Yo yo...it's been a long time since I've hit up the blog! Hello to all the readers...all 2 haha. Okay maybe a few more than that...! Here's some thoughts I thought I'd drop on ya that really have hit me as revelation from the Lord in the past few days.
Mark 11:22-24 Jesus said to his disciples "Have Faith in God. For assuredly whoever says to this mountain be removed as cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them"
BAM! Sick scripture isn't it? Believe what we ask of God and we will receive and we will have what we asked God for! But it seems strange to me especially when I hear Christians talking about the fact that all we gotta do is believe we receive, and talking about what they are praying for, but in the same breath talking about how bad it is out there, how tough life is, how there whole life has been a challenge, yet they've never done anything exceptionally great. I'm like "what's been the challenge then? To barely get by? Is that what your telling me you've been praying for then?" And maybe it is...or maybe it's just all talk...or maybe they heard a preacher quote the verse one time and they could remember it because it rhymed...I don't really know. However what I do know it that in my walk with God I will take a whole approach to scripture. Because the glory of God follows the order of God. And God's power is shown is a life that is built on the entirety of truth, not simply the part that's on TV or our denomination emphasizes or whatever. So i don't want to pick and choose the parts of the word of God I like and fit into my preconceived theology, but true revelation and understanding of God's word which we can really only get by the power of the Holy Spirit anyway. Not in our own intellect. Although we must thoroughly study scripture. And it's not a bad idea to take the time to have understanding of theological concepts such as the law of first mentions and the law of reciprocals to truly dig into scripture and have the Holy Spirit make it life to us.
The bible gives us this definition of what faith truly is in Hebrews 11:1 the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. That can be a far off, out of grasp concept and verbiage without revelation from the Holy Spirit. Because I've probably quoted that scripture over a hundred times in various circumstances of my life or to friends who were having an issue that I was praying with them about...but up until a week ago I don't think I realized that if according to James 2:20 faith without works (or corresponding action is dead.) Then the evidence and the substance of the faith is actually my responsibility!!! It's not a far off evidence, it's not far off substance. The answer to the prayer is not the evidence and the substance...IT'S THE ANSWER. Faith is what produces the answer according to scripture right? "Believe that you receive and you will have what you say"
The Holy Spirit gave me this definition or understanding of evidence and substance which you could really say is the definition of faith: I produce the evidence, I produce the substance of the faith I SAY i have in the way that I'm talking, acting, and responding to the situation I say I have faith in God about.
I'm always grateful for fresh revelation from God, but in some ways this sucks for me and now you the reader who now has responsibility for this information, because we must understand that faith is more than words, faith is more than a feeling, faith is walking out the reality of what you say you have faith about. And the actions that prove our faith is what produces results in our lives...NOT SIMPLY THE PRAYER. You see in the Christan world we take that parts of scripture we like and apply those then if we don't get our prayers answered it "must be God's will." Nope - It's our lack of faith!
Listen I'm not there yet...every time I pray for something it doesn't always happen. I have glaring areas of my life that need imporvement. But I believe that by keeping focused on maturing spiritually which simply means "doing the biblical basics of Christianity consistently", and renewing my mind everyday to the word of God and applying truth to my life I am getting there. I am being transformed into the image of Christ which is my destiny. The intention of the witting today is to draw your attention to the fact that FAITH is more than talk, and FAITH is 100% our responsibility. FAITH is guaranteed to produce results!
It's much easier to blame lack of results in prayer on God's will or God's timing, but maybe he's just waiting for a people who will quit talking about it and be about it to do something amazing through. Just somethings to think about...maybe in my next blog I'll talk about the rest of the chapter in Mark 11 - Forgiveness and Prayer. Or maybe you could read it yourself and evaluate the reality of the condition of your heart. Let's do what it takes to be effective Christians!!! Even if that means some difficult self evaluation. Even if that means a lot more responsibility than we'd like to take on at the moment. Or if you'd prefer you can keep blaming lack of effectiveness on God's will and wait around to get to Heaven a little longer...But there are so many things that must take place before Heaven is even a consideration and what we do with the life God gave us determines what our eternity looks like. Listen any eternity with God is better than eternity in hell...but why waste our time here on earth because of laziness, lack of faith, bad theology or anything else. God gave you a life for a purpose...it's up to you to use it for a purpose that brings eternal value. A third great awakening is coming...and you won't be able to simply hop on the bandwagon when it's here. The ones who will pay the price today will be the leaders God uses tomorrow...Peace out!
Chad
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
08 Reflections
Okay so maybe it's a little late for this...but whatever. It's on my mind and it's my blog lol. I just was looking over my vision statement, my list of desires, my goals, and my confession for 2008. I honestly have to say in the midst of massive adversity 2008 was absolutely the best year of my life! I've never walked through greater challenges, but I've never achieved so many victories in areas that truly matter in life and for eternity than in 2008. If you listen to the biblical numerologists 2008 was a year of new beginnings. I generally think most of that stuff is bunk crap, but be that as it may '08 was certainly a year of new beginnings for me. New relationships and friendships that I know will last a life time, a new perspective about what is truly important in life, a new resolve to give my whole life to God and his Kingdom, a new church, a new ministry, just to name a few of the new things.
Before 2008 I loved the Lord, and I was walking fervently for him. But in 2008 I made up my mind that life was about him and him alone. That I would give up my life and my way of thinking for the life he had for me. I certainly wasn't perfect in 2008 but I made major breakthroughs in stronghold areas of my life through confession and accountability and discipline. I became a zealous student of the word. I estimate that I listened to 800+ sermons on my ipod in 2008 (many of them repeats). I read my bible through entirely and then some. I read through the gospels numerous times and proverbs 8 times (I had to take a short break at the end of the year plus there was nowhere left to highlight of make notes). I connected and created friendships with amazing spiritual leaders and mentors in my life that helped give me the courage to take a step of faith and to step out into what I felt God was leading me to do, and spoke prophetically into my life opening up my eyes to bits and pieces of what God has in store for my life if I'll not hold back and not give up. I met the greatest person of prayer that I have ever encountered and I am blessed to pray with in the same room on a consistent basis. The hands of mighty men and women of God were laid on me in prayer numerous times. After much prayer, consideration, council, and confirmation I made the step to move my life to Eugene Oregon from Seattle Washington. I left behind amazing friendships, an amazing church, relationships I wished I could have developed further, really my entire life of the past 9 years and followed the Lords leading back to Eugene OR, the town I grew up in the 1st 18 years of my life. So far God has done amazing things. God has connected me with the right people at the right place and the right time. We have launched a ministry called DVi8 for young adults and youth. We are connecting denominations and in the process of beginning to make a difference in our communities! The young adults meet every Thursday night to worship and get into the Word. It's small yet but I have faith for exceedingly and abundantly more than I can ask or think according to the power of Jesus at work inside me and all of us collectively! We have some what could seem to be daunting goals for the year of 2009, but I am confidently faithful that as we do our part God will empower us by his spirit to meet the goals I believed are birthed directly from his Spirit. The new church building will be complete this year and new doors for ministry will be made open by a larger facility! The Korean Church inside of the Church is absolutely amazing and the pastor mighty, mighty woman of God! It's already growing but it's about to blow up according to Gods order!
2009 is about to be sick! I'm so excited to see what God has in store...I have my thoughts, I have my goals, and I have my plans...but my prayer is "Father your kingdom come, and you will be done in my life and on earth as it is in Heaven". Whatever the means are to that end I'm down...lets do this. Have a great year everyone...loose your self to find yourself...it's going to be the best year yet!
Before 2008 I loved the Lord, and I was walking fervently for him. But in 2008 I made up my mind that life was about him and him alone. That I would give up my life and my way of thinking for the life he had for me. I certainly wasn't perfect in 2008 but I made major breakthroughs in stronghold areas of my life through confession and accountability and discipline. I became a zealous student of the word. I estimate that I listened to 800+ sermons on my ipod in 2008 (many of them repeats). I read my bible through entirely and then some. I read through the gospels numerous times and proverbs 8 times (I had to take a short break at the end of the year plus there was nowhere left to highlight of make notes). I connected and created friendships with amazing spiritual leaders and mentors in my life that helped give me the courage to take a step of faith and to step out into what I felt God was leading me to do, and spoke prophetically into my life opening up my eyes to bits and pieces of what God has in store for my life if I'll not hold back and not give up. I met the greatest person of prayer that I have ever encountered and I am blessed to pray with in the same room on a consistent basis. The hands of mighty men and women of God were laid on me in prayer numerous times. After much prayer, consideration, council, and confirmation I made the step to move my life to Eugene Oregon from Seattle Washington. I left behind amazing friendships, an amazing church, relationships I wished I could have developed further, really my entire life of the past 9 years and followed the Lords leading back to Eugene OR, the town I grew up in the 1st 18 years of my life. So far God has done amazing things. God has connected me with the right people at the right place and the right time. We have launched a ministry called DVi8 for young adults and youth. We are connecting denominations and in the process of beginning to make a difference in our communities! The young adults meet every Thursday night to worship and get into the Word. It's small yet but I have faith for exceedingly and abundantly more than I can ask or think according to the power of Jesus at work inside me and all of us collectively! We have some what could seem to be daunting goals for the year of 2009, but I am confidently faithful that as we do our part God will empower us by his spirit to meet the goals I believed are birthed directly from his Spirit. The new church building will be complete this year and new doors for ministry will be made open by a larger facility! The Korean Church inside of the Church is absolutely amazing and the pastor mighty, mighty woman of God! It's already growing but it's about to blow up according to Gods order!
2009 is about to be sick! I'm so excited to see what God has in store...I have my thoughts, I have my goals, and I have my plans...but my prayer is "Father your kingdom come, and you will be done in my life and on earth as it is in Heaven". Whatever the means are to that end I'm down...lets do this. Have a great year everyone...loose your self to find yourself...it's going to be the best year yet!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Getting Higher
I am very familiar with the standard ways of "getting higher" that this world has to offer us. My past is filled with long nights that I'd like to ferget. However it's amazing how when looked at in the proper perspective the past can fuel your future. I remember a time in my past where I was constantly looking to "get higher" the worlds way. It ended me up in some rough neighborhoods, passed out behind the wheel of my car, amelessly wondering the streets at all hours of the early morning among other less than gratifying or satisfying exeriences. What I found in my pursuit of getting high the worlds way is that no matter how high I got it was never enough...Proverbs 27:20 says that just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied. So if this is true we have a choice to make...what are we going to fill our life with? Because this verse does not just mean that we won't be satisfied with a shallow level of sin. If the law of reciprocals is true it also means that once we begin to fill our hearts, minds, and spirits with good and Godly things we will desire more of that in out lives as well. So the choice is ours. Who will we be? Someone who is in constant pursuit of negative destructive things that the world offers us, and literally shoves down our throats daily or will we deviate from the patterns of this world, and be a person who runs in pursuit of good, and Godly things? Deuteronomy 30:19 - Life and death is set before us every day. What will we choose?
Which leads me back to the subject of "getting higher". The bible is full of people who had to get higher to receive what they needed from God. Abraham had climb to the top of the mountian as did Moses. Zacheus had to climb a sycamore tree to see Jesus, and the paralytic had to be carried onto the top of a roof, and then break a hole in the roof to receive what he desired from the Lord! But the cost of going higher was always worth the time it took to climb the mountain, or the uncomfortable moments of being the one running ahead and climbing the tree. Because if you can encounter God your life will never be the same...it will always be better! But sometimes that takes us taking the step of faith to "get higher". Becasue sometimes you just need an unabstructed view. What are the issues of your life that are keeping you at a low level? And how can you get higher? I know many times in my life getting higher has meant a time of getting humble, and getting honest. Aswering an alter call when it was the last thing I wanted to do, dancing before the Lord in a worship service, or crying out with a loud voice. Sometimes it means getting up at 5 am or staying up till 1 to get into the precense of God, but just as those in the Bible never regretted getting higher I never have either. And if we can just make a decision to do what it takes in our lives to see Jesus we won't regret it and we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be all God predestined us to be! Ask the Holy Spirit what you can do to get an unabstructed view. Maybe it's more time in the Bible. Maybe it's more prayer, maybe it's something I haven't mentioned...but if you'll get higher you'll see him. The bible says those who seek him will find him. Don't ever give up on your pursuit of his face! Keep getting higher...constantly advancing and growing in the Epignosis (intimate, 1st hand, relational knowledge) knowledge of Yahweh living life on another level in Him!
Produce Fruit,
Chad
Which leads me back to the subject of "getting higher". The bible is full of people who had to get higher to receive what they needed from God. Abraham had climb to the top of the mountian as did Moses. Zacheus had to climb a sycamore tree to see Jesus, and the paralytic had to be carried onto the top of a roof, and then break a hole in the roof to receive what he desired from the Lord! But the cost of going higher was always worth the time it took to climb the mountain, or the uncomfortable moments of being the one running ahead and climbing the tree. Because if you can encounter God your life will never be the same...it will always be better! But sometimes that takes us taking the step of faith to "get higher". Becasue sometimes you just need an unabstructed view. What are the issues of your life that are keeping you at a low level? And how can you get higher? I know many times in my life getting higher has meant a time of getting humble, and getting honest. Aswering an alter call when it was the last thing I wanted to do, dancing before the Lord in a worship service, or crying out with a loud voice. Sometimes it means getting up at 5 am or staying up till 1 to get into the precense of God, but just as those in the Bible never regretted getting higher I never have either. And if we can just make a decision to do what it takes in our lives to see Jesus we won't regret it and we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be all God predestined us to be! Ask the Holy Spirit what you can do to get an unabstructed view. Maybe it's more time in the Bible. Maybe it's more prayer, maybe it's something I haven't mentioned...but if you'll get higher you'll see him. The bible says those who seek him will find him. Don't ever give up on your pursuit of his face! Keep getting higher...constantly advancing and growing in the Epignosis (intimate, 1st hand, relational knowledge) knowledge of Yahweh living life on another level in Him!
Produce Fruit,
Chad
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Box Marked Ordinary
I will not settle in...to a life inside the box marked ordinary. I have been called...I have been created for more! I will not let the pursuit of wealth, fame, popularity, acceptance, or a life with no challenges trick me into letting my focus become unclear, because I am an all out warrior for King Jesus. I march to the cadence of the heart beat of Yahweh...his will is my goal. I will not settle into a life inside the box marked ordinary...
If people think I'm strange it's a small price to pay...if I loose friends so be it. If I never gain fortune or fame or if I do gain fortune and fame, my life is and always will be marked and defined with Kingdom purpose. I'm tired so tired of ordinary...my soul yearns for more. Religion sickens me, the average church service dulls me...and what has become the normal Christian scares me. Not just for our society but for them and their eternal state as well. I will not become the normal Christian I will not conform to anyone but Christ. I will search for those and cherish those who are walking this road and will walk this road with me. I will not settle into a life inside the box marked ordinary.
I will live my life to see the Kingdom come to Earth as it is in Heaven, not to get by or make a living. For I know that a life lived for anything but the Kingdom is an embarrassment to my purpose. I will follow the vision of Jesus rather than setting my long term goals and calling that a Godly vision. I won't ever let my relationship with Yahweh be something I work into my schedule...it will always be what I live for. I won't settle for a plastic life or a plastic relationship with God. I am a seeker, and when I seek him, I find what I am looking for. I will worship God with all that is with in me, I will proclaim the fame of Jesus when I'm scared, I will give God all my guts...and when he accomplishes something through me give all the glory to him and take none for myself...I will not settle into a life inside the box marked ordinary.
I will not let extraordinary become a cliche in my life...I will not let extraordinary be about what I do for me...extraordinary is about him and is more about my daily life than feats, accomplishments, or notoriety. I'll choose powerful over famous. I'll choose holiness over size. I'll choose the glory over money. I will choose Jesus over everything. To him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than I can ask or think according to him who works in me and through me be the glory! I will not settle in to a life inside the box marked ordinary...
If people think I'm strange it's a small price to pay...if I loose friends so be it. If I never gain fortune or fame or if I do gain fortune and fame, my life is and always will be marked and defined with Kingdom purpose. I'm tired so tired of ordinary...my soul yearns for more. Religion sickens me, the average church service dulls me...and what has become the normal Christian scares me. Not just for our society but for them and their eternal state as well. I will not become the normal Christian I will not conform to anyone but Christ. I will search for those and cherish those who are walking this road and will walk this road with me. I will not settle into a life inside the box marked ordinary.
I will live my life to see the Kingdom come to Earth as it is in Heaven, not to get by or make a living. For I know that a life lived for anything but the Kingdom is an embarrassment to my purpose. I will follow the vision of Jesus rather than setting my long term goals and calling that a Godly vision. I won't ever let my relationship with Yahweh be something I work into my schedule...it will always be what I live for. I won't settle for a plastic life or a plastic relationship with God. I am a seeker, and when I seek him, I find what I am looking for. I will worship God with all that is with in me, I will proclaim the fame of Jesus when I'm scared, I will give God all my guts...and when he accomplishes something through me give all the glory to him and take none for myself...I will not settle into a life inside the box marked ordinary.
I will not let extraordinary become a cliche in my life...I will not let extraordinary be about what I do for me...extraordinary is about him and is more about my daily life than feats, accomplishments, or notoriety. I'll choose powerful over famous. I'll choose holiness over size. I'll choose the glory over money. I will choose Jesus over everything. To him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than I can ask or think according to him who works in me and through me be the glory! I will not settle in to a life inside the box marked ordinary...
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Thoughts on life's trials...
Some thoughts I had written down in the bible I was reading through last year...apparently after reading 1st Peter Chapter 5:
"We are going to go through trials while we live on an imperfect Earth. However, we must be aware that our response to trials indicates to God, ourselves, and others where we truly stand spiritually. A correct response to suffering will help us grow in our faith and anointing, and be a testimony to those in our lives. An incorrect response to suffering indicates to God we are not yet ready for the next thing he has for us. Our response to trials should be faith filled, hopeful, prayerful, steadfast, and strong. A positive Christ like response to trials and suffering will bring God glory & allow us to take the next step into the fullness of life God has for us on earth and in eternity."
Psalm 105:19 says in the New Living Translation "Until the time came to fulfill his word, the Lord tested Joseph." To think no tests or trials ever come from God or are in his will for us I don't believe is accurate, because the word of God clearly indicates otherwise. Maybe instead of constantly rebuking the devil that we have an issue, we should take a look at how God can use the issue we are going through to form a fashion us to further Kingdom purposes. The bible says "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose" - Romans 8:28. It didn't say that everything is always good, and if it's not it's the devil attacking us. To be a vessel of honor fit for the masters use we must be pure vessels. Fire is the only place that the dross is removed from silver but in the midst of the tests and trials we must remember that we are being refined if we will submit to the process and learn from the trial instead of worry about it. "The angel of the Lord encamps around all those who fear him, And delivers them" - Psalm 34:7. Meaning...for the purposes of this discussion, when we are going though an issue or a trial...we ought not trip or freak out. The Word says "I will keep them at perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me." Psalm 34 goes on to say "Oh! Taste and see the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in him! Oh! Fear the Lord all you saints! There is no want to those who fear him! Those who seek the lord shall no lack any good thing!............God is a good God! In the midst of trial there is always still blessing if you will not waver in your trust in him.......and you will come out of the fire a little bit more refined, and further developed for the Masters use and your ultimate purpose on Earth and for Eternity's gain.
PS. A very important note on this writing: I certainly do not believe that all trials come from God! I do NOT believe that sickness or poverty ever comes from God or is ever in his will for our lives! I do not believe that the trials we produce for ourselves are ever Gods will for our lives, and I do certainly believe Satan attacks us to steer us of the course God has intended. I believe specifically if the trial tests your character along the path to your purpose it very well may be a testing from the Lord. If the trial has been meant to destroy you, it has been sent by the Devil. I still believe however according to the Word of almighty God that ALL things work together for good for those who love him! As has been demonstrated time and time again in the lives of many mighty men and women of God. Respond to your trials rightly...!
Produce Fruit,
Chad
"We are going to go through trials while we live on an imperfect Earth. However, we must be aware that our response to trials indicates to God, ourselves, and others where we truly stand spiritually. A correct response to suffering will help us grow in our faith and anointing, and be a testimony to those in our lives. An incorrect response to suffering indicates to God we are not yet ready for the next thing he has for us. Our response to trials should be faith filled, hopeful, prayerful, steadfast, and strong. A positive Christ like response to trials and suffering will bring God glory & allow us to take the next step into the fullness of life God has for us on earth and in eternity."
Psalm 105:19 says in the New Living Translation "Until the time came to fulfill his word, the Lord tested Joseph." To think no tests or trials ever come from God or are in his will for us I don't believe is accurate, because the word of God clearly indicates otherwise. Maybe instead of constantly rebuking the devil that we have an issue, we should take a look at how God can use the issue we are going through to form a fashion us to further Kingdom purposes. The bible says "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose" - Romans 8:28. It didn't say that everything is always good, and if it's not it's the devil attacking us. To be a vessel of honor fit for the masters use we must be pure vessels. Fire is the only place that the dross is removed from silver but in the midst of the tests and trials we must remember that we are being refined if we will submit to the process and learn from the trial instead of worry about it. "The angel of the Lord encamps around all those who fear him, And delivers them" - Psalm 34:7. Meaning...for the purposes of this discussion, when we are going though an issue or a trial...we ought not trip or freak out. The Word says "I will keep them at perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me." Psalm 34 goes on to say "Oh! Taste and see the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in him! Oh! Fear the Lord all you saints! There is no want to those who fear him! Those who seek the lord shall no lack any good thing!............God is a good God! In the midst of trial there is always still blessing if you will not waver in your trust in him.......and you will come out of the fire a little bit more refined, and further developed for the Masters use and your ultimate purpose on Earth and for Eternity's gain.
PS. A very important note on this writing: I certainly do not believe that all trials come from God! I do NOT believe that sickness or poverty ever comes from God or is ever in his will for our lives! I do not believe that the trials we produce for ourselves are ever Gods will for our lives, and I do certainly believe Satan attacks us to steer us of the course God has intended. I believe specifically if the trial tests your character along the path to your purpose it very well may be a testing from the Lord. If the trial has been meant to destroy you, it has been sent by the Devil. I still believe however according to the Word of almighty God that ALL things work together for good for those who love him! As has been demonstrated time and time again in the lives of many mighty men and women of God. Respond to your trials rightly...!
Produce Fruit,
Chad
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Christmas
Tis the season to be jolly. The lights and the trees are up. Our Christmas programs are upon us. The presents should be almost purchased. The malls are packed with shoppers and Santa's, and snow is on the ground in the great Northwest! It's Christmas time...doesn't it sound like it to you?
It's almost cliche (and I absolutely detest cliches) to say "in the midst of all the holiday excitement lets not loose sight of what Christmas is really all about!" I've heard it said a hundred times, and I'm only 29. But it's true. However the reality of that "not forgetting" usually ends up being we make it to the traditional candle light service at church or if we're real hard core maybe we'll read Luke 1:26 - 2:20 in the bible and maybe take a quick shot of communion Christmas morning before we get to what all of our minds are really on which is the presents sitting wrapped up beneath our tree right? I appreciate the sentiment, I really do, it's all admirable stuff we do, but honestly is that all we've got? Let's not let spending 10 minutes of ceremonious, traditional time before we get to the part of Christmas we are really waiting for be the way we roll any more! I am determined in this season more than ever before in my life to fix my heart and mind upon the real Jesus. In the midst of the season where we celebrate his birth, we as Christians are generally less focused on him at this time of year than any other. I'm not talking about baby Jesus...I'm talking about the true and living way! The word, the son a man, the first and last, the truth and the life, the Christo, Yeshua!! I'm talking about the Jesus of Revelation 1 with eyes like fire, hair as white as wool, Feet like brass, and a sharp two edged sword coming from his mouth! Because that's the Jesus that I need, that's the Jesus who saved me and can save our world!
Whatever you have to do get your eyes focused on the real Jesus or keep your eyes focused on the real Jesus during this busy holiday season...do it friend! The time we are supposed to be celebrating his birth isn't the time we should be taking off, it's the time we should be pressing in. Tomorrow our churches will be exceptionally full...are we ready? Or have we been too busy shopping and preparing the program to prepare our hearts? The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus came that we may have life, and life more abundantly. A life in him...in the name of Jesus...it's not a cliche and it's not a prepositional phrase...it's a condition of the heart. Let's keep our minds fixed on the real Messiah this holiday season, not the little baby laying in the manger. The Power is in the risen, living Yeshua. This is about him and nothing less. Thank you Yahweh for sending your son!
Merry CHRISTmas Y'all,
Chad
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Fight for Holiness
The fight for what? I thought we were supposed to be fighting for success, fighting for our destiny, fighting the devil. All those things are great things to fight for, but I believe that if we do not win the inward battle against our sinful human nature our victories in all other arenas of life will be short lived and incomplete. The fight for Holiness...we seem to not want to talk about holiness in our post modern, relevant, seeker sensitive church era. I certainly understand why, it's a tough message, and if we are honest the fight for holiness is a battle that if we truly engage in we run the risk of loosing more than any other battle we fight because sin is so rampant in our nature and our world. So...we'd rather just talk about how to have a better life, how to be a better you, tell everyone God loves them no matter what and send them on their way to go get their brains beat in by the enemy of their souls for yet another week. I'm tired of it...it tired of loosing battles in my own life, and I'm tired of watching the body of Christ in general sweep the subject of holiness under the carpet. It's time to shift this thing.
My absolute favorite preacher Damon Thompson once posed this question "If Jesus upon his death on the cross said "it is finished" then why is there so much work in my life that is yet to be complete?" The answer to that question resides in our true understanding of Jesus death. Because while we value the cross (as we should) I think that we may not understand completely the purpose of the cross. Because the cross was not necessary for me to have a way to heaven (bare with me). The cross was not necessary for me to make it to heaven, because the only thing that was necessary for me to make it to heaven was the blood of a spotless lamb. The blood of Jesus perfect life as a man could have been shed and his death accomplished a number of different, much faster, much less painful ways. There is no Levitical law that says torture the spotless lamb that is to be used for the sin offering nor was such a thing ever recorded in the Bible. So what we have to understand particularly in regards to our fight for holiness is that the blood of Jesus paid the price for my sin and gave me eternal life. But the Cross and everything it involved (the beating, the torture, the pain, the nails in the hands and the feet, the time spent hanging and dying a slow painful death) granted you and I the ability to have victory over our flesh on earth! Watchman Nee said "The blood is for the sin, and the cross is for the sinner". Because the thing that's beating me most of the time isn't the devil...it's myself. If we are honest as Christians, it's not demon possession that's holding us back from Gods best for us. We aren't murderers or rapists, and we generally aren't thieves. It's just...our self...our flesh...our "I need to please me" attitudes that are keeping us mediocre at best as it relates to our true destiny which is to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
We've got to understand that our nature as humans regardless of what we would like to think, and regardless of how fair it is, is a "sin nature" (Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, Psalm 51:5). Even the Apostle Paul, author of 2/3 of the new testament said "the things I will to do I don't do, and the things I will not to do I do." What was he saying? He was saying he knows the right things to do (because of the law), but even for a spiritual giant the flesh battles for it's own pleasure and wages war against the spiritual nature that desires to be holy. Paul understood and admitted his weakness in and of himself. In our modern era some love to teach this portion of scripture and say "look even the Apostle Paul wasn't perfect, God loves us no matter what we go through, we are not under law but under grace" (all that is true, yet incomplete). We too often forget to proceed with the reality of Paul's writings which is: Romans chapter 7 is sandwiched in between Romans chapter 6 and 8 and the rest of the book which instructs us to do things like "make no provisions for our flesh" and to "not let sin reign in your mortal bodies that we should obey it's lust" and to "put to death the deeds of the body". So Paul understood his carnal nature, and by his own admission did not live a 100% sinless life but also understood that "the wages of sin is death" and "all have sin and fallen short of the glory of God". However we are not to use our sin nature as a "crutch". People tell me My Faith is a "crutch" but I say those who make provision for their flesh when even their very conscious and feelings tell them of their sin are the crutch users. It's tough and it's costly and we many times loose battles in putting our flesh to death, but I applaud, and God applauds those who will engage it the battle.
Understand this regardless of if you repeated a prayer once or not, sin will kill you and send you to hell. Romans 6:23 says "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God s eternal life". Thank God for his gift! But also know that Romans 8:13 says "for if you live according to the flesh you will die, BUT if you put to death the deeds of the flesh, you will live." So notice LIFE is as much about how we live as it is the gift God gives us. Am I saying that God expects and demands from us a perfect life...No I am not. Am I saying that if we think we have insurance from the death of hell because we once went to an alter, repeated a prayer, go to church every Sunday but have made no provision to put to death our sinful lifestyles we are kidding ourselves that we think Heaven is our home....Yes I am.
We cannot afford to continue in a lifestyle that makes provision for sin, but understand that holiness is progressive. I believe that there is more grace for sin the less mature as Christians we are. The sad thing about that is: that's why our modern church's WANT to stay immature. Because we love our flesh and we love our sin. Note that Romans 14:23 states that anything that is not faith is sin...we can't afford to not understand this. Anything means anything, so worry is sin, insecurity is sin, the need to talk about others in a negative way or confess your doubt verbally is sin. Hey, we all got issues. However we cannot afford to keep letting time go by leaving these issues unresolved. It's tough, I should know...I messed my life up big time when I strayed from the faith for a prolonged season of my life. But I refuse, and God requires that I refuse to be held back by my past. Because if I were to let that happen because I just don't want to deal with it...that's sin. And if I understand that and don't do anything about it I put a halt to the process of my sanctification. Romans 12:2 Instructs us to renew our mind. But lets not get excited that we know and understand the concept of renewing the mind. Let's get excited when we apply and practice what we know and understand, which places upon us demands and accountability for the maturity that indeed comes with the application of renewing your mind to God's word and God's ways. Hebrew's 10:14 says God has perfected forever those who are BEING sanctified. Therefore as long as we stay under the water of sanctification we are perfect in his site...but if Newton's third law is true and the law of opposites is true theologically wouldn't it be true that if we do not continue in the process of being sanctified our perfection may be able to be negated? It's simply a theory...however I've been taught to live by this rule: Revert to the higher standard. I think in today's era we look for the minimum to get by and as Christians we look for the minimum requirements to make it to heaven. But Jesus never taught anything about minimum requirements. He said if you love me you'll keep my commandments...that means all of them. He said if we don't take up our cross and follow him we aren't worthy of him and his name. If we are to see an awakening, if we are to see change in our country and our world that is so desperately needed I believe it's going to be built on the foundation of holiness. In the day in which we live particularly we must fight to stay holy.
I encourage, implore, and provoke you to analyze your way of thinking towards holiness. Maybe you don't really think about it, maybe you've become stagnate in your growth, maybe you you are growing and being renewed day by day. Wherever you stand choose today to engage the battle, because there is power in holiness, there is sight to see the way God sees in holiness. Your true destiny as described in Romans 8:29 depends on it. Fight the fight at the foot of the cross in prayer, and a disciplined lifestyle empowered by the spirit of Christ Jesus living in you! Don't ever give up...let's shake this world!!
Produce Fruit,
Chad
My absolute favorite preacher Damon Thompson once posed this question "If Jesus upon his death on the cross said "it is finished" then why is there so much work in my life that is yet to be complete?" The answer to that question resides in our true understanding of Jesus death. Because while we value the cross (as we should) I think that we may not understand completely the purpose of the cross. Because the cross was not necessary for me to have a way to heaven (bare with me). The cross was not necessary for me to make it to heaven, because the only thing that was necessary for me to make it to heaven was the blood of a spotless lamb. The blood of Jesus perfect life as a man could have been shed and his death accomplished a number of different, much faster, much less painful ways. There is no Levitical law that says torture the spotless lamb that is to be used for the sin offering nor was such a thing ever recorded in the Bible. So what we have to understand particularly in regards to our fight for holiness is that the blood of Jesus paid the price for my sin and gave me eternal life. But the Cross and everything it involved (the beating, the torture, the pain, the nails in the hands and the feet, the time spent hanging and dying a slow painful death) granted you and I the ability to have victory over our flesh on earth! Watchman Nee said "The blood is for the sin, and the cross is for the sinner". Because the thing that's beating me most of the time isn't the devil...it's myself. If we are honest as Christians, it's not demon possession that's holding us back from Gods best for us. We aren't murderers or rapists, and we generally aren't thieves. It's just...our self...our flesh...our "I need to please me" attitudes that are keeping us mediocre at best as it relates to our true destiny which is to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
We've got to understand that our nature as humans regardless of what we would like to think, and regardless of how fair it is, is a "sin nature" (Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, Psalm 51:5). Even the Apostle Paul, author of 2/3 of the new testament said "the things I will to do I don't do, and the things I will not to do I do." What was he saying? He was saying he knows the right things to do (because of the law), but even for a spiritual giant the flesh battles for it's own pleasure and wages war against the spiritual nature that desires to be holy. Paul understood and admitted his weakness in and of himself. In our modern era some love to teach this portion of scripture and say "look even the Apostle Paul wasn't perfect, God loves us no matter what we go through, we are not under law but under grace" (all that is true, yet incomplete). We too often forget to proceed with the reality of Paul's writings which is: Romans chapter 7 is sandwiched in between Romans chapter 6 and 8 and the rest of the book which instructs us to do things like "make no provisions for our flesh" and to "not let sin reign in your mortal bodies that we should obey it's lust" and to "put to death the deeds of the body". So Paul understood his carnal nature, and by his own admission did not live a 100% sinless life but also understood that "the wages of sin is death" and "all have sin and fallen short of the glory of God". However we are not to use our sin nature as a "crutch". People tell me My Faith is a "crutch" but I say those who make provision for their flesh when even their very conscious and feelings tell them of their sin are the crutch users. It's tough and it's costly and we many times loose battles in putting our flesh to death, but I applaud, and God applauds those who will engage it the battle.
Understand this regardless of if you repeated a prayer once or not, sin will kill you and send you to hell. Romans 6:23 says "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God s eternal life". Thank God for his gift! But also know that Romans 8:13 says "for if you live according to the flesh you will die, BUT if you put to death the deeds of the flesh, you will live." So notice LIFE is as much about how we live as it is the gift God gives us. Am I saying that God expects and demands from us a perfect life...No I am not. Am I saying that if we think we have insurance from the death of hell because we once went to an alter, repeated a prayer, go to church every Sunday but have made no provision to put to death our sinful lifestyles we are kidding ourselves that we think Heaven is our home....Yes I am.
We cannot afford to continue in a lifestyle that makes provision for sin, but understand that holiness is progressive. I believe that there is more grace for sin the less mature as Christians we are. The sad thing about that is: that's why our modern church's WANT to stay immature. Because we love our flesh and we love our sin. Note that Romans 14:23 states that anything that is not faith is sin...we can't afford to not understand this. Anything means anything, so worry is sin, insecurity is sin, the need to talk about others in a negative way or confess your doubt verbally is sin. Hey, we all got issues. However we cannot afford to keep letting time go by leaving these issues unresolved. It's tough, I should know...I messed my life up big time when I strayed from the faith for a prolonged season of my life. But I refuse, and God requires that I refuse to be held back by my past. Because if I were to let that happen because I just don't want to deal with it...that's sin. And if I understand that and don't do anything about it I put a halt to the process of my sanctification. Romans 12:2 Instructs us to renew our mind. But lets not get excited that we know and understand the concept of renewing the mind. Let's get excited when we apply and practice what we know and understand, which places upon us demands and accountability for the maturity that indeed comes with the application of renewing your mind to God's word and God's ways. Hebrew's 10:14 says God has perfected forever those who are BEING sanctified. Therefore as long as we stay under the water of sanctification we are perfect in his site...but if Newton's third law is true and the law of opposites is true theologically wouldn't it be true that if we do not continue in the process of being sanctified our perfection may be able to be negated? It's simply a theory...however I've been taught to live by this rule: Revert to the higher standard. I think in today's era we look for the minimum to get by and as Christians we look for the minimum requirements to make it to heaven. But Jesus never taught anything about minimum requirements. He said if you love me you'll keep my commandments...that means all of them. He said if we don't take up our cross and follow him we aren't worthy of him and his name. If we are to see an awakening, if we are to see change in our country and our world that is so desperately needed I believe it's going to be built on the foundation of holiness. In the day in which we live particularly we must fight to stay holy.
I encourage, implore, and provoke you to analyze your way of thinking towards holiness. Maybe you don't really think about it, maybe you've become stagnate in your growth, maybe you you are growing and being renewed day by day. Wherever you stand choose today to engage the battle, because there is power in holiness, there is sight to see the way God sees in holiness. Your true destiny as described in Romans 8:29 depends on it. Fight the fight at the foot of the cross in prayer, and a disciplined lifestyle empowered by the spirit of Christ Jesus living in you! Don't ever give up...let's shake this world!!
Produce Fruit,
Chad
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