AWAKE

I don't know about you but sometimes it seems like I am on a train that keeps making the same trip over and over. I get used to the bumps, the curves, some unexpected stops to let people on and off. I have even gotten used to the noise. This week I heard on a local radio station, this Hip-hop bible verse thing, really loved it. It was called "Streetlights Project".  It is a free download by the way.

But any way, the verse they played on the radio was Eph 5: 1-21. After I downloaded it, I have listened to that one passage many times. There was just something in it that was entangling my mind. Although that might not take much, it was still happening.  Actually one little part, a couple words, from one verse.

vs. 14

“Wake up, sleeper....

There was something in those word that called out to me. They made me want to listen more and read that passage again.  But I am not a sleep am I? I have accepted Christ, is this for me?

But maybe I have been napping or sleep walking. We had a message at our church months ago that said "just because something isn't bothering you, doesn't mean it shouldn't be."

Maybe that is me. I have lost the seriousness of the situation. That all things are either good or bad. There is not a gray area with God. There is Truth or a lie, Light or darkness, Life or death.  

God this week, I need your help. Eph 5:1-2 - Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Help me to follow your example, help me to be an imitator of your love, compassion, and grace. Give me your thoughts, your insight, let your Spirit flow through me, through all of us.  And God, thanks for the Wake Up call.

Love- David.

YOUR IMPACT: HIGH

One of the things that I sometimes struggle with is where I am in life. I was really bad about this but have slowly been changed over time. I used to say God if I had this Job, this House, this Money, this and that. It was beyond being content. I was happy I just wanted more of God and determined I knew the way to grow that relationship. That my usefulness to God some how related to the circumstances I find my self in.

So in this growth the scripture that God led me to is in Corinthians. Paul is addressing marriage, circumcision, and slavery but it seems to apply.

1 Corinthians 7:24

²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

So now I know it is not where I'm at nor is it what I'm doing. Another verse tells us do everything as unto the Lord. I think God wants people everywhere, almost like we are infiltrating the world. You might think your job is a low position in society. Or maybe that your just a new christian and don't know anything, so God can't use you. As far as I can see, you need to know this. God loves you and everyone else. Jesus died for all of us, and God raised Him from the dead; and acceptance of that is the only way to heaven. Love God and love others. TA DA. Let God do the rest.

That's not to say there won't be other changes in your life, but God is the potter we are the clay. Our church has a thing they call the code, this is one of them.



We will do anything short of sin to reach people who don’t know Christ. To reach people no one is reaching, we’ll have to do things no one is doing.

So today my family, an extension or as ambassadors of God, we are going to a car show.  We'll be handing out "church" invites but more than that we will be showing God's love for all the people of the world.

Good luck and God Speed- David.

WARNING: THIS IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT

My family has been deeply impacted by, what I would call, God given, faithful, generosity. We have had many close friends and circumstances in which our family has been provided for during light and momentary trials. But ours fail in comparison to the loss and hurt many around me have felt. But God and His people continue to work. This brings me to the thoughts of this week.

I was reminded of the rebuilding of the wall, you know Nehemiah's wall. He had learned of it's condition and with a heavy heart for his city he went back to help. Leaving the job of royalty to oversee and perform a HUGE task. At the time the city of Jerusalem was about 960 acres, the wall 4.5 miles in length, 16 feet high, and 10-15 feet thick. (info from answers.com, ask.com, wikipedia, and the great Google) People from all walks of life were rebuilding this wall. There was probably someone there who had done it before but not everyone. There were soldiers, priests, servants, all the people of the city were involved.  The Church was rebuilding the wall.

After starting the repairs came verbal insults and threats of violence. His opposition didn't take Nehemiah serious until they saw his progress. When the threats were becoming more dangerous. He took action to defend the city and to continue construction. Workers were guarded and scripture says they worked with one hand , while they held a weapon with the other. WOW, that's determination right there.

And now here's the verse that stuck out

Nehemiah 4:20 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

²⁰ Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

One of the things I have heard at our church, that I hadn't heard before, "See a need, meet a need" It's mission work at it's simplest. Hmmm kind of like Jesus.

Someone has sounded the trumpet, they have raised the alarm. A call for help has went out and now it's time for you to respond.

I don't know what it is for you, but look around. There is something God has for you to do. This is not a spectator sport. I hope and believe whatever it is, is to big for you. I hope it's overwhelming. I hope the people say it can't be done. I hope it makes the enemy mad. But all we have to do is respond to the call,
Our God will fight for us. - Love David

We wholeheartedly reject the label mega-church. We are a micro-church with a mega-vision. (When you look at the need in the world, and look at our church- don't you dare call us a mega-church- Craig Groeschel- my paraphrase)

How to tell which church is right.

Romans 14

The Weak and the Strong

 ¹ Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

When my wife and I first married we attended the church where she and her whole family did. It was smaller in size, about 30 souls every week. The small town she was from had a population of about 400 and somewhere near 8 churches in the area. Your average small Oklahoma town.

The church is still there, same pastor is over it, and nearly the same people attend minus us and the rest of my wife's family. We left there as a young family looking for a "church" that had more "stuff" for kids and families.

But was that church wrong for not supporting the younger generation? Or was that just a perception?

So we found (as noted in a previous blog) a church that did a lot for kids. My wife and I had become the children's minsters there. However over time, though this church had a variety of programs for all ages and the community, it seemed to lack something. But again that church is still there same pastor, same people. We went back and visited this church just last week. Some new faces a lot of love for old friends. Still the same feeling for my wife and I, was there.

So was this church wrong for making us feel the way we do? Or how about the 40 plus churches, the great Google, puts in our town which one is right? It would seem many can't get along or they compete with each other. As many of you have read in my facebook posts, I verbally support and have friends in many churches. So what about the church we go to now; Lifechurch, is it right?

Mark 9:38 (New International Version, ©2011)

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

 ³⁸ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

At some point in all the churches we have attended, they must have been good. Or we wouldn't have stayed there at all, right? What if, since all things work for good for those who love the Lord, what if your church, your body of believers, is apart of that? So your moving closer to Him, would that result in constant change in your life? New opportunities, new friends, and new churches? 

Mark 9:39-41 (New International Version, ©2011)

   ³⁹ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, ⁴⁰ for whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

So which church is right? (For the record I do not like the term church the way we use it but it's what we have)  I personally believe there is a feeling that you have inside, indescribable, you are growing. Your spirit is being challenged. God has surrounded you with a group of extraordinary people and you know this is Church!!

OH, so is Lifechurch right? No, maybe not for you. But for us, prayerfully, it is. We love our church.(and church means people) Our synagogue is located at 1917 N. Country Club. a small sect of Christ Followers meet there throughout  the week.

Proverbs 16:9 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
   but the LORD establishes their steps.



Love, once again- David 

A perdetermined choice

Many times I have pondered predestination in years past. Many times did I find myself lacking an adequate answer. But in recent years, I have come up with my own resolve. That is, predestination and free will are both at work. TA DA. Now that I have confused you let me explain.

As you read scriptures it would seem that both principles are at work. We read the terms predestined and choice throughout scripture. So how can this be? One of the best scriptures to sum up this complicated system God has set in to motion is in Isaiah.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

After visiting with a friend of mine for quite some time, this is the best way to describe it for me. Have you ever rented a movie or recorded a TV show and didn't want anyone to spoil it for you? Some one started talking about it and you were screaming LALALALALA with fingers in your ears. To me that is how predestination works, only God knows the outcome. I like to use a football game as an example.

God has a plan for the game. His plan is actually for both teams, because He owns them both. He already knows the end, But everyone enjoys a good "game". Me- I'm a line backer, left side. I don't want to warm the bench, I want to be a player. However everyone is involved. The only ones who don't know the outcome are..... well no one knows but God. But the stands are full, cheerleaders are in place. Defense is taking the field, God's people are on the continuous offensive.  (we'll have to talk about offense through love at a later time) But it wouldn't be a game without everyone in place.  Even if people weren't watching from home it would affect the game in the long run. Again everyone is involved.

Maybe God has certain predetermined objectives He wants accomplished, but allows us the opportunity to achieve those through time and grace. When talking with my friend about this he offered me this question, "Do you think or feel that God is at work in you or around you?".  My answer, "yes".  He said, "Than what does it matter"

Hmmm. Not really what I was looking for at the time. But I now believe my friend was correct. This argument is just something to slow down the believer. Live the way you believe God is calling you to. Resolve to not talk about it if you must. 2 Timothy chapter 2 has great insight.

Try to keep it simple. Another friend has a saying; Live Loved. so simple, luckily I"m able to complicate that too.  To borrow some Paul

1 Corinthians 10:15 (New International Version, ©2011)

¹⁵ I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

Love in Christ- David.

OK STOP EVERYTHING!! JUST HAD THIS SENT TO ME. Baron Batch's Blog If you got here please read his blog!! Thanks Gavin!!