Jesus was right when he compared the kingdom of God to a hidden treasure that not everyone finds. I think there are many of us who have a wrong perception of who God truly is. He's better than we've ever imagined. He's better than we can even fathom. We don't even have the mental capacity to wrap our mind around the fullness and depth of His love and goodness. Being that we can't mentally comprehend it, all we're left to do is experience it. Bring it on.
The closer I get to God, the more amazed I am at the level of His goodness. I've also been pleasantly suprised to find out how personal He is. He wants to speak to us in ways that are deeply personal. In the same way that your thumbprint is special and unique to you, God's way of capturing your heart and communicating to you is equally as unique. He knows how he wired you. He knows the best way to communicate to you. Allow Him to speak to you on a deeper level. Allow Him to speak to some of the deeper, hidden issues of your heart. It is sure to bring much needed freedom.
I have spent the past seven months submersed in ministry and coaching. I didn't realize the toll it has taken on me until last week. I was finally honest and admitted that I felt like burnt toast. God is right about the whole Sabbath thing...Wow. I was sitting in a staff meeting this week with my fellow ministry staff members, and the most refreshing thing happened. God began to encourage me through others. Time after time, my friends approached me with encouraging words and verses from Scripture. It was deeply personal. The final thing I saw was a picture of Jesus standing in a wide open field holding a football...He said, "Come on, let's play." The God who created the stars in the sky was inviting me to enjoy Him. It's hard to find words that express my appreciation for a God like that.
Most people will not understand the freedom those simple words brought me. Again, He speaks to us in very unique ways. The common denominator is that His heart is perfectly good, and He is willing to give you a taste of it. Open your hearts and your ears today. Listen for His personal words. They will bring freedom to your heart. He wants to speak to you more than you want to listen. Even if you have never asked Him to personally speak to you, give it a try. You have nothing to lose. Nobody is going to make fun of you. Nobody has to know. Just pause and ask Him if there is anything He wants to tell you. It's a great day to start listening. Enjoy.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
From radio host to pastor....
If you would have seen me 10 years ago, you would never have thought I would end up as a pastor. If you would have asked me 5 years ago, I never would have thought I would end up in full-time ministry. God has a way of suprising us. I don't know if I will always be a pastor (I will always be a minister of the Gospel), but this is where He has me right now. It's been an interesting journey for me to transition from hosting a radio show to becoming a pastor. I can say that I am thankful to now be doing something that is much more fulfilling to me. For some reason, talking about where Terri Clark was going to be on tour next got old! I felt God stirring something new in my heart. I had a strong passion for God rising in my heart. I was, as the whipper-snappers say, "ON FIRE".
Then, I joined the professional ministry ranks and slowly watched my "fire" dwindle. At first, I fell into the trap of performance. I was too immature to realize that it really wasn't about me. I had quickly lost the vision that was once burning within me. Then, it got worse. Not only was I stuck on my own performance as a minister, but I found myself becoming a "professional information sharer." I was simply sharing information about God that I hadn't taken the time to cultivate in my own heart. I felt like a lion that had been declawed, tamed, and domesticated. It was frightening. It was miserable.
Thankfully, I began to snap out of it and realize that God did not call me to become a professional information sharer. Neither did God call me to be the center of the story. God did call me to know Him and enjoy Him. He has chosen me to be His son and His heir. He called me to live out of my relationship with Him and minister to other people out of the overflow of that relationship. This has changed the way I minister to people. The passion for God is back. Ministry is becoming fun again. I'm still amazed that my job is to draw closer to God and help others to do the same. Being a pastor is an honor, a privilege, and pretty amazing when you think about it. I praise God for the story He is telling in each of our lives and for the transformation that accompanies it. It's really a good life.
Then, I joined the professional ministry ranks and slowly watched my "fire" dwindle. At first, I fell into the trap of performance. I was too immature to realize that it really wasn't about me. I had quickly lost the vision that was once burning within me. Then, it got worse. Not only was I stuck on my own performance as a minister, but I found myself becoming a "professional information sharer." I was simply sharing information about God that I hadn't taken the time to cultivate in my own heart. I felt like a lion that had been declawed, tamed, and domesticated. It was frightening. It was miserable.
Thankfully, I began to snap out of it and realize that God did not call me to become a professional information sharer. Neither did God call me to be the center of the story. God did call me to know Him and enjoy Him. He has chosen me to be His son and His heir. He called me to live out of my relationship with Him and minister to other people out of the overflow of that relationship. This has changed the way I minister to people. The passion for God is back. Ministry is becoming fun again. I'm still amazed that my job is to draw closer to God and help others to do the same. Being a pastor is an honor, a privilege, and pretty amazing when you think about it. I praise God for the story He is telling in each of our lives and for the transformation that accompanies it. It's really a good life.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Ephesians 3:20
Ephesians 3:20
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..."
There is nothing better than walking with God. Life would be boring if we served a God who was too busy to be involved in our daily lives. I praise the LORD that God loves us and cares about the details of our lives. I'm working at being more intentional about inviting him into the details of my life...When this happens, life becomes so rich.
Ephesians 3:20 is a verse that God has been highlighting to me lately. We serve an awesome God. I think He likes it when we pray the big prayers and believe that he'll come through for us. Not only will He come through, but he will do immeasurably more than we can even imagine if we'll simply believe! I recently experienced this reality. I have been looking forward to going on vacation and enjoying my beautiful wife and the beautiful beach. Recently, our vacations plans seemed to be slipping away. God reminded me of Ephesians 3:20 and how He can do far more than I was even thinking or planning. He cares about vacation. He cares about rest. He cares about the condition of marriages. The very night I began praying Ephesians 3:20 was the night a friend approached me and handed me an envelope. Inside the envelope was more cash than I had seen in a long time! Attached was a note that said to enjoy a vacation.
Wow, we serve a God who is interested in the details of our lives. I'm going to continue to pray Ephesians 3:20 over the details of my life. Join me...Let's watch God do the unthinkable.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..."
There is nothing better than walking with God. Life would be boring if we served a God who was too busy to be involved in our daily lives. I praise the LORD that God loves us and cares about the details of our lives. I'm working at being more intentional about inviting him into the details of my life...When this happens, life becomes so rich.
Ephesians 3:20 is a verse that God has been highlighting to me lately. We serve an awesome God. I think He likes it when we pray the big prayers and believe that he'll come through for us. Not only will He come through, but he will do immeasurably more than we can even imagine if we'll simply believe! I recently experienced this reality. I have been looking forward to going on vacation and enjoying my beautiful wife and the beautiful beach. Recently, our vacations plans seemed to be slipping away. God reminded me of Ephesians 3:20 and how He can do far more than I was even thinking or planning. He cares about vacation. He cares about rest. He cares about the condition of marriages. The very night I began praying Ephesians 3:20 was the night a friend approached me and handed me an envelope. Inside the envelope was more cash than I had seen in a long time! Attached was a note that said to enjoy a vacation.
Wow, we serve a God who is interested in the details of our lives. I'm going to continue to pray Ephesians 3:20 over the details of my life. Join me...Let's watch God do the unthinkable.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Well Said...
The following is a daily devotional from Bill Johnson's book, A Life of Miracles.
...We are out to destroy the works of the devil...
In what is known as the lords prayer, Jesus said clearly and concisely:
“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
(Matthew 6:9-10).
The will of God is simply this: “On earth as it is in Heaven.” Isn’t it refreshing? When we pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” we’re praying for the King’s dominion and will to be realized right here, right now. That is a life-transforming, paradigm-shattering way to “do” normal Christianity. What is free to operate in Heaven – Joy, peace, wisdom, health, wholeness, and all the other good promises we read about in the Bible – Should be free to operate here on this planet, in your home, your church, your business, and your school. What is not free to operate there – sickness, disease, spiritual bondage, and sin – should not be free to operate here, period. We are out to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). It’s an awesome way to live!
When we make this our primary understanding of God’s will, the other areas that trouble us so much will seem to sort themselves out (Matt. 6:33).
When we make this our mission, lives are set free, bodies are restored, darkness lifts from people’s minds, the rule of the enemy is pushed back in every way imaginable. Businesses grow healthy, relationships flower again, people re-connect with their calling and purpose in life, churches grow, and cities feel the effects of having the kingdom flourishing within them. Energy is freed up for Kingdom works in ways I have never seen before. Things happen regularly that are so extraordinary it’s like stepping into the pages of a good novel. But it’s not a made-up lifestyle; it’s the lifestyle for which we were made.
From Bill Johnson's book entitled, A Life of Miracles.
...We are out to destroy the works of the devil...
In what is known as the lords prayer, Jesus said clearly and concisely:
“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
(Matthew 6:9-10).
The will of God is simply this: “On earth as it is in Heaven.” Isn’t it refreshing? When we pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” we’re praying for the King’s dominion and will to be realized right here, right now. That is a life-transforming, paradigm-shattering way to “do” normal Christianity. What is free to operate in Heaven – Joy, peace, wisdom, health, wholeness, and all the other good promises we read about in the Bible – Should be free to operate here on this planet, in your home, your church, your business, and your school. What is not free to operate there – sickness, disease, spiritual bondage, and sin – should not be free to operate here, period. We are out to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). It’s an awesome way to live!
When we make this our primary understanding of God’s will, the other areas that trouble us so much will seem to sort themselves out (Matt. 6:33).
When we make this our mission, lives are set free, bodies are restored, darkness lifts from people’s minds, the rule of the enemy is pushed back in every way imaginable. Businesses grow healthy, relationships flower again, people re-connect with their calling and purpose in life, churches grow, and cities feel the effects of having the kingdom flourishing within them. Energy is freed up for Kingdom works in ways I have never seen before. Things happen regularly that are so extraordinary it’s like stepping into the pages of a good novel. But it’s not a made-up lifestyle; it’s the lifestyle for which we were made.
From Bill Johnson's book entitled, A Life of Miracles.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Where is the POWER?
God is awesome. I love how he whispers to my heart and invites me to go to a deeper place with Him. The deeper I go, the more I realize that there is a richness to life that he desires for me to experience. Life can be rich. Life should be rich. The place to find it is hidden deep in the Holy Spirit.
I was recently challenged by a very simple question that came in the form of a randomn thought: "Am I experiencing all that God has for me?" The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I have been limiting God by my small thinking. It's so easy to get into the habit of life and establish a routine that doesn't require God to come through with miracles. This is where I had been living. Consumed with the cares of the world. Praise God that he doesn't leave us there.
The God who has "measured the waters in the hollow of his hand," (Isaiah 40:12)is living inside me. This is a big deal. He is a God of miracles. The more I dive into Scripture, the more I realize that He is not who He's been made out to be by most American believers. We have settled for a safe version of Christianity (myself included). Because we don't have all the answers, we stop seeking. We have fallen into the plan of the enemy. The greatest tool we have as believers is the power of God within us. Isn't this how Jesus evangelized? People can't argue with miracles.
Sadly, many people have stretched the truth and have given many Christians a bad taste when it comes to the charismatic movement. Many people have gotten wacky and weird and called it God. I will be the first to agree with that. However, there still remains a simple question that we must answer: where is the power? If the same Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus is in me (us), why are the results so different? Why aren't people being healed and set free? Did God change His mind and decide that he now wants people to live in bondage? Was Jesus joking when he said that we would do the same things that He did? We need to wake up and snap out of our daze.
I don't have all the answers, but I'm asking and searching. We have to get back to the place where we are walking in the love and power of God. Religion can't save us. Other people aren't drawn to religion. They are drawn to love and power. This is exactly what God has richly placed in us. As for me, I am going to continue to accept His gracious invitation to go to a deeper place of understanding regarding the Holy Spirit. One of the greatest promises in the Bible is that He will answer if we simply ask. It may not be comfortable, but I'm tired of comfortable. I am ready to experience all that God has for me. What a rich life it will be!
I was recently challenged by a very simple question that came in the form of a randomn thought: "Am I experiencing all that God has for me?" The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I have been limiting God by my small thinking. It's so easy to get into the habit of life and establish a routine that doesn't require God to come through with miracles. This is where I had been living. Consumed with the cares of the world. Praise God that he doesn't leave us there.
The God who has "measured the waters in the hollow of his hand," (Isaiah 40:12)is living inside me. This is a big deal. He is a God of miracles. The more I dive into Scripture, the more I realize that He is not who He's been made out to be by most American believers. We have settled for a safe version of Christianity (myself included). Because we don't have all the answers, we stop seeking. We have fallen into the plan of the enemy. The greatest tool we have as believers is the power of God within us. Isn't this how Jesus evangelized? People can't argue with miracles.
Sadly, many people have stretched the truth and have given many Christians a bad taste when it comes to the charismatic movement. Many people have gotten wacky and weird and called it God. I will be the first to agree with that. However, there still remains a simple question that we must answer: where is the power? If the same Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus is in me (us), why are the results so different? Why aren't people being healed and set free? Did God change His mind and decide that he now wants people to live in bondage? Was Jesus joking when he said that we would do the same things that He did? We need to wake up and snap out of our daze.
I don't have all the answers, but I'm asking and searching. We have to get back to the place where we are walking in the love and power of God. Religion can't save us. Other people aren't drawn to religion. They are drawn to love and power. This is exactly what God has richly placed in us. As for me, I am going to continue to accept His gracious invitation to go to a deeper place of understanding regarding the Holy Spirit. One of the greatest promises in the Bible is that He will answer if we simply ask. It may not be comfortable, but I'm tired of comfortable. I am ready to experience all that God has for me. What a rich life it will be!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
I enjoyed a wonderful snow day with my family today and it made me think about some of the finer things in life:
-The way my wife's eyes disappear when she really smiles
-Having Avery sit on my lap as we watch a cartoon
-Hearing God whisper truth to my heart
-Watching a good college football game
-Loyal people
-Family dates at Chipotle
-Watching athletes that I coach accomplish what they didn't think was possible
-Snow days
-Letting the Scriptures work in my heart
-Enjoying an ice cold Dr. Pepper
-Looking at Christmas lights on a snowy night
-Beef...(I'm from Kansas)
Praise the LORD for some of the "little things" that make life so rich...
-The way my wife's eyes disappear when she really smiles
-Having Avery sit on my lap as we watch a cartoon
-Hearing God whisper truth to my heart
-Watching a good college football game
-Loyal people
-Family dates at Chipotle
-Watching athletes that I coach accomplish what they didn't think was possible
-Snow days
-Letting the Scriptures work in my heart
-Enjoying an ice cold Dr. Pepper
-Looking at Christmas lights on a snowy night
-Beef...(I'm from Kansas)
Praise the LORD for some of the "little things" that make life so rich...
Monday, November 30, 2009
Something to think about...
Do you ever have a hard time releasing the details of your life to God? What is it about us as people that drives us to control our lives? I often find myself trying to control the details of my life. We want promotions, and so we control. We want good reputations, and so we control. We want respect, and so we control. We want (fill in the blank), and so we control. My list goes on and on. How beautiful it would be for us all to simply enjoy what God has prepared for us, and trust that His heart is good. God recently spoke the following statement to me and it brought a great deal of freedom to my life.
"You get the joy of discovering your destiny, not controlling it."
God has already prepared my destiny. He has planned the details of my life. I can trust that His plan is good. Even great! Let's be committed to walking with Him and simply enjoying His wonderful plan.
"You get the joy of discovering your destiny, not controlling it."
God has already prepared my destiny. He has planned the details of my life. I can trust that His plan is good. Even great! Let's be committed to walking with Him and simply enjoying His wonderful plan.
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