The Relevence of the Resurrection

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...God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death...therefore...as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life...we shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin...Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him...even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
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Faithful Provision

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When our mail came to day we received $100 cash plus a cashiers check for $200.
We were needing exactly $300 to pay the remainder of our bills this month!

Thank You!
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American Idol

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I saw a church sign today that said this:
American Idol
Colossians 3:5-6

I had to look it up. I'll save you the time and quote it for you.....Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience.
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Follow Me?

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I came across this quote this evening and it greatly challenged me. We indeed have neither a new church nor any new laws. We only want to remain in simplicity and true faith in the original church which Jesus founded through His blood. We wish to obey the commandment [of love] which was in the beginning. No doubt many, many men have made similar such statements throughout the years, but this one in particular challenges me because of the source. The man whom I quoted is now referred to as the founder/father/former of a plethora of differing denominations, but he, himself, said he wasn't interested in a 'new church'. The host of denominations who all point to him as their source each have their own litany of latitudinal laws, yet he said he only wanted to obey the first commandment not have any new laws. This mans vision has simply been lost. I firmly believe that Alexander Mack would be appalled at what has happened in his name. I was once told that if I follow Christ and I teach my son to follow me, my son is not actually following me. If, however, I teach my son to follow Christ, then he's truly following me. Too many people have followed Alexander Mack...............

However, none of that is the main reason the quote bothered me. It is the reason only in that I can see that the modern Brethren movement with all it's division, sectarianism, legalism, brethrenism and any other 'ism' is not the vision of the original visionary. That leaves me with this pressing question....must history repeat itself?

Many of you know that our family has become part of a new church plant. We have heard this above quote stated in one form or another many times. But when I read it tonite I realized that just saying it doesn't really accomplish anything. Somehow we've got to learn how to pass our passion to our posterity. We must, otherwise we've created a new church with new laws and that is neither simple nor true to the faith the Jesus founded through His blood.
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Amazing Love

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I came in to work early this morning (4:23 am was the clock-in time). Being the only one in the shop, I turned on (LOUD) ChristianPowerPraise.net. Along about 6:15 this song came on and hit me again with it's powerful truth! Let's WORSHIP!!!! He's worthy!!

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, To honor You

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, To honor You
In all I do, To honor You

You are my King You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
You are my King
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Be Prepared

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As I was reading 1 Peter 1 this morning, this particular paragraph jumped out at me. Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance (1:13-14)

I've been preaching through 1 Peter at NCCF, and with one group of guys I've already gotten through the entire 1st chapter. This morning when I read back over it, I found myself surprised at the revelation I received in these two verses, quite probably because I've preached past them already, and the Spirit didn't lay any specific 'light' on them at the time.

I decided to spend a little time 'mining' and then 'exposing' these verses. First let's look at the action called for, prepare your minds for action. Prepare your minds. Minds aren't active, bodies are. It would seem to us like Peter should have said 'prepare yourself' because then it would have been all inclusive; or 'prepare physically' because action (or by implication, battle) takes a considerable amount of physical stamina; but instead Peter says 'prepare your minds'. How many times have we heard that the battle begins in the mind; or, the battle is won in the mind before; or, half the battle is believing you can? While these cliche's are just that, cliche's, and while they may seem a bit trite or sterile and removed from reality to some extent, I think Peter understood the truth they represent. Suppose David didn't have the consent of his mind when he faced Goliath. First, he wouldn't have even considered going to battle. Secondly, he would have went cowardly and timidly and Goliath would have triumphed.

I could end this post right now and it would be a 'perfect' devotional entry but Peter didn't end. He gave sage advice as to how to accomplish the task he had laid before us. Let's continue...

How did Peter recommend that we prepare our minds? First he suggested we be sober (the phrase, in spirit, has been inserted for readability). Because of the culture from which I hail, it's necessary for me to point out that Peter said be sober, NOT be somber. Sobriety is not constant disappointment, disdain and discouragement. It is, however, vigilance, stability and purpose. Peter wants us to vigilant against light-heartedness, stable in the face of instability and filled with purpose to accomplish the task at hand, spiritual battle.

Secondly Peter recommends that we fix our hope completely on grace. Fix, attach firmly, our confidence on grace. Remember what the call is to, preparation of the mind for battle. Peter is suggesting that firm attachment to grace will prepare our minds for this battle. However, he is going one step further than that and saying that not only firm attachment, but complete firm attachment of our confidence to grace. I hear this saying that we should attach our confidence on nothing else besides grace. If we attach a small amount of confidence to our ability to perform, our past experiences, our genealogical line, etc our minds will be less than fully prepared for this spiritual battle which we will face. We are to fix our hope completely on grace.

Once again we could conclude this post and have a somewhat warm and fuzzy feeling. Once again, though, Peter hasn't finished his thought. Peter finishes with something a little more practical than most of us want to hear. ...do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance. People, don't be ignorant! Don't be so ignorant in your preparation for this battle that you think it's okay to indulge your unsanctified appetites. Never, never, never will indulging your flesh be advantagous to preparing your mind for battle. Never! Period.

While it's not excusable that you were 'conformed' to these lusts and appetites before your conversion, it is at least explainable. But now, however it's neither excusable nor explainable. You are a new creation. You have been called to a higher calling. You are preparing for and fighting in a battle against the very lust you are tempted to conform to. Don't be conformed to the same old lusts you previously lived in, it's ignorant! (literal translation)

Peter is simply explaining the reality of the battle, calling us to preparation, and giving us steps toward that preparation. What will you do?
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Zzzzzzzzzz

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Just for the record, insomnia is not something I would wish on anyone. I have a 6:30 am meeting tomorrow (today) morning, which means I need to get up at 5:00 am (no later) to leave by 5:45 to drive the 40 minutes to the meeting, and here it is 1:20 am and I'm sitting up, wide awake, blogging and paying bills. Not exactly my idea of a good night's sleep!!

edit - 2:06 am, I'm going to bed.....................
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Blasphemy?

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Jesus - Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

As I realize the depth of hypocrisy in my own heart, I find it really hard to believe that blasphemy against the Spirit of God is the 'biggie'. How can personal hypocrisy to the extent that I possess and practice it be forgiven?
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Why Is It So Hard To Trust?

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Why is it so hard to trust the Lord?

Just over 100 days ago I (very unexpectedly) joined the ranks of the unemployed. During this 3+ month 'journey' I have had seasons of confidence and faith, but often Renita and I find ourselves faithless and distrusting. I feel like I have pursued every job from Muncie, Indiana to Springfield, Ohio and Sidney to Cincinnati. I have made phone calls, driven miles to make 'surprise' appearances, scheduled interviews, emailed resumes, pursued leads, written follow-up letters, made more phone calls, driven more miles, scheduled more interviews and on and on and on. All the while, I have been trying to find 'temporary' employment to keep food on the table and the wolves from the door.

I know the Lord says He will provide for His own. I know that 'all things work together for good to those who love Him'. I know that good things come to those who wait. But....

During the last months I've heard....
'Sorry sir, we filled that position internally.'
'We appreciate your interest in this position, but we have begun final negotiations with another candidate. We'll contact you if it doesn't work out.'
'Thank you for your interest, but we don't feel you possess the qualifications we are looking for with our verticals.'
'That position was filled from another location.'
'You were by far the most qualified candidate we interviewed, but we've decided to leave the position vacant at this time'
'We're going through resume's at this time and we definitely want to get you in for an interview.' (that was over 6 weeks ago)
'5 years from now we'll look back and laugh at how we thought the world fell apart when this happened.' (ha ha........i think!)

And then tonite I randomly open up the Scripture and what do I read?

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.....Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you;

And yet reality seems much more like Renita said, 'What's the use in praying? I pray and try to trust, and yet God doesn't seem to hear or do anything. And I know that attitude is counterproductive to my prayer's effectiveness, but nothing changes, nevertheless!' Amen! That's what I say, 'AMEN!!!'

Do not fear? Why not? I will deliver you, God says. When? That what I want to know, when?

And WHY is it SOOOOO hard to trust?
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