together! George Barna of the Barna Research group found that couples that pray together have a much greater chance of staying together for life. Some of our driest times as a couple have been when due to busyness or tiredness Paige and I have neglected to pray together.  We have found in addition to the spiritual blessing from praying together some practical blessing come as well.  Sometimes I am not the greatest communicator in the world, after all I am male. When we pray together I hear Paige’s heart and she hears mine and we are able to keep up on what is really important in our lives. We also know that with all the things happening in the world there is at least one person praying for us.  It is also very hard to stay upset with someone you are praying for (not that Paige or I would know anything about that).

2)    Make your goal to enable your spouse to be the best that they can be. In “The Message” Ephesians 5 says this “Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her.” This is Christ example to the church of how a husband should treat his wife. It is both a blessing to you and your spouse if everyday your focus is, “How can I bless my spouse today to help them be who God has called them to be?” Hurtful words wounding actions all get set aside if that’s your goal. Find out what your spouses gifts and goals are and help make them happen.

3)     Be each others best friend! Ephesians 5 also says the husband and wife are one.  What this has meant to me is that nothing should be in between the two.  I have seen many marriage disasters due to friends, children, or parents coming between and dividing what should be one. You parents will pass away, your children will grow up and move away, and any friend that is more important to you than your spouse is trouble. We are to prefer one another and that should be especially true of our spouses. If you want respect give respect, if you want to feel safe in your marriage then make your marriage a safe place for your spouse. If you do steps 1 and 2 step three will be easy.

Having a happy marriage isn’t about stuff, beauty or perfection it’s about love and these three steps say “I love you” louder than words.  There are a few more steps I would recommend but those are for the next blog.  I give you my personal guarantee if you do these three steps your marriage will be on the road to that smile every time you think of your spouse even after 50 years.