Are you doing the welfare shuffle?

We've all seen them, maybe we've even been behind them at the mall. You know, seemingly able bodied people just walking fast enough to keep from going backwards, they seem to have no particular place to go and all day to get there.

Whenever I spot this rhythm going on it's usually a pretty clear sign their doing what I affectionately call the, "welfare shuffle".

Unfortunately many believers today have a similar rhythm going on in their life. Yes they have a steady stream of food and support coming in from the religious system, but their dependency on this system has robbed them of the dignity and anointing God's called them to walk in

Here are a few warning signs you may be doing  the"welfare shuffle" in your walk with God.

1. Coming to church empty without anything to give away.


What? We're suppose to be thinking of others, even at church? Yes!
It's good to come to church, but it's not intended to be a spectator sport.

According to the bible we're supposed to come together with something to give away, not to be focused on personal growth and what "I can get out of this".

Church tradition got it wrong, check your bible.1 cor 14: 12 "let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel". 


  

2. Willing to eat anything because it's free food and you're hungry.


















I was eating lunch with my daughter at her school last year and the girl sitting across from us was eating the free school hot lunch.

It didn't look very appetizing, in fact, when we asked her what it was she said she didn't know. Then we asked her if it was good, she said "not really". When my daughter asked " why are you eating it then "?
She responded "because I'm hungry".

Many believers today will sit under preaching and teaching that is really bad, in fact much of it is contrary to what the bible really teaches. Why do they continue to eat it? Sadly because it's free food and they're hungry.



3. Willing to ride with someone as long as it doesn't cost you anything.





Helping people and especially making disciples is costly.
Years ago I had a roommate who wanted our new apartment to be a place of ministry. He had lofty visions of ministry, helping people get on their feet, feeding the homeless, encouraging new believers and so on...

Well a few days into it we were helping some new believers and let's just say they had some "rough edges". After a couple days of them he basically said "that's enough of that". Evidently he had meant let's help people without any problems.

How to bear fruit out of season

Going on scheduled outreaches is a great way to experience consistent supernatural encounters with people in the context of preaching and ministry.

However, sometimes life and responsibilities have a way of bearing down on us and stealing much of our time right out from under us.

When this happens it's easy to feel like we can't be used by God until we have more "free time". One of the strategies of hell is to cause us to feel like we are too busy to be effective or fruitful.

Although there is some truth to being too busy, there is a greater truth that says to redeem the time.
Spiritual momentum and fruitfulness can be maintained in these seasons.

Jesus said "as you go preach" you don't have to wait for a scheduled outreach. Wherever you go or whatever you're doing you can bring the kingdom with you.

My schedule has been very demanding the past few months and I've been faced with the reality that you can only do so much with the time you have.

So what do you do when you find yourself maxed out and your usual way of focused ministry is being disrupted by legitimate responsibilities? Here's a few things that have helped me.


1. Stay flexible, one of the characteristics of a new wineskin is flexibility.

2. Allow things to stretch you, it creates a unique atmosphere for the Holy Ghost to
 move.

3. Make it a point to take advantage of seemingly small opportunities to minister to people
    (I've found the Holy Ghost is way ahead of me on this one).

4. Redeem the time, turn whatever circumstance or schedule you're facing over to God's purpose and present help and His kingdom will come.

5. Maintain your inner connection and sensitivity to the Holy Ghost.

6. Take a moment to pray and lay hands on someone needing a miracle.

7. Don't take the people you come in contact with for granite, know they need ministry from a loving supernatural God.

I've recently seen four people get healed as I've done this with people I've encountered at work. It only took a moment to lay hands and pray and each one came back later testifying of getting healed.

One guy said I was the only person he had ever let pray for him, what a priveledge.

Supernatural encounters on the job have a way of increasing favor and credibility with people like nothing else, sometimes a miracle is worth a thousand words.Thank you Jesus!

I think it is vital as followers of Jesus to have focused, scheduled times for preaching and ministry, but there are seasons when it is more difficult.

This is when we are especially to redeem the time. Do everything unto the Lord and make the most of every moment He gives us. A moment spent on God's purposes releases more than we think.


   

Oh, it's my turn?

There's been a number of times we've been on outreach in a neighborhood and learned there had been a suicide or an attempted suicide a few days before.

In one case a young man 27 years old took his life the day before we got there, tragically we were too late.

I guess you could argue our decision to go Saturday night instead of Friday night was just coincidental and that we shouldn't have felt responsible or that maybe we'd missed God, but then again if we had knocked on his door the night before, maybe God would have used us to get him set free.


Another time we arrived a few days after a 17 year old girl had attempted suicide, heartbreaking, I know we could have helped her if we had been there a little sooner.

Lately I've been more convinced than ever, our lives and decisions, aren't as insignificant as we might think.

God's not just given us the authority and power to bring the good news, he's given us the responsibility and the opportunity.

The recent horrific mass murders have many searching for answers. There is much debate regarding how to produce change in our society. Sadly the only input I hear from most Christians is criticism towards our politicians and legislators.

Although I understand the debate and the frustration with the lack of sound response from our government, I am more disturbed by the lack of response from the church.

Have you ever been playing a game, maybe chess or checkers and you and your opponent are quietly staring at the board for a while and suddenly your opponent goes "oh it's my turn?"

I feel like this is what needs to happen with many Christians today, myself included.

We need a wake up call, we need to say "oh, it's my turn?".

Jesus said  "as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
In other words, He was the answer for the injustice during His time on the earth.

He wasn't just disturbed by the injustice, He had a passion for bringing Justice to the world around Him. What would happen if Christians all over began to wake up and not just be disturbed by what's going on in our world today, but we began to take action.

What if we began to feel the responsibility of bringing the good news of the kingdom to our world.( I'm getting stirred up just writing about it.)


Jesus told his disciples "you are the light of the world" in other words you have the answer, you have the responsibility to bring justice to the world around you, just as I showed you.


It's hard for us to believe lives are at stake, but they truly are. It's so easy for us to continue living as if it's somehow someone else's responsibility.

I can't help but think of the recent tragedies and wonder, were there any Christians in the shooters lives that could have gotten them set free? Maybe they passed through my city and walked by me.

What if someone would have showed up on their doorstep with the gospel of the kingdom days before the shootings, how would things have been different? When you look at it that way, our steps don't seem so small do they....

Have we lost our voice?

Recently I was listening to a radio program with two counselors giving "help" to people calling in. During the program I kept thinking "wow their giving really bad counsel to these people".

One of the callers was trapped in a homosexual lifestyle and was asking for help in finding a fulfilling romantic relationship.

The caller was very frustrated and was desperately seeking help. The counselors advice was to just keep looking, he suggested the callers frustration and lack of fulfillment was largely because society hasn't fully accepted this lifestyle.

It was very sad to hear the caller genuinely asking for help and getting such bad, totally wrong, counsel. It was like a lost driver getting directions and being sent in the opposite direction of where he needs to go.

I was reminded of Proverbs 18:17 The first one to plead his cause seems right. Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

Much of the help available today is very far from the truth, even in our religious culture much of the help offered does more harm than good because it's simply not true.

It may be true in a sense, according to this world, but not according to Christ and His kingdom.

We have a mandate as the Church to speak the truth in love. When we're silent, "the first one to plead his cause seems right."


In other words when the counsel or politically correct "truth" of today is left unchallenged. It is more easily embraced as "right". There is conveniently nothing to compare it to.

We are the neighbor this scripture speaks of.
It's our responsibility to examine. If we don't who will? It's our responsibility to speak the Truth.

The Hebrew word used here for examine means of examining thoroughly, so as to expose weakness in a case

We need to test the ever changing popular truth of today by the everlasting truth of the Bible. It's time to not just silently agree with God but boldly speak the word of God.
Our voice isn't insignificant, in fact Jesus said "he who hears you hears me" That's a pretty high calling.

It's time to get our voice back, it's time to pray that prayer "Lord grant to your servants that with all boldness we may speak your word".

Are you still sleeping?

The other day I had a very sobering experience. I was sitting in traffic at a red light, when all of a sudden, I started to feel really good. I had such peace come over me, and the warmth and freedom I started to feel was exhilarating.

I hadn't felt something like this in a long time and something inside me was saying "yes, this feels so so good". All the stress and responsibility of the day seemed to just disappear I was finally free.

The only problem was during this seemingly "religious" experience, my foot had actually come off the brake pedal and now 80,000 lbs. of truck was rolling towards the car in front of me.

I had fallen asleep. Thankfully God woke me up just before I hit the car in front of me and I was able to regain control and stop before hitting the car.

My job requires me at times to go without sleep and work extended hours or work through the night. This was one of those times.

God clearly spoke to me right then about the account in scripture, where Jesus asked his disciples "are you still sleeping?" This was one of the most critical times in history as Jesus was about to go to the cross.

Well here we are once again at a vital time in history and the temptation to sleep is overwhelming many.

Sleep in one sense is when the flesh finally gets it's way, unrestrained by responsibility the body can fully focus on self.

I believe selfishness is one of the great last day assaults that's currently taking many out of the will of God.

Even in some people close to me
I have seen an unbridled brazen selfishness rear it's
head and it's very disturbing.

The problem with the last day temptations is that they will just feel too good.

Much like the experience I had falling asleep, this same experience is happening to many in their spiritual life and I fear this strategy will continue to take out many.

God help us to stay awake, love of self is so dangerous because it feels so good. Normal Christianity is dieing to our self, this opens the door to real joy, peace, and satisfaction.

Are you still sleeping?

Trampling on serpents

The other night I had a dream I stirred up a nest of venomous snakes, one came after me and I was able to grip the back of it's head without it getting it's fangs in me.

I remember thinking in the dream, I need to get a better grip on this thing, but I also knew if I tried, it would probably bite me. It took everything I had to keep my grip and as long as I didn't let up, I was fine.

Well the next day, my wife, not knowing of the dream I had, shared Luke 10 :19 with me
"Behold I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Trampling on serpents creates a path to walk on, our enemies are suppose to be under our feet just like the Lords' are under His.

As we make this our lifestyle our authority will increase because this is who we are in Jesus. It's not arrogance or presumption it's called walking in truth.

Do not try to get a better grip. Do not go down the path of searching for another way, do not try to improve on the Lords strategy. Just learn to enjoy your supernatural life of victory.

"Nothing shall by any means hurt you" because our protection is found in dieing to self, and exercising (putting into use) our authority as a lifestyle.

God prepares a table in the presence of our enemies, I'll admit it's an acquired taste, but once you've eaten a few serpents religious food just doesn't taste the same.

Jesus just couldn't leave it alone

One of the things I love about the Lord is his willingness to unapologetically do His fathers will and speak the truth in love. I believe he wasn't purposely trying to be contrary or different for the sake of His own ego, but He was truly just being Himself in fulfilling His call.

He was a man, He had a masculine spirit. I believe this is one of the great assaults on our generation. Most Christian men today are in such confusion because they have bought the lie that a religious non confrontational passive feminine spirit is the Holy Spirit.

I remember growing up in religion and being nauseated by the religious passive culture surrounding me. Although this is no excuse, many today stay away from the church because this is still the norm in most places.

We are in a spiritual war, a passive feminine spirit will get you killed on the battle field. Many Christian leaders today have exchanged God's truth for a religious culture that in many ways is contrary to the life and teaching of Jesus.

Even in the prophetic main stream most of it is dominated by the passive non confrontational religious spirit that ran the religious system in Jesus day. Basically all talk and no action, many today define a religious spirit as a self righteous driven type of spirit that relies on works for salvation.

Although that is true to some extent that type usually finds expression through cults and false religion.

The kind Jesus hammered away at is what dominates many churches today. He said the leaven of the Pharisees is hypocrisy, not so much self righteousness. He said "do as they say but don't do as they do" (Mathew 23:3) He's called us to walk in maturity, walk out what we say we believe.

An over emphasis on worrying about "striving" is really just exposing how immature we are. Salvation is by grace, once you understand that, it's no longer about you or "your" salvation That's settled, now it's time to turn and think about helping someone else.

Continued emphasis on an anti striving campaign will eventually turn you against God in defending your selfishness and immaturity.


This is why our religious culture today is in such danger, because eventually it will turn completely away from the doctrines of Christ. It will actually be anti Christ and not even know it.

God help us!

Guilty or innocent

I've been concerned about the attitude of many Christians regarding the tragedy in Haiti. I've heard some declaring "this is judgement from God."

Others have quickly rushed to God's defense declaring "those were innocent people, God wouldn't hurt innocent people".

I don't know if it was judgement or not, that's not the issue I'd like to address. I believe God is exposing a dangerous mindset of many today.

Jesus exposed this same thinking in Luke 13 :1-5 "do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

We're all deserving of Gods judgement, it is a worldly mindset that thinks otherwise.

If we repent, if we believe on Jesus, we are free from judgement. We are free from damnation only because of the mercy and sacrifice of Jesus.

Unrepentant people are guilty before God and deserve damnation. If this offends us, it may be exposing a dangerous flaw in our thinking.

I know this messes with our human logic and emotion but if were not careful, we may end up shaking our fist at God someday along with the rest of the world, when His judgement and wrath are poured out in full strength.

This understanding is what should motivate us to truly love the lost. This revelation will bring us out of the sphere of religious talk where many live and teach, and into the harvest fields where Jesus said to go.

The coming wrath is certain, this is what were saved from. I know this is not popular teaching today, it sounds so religious and old fashioned.

Most of the doctrines of Jesus are coming under great assault as they always have. Jesus said in Luke 9:26 "whoever is ashamed of Me and of My teachings, of him will the son of Man be ashamed."

The current wave of deception and distraction is sadly taking many.

Let us with great humility, stay encouraged and focused on our King and the great harvest before us.

Persecutions are coming

This is one of the promises in the Bible that we rarely put on our refrigerators if ever. Well, we might as well go ahead and put it up there because it's coming and it's here. What is Jesus instruction in dealing with the coming and current persecution.

In Mathew 5 we're told to pray for those who persecute us and also to love are enemies. In Mathew 10 Jesus gives some practical wisdom concerning persecution.

The persecution we deal with is not yet physical, but mainly the attacks that come from the "man made religious system" of our day or the "politically correct" spirit that is gaining momentum on a worldwide scale.

Whatever name you want to give it is beside the point. The reality is, it's an anti-Christ spirit, it's aggressive and it is after you, your family, your aggressive faith and what you believe. If you are a true follower of the King it is pursuing you to injure you and cause you harm.

That's the bad news.

The good news is God's strategy for your life is not for you to put your tail between your legs and hide in the corner. The exhortation Jesus gives us is to BOLDLY PREACH FROM THE HOUSETOPS the message from the king.(Math.10:27)

We need to do it in our families, neighborhoods, cities and even in our churches. The assault on truth has gone unchallenged for to long. The time for apologizing for being a follower of Jesus is over.


There are only two kingdoms, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. The time of the gospel is a very short season, let's spend it wisely. Harvest time in the light of eternity is a very short time which cannot be gotten back once it's gone.

Let's with cheerful courage boldly proclaim Jesus is king! Enjoy the fight, never quit, never give up, we can take the land!

Truth in the hands of the people

The strategy of hell has always been to keep the truth out of the hands of the people.

The good news is, Gods strategy is to get the truth into the hands of the people.

Jesus said in Matt. 13 "he who hears the word of the kingdom and grasps it or "gets it" will be fruitful."

If this is true, why aren't more Christians "getting it"?

If Jesus said the harvest is ripe, why are most Christians not walking in fruitfulness?

I believe this kind of revelation is more caught than taught. The problem with to much teaching is that you can be ever learning and never quite "get" or grasp the truth.

This is why most pharisees couldn't catch it and it's why many believers can't catch it today.

There is a mindset in much of the religious world that believes, God wants to use the best, the brightest, the educated, the gifted,and the sophisticated to reach the world.

The only problem is Gods strategy is a little different.

Isa 26:5-6 says
5 He humbles the proud
and brings down the arrogant city.
He brings it down to the dust.
6 The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot,
and the needy walk all over it.

Isa 26:5-6
5 Those who lived high and mighty
he knocked off their high horse.
He used the city built on the hill
as fill for the marshes.
6 All the exploited and outcast peoples
build their lives on the reclaimed land.


God's army is made up of the humble, the outcast, the poor etc...

Without discipleship, truth tends to be used as a platform that breeds the "God only uses the gifted professionals" mentality.

Jesus imparted truth into everyday people. He said "follow me". Paul said, "imitate me as I imitate Christ". We learn by example, we catch vision by seeing it lived out in someone else. We are inspired to be courageous by hanging around people with courage.

Jesus warned of the leaven of the pharisees.


Matt 23:3-4
Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.


Gen.Patton said "what the hell good is a commander who won't get shot at?"

The problem today is most religious leaders are to sophisticated for their own good. The "professional" although well polished and very gifted never seems to quite impart the simple fundamentals of the kingdom. Christian truth is best imparted by example.

Most Christians feel disqualified from doing the stuff because their only examples are gifted professionals.

I believe God's blowing a fresh wind of good old fashioned Holy Ghost discipleship.

Watch out kingdom of darkness, the poor, the outcast, the oppressed and the needy are about to victoriously trample your kingdom underfoot and walk all over it!

Are we fitting in or taking over?

Jesus brought the kingdom of heaven to the earth. He demonstrated not only the power and love of God, but the possibility of a new breed of people who would not have to live bound by the deception and limitations of this world.

When he started His ministry it says "He began to preach repent the kingdom of heaven's at hand".


Turn from the influence of this world, be free from the desire for the things of this world, turn from dependence on the wisdom of this world, begin to walk and retrain your mind according to the kingdom of heaven.

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world".

"The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever".

Think about what was "in" a few decades ago, looking back now many of those things seem so goofy now. The styles and mindsets even the slang in our culture looking back seems so corny, but at the time the spirit of the world energized and anointed those things to keep people under it's influence.

The gospel never changes, go ahead and look back 10, 20, or even 2,000 yrs ago the kingdom never changes, it's eternal, truth never changes and our mandate never changes. I believe there will always be the temptation to try to "fit in" with the world. I'm all for being "relevant" but many times it seems in the name of being "relevant" were really just trying to fit in to the world.

The nature of the kingdom is that it doesn't fit in, it takes over, it changes lives, neighborhoods, and circumstances it's about time we as the church stop trying to be "like" the world.

Our message isn't a clever self help program, the bible says "turn away from people who have a form of godliness but deny it's power". Many today receive their help from the clever deception of the world more then the simple powerful truth of the scripture. We need to whole heartedly embrace a supernatural kingdom mindset if were to make it.

This world is not our home we need to live like were from heaven on a mission to bring the rule and reign of heaven to earth.

The other day on outreach to one of our tougher neighborhoods, we were getting ready to leave, on our way out, the car in front of us was stopped and the driver was having a conversation with a guy leaning in his car. It was obvious he wasn't in a hurry to let us pass.

A drug dealer came up to our car and being a car full of white people assumed we were looking to buy something. He asked us what we needed and we said " we don't need anything were just out preaching the gospel the car ahead won't let us pass."

It was like we showed him our ambassador Id's from heaven he shouted to the guy ahead something like "let them through their preaching the gospel"! The guy resisted at first but the dealer got louder, and louder, and with more authority told him to move it.

It was pretty cool, it really felt like we were in an ambassador motorcade. The truth is were not of this world, the glory of the Lord has risen upon us.

Were truly citizens of heaven, lets start acting like it!

Dangerous minds

New thoughts vs. old truth

Recently I was in a christian bookstore searching for a new bible for my daughter. As always I started getting a little vexed the longer I was in there. I don't know, there is just something about those stores that doesn't feel right. Maybe it's the spin that the marketers put on the gospel that's so repulsive or the "new" thoughts on God people are trying to sell.

I like the NKJ version so we were looking for one appropriate for her. Well there was basically one shelf of bibles to choose from with very little variety. The NIV and other paraphrased versions however were on many shelves with all sorts of different kinds.

It's alarming how the most popular bibles and books are the ones with the most human influence and opinion. This got me thinking of how dangerous our own thoughts about God can be if they don't line up with the word.

Years ago I was speaking at a meeting and right before I got up to speak the worship leader said "I really feel like God is saying "this is the year our dreams are gonna come true"

Well the word I was bringing that night was basically this is the year we need to say "not my will but yours be done". I'm pretty sure mine was the right word because I was preaching the bible that night.

Truth is powerful but the more watered down it is, the less power it has to change lives. The gospel is powerful but the more we mix in our own thoughts and ideas the less affect it seems to have.

I remember years ago we were trying to help a young single mom. She had many problems and was mentally and spiritually very unstable. As we tried to help her she never seemed to make any progress, this went on for months. After a while she decided to move across the country to live with a relative, their church was more of a "tough love type of church" They radically preached truth and didn't apologize for it.

I talked to her on the phone months later and she was a different person. She was on fire, evidently they hadn't used the mushy enabling love that we were trying to help her with, they challenged her, didn't stroke her self pity and had her out on every outreach. This had an amazing effect on her life, they simply turned the gospel loose on her and let God do the rest.

God's thoughts are not our thoughts nor our ways his ways let's be careful we don't try to improve the gospel or re- interpret it in our attempt to help, we may be doing more harm than good!

Jesus always raised the standard

Many times in life we tend to lower our expectations. This is sometimes considered wisdom especially in relation to dealing with people. However we need to be careful this doesn't become the norm in our life. Yes people will disappoint us, yes Gods timing many times is not ours, but as believers were called to be like Jesus. What was He like?

He lived a lifestyle of expectation, a life of true living faith. He had the ability to believe His Father and also to believe in people. He wouldn't have died for humanity if He didn't.

In one account He told a woman to "go and sin no more" this wasn't just a catchy Jesus saying, it was living faith. When He said "he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also".

Again He's always challenging, always raising expectation, always believing. This is how we're called to live. Always believing God, always raising our expectation, always trusting the God that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Always preaching Jesus is the way, always bringing the reality of the Kingdom of God in our midst!

Reality "the state of things as they actually exist"

I was recently thinking of some old friends of mine who's motto was "reality is for people who can't handle drugs". Not the brightest bulbs on the tree I'll admit, but they did have a creative way of twisting things.

Before I was a christian I was on a similar path trying my best to not face reality. At the same time I knew God was real, His kingdom was real, and if I didn't repent I was in big trouble. When I did give my life to the Lord one of my first revelations as a new believer was God calls us to dive headfirst into reality. His reality, any other mindset is really just fantasy.

Jesus said "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" Why? This world is at best a fleeting fantasy. "The world is passing away and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever."

Think of everything you've done, tasted, or experienced up to this moment. Where is it? It's gone, it's like chasing the wind, this life is at best a vapor.

The strategy of hell is to distract us from the will of God, from His purpose for our lives, which is to know him and advance His kingdom. The trick of the world, the flesh and the devil is to offer fantasy over reality. If were not walking in a revelation of the kingdom of God were living a "fantasy life". Even as a church goer or religious person.

One definition of fantasy is "imagination unrestricted by reality". I believe this is the lawlessness the bible warns of. Many today are trying their best to keep God out of their minds, cultures and yes even churches. The crazy thing is this, this is God's world, in Him we live and move and have our being, Jesus is the king, there is no escape.

Why do we feel the need to water down what Jesus actually says? Because it messes with our "fantasy life".

In Luke 8:37 is the most fearful prayer any of us could pray, it says "then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. This is the account of Jesus healing the demon possessed man.

He shook their fantasy life so much they asked Him to leave. What's even more fearful is His response to their prayer. He left!

Others

I was reading the account of the time William Booth sent out his annual Christmas encouragement to his workers. Times were tough and the ministry didn't have much money, he only had enough to send one word, he chose the word "others".

This got me thinking of where we are in our present day culture. The bible says in the last days men would be "lovers of themselves". In our quest to be relevant to our culture, I fear our culture may have more influence on us then we think.

Our Christian walk can easily turn into a self help program or worse a self love program. Jesus speaks in Mathew about this reality taking people by surprise at the judgement when he separates the sheep from the goats.

Our ministry to the lord is linked with our ministry to people, probably more than we think. It's very clear when Jesus judges the nations many will be shocked at the revelation that the heart of God is for "others" this really messes with our me Christianity that most have come to know.

Yes we are called to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling and yes we are to love God first, but Jesus spoke much about laying down our lives.

In the Iraq war re enlistment has always been way up. The media never mentions this but it's true. Why do they re-enlist?

They re-enlist for "others" they go back to help their fellow soldiers, they fight for each other. This really needs to happen again in the church. The bond that is formed in battle is one that's not easily broken. It's a committed love that produces courage and trust, I believe this only comes by laying our lives down for others, for the vision Jesus set before us.

In this "what's in it for me generation" of self lovers we are called to be different.

We are called to love, to sacrifice, to go the extra mile, called to reach out at the risk of looking foolish or being rejected.

The gospel is an escape from the coming judgement, yes it's wonderful to live for God but our freedom is for others. It's not so we can just shake our "ankles" for the lord. It's not so we can just have a happy life until Jesus comes.name=

I remember waiting for the Christmas parade to start in downtown Winston Salem this past December. Just before the parade a few thousand people lined both sides of fourth street eagerly awaiting the parade.

I couldn't help but think about preaching the Gospel at full volume in the middle of the street. I also couldn't help but think how inappropriate that would be.

Well that's the million dollar question isn't it. When is it appropriate to share the gospel? Are people really going to hell?

Did God really commission the Church to bring the good news miracles signs and wonders?

Is God really expecting us to penetrate this world with the Gospel?

I guess I would have to say it is absolutely appropriate. We tend to er on the side of caution more worried about how we come across or if this is the right time.

We listen to that voice of sophistication that says " oh that would be inappropriate."

Jesus said "today is the day of salvation" I know we really don't have much persecution in this country maybe it's because were so passive and cautious about bringing the truth.

Here's an account I found of how Timothy was martyred:

Timothy tried to halt a pagan procession of idols, ceremonies, and songs. In response to his preaching of the gospel, the angry pagans beat him, dragged him through the streets, andstoned him to death.

The Christmas parade we watched was probably just as bad as the one Timothy couldn't sit still for. Santa, a Homo float and one with a transvestite waving to all of us. Next time I need to be more bold.

Are we more worried about offending people then offending God?

Is there actually a godly tangible boldness, a cheerful courage available for us to walk in ?

I believe there is!

What are we seeking first?

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day and happened to invite him to go on outreach with us. He responded by saying "hey maybe I will if I don't have anything else to do later".

I new we wouldn't see him because the reality is there is always "something to do later". This is one of the main strategies from hell to keep us distracted from the very heart of God.

Maybe his response just came out wrong, but it really got me thinking. This is the mindset in much of our Christian culture today. Jesus said seek first the kingdom and His righteousness but to many times we try to fit it in when we have time.

Our natural tendency is to take the best for ourselves and give God what's left. The default setting for our flesh is always the path of least resistance.

We purposely schedule our outreaches many times at the best time of the day to help break us out of our selfish mindset, because the reality is, we will never have the time, love will always challenge us to take the time. When we do, God always seams to heap on us much more than we could ever gather for ourselves.

What ever happened to good old fashioned giving God our best. I believe if we just got back to basic worship, things would radically change. Instead of giving God left overs what if we gave him our first fruits in every area.

What if what we gave him actually cost us something. "Ouch"( that's starting to hurt a bit) but seriously, What if a new culture is emerging where God gets the "prime time slot".

What if a new breed of Christians is emerging who won't love their lives unto death. A people sold on being followers and not just believers.

What if as the darkness covers the earth and deep darkness the people, the Lord arises over us and His glory is seen upon us.

I believe it's coming, it's here and I want in on it!

No guts no glory

Jesus warned of a wave of deception that would come in the times we live in. One of the dangers of our generation is that we are increasingly elevating image over reality. Think about it, with the introduction of the internet, many people today have much of their identity wrapped up in their online "image".

My space, face book even blogs can present an image that isn't exactly reality. Even our communication e-mail, texting etc...takes away some of the face to face accountability and reality of life.

Although these tools can be useful we need to be careful. Worshipping image over reality will be one of the greatest tests that comes upon the world. We are extremely vulnerable, if we don't hold to the truth we will be deceived.

Sadly many believers are caught up in this as well. Many of our websites, blogs, my space etc.. even our vision statements can be designed to impress and portray an image that isn't reality at all. Don't get me wrong I'm all for technology but we need to be careful we don't leave reality behind.

I began to think about this last year as I visited a church, they had a holiday outreach with a handbook to go with it. The pastor gave some of his testimony in the first part of the book and he prefaced it with an apology. He said he usually writes more academically, but so people could better understand, he would write more plainly. (I guess he was referring to us peasants and chickens.)

Well since I don't have as many letters in front of my name as this "highly intellectual" pastor, I went and looked up the word academic. Here's one of the definitions:

Theoretical or hypothetical; not practical,realistic ,or directly useful.

Bingo, that describes much of whats going on in these times. Much of what is preached today is very theoretical, not practical, realistic or directly useful at all. It's evident in a lot of christian bookstores where the christian fiction section is growing and growing and the applied truth section is shrinking. This breeds a comparing of ourselves among ourselves mentality and a false image based Christianity.

This type of deception is what Jesus warned us of. He also warned of the leaven of the Pharisees. He said do as they say but don't do as they do. They had a religion of image and not truth, sacrifice but not mercy.

The never ending search for another way will always be a temptation. There is a way that seems right, but it's end is the way of death.

Living for God will never be convenient, true love never is. Reaching the world with the gospel of the kingdom will never be easy it will always require courage and sacrifice.

The testimony for every follower of Jesus Christ will always be, he who endures to the end will be saved........No guts.......No glory!

Our unchanging mandate

Jesus said there is a time coming when we will be hated by all nations for His names sake. It used to be hard to imagine that our generation would see such times, but I think it's obvious they may be closer then we think.

Although our world is ever changing, the bible is very clear, our mandate never changes. The call to spread the gospel, make disciples and release the kingdom is the same today as it was 2,000 years ago. In the United States we still have freedom to preach the gospel. In many other nations there is still favor and freedom to preach. Many people are still very open to hear the gospel, however things won't always be this way.

An accelerated change is occurring world wide, the stage is being set and lines are being drawn. The spirit of the world and the Spirit of God are headed right for each other and soon everyone will have to choose.

If we can't keep ourselves motivated in a time of peace, how will we in a time of persecution. How will we stand when the atmosphere changes? Will we suddenly be enabled with courage and boldness from on high supernaturally? I hope so but it's not likely, the grace and enabling is released in the going, it will always require a sacrifice on our part. Jesus said " he who has, more will be given but he who doesn't have even what he seems to have will be taken from him."

In the parable of the talents the wicked and lazy servants excuse was fear and a mindset that says"it's hard and it's just not for me." The comfort that comes with disobedience, is only temporary, and it does nothing to relieve the guilt and shame silent Christianity breeds.

Now is the time to boldly walk in the joy of obedience, if we don't now, how will we then.

The cost of joy

We all know joy is available to us as believers but did you know there is a price to pay for it. Before you accuse me of being religious let's think about it.

Tell me one thing in life that brings you joy that doesn't cost you something. When I think of my life and the joy in my life I think of my marriage, my daughter, the joy that comes with a family camping trip, even the joy of a new puppy brings incredible cost, I have the scars to prove it. I also know from experience you can't have one without the other.

It's no different in the kingdom of God, to many times we keep the truth of God's kingdom and real life on two totally different planes. Jesus said "the kingdom of Heaven is at hand". It's within us, it's in real life, Jesus died on a cross made out of wood not some sort of mental picture of an abstract cross. His pain was real and His joy was real.

In the kingdom of God there is a price to pay for joy, oh I know we try to mentally grasp some sort of theological joy as we ascend to an academic intangible place that doesn't exist, but this is not what Jesus is talking about.

The joy of the lord is found when we are joined with the Lord, laying down our lives, responding to his call of "come and die". Destiny awaits us if we are willing to respond, true fellowship and unity awaits us if we are willing to lay our lives down together for the gospel. Now is the time to shine, now is the time to advance, if we won't break through that thin veil of intimidation and self love now, how will we ever.