Christ-follower, Husband, Dad, Pastor

Holy Spirit

September 23, 2014

Be a Temple Not a Prison

Heavenly Father has given supernatural life to His children. Since you are a Christ-follower who has “tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come” (Hebrews 6:5 NASB), live in that power and resurrection life. The supernatural life of God is in you.

Don’t let anyone or anything intimidate you. You are not second, third, or fourth class; you are not inferior to anyone. “Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIRV) Overcoming supernatural life resides inside of you. Let the Lord boost and embolden you into a new dimension. You have been questioning whether you have anything to give to anyone. Why? Why are you tentative and diffident? You have God in you; let Him out.

For God’s “heredity” within us will always conquer the world outside us. In fact, this faith of ours is the only way in which the world has been conquered. For who could ever be said to conquer the world, in the true sense, except the man who really believes that Jesus is God’s Son? (1 John 5:4-5 PHILLIPS)

You may have little by material standards, but God’s riches inside of you are just what the world around you needs. God uses the outflow of His supernatural life from within you to achieve His purpose on earth. Even the super-rich need a Savior. Let God out; let His love pour over the person next to you. Open up and let Him out.

God has given us the task of telling everyone what He is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ Himself now: Become friends with God; He’s already a friend with you. (2 Corinthians 5:19a-21 MSG)

Are you living in intimate friendship with God? You can. God has allowed others to be His friend and He doesn’t show favoritism. You can be like God’s friend Abraham who was uniquely position to intercede for others (Genesis 18). Your relationship with God links you to supernatural resources.
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The kingdom of darkness doesn’t want you living as God’s friend; the enemy is scared you will recognize your association to the overcoming life of God. Don’t let the enemy deceive you in living beneath what God intends for you. Don’t surrender the supernatural.

You are to be a temple for the Holy Spirit – not a prison. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV) Don’t keep Him bond; loose Him. Don’t be a prison for the Holy Spirit. It’s past time you let Him out. Don’t let yourself become a box of limitation. God is bigger than your box. Let Him show up; let Him out. “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God!” (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a NIV)

Dinner preparations stalled when a little girl burst into the kitchen and asked, “Mommy, Jesus is in your heart. Isn’t that right?” Her mother nodded as her daughter continued, “Jesus is really big, a whole bigger than anyone – isn’t that right, Mommy?” Mom sustained her nod for a moment longer, but suddenly halted when her daughter asked, “Mommy, If He is so big and He is in you, why can’t I see Him?”

October 24, 2013

5 Goals of Congregational Worship

How can any Christ-follower not be passionate about worshiping God? You and I are made to worship. Our corporate expressions of worship need to truly allow our spirits to touch and be transformed by the Holy Spirit. I deeply appreciate the incredible significance and impact of each time I get to participate in congregational worship.

I hope that you will take a moment to consider FIVE GOALS of congregational worship!

#1  WE ENCOUNTER GOD’S PRESENCE!

We want to draw closer to God EVERY time we congregate. We should never lose sight of this goal. God’s presence should be the hallmark of every meeting.

Why is this goal so important? We encounter God’s Presence:

  1. To prepare (cleanse and focus) people to encounter God. Congregational worship awakens people to yield their total person to a place of TOTAL worship.
  2. To bring people into the presence of the Lord. God’s manifest presence is our priority. “Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” (Psalm 100:2 NASB)
  3. To reveal the character and deeds of God. We gather to exalt the Lord. “Sing praises to the Lord, Who dwells in Zion! Declare among the peoples His doings!” (Psalm 9:11 AMP) When people see you worship, they should know that God is great by the way you praise.
  4. To build a throne for the Lord’s rulership. We invite God to move among those worshiping Him. “Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3 NASB)
  5. To make every person God-conscious. Yes, God is really alive – transcendent, yet immanent.
  6. To receive direction, change, enjoyment, and encouragement. We celebrate! Commission, direction, and edification occurs.
  7. To become more like Christ and to bring people into right relationship with Christ. Worship draws individuals to Christ (evangelism). Lives are changed in God’s presence.

# 2  WE RELEASE THE HOLY SPIRIT’S CONTINUING WORK.

Congregational worship should be an open opportunity for the Holy Spirit to do what He desires today. Hundreds of millions of Spirit-baptized believers on earth today (October 2013) testify: “It is not strange to experience the work of the Holy Spirit today!” Holy Spirit did not end His ministry in 100 AD. The Holy Spirit’s continued work through two thousand years of church history is not strange fire; it is holy fire.

Our corporate worship releases:

  • Charismatic expression (Gifts of the Spirit including tongues),
  • Prophetic flow (Consider how Elisha calls for musician in 2 Kings 3:15),
  • Conviction, comfort, and guidance,
  • Unity in the Body of Christ, and
  • God’s miraculous power  and anointing that breaks yokes (healing, salvation, deliverance, etc.).

#3  WE ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINST THE ENEMY.

“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute on them the written judgment — This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 149:6-9 NKJV)

#4  WE OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES TO GOD.

We serve God as priests – glorifying Him and pleasing Him. We come to the sanctuary with a focus to GIVE (not to GET). Our sacrifice of worship is an offering of something meaningful and valuable (consider the costs of our time, talent, treasure, energy).

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

#5  WE COMMUNICATE GOD’S WORD.

Congregational worship imparts truth, sound theology, strengthening, faith. Worship prepares people to receive God’s Word into their mind, into their hearts, and into their actual lives. Worship that touches heaven also inspires application and practice of the message.

Wow, have I see this! As a pastor called to teach and preach the Bible, I am still amazed by the impact of worship upon sermons. Congregational worship that really encounters God’s presence opens the way for the sermon and makes the delivery soooooooo much easier and much more effective.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 NASB)

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.”  (Ephesians 5:18-19 NASB)

I gave you five goals; I will conclude with five things that congregational worship is not. Congregational worship is:

  • NOT Christian karaoke,
  • NOT a platform concert,
  • NOT a spectator sport,
  • NOT shallow or superficial,
  • NOT just music we play and songs we sing (no matter how long we have practiced or how much expression we put into it).

Worship is more than just words and music; actual communion with God is necessary. Worship doesn’t occur until spirit touches Spirit.

October 1, 2013

The Holy Spirit and Healing

The Lord still heals today. On many occasions, I have felt led to minister healing to individuals because the Lord has given a word of knowledge. Sometimes I receive a spiritual impression or image within me, of a part of a body. When I recognize the Lord’s direction in this way, I am greatly encouraged to pray in faith for healing. The Lord has also lead me via dreams, impressions, or simply because another person asks for prayer.

The Holy Spirit prepares Christ-followers for healing ministry, firstly, in salvation, and sec­ondly, in continuing empowerment. Paul rhetorically questions the Galatian believers on the basis of the God who gives His Spirit and works miracles (Gal. 3:5).

“I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.” (Galatians 3:5 NLT)

Clearly, Paul affirms that God executes signs and wonders including healing. Paul glorifies Christ Jesus for the Spirit’s power which enables signs and wonders.

The Holy Spirit is regularly associated with power throughout Scripture. The prophets of the Old Testament are Spirit-filled messengers. Micah testifies the Spirit’s power (Micah 3:8) and goes on to powerfully declare the sins of God’s people in Judah. Outward visible power is evident to all that see and hear him. During His earthly ministry, Jesus acknowledges, “It is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons (Matthew 12:28).” Peter recognizes this outward manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life (Acts 10:38). Jesus promises power when the Spirit comes on His disciples (Acts 1:8). In Acts, the visible power of the Holy Spirit manifests after serious prayer (Acts 4:31, 33).

The New Testament teaches that healing may occur in connection with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Paul seems to emphasize the plural nature of healing in the twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians by twice using the plural “charismata” when referring to gifts of healings (1 Cor. 12:9, 30). Perhaps this indicates that healing can function on many levels or in many ways to meet the needs of sick people.

While given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7), gifts of healings function as the Spirit wills (1 Cor. 12:11). The apostles do not heal every need with which they come in contact, but they remain sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit. The Spirit-empowered believer must prac­tice discernment. Possibly, this gives insight into why a Christian cannot administer healing to every sickness when visiting a hospital, yet can witness a tremendous healing during the same visit. Just as salvation and eternal life are a freely-given grace gift, gifts of healings are not earned or bought (consider Peter’s response to Simon in Acts 8:18-23).

I cannot buy Holy Spirit empowerment, but I can certainly surrender and yield. I welcome Holy Spirit to flood me afresh. Lord, use me as a channel to extend Your healing strength.

 

April 18, 2013

ADVANTAGE

What child turns down a head-start on a race? Hey, even I can win a 100 meter race if you give me a 90 meter lead! What taxpayer chooses not to take an obvious deduction? I give tithes and offerings realizing I am investing in my heavenly bank account, but I enjoy the IRS’s benefit for charitable giving (while it remains available).  Don’t you enjoy having a winning edge playing a board game?  Do you think any one of the girls below would have turned-down a personal early start for the egg hunt?

God sets us up to succeed in life, things “which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God’s plans are always is to your advantage, whether you think so or not. A thousand years ago, Bernard of Clairvaux wrote, “The goodness of God knows how to use our disordered wishes and actions, often lovingly turning them to our advantage while always preserving the beauty of His order.”

From the disciples’ perspective, Jesus’ departure from earth looked to be a hindrance, an obstruction, a tragedy, a disaster. In reality, it was expedient for Him to leave.

Jesus tried to prepare them: “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7 NASB)
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Jesus’ return to heaven opened the door for the Spirit to be outpoured. “He would empower them, give them courage, teach them, and make Christ more real to them than He had ever been before.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, Jn 16:7). Christ’s work released kingdom triumph.

Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension unleashed the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives you an advantage in life. Why would you ever neglect the advantage offered by the Holy Spirit empowerment?

February 9, 2013

5 Questions to Advance God’s Will for Your Life (Part Two)

Are you about to make the right decision? Who to date? What major? Where to volunteer? Job change? What exercise plan? Who to hang out with? Honest answers to the questions below can increase your ability, stability, responsibility, and accountability to God.

Of the several flights out of Huntsville this morning, my beautiful wife Patti is right now on the flight  headed to Atlanta, then on to Virginia where she will lead a team for an accreditation visit. Patti is a busy lady – wife, mother, Christian school administrator , missions pastor, Bible teacher, and on and on – yet she volunteers her time to help improve other Christian schools. Why? Because she understands God’s Will for her life. She answered the five questions I posed (Part One & today’s Part Two) and responded to God’s call upon her life.

#3  WHAT DOES COMMON SENSE SAY ABOUT IT?

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned [EVEN FROM HARD KNOCKS!] and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,” (2 Timothy 3:14 NIV)

God gave you a brain and memory. Have you used the common sense God gave you? If God got you into college, don’t question whether you should get out of bed, go to class, or complete homework. Apply what you have learned already. Learn from your own mistakes. Don’t repeat the same mistakes over and over. A wise farmer cleverly quipped, “You don’t learn anything the second time you are kicked by a mule.”

Before you make that huge decision, take a little time to gather some facts. Evaluate the consequences of your actions. You have the same 24-hour-day limitation as the rest of humanity. Don’t spread yourself so thin that you are accomplishing God’s purpose. Use your brain!

#4  WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT IT?

“and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures [THE GUIDE FOR LIFE], which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15 NIV)

Read, study, meditate, and memorize God’s Word so that you understand the way God thinks, the way He acts, His principles, and His attitude. Scripture is be obeyed, not just meditated upon, so heed Its instruction. Don’t seek wisdom from others or belabor praying for fresh leading of the Lord concerning action clearly forbidden in God’s Word. I see too many people argue with God’s Word, acting as if they know better than the Designer.

For example, 2 Corinthians 6:14 (HCSB) is a pretty clear principle: “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?” If you are a Christ-follower, I don’t care if you really “like” that attractive honey; if that person isn’t a believer, that person isn’t the one for you. Don’t waste your time trying to get God to change His mind or trying to find someone to rubber stamp your sinful decision. Move on; advance God’s will for you.

Align your friendships, your dating-life, your marriage, your money management, your morality, all your life to the standard of truth, the Word of God. Allow your convictions to be constructed and remodeled by the Architect of life’s blueprint, the Bible.

#5  WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT SAY ABOUT IT?

“All Scripture is God-breathed [HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED!] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

Paul reminded Timothy of Spirit-breathed Scripture, but don’t overlook the Holy Spirit’s continued work in your life (and every believer!). Anticipate the leading of the Holy Spirit. Allow God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to expose absurd, illogical thoughts in your mind. Remember, God will never lead you to do anything that is contrary to His Word.

Remain sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. “The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them.” (Romans 8:14 NCV) Does the course of action ahead of you conflict with desires the Holy Spirit already placed in your heart? Don’t ignore the Holy Spirit’s task of guiding you into all truth (John 16:13).

Are you ready to advance God’s Will for your life?

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