Bringing in the New Year!

What will you take away from 2016 and where do you want to go in 2017? Here is what our Life Group is working on. Join us! Let me know how you do.

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 (HCSB)

1.    Celebrate 2016!

·         What blessings did you receive?

·         What lessons were learned?

·         Who made an impact on your life this year?

2.    What do you need to leave behind in 2016?

·         What hurts, hang-ups or habits do you need to leave behind?

·         What thoughts, words, or falsehoods do you need to say goodbye to?

·         What mindsets do you possess that are more from the world and not the Word?

3.    What new scripture/s with be your compass for 2017?

·         What has the Holy Spirit been saying to you lately?

·         How may this passage tie into what you are leaving behind?  

·         How will you keep your 2017 spiritual compass, (Scripture) always in view?

The Expression of Confession

This is how you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. (1 John 4:2).

The Father's confession of love was expressed by giving us His son Jesus. (See John 3:16). His Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Confession is more than a verbal acknowledgment of something; it must connect, it must have some expression that reveals or manifests what is declared. Just as repentance is the outward expression of one's changed mind and direction, confession is the outward expression of one's declared words.

I used to think  because I can verbally say, "Jesus Christ has come in the flesh" I was a Christian and going to Heaven. Mere words do not a lasting faith make. My claim as a follower of Christ, a Christian is not predicated on what I do on Sunday morning, the bumper sticker on my car, or if I vote Republican. My confession of faith must manifest in a life that reflects its claim. My life must reflect the Son of God just as the moon reflects the sun of the solar system. 

My life must express in action what my mouth declares is true about me, about someone else or of what I believe. "let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O, Lord, my strength and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

"Sorry" is  not true confession. It plays a part in the process, but if there is no action to manifest the confession they are but empty words.

Old Cliche's hold true, "the proof is in the pudding", "walk the talk", "integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching". The watching world is looking for something supernatural, something that is far better and more solid than the shadows and myths it currently follows. Church we need to step up our game! We need to declare boldly the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of this dark and desperate world. Our lives must reflect His is in clear and mirrored effects. Our confessions of who Jesus is must speak even louder with our lives. St. Francis's "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words" holds true. 

Our lives are to be a manifestation of our true confession. Our confessed love for God, is best expressed in truly loving others. 

So I leave you with this question: Does your life manifest your words, your confession? If it does, then declare it boldly, and if it is lacking, repent! Make your confession your life expression. 

The Lens of Community #2

Isn't it amazing that the Creator of the Universe chooses to love us, care for us, work through us, and a whole lot of things in spite of us? God works in and through His family, His body, His chosen people, His priests, His holy nation, His US! 

With His choosing comes a responsibility and a reality that it is all about Us. Not "us" as in me the individual, but "us" as in His most prized possession, His "us". We are part of  the original "us".  We are image bearers of the "let Us make man in our own image, Our own likeness". We as His children are partakers in His perfect union, His perfect community called the Trinity. Because He dwells within us, we get to enjoy some of the fruit of the Us Godhead. We are partakers in the divine, by way of the cross of Christ. Community never began, because He always was. All that He manifests is through the vehicle of community, He speaks to a people, about a people, for a people and works through people for His glory and the betterment of His people.  We even see it in creation that "man should not be alone" all the way to  "God so loved the world". 

When a branch is broken off from the rest of the plant, that branch will die. Christians who believe they are better off following Christ on their own away from His body, the church, will eventually shrivel and die. We are made by Community, for Cumminty to live abundantly in Community. When Jesus says in John's gospel, "apart from Me you can do nothing", the Me isn't simply Jesus. It goes beyond the "one on one" with the Savior, and manifests itself as "apart from my Body, apart from My beloved image bearers, you can do nothing." 

Peter provides us with some words of application, as he cast a vision of what the church is to look like. He isn't simply speaking to me as an individual, though I have both a part and a responsibility as an individual,  he is speaking to the church, the "us" those in his circle of influence and to the church that is to come. 

⁷ Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. ⁸ Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.^{[k] 9} Be hospitable to one another without complaining. ¹⁰ Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7- 11 HCSB) 

All that we are and all that we do should be lived in the context of community. We truly are better together! The Holy set us an example of unity, of purpose and what love is to look like. I love others better when I am loving with others. 

How tight are your connections? What relationships need mending, strengthening or simply restoring? Who can you love in order to better love others? How is your community? 

You Light Up the Room!

I struggle at times with my identity. I can feel unloved, unappreciated and lack value. When I am in that state of mind I project how I believe God sees me. You know that, "I am not living good enough," "I sin more than enough," and "God has had enough".  Fortunately for me and you, feelings are deceiving and any negative thoughts I have about God's thoughts about me are equally untrue. 

If God walked into the room what would be His expression towards me? Here is the real question: Does God enter into our lives with mercy and resurrection power or anger and death? If you are like me you can have the tendency to feel the latter. What is true about you and me is what God says about us. We are His "masterpieces", "dearly loved children", "His inheritance"etc. 

Jesus says, "I am the light of the world", in another passage He tells His disciples that they are the light of the world. Whenever God walks into a room His light is so bright that there can be no darkness, no shadows whatsoever. It reminds me of two stories in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. In the Magicians Nephew, he describes how Narnia was created out of nothing. That Aslan the "Christ character" began singing and from that melody came light and life. Wherever he walked it produced beautiful vibrant life. Also in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, there was Winter for many years, the wicked queen had cast a spell of darkness, cold and death. When Aslan enters into Narnia a great thaw took place. Life began to grow, the sun shined and the glory of Spring had overcome the Winter. 

That is how it is when when God enters our lives on a daily basis. He brings creative life, thaws the cold parts of our lives and ignites the beauty of spring. He comes with resurrected power, an unquenchable love for us even when we are not living the best. He reveals life, creates something out of nothing, restores what the enemy has stolen from us. He brings healing and peace.  We read in Luke 15, (You know it as the Prodigal  son story), but it is really about the father's love for his people. The father runs to and can't stop kissing his returning son. That is how our Heavenly Father is with us. He can't stop lavishing His love on us.

When God enter the room, He is beyond pleased with you. Not because you have prayed great prayers, recorded a million hours or Bible reading and service to the poor. He enter the room in euphoric expression towards you based on what His Son Jesus has done for us and our clumsy response to that graceful gift. Since Jesus tells us, "you are the light of the world" that means that whenever we enter a room or whenever we take a simple step, we are His reflected light, we light up the room. We bring healing and peace; we bring light that melts that coldest of hearts, and creates new life for all. 

You are more than your feelings say about you. You are a dearly loved, full of resurrection power, and an abundance of grace provider. You and I light up the room because we have the light of life, the power of God within us. So let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Heavenly Father. (Matt. 5:16) 

Revelation through the Lens of Community: Part 1

During a time of deep meditation...(Ok, I was in the shower) I believe the Holy Spirit revealed a truth to me that has changed how I read  scripture and how I view ministry. First let me say that for a majority of my Christian life I read the Bible as a book about God, how to live my life, an instruction manual and a source of personal encouragement. I read the Bible as if it was written for me and the circle of influence that surrounds me. It is a "lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" I would hide it in my heart so I would not sin against God". (quotes from Psalms). Yes it talked about the Nation of Israel, and the Body of Christ the church, but really those were mere parts to God's "love letter" to me.

Fast forward to my spiritual encounter in the shower. The Bible isn't to be read, memorized, interpreted or taught through a self-identifying lens. It is to be viewed through the lens of community. Community being the people of God, the people of this desperate world, the nation of Israel and those within your circle of influence. Yes, God spoke through, Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, the Prophets, Peter, Paul and Mary. ("Michael row your boat a shore hallelujah") not to mention the countless other men and women of the Bible. God's plan was to  communicate through people, to people for people. Remember Jesus?  He ministered to the Jews mainly during His incarnational visit and called a few men and women to carry on His message to the World until He comes again. Due to space I am not going to list the exhaustive Scriptural references to substantiate my point that the Bible should be interpreted etc. through the lens of community, but I will provide a few examples.

Jonah, Joseph, Samson, Ezra, Nehemiah, Nahum, Moses and more. When the co-writers of the New Testament expressed what God desired, they addressed a particular audience it was mainly Jew or Gentile, and or a specific church body. What is so amazing is the fact of God's word though originated to a specific audience transcends time and culture to speak to us today.  God loves people and uses people to express that love for them. Paul wrote to churches, John's revelations of Jesus Christ was written to the Churches plural throughout eternity.

Just as His word transcends time, it also transcends culture, plural and singular in intent. The Holy Spirit will not allow His word to be moot, but to accomplish all that He intends it to achieve for His greater glory and our betterment.

So, after you read this simple text and begin your personal journey of reading Scripture through the lens of community, through the lens of God speaking to a people, remember that you a person in whom He greatly loves and desires to communicate to. Apply His word personally, and corporately, as a son or daughter and as a member of His family. More to follow on this subject.