Your Honorable Mention

Just a fact about me. When I read the Bible, If I come across a scripture that makes me stop and wonder I won't go on until I "feel" ready to move on. That time maybe a minute, maybe a week  And indeed it takes me forever to read any part of the Bible. But none the less, that's how I roll. This week would be know different.

Acts 18:6-8 (New International Version, ©2011)

⁶ But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

 ⁷ Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. ⁸ Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

This was Paul's final attempt at Corinth, to reason with the Jews. Did you see the one that got me?

                     ⁷ Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of              Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.

From what I could find on http://www.biblegateway.com/ and the great and powerful Google , this is the only time Titius Justus is mentioned. One time. Is this some sort of an honorable mention, maybe a participant ribbon? I mean how did one get their name in the Bible?  To be mentioned by God for all of man to read and hear about for thousands of years!

Everyone I see in the Bible was really good, really bad, hated God, or desperately Loved Him. There are no ordinary people in the Bible. This guy, Titius, was no exception.  If nothing else the guy seems to have hosted Paul in his home for about one year. Paul would use this mans circle of friends and his influence in the community, to reach out to others.  Was this the first Lifegroup , I think so. No, I'm sure others were meeting in homes as well but what made this man standout?



An open heart, an open mind, and an open door. He loved God, he worshiped Him. His house was said to even have a common wall with the synagogue. HA!  As we pray for God to open our hearts and minds; open doors for us to minister. Keep in mind, that door, may even be your own.

Let God in, Let God out. It's like breathing, only better. Love- David.

ROAD BLOCK

I have been reading Acts, some what sporadically, but still reading. I came across this passage it really got me thinking. Even spurred a little Facebook discussion.

Acts 16:6 (The Message)
6-8They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas.

Let me tell you a little about how I seek out God. There have been times when I wanted to do as the Word says and pray continually, which is usually a lot of want with little action. However, when coming to an intersection, I'll ask God which way now Lord. Just give me your thoughts and we'll do it.  Or pull up to an intersection and my usual way is blocked, road construction, broke down car, and even the occasional wreck. These things all change my "normal" course. But why? Are these just common, random events or is it something else?

I'm going with something else. I wonder what it looked like to Paul when the Holy Spirit blocked their route?  Paul was a little bit accustomed to adversity, so what was it? Camel vs. Donkey on the straight path? Maybe an Ox rollover on Damascus Rd? A herd of sheep trapped them in their lane and they missed their exit? What ever it was they apparently took it for what it was. It was God.

So their plans changed and they were "directed" somewhere else. So was I. How many times in my life have my plans changed? How many times did I get mad at God or question His ability? Probably to many to count. But now I am trying to see Him at work in my life at all times. Not just my "church' time or quiet time. Whatever other Christian words you can throw out. But in everything, in the inconvenience of it all. Seek to be directed by God.  Abba says everything works for good, for us who love Him and are called for His purpose. He will not put more on us than we can handle and will provide a way of escape. And in everything with prayer and petition talk to God, He longs to hear from you.

Proverbs 16:9 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
9 A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.

If anyone wants to mess up my plans, Let it be God.

From out in Left Field, Ok. Love David.

The real reason I go to church.....

Padded seats. It's definitely padded seats.No the real reason I go to "church" is God. To start at the beginning is to much so we'll start at the middle.
While attending church where my wife and I were on staff, the senior pastor invited us to check out this new church in town that had a big screen, a big band, and Saturday night service time. So we did. That was the start of some life changing events. We were able to both attend church and work at church, it was great. It was the beginning of the end.

Now the church we were attending was average in size 200 on a good weekend. Sunday school and Wednesday night activities for all ages. Just an all around "good" church. But God began to do something in my life that was incredible. He brought people in my life that asked hard questions about the institutionalized "church" and the real reason it existed. Questions about my relationship with Abba. Then God sent books my way, The Shack and So you don't want to go to church anymore. At this same time I was attending Oklahoma Baptist University online. This too was causing some questioning in my mind. God was orchestrating something awesome, and still is.

Somethings better left unsaid.
God began to stir up questions that I couldn't keep to my self. And when God asks a question don't you know that'll rock the "good church" boat.  So we were directed to leave our safe harbor. Believing that God is the captain of our ship.

So why this church, what makes them better than the other. Nothing that's explainable, there are no perfect people therefore no perfect groups of people, there is none perfect no not one. But when God brings you somewhere don't you think that's the perfect place for you? I love my church because God planned for us to be here and the opportunities he provides through it. The ability to partner with other like minded people, to pool our resources. To worship, pray, serve, and give together. There is something cool about it all. It's all about the people.

No, the reason we go to church isn't because we up and decided to go. It is because God used ordinary people, places, things, and events to do extraordinary things. No matter what "church" you attend. No matter what people God has surrounded you with. God desires to flow through you, those around you, and your "church". It's not the schedule, music, or even the pastor. It's you. God put us here and the reason we go to Church is........... you.

Love, David

The Power

The church we attend just completed a series called, Who do you think you are. Based on the principle that when you know who you are, you will know what to do. They covered these aspects, you are an Ambassador, an Over comer, a Masterpiece, and you are Salt and Light. Really a great series. Reminded me who I am and the possibilities God can have for me.

There has been one area that I have thought for along time that has been forgotten. It may be the pentecostal in me. But it is the power that is in His name. More over the power that is available to you through His name. Of course I am basing this on our constant connection with Abba. But there is power in knowing the living God.

Matthew 18:18-19 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

¹⁸ I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound  in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven. ¹⁹ Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you  by My Father in heaven.

This is one of the scriptures I use frequently. When I am facing anything "bad" I remember this one. It is also said earlier in scripture Matthew16:19.  This is nothing of my own doing, but that of God. He has enabled us, through His plan, to see the power of Jesus at work. When you read Acts you will see a similar phrase over and over, "by the name of Jesus" or "in the name of Jesus" The early church seems to have been powerful. The early church seems to have been about one thing, Jesus. WOW. They new there was something about that name.

Philippians 2:9-11 (New International Version, ©2011) 

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
   and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father.

I'll leave you with one final thought. Jesus is not some magic word that we can utter to change things. In Acts 19 about vs 13 you can read where the Jews were trying to envoke the power of Jesus name, the evil spirit in the man beat them and they left naked and bleeding. The power of His name goes with relathonship. If we are in a crowded place and you yell my name I might look at you but if you haven't established a relationship I won't know you, I'll assume you are calling someone else. We must have that relationship with Jesus Christ, the risen savior.

Colossians 3:16-17 (New International Version, ©2011)

¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The power is in you. Love D.