11If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Rom 8:11 ESV)
Where are they? Where are those who are willing to sacrifice, even till death, in order to see the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead activated and unleashed? Where are those who pursue the power of praise? Where are those who give life when death is the only other alternative? Where are they? Where are the workers in the field? Where are the instigators of revival? Where are the true worshipers? Where are those who are “Christ-like”? Where is the next Daniel? Where is the next Peter? Where is the next David? Did we throw them out because they don’t have a U2 triplet delay and smooth Bono-esc vocals? Where is raw passion? Does it even exist anymore?
WAKE UP O EARTH!!! God is moving and I am telling you that there is more than this. God is calling His people to praise with a passion never accomplished before on earth. What will it look like? What will it sound like? Where will it take place? That, my friends, is up to you.
Heaven has yet to be matched by earth. Until it is, we must pursue relentlessly the things of God. I encourage you to passionately pursue holiness in keeping with constant repentance allowing us to be sanctified into the image of the Creator.
I believe with all of my heart that there is a deep shift taking place in the Northwest (specifically, not solely). Will you catch the wave or miss it? Are you willing to do accept the life of Christ and the power therein even if it costs all that you have and desire?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Expectancy
"27She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” (Mark 5:27-30 ESV)
This passage is amazing. We could write a book based on the observation and application of these few verses. But for today’s purpose, I’d like to focus on one thing: expectancy.
When you acknowledge God’s presence in worship what do you expect? Do you come to church expecting God to move in a powerful way or are you attending, going through the motions to appease your soul? I want to encourage you to be prayerful about expectancy. There is no value in singing or raising your hands if it does not carry the undertone of a humble heart and a contrite spirit. When we come to the house of God, we must come with an expectant spirit for there is a great power in expectancy.
Expectancy is a catalyst for momentum. When people get excited about vision and direction they begin to move. Part of the reason we move is because we are expecting to get some where with a favorable result. What, then, are the results you seek when involved in corporate worship?
My personal prayer over the last few months is that salvation would take place during worship. I’m confident that when people are faced with the reality of Christ they must make a decision to follow or not to follow. My petition is that they choose to follow.
My expectation is that when we pursue after Christ and worship Him with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength that we will experience and bask in His tangible presence being transformed into His likeness. I’m not one for hooting and hollering, just raw passion fueled by truth. I try very hard to discern what is from the Spirit and what is not, so a show or human display is not what I desire to see. I will know about your worship by how you live much more than by how you act. I expect genuine response to the person of Christ.
What do you expect? What do you desire when you worship in the corporate gathering?
This passage is amazing. We could write a book based on the observation and application of these few verses. But for today’s purpose, I’d like to focus on one thing: expectancy.
When you acknowledge God’s presence in worship what do you expect? Do you come to church expecting God to move in a powerful way or are you attending, going through the motions to appease your soul? I want to encourage you to be prayerful about expectancy. There is no value in singing or raising your hands if it does not carry the undertone of a humble heart and a contrite spirit. When we come to the house of God, we must come with an expectant spirit for there is a great power in expectancy.
Expectancy is a catalyst for momentum. When people get excited about vision and direction they begin to move. Part of the reason we move is because we are expecting to get some where with a favorable result. What, then, are the results you seek when involved in corporate worship?
My personal prayer over the last few months is that salvation would take place during worship. I’m confident that when people are faced with the reality of Christ they must make a decision to follow or not to follow. My petition is that they choose to follow.
My expectation is that when we pursue after Christ and worship Him with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength that we will experience and bask in His tangible presence being transformed into His likeness. I’m not one for hooting and hollering, just raw passion fueled by truth. I try very hard to discern what is from the Spirit and what is not, so a show or human display is not what I desire to see. I will know about your worship by how you live much more than by how you act. I expect genuine response to the person of Christ.
What do you expect? What do you desire when you worship in the corporate gathering?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Fear is a motivator
Worship is not complicated. Live a life that honors God and you will constantly be in a state of worship. I think we’ve covered that pretty well. However, I want to talk about one thing that motivates us (if it hasn’t yet, it should) to live such a life.
Fear is an amazing motivator. It can cause people to be crippled or run at a seemingly super human rate. But can fear be a motivator of a holy life? Absolutely.
Luke 12:4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. ◙ Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? ◙ And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
FEAR – φοβέω phobeÿ fob-eh'-o
From G5401 ; to frighten, that is, (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy to be in awe of, that is, revere:—be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
I’ve heard this definition preached numerous times and it is always diminished to the latter; reverence. But that’s a cop-out. If the meaning of the verse was to revere than it would have been translated revere. However, it is translated fear in every translation I own.
Some of you who are reading this right now are going, we’re not supposed to be afraid of God. He’s loving and peaceful. Do you forget the avenging, killing and annihilation of the Old Testament? Do you forget His justice? Do you forget His righteousness? Do you separate the God of the OT from the God of the NT? Hebrews 13:8 “8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” ESV
When we see the vastness of God’s power and ability (to even cast into hell) it ought to bring about a sense of fear. Just as the fear of man can convince us to deny our Father, the fear of God has the power to convince us to deny the lusts of our flesh. Fear God.
Food for thought: what is the fruit of the fear of man vs. the fear of God. Feel free to list some observations.
Fear is an amazing motivator. It can cause people to be crippled or run at a seemingly super human rate. But can fear be a motivator of a holy life? Absolutely.
Luke 12:4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. ◙ Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? ◙ And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
FEAR – φοβέω phobeÿ fob-eh'-o
From G5401 ; to frighten, that is, (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy to be in awe of, that is, revere:—be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
I’ve heard this definition preached numerous times and it is always diminished to the latter; reverence. But that’s a cop-out. If the meaning of the verse was to revere than it would have been translated revere. However, it is translated fear in every translation I own.
Some of you who are reading this right now are going, we’re not supposed to be afraid of God. He’s loving and peaceful. Do you forget the avenging, killing and annihilation of the Old Testament? Do you forget His justice? Do you forget His righteousness? Do you separate the God of the OT from the God of the NT? Hebrews 13:8 “8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” ESV
When we see the vastness of God’s power and ability (to even cast into hell) it ought to bring about a sense of fear. Just as the fear of man can convince us to deny our Father, the fear of God has the power to convince us to deny the lusts of our flesh. Fear God.
Food for thought: what is the fruit of the fear of man vs. the fear of God. Feel free to list some observations.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Repentance in Worship
Worship is incredibly powerful. It satisfies the soul like nothing else. When we worship we are partaking and submitting ourselves to God’s perfect will. Worship allows us to feel the tangible presence of God and commune clearly with the creator. We know more about the person of Christ as we declare His incredible qualities. Christ reveals Himself to us and we bask in His presence and revelation.
A few months back my pastor said something to me that was very interesting. He said that if I ever wanted to have an altar call, specifically for salvation, during worship, I was free to do so. This puzzled me for a while; and in fact I’ve yet to do it. However, God is providing me with clarity surrounding the concept. You see, all of the before mentioned facts often bring people to a place of repentance.
When I am confronted with the grandeur and splendor of the Majesty of Christ, I am humbled and convicted of my impurities. I am challenged to submit to the Potter’s hand and let Him take over my life. It is my absolute conviction that anyone who is confronted with the person of Christ is given the same opportunities.
If God is moving and revealing Himself in a tangible way, let’s bring people to a point of decision. Not only for those who don’t know the Lord but for all of us. When face to face with Christ’s holiness, purity, righteousness and power, we are brought to a place of repentance.
Thoughts?
A few months back my pastor said something to me that was very interesting. He said that if I ever wanted to have an altar call, specifically for salvation, during worship, I was free to do so. This puzzled me for a while; and in fact I’ve yet to do it. However, God is providing me with clarity surrounding the concept. You see, all of the before mentioned facts often bring people to a place of repentance.
When I am confronted with the grandeur and splendor of the Majesty of Christ, I am humbled and convicted of my impurities. I am challenged to submit to the Potter’s hand and let Him take over my life. It is my absolute conviction that anyone who is confronted with the person of Christ is given the same opportunities.
If God is moving and revealing Himself in a tangible way, let’s bring people to a point of decision. Not only for those who don’t know the Lord but for all of us. When face to face with Christ’s holiness, purity, righteousness and power, we are brought to a place of repentance.
Thoughts?
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
2009.06.08
How old are You?
Selection Votes
under 18 11% 1
18-24 33% 3
25-34 22% 2
35-55 33% 3
Over 55 0% 0
Selection Votes
under 18 11% 1
18-24 33% 3
25-34 22% 2
35-55 33% 3
Over 55 0% 0
Thursday, January 1, 2009
2009.05.25
What best describes worship in your church?
Selection Votes
Hymns 0% 0
Choruses 10% 1
Choir 0% 0
Modern Worship 50% 5
Alternative 0% 0
Other 40% 4
10 votes total
Selection Votes
Hymns 0% 0
Choruses 10% 1
Choir 0% 0
Modern Worship 50% 5
Alternative 0% 0
Other 40% 4
10 votes total
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