tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39927213233623735402024-03-14T01:37:13.881-04:00Hold Fast"holding fast the word of life" (Philippians 2:16)Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.comBlogger436125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-89299160867634525782023-06-03T09:21:00.000-04:002023-06-03T09:21:13.865-04:00And...just like that...part 2<p> And, just like that...it's June, 2023...</p><p>Almost half-way through the GOAT year as it has been labeled...you know, "23", you know, Michael Jordan...okay...as long as we are on the same page (had to throw that in).</p><p>One of the many things about God's grace and His work in our lives is the opportunity to hit the "reset" button. In fact, every morning since His mercy's are new each day, is really an opportunity to hit "reset". </p><p>Even with a desire to faithfully walk with the Lord each day and be obedient to Him, we often (more often than we want to admit) just flat out blow it. We say a cross word here, we have an ungodly thought there -- sometimes, it's just like -- Ugh!</p><p>Yet, in God's mercy and the promises of scripture grounded in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, in humble confession and repentance, He allows us to hit "reset". And, for that, I am so very thankful. </p><p>So, as we head toward the middle of the year and make the turn, maybe you need to hit reset -- maybe on your goals for the year, your spiritual goals, your physical goals, your relational goals -- maybe there are others. Well, hit the reset button. Take Philippians 3:14 to heart - "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus".</p>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-30239848897690297742023-02-03T10:31:00.001-05:002023-02-03T10:31:26.475-05:00And...just like that...<p> And...just like that...January is gone. </p><p>Time marches on. The hours and minutes tick on by. </p><p>Did you think 10 years ago that you would be where you are today? </p><p>While I am by nature a nostalgic kind of person (most of us are at various times I suppose), as I approach 50 years old in just 15 months, questions of that nature are more prevalent in my thinking these days. I mean, most likely, more than half of my life is in the books. Wow!</p><p>Have I been as faithful to the Lord as I could have been? How many times have a made excuses for the sins I've committed along the way rather than owning them before the Lord? Have I learned from the mistakes I made along the way? Why am I still struggling with certain things in my life -- I mean, I figured I would have "mastered" that by now. </p><p>Yeah, I know. Too much introspection can be unhealthy. And, there is that verse in Philippians that says "forgetting those things which are behind". Yet, I can't help but wonder -- what if we used introspection in a healthy manner as a tool to motivate us toward the days ahead to endeavor by God's grace to "press on toward the mark" our our calling in Christ Jesus?</p><p>That's what I want moving forward -- because, just like that...it'll be 10 years down the road...what will that blog post read like? I wonder...</p><p>How about you?</p>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-60379995818959967612023-01-13T18:12:00.001-05:002023-01-13T18:12:41.299-05:0013 Days In<p>We are 13 days into what has been termed the "GOAT" year. Not sure about that? Well, it's 2023...the last two digits happen to be the jersey number for arguably the greatest basketball player of all time...ole Michael Jordan himself. </p><p>But...I'm thinking...what would it take for it to be the "GOAT" year (at least up to this point) for us personally -- spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally? In the midst of the chaos, how can we maintain a growth mindset for developing our relationship with the Lord this year?</p><p>In my office at school, there is a white board. On that whiteboard, I have written two phrases:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>No more excuses</li><li>First Things First (Yes, I realize that's a book title. Just work with me.)</li></ul><div>No more excuses -- we (at least, I am) are really good at making excuses. And...sometimes, if we are being truthful, we couch those excuses as "legitimate reasons"...even though, we really know they are not "legitimate reasons". This is especially true when it comes to the sin in our lives that clings so closely & so entangles us. This is especially true when it comes to being distracted from that which is most important.</div><div><br /></div><div>First things First -- ah, the issue of priorities. For whom or for what are we leveraging the best of our time, energy, and resources? The roles you are fulfilling and what those roles require will determine how you leverage the best of your time, energy, and resources. Man, when the tyranny of the urgent & unimportant strikes, it is a challenge to stay on track.</div><div><br /></div><div>A GOAT year ahead? I'm praying toward that and pursuing that for my own life as I seek to follow Christ with everything I have. What are you pursuing?</div><p></p>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-52354599271579485082021-12-31T08:23:00.001-05:002021-12-31T08:23:21.603-05:00Friday Fodder (12/31/21) - Reflection and Anticipation<div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Another year has come and gone. No doubt we are all reflecting on the past year's events--personal events, family experiences, national & global events.</div><div>As we ponder those experiences, how have we grown in the midst of them? What has the Lord taught us through those experiences? What are we anticipating in the coming year? What goals are we setting?</div><div>In setting goals, do we have some goals for our spiritual life; goals that will move us forward in our Christian life toward spiritual maturity?</div><div>I'm reminded of the exhortation in 2 Peter 1 that says, "make every effort to supplement your faith". Certainly, the ground of our effort is the work of Christ on the cross. We "make every effort" because Christ has already completed the work of our justification. Therefore, we pursue growth in godliness from the perspective of His finished work.</div><p>So, what are you "making every effort" toward in the new year? </p>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-76791978196071514202020-09-11T08:00:00.002-04:002021-12-31T08:08:55.687-05:00Brokenness<div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The reality of brokenness can be felt and seen in so many places in the world. The core piece of the brokenness we experience is because of the broken relationship humanity has with its creator. When that relationship became broken, the effects were felt throughout all of creation...especially within ourselves. We are scrambling to find wholeness and significance and peace for the internal part of ourselves; searching for that sense of well-being and being restful. We search and search for ways to fill that void, to alleviate that emptiness--even for a moment. The problem with looking for solutions either within ourselves or in the things of the world like careers, sports, other people, food, technology, social media, activism, etc. -- they are, as Jeremiah said, like broken cisterns that hold no water. Sure, there is a temporary relief from the internal struggle and striving, but it is just that--temporary. It doesn’t last--they overpromise and underdeliver. We have to keep chasing the next feeling of relief like a drug addict or alcoholic chasing the next fix. That’s why we have to keep going to the next thing, the next cistern because that one eventually dries up -- someone betrays us or lets us down -- the “coolness” of whatever activity we are engaged in wears off and we are left wanting once again. The path toward wholeness and deep satisfaction and joy and, dare I say, happiness -- is the restored relationship with our creator through Christ. In Him we find our sufficiency--our wholeness--He is the well that never runs dry. Are you feeling the effects of your brokenness today? Run to Christ -- run to the well that never runs dry.</div>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-50865219185429289302020-09-04T08:00:00.012-04:002021-12-31T08:11:46.207-05:00Disciple<div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The root meaning of the word disciple is “learner”. In fact, the Greek word translated disciple is the word mathetes. Yep, we get the word mathematics from this Greek word. Since I’m a math teacher, that makes me happy. Ha ha. So, in a general sense, we are all learners; we are all disciples. The only question then is this: who/what is discipling me? From whom am I learning? From whom am I receiving counsel? To what am I turning to inform and shape my thinking? Christians are “disciples” of Jesus. He is our Lord and Master. His Lordship is mediated through the scriptures for how we live, think, strive, desire, feel, etc. Therefore, as a disciple, our thinking should be shaped by the truth of scripture in every facet of life.The scriptures must be our starting point; they must be our foundation. They are, truly, our starting point AND our ending point. No matter what the topic, we must begin our examination of that topic from the scriptures as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Our worldview should be shaped by the scriptures as the guardrails for our thinking to keep us on track in faithfulness and loyalty to Christ as Lord. The world system, the secular culture, is seeking to “make disciples”, too--it really is. It is not neutral (1 John 5:19). There is a system at work to deter and pull people in its direction following the evil one--it is a system designed by the evil one to “disciple” people away from God’s ways and God’s truth. As “disciples” of Jesus Christ, we are oriented toward the Father--oriented away from the world system and toward the scriptures. Yet, we can fall prey to the secular worldview and its arguments if we are not grounded and saturated in the scriptures. In a world of bobble-head commentary and social media pundits, as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, hold fast to the scriptures--anchor your thinking in the scriptures--so that no matter how the waves and winds of this world crash and blow, you will remain steady and stable on the Rock--even when the mountains give way and the seas roar around you.</div>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-18342967564526704022020-08-28T16:46:00.005-04:002020-08-28T16:46:58.791-04:00Friday Fodder - Flavor (8/28/20)<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Colossians 4:6 reminds us to “let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt…”</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-37416c2d-7fff-b941-3fb0-15c236c460ea"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seasoned with salt...when I cook I like to experiment with different “flavors”. Whether it is chicken, pork chops, hamburgers, steaks, etc., I like to put different flavors on them or have them marinade in a new flavor overnight before they are cooked. Some people like spicy flavors while others prefer the sweeter flavors. And, still others, prefer a combination of the two. Some want a lot of kick; others, not so much (we call them wimps).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Christians, our speech--our conversation, our lifestyle--should have a specific flavor to it. The flavor of our speech should simmer, boil over even, in the flavor of Christ. The flavor of our lifestyle should be the flavor of the kingdom of God, that which is not attached so closely to the things of this world.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Does our speech, our conversation, leave people wanting more of Christ, thirsty for Christ? Does our speech move them in the direction of Jesus? Does it have the flavor of Christ in our words, our responses, or our reactions?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Does our lifestyle--our values, pursuits, longings, desires, activities, attitudes--have the flavor of the kingdom of God, the things of God & the eternal or the flavor of the world?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When people hear our speech or watch our life, what do they taste?</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-3168300973122946432020-07-10T09:33:00.001-04:002020-07-10T09:33:28.965-04:00Friday's Fodder - July 10, 2020 - RememberHow many of you are "date rememberers"? That's probably not a word, but, for whatever reason, I remember dates of things. Maybe it's because I love math or for some other reason. And, I'm not necessarily talking about birthdays and such. <div><br /></div><div>I remember certain dates of things that are significant, not just the event, but the date itself sometimes. It might be a series of dates or a particular time period, but oftentimes it is a specific date. We will be talking about something as a family, and they can't believe that I remember that.</div><div><br /></div><div>I imagine you do the same with certain things.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the commands in scripture I have come across several times is the command to "remember". Think about when the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. They were told to set up a "memorial" to "remember" what God had done for them. I remember (ha ha) in college at our Spring Conference for BSU (Baptist Student Union) as a senior, we made a picture of the significant events in our lives leading up to our senior year of college. </div><div><br /></div><div>Those crude drawings were to help us "remember" significant times along our Christian journey that were particularly significant in our walk with the Lord. </div><div><br /></div><div>With the uncertainty of the future, it is good to "remember" the faithfulness of God in the past. It is good to remember, especially, the faithfulness of God in the gospel--the life, the death, the resurrection, and the ascension of Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>While there is still a "pandemic" going on and the times in our country are kinda crazy right now, maybe it's a good time to spend some time "remembering" the faithfulness of God in your life. Maybe it would do your soul some good to get a little notebook or journal and start remember today.</div>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-33774768903263519882020-05-12T08:45:00.000-04:002020-05-12T08:45:51.499-04:00Be Like ChristOver the last 3 weeks, there has been a documentary on ESPN about this dude named Michael Jordan. You may have heard of it...it's called "The Last Dance". I was introduced to MJ when I was about to turn 8 years old...yes, it was 1982 and he hit the first of many "the shots" to defeat Georgetown in the NCAA championship game for the Tarheels...beginning his streak of defeating Patrick Ewing over and over again, but that's another story.<br />
<br />
From that day, the basketball goal on the tree in the backyard at the parsonage of Oak Grove Baptist Church went up (and everywhere else we lived), and a million times, I took "the shot"...tongue hanging out with the clock running down. Then, in the summer of 1982, I was at the Campbell University basketball camp...yep, the man himself was there...live and in person.<br />
<br />
In May of 1982, I was introduced to someone else...Jesus...by my dad. Yeah, I had heard dad preach the gospel every Sunday, but this was different...he sat me down and personally shared the gospel with me. In October of that same year, God opened my heart to believe the gospel...I knew I needed a Savior...not MJ, but Jesus, the one who gave his life in my place.<br />
<br />
Fast forward 11 years...the summer of '93 working at the BEST camp in the world...Camp CaRAway. And, what is one of the most popular songs in the country at the time...yes, "Be Like Mike"...the Gatorade commercial...the single...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2sN4jk819Fc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2sN4jk819Fc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
Well, I had the single...I would play that song EVERY morning to wake up my campers that summer...oh, yeah, I got roasted for it at the end of the summer by my friends...<br />
<br />
It wasn't that I really wanted them to "be like Mike" -- that one or even this one...the goal was to call these young men to "be like Christ" every single day. It was really about making disciples...like Jesus did...like Paul did..."follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:18-22) and "follow me as I follow Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).<br />
<br />
So, did I have a little fun with the song...of course I did...even the rap in the song...but, it wasn't really about that...it was about making disciples.<br />
<br />
And, sure, did I want to "be like Mike" in my basketball game...you bet...tongue out, baggy shorts, and the wrist band...but in life...I just want to "be like Christ" (Philippians 2:5-8).Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-26863728797011091312020-05-05T07:30:00.002-04:002020-05-05T07:30:34.629-04:00The Struggle is RealAs you live the Christian life, do you ever find yourself immersed in the battle of Romans 7:15-25? Some days, that battle is off the charts. It's like you're wrestling against the Beast, Brock Lesner and it's a lumberjack match with all the "bad guys" surrounding the ring (yes, that's a WWE reference).<br />
<br />
With the "quarantine" having been in full force the last few weeks, it has reminded me that while there is an enemy I'm wrestling against outside of myself, sometimes, no...many times...no, most of the time...I am my own worst enemy in this battle.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, I feel like screaming with Paul, "Wretched man that I am!" The struggle is real! The fight for righteousness and joy in Christ is not for the faint of heart. Fortunately, like Martin Luther wrote in the hymn <i>A Mighty Fortress is our God</i>, the right man is on our side.<br />
<br />
"Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"<br />
<br />
We fight, we wrestle from the position of victory in Christ--that we've been given everything we need to win the battle.<br />
<br />
So, keep fighting today...in the immortal words of Jimmy V, "Don't give up, don't ever give up!" (yes, I quoted a coach from NC State)Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-46943229029225175982020-04-29T10:11:00.000-04:002020-04-29T10:11:17.212-04:00Wherever You AreRemember the books from years ago called "Where's Waldo?" Of course you do. Today, I ask you, "where are you"? I mean, what are the circumstances of your life at the present time? Sure, we are all navigating a stay-at-home order because of the Covid-19 crisis. But, I'm not necessarily talking about physical circumstances. What about your soul, your internal circumstances?<br />
<br />
Where are you spiritually? What are your spiritual vital signs?<br />
<br />
Wherever you are...start there. Maybe, just maybe, this is the time for many of us to get our life compass re-calibrated to true north...toward Christ, His mission, His purpose for our lives..toward a vision of life that reflects a view of those things that matter for eternity.<br />
<br />
Sure, it will take some self-reflection, asking and answering some honest questions about ourselves, our decisions, and our habits. But, it will be worth the time and effort when we come out of this time with a better sense of God's purpose & direction for our lives and a greater love for Christ moving forward.<br />
<br />
A friend of mine was preaching on 2 Peter 1:3-11 this past Sunday. And, as the Lord would have it, He has been moving me in the direction of that text for this coming Sunday as well for our church.<br />
<br />
Maybe this holding pattern is the perfect time to apply the principle of 2 Peter 1:5, "for this very reason, make every effort (be diligent) to supplement your faith with virtue..." Putting this instruction into practice is not simply a matter of "pulling ourselves by our boot straps".<br />
<br />
The application of this principle is grounded in the gospel, the power of God toward us who believe. 2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire".<br />
<br />
For this reason...because of what God has done for us in Christ through the Holy Spirit...make every effort...pursue godliness, pursue Christ-like character, pursue God Himself.<br />
<br />
Wherever you are...start there...make every effort...start today.<br />
<br />
<br />Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-39296034244223022472020-04-17T07:29:00.001-04:002020-04-17T07:29:31.759-04:00All Mixed UpSeveral weeks ago I found one of the older discipleship courses put out by Lifeway at a used bookstore. The study is called "The Mind of Christ" by TW Hunt & Claude V. King.<br />
<br />
As I was reading this morning, I came across the following statement: "Our minds often are so mixed with the world's way of thinking that we need to be reoriented to God's way of thinking".<br />
<br />
That sentence struck a chord with me. Proverbs tells us that "as a man thinks in his heart so is he". We have the capacity as humans to choose what we think about. What we think about, concentrate on, focus our mental attention on, allow to influence our mind becomes the grid through which we interpret our circumstances and make decisions in the midst of those circumstances. What we think about and how we think determines the person we become -- whether we are growing more like Christ or more like the world.<br />
<br />
And, unfortunately, we are oftentimes like Hannah Montana -- we want the "best of both worlds". Our thinking becomes "all mixed up" when we yield our mental attention to being more influenced by worldly, humanistic viewpoints rather than biblical ones.<br />
<br />
What has a greater influence on our thinking today? Is it the voice of the world or the scriptures? Are we developing the "mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16) through consistent exposure to, meditation on, and obedience to the scriptures (Hebrews 4:12)?<br />
<br />
Maybe, just maybe, this time of quarantine could be the turning point for many of us -- that God could use this time in our lives to reorient and renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2) toward His kingdom rather than the world.<br />
<br />
I pray that He will do just that -- in me, in us all.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-33246828071748117402020-04-16T07:21:00.001-04:002020-04-16T07:21:19.198-04:00"For your name's sake"I was reading a devotion the other day, I think by John Piper, can't remember. The main theme was "for your name's sake" (or a variation thereof). The devotion referenced scriptures such as Psalm 23:3 that says, "He leads me in paths of righteousness <b><u>for his name's sake</u></b>".<br />
<br />
Recently, I have been praying about something and asking the Lord to intervene in a situation. This morning, as I was finishing up my workout, it struck me, "Why do I want God to intervene? Do I want him to intervene to alleviate the struggle? Do I want him to intervene to bring relief? Or, am I asking God to intervene "for his name's sake" and "for His glory"?<br />
<br />
That was an "aha" moment. While God is our Father and wants us to bring all our petitions to Him and we all want relief when going through times of difficulty, I wonder about my own deeply held motivations in asking God to intervene sometimes. Thankfully, God's mercies are new every morning (my devotion this morning) and in my weakness, his strength is made perfect.<br />
<br />
Father, let the motivations of my heart's desires truly be "for your name's sake".Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-19827556936963288702020-04-14T16:44:00.000-04:002020-04-14T17:25:20.989-04:00Becoming What we WorshipI have been reading Mark Dever's book <i>9 Marks of a Healthy Church </i>in preparation for our church's Wednesday Bible study this week. In the chapter on conversion, he quotes AW Tozer: "Human nature, as we know it, is in a formative state. It is being changed into the image of the thing it loves."<br />
<br />
That statement has struck a chord with me today. Dever makes the comment after this quote saying, "Our lives are like those old Polaroid snapshots. They are slowly but surely developing into a picture of the god we worship" (p. 123).<br />
<br />
I thought about this in terms of "who" we are becoming as we develop. "Whoever" we are becoming reveals that which we love -- however & in what direction our character is developing reveals the thing we love and the thing we are chasing after. If we are chasing happiness in the things of the world, we will become more like the world, loving the things of the world, thinking like the world thinks. If we are pursuing Christ & our happiness in Him, then our character will develop accordingly--the fruit that is borne in our life will reflect that pursuit in the fruit of the Spirit, conformity to the character of Christ and obedience to the will of God.<br />
<br />
While those who are without Christ are always chasing after happiness in the world because it is their default position, it is sad to see a professing Christian distracted by the world and begin to chase happiness in the world. When that happens, it reveals one of two things: either the person has not been converted truly (cf. Matthew 13, parable of the sower) or the person is converted truly, but has lost their way as a believer like James 5:19-20.<br />
<br />
What, rather who, are you chasing today?Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-9611627701078423642020-04-10T07:40:00.000-04:002020-04-10T07:40:57.577-04:00Repentance<div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Remorse is not repentance. Being sorry is not repentance. Repentance is not feeling "crummy" about yourself. Repentance is not feeling "crummy" about what you did. God may use all those to bring one to repentance, but they are not repentance.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">
<span style="background-color: white;">"As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly sorrow produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death" (2 Cor. 7:9-10)</span></div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Repentance requires re-direction of mind, heart, desires, and behavior. Repentance requires change--not perfectly, but truly. Repentance requires brokenness before God (Psalm 51). Repentance requires humility without defensiveness. Repentance requires taking responsibility without excuse or condition. Repentance requires absorbing the hurt your actions or attitude caused others.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Pray for repentance--for ourselves, those without Christ, and those believers who are living out of step with God's will in temporary rebellion.</span></div>
</div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-45080750577917718752018-01-12T12:50:00.002-05:002019-06-12T10:17:03.869-04:00Evangelism and DiscipleshipSometimes I wonder why we in the church see so many "twin truths" or concepts in scripture as an either/or rather than a both/and. We seem to like to make dichotomies about things. When we do, we almost invariably divide ourselves into two camps as if we are on opposite sides and almost demonize one another for no reason.<br />
<br />
One such area of the church is the evangelism/discipleship discussion. It seems that the church would be better served and our unity be better held together about the mission of the church if we saw these as two sides of the same coin or like a yin-yang symbol.<br />
<br />
Sure, they may be distinct in their individual definitions, but that doesn't mean we have to turn this into an either/or discussion and debate. There really is a flow between these two, isn't there?<br />
<br />
That's probably why I appreciate the designation of "disciple-making" to describe the whole shooting match, so to speak. I was listening to an older video by David Platt the other day, and he reminded me about the arch in the gospel of Matthew. Jesus begins in Matthew 4 with the call, "follow me and I will make you fishers of men". Then, Jesus closes his earthly ministry in Matthew 28 with the command, "go and make disciples of all nations". Recognizing this arch in the gospel of Matthew, I believe, helps us keep the evangelism/discipleship purpose of the church as a both/and rather than an either/or concept.<br />
<br />
Disciple-making includes relationship building with the unsaved (which seems to be so very important today) so we can love people & share the gospel (evangelize) with them. Then, as the Lord saves them, we are able to equip, train, "disciple" them so they can in turn, do the same thing -- reproduce. That's why The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman is a great tool to help one synthesize the pattern of disciple-making (evangelism/discipleship) that Jesus set for us.<br />
<br />
Just a few thoughts rolling around...Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-39652702710958409702017-10-31T11:01:00.000-04:002017-10-31T11:01:23.701-04:00What is your soul-appetite?<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whatever one eats reveals the internal appetite of his/her stomach. It reveals what the person was thinking about in terms of food, what the person was desiring to satisfy their hunger cravings.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems that the same could be said of the soul -- the immaterial part of humanity where the will, mind, and emotions reside. Whatever one feeds into his/her soul reveals the desires of one's mind and heart. Then, it begins a cycle -- the more we feed it that "thing", usually the "more" we desire that "thing".</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And, certainly, there is an internal battle going on for the Christian. We've been "born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead". We've been "quickened" by the Spirit of God from being "spiritually dead". And, yet there is still a "tendency" for our souls to crave the "passions of our former ignorance", that is our life without God and apart from God's supernatural intervention. God, in his great work, gives us a "new heart" with God-directed desires and impulses through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yet again, there is a battle for the feeding of our soul -- that which is "soul-nourishing" vs. "soul-desensitizing" and ultimately "soul-destroying".</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Think about the chemical reactions in the brain when we eat sugar -- think Krispy Kreme donuts. Yeah, when the "hot donuts now" sign is lit. When you eat just one...there is a chemical reaction in your brain that says, "give me more, give me more!" If you keep eating the donuts, what happens...you have to eat more to get your "sugar fix" -- it's the exact same thing for a drug addict...same part of the brain, same chemical reaction. Continuing to eat "sugar" foods in this manner will begin to destroy one's appetite for things that are healthy and good for one's physical body.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we feed our souls "spiritual junk food", our soul will begin to "crave" more and more of that "spiritual junk food" -- like a sugar craving in the brain. We might still "live", but we are desensitizing and destroying our soul and it's desire for the spiritual food that our soul truly needs -- the food of God's Word.</span></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-8449017601910371922017-10-04T12:45:00.003-04:002017-10-04T12:45:58.055-04:00A Stable FaithI was listening to <a href="http://www.gty.org/">John MacArthur</a> preach the other day. He was preaching on spiritual stability and the elements of a spiritually stable Christian. In part 5 of his series, he preaching on "Godly Thinking". Here is something he said that hit home:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Bill Hull, in a book entitled Right Thinking written in 1985, writes, “What scares me is the anti-intellectual, anti-critical thinking philosophy that has spilled over into the church. This philosophy tends to romanticize the faith, making the local church into an experience center. Their concept of church is that they are spiritual consumers and that the church’s job is to meet their felt needs,” end quote. And what is happening in the church is that people are going to church not to think, not to reason about the truth, not like the noble Bereans to search the Scriptures to see what is true, but they’re going there to get a weekly spiritual fix, a weekly spiritual high, so they can feel that God is still with them. They are spiritually unstable because they live on feeling rather than on thinking. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Christian must not be a victim of his feelings. He must not get caught in a pragmatic trap of does-it-work/is-it-successful. John Stott has written in his helpful little book, Your Mind Matters, this: “Indeed, sin has more dangerous effects on our faculty of feeling than on our faculty of thinking because our opinions are more easily checked and regulated by revealed truth than are experiences,” end quote. Very wise statement."<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A stable faith can be attained as our minds are renewed in the truth (Romans 12:1-2) of God's Word. It's not that "feelings" are unimportant, but they are so fickle and unstable that we must not let them drive the care of our lives.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just something to think about...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-7111498682122799352017-09-27T13:59:00.000-04:002017-09-27T13:59:16.476-04:00Spiritual Warfare: Behind the ScenesI was listening to <a href="http://www.truthforlife.org/">Alistair Begg</a> this afternoon, and he was talking about spiritual warfare. He was cautioning his listeners about sensationalizing demonic activity and such. And, it got me to thinking about the forces of darkness and evil that are at play in the world today.<br />
<br />
The Christian has 3 enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Satan, who has sway over this world system, the age in which we live, (1 John 5:19), promotes the things that belong to the spirit of this age (one that is antagonistic to God & his rule) in order to entice the flesh to take the bait of temptation.<br />
<br />
Then, I thought about Galatians 5 and the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit. Paul writes, "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."<br />
<br />
So, I have come to a working conclusion: whenever and wherever any of these "works of the flesh" are promoted or manifested, it is the work of the enemy, directly or indirectly, working subtly behind the scenes to destroy the soul of the individual, to lure the believer away from usefulness in the kingdom, and/or hinder the forward progress of the church in advancing the kingdom of God through the Great Commission. If these things are present in one's life, it is certain that, on some level in those moments, that person is being influenced more by Satanic and worldly values than godly ones. If the pattern of a person's life is characterized by these "works of the flesh", it, at the very least, calls into question that person's profession of faith.<br />
<br />
Now, the interesting part - applying this to daily living.<br />
<br />
More to come...Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-84654794405458165792017-01-02T16:15:00.000-05:002017-01-02T16:15:22.659-05:00DevotionsIn the Christian world, there is no shortage of "devotionals". The intended purpose of devotionals is to supplement one's time in the scriptures. They are never intended to be a substitute for one's direct contact with God's Word through some kind of daily reading & studying. Some people use devotionals like the old adage that says, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away"----we change it a bit----"a verse a day keeps the devil away". Yeah, it really doesn't work that way.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, having said that, some devotionals are better than others. Most devotionals take one or two verses of scripture, and then, tell a story or attempt to give some application of that verse to real-life. Some devotionals do a good job of this; some of them do not. The devotionals that give the meaning of the verse in it's proper biblical context and then give an application point for the verse are best, in my opinion. Having the whole biblical context of the verse or verses is best. The reason: if you miss the meaning of the verse in it's proper biblical context, you will miss the right application of the verse to real-life. You see, many devotional writers do not do the work of interpretation before writing their "devotional thought"-------however, some do (please hear me say that).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, use devotionals, but use them discerningly. And, if the devotional only uses one or two verses, take a few extra minutes, look up the verse in your Bible and read the surrounding verses to get a better understanding of what the author of the devotion is doing. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are a few authors that not only help apply the Bible to real-life, but also have the solid ground behind their application of the verses: John MacArthur's <i>Truth for Today</i> or <i>Alone with God</i>; John Piper's <i>Solid Joys </i>or <i>A Godward Life; </i>DA Carson's <i>For the Love of God</i> (this one is part of a year-long Bible reading plan); Oswald Chambers' <i>My Utmost For His Highest</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are others out there. Find a good one, use it; but, remember, they should not be a substitute for direct contact with God's Word...let them supplement your time in God's Word.</div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-74548110607783182292016-12-26T13:37:00.000-05:002016-12-26T13:37:16.901-05:00The Day AfterToday is the day after...no, not the "day after" movie from the 1980's when the threat of nuclear war was very real, and people were frightened about that real possibility. It's the day after "Christmas". What does the day after look like for you? How are you responding to it?<br />
<br />
Are you going back to business as usual, or has something about this Christmas season caused you to take a step back and evaluate your life, where you are right now? Are you where you want to be?<br />
<br />
I mean, we all know that since Christmas is <i>gone</i> for this year, it's time to start looking at the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017. Reflection and meditation on our lives is a good thing, and there's really no better time to do that than now. It is a good practice for us to reflect on the past year and begin anticipating the new one.<br />
<br />
What were some of your greatest challenges during 2016? How did God come through in his steadfast love during 2016? What were some of your greatest victories in 2016? What ways have you grown during 2016?<br />
<br />
What are you looking forward to in 2017? What goals are you setting for yourself in 2017----spiritual goals, health goals, personal goals, etc.? Are you putting some action steps in place to reach those goals?<br />
<br />
I enjoy the times of the year like New Year's. They seem to be a divine built-in opportunity to kind of hit the "reset" button, to evaluate things in life and prepare a plan to move forward better equipped for the days ahead.<br />
<br />
I want to encourage you this week to do some reflecting, evaluating, anticipating, and looking forward to 2017. Where is the Lord directing you in 2017?<br />
<br />
God bless and happy new year!Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-91074332526578423832016-05-09T20:34:00.000-04:002016-05-09T20:34:51.590-04:00Faith<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found the following part of Oswald Chambers' devotion from yesterday motivational:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33px;">A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+13:15" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 33px; text-decoration: none;">Job 13:15</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33px;">).</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He goes on to talk about what faith really is. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 29px;">Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion, but is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. And even though you cannot see Him right now and cannot understand what He is doing, you know </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 29px;">Him</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 29px;">. Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the supreme effort of your life— throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God.</span> </span> </blockquote>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-82694364627790706442016-04-25T17:41:00.001-04:002016-04-25T17:41:25.251-04:00The Rhythm of Your Life<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he writes to the believers, "Now I say this and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do" (Ephesians 4:17). Paul uses "Gentiles" in the context of this sentence to refer not to their ethnicity, but to their spiritual condition & identity that is "outside" of Christ; they are non-believers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul is making the declaration: there is a distinctness to the lifestyle of a believer that is noticeably different from that of a non-believer. However, apparently, some in the congregation at Ephesus didn't get the memo. So, Paul is telling them to "stop living according to the rhythm of the world". There is a rhythm to everyone's life. For the believer, we are to be living according to the rhythm of Christ, living according to our new identity in him...that is, distinct, different, set apart in "true righteousness and holiness" progressing ever more closely to the character of Christ as we "put off" the old man, are "renewed in the spirit of our minds", and "put on" the new man. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This includes our attitudes, actions, worldview, behaviors, and ambitions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a country song out now, a duet with Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt. Part of it says, "dancing to the rhythm of your heartbeat". I wonder today, Christian, are you dancing to the rhythm of the heartbeat of the world or to the heartbeat of the gospel and the kingdom of Jesus?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-31743306146844529412016-04-11T12:47:00.001-04:002016-04-11T12:47:11.310-04:00The Gospel and Suffering<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Romans 8:18-25 is one of the great encouragements of the Bible. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (8:18). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the face of suffering (a universal human experience) the gospel anchors our hope by doing four things:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The gospel anchors our hope by drawing our vision to future glory (18)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The gospel anchors our hope by reminding us that we are children of God (19-21)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The gospel anchors our hope by preparing us for our new glorified bodies (22-23)</span></span></div>
<span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-4dbcc5cd-0636-034d-bab4-3d30e746f794"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The gospel anchors our hope by building up our endurance to wait for deliverance (24-25)</span></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My prayer today is that you will remember that the anchor of your hope in the face of suffering is the good news that Jesus lived the perfect live we could not live, that he suffered and died the death that we deserve, and he conquered the final enemy of death by rising from the dead for our justification...and, therefore, "if (since) God is for us, who can be against us?"</span></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be encouraged today!</span></span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992721323362373540.post-67783726050248476142016-03-21T11:58:00.001-04:002016-03-21T11:58:23.968-04:00Discipleship: Like a Pebble in a Pond<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When you drop a pebble into a body of water, there is always a ripple effect. The depth & mass of the pebble dropped into the water determines the breadth of the ripple effect, that is how far out from the center it moves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wonder if we have gotten that a bit backwards in the church, particularly as it relates to discipleship. While it is true that we ought to "cast the net wide" at times, certainly Jesus did, but the primary way he "made disciples" was in smaller groups. As he poured himself into the 12 disciples, he certainly gave them more "depth". And, subsequently, the effect of his "discipleship" rippled out from the center...it's still rippling today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If that's the case, why do we seem to approach discipleship from the opposite direction? Or, maybe we don't approach it from the opposite direction, but we certainly do not give the time & attention necessary for the "depth" to take place, do we?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was reminded last week at the <a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org/index.php?id=1715">Reveal: Disciple-Making Conference</a> by one of the speakers, Dhati Lewis, who said: "Discipleship is not a ministry of the church; it is THE ministry of the church."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If that is true, and I believe it is...what are the ramifications for how we "do" church? At least in my mind, the ramifications are HUGE! Not only for the way that I "pastor" the congregation I serve (what I give my time & energy to), but for the "programming" church employs, our approach to events & activities that we schedule, the expectations we have for church members, how we seek to equip the saints for the work of ministry (disciple-making)...and the list goes on and on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, what if we took this seriously? What if we truly bought into this Great Commission"? What if we decided we weren't going to "go on with business" in the church as usual?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I admit. I'm not exactly sure what this would all look like fleshed out, especially in my context. But, I'm pretty sure, some things would have to change...beginning with me.</span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15276566143042088913noreply@blogger.com0