F@ith_Life

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Seeker Or Christ Sensitive?

Read this great quote from Pastor Carl Thomas this morning.

Once and for all you have to decide if the seeker need to seek God or you. Make that decision then you can structure your service around making that person known. Sadly, too many churches say they answer the question one way but their services (and multiple campuses) point another.

Christ Jesus and what he has said in His Word and what He is saying by His Spirit must be the focus of and the power behind everything we do.

Our focus determines whether or not we are gospel preachers or religious entertainers.

The Glory of His Presence

The following excerpt is taken from The Glory of His Presence by Dr. John Shiver:

Yielding Our Lives and Wills

God will never reveal His glory and have to compete with the idols of men. Sometimes people think that idols are wooden or golden objects that represent deities people worship. But idols are anything that people prefer instead of God's presence and glory in their lives. Most religious idolatry is a substitute for the glory in the Church that for many is quite a threatening concept. Their reasoning is that the Church wouldn't be safe anymore if God was allowed to have His way. After all, He might want to make some changes! Fire changes everything that it touches and the fire of His glory is no different. It will change whatever it is allowed to touch!

It is so interesting to note that the Bible specifically states that when the dedication of Solomon's Temple was unexpectedly "interrupted" by the cloud of glory which filled the house of the Lord, that "…the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory if the Lord filled the house of God." (2 Chron. 5:14) And then in 2 Chronicles 7:2 the account continues by saying that "…the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house."

It is quite interesting that the scripture states twice that this house belonged to God and He really wasn't concerned with cooperating with the plans of men on that day! The priests could not continue ministering because of the glory and later they couldn't even get back into the temple because of the great measure of the atmosphere of Heaven that had invaded the temple! It doesn't say that they didn't try! it says twice that they "could not" continue with business as usual because His glory had come to take up residence!

One of the things we, the Church must be willing to give up is our need for dictatorial control in the Church which excludes or restricts the Holy Spirit's movement in our midst. When the Church gathers together, our sole motivation must be to meet with God. If God's presence and glory among us is to be viewed with suspicion and fear, our reason for even existing is brought into question. the purpose of the Church is as follows:

In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. (22) In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit. (Eph 2:21-22 AMP)

We are not called to be just one more civic group in the area where we live, but rather a place where God's presence is not only honored and respected but allowed the liberty to do as He wills even if that will is in conflict with our own.

Dealing With Distractions

photo by misswired

The following excerpt is taken from Honor the Blood by Osterhus Publishing House:

The Lord has made the saints of today to be "kings and priests unto God" (Rev. 1:6). The total person needs the total covering of the Blood of Jesus to become a normal, effective Christian. His Blood not only redeems but it also sanctifies, "How much more shall the Blood of Christ…purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14). The unsanctified ear will be dominated by the inner voice of self. The unsanctified hand will reach out to satisfy the fleshy appetites. The unsanctified foot will delight to walk in the way of the world. These are the three great avenues of approach which Satan makes to the human race - inflate the ego, satisfy the flesh, and love the world. Jesus was victorious in all three such attempts as recorded in Luke 4:3-10. Christ makes His victory possible for all saints who trust His Spirit to apply His Blood.

One of Satan's most effective weapons against the Church is distractions.  And if your not careful the noise that permeates your environment can drown out the still small voice of the Holy Ghost. All of our success in this life is given birth in our intimate time with the Lord. But if your to busy to (really) pray and let the Word saturate your spirit you will become weak and ineffective in the things of God.

And Satan knows this.

1Jn 2:15-17 Wuest's
15-17 Stop considering the world precious with the result that you love it, and the things in the world. If anyone as a habit of life is considering the world precious and is therefore loving it, there does not exist the Father's love in him. Because everything which is in the world, the passionate desire of the flesh , and the passionate desire of the eyes, and the insolent and empty assurance which trusts in the things that serve the creature life, is not from the Father as a source but is from the world as a source. And the world is being caused to pass away, and its passionate desire. But the one who keeps on habitually doing the will of God abides forever.

When I can sense my spiritual batteries getting low and I feel myself losing focus, I shut everything down…no more TV, no more internet, no nothing, my number one priority becomes getting my attention set back on Him and His Word.

John 15:5 ESV
(5)  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

But it all starts with a quality decision not only to put Jesus first but to put Him at the center of everything you do. It has taken me almost 15 years in the ministry to figure this out that I can’t (and shouldn’t) do anything without Him.

Here are the steps that I take to help get me back on point…

Wait on the Lord…not coming with a list of demands but just praising and worshiping Him for who He is.

Psa 27:14 KJV
(14)  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Being thankful…remind yourself of all the great things the Lord has already done for you.

Psa 100:4-5 KJV
(4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
(5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Praying in the (or with your) spirit…praying in the spirit literally recharges your spiritual batteries.

Jude 1:20 (Amplified Bible)

²⁰But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [^[a]make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

Spend a lot of quality time meditating the Word…allow the Holy Ghost to bring light to the Word in your heart and mind.

Jos 1:8 ESV
(8)  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Just do what He tells you to…obedience is the way into victory and your love for God is proved not with your good intentions but in your willingness to follow His instructions.

1Jn 5:2-3 ESV
(2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
(3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Absorbed In Reverence...

photo by mary anne morgan

Isa 11:2 ESV
(2)  And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

I was reading some notes I made in the margin of my old Bible regarding Isaiah 1:2 were I wrote down the definition of "fear of the Lord" which is "adsorbed in reverence".

Now this text is talking about the earthly ministry of Jesus and the effects that the anointing had on Him. It not only talks about the anointing but it also talks about His mindset while under the anointing.

So I want to focus on the term..."the fear of the Lord".

Jesus was absorbed in reverence of the Lord, He had a definite sense of the Fathers abiding presence and maintained a lifestyle that would keep that connection active.

Joh 8:28-29 ESV
(28)  So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
(29)  And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him."

The difference between Christianity and all other religions is the presence of the Lord.

2Co 3:17-18 ESV
(17)  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
(18)  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The difference is not so much about methods or style it's more about you having been there in His presence face to face and having coming out from that place saturated with His glory. The answer to every question can be found in the presence of the Lord, there is no sickness, disease or lack in the presence of the lord...we were created to abide in His presence.

Joh 14:22-23 ESV
(22)  Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?"
(23)  Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

 

 

del.icio.us Tags: fear of the lord,worship,faith,jesus,prayer

Living Under The Influence...

There is a lot of discussion about what it means to be spirit filled but I always like to let the Word speak for itself.

Eph 5:18-20 ESV
(18)  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
(19)  addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
(20)  giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Notice the phrase "be filled" according to Wuest's Word Studies refers to the condition of a person being soaked with wine. The tense of the word in the Greek suggests a continuous action, so the phrase could be translated "be being filled with the spirit".

Living a spirit filled life is not just a one time event but a continuous process of being saturated with the presence of the living God

Now notice verse 19 how we are supposed to minister that presence to each other via  spirit inspired songs in a atmosphere of thanksgiving. His presence should flow through us like a mighty river into the lives of others.

Joh 7:38 ESV
(38)  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"

The spirit filled life is a life of joyfully ministering the overflow of the life of God to others.

Now look at verses 21-33 how spirit filled people are able and willing to submit to each other. Notice how the Holy Ghost had Paul use the phrase "submitting" and "submit" over and over again.

Eph 5:21-33 ESV
(21)  submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
(22)  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
(23)  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
(24)  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
(25)  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
(26)  that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
(27)  so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
(28)  In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
(29)  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
(30)  because we are members of his body.
(31)  "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
(32)  This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
(33)  However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Why is there some much strife in the Church? It's because a lot of Gods people are not living under the influence of the Holy Ghost. They do and say what the feel like doing and saying, without thinking how it will effect those around them and what effect it will have on the Lords big picture for the Church. I can't tell how many times I've written what "I thought" was a good blog post and Holy Spirit gently said "no don't say that".

Eph 4:1-6 GNB
(1)  I urge you, then---I who am a prisoner because I serve the Lord: live a life that measures up to the standard God set when he called you.
(2)  Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.
(3)  Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together.
(4)  There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you.
(5)  There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
(6)  there is one God and Father of all people, who is Lord of all, works through all, and is in all.

We will never be united in or with our Church habits...we can only be united in the Spirit, first by willingly submitting ourselves to the Lord and then by submitting to each other.

But that whole process starts with being filled/saturated with His Spirit and living a life under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Morning Meditation:The Problem With The Anointing...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3GijrnfStk&hl=en]

Once you have been exposed to His presence for any amount of time it makes un-anointed teaching, preaching and singing un-acceptable...

 

Technorati Tags: kari jobe,praise and worship

What Is Worship?

Great definition...what is worship to you?

Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God.

It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness, nourishment of mind by His truth, purifying of imagination by His beauty, opening of the heart to His love, and submission of will to His purpose.

And all this gathered up in adoration is the greatest of human expressions of which we are capable.

(via wikipedia)