Eph.6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Holy Spirit has impressed me 2011will be a year of spiritual warfare. It is critical for the church to awaken from its slumber and take its position in spiritual warfare that has expanded on several fronts. The major principality which has gained a foothold in the world and is infiltrating the U.S. in staggering proportions is the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” (Dan. 10:13), otherwise known as Allah. This demonic principality has blinded millions and is threatening to overtake many major U.S. cities. Unless intercessors take up warfare in this battle, the church will suffer severe losses this year. Most of Europe is already under control of this principality which operates through fear and violence; the USA is the prime target for this demonic force primarily because of lack of spiritual resistance from the church! The “head in the sand” attitude of the church toward this demonic assault is a result of the internal disorder caused by religious and political spirits.
Jesus warned disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matt.16:6). Leaven of the Pharisees is a religious spirit and leaven of the Sadducees is a political spirit. The religious spirit is of anti-Christ, substituting manmade rules, regulations and traditions that offer a form of godliness but deny Holy Spirit’s power and operation (2Tim. 3:5). The political spirit runs rampant in religious organizations with overt maneuvering, manipulation, and personal agendas disguised as ministries. They use the church as a platform for individual advancement. These dual forces have caused the church to become weak, timid, introspective, and irrelevant when it comes to spiritual warfare and kingdom advancement. The church’s current obsession with drawing crowds by any means necessary through watered-down formats has produced a form of hothouse Christianity that lives on spiritual pabulum and has no roots, knowledge, or desire for spiritual warfare. This approach to preaching the gospel is opposed to how the first church grew and flourished under persecution and martyrdom. The coming year will see the “gates of hell” fully opened with an onslaught of demonic activity; however, the “gates of heaven” will also be fully opened to those who pursue God and His purpose. 2 Kings 6:17 offers spiritual confidence, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
2011 will be a year that determines destiny for the U.S. church. The disorder in the coming year will shake old, non-functioning, irrelevant foundations built on past moves of God with many being uprooted and new foundations based on scriptural truth coupled with real experiences in God. For many believers, 2011 will be a year of redefining normal Christian lifestyle as acts of power, notable healings, miracles, and creative discoveries and breakthroughs that occur in and through God’s people. “Breaking out” of old, familiar, religious traditions and patterns with no scriptural or spiritual significance and “breaking through” into new Holy Spirit move will be achieved where intercessors have broken through in the Spirit. Normal Christian behavior will be marked by insatiable hunger and thirst for God’s presence and desperation for more of Him. New levels of pursuit will be discovered as believers move from “asking”; then “seeking”; moving into the “knocking” dimension of Holy Spirit! Total abandonment into God and His promises will unleash a new dimension of faith within the body of Christ resulting in an explosion of signs and wonders never before seen in this country.
Prophetic/power evangelism will open doors of opportunity in communities, cities, and even countries where the gospel has never had success in the past. Outrageous joy will accompany this new “normal” lifestyle, even in the face of dire times and events. Believers will experience an “open heaven” where covenant promises, prophetic decrees, and declarations are manifested on an accelerated timetable. Natural disasters will increase in frequency and magnitude as nature responds to spiritual upheaval and reordering of kingdom reality. Prophetic intercessory teams will arise to intercede, proclaim, and decree God’s will over communities and regions. These PIT Crews will wield tremendous spiritual authority as they aggressively war against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). Many of these teams will be used in wholesale deliverances laboring in travailing prayer as specific assignments are given them by Holy Spirit. These PIT Crews will be used of God to bring down holy fire on enemy strongholds interrupting and severing lines of demonic communication and supply. Renewal, revival, and reformation will occur in many areas as evangelistic teams assault their assigned territories. Intercessory meetings will experience angelic visitations and revelatory visions will abound. Home meetings will expand as Holy Spirit moves and draws people out of religious bondage into reality of the living Christ. These groups will carry the “new thing” Holy Spirit is authoring to their fellowships and churches.
This will create crises in many places because when God ordains a “new thing” “old things” must be discarded! Isa. 43:18-19 says not to “remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” Many fellowships and churches will have a difficult time responding to the “new thing” God wants to do as they have too much invested in the “old thing” which may still be working! Others will attempt to incorporate God’s “new thing” with what they’re currently doing which will cause confusion and won’t work! Ps. 55:19 warns, “because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God.” I have witnessed churches which would not embrace a new move of God which was different from what they expected or wanted and would even criticize those moving in the new thing. Instead of worshipping and seeking God’s face, they ended up idolizing His footprints and extolling what had been done in the past, not actively participating in the present reality of Holy Spirit. A scriptural truth is that God never changes; however, His ways are always changing and He expects us to change and move as He directs. The landscape is littered with buildings where people worship at monuments to past moves of God trying to work up the previous glory that long since moved on.
A new and fresh sound from heaven will be released as psalmists, prophetic singers, and musicians receive creative prophetic worship and re-sound it with signs and wonders following! This year is for remarkable spiritual ascension for those who’ve heard His command to “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place” (Rev. 4:1). Fresh revelation will be revealed to many who hunger for deep things. Ps. 42:7 explains, “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls: All Your waves and billows have gone over me.” Those who pursue Him will be apprehended by Him, He’ll reveal His secrets, and release covenant blessings (Ps. 25:14)! The Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him will cause eyes of understanding to be enlightened so we know deeper truth concerning our calling and purpose, God’s covenant and kingdom laws, and resurrection power of Holy Spirit toward us who live by faith (Eph. 1:17-21). This new spiritual normality will be experienced to the degree that believers have minds renewed to the reality of God’s kingdom here and now in Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). The renewed mind recognizes heaven is not just a place where we go when we die but is also reality here in earth now! As Jesus explained to Nicodemus, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is the Son of man who is in heaven” (Jn.3:13), so we also on earth are “in heaven” through Holy Spirit, for “because as he is, so are we in this world” (1Jn. 4:17). A renewed mind grasps the reality of being “raised up together, and made to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 2:6). A renewed mind understands our spiritual inheritance is not for a future timeframe but for the here and now. With a renewed mind come spiritual maturity to know God’s ways as well as His power and covenant.
The 2011 “call to arms” will activate intercessors, resulting in redefining spiritual normality which will look like this: ordinary believers praying for the sick with them being healed. Ordinary believers will discern demonic activity then command evil spirits to cease and desist and come out in Jesus’ name, with people being set free. Ordinary believers will take immediate and deliberate steps of faith resulting in working of miracles. Ordinary believers will receive revelation gifts of words of knowledge and wisdom in everyday activities leading to prophetic evangelism that results in healings, deliverances, restoration, and salvation for many. Ordinary believers understand they’re transfer agents for the reality of the kingdom of heaven to come to earth! Amen.
PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE REPORTS
One night, a word of knowledge came about discs. Sheri went forward with three compressed discs, degeneration in her vertebrae, and constant pain. God healed her immediately and pain left.
The same night, a word came about a person’s balance. A lady’s balance was so bad she couldn’t stand and close her eyes without falling. Afterwards, she not only could stand with eyes closed, but as worship swept through, she was among those twirling in the Spirit.
Brian had a call of God on his life. However, he’d backslidden and was near suicide. Then, God led him to a Frazee meeting. That night, the Word and people’s ministry spoke to him. Since then, he’s free from addictions, has overcome unforgiveness, and shares God with others.
God gave Marsha a word about her grandson whose school life was chaotic because of ADHD. After the Lord gave her direction for how to proceed, things have totally turned around.
We had you pray last month for Janet, who had lung cancer. When she returned to the doctor, he said the cancer had shrunk to the size of a b.b., and he said it was a miracle.
One night a word of knowledge came about a growth on someone’s left pinkie. Larry came forward for prayer for a wart that bothered him there. In just a matter of days, the growth was gone.
Ike’s son’s house was broken into. He took it to his prayer people. By the next morning, the thieves were caught robbing another house. Everything from Ike’s son’s house was in their van.
In one week, Nikki, Richie, and Falisha all received Holy Spirit.
Steven was in a truck that hit black ice and spun around on the interstate. Items inside the truck were smashed, but no one was hurt.
At a service one night, we asked people to write prayer requests that needed breakthroughs and we burned them. Teresa put all her children’s names on the list. Within a few days, all of them had been in accidents, but none were injured.
She also testifies that years ago, as a new Christian her daughter broke her leg. Doctors said she needed a plate in it. A man at church prayed. It healed in half the time and needed no plate at all.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
IMPOSSIBLE By Connie Hunter-Urban
Bud’s life had not been very good to him with mediocre jobs and a series of bad relationships. He was tall and hard-working with crevices etched on his face that announced nothing ever seemed to fall into place for him. He existed from day-to-day, but then things got worse. An accident left him irreparably deformed with his hip bone separated from his leg. Doctors told him despite medical advances, they held no hope for recovery. Hope. That was one thing Bud had never learned much about in his thirty some years of life.
Then, a friend told him about Jesus. Though he listened, inside, Bud scoffed. Why would he want to serve a God Who’d never cared about him, never given him a break? Why would he want to change his life when as bad as his was, at least he knew what to expect? Besides, from the little he knew about God, Bud had heard He asked you to change, give up all the things he did that defined his life. Giving up what he enjoyed now would only make matters worse. His friend wouldn’t relent, though. So, to satisfy her, he decided to go to a country church she attended. As she wheeled him into the sanctuary, he looked around and saw nothing remarkable—a Wednesday night service with just a handful of women. He cringed, feeling out of place from the beginning. He settled in and knew the night would be interminable.
Then, something happened. As the ladies started lifting their voices to praise Jesus, something stirred inside him. He brusquely brushed away a tear that wandered down his cheek. As they sang, he looked around. Each lady had hands raised, eyes closed, and face tilted toward Heaven. He fought the urge to raise his hands, too, but he didn’t know why. Then, the pastor’s wife began talking about Jesus. She had an obvious relationship with Him as she spoke of His goodness and how she loved this Nazarene. How He’d sacrificed Himself for her when she was in her sin. How He’d loved her despite her being a heathen who cared nothing about Him.
As Bud listened, he heard himself in her words. He knew his life had been empty for as long he could remember. Even before his accident, he’d wondered if his future days could promise better than what he’d endured these years. As he heard about the Man Who loved him just like he was, Bud didn’t even try to stop tears that flowed. As one woman asked him if he wanted to give his life to God, he didn’t even pause as he wheeled himself forward. Somewhere inside him, he knew this was what he needed to fill the void that engulfed him. That night he gave himself over to the Man he’d never known before. The impossible happened; Bud became a new creation.
After he prayed and when the tears had dried, he just sat there, surrounded by those women, and basked in the new freedom he felt. He wanted to laugh, then cry. He felt lighter than he had an hour ago as he dreaded coming into this building. Hatred he’d had for people who’d abused him over the years suddenly seemed to disappear. For the first time in his life, he felt new emotions—peace, joy, love, even for those who’d made his life so hard.
Just when he thought things couldn’t feel better, the preacher’s wife, my mother, looked at him with a smile. “Bud,” she said, “do you mind if we pray for your hip?”
Of course he’d heard Jesus could heal, but he’d never in his wildest dreams thought it could happen to him. He’d resigned himself to being an invalid. Now, as he pondered the miracle which had taken place inside his heart, he took a moment to consider what she was saying. If God could love and change someone as hardened as he, why couldn’t He heal him, too?
He looked at her steadily. “No,” he said, “but would Jesus save me AND heal me?”
The ladies all smiled and nodded. Their confidence became contagious to him. “Which was a greater miracle?” he wondered. As each reached toward him, he was filled with hope he’d walk again. Hope. Even though he’d known little about that concept, now it seemed to burn brightly before him. He bowed his head and all the ladies began to pray aloud. After a few seconds, Bud felt something happen—a burning inside his hip. He was used to pain; but this was different, like a hand was massaging his hip and leg. He felt fire travel down his leg as electricity surged into his body. Suddenly, he just knew he could walk.
“I’m gonna get up,” he said. The ladies looked at him like what he said was perfectly logical, so he had courage to try.
He hadn’t stood for a long time, so he was slow about rising; but suddenly he was on his feet. He balanced for a minute and let that impossibility set in. Doctors had said he’d never stand again. Then, he rested his hand on his wheelchair while trying to move his bad leg. It obeyed his brain’s command and went forward. He took a step, then another and another. At first, they followed him along the front but began to fall away as they praised God for the miracle unfolding. Bud walked around, gaining momentum, until he was tired and sat down, beaming. Later, as his friend pushed out his chair, Bud walked beside her in a daze from impossibilities God had done for him, Bud, that night.
Impossibilities are what Jesus is all about. How could He have taken mud and created a new eyeball? That’s impossible. How could He have walked on water, calmed a storm, or fed the multitude? How could He take a sinner and change him into a new creation? Just like Moses’ Red Sea and wilderness provision experiences; Joshua’s sun standing still; Gideon’s victory with a meager 300 men; or David’s facing a lion, bear, or giant, Jesus knew God is the Master of the impossible. He told his disciples if they would “have faith as a mustard seed, [they could] say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it [would] move; and nothing [would] be impossible” (Matt. 17:20). Hmm! Moving geographical formations? Impossible!
Because of his experience with Jesus, Bud learned firsthand “with God nothing will be impossible” (Lk. 1:37). As he began his new life, he walked with a distinct limp. He was okay with that, though, because it gave him opportunities to tell his story. He did whatever he wanted, pain-free. Once he even climbed on the roof and helped shingle the church where my parents pastored and He had found his new life.
A while later, he went to his physician for a scheduled checkup. The doctor was amazed as he came in, minus his wheelchair. After Bud told his story, the doctor ordered x-rays. After they were developed, he came back in and put them on the light to show Bud.
“Your hip and leg sockets are not joined. It’s impossible for you to be walking.”
Bud just looked at him and smiled. “Okay,” he said, as he got up and walked out of the office. See, that night at that country church, Bud had met firsthand the God of impossibilities.
Then, a friend told him about Jesus. Though he listened, inside, Bud scoffed. Why would he want to serve a God Who’d never cared about him, never given him a break? Why would he want to change his life when as bad as his was, at least he knew what to expect? Besides, from the little he knew about God, Bud had heard He asked you to change, give up all the things he did that defined his life. Giving up what he enjoyed now would only make matters worse. His friend wouldn’t relent, though. So, to satisfy her, he decided to go to a country church she attended. As she wheeled him into the sanctuary, he looked around and saw nothing remarkable—a Wednesday night service with just a handful of women. He cringed, feeling out of place from the beginning. He settled in and knew the night would be interminable.
Then, something happened. As the ladies started lifting their voices to praise Jesus, something stirred inside him. He brusquely brushed away a tear that wandered down his cheek. As they sang, he looked around. Each lady had hands raised, eyes closed, and face tilted toward Heaven. He fought the urge to raise his hands, too, but he didn’t know why. Then, the pastor’s wife began talking about Jesus. She had an obvious relationship with Him as she spoke of His goodness and how she loved this Nazarene. How He’d sacrificed Himself for her when she was in her sin. How He’d loved her despite her being a heathen who cared nothing about Him.
As Bud listened, he heard himself in her words. He knew his life had been empty for as long he could remember. Even before his accident, he’d wondered if his future days could promise better than what he’d endured these years. As he heard about the Man Who loved him just like he was, Bud didn’t even try to stop tears that flowed. As one woman asked him if he wanted to give his life to God, he didn’t even pause as he wheeled himself forward. Somewhere inside him, he knew this was what he needed to fill the void that engulfed him. That night he gave himself over to the Man he’d never known before. The impossible happened; Bud became a new creation.
After he prayed and when the tears had dried, he just sat there, surrounded by those women, and basked in the new freedom he felt. He wanted to laugh, then cry. He felt lighter than he had an hour ago as he dreaded coming into this building. Hatred he’d had for people who’d abused him over the years suddenly seemed to disappear. For the first time in his life, he felt new emotions—peace, joy, love, even for those who’d made his life so hard.
Just when he thought things couldn’t feel better, the preacher’s wife, my mother, looked at him with a smile. “Bud,” she said, “do you mind if we pray for your hip?”
Of course he’d heard Jesus could heal, but he’d never in his wildest dreams thought it could happen to him. He’d resigned himself to being an invalid. Now, as he pondered the miracle which had taken place inside his heart, he took a moment to consider what she was saying. If God could love and change someone as hardened as he, why couldn’t He heal him, too?
He looked at her steadily. “No,” he said, “but would Jesus save me AND heal me?”
The ladies all smiled and nodded. Their confidence became contagious to him. “Which was a greater miracle?” he wondered. As each reached toward him, he was filled with hope he’d walk again. Hope. Even though he’d known little about that concept, now it seemed to burn brightly before him. He bowed his head and all the ladies began to pray aloud. After a few seconds, Bud felt something happen—a burning inside his hip. He was used to pain; but this was different, like a hand was massaging his hip and leg. He felt fire travel down his leg as electricity surged into his body. Suddenly, he just knew he could walk.
“I’m gonna get up,” he said. The ladies looked at him like what he said was perfectly logical, so he had courage to try.
He hadn’t stood for a long time, so he was slow about rising; but suddenly he was on his feet. He balanced for a minute and let that impossibility set in. Doctors had said he’d never stand again. Then, he rested his hand on his wheelchair while trying to move his bad leg. It obeyed his brain’s command and went forward. He took a step, then another and another. At first, they followed him along the front but began to fall away as they praised God for the miracle unfolding. Bud walked around, gaining momentum, until he was tired and sat down, beaming. Later, as his friend pushed out his chair, Bud walked beside her in a daze from impossibilities God had done for him, Bud, that night.
Impossibilities are what Jesus is all about. How could He have taken mud and created a new eyeball? That’s impossible. How could He have walked on water, calmed a storm, or fed the multitude? How could He take a sinner and change him into a new creation? Just like Moses’ Red Sea and wilderness provision experiences; Joshua’s sun standing still; Gideon’s victory with a meager 300 men; or David’s facing a lion, bear, or giant, Jesus knew God is the Master of the impossible. He told his disciples if they would “have faith as a mustard seed, [they could] say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it [would] move; and nothing [would] be impossible” (Matt. 17:20). Hmm! Moving geographical formations? Impossible!
Because of his experience with Jesus, Bud learned firsthand “with God nothing will be impossible” (Lk. 1:37). As he began his new life, he walked with a distinct limp. He was okay with that, though, because it gave him opportunities to tell his story. He did whatever he wanted, pain-free. Once he even climbed on the roof and helped shingle the church where my parents pastored and He had found his new life.
A while later, he went to his physician for a scheduled checkup. The doctor was amazed as he came in, minus his wheelchair. After Bud told his story, the doctor ordered x-rays. After they were developed, he came back in and put them on the light to show Bud.
“Your hip and leg sockets are not joined. It’s impossible for you to be walking.”
Bud just looked at him and smiled. “Okay,” he said, as he got up and walked out of the office. See, that night at that country church, Bud had met firsthand the God of impossibilities.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Compassion for the Least by Wade Urban
Lk.10:30-37, “Then Jesus answered and said, ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down the road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.” So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”’
This parable was spoken to a scribe testing Jesus by asking Him about inheriting eternal life. Jesus answered with a question of His own, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it” (Lk. 10:25-26)? The scribe answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Lk. 10:27). Jesus told the scribe had answered rightly; the scribe then asked his real question: “Who is my neighbor” (Lk. 10:29)? At this point Jesus gave the parable. To truly understand the gravity of this question and His response, it is important to know background information about both Pharisees and Samaritans.
Scribes were Pharisees, lawyers who were experts at their own interpretation of the Law of God. Jesus was often followed by them in hopes of tripping Him up so He could be accused of blasphemy and executed. Pharisees represented the religious spirit of their day and formed their own exclusive society which excluded everyone who didn’t live up to their standards. They loathed others, even other Jews whom they considered to be sinners, unworthy of their high calling. Every Pharisee concluded only another Pharisee could legally be considered his neighbor, deserving preferential treatment. Everyone else was a lower form of humanity or equal in status with an animal. So it was with sinners, tax collectors and Samaritans.
Samaritans were a mixed culture which was created by Assyria when the northern kingdom of Israel was captured and deported through Assyrian occupation. Hosea prophesied the demise of the ten northern tribes of Israel through the names of his children, Lo-Ruhamah meaning, “I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel”, and Lo-Ammi meaning, “You are not My people, and I am not your God” (Hos. 1:6-9). Shortly after this prophecy, Assyria swept down and captured Israel and removed all occupants of the land, replacing them with people from other conquered territories. 2Kgs. 17:24-41 details this event and describes how God released lions which began to kill new occupants of the land. They asked the Assyrian king to send a priest who would teach new occupants rituals of the God of this new land so lions would no longer be a threat. 2Kgs. 17:33 explains, “They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods—according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away.”
Samaritans were of mixed nationalities and mixed religion. They were the most hated of all peoples by Jews, especially by religious Pharisees! Samaria’s geography was an issue of controversy, located between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north. Jews who wanted to travel from Judea to Galilee would go 100 miles around the outskirts of Samaria so they wouldn’t have to go through it! Racial and religious hatred was so intense between Jews and Samaritans that raiding parties from both sides would often attack border settlements killing each other. Without knowing the background of hatred and disdain for Samaritans, one wouldn’t understand the audacity of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan or His acts of compassion for the least of society, even for Samaritans! Each week in synagogues, Pharisees would publicly curse Samaritans. They could never be permitted in synagogues nor could they ever inherit eternal life according to Pharisee law. If a Pharisee ever came across a Samaritan child in danger, they would never intervene because it was better the child die than grow up to adulthood as a mature Samaritan.
In this heated racial and religious environment Jesus “needed to go through Samaria” (Jn. 4:4). No Jew ever needed to go through there; it was not safe and Jews had no dealings with them. Yet, Jesus went through this forbidden territory because He had an appointment in Sychar with a woman at Jacob’s well, resulting in many Samaritans believing in Him (Jn.4:1-42). Jesus saw all men as His Father’s creations and loved them despite popular opinion. His compassion toward sinners, tax collectors, and Samaritans was underscored by His anger at the religious system represented by Pharisees who hated and persecuted those considered beneath their high standards. The parable of the “Good Samaritan” is representative of Jesus’ compassion and anger at Pharisees’ religious beliefs. The attitude of the scribe who tested Jesus was similar to any Pharisee concerning the man attacked on his way to Jericho. First of all, every Jew knew you didn’t travel that road alone! You always traveled in the company of others for safety.
The Pharisee mindset was the man was asking for trouble! It was also logical to a Pharisee that a priest passing by a wounded man in a ditch wouldn’t stop to offer aid because if he touched the man who may be dead, he would have been considered ceremonially unclean for a period of days and couldn’t conduct his priestly duties on schedule. Therefore, it was reasonable for the priest to pass by! The same rationale existed for the Levite who passed by the wounded man, even though he looked at the man and presumably knew he was still alive. Obviously, the Levite’s religious duties were too important for him to alter his schedule—very reasonable to understand for any Pharisee! The ultimate bad guy in every Jewish story was the hero in Jesus’ parable–the Samaritan. Any self-respecting Jew would believe it was all over for the wounded man in the ditch when the Samaritan was introduced in the parable! The Samaritan would most certainly finish the man off! But Jesus turned the parable back on the scribe with His story of ultimate compassion. Not only did the Samaritan care for the man, but he committed financially to whatever extra care was needed to bring the man back to health. This was unthinkable for a Pharisee, especially a scribe, to even acknowledge possible. In attempting to trick Jesus in His doctrine, the scribe exposed the Pharisee religious system’s hypocrisy! Jesus asked the scribe, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?” The scribe was even unable to say the word “Samaritan”; instead, he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise” (Lk. 10:36-37).
I have learned valuable lessons from this example of Jesus’ compassion. I know I can become so involved in ministry, busy doing good works, I miss divine intersections Holy Spirit sets up for me, just like the priest and Levite. I also have to admit I too often have to check my attitude toward those who have fallen into sinful conditions–they should know better! Even worse, I confess I often have a Pharisaical attitude toward brothers and sisters caught up in a religious spirit. Instead of praying for them, I criticize and fall into a similar if not worse trap by becoming “an accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10)!
My prayer is that these past three month’s articles have caused you to take pause and consider your lives in relation to Jesus Christ’s compassion. Having done so, like me, you may have some repentance and renewing of the mind that must occur. Know this, God is good and His desire is for transformation in our lives to bring us into conformity with His. Trust Him and be assured He who began that good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6). Amen.
This parable was spoken to a scribe testing Jesus by asking Him about inheriting eternal life. Jesus answered with a question of His own, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it” (Lk. 10:25-26)? The scribe answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Lk. 10:27). Jesus told the scribe had answered rightly; the scribe then asked his real question: “Who is my neighbor” (Lk. 10:29)? At this point Jesus gave the parable. To truly understand the gravity of this question and His response, it is important to know background information about both Pharisees and Samaritans.
Scribes were Pharisees, lawyers who were experts at their own interpretation of the Law of God. Jesus was often followed by them in hopes of tripping Him up so He could be accused of blasphemy and executed. Pharisees represented the religious spirit of their day and formed their own exclusive society which excluded everyone who didn’t live up to their standards. They loathed others, even other Jews whom they considered to be sinners, unworthy of their high calling. Every Pharisee concluded only another Pharisee could legally be considered his neighbor, deserving preferential treatment. Everyone else was a lower form of humanity or equal in status with an animal. So it was with sinners, tax collectors and Samaritans.
Samaritans were a mixed culture which was created by Assyria when the northern kingdom of Israel was captured and deported through Assyrian occupation. Hosea prophesied the demise of the ten northern tribes of Israel through the names of his children, Lo-Ruhamah meaning, “I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel”, and Lo-Ammi meaning, “You are not My people, and I am not your God” (Hos. 1:6-9). Shortly after this prophecy, Assyria swept down and captured Israel and removed all occupants of the land, replacing them with people from other conquered territories. 2Kgs. 17:24-41 details this event and describes how God released lions which began to kill new occupants of the land. They asked the Assyrian king to send a priest who would teach new occupants rituals of the God of this new land so lions would no longer be a threat. 2Kgs. 17:33 explains, “They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods—according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away.”
Samaritans were of mixed nationalities and mixed religion. They were the most hated of all peoples by Jews, especially by religious Pharisees! Samaria’s geography was an issue of controversy, located between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north. Jews who wanted to travel from Judea to Galilee would go 100 miles around the outskirts of Samaria so they wouldn’t have to go through it! Racial and religious hatred was so intense between Jews and Samaritans that raiding parties from both sides would often attack border settlements killing each other. Without knowing the background of hatred and disdain for Samaritans, one wouldn’t understand the audacity of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan or His acts of compassion for the least of society, even for Samaritans! Each week in synagogues, Pharisees would publicly curse Samaritans. They could never be permitted in synagogues nor could they ever inherit eternal life according to Pharisee law. If a Pharisee ever came across a Samaritan child in danger, they would never intervene because it was better the child die than grow up to adulthood as a mature Samaritan.
In this heated racial and religious environment Jesus “needed to go through Samaria” (Jn. 4:4). No Jew ever needed to go through there; it was not safe and Jews had no dealings with them. Yet, Jesus went through this forbidden territory because He had an appointment in Sychar with a woman at Jacob’s well, resulting in many Samaritans believing in Him (Jn.4:1-42). Jesus saw all men as His Father’s creations and loved them despite popular opinion. His compassion toward sinners, tax collectors, and Samaritans was underscored by His anger at the religious system represented by Pharisees who hated and persecuted those considered beneath their high standards. The parable of the “Good Samaritan” is representative of Jesus’ compassion and anger at Pharisees’ religious beliefs. The attitude of the scribe who tested Jesus was similar to any Pharisee concerning the man attacked on his way to Jericho. First of all, every Jew knew you didn’t travel that road alone! You always traveled in the company of others for safety.
The Pharisee mindset was the man was asking for trouble! It was also logical to a Pharisee that a priest passing by a wounded man in a ditch wouldn’t stop to offer aid because if he touched the man who may be dead, he would have been considered ceremonially unclean for a period of days and couldn’t conduct his priestly duties on schedule. Therefore, it was reasonable for the priest to pass by! The same rationale existed for the Levite who passed by the wounded man, even though he looked at the man and presumably knew he was still alive. Obviously, the Levite’s religious duties were too important for him to alter his schedule—very reasonable to understand for any Pharisee! The ultimate bad guy in every Jewish story was the hero in Jesus’ parable–the Samaritan. Any self-respecting Jew would believe it was all over for the wounded man in the ditch when the Samaritan was introduced in the parable! The Samaritan would most certainly finish the man off! But Jesus turned the parable back on the scribe with His story of ultimate compassion. Not only did the Samaritan care for the man, but he committed financially to whatever extra care was needed to bring the man back to health. This was unthinkable for a Pharisee, especially a scribe, to even acknowledge possible. In attempting to trick Jesus in His doctrine, the scribe exposed the Pharisee religious system’s hypocrisy! Jesus asked the scribe, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?” The scribe was even unable to say the word “Samaritan”; instead, he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise” (Lk. 10:36-37).
I have learned valuable lessons from this example of Jesus’ compassion. I know I can become so involved in ministry, busy doing good works, I miss divine intersections Holy Spirit sets up for me, just like the priest and Levite. I also have to admit I too often have to check my attitude toward those who have fallen into sinful conditions–they should know better! Even worse, I confess I often have a Pharisaical attitude toward brothers and sisters caught up in a religious spirit. Instead of praying for them, I criticize and fall into a similar if not worse trap by becoming “an accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10)!
My prayer is that these past three month’s articles have caused you to take pause and consider your lives in relation to Jesus Christ’s compassion. Having done so, like me, you may have some repentance and renewing of the mind that must occur. Know this, God is good and His desire is for transformation in our lives to bring us into conformity with His. Trust Him and be assured He who began that good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6). Amen.
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Distinctive Memory By: Connie Hunter-Urban
I flipped my long, dark-brown ponytail from my shoulder and stuck my tongue between my teeth in an unconscious attempt at concentration. I wasn’t very good at jacks, but I had made it through the threes and was going into my fours. I shifted my legs, bending my left one to rest beneath my right leg, which was extended from beneath my shirt-waist dress. I tossed the jacks in a sideways motion, bounced the ball while I put four fingers on the sidewalk, and started to pick up my first set of four when the heavy door behind us flung against the brick wall.
“Connie,” my sister blurted, in her I’ve-got-a-really-good-secret tone.
I turned, irritated at missing the scoop because of the interruption.
“What?” I quipped in my perennially sarcastic tone.
“Guess what Mr. Garnett just told us?”
By then, she had our attention. In the back of my mind, though, I was formulating an argument that I should get another turn when Lynda’s words changed my life forever.
“He told us President Kennedy was just shot.”
Her words, forever seared into my awareness, were unfathomable. The principal had told her class because he thought sixth graders were mature enough to handle the emotions. He was right that we fourth graders weren’t.
The only time I’d heard of an assassination was Abraham Lincoln, and I didn’t understand how anything that removed from our time could touch our lives. I struggled with a plethora emotions that accompanied the forbidden news. I wondered if Mom and Dad would be happy since they had voted for Nixon. I wondered how our lives would change. I wondered if we could get shot too. When I got home, those conflicts weren’t any clearer. Mom was crying, something I had rarely seen her do. Images became burned into my brain--Jackie with her stained, pink dress, the President being thrown forward as the bullet hit. Later, the funeral procession, John-John’s salute, and the eternal flame were all intensely poignant.
Over the years, other major national events have created indelible impressions. The Watergate hearings, the Gulf War, the Berlin Wall coming down, and the end of the Vietnam Conflict all kept me riveted to newscasts. However, none of those events match the intensity of September 11th.
After a year of reflection, we see how events that unfolded that morning have changed our lives forever. Air travel will never be the same; the Stock Market is reeling. Jobs have been lost; people are more fearful. At first, as a nation, we grew closer to God. En masse, sinners were saved; backsliders who hadn’t entered church doors for years renewed their relationship with a long-lost Friend. Even Christians who hadn’t been as close to God as they should found a new intensity--for a while.
Eventually, though, things went back to normal. Churches didn’t have crowds standing out the doors. People missed church and didn’t think it bad when a week slipped into months. Soon 9/11 was a memory relegated to a place of great emotions but not something to impact a relationship with God. Christians had again become lulled into complacency. But God doesn’t like noncommittal attitudes. He admonishes that “because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:16).
America, with all our wondrous accomplishments and possessions, has to put God first again. We have great wealth, but we must seek God to be a solvent nation, truly based on Him and His ways. When Solomon finished the temple, he sought the Lord for Israel’s well-being. God came to him in the night and said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). America has a lot of healing to do. But we are America, and the healing begins with a commitment to grow closer to God, and that starts with each of us. In our lives as in our nation we need to return to the godly principles upon which our nation was founded by our Christian forefathers. In Him is true healing for both our nation and our personal lives.
I had done my morning routine before work. I watched the Today show while I dressed, ate breakfast, packed my lunch, and then left for school. I hadn’t been there too long, when another teacher came across the hall. A tower was hit in New York, and now another plane had struck the second. The implication was clear--terrorism of that magnitude on our own soil. As we watched throughout the morning, the rest of the news came as a blur--a plane going into the Pentagon, a crash in a Pennsylvania field, the towers’ decimation, people scattering like rabbits from the danger of a predator. The day will forever be etched in my memory as a tragic, devastating part of American history. Though that day should teach us many things, the main one is to lean on and grow closer to Him.
“America, America, God shed His grace on Thee. And crowned thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea.” We are a blessed nation. Let us never forget the lessons we have learned from our past and know from Whom all our blessings come. Let us cling to Him as our fortress and uphold our nation and American brothers in vigilant prayer.
“Connie,” my sister blurted, in her I’ve-got-a-really-good-secret tone.
I turned, irritated at missing the scoop because of the interruption.
“What?” I quipped in my perennially sarcastic tone.
“Guess what Mr. Garnett just told us?”
By then, she had our attention. In the back of my mind, though, I was formulating an argument that I should get another turn when Lynda’s words changed my life forever.
“He told us President Kennedy was just shot.”
Her words, forever seared into my awareness, were unfathomable. The principal had told her class because he thought sixth graders were mature enough to handle the emotions. He was right that we fourth graders weren’t.
The only time I’d heard of an assassination was Abraham Lincoln, and I didn’t understand how anything that removed from our time could touch our lives. I struggled with a plethora emotions that accompanied the forbidden news. I wondered if Mom and Dad would be happy since they had voted for Nixon. I wondered how our lives would change. I wondered if we could get shot too. When I got home, those conflicts weren’t any clearer. Mom was crying, something I had rarely seen her do. Images became burned into my brain--Jackie with her stained, pink dress, the President being thrown forward as the bullet hit. Later, the funeral procession, John-John’s salute, and the eternal flame were all intensely poignant.
Over the years, other major national events have created indelible impressions. The Watergate hearings, the Gulf War, the Berlin Wall coming down, and the end of the Vietnam Conflict all kept me riveted to newscasts. However, none of those events match the intensity of September 11th.
After a year of reflection, we see how events that unfolded that morning have changed our lives forever. Air travel will never be the same; the Stock Market is reeling. Jobs have been lost; people are more fearful. At first, as a nation, we grew closer to God. En masse, sinners were saved; backsliders who hadn’t entered church doors for years renewed their relationship with a long-lost Friend. Even Christians who hadn’t been as close to God as they should found a new intensity--for a while.
Eventually, though, things went back to normal. Churches didn’t have crowds standing out the doors. People missed church and didn’t think it bad when a week slipped into months. Soon 9/11 was a memory relegated to a place of great emotions but not something to impact a relationship with God. Christians had again become lulled into complacency. But God doesn’t like noncommittal attitudes. He admonishes that “because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:16).
America, with all our wondrous accomplishments and possessions, has to put God first again. We have great wealth, but we must seek God to be a solvent nation, truly based on Him and His ways. When Solomon finished the temple, he sought the Lord for Israel’s well-being. God came to him in the night and said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). America has a lot of healing to do. But we are America, and the healing begins with a commitment to grow closer to God, and that starts with each of us. In our lives as in our nation we need to return to the godly principles upon which our nation was founded by our Christian forefathers. In Him is true healing for both our nation and our personal lives.
I had done my morning routine before work. I watched the Today show while I dressed, ate breakfast, packed my lunch, and then left for school. I hadn’t been there too long, when another teacher came across the hall. A tower was hit in New York, and now another plane had struck the second. The implication was clear--terrorism of that magnitude on our own soil. As we watched throughout the morning, the rest of the news came as a blur--a plane going into the Pentagon, a crash in a Pennsylvania field, the towers’ decimation, people scattering like rabbits from the danger of a predator. The day will forever be etched in my memory as a tragic, devastating part of American history. Though that day should teach us many things, the main one is to lean on and grow closer to Him.
“America, America, God shed His grace on Thee. And crowned thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea.” We are a blessed nation. Let us never forget the lessons we have learned from our past and know from Whom all our blessings come. Let us cling to Him as our fortress and uphold our nation and American brothers in vigilant prayer.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Our Cross by Wade Urban
Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Matt. 10:38-39: “And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matt. 16:24-25: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Recently, as I was meditating on these scriptures, Holy Spirit apprehended my thoughts with a question: “What does taking up your cross and being crucified mean?” I have come to understand that when asked a question by Holy Spirit, He is not seeking information but desiring for me to move into a deeper revelation of His Word. This understanding is usually progressive as He leads through scripture revealing a deeper meaning of the “finished work of Jesus Christ.” The progressive nature of New Testament revelation can be seen in the different ministry models of the church. I believe four basic models for ministry exist:
1. Sin Model (Rom. 5:8-10; 1Jn. 1:9) can be defined as: “Admit it, quit it, and forget it!” This model relies on the believer embracing the cross and being freed from the power of sin through forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ.
2. Truth Model (Jn. 8:31-32, 36) is based on understanding God’s Word and the resultant behavioral changes that truth causes.
3. Experiential Model (Acts 2:38-39) is based upon experiencing the power of Holy Spirit (anointing) for oneself.
4. Miracle Model (Mk. 16:15-18; 1Cor. 12:4-11) progresses even further as Holy Spirit power flows to and through a believer in signs, wonders, and gifts of Holy Spirit causing kingdom manifestations.
Each of these ministry models is based on scriptural truth, yet a progression of revelation and understanding is required to move into each successive level. Every significant move of God through the centuries began with a revelation of truth from God’s word. Martin Luther saw that justification came by faith alone and from this revelation a new move of God began. Every successive move of God was built upon a revealed truth from God’s word empowered by Holy Spirit. Denominations were established as a result of past moves of God and fresh revelation He authored at that particular time. Many denominations set doctrinal boundaries on that specific revelation and refuse to move further even though Holy Spirit and His glory cloud have long since moved on revealing deeper levels of truth to others. Often, unnecessary divisions exist within the church because of these doctrinal differences caused by what each group has seen of the “finished work of Jesus Christ.” We are about to enter a divinely appointed time when great demonstrations of God’s glory through signs and wonders will be displayed which cannot be denied even by the most fervent denominational adherent.
God’s word is living and active, always deepening its impact in those diligently seeking Him. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). The “cross” Jesus mentioned has the same meaning as Paul’s declaration, “I am crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20). What is our “cross”, and how are we “crucified”? The “cross” and “crucifixion” means dying to self, our own personal desires and motives. Our “cross” is not the event that causes death but the price we pay for our redemption and the power of redemption through Holy Spirit living through us. The power and purpose of the “cross” is forgiveness. Failure to understand our “cross” is a failure to understand forgiveness. Scriptural forgiveness is not the worldly view of “forgiving and forgetting!”
Some offenses cannot, nor should be forgotten. Boundaries may have to be established to prevent future abuse and offenses. Scriptural forgiveness recognizes that all sin carries a penalty that must be paid—death. Just as Jesus paid the ultimate price for sin, conquering death and the curse of the law, so we also are called to pay the penalty for offenses committed against us. This is forgiveness. It is our willingly choosing to pay the penalty without seeking revenge, taking up our cross and following His example. Paul wrote to the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. This was certainly not by their own efforts to win justification but by forgiveness and Holy Spirit’s power working in them to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:12-13). Our “cross” is where we receive healing and also become an offering to those who wounded us. Our “cross” perfects love in our lives. When we are slapped on one cheek, we offer the other; when forced to go one mile, we journey two; when cursed, we bless; and when persecuted, we pray for our persecutor.
Our cross is often heavy to bear when our flesh cries out for justice and we really want revenge against those who hurt us. The truth is we can never be perfected in a world where no one wounds us! Without the cross and our being crucified to our flesh there can be no resurrection power released into our lives. Forgiveness is a requirement for our being members of this society of redeemers called the church! Understanding the reality and power of our “cross” brings a death to “self” and releases “resurrection power” enabling us to be conformed to the nature of Christ. Our life’s goal should be, “to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, we may attain to the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:10-11). This means there may be times we feel abandoned, betrayed, weak and vulnerable just as Jesus experienced, yet He responded, “ Father forgive them” (Lk. 23:34).
Our cross presents an opportunity for intercessory ministry as well. As we intercede for others, we actually become “paracletes,” or one who comes along side and helps others to bear their cross. Gal. 6:2 explains, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Our cross may in reality include helping others fulfill Jesus’ command to take up our cross. In so doing, we will see notable miracles as well as supernatural healing of denominational breaches that have existed for decades. Just as Jesus’ ministry included the “cross” but did not end at the “cross,” so also our destiny includes our “cross” but does not end there either. Like Jesus, we are destined to receive resurrection power and ascension to His character, power, and glory! Amen.
Matt. 10:38-39: “And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matt. 16:24-25: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Recently, as I was meditating on these scriptures, Holy Spirit apprehended my thoughts with a question: “What does taking up your cross and being crucified mean?” I have come to understand that when asked a question by Holy Spirit, He is not seeking information but desiring for me to move into a deeper revelation of His Word. This understanding is usually progressive as He leads through scripture revealing a deeper meaning of the “finished work of Jesus Christ.” The progressive nature of New Testament revelation can be seen in the different ministry models of the church. I believe four basic models for ministry exist:
1. Sin Model (Rom. 5:8-10; 1Jn. 1:9) can be defined as: “Admit it, quit it, and forget it!” This model relies on the believer embracing the cross and being freed from the power of sin through forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ.
2. Truth Model (Jn. 8:31-32, 36) is based on understanding God’s Word and the resultant behavioral changes that truth causes.
3. Experiential Model (Acts 2:38-39) is based upon experiencing the power of Holy Spirit (anointing) for oneself.
4. Miracle Model (Mk. 16:15-18; 1Cor. 12:4-11) progresses even further as Holy Spirit power flows to and through a believer in signs, wonders, and gifts of Holy Spirit causing kingdom manifestations.
Each of these ministry models is based on scriptural truth, yet a progression of revelation and understanding is required to move into each successive level. Every significant move of God through the centuries began with a revelation of truth from God’s word. Martin Luther saw that justification came by faith alone and from this revelation a new move of God began. Every successive move of God was built upon a revealed truth from God’s word empowered by Holy Spirit. Denominations were established as a result of past moves of God and fresh revelation He authored at that particular time. Many denominations set doctrinal boundaries on that specific revelation and refuse to move further even though Holy Spirit and His glory cloud have long since moved on revealing deeper levels of truth to others. Often, unnecessary divisions exist within the church because of these doctrinal differences caused by what each group has seen of the “finished work of Jesus Christ.” We are about to enter a divinely appointed time when great demonstrations of God’s glory through signs and wonders will be displayed which cannot be denied even by the most fervent denominational adherent.
God’s word is living and active, always deepening its impact in those diligently seeking Him. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). The “cross” Jesus mentioned has the same meaning as Paul’s declaration, “I am crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20). What is our “cross”, and how are we “crucified”? The “cross” and “crucifixion” means dying to self, our own personal desires and motives. Our “cross” is not the event that causes death but the price we pay for our redemption and the power of redemption through Holy Spirit living through us. The power and purpose of the “cross” is forgiveness. Failure to understand our “cross” is a failure to understand forgiveness. Scriptural forgiveness is not the worldly view of “forgiving and forgetting!”
Some offenses cannot, nor should be forgotten. Boundaries may have to be established to prevent future abuse and offenses. Scriptural forgiveness recognizes that all sin carries a penalty that must be paid—death. Just as Jesus paid the ultimate price for sin, conquering death and the curse of the law, so we also are called to pay the penalty for offenses committed against us. This is forgiveness. It is our willingly choosing to pay the penalty without seeking revenge, taking up our cross and following His example. Paul wrote to the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. This was certainly not by their own efforts to win justification but by forgiveness and Holy Spirit’s power working in them to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:12-13). Our “cross” is where we receive healing and also become an offering to those who wounded us. Our “cross” perfects love in our lives. When we are slapped on one cheek, we offer the other; when forced to go one mile, we journey two; when cursed, we bless; and when persecuted, we pray for our persecutor.
Our cross is often heavy to bear when our flesh cries out for justice and we really want revenge against those who hurt us. The truth is we can never be perfected in a world where no one wounds us! Without the cross and our being crucified to our flesh there can be no resurrection power released into our lives. Forgiveness is a requirement for our being members of this society of redeemers called the church! Understanding the reality and power of our “cross” brings a death to “self” and releases “resurrection power” enabling us to be conformed to the nature of Christ. Our life’s goal should be, “to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, we may attain to the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:10-11). This means there may be times we feel abandoned, betrayed, weak and vulnerable just as Jesus experienced, yet He responded, “ Father forgive them” (Lk. 23:34).
Our cross presents an opportunity for intercessory ministry as well. As we intercede for others, we actually become “paracletes,” or one who comes along side and helps others to bear their cross. Gal. 6:2 explains, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Our cross may in reality include helping others fulfill Jesus’ command to take up our cross. In so doing, we will see notable miracles as well as supernatural healing of denominational breaches that have existed for decades. Just as Jesus’ ministry included the “cross” but did not end at the “cross,” so also our destiny includes our “cross” but does not end there either. Like Jesus, we are destined to receive resurrection power and ascension to His character, power, and glory! Amen.
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Ripple Effect by Connie Hunter-Urban
This week as I was walking to our garage, I noticed something that thrilled me—our backyard tomatoes were ripening. What caught my eye was the splash of bright red emanating from a bunch nestled in the midst of a thick growth of cherry tomato vines. I carefully picked the clump and took them inside for us to enjoy, just enough to whet our appetites for more. We reap what we sow, and that is true whether it is our carefully chosen tomato plants or our few haphazard potatoes that are the result of a carelessly thrown spud into a compost pile. When we sow something, we have to live with those results. However, we don’t always consider how our plantings may affect others.
Our choices come with consequences, but our lives aren’t inside a vacuum. Both minor and major choices usually impact someone else. When we choose to waste resources, everyone on the planet is affected. When we don’t paint our house, we change our neighbors’ property values. Not teaching our children respect for authority can affect teachers, classmates, policemen, future spouses, and a multitude of others. When we choose to drive drunk, we will not only impact our families if we lose our licenses but also anyone else we happen to encounter on the road. A selfish decision to pursue our own interests impacts our spouse’s, children’s, grandchildren’s, and friends’ well-beings. Each action comes with a reaction, and that is what we don’t consider with decisions. It’s like ripples that come into the water after a stone is thrown—they keep going on indefinitely.
Many biblical saints discovered that principle also. When Adam and Eve violated God’s commandment and ate the fruit, their family had to leave paradise and all of mankind came under a curse. David’s decision to have Uriah killed so he could have his wife created conflict in his family and a pronouncement “the sword [would] never depart from [his] house” (2 Sam. 12:10): brother raped sister, brother killed brother, son betrayed father. When Solomon chose to ignore God’s command and take heathen wives, his posterity lost their throne. The same principle of consequences is true for godly decisions. Mary obeyed God and birthed the Savior who affected the world for all of time. Paul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus provided us with most of the New Testament. Jesus’ decision to obey his Father’s will and go to the cross negated Adam and Eve’s consequences for mankind. Whether good or bad, our decisions impact not only us, but many more.
What we do for God also has consequences for others. Our job on earth is to be a servant, and Jesus modeled when he planted good deeds geared to helping all with whom he came in contact. Our lives should leave a mark on others in the same way. A former principal tells the story of a surly young man whom he determined to give a kind word each day. Never did the teen respond until he had been graduated for a couple of years and came to see this principal. He told him that throughout his young years, this man had provided the only words of kindness ever directed at him. His home life had been terrible; his quiet brooding had let him fade into the back of a classroom. Though he never demonstrated any reaction to the principal then, each morning he came to school just to have his daily fix of kindness. When we shop or work or drive or talk, are ripples we leave showing love and kindness or more confusion in an already-chaotic life? Are we a solution to another’s problem, or are we just another layer to add onto the despair in which he/she is drowning? Do we demonstrate His love to a world that was so important to the Father He asked His son to be their martyr? Does the wake we leave in life’s sea reflect the face of Jesus?
This month we lost a friend whose life’s ripples touched many others. Carol Neeley went home to be with God. When I think of her, I see one word—tenacity. She was a bulldog about following the Lord. I knew Carol as many others did—a lady who was in love with God, His word, and Holy Spirit’s depth. Her conversations were mostly about God and what He had done for and through her. She stayed in His word and in His presence as much as she could. Her words of knowledge and wisdom often sustained or bolstered me. Many times she would call and say she had been praying and God had given her a prophetic word for me. Her obedience and perception made me respect her throughout the years I have known her.
Her life touched many others also. She understood how what she did rippled into their lives and that she was placed on earth to be a servant to them: her mother, her siblings, her children, her friends, her Christian brothers and sisters, even strangers. She remained true to that call until the very end. Only a short time before she died, she called to tell me of something God had spoken to her. Her excitement overshadowed the illness ravaging her body; for she had long ago learned that in “whatever state [she was in], to be content” (Phil. 4:11). When she was still young, she had given herself to God and considered “the loss of all things…as rubbish” (Phil. 3:8) compared to everything she had gained in Him. She stepped as He led. She gave as He did. She will be missed, but her life’s worth remains in the ripples that still touch our lives. What a legacy for any of us to leave someday: that our actions continue to bless others even after we are at home with Jesus.
Our choices come with consequences, but our lives aren’t inside a vacuum. Both minor and major choices usually impact someone else. When we choose to waste resources, everyone on the planet is affected. When we don’t paint our house, we change our neighbors’ property values. Not teaching our children respect for authority can affect teachers, classmates, policemen, future spouses, and a multitude of others. When we choose to drive drunk, we will not only impact our families if we lose our licenses but also anyone else we happen to encounter on the road. A selfish decision to pursue our own interests impacts our spouse’s, children’s, grandchildren’s, and friends’ well-beings. Each action comes with a reaction, and that is what we don’t consider with decisions. It’s like ripples that come into the water after a stone is thrown—they keep going on indefinitely.
Many biblical saints discovered that principle also. When Adam and Eve violated God’s commandment and ate the fruit, their family had to leave paradise and all of mankind came under a curse. David’s decision to have Uriah killed so he could have his wife created conflict in his family and a pronouncement “the sword [would] never depart from [his] house” (2 Sam. 12:10): brother raped sister, brother killed brother, son betrayed father. When Solomon chose to ignore God’s command and take heathen wives, his posterity lost their throne. The same principle of consequences is true for godly decisions. Mary obeyed God and birthed the Savior who affected the world for all of time. Paul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus provided us with most of the New Testament. Jesus’ decision to obey his Father’s will and go to the cross negated Adam and Eve’s consequences for mankind. Whether good or bad, our decisions impact not only us, but many more.
What we do for God also has consequences for others. Our job on earth is to be a servant, and Jesus modeled when he planted good deeds geared to helping all with whom he came in contact. Our lives should leave a mark on others in the same way. A former principal tells the story of a surly young man whom he determined to give a kind word each day. Never did the teen respond until he had been graduated for a couple of years and came to see this principal. He told him that throughout his young years, this man had provided the only words of kindness ever directed at him. His home life had been terrible; his quiet brooding had let him fade into the back of a classroom. Though he never demonstrated any reaction to the principal then, each morning he came to school just to have his daily fix of kindness. When we shop or work or drive or talk, are ripples we leave showing love and kindness or more confusion in an already-chaotic life? Are we a solution to another’s problem, or are we just another layer to add onto the despair in which he/she is drowning? Do we demonstrate His love to a world that was so important to the Father He asked His son to be their martyr? Does the wake we leave in life’s sea reflect the face of Jesus?
This month we lost a friend whose life’s ripples touched many others. Carol Neeley went home to be with God. When I think of her, I see one word—tenacity. She was a bulldog about following the Lord. I knew Carol as many others did—a lady who was in love with God, His word, and Holy Spirit’s depth. Her conversations were mostly about God and what He had done for and through her. She stayed in His word and in His presence as much as she could. Her words of knowledge and wisdom often sustained or bolstered me. Many times she would call and say she had been praying and God had given her a prophetic word for me. Her obedience and perception made me respect her throughout the years I have known her.
Her life touched many others also. She understood how what she did rippled into their lives and that she was placed on earth to be a servant to them: her mother, her siblings, her children, her friends, her Christian brothers and sisters, even strangers. She remained true to that call until the very end. Only a short time before she died, she called to tell me of something God had spoken to her. Her excitement overshadowed the illness ravaging her body; for she had long ago learned that in “whatever state [she was in], to be content” (Phil. 4:11). When she was still young, she had given herself to God and considered “the loss of all things…as rubbish” (Phil. 3:8) compared to everything she had gained in Him. She stepped as He led. She gave as He did. She will be missed, but her life’s worth remains in the ripples that still touch our lives. What a legacy for any of us to leave someday: that our actions continue to bless others even after we are at home with Jesus.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Activate by Wade Urban
Activate, Elevate & Accelerate
2 Tim. 1:7-8, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Foundation Builder Ministry
Kingdom Principles & Definitions
• Dominion (Gen. 1:26)
• Seedtime & Harvest (Gen. 8:22) (Mt 13:3-23; Mk. 4: 3-29)
• Faith (Mk 11: 22-24); (2 Co. 4:13); (Rom. 10: 6-17)
• Righteousness (Rom. 3, 4 & 5)
• Purpose & the Will of God
1. 1 Jn 3:8; 1 Jn 4:17; Jn. 17:18; Jn 20: 21
2. Rom. 12: 1-2 & 6-8 (prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving, leadership, mercy)
3. Gal. 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance); 1 Cor. 12: 4-11
4. Gal. 3: 13-14; Eph. 5: 17, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
SO WHAT? WHY?
ANSWER: “To teach believers to hear from God for themselves!”
ACTIVATE
1. Receive Jesus Christ as Lord
2. Ask for infilling of Holy Spirit – evidence
3. Continue process of sanctification – dying to self, renewing the mind with TRUTH!
4. Understanding the depth of God’s Word and love (Ps12:6, “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”) (Pv 9:1, “Wisdom hayth builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars.”) (Eph.3: 16-21, “That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye , being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
ELEVATE: (Rev.4: 1, “After this I looked, and , behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
INTIMACY
• POSITIONS us with new PERSPECTIVE (Eph. 2: 1-8); It elevates us out of “See Level” where we have been living by natural sight into spiritual “VISION”
• PURGES us and brings FREEDOM from SIN (Rom 6); Law (Rom 7); FLESH and FEAR of DEATH (Rom. 8); We put off the “old man” and put on the New Man” created in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4: 20-24)
• EMPOWERS us to His GREATER WORKS (Jn 14: 12); (2Cor. 1: 20) ; (2 Pet 1: 2-4)
ACCELERATION
• BREAKOUT & BREAKTHROUGH (Bondage to the Familiar) 2 Sam 5: 17-25 = Baal Perazim
• DELIVERANCE from other BONDAGES: Addictions, bitterness, religious spirit of anti-Christ
• Isa. 60: 22, “I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.”
2 Tim. 1:7-8, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Foundation Builder Ministry
Kingdom Principles & Definitions
• Dominion (Gen. 1:26)
• Seedtime & Harvest (Gen. 8:22) (Mt 13:3-23; Mk. 4: 3-29)
• Faith (Mk 11: 22-24); (2 Co. 4:13); (Rom. 10: 6-17)
• Righteousness (Rom. 3, 4 & 5)
• Purpose & the Will of God
1. 1 Jn 3:8; 1 Jn 4:17; Jn. 17:18; Jn 20: 21
2. Rom. 12: 1-2 & 6-8 (prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving, leadership, mercy)
3. Gal. 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance); 1 Cor. 12: 4-11
4. Gal. 3: 13-14; Eph. 5: 17, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
SO WHAT? WHY?
ANSWER: “To teach believers to hear from God for themselves!”
ACTIVATE
1. Receive Jesus Christ as Lord
2. Ask for infilling of Holy Spirit – evidence
3. Continue process of sanctification – dying to self, renewing the mind with TRUTH!
4. Understanding the depth of God’s Word and love (Ps12:6, “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”) (Pv 9:1, “Wisdom hayth builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars.”) (Eph.3: 16-21, “That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye , being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
ELEVATE: (Rev.4: 1, “After this I looked, and , behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
INTIMACY
• POSITIONS us with new PERSPECTIVE (Eph. 2: 1-8); It elevates us out of “See Level” where we have been living by natural sight into spiritual “VISION”
• PURGES us and brings FREEDOM from SIN (Rom 6); Law (Rom 7); FLESH and FEAR of DEATH (Rom. 8); We put off the “old man” and put on the New Man” created in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4: 20-24)
• EMPOWERS us to His GREATER WORKS (Jn 14: 12); (2Cor. 1: 20) ; (2 Pet 1: 2-4)
ACCELERATION
• BREAKOUT & BREAKTHROUGH (Bondage to the Familiar) 2 Sam 5: 17-25 = Baal Perazim
• DELIVERANCE from other BONDAGES: Addictions, bitterness, religious spirit of anti-Christ
• Isa. 60: 22, “I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.”
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