Sabtu, 27 Februari 2010

Door of Hope


Door of Hope
By Francis Frangipane www.frangipane.org

We tend to boast in the power of faith while minimizing the value of hope. Yet, "faith is the substance of the things hoped for" (Heb. 11:1 KJV). Without first having a living hope in God, our faith is meaningless. Indeed, the first stage of transformation is the awakening of hope.

Yet, even after we come to Christ, we still fail. Often, a downward spiral occurs when sin opens the door to condemnation, and condemnation smothers the voice of hope. Consider the story of Israel’s conquest of Canaan. The Lord was about to prosper Israel with the wealth of the Canaanites, but only if the spoils of their first battle at Jericho were dedicated fully to God. One man, Achan, however, defied the Lord's edict. He took silver, gold, and a garment from Shinar, and then hid the spoils in his tent. As a result of his sin, thirty-six Israelites died in their next battle, defeated and humiliated by the tiny city of Ai.

After the Lord exposed Achan as the perpetrator, Joshua took him, along with his family and possessions, and brought them all to a valley. There, Israel's leader said, "'Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.' And all Israel stoned them with stones; . . . Therefore the name of that place has been called the valley of Achor to this day" (Josh. 7:25-26).

The word Achor meant "troubling." It represented the trouble and pain one person’s sin exacted on many others. Certainly, the most terrible thing Achan experienced was that his sin caused his wife and children to die with him. As they huddled together awaiting this horrible judgment, the guilt and regret flooding Achan's mind must have been insufferable.

Personal Failure
In time, the valley of Achor came to symbolize the worst of punishments. It was a place of death and desolation. Today, of course, we do not stone those whose sin or irresponsibility has caused others grief. Still, sin has consequences, and though we may not be physically stoned for our failure, the effects of public condemnation can be just as crushing to the human spirit. The fact is, too many of us have known a personal valley of Achor, where our moral negligence or ill-advised actions caused another's suffering.

Perhaps you committed adultery, and since then, your spouse and children are devastated. It might be that your anxious or careless driving caused an accident, resulting in great suffering or possibly even another person's death. Or maybe your lack of Christian example has caused your children to turn from God. The possible ways of falling are endless, but the result is nearly always the same: it is as though a curse rests on your life.

It is bad enough that your own heart condemns you. There are also those individuals who know your failure, whose chorus of criticisms convince you of your hopeless nature. Public censure, cold looks and judgmental attitudes have the same effect on your soul as Achan's stoning had on his flesh, only what dies in you is hope. Where once you could look with anticipation toward the future, now heartache and regret block your view.

Only virtue, made pure and strong by true repentance, can displace the burden of self-condemnation. Thus, the only correct response to wrong actions and their consequences is the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately, the enemy has many Christians trapped in unbelief and self-condemnation. They know what they did was wrong and they hate it, but they cannot unburden themselves of the guilt. Remember, our Redeemer came to proclaim liberty to those who are "prisoners" (see Isa. 61:1). Is He speaking only of those who are incarcerated in jails? No, His mission is for all of us who are prisoners of our past failures. God wants us to learn from our mistakes, not be held captive to them. Jesus came to deliver and restore those whose dreams lie buried in the valley of Achor.

Personal Tragedy
The burdens we carry may have nothing to do with moral failure. They might have come from any number of life's calamities.

One of the worst ordeals for the soul is the death of a loved one. Such a loss can leave us excessively burdened and trapped in the past. The story of Abraham's father, Terah, gives us an insightful picture of a man who could not depart from the loss of a loved one.

Terah had three sons: Abram, Nahor and Haran. The Bible tells us, "Haran died in the presence of his father" (Gen. 11:28). To lose your son can produce terrible heartache; to have him die in your arms can be utterly devastating.

In time, Terah took his family and left Ur of the Chaldeans in search of a new destiny in Canaan. En route, however, Terah had to pass through a city with the same name as his deceased son, Haran. Instead of continuing on to Canaan, the Scripture says Terah "went as far as Haran, and settled there" (v. 31).

Longing for a deceased loved one is normal. However, life's tragedies also have a way of obligating us to a false loyalty which prohibits the release of our pain. Without notice, a face in an airport or a song on the radio floods our hearts and, suddenly, we are overcome by sorrow. How quickly we reenter the place of our grief; how easy it is to settle there!

"And Terah died in Haran" (v. 32). Not only did Terah settle in Haran, he died there. The wording is both prophetic and significant. Perhaps it was a false sense of guilt that held him hostage: If only I had done such and such my son would not have died! Whatever the reason, Terah was never able to live beyond Haran's death.

We must also see that, as painful as the loss of a loved one is, we cannot permit the wounds of our past to nullify what God has for us in our future. Even if we enter limping, we must not settle for something outside our destiny. God's grace is here now. With His help, we must choose to journey on to Canaan or we, too, will die in Haran.

A Time For Healing
These two things, personal failure and personal tragedy, can place cruel burdens of oppression and guilt upon our souls. God's response to our need is that, in addition to forgiving our sins, He has laid on Christ "the guilt of us all" (Isa. 53:6 NAB). Whether our guilt is justified or not, it must be lifted from our shoulders and placed on Christ.

Today, a renewal is occurring in various parts of the world; God is restoring joy to His people. Many whom the Lord has touched were weighed down -- just like you might be -- with either moral failure or tragedy. In the very place where our deferred hopes produced heart sickness Christ is here "to bind up the brokenhearted" (Isa. 61:1). Where once sorrow and heaviness reigned, He gives a "garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting" (Isa. 61:3).

No longer will church attendance be a penance for your failures. From now on you shall enter His gates with thanksgiving. Indeed, to every Christian struggling with an unbearable burden, the Lord says, You are still My bride.

Indeed, speaking of this very valley of troubling, the Lord has promised: "I will allure her, bring her into the wilderness and speak kindly to her. Then I will give her her vineyards from there, and the valley of Achor as a door of hope. And she will sing there as in the days of her youth" (Hosea 2:14-15).

The fruitfulness of God's blessing, from this day forward, shall increase in your life. And there in "the valley of Achor," the scene of your deepest wounds or worst failures, the Lord has placed for you a "door of hope." His goal is nothing less than to restore to you the song of the Lord, that you might sing again "as in the days of [your] youth."

Senin, 22 Februari 2010

What is Commercial Christianity?



What is Commercial Christianity?
By Mark Pfeifer www.markandnicki.com

ARE WE REALLY PREACHING THE GOSPEL THST JESUS PREACHED?

As believers living in the United States, we have to ask ourselves some very serious questions concerning the “gospel” we preach. Because our pop culture is so heavily influenced by the entertainment industry and our economy based on capitalism; our own form of unique Christianity has emerged.

I’m not saying that it’s all bad. In fact, much of it is good. This is why leaders from other nations clamor for an opportunity to hear teachers from the United States and come to our nation to be trained. The fact that Americans Christians have helped fulfill the Great Commission worldwide in numerous ways is undeniable.

However, the impact of our culture on the gospel our citizens hear every Sunday needs to be measured with a Biblical standard not an American one. Simply put, are we preaching a Committed Christianity or a Commercial Christianity?

* Committed: “devoted to somebody or something such as a cause or relationship” (Encarta Online Dictionary)
* Commercial: “relating to the buying and selling of goods or services” (Encarta Online Dictionary)

Pastors are under pressure. Mega-ministries they see on television and the Christian celebrities they produce set the standard for success. In an attempt to create a ministry in that image, preachers become motivated to create fans instead of disciples; customers instead of warriors; admirers instead of sons.

What works to create fans, customers and admirers is not the same criteria that produces disciples, warriors and sons. Can you imagine what would happen if the military used a customer service policy in basic training? How could Jesus have made 12 disciples if His only motive was to entertain them with His performances? What would happen if we raised our children to become our admirers instead of healthy sons and daughters?

What would it look like? It would look like many churches in America!

In an attempt to pacify people so they will stay with us and draw new people in; we have adopted a philosophy forged in the American entrepreneurialism that uses a humanistic model instead of a Biblical model.

In many cases, we have conformed the message of the cross around people’s desires and lifestyles instead of demanding that people conform their desires and lifestyles around the cross.

It’s kind of like the marksman who prided himself in always hitting the bull’s-eye. But what people didn’t know was that he shot the target first and painted the bull’s-eye around the bullet hole.

In order to produce commercial success, pastors are abandoning a message of commitment and replacing it with a message of accommodation that allows people to continue self-centered lifestyles that in the end will destroy them. Comparing the difference between a Committed Christianity and a Commercial Christianity, Jesus said some interesting things in Luke 9…
COMMITTED CHRISTIANITY

In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Remember that the cross in that day was a symbol of shame and humiliation. It was an instrument of capital punishment reserved for the worse criminals of society. In no uncertain terms, Jesus commanded His followers to deny themselves every day, take up an instrument of humiliation and death in order to follow up unashamedly. Is that the type of Christianity preached from American pulpits today?

I heard this message taught once from a plate of bacon and eggs. A friend of mine looked at his breakfast and said, “You know, the chicken was involved but the pig was committed!” It’s time to dust off some of those old sermons preached by the pioneers of our faith; sermons that called people to commitment rather than convenience.
COMMERCIAL CHRISTIANITY

Later in Luke 9, we have a picture of Commercial Christianity in its fullness. In fact, we see it broken down into three distinct forms.

Form #1: Consumer Christianity V-57-58
“Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, ‘Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ ”

Consumer Christianity enjoys the benefits of being saved but is not willing to pay the price. It focuses on all the benefits and blessings of being a Christ follower but wants none of the sacrifice associated with it. Using this form, people bargain with God like they haggle over the price of goods in the marketplace. Some believers have been spoon fed a self-help gospel of blessing for so long that when a leader tries to disincline them or ask for a greater commitment, they choke on it.

Form #2: Convenient Christianity V-59-60
“Then He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the Kingdom of God.’”

Convenient Christianity follows Christ on personal terms; only when it’s convenient. In this passage the man wanted to follow Christ after his father had passed away. When it was convenient, maybe in a year or two, the man would follow. However, Jesus retorts with a message of commitment, calling the man to preach the Kingdom of God now, convenience notwithstanding.

We have bent and distorted the message of the cross around the convenience of people for a long time in the church. We offer them convenient services at convenient times with convenient messages, all designed to fit easily into their busy schedule with no demands upon them to change. Asking people to sacrifice for the church and the cause of Christ has become a bitter message in the mouths of American Christians who have acquired a taste for truffles and fluff.

Form #3: Casual Christianity V-61-62
“And another also said, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’”

Jesus describes a person who casually plows a field while looking backwards. When people do this while driving automobiles, we call this distracted driving and pass laws prohibiting it. Drivers casually text on their cell phones, adjust the volume on the radio and put on make-up while piloting their car. This is not only dangerous for the driver but for everyone else on the road at the time.

While we won’t allow it on the streets of America, we condone this type of behavior from our pulpits every week. We indorse it. We have created a brand of casual Christianity that allows people to be lukewarm and stride the fence. They are never called into question or rebuked for their actions. Instead, they are encouraged to serve the Lord on their own terms.
CONCLUSION

Considering what Jesus said about the necessity of carrying the cross and His commands to the three people who supposedly came to follow Him ought to make us reexamine the message we preach. Are we truly calling disciples to a lifestyle committed to the Jesus or simply trying to build our commercial success? This is an important question for us to answer!

It’s my belief that people are looking for something worth living and dying for. They are hungry for a cause; a purpose; a battle cry. We have it…so let’s give it to them.

Leaders; don’t be afraid to preach for commitment. Don’t be shy about demanding that people sacrifice for the cause of Christ. Don’t apologize for requiring people to change their schedules to accommodate the activities of the church.

People, don’t be offended when Christian leaders rebuke your selfishness and challenges you to a greater commitment to Christ. Don’t leave the church if your leaders require you to change your schedule to accommodate a church activity. You should thank leaders who demand a greater commitment to God. They are helping to save your souls from death!

Committed Christianity will bring true fulfillment and meaning to your life!

Sabtu, 13 Februari 2010

KEEP ON PLODDING


KEEP ON PLODDING


Have you felt like giving up lately? Has God given you promises that have not yet been fulfilled? Have you been wondering if you heard correctly when you stepped into your present situation? God has a word for you. Will you open your heart to receive it? Here is his NOW word to you:


"Have I not said unto you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God? You have obeyed my voice and have gone to the place where I sent you and have set yourself to do all my will. I see and I will honor your obedience. Only be not weary in well doing for IN DUE SEASON you shall reap if you faint not.



I know that you have not walked a perfect walk but you are under a BLOOD COVENANT and all your sins are forgiven for Jesus sake. I have given to you the sure mercies of David and I will not remove my mercies from you, though I correct, I rebuke, and I discipline the one in whom my soul delights.



Therefore let not your heart be discouraged, but lift up the hands that hang down and give high praise to the Lord your God who has called you and anointed you to be a blessing RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE! Think not in your heart that your happiness and fulfillment will come to you at another time and in another place. You are AT THIS MOMENT in the right place to experience fullness of joy. I AM YOUR JOY AND HAPPINESS! No created thing or circumstance has power to bring you into peace and rest. I AM YOUR DWELLING PLACE AND YOUR EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD.



The vision I have given to you is growing closer. Do not lose heart. Hold fast your confession of faith without wavering for He is faithful that promised. Remember my servant Joseph who endured the trials of many years before he saw the fulfillment of his dreams, but after his faith was tried, I brought him to the place of usefulness and influence that I had promised him while still a youth. As I took pains to prepare my servant then for such a position of responsibility and fruitfulness, even so I have been preparing you. WALK THROUGH THE DRY PLACES WITH REJOICING! The fires of the present trials are upon you only to purify you as a vessel unto honor, sanctified and prepared for the master’s use.



You have toiled excessively to make it all happen. You must relax and let me bring it all to pass. It will not come even one day before my appointed time for then it would be too early and you would not be ready. I will wait for you that I may be gracious to you in the fullness of the time. This is a time for you to rest and enjoy Me.


CEASE FROM YOU OWN STRIVINGS! You will not need to fight in this battle. STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD! I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU AND YOU SHALL HOLD YOUR PEACE. The time will come when you will rejoice in the reality of the vision that has fully come into being all around you. But NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO REJOICE IN THE PROSPECT OF THAT WHICH IS TO COME. NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO SHOUT THE SHOUT OF FAITH.

I am not impressed with activity. I am looking for the broken and the contrite heart; for the tender and pliable heart that trembles at my word and quietly remains in the place of duty in the face of severe pressures. Keep on plodding, KEEP ON PLODDING! Do not change your direction and I will surely bless you and bring to pass the fullness of my purposes for your life says the Lord Almighty."

--
Robert Fitts
76-6309 Haku Pl
Kona, HI 96740
robertjoni@gmail.com
www.robertfitts.com

Minggu, 07 Februari 2010

Changes in Everything


Changes in Everything

Dr. Kluane Spake, http://kluane.org

A message to leaders

Let's not keep going round and round on the endless farris wheel ride of same-ol' ministry. It really is a New Day! And EVERYTHING has changed.

Most of us know that Church is different. What worked before, just isn't as effective as it was.

For sure, we know that believers are earnestly looking for "MORE." They want to see the real deal and gather with real people. They want to experience God at church, in their lives, and at work. People are tired of the "hype." They are more than tired of the false pretenses and evang-elastic words.

Hebrews 9:10 says, "They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-external regulations applying until the time of the NEW ORDER."

MESSAGE BIBLE says, "Under this system, the gifts and sacrifices can't really get to the heart of the matter, can't assuage the conscience of the people, but are limited to matters of ritual and behavior. It's essentially a temporary arrangement until a complete overhaul could be made."

Do we sit like blind Bartamaus not listening to what has been taught for centuries? Or do we hear the shift - God is blowing the whistle and gathering a people unto Himself. Jesus is releasing us into this new season of believing and leading.

TIME OF THE NEW ORDER. = diorthosis NT:1223 dia: reformation: NT:1357 diorthosis (dee-or'-tho-sis); from a compound of NT:1223 and a derivative of NT:3717, meaning to straighten thoroughly; rectification, i.e. (specially) the Messianic restauration.

Jesus introduced this NEW ORDER.

He gave the world everything that we needed to bring it forward. Much of these truths have been lost in the Dark ages and Middle ages. A sequence of reformation has continued up to our lifetime. Now, we stand at the fullness of time. At the brink of the dawn of a new day - chosen to user in this apostolic order of higher perception that brings forth LIFE. It is an order of wisdom, knowledge, and stability. Of greater manifestation. Correct focus.

What is NEW in your way of ministry?

Our assignment is not to find fault or criticize what has gone on before. We only need to learn from it, use what we've learned as stepping stones, and move forward. We can appreciate the value of each passing renewal that brought us to our fabulous new day.

Do you realize that you are hand picked to live and to lead in this hour? To be the first ones in the door with new understanding and new relevance! My God... your and I are the most fortunate people.

The task now is to get to where the cloud has already moved...

Principles of Reformation
Matt. 16:27
Ep. 2:20
1 Cor. 12:28
Ep. 4:11-13

We've learned from the mistakes of even our recent past. Inaccurate emphasis and imbalances. The "me" selfish mentality. Mendicancy vs. Name it and claim it. Searching for the Spiritual without applying it to the temporal. Controlling and haughty leaders.

Great leaders must create an environment where the unique potential of each individual can be actualized. People will follow an ethical leader(s) who release(s) them.

Godly authority cannot be fully released to those who are not accountable for their actions and behavior.

Leaders must be consistent. Practice what you say -- or don't say it!

You must have credibility.

You must be Trustable.

You must genuinely care.

The only thing in the universe that grows without sustenance is the human ego.

Gal. 2:1 "Fourteen years after that first visit, Barnabas and I went up to Jerusalem and took Titus with us. I went to clarify with them what had been revealed to me. At that time I placed before them exactly what I was preaching to the non-Jews. I did this in private with the leaders, those held in esteem by the church, so that our concern would not become a controversial public issue, marred by ethnic tensions, exposing my years of work to denigration and endangering my present ministry. (another translation, "I wanted to make sure they did not disagree, or my ministry would have been useless.)"

Apostle Paul understood the necessity to communicate and be understood by other leaders. Do you do that?

Paul was able to say FOLLOW ME AS I FOLLOW CHRIST. Can you say that?

Well... it is a new day! Effectiveness IS dependent upon character.

HOW do you treat others?

WHAT do YOU do when they come to you for reconciliation and help? Are you a reconciler? Or do you hold hurt and unforgiveness?

Is there unresolved misunderstanding or offense with someone - that you have not deeply addressed (with them)?

Do you need to talk to someone who is waiting for you to call?

Do you look for WHY things happened and perhaps even sometimes admit the blame?

HOW do you talk and act behind their back?

HOW do you pray for them? Do you really care?

Is Koinonia real in your life?

Is loyal friendship an imperative?

Do you actually care about anything besides our own success and that of your ministry?

Is ministry a job or a passion? Is it routine or exciting?

These are things that believers are looking for! That's what your ministry friends want to know too...

Gal. 2: 19 "What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be "God's man." Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The LIFE YOU SEE ME LIVING IS NOT MINE, but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that." (MSG).

Prov. 14:28, The mark of a good leader (king, monarch, ruler) is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following.

Believers must move past what has been previously defined as "revival." As wonderful as it is to experience these revivals, we need to see that the next real revivals will ADD something new - they will enable us to change our world!

There is a reason for the visitation of the Holy Spirit - to inhabit us! The Holy Spirit comes to change us into His image. And... there's purpose in these Divine encounters! Sure we can enjoy the Presence and moments of mystery and delight. And... when the gold dust fades away, we are supposed to get up OFF the floor after being "laid out" -- and then GO OUT and make a difference.

Authority requires a vision - you can't lead unless you are going somewhere!

Anointing is more than a "feeling" it is the power to accomplish God's purposes.

Responsibility means that each person is accountable to someone for the performance of tasks assigned to him. Was it completed on time? Satisfactorily finished? Etc. WHY? To get somewhere!

As soon as leaders align with new genuine character, they can lead the way to dynamic influence in the world systems. Believers will want to imitate them and work alongside. Together, they can affect change in the world. God gave you the authority to make a difference.

Jumat, 05 Februari 2010

Contagious Joy


Contagious Joy

There are so many cares and responsibilities that will follow you all of your life. I cannot take them all away for you, but I can give you a powerful force that will help you achieve all your goals with power!

Never forget the power of my joy child! You have become so wrapped up in your cares and burdens, that you have forgotten to walk in the one thing that will make all of these cares an easy burden to carry. My burden is easy and my yoke is light. It was never my intention for you to feel weighed down with care or to struggle under an impossible load.

Rather I want you to walk in joy! It is this joy that will be a light in you that will shine for others. It is this joy that will draw so many to you. You have been looking for that missing "something" in your life and you thought that to gain it, that you must work harder.

This is not true my child. Instead I want you to walk in my joy! When you tap into it, the hard work becomes easy. The impossible person becomes a delight. Step into my joy now. Throw your hands into the air and give your cares up to me.

Tap into the joy that is already in your spirit and give me your praise. Praise me for your circumstances and your life. Laugh and smile. Rejoice and praise me for the blessings in your life. As you do this, my joy will begin to bubble out from inside of you and become an contagious force that will effect everyone round about you.

Take time today to laugh and to revel in my presence. Rest in my joy and then become a source of joy for others as well says the Lord.