We Serve A Risen Savior

Jesus is ALIVE!  The very fact that people call themselves Christians is evident enough to support that statement.  Jesus was and is a "real" person.  He isn't some myth and He isn't still in the tomb.  He is alive and healing the sick, saving the lost, touching the oppressed and despondent, and lifting up those who need spiritual help.  And He is doing much of this through the Body of Christ, those who call themselves "Christians."  I want to share with you five important facts about Christ and His crucifixion.

1.  Jesus Was God And Man

For many, the teaching that Jesus was both God and man is very difficult to comprehend.  Isaiah, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned the words "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bare a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel (God with us)".  Jesus was a man and He was God, He was the "God/man."  He became man to take our place for sin.  He became a human so He could suffer and die for you and me.  But yet He was also divine so that He could be free from the fall of sinful man.  To understand this, we have to grasp that He was as human as His mother (Mary) and as divine as His Heavenly Father (God Almighty).

2.  Jesus Christ Was Crucified

Jesus was nailed to a cross and crucified.  This to isn't a myth or legend.  He did die!  The soldiers saw Him die, the on-looking crowd, Pharisees, and Scribes, all saw Him crucified.  His own mother, brothers, and disciples all witnessed His death.  Jesus did die for our sins and hundreds were witness to it.

3.  Jesus Is Not Dead

The good news is that Jesus didn't "stay dead" and in the tomb!  He is alive!  It wasn't a dead Christ that lit the fires of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  It wasn't a dead Christ that Stephen saw standing at the right hand of God when He was being stoned.  It wasn't a dead Christ that John saw walking in the midst of the Seven Golden Candle Sticks when he was caught up in the spirit while on the isle of Patmos. It wasn't a dead Christ that John saw riding out of the heavens on a white horse with ten thousands of His saints behind Him. And it wasn't a dead Christ that the disciples saw leave the mount of ascension and go to set at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for you and for me.  No, Jesus isn't dead, He is alive!

4.  Jesus Is A Central Figure In The World

No matter how much impact great men of the world have had, past or present, none can compare to the impact and influence Jesus Christ has had on the world scene!  He never wrote a book, yet libraries are filled with books written about Him.  He never held an office here on earth, yet He holds the highest of all offices as the "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords."

5.  Jesus Is The Master Of Every Situation

When Jesus was here on earth, He healed the sick, cast out demons, cleansed the lepers, walked on water, calmed the storm, fed the multitudes and gave strength to the weak!  He was the Master of every situation, even the Master over death!  He is still the Master of every situation you will face, if only you will allow Him to be.  Jesus Christ is here today to seek and save the lost and yes, He is alive and living today!

Inherent Power

The lack of a "demonstration" of the power of God in the believer's life and in the church has resulted in most people "discounting" God's power.  People try to build their lives on philosophy, theology, or "man's opinion" rather than the Word of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Without the power of the Holy Spirit we are helpless to do what we should.  The early Church in the book of Acts was only able to accomplish what it did, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  In this post I want to share with you four facts about the inherent power of the Believer.

1.  We Have Been Given Inherent Power

The Greek word for power in Acts 1:8 is "dunamis," which means "inherent power capable of reproducing itself like a dynamo."  This is the type of power that was promised to the disciples in Luke 24:49 when Jesus told them: "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."  This promise wasn't just for the disciples, it is for every believer in Christ!  It isn't just any power, it is a power that is sent "from on high!"  It is a heavenly power!  And it's purpose is to enable the believer to be a witness of God's power to the world.  The same way Peter and John demonstrated the power of God when the lame man was healed outside the temple gate.  "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." And the man was instantly healed!  What they had was the "power of God and the Holy Spirit!"

2.  Our Faith Is To Stand In The Power Of God

Paul told the people in 1Corinthians 2:4-5 that he didn't come with "enticing words" of man's wisdom, but in the "demonstration and power" of God.  We have tried too long to operate in "man's wisdom" and have found it simply doesn't work.  If we expect to reach the world, it has to be through the power of God and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit can do more in five minutes than you and I can do in a lifetime!  Our faith is not to stand in man's wisdom, but in the power of God!

3.  Ways To Present The Gospel

 There are many ways that people choose to present the Gospel.  I Thessalonians 1:5 gives four specific ways:

• In Word -- The Gospel is presented by preaching the Word of God!
• In Power -- When the Gospel is presented with power and anointing, it destroys any yoke of bondage. (Isaiah 10:27)
• In the Holy Spirit -- We are helpless in presenting the Gospel unless it is in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• In much Assurance -- Through the assurance of faith the Gospel is brought to others.  It is a conviction that we have the truth!

4.  What The Power Of The Holy Spirit Will Do For You

Make no mistake about it, the power of the Holy Spirit will change your life!   It will empower you as it did the disciples.  The power will also give you a new perspective for life and ministry.  It is when we are enabled with the Holy Spirit's power that we will have a new desire to work toward spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This power will also give you the confidence you need for the ministry.  When you have the Holy Spirit working in your life you have inherent power.  And you can use that power for the glory of God to reach the lost and heal the sick.

God's Answer For An Empty Life

Text: John 3:1-5; Mark 10:17-22; Matthew 5:6

There is no doubt that at sometime in your life, you have experienced "emptiness:" a sense that something is missing in your life and you don't have true peace and joy.  Even when everything seemed fine on the outside and from an outsider's perspective you appeared to have it all together, you knew that on the inside your life lacked real meaning and you felt incomplete.  Everyone has these times of "emptiness."  The good news is that God has an answer for this feeling of emptiness and incompleteness.  I want to share with you four principles that relate to a person's empty feeling in their life.

1.  We Were Created To Have A Personal Relationship With God

No one can be truly satisfied unless the Lord is a primary part of their life!  But unfortunately many people ignore God's ability to fulfill the emptiness in their life and they try to fill it with money, prestige, accomplishments, drugs and alcohol, or sex.  But none of these offer deep lasting fulfillment and as a result people continue to search for that one person, event, or pleasure that will bring fulfillment, but they never find it.  It is only as we pursue God and not the world's pleasures that we will find lasting satisfaction.

2.  Reasons People Give For An Empty Life

The reasons people identify for having an empty life vary greatly.  But primarily they include:

• Not being successful
• Not having enough money
• Not married, or married to the "wrong person"
• Death of a spouse
• Divorce
• "Empty Nest" Syndrome--all the children are grown and have left home

There are many others.  But as important as these might be, they are not the reason for an empty life.  The cause of an empty life is much deeper than these issues.

3.  Consequences Of Emptiness

There are serious consequences when people begin to "focus" on the emptiness in their life, without first focusing on the only One who has the answer to their emptiness.  Often people begin to doubt God and His Word.  They begin to make wrong decisions today to get immediate fulfillment, forgetting about the consequences of tomorrow and they become disillusioned.  Remember it is only Jesus Christ who can fill the empty void in your life.

4.  Jesus Is The Answer For An Empty Life

Although the things of the world will offer a temporary relief to the void in your life, they can never fulfill it with an "everlasting" fulfillment.  To really find the completeness in your life you must allow God to give you fulfillment.  Three strategies for allowing God to fill the emptiness:

• Draw near to God--He wants you to have a loving and submissive relationship with Him.  We draw near through Bible study, prayer, meditating on His Word, spending time with God and through fellowship with other believers.
• Don't allow other priorities to crowd out your relationship with God.  We have to make sure God is always first!  It's too easy to pull away from God or scale back our commitment to Him.  Don't let that happen.  When you get too busy commitment and faithfulness to God is normally the first thing to go.
• Clear your life of activities and goals that distract you from pursuing a deepening relationship with God. Jesus told his disciple to store up their treasures in heaven and not on the earth.   What He was saying was that we shouldn't allow temporal possessions or pursuits to capture our heart, but allow God to capture it.

Everyone has times of emptiness in their life, but know this, God is ready to fill it!  Will you turn your feelings of incompleteness and emptiness over to Him today?  He's ready to make you whole again!

Buy Truth And Sell It Not

What you believe really does matter!  Many Christians don't really appreciate that statement nor do they really understand the importance of following the truth, but the truth matters!  You might have heard someone say "It's not doctrine that is important, but the way one lives that counts" or "It doesn't matter what one believes so long as they are sincere."  Such statements are foolishness, because someone can be sincere and yet be sincerely wrong!  The Bible clearly states that it does make a difference what one believes and teaches.  Here are three principles we must follow when it comes to the truth:

1.  We Are To Love The Truth

Whenever we possess the characteristics of a true Christian, we will have a strong love for what is true!  Jesus prayed for his disciples and said "sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth."  Truth can only be found in the Word of God.  Because God's Word is truth, it should be the desire of every Christian to give diligent study to the Bible so we can "rightly divide the Word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).  It is this love of the truth that is necessary for our salvation.  God wants all to have this love so that they might come to know and understand His will and be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).

2.  We Are To Uphold The Truth

If we love the truth we will not only be willing to live in harmony with it, but we will uphold and defend it.  The Apostle Paul repeatedly admonishes us to strive to uphold and maintain the truth (2 Timothy 1:13).  Paul told Timothy to "charge men to teach no other doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:3-4).  He also commanded Titus to sharply rebuke those who gave heed to commandments of men which turn from the truth (Titus 1:13-14).  According to James 5:19-20, some of the uses of God's Word includes to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and teaching to turn people to the truth.

3.  We Are To Reject That Which Is Not Truth

Paul told Timothy that "error" will eat as a "canker" or "gangrene,"  Those who say it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you live right are absolutely mistaken.  It is sad to say, but even the church is moving farther and farther away from teaching the truth.  It is only the truth of God's Word that has the ability to set us free.  If you want to be free, you must believe and follow the Truth!

What do you believe?  What truth are you following?  If it isn't based on the Word of God, be careful, because it may be based on error and it will eat at you like a canker!

Open Our Eyes

In 2 Kings 6 there is a wonderful account of God opening the eyes of Elisha's servant so he could see what was going on in the spiritual realm.  The Syrian army had completely surrounded Elisha and his servant, and when the servant went out the next morning, he was terrified when he saw this vast army surrounding them.  When he reported to Elisha what he saw, Elisha very calmly told him that "those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  Of course the servant didn't see it that way so Elisha prayed "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see."  And when the Lord opened the servant's eyes, he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  We too need to have our eyes opened to the spiritual realm and there are three areas where we need to ask God to open our eyes.

1. We Need Our Eyes Opened To The Greatness Of God's Power

 Too often, we underestimate how great God is.  In Ephesians 1:18-19, the apostle Paul prayed that the "eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of his mighty strength."  It is God's power that is at work in us (Philippians 2:12-13).  And we have His promise that He will complete the work that He has begun in us (Hebrews 13:20-21).

2. We Need Our Eyes Opened To The Strength Of Our Weapons

The most effective weapon we have is the Word of God!  It has the power to change the hearts of men.  God's Word is a living, dynamic, and life changing force in our life.  Not only do we have God's Word, but we also have a spiritual armor to protect us from the attacks of the enemy.  We need to recognize the power of the whole of Christianity.  From the power of a risen Savior to the power of a changed life, we need our eyes opened to the strength of our weapons!

3.  We Need Open Our Eyes To The Victory We Have In God 


Remember, our weapons are mightier than the devil!  It is only through Christ that we can achieve the final victory.  It isn't within our own power and ability.  Because Christ overcame, we too can overcome.  We don't fight for the victory, but rather we fight from a position of victory!

Lord, open our eyes so that we can see things the way you see them.  Help us to see the greatness of your mighty power and the strength of our spiritual weapons and most of all help us to fight from victory because Christ has already been victorious!

Are you ready to have your eyes opened?  God's ready to open them!

Don't Give Up

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  (Galatians 6:9).  When was the last time you just wanted to "give up?"  or when was the last time you experienced a disappointment or failure in your life?  It may have been recently, or it could have been months or years ago, but one thing is for certain...we all have disappointments and failures!  Often they are the result of poor decisions and mistakes that we make.  Unfortunately, even in the process of seeking the Lord, we can make mistakes.  The important lesson to learn is that the mature and successful Christian knows how to turn every failure into a learning experience for future success and never ever give up!  Here are four things you need to know to have spiritual success.

1. Plan to Succeed

We have all heard it said that if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail!  Spiritual growth requires a lot of planning.  It doesn't just happen by accident.  If God has called you to a particular area of ministry it is important that you ask yourself how you can best prepare for it.  If you want to succeed as a Christian then you must work toward achieving that goal.

2.  Don't Think You Are Above Missing The Mark

Don't ever look at yourself as being above temptation or failure.  Too many people have made the statement; "I would never do that" only to discover, it's exactly what they did!  "So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12).  Missing the mark is never what we want to do, but be careful that pride doesn't puff you up to the point you think you could never fall.

3.  Don't Entertain Failure

Even though we shouldn't look at ourselves as being above missing the mark, at the same time we shouldn't concentrate and entertain the idea that we will fail.  The fear of failure can cause failure.  Fear just sets you up to be a loser.  When we operate in fear, we fail to take advantage of many opportunities that God presents to us.

4.  Don't Ignore God's Advice

The Bible is our instruction manual for life.  It's filled with practical instructions and guidelines for work, home, finances, relationship and health.  If you have experienced failure in your life, here are some steps for starting over:

• Accept responsibility for your own mistakes.  If you made a mistake, admit it!  Quit blaming others and take responsibility for your actions.  Taking responsibility frees you from a defensive posture and give you the clear vision necessary to determine what went wrong.  Winners never blame others for a failure and they never make excuses.
• Recognize the lessons learned when you fail.  At the very least, failure shows you what doesn't work!  Used productively, failure cause you to re-evaluate what is important in life and is something God uses to get us to reflect on the direction our life is going.
• Forget the past and focus on the future.  The past is the past!  It's water under the bridge and you can't change it, so stop worrying about it.  Our God is a God of "second chances."  Failure is never final unless you let it be!  (Philippians 3:13-14).

The Beauty of Worship

Everyone worships someone or something.  Yet when it comes to Christian worship, the object of true worship must be the One and only true God.  It is only when God becomes more important to you than anything else that you will understand what true worship to God is all about.

Worship defined:  Worship is defined as intense love or admiration of any kind.  It can best be summed up by saying, it means to worship God with your whole spirit, soul, mind, feelings, emotions, and desires.

To worship God in spirit is to worship Him with the spiritual drive and ability of your life, seeking the most intimate communion and fellowship that is possible with God.  It also means to worship Him with the spiritual core of your life and being, and trusting and resting in God's acceptance, love, and care.  To worship Him in truth means to approach God in the right or true way, sincerely and truthfully, not coming halfheartedly. 

The Christian Concept of Worship

Worship is more than going to church, singing a few songs, or being involved in some "spiritual ritual."  Worship of God is a way of life.  The place of worship is not what is important, but the object of worship (God) is what's important! True worship is always putting God first.

Worship is a Created Instinct

 Humankind was created to worship God!  There is an innate craving in humankind that can only be satisfied and filled with worship.  Many try to satisfy this desire with food, drinking, sex, drugs, etc. but only God can fill it.  Because we were created to worship our Creator, it is important that we find out what God wants rather than what we want.  Worship is desiring to please God more than anything.

Submission is Worship

One of the keys to proper worship is submission.  Worship is an expression of submission of the spirit of man to the Spirit of God.  Although worship can be taught and learned, it is not solely a product of education.  Scripture reveals to us the One who must be the object of our worship and how we are to worship Him but we have to know that worship flows out of redemption and it recognizes Christ's worthiness which in turn inspires our worship.

Obedience is Worship

Worship is more than talk...it is actions!  When we are obedient to God, we worship Him.  The way we live makes evident the things we love the most and give ourselves to.  Without obedience to God we cannot truly worship Him.  If there is sin in your life and you are living a life of "disobedience" to God, then it is impossible to worship God effectively!

Worship Requires Relationship

Having a right relationship with God is a prerequisite of proper worship.  The reason many people struggle to get their worship "off the ground" is because they have never put forth the effort to establish a real relationship with God.  This relationship requires us to submit everything to God...our mind, soul, spirit, body, and future!  It is literally submitting your sense of superiority to God!

It's been said that worship is "focusing on and responding to God."  What is the object of your focus?  Is it the things of this world, or is it the One true God?  Once we make God the focus of our worship then we can then respond to Him in the proper way!