The Ministry-Bug

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”. Galatians 2:20, NIV1984

I don’t know what the ministry-bug looks like but I do know what it feels like and I also know there is no cure for it. Oh, there may be times when you are attacked and because of those attacks you briefly think, “I’m-just-not-going-to-do-this-any-longer.”  But inevitably you feel that stirring in your soul and before you know it you’re doing it again. Once again, you are completely engrossed, obsessed, and occupied with spreading the Good News and the love of Jesus with others. You are down on your knees asking God, “Fill me Lord with Your Spirit. Send me where You would have me go. Speak through me; saturate me with Your Being. Allow me to see others as You see them. Teach me to love others as You love them; use all I am for Your kingdom’s cause; let all my passion always be for Your glory. Amen.”

I confess the ministry-bug term is not original with me. My pastor used it last night in his sermon and I thought, “What a great term; I love it; I’ve got to use that!”

The point I’d like to get across to you today is that there is no such thing as the average Christian life. You’re either living a Spirit-filled-life or you aren’t. Going to church on Sunday morning, occasionally reading your Bible and quickly saying your prayers before you fall into bed every night may seem adequate to you but it is not the Spirit-filled life that God seeks for you. It is not the abundant life God has in store for you. There is SO MUCH MORE and it lies outside the walls of your church building.

Our Lord desires to have an intimate-walking-talking relationship with each of us. Open the door to His presence and His power. Be filled with His wisdom, courage, and strength. Become fully dependent upon Him.

When you invite Jesus into your life daily to live His life in you and through you may expect the remarkable. Expect the abundant life. Expect to be bitten by the ministry-bug and expect an exciting adventure and complete joy…even through the trials.

“You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead”. James 2:24, 26, NIV

God bless you!!

Comfort for God's People

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV1984

I LOVE to read Isaiah 40 and it happened to be a part of my daily Bible readings this morning. I don’t believe I have ever read this chapter without my heart leaping for joy. How can anyone not be completely moved by these words?

Let me quickly remind you of some other familiar passages within Isaiah 40. Verse three was quoted by John the Baptist in the third chapter of Matthew—the voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way of the LORD. Verse 40 is a favored memory verse for teachers—flowers and grass may fail but the word of the LORD stands forever. Verse 11 speaks of our good and loving Shepherd. And backup to verse 10 which speaks of the Sovereign LORD coming in power and His reward being with Him; and there’s much more—read it—stop—read it now!!

Isaiah 40 contains feel-good-comforting-amazing-exciting-stuff for those who know and love the Lord. This chapter serves to remind me that not only is God still in control but also that He always has been and always will be in control...for He is the eternally Sovereign Lord God.

Yesterday I went to the doctor and he told me something I didn’t want to hear and I was upset. I called my husband and then I wanted to call my sister but I knew I’d start crying…and then I stopped! I said, “Kaye is God suddenly no longer in control because you received what you consider bad news?” Certainly not! Suddenly I felt very silly. Yes, confession is good for the soul and communicating in prayer with Almighty God who loves me and forever holds me in His hand is even better.

Enough said. Before I leave you with a closing scripture just let me say—briefly upset yesterday; privileged this morning to discover one of my favorite, comforting passages as a part of my daily Bible readings…God is so good; so loving. He loves us extravagantly and knows us intimately. I know it does get better than this because the Bible tells me so but this is really good too!

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36, NIV1984

May God richly bless you!

God Bless the Broken Road

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14, NIV1984

Several years ago Marcus Hummon along with Bobby Boyd and Jeff Hanna wrote a song called, "God Blessed the Broken Road". It’s been recorded several times by different artists; the one with which I’m most familiar is by Selah. The song, although written as a romantic one, just as easily pictures a person progressing through life on the straight and narrow walk of faith.

Consideration of the straight and narrow road is familiar but considered less often are the detours, the potholes, the steep hills, the deep valleys one incurs along the way. Many seem to believe that once you make it through the narrow gate onto the road called Straight it is smooth sailing the rest of the way. Nothing could be further from the truth for no one grows to maturity without growing pains.

"I set out on a narrow way many years ago…I got lost a time or two…I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you…"

The process of maturity is not an easy one. We tend to get a lot of bumps and bruises along the way because we make poor choices. But even through that difficult process, the Holy Spirit is always there speaking to us, leading us in the way we should go if we would just recognize and listen to His pleadings. The bumps and bruises happen when we pull so strongly against the lead in order to go our own way. Only in retrospect do we realize we should have listened more carefully to the gentle voice of God, (I Kings 19:12-13) tugging at our heart, mind, and soul.

"I think about the years I spent just passing through; I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you…"

Unfortunately, the process of spiritual maturity can take many years and regret of what we may consider time lost is ridiculous. God works continually shaping us into the person He wants us to be; He is the Potter, we are the clay, (Isaiah 64:8).

"…You just smile and take my hand, you've been there you understand; it's all part of a grander plan that is coming true…"

In James, chapter 1, verses 2-4, we find these words: "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing, (HCSB). My dear friends, God not only blessed the broken road but more importantly He continues to bless it!

The Simplicity of Salvation

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”” Acts 16:29-30, NIV

This morning as I walked I listened to a wonderful podcast by Dr. Adrian Rogers, (http://www.lwf.org) entitled, “The Simplicity of Salvation”. The text for the sermon was taken from Acts 16 which tells of Paul and Silas preaching in Philippi; the crowd being incited to riot; the missionaries arrested, stripped, beaten, flogged and thrown into prison. With the other prisoners listening, Paul and Silas begin to pray and sing hymns. A violent earthquake shakes the prison so severely the doors are opened and all the prisoners’ chains are loosed. Fearful, the jailer awakens, runs into the prison and believing the prisoners have escaped, draws his sword to take his own life. Quickly, Paul assures the jailer everyone is still there. It is after all these events the jailer asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

What a powerful story! Imagine the thoughts that must have been rushing through the minds of the other prisoners who had been listening to the prayers and songs of Paul and Silas. Consider the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the heart of the jailer who sees everything that has taken place and realizes immediately something supernatural has happened here; contemplate the conviction in his heart and the need and desire to know more. “What must I do to be saved?” The answer, simply, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,” Acts 16:31.

The word “saved” in the Greek is sozo and means to deliver, to heal, to make whole. But from what is it that we are to be saved? We are to be saved from the penalty of sin which is eternal death; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16, NIV. Jesus paid the sin debt in full when He died on the cross for our sins. He conquered death which was evidenced by His resurrection.

Romans 3:23 states we have all sinned. To be a morally good person is not enough; Isaiah 64:6 says that all our righteous acts are as filthy rags before a Sovereign God. Most of us know sin is what we do wrong but sin is also NOT doing that which is right. In short, what goodness there may be in humanity without God is sin.

It takes but one sin to keep you out of heaven. Think of it this way, if you were hanging by a chain over a deep ravine and only ONE link of that chain broke you would still plunge to your death in the abyss below. Peter, preaching redemption through Jesus in Acts 4:12, NIV, says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Willingly confess the Lord—the Master; Jesus—the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, and you will be saved. Believe—emotionally commit and surrender yourself today to Christ and you will be saved. AMEN!

God Bless!

Wherever He Leads

Recently, the Lord has allowed and enabled my husband and me to purchase a home close to our older daughter and her family. We never imagined we would have this opportunity but God is in the details and in fact, the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20, NIV, our Lord “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

I want to share with you a few thoughts about how God moves in our lives and remind you when following God you do not need to know the all the details. The need-to-know-everything-at-all-times is part of the desire for self-reliance, self-advancement and self-sufficiency with which we are all too familiar. As Americans, we have been inundated with this philosophy and gladly espouse it to others readily.  God, on the other hand, expects us to be faithful and obedient without knowing all the details.

When we were looking at properties and I first noticed the house we ended up purchasing I really liked it but I did not entertain looking at it because I knew it was out of our price range. I recall mentioning the property to my husband who promptly replied, “Don’t even think about it—any offer we could afford to make wouldn’t be considered seriously”.  However, after much prayer, I was able to convince my husband to step out on faith and make an offer.

Much to the surprise of my husband and our realtor—who negotiated on our behalf—a bid just a couple of thousand dollars above our original bid was accepted by the sellers. Our realtor and the selling realtor had been so doubtful about the offer they negotiated informally and finalized the process only after the negotiations were finished.

While God has graciously provided us with a home close to our children I’m not exactly sure why He has moved us here. The reason may be revealed to me sometime later or I may never know…but knowing all the details is not necessary.

Seeing God at work in my life helps me to know that I’m where I’m supposed to be at this moment and I have faith that as I need to know the next step of the plan the Lord will reveal that to me also, in His perfect time, not mine.

As Christians we speak a great deal about knowing God’s will for our lives. It is important to know His will for our lives and our prayer each and every day should be, “Lord, what would you have me to do today”? Intelligent obedience knows God’s will; intentional obedience not only seeks His will but also submits to His will immediately. We are to make ourselves available to God—to do what He wants us to do when He wants us to do it and how He wants us to do it. Perfect obedience doesn’t need to know the all the details; perfect obedience just does—quickly, sweetly, and completely.

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.” Psalm 119:93 NIV

God Bless!

Sharing Your Faith

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (HCSB)

We share our faith daily with others through the way we live. Others look at us to see if “we practice what we preach”. They look at our actions; our re-actions; and our attitudes. But what I’m speaking of at the moment is sharing with another the how’s and why’s of becoming a Christian.

The how’s are easy enough to remember. We teach them in Sunday School regularly and in Vacation Bible School yearly. In fact, if your church purchases VBS materials through Lifeway, then you know that each year Jeff Slaughter writes a new ABC song each year.

This year’s song was called, “Why Don’t You?”  Jeff began the song with John 3:16. The chorus of the song used the ABCs of Becoming a Christian:

(A)  Admit to God you’re are a sinner

Repent and turn from your sin

(B)  Believe that Jesus is God’s Son

 And that He came into the world to save everyone

(C)  Confess your faith in Jesus

As your Savior and your Lord

And choose to live your life for Him forevermore 

Scripture verses associated with the ABCs are Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-10, and 10:13. John 3:16 is also used. It has been said, John 3:16, the best known Bible verse, is the gospel in a nutshell. The Roman Road to Salvation, another popular way to share the how’s of becoming a Christian, uses these same verses. 

The why’s of becoming a Christian can be and should be answered with your own personal testimony. What was your life like before knowing Christ as your personal Savior and what is your life like now? How is your life different? Write down your personal story so that you can easily share it with others. 

Though well acquainted with the how’s and why’s of becoming a Christian many still find sharing their faith with others difficult. Why? Is it fear of failure or is that we are stifled by feelings of inadequacy?

The modern world preaches self-sufficiency but as Christians we are to be completely reliant upon God who “has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant,” (2 Corinthians 3:6, NIV). “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose,” (Philippians 2:13, NIV).

We are inadequate, but God is not. We are to have faith and make the effort; it is God who does the work. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ has said, “Witnessing is taking the initiative to share Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to God.” When Jesus was telling His disciples of coming trials they would endure, He told them, “Just say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit,” Mark 13:11, NIV.

Jesus, your Lord and Savior, has done great and wonderful things for you. Go and tell others—they are waiting to hear your story. “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15, NIV.

God Bless!

Are You A Constant Complainer?

The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Numbers 21:7 (NIV)

Do you have a tendency to complain when things don’t go your way or when others don’t act as you feel they should? We’ve all fallen prey to this from time to time but have you made it your life’s work to complain about others? Consider this—when you complain against your church, your pastor or against fellow Christians, you are complaining against God.

We would all do well to take a moment to contemplate this truth. In the scripture above the Israelites realized they had sinned by speaking against the Lord and Moses. Fast forward: Saul, a young, well-educated, extremely religious, Jewish man and zealous persecutor of those belonging to “the Way”, while on the road to Damascus, was asked by Jesus, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Acts 9-1-5. Not, "why are you persecuting my followers" but, "why are you persecuting me?"

Constant complainers stir up trouble and alienate themselves from God and others. Encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ; encourage your pastor, his wife and other church leaders. Allow the love of Christ to shine through you.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV)

God Bless!