In January, 2008 I hear that we all will need passports when we cross the USA border. Life is changing. How many years have we just been able to drive across from country to country with little or no real checks going on?
Our passport is going to become critical to our movement in the world. Without a passport you won't be leaving this country. This compares well to the spiritual world. Without a "Passport" we will not be leaving this planet either to go to a home far away.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
An Ambassador was someone who belonged to another country but was sent by the leadership of that land to connect with the other land. They represented their country to the other country. They had to have a passport which stated their true country of origin.
Christian, our "Passport" is Christ. We are "in Christ". He has sent us on mission to this planet called earth. We are not part of this world but are in this world. We do not speak our own message but instead the message of our King. This message is clear, "That all the world should repent and turn from their ways of vanity and empty search for meaning, turn to Him alone as King, Saviour and Lord of all." We come with good news, that God has made a way for us to come into relationship with Him. His "Passport" is the death and resurrection of His only Son.
Christian, are we carrying our Passports with us? Are we telling others that they need to get their Passport before it's too late? The day is coming when all will come to an end, are we ready?
Even so, come Lord Jesus, come!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
LOST!
There was a very popular show titled, LOST! on TV for a few years. I never got into the series but I liked the title. Have you ever been lost? What deep feeling of fear & confusion it can bring up.
Jesus said, "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Jesus saw Himself as a good Shepherd and the people of Israel as lost sheep in need of a Shepherd that would lead them to higher ground. His ministry of bringing His lost sheep home as been one that He past over to His under-shepherds.
Each believer is an under-shepherd. Each should be activity seeking to bring the lost to the Saviour. His mission is now our mission.
Nothing thrills me more as a pastor when someone tells me a story of their reaching out to the unsaved or unchurched in their world of influence. As these carry out there day, they activity seek to fulfill the great commission of God to win the world back to Himself.
May we encourage each other to learn how to declare our faith, how to connect with our community and how to develop training systems so that everyone can be about the great task of finding lost sheep. If you are good at connecting, take someone else with you so they to could learn. If you are good at declaring your faith in a clear manner, take someone else with you so they to could learn.
Paul Johnson is fond of using this phrase, which makes the point very well, "what is worst than being lost? Being lost and no one is out looking for you!"
Remember the words of Apostle Paul in his last letter to Timothy before he was beheaded for his faith. "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul saw the necessity of declaring your own faith, while you taught others to do the same. Let's stir one another up, in love!
Jesus said, "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Jesus saw Himself as a good Shepherd and the people of Israel as lost sheep in need of a Shepherd that would lead them to higher ground. His ministry of bringing His lost sheep home as been one that He past over to His under-shepherds.
Each believer is an under-shepherd. Each should be activity seeking to bring the lost to the Saviour. His mission is now our mission.
Nothing thrills me more as a pastor when someone tells me a story of their reaching out to the unsaved or unchurched in their world of influence. As these carry out there day, they activity seek to fulfill the great commission of God to win the world back to Himself.
May we encourage each other to learn how to declare our faith, how to connect with our community and how to develop training systems so that everyone can be about the great task of finding lost sheep. If you are good at connecting, take someone else with you so they to could learn. If you are good at declaring your faith in a clear manner, take someone else with you so they to could learn.
Paul Johnson is fond of using this phrase, which makes the point very well, "what is worst than being lost? Being lost and no one is out looking for you!"
Remember the words of Apostle Paul in his last letter to Timothy before he was beheaded for his faith. "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul saw the necessity of declaring your own faith, while you taught others to do the same. Let's stir one another up, in love!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The WORD
God the Son is called the WORD of God.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Why this name, WORD?
Our words are an expression of who we really are. What we say (and do) become the expression of who we are. In days gone by, it was the words of a King that a subject experienced life or death. The power of the word is everlasting.
God the Father created through the WORD of God in the power of His Spirit. The Triune God in perfect harmony and unity of purpose and focus. Each and exact expression of the other. Each fully God but only ONE GOD!
The amazing thing is verse 14 of the same chapter: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
The WORD became flesh and lived with us, humans! Amazing! Amazing!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Why this name, WORD?
Our words are an expression of who we really are. What we say (and do) become the expression of who we are. In days gone by, it was the words of a King that a subject experienced life or death. The power of the word is everlasting.
God the Father created through the WORD of God in the power of His Spirit. The Triune God in perfect harmony and unity of purpose and focus. Each and exact expression of the other. Each fully God but only ONE GOD!
The amazing thing is verse 14 of the same chapter: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
The WORD became flesh and lived with us, humans! Amazing! Amazing!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
How We Treat Our Weakest
One man said, "You can tell the strength of a society by how they treat their WEAKEST members." If this statement is true than Canada is lacking a great deal as a society. We abort over a million children every year! We introduce easy ways for the elderly to "leave" the planet if they so desire.
These thoughts become standard in society and if you were to publicly oppose them you would find great opposition. These positions of thought have been "well" thought out by the "wise" of our society. And so laws are passed and people are given choices that "in good conscious" can take the lives of others. We can this "our freedoms"!
In a culture that devalued children, women and the poor, Jesus arrived. His views challenged the thought of His day. He flipped the common thinking on its head.
Mark 10:13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Jesus publicly rebuked His own disciples for how they treated children. Children are special to God. We live in an age where the most dangerous place for a child to be in Canada is in a mother's womb. These things are not right.
At church a little baby was born, Sofia, 8lbs 11ozs. What is her value? How much is she worth?
Psalm 139
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
Sofia's value,...PRICELESS!
These thoughts become standard in society and if you were to publicly oppose them you would find great opposition. These positions of thought have been "well" thought out by the "wise" of our society. And so laws are passed and people are given choices that "in good conscious" can take the lives of others. We can this "our freedoms"!
In a culture that devalued children, women and the poor, Jesus arrived. His views challenged the thought of His day. He flipped the common thinking on its head.
Mark 10:13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Jesus publicly rebuked His own disciples for how they treated children. Children are special to God. We live in an age where the most dangerous place for a child to be in Canada is in a mother's womb. These things are not right.
At church a little baby was born, Sofia, 8lbs 11ozs. What is her value? How much is she worth?
Psalm 139
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
Sofia's value,...PRICELESS!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
About the Lord's Business
Luke 2:49 And Jesus said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
When Jesus was left to himself, at the age of twelve, he headed off to the Temple. His parents lost sight of Him for a few days and were shaken by the experience. They find Him in the Temple talking to the spiritual leaders of that day. He says He's about His Father's business.
What is the Father's business?
When He becomes thirty and begins His public ministry He says what He is about. "...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” This is His Father's business!
As Jesus dies on the cross He states, "It is Finished!" What is finished? His Father's business! At the cross He completely fulfilled the work of the Father. There was nothing more He had to do. It was complete!
If Jesus finished the Father's work why do we seek and save the lost today?
First, we do not seek and save the lost as Christ did. He sought them out and did the saving! We proclaim His salvation to all but never assist in the saving of a person in the true sense.
Second, we were lost and now we are found. We are telling the story about what happened to us. We were lost and then saved and whosoever will may come!
We are people who declare the finished work of the Lord. He alone won our freedom! We owe it all to Him, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson strain and He washed it white as snow!
When Jesus was left to himself, at the age of twelve, he headed off to the Temple. His parents lost sight of Him for a few days and were shaken by the experience. They find Him in the Temple talking to the spiritual leaders of that day. He says He's about His Father's business.
What is the Father's business?
When He becomes thirty and begins His public ministry He says what He is about. "...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” This is His Father's business!
As Jesus dies on the cross He states, "It is Finished!" What is finished? His Father's business! At the cross He completely fulfilled the work of the Father. There was nothing more He had to do. It was complete!
If Jesus finished the Father's work why do we seek and save the lost today?
First, we do not seek and save the lost as Christ did. He sought them out and did the saving! We proclaim His salvation to all but never assist in the saving of a person in the true sense.
Second, we were lost and now we are found. We are telling the story about what happened to us. We were lost and then saved and whosoever will may come!
We are people who declare the finished work of the Lord. He alone won our freedom! We owe it all to Him, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson strain and He washed it white as snow!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Trinity
The Athanasian Creed (Quicumque vult) is a statement of Christian Trinitarian doctrine and Christology that was used in Western Christianity. Its Latin name comes from the opening words Quicumque vult, "Whosoever wishes."
The doctrine of the Trinity is difficult to be into words, the Athanasian Creed does a great job of it. It is worth the read.
Athanasian Creed(fifth century)
This creed is attributed to Athanasius, the fourth century bishop of Alexandria who was the strongest defender of the doctrines of the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. It defines the doctrines of the Trinity and the nature of Christ in very concise language.
Please note that the term "catholic" in its usage is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church, but is a reference to the universal (catholic) faith since that is how the term was originally used.
______________________
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance.
For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. But the godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.
Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.
The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one Eternal.
As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one Uncreated, and one Incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty. And yet they are not three almighties, but one Almighty.
So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet they are not three gods, but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord. And yet not three lords, but one Lord.
For as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge each Person by Himself to be both God and Lord, so we are also forbidden by the catholic religion to say that there are three gods or three lords.
The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is of the Father, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three fathers; one Son, not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits.
And in the Trinity none is before or after another; none is greater or less than another, but all three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.
He therefore that will be saved is must think thus of the Trinity.
The doctrine of the Trinity is difficult to be into words, the Athanasian Creed does a great job of it. It is worth the read.
Athanasian Creed(fifth century)
This creed is attributed to Athanasius, the fourth century bishop of Alexandria who was the strongest defender of the doctrines of the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. It defines the doctrines of the Trinity and the nature of Christ in very concise language.
Please note that the term "catholic" in its usage is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church, but is a reference to the universal (catholic) faith since that is how the term was originally used.
______________________
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance.
For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. But the godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.
Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.
The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one Eternal.
As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one Uncreated, and one Incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty. And yet they are not three almighties, but one Almighty.
So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet they are not three gods, but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord. And yet not three lords, but one Lord.
For as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge each Person by Himself to be both God and Lord, so we are also forbidden by the catholic religion to say that there are three gods or three lords.
The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is of the Father, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three fathers; one Son, not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits.
And in the Trinity none is before or after another; none is greater or less than another, but all three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.
He therefore that will be saved is must think thus of the Trinity.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Conditions of Prevailing Prayer
FIVE CONDITIONS OF PREVAILING PRAYER
by George Mueller
1. Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only ground of any claim for blessing.
2. Separation from all sin. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us, for it would be sanctioning sin.
3. Faith in God's word of promise as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him both a liar and a perjurer.
4. Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly; we must not seek any gift of God to consume it on our own lusts.
5. Persevere in supplication. There must be waiting on God and waiting on God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the harvest.
God has used mighty men of the past to lead His church on, in the future, to worship Him. Great people of prayer have been the inspiration to many for a deep relationship with the Lord.
God's desire is to move us in life, to His Life. He is seeking oneness in the heart of His people. Our prayers are to seek the heart, mind and will of the Lord. If we could or would understand the love of Christ for us it would completely overwhelm us, in love. If the church were to be filled with the LORD of the church, we, as His people, would bring Christ into our daily experience. As we move into relationship with Him we are and would be miraculously transformed into His likeness.
The Apostle Paul's prayer in Ephesians is a great prayer to understand where God is taking us.
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
by George Mueller
1. Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only ground of any claim for blessing.
2. Separation from all sin. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us, for it would be sanctioning sin.
3. Faith in God's word of promise as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him both a liar and a perjurer.
4. Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly; we must not seek any gift of God to consume it on our own lusts.
5. Persevere in supplication. There must be waiting on God and waiting on God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the harvest.
God has used mighty men of the past to lead His church on, in the future, to worship Him. Great people of prayer have been the inspiration to many for a deep relationship with the Lord.
God's desire is to move us in life, to His Life. He is seeking oneness in the heart of His people. Our prayers are to seek the heart, mind and will of the Lord. If we could or would understand the love of Christ for us it would completely overwhelm us, in love. If the church were to be filled with the LORD of the church, we, as His people, would bring Christ into our daily experience. As we move into relationship with Him we are and would be miraculously transformed into His likeness.
The Apostle Paul's prayer in Ephesians is a great prayer to understand where God is taking us.
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Roller Coaster Rides
Sometimes life is up and sometimes it's down.
When I went on a Sabbatical in 1998, I asked the family to pick the 10 largest roller coasters that they could find in western USA and we would drive to them all. We looked things up on the web and any where we could find information. We ended up with our ten favorites. Roller coasters here we come!
The joy of the roller coaster rides in the up and the downs. The ups are scary because they are so high and the downs are even more scary because the fall appears like we will crash and die. Roller coasters are much like life.
Psalm 37:23-25
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
God will take care of us. I sometimes feel like I'm on the top of the world and then LIFE COMES SWIRLING DOWN.
Life is a ride. Sometimes you are screaming out of sheer panic and you learn to trust the Lord and sometimes you are getting ready to experience sheer panic where you will learn to trust the Lord. One man said, "Either you are in a problem right now or you just came out of one or you are just about to enter one."
The Lord teaches us to deal with challenging expereinces in life so we trust Him more. I am sorry where I have not trusted Him as I should in difference situations I have been in but I'm learning. Learning is a word that means "by expereince" these attitudes are lived out and valued.
Have fun on the roller coaster they are meant to enjoy!
When I went on a Sabbatical in 1998, I asked the family to pick the 10 largest roller coasters that they could find in western USA and we would drive to them all. We looked things up on the web and any where we could find information. We ended up with our ten favorites. Roller coasters here we come!
The joy of the roller coaster rides in the up and the downs. The ups are scary because they are so high and the downs are even more scary because the fall appears like we will crash and die. Roller coasters are much like life.
Psalm 37:23-25
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
God will take care of us. I sometimes feel like I'm on the top of the world and then LIFE COMES SWIRLING DOWN.
Life is a ride. Sometimes you are screaming out of sheer panic and you learn to trust the Lord and sometimes you are getting ready to experience sheer panic where you will learn to trust the Lord. One man said, "Either you are in a problem right now or you just came out of one or you are just about to enter one."
The Lord teaches us to deal with challenging expereinces in life so we trust Him more. I am sorry where I have not trusted Him as I should in difference situations I have been in but I'm learning. Learning is a word that means "by expereince" these attitudes are lived out and valued.
Have fun on the roller coaster they are meant to enjoy!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Travelling
We left the conference yesterday, early morning to get on the road. We had to drive from Kananaskis, AB to Vancouver, BC, about a 11 hour trip. We did not know how the weather would be along the way.
As we drove, we went through some snow storms. The roads were very slippery in one or two places. We saw three major accidents, two where semi-trucks were laying on their sides! Police were around with ambulances standing close by. We lift up these families to the Lord.
In the Old Testament, Nehemiah is building the walls of Jerusalem again. He reminds the people about the goodness of God as they travelled along their way.
Nehemiah 9:12
Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar,
And by night with a pillar of fire,
To give them light on the road
Which they should travel.
Our God never changes. I can say the same, "Thank You, Lord for watching over us as we travelled through icy and dangerous situations. You kept us safe and delivered us to our family and friends. Thanks for being our God-who-travels-with-us!
We're back!
As we drove, we went through some snow storms. The roads were very slippery in one or two places. We saw three major accidents, two where semi-trucks were laying on their sides! Police were around with ambulances standing close by. We lift up these families to the Lord.
In the Old Testament, Nehemiah is building the walls of Jerusalem again. He reminds the people about the goodness of God as they travelled along their way.
Nehemiah 9:12
Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar,
And by night with a pillar of fire,
To give them light on the road
Which they should travel.
Our God never changes. I can say the same, "Thank You, Lord for watching over us as we travelled through icy and dangerous situations. You kept us safe and delivered us to our family and friends. Thanks for being our God-who-travels-with-us!
We're back!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Are We Glad & An Encouragement?
As the time at the retreat draws to a close, Bob preached from Acts 11, verse 23.
Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
Has it been a joy to be a part of the Christian faith? Are we enjoying the journey? Are we glad and an encouragement to others in the walk of faith?
The retreat was excellent! The fellowship was sweet. The times of refreshing were so needed. I know I am going back to Royal Heights more on fire for the Lord and His mission. Wanda had a good time also, making new connections with pastor's wives throughout the area.
I am so thankful the Lord called us into the ministry. I feel I could not be about a greater task for myself than this calling. I am thankful I have expereinced the favour of the Lord in the ministry. I am thankful the Lord gave me a mate that loves Him more than I. I am thankful. I am thankful!
Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
Has it been a joy to be a part of the Christian faith? Are we enjoying the journey? Are we glad and an encouragement to others in the walk of faith?
The retreat was excellent! The fellowship was sweet. The times of refreshing were so needed. I know I am going back to Royal Heights more on fire for the Lord and His mission. Wanda had a good time also, making new connections with pastor's wives throughout the area.
I am so thankful the Lord called us into the ministry. I feel I could not be about a greater task for myself than this calling. I am thankful I have expereinced the favour of the Lord in the ministry. I am thankful the Lord gave me a mate that loves Him more than I. I am thankful. I am thankful!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Stay the Course...with Friends
We have heard a good words about staying the course in the ministry. Bob Shelton & Hamish did a great job in leading us into a spiritual rest in the Lord.
We were given quality time to just visit all the friends that came to the retreat. My friend, Paul, was there and lead a short break out group, which I went to. I saw Sid & Peggy Waterman, the associate pastor of Abundant Life. Zack, Orlando, Ceasar, Joey and many others were there, celebrating our God together. These people are quality.
Philippians 4:2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
I see why the Apostle Paul would list a number of his friends and fellow workers in the ministry. These people become a part of a great time in your life. They are in the good and in the bad but they have come because of the gospel.
May we always value those who have brought value to us. May we stay the course and finsih well in the kingdom of our King, Jesus Christ.
We were given quality time to just visit all the friends that came to the retreat. My friend, Paul, was there and lead a short break out group, which I went to. I saw Sid & Peggy Waterman, the associate pastor of Abundant Life. Zack, Orlando, Ceasar, Joey and many others were there, celebrating our God together. These people are quality.
Philippians 4:2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
I see why the Apostle Paul would list a number of his friends and fellow workers in the ministry. These people become a part of a great time in your life. They are in the good and in the bad but they have come because of the gospel.
May we always value those who have brought value to us. May we stay the course and finsih well in the kingdom of our King, Jesus Christ.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Sitting In a Nice Hotel
Wanda and I are sitting in the Delta Hotel in Kananaskis, Alberta at a Pastor's and wife's retreat. The place is beautiful. As we drove up, with our friends in their 2007 Caravan, a white-tail deer skipped across the road. We also saw a herd of elk grazing beside a river. It is beautiful.
The theme of the event here is "Stay the Course". We are being encouraged to start and finish well in the ministry. To value each other as husband and wife. It is good to be here and refresh.
But my mind goes to the first century Christians and their times of retreating. Paul and Silas, working hard at setting up the Kingdom of God in new territory. People hearing and misunderstanding their message and intent. In a short time they are in trouble with the community. Acts 16 takes us to their "Delta Hotel".
Acts 16:22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Oh, what power the early church displayed for the generations that followed. These two men are praying and singing hymns to God while sitting in the stocks. The temperature of my room is perfect. The temperature of their hearts were perfect.
We don't have it that rough as church leaders. Nothing compared to the early days of the faith. Canada is a great country. With so much freedom to declare the claims of Christ, we should stand unafraid of the persecution we may face. These men, Paul and Silas, are men who bring a whole new meaning to "being on a retreat with the Lord".
I praise God for them!
The theme of the event here is "Stay the Course". We are being encouraged to start and finish well in the ministry. To value each other as husband and wife. It is good to be here and refresh.
But my mind goes to the first century Christians and their times of retreating. Paul and Silas, working hard at setting up the Kingdom of God in new territory. People hearing and misunderstanding their message and intent. In a short time they are in trouble with the community. Acts 16 takes us to their "Delta Hotel".
Acts 16:22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Oh, what power the early church displayed for the generations that followed. These two men are praying and singing hymns to God while sitting in the stocks. The temperature of my room is perfect. The temperature of their hearts were perfect.
We don't have it that rough as church leaders. Nothing compared to the early days of the faith. Canada is a great country. With so much freedom to declare the claims of Christ, we should stand unafraid of the persecution we may face. These men, Paul and Silas, are men who bring a whole new meaning to "being on a retreat with the Lord".
I praise God for them!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
When We Think We Know Better Than God
We live in a society that believes they have the inner scoop on everything. They know how the universe and the stars were made. They know the age of the earth is millions and billions of years. They know man cam from ooze in a swamp. They know how to raise children. They know how to do church. They know how to get to heaven.
We also are people who normally discover we really don't know as much as we thought when the years pass. Benjamin Spock made a confession before he died about the impact of his child rearing experiment. And now, Bob Burney just wrote and interesting article about the "seeker-sensitive" church growth movement. It seems Bill Hybels admits it did not bring his church people to the spiritual depth that is needed to walk with the Lord! Wow, what a humble confession from a spiritual leader of our day.
Listen to the words of Benjamin Spock...
If you are older than 40 the name Benjamin Spock is more than familiar. It was Spock that told an entire generation of parents to take it easy, don't discipline your children and allow them to express themselves. Discipline, he told us, would warp a child's fragile ego. Millions followed this guru of child development and he remained unchallenged among child rearing professionals. However, before his death Dr. Spock made an amazing discovery: he was wrong. In fact, he said:
"We have reared a generation of brats. Parents aren't firm enough with their children for fear of losing their love or incurring their resentment. This is a cruel deprivation that we professionals have imposed on mothers and fathers. Of course, we did it with the best of intentions. We didn't realize until it was too late how our know-it-all attitude was undermining the self assurance of parents."
Oops.
Now Bill Hybels is also saying an interesting discovery...
Willow Creek has released the results of a multi-year study on the effectiveness of their programs and philosophy of ministry. The study's findings are in a new book titled Reveal: Where Are You?, co-authored by Cally Parkinson and Greg Hawkins, executive pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. Hybels himself called the findings "earth shaking," "ground breaking" and "mind blowing." And no wonder: it seems that the "experts" were wrong.
If you simply want a crowd, the "seeker sensitive" model produces results. If you want solid, sincere, mature followers of Christ, it's a bust. In a shocking confession, Hybels states:
We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become 'self feeders.' We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.
Incredibly, the guru of church growth now tells us that people need to be reading their bibles and taking responsibility for their spiritual growth.
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
We also are people who normally discover we really don't know as much as we thought when the years pass. Benjamin Spock made a confession before he died about the impact of his child rearing experiment. And now, Bob Burney just wrote and interesting article about the "seeker-sensitive" church growth movement. It seems Bill Hybels admits it did not bring his church people to the spiritual depth that is needed to walk with the Lord! Wow, what a humble confession from a spiritual leader of our day.
Listen to the words of Benjamin Spock...
If you are older than 40 the name Benjamin Spock is more than familiar. It was Spock that told an entire generation of parents to take it easy, don't discipline your children and allow them to express themselves. Discipline, he told us, would warp a child's fragile ego. Millions followed this guru of child development and he remained unchallenged among child rearing professionals. However, before his death Dr. Spock made an amazing discovery: he was wrong. In fact, he said:
"We have reared a generation of brats. Parents aren't firm enough with their children for fear of losing their love or incurring their resentment. This is a cruel deprivation that we professionals have imposed on mothers and fathers. Of course, we did it with the best of intentions. We didn't realize until it was too late how our know-it-all attitude was undermining the self assurance of parents."
Oops.
Now Bill Hybels is also saying an interesting discovery...
Willow Creek has released the results of a multi-year study on the effectiveness of their programs and philosophy of ministry. The study's findings are in a new book titled Reveal: Where Are You?, co-authored by Cally Parkinson and Greg Hawkins, executive pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. Hybels himself called the findings "earth shaking," "ground breaking" and "mind blowing." And no wonder: it seems that the "experts" were wrong.
If you simply want a crowd, the "seeker sensitive" model produces results. If you want solid, sincere, mature followers of Christ, it's a bust. In a shocking confession, Hybels states:
We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become 'self feeders.' We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.
Incredibly, the guru of church growth now tells us that people need to be reading their bibles and taking responsibility for their spiritual growth.
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Why it's Hard to Follow
We are people who sometimes struggle with following another person. Why is that? Is it because we are just too proud to say we are not the Leader? It is because we have not found someone we can follow, with confidence?
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Mark 8:34
Jesus is the Master. He processed all the gifts of the Spirit. He knew how to communicate; His Name was Word. And yet many struggled with following Him. That seems so strange to me why the people wouldn't want to follow Jesus and yet there are times in my life where I too choose not to follow Him. Why?
In Jesus' case the fault cannot lie with the Leader. It is the followers who don't know how to follow. The followers talked about following but struggled to do it. There seems to be some common reasons why we won't consistantly follow:
1. We know better than God.
2. We do not want to pay the price of following.
3. We are easily distracted when a "new" show comes to town.
4. We see others are not doing it, so why should we?
5. We ...
It really does matter the reasons because we have none. Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ asked us to follow, what should we do? FOLLOW! Let's do it.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Mark 8:34
Jesus is the Master. He processed all the gifts of the Spirit. He knew how to communicate; His Name was Word. And yet many struggled with following Him. That seems so strange to me why the people wouldn't want to follow Jesus and yet there are times in my life where I too choose not to follow Him. Why?
In Jesus' case the fault cannot lie with the Leader. It is the followers who don't know how to follow. The followers talked about following but struggled to do it. There seems to be some common reasons why we won't consistantly follow:
1. We know better than God.
2. We do not want to pay the price of following.
3. We are easily distracted when a "new" show comes to town.
4. We see others are not doing it, so why should we?
5. We ...
It really does matter the reasons because we have none. Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ asked us to follow, what should we do? FOLLOW! Let's do it.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27
Monday, November 5, 2007
When People Forsake You
Have you ever felt like people forsake you in the heat of battle? That they get distracted or disguntled and leave you? That they seem to be attracted to other things instead of the ministry where they were called?
Cheer up, you are not alone. Look at the Apostle Paul with Demas.
Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
Philemon 1:24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica...
Each time Paul remarks about Demas he is giving him less praise. At the start Paul seems to see Demas really coming along. In the next letter there are no words around Demas. In the final letter, he comments he lays out the problem with Demas.
What an awful thing to be mentioned in Scripture throughout all of history as forsaking Paul and heading off into what Demas saw or thought as more important. Demas chose a path where he ended up missing the greatest work of God.
May we live with a different outlook on life. "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9
May we at Royal Heights run the race together. May we never tire of the good work the Lord has given to us to complete. May we be the church of the Living God,....together!
Cheer up, you are not alone. Look at the Apostle Paul with Demas.
Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
Philemon 1:24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica...
Each time Paul remarks about Demas he is giving him less praise. At the start Paul seems to see Demas really coming along. In the next letter there are no words around Demas. In the final letter, he comments he lays out the problem with Demas.
What an awful thing to be mentioned in Scripture throughout all of history as forsaking Paul and heading off into what Demas saw or thought as more important. Demas chose a path where he ended up missing the greatest work of God.
May we live with a different outlook on life. "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9
May we at Royal Heights run the race together. May we never tire of the good work the Lord has given to us to complete. May we be the church of the Living God,....together!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
You Are What You Eat
"You are what you eat!" What a strange saying.
John 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
Jesus said something simular to, you are what you eat. His desire was to have us eat Himself! Wow, no wonder many could not understand what He was really saying.
Jesus was saying, "I must become your consuming meal. I must be the One who sustains you. I must be the One who gives you life!" Jesus in His wisdom was laying out the deit of the human spirit. Our spirits are meant to live on Christ!
When we drink in the Word of God and seek to know Him deep within, we experience life. The Lord's desire is that we might have life and life abundantly. There is nothing that our spirit truely longs for outside of Christ. Now our flesh is the opposite, it longs to devouer everything that the world has to offer. The flesh seeks life on an earthly realm.
You are what you eat, so eat Christ! May He be our sustaining meal. Our life and our blood. As today was a day of worship to our Lord I feel I have eaten well today. I praised Him, heard the Scriptures, helped out those who needed a hand, laughed with those who laughed and wept with those who wept. I enjoyed Christ today.
1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
John 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
Jesus said something simular to, you are what you eat. His desire was to have us eat Himself! Wow, no wonder many could not understand what He was really saying.
Jesus was saying, "I must become your consuming meal. I must be the One who sustains you. I must be the One who gives you life!" Jesus in His wisdom was laying out the deit of the human spirit. Our spirits are meant to live on Christ!
When we drink in the Word of God and seek to know Him deep within, we experience life. The Lord's desire is that we might have life and life abundantly. There is nothing that our spirit truely longs for outside of Christ. Now our flesh is the opposite, it longs to devouer everything that the world has to offer. The flesh seeks life on an earthly realm.
You are what you eat, so eat Christ! May He be our sustaining meal. Our life and our blood. As today was a day of worship to our Lord I feel I have eaten well today. I praised Him, heard the Scriptures, helped out those who needed a hand, laughed with those who laughed and wept with those who wept. I enjoyed Christ today.
1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
When the Family Gets Together
I just finished sitting down for a great meal at home with my three children and Wanda, missing Jerry, the youngest. As we sat there, we laughed and talked about life in general. It was a good family time together.
Revelatian 19:9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’”
At the end of Revelation this verse appears where we will sit down with our Lord to a great meal that has been prepared for the occasion. Won't it be something!? To sit and laugh and celebrate the victory of the Lamb. To go through and hear the stories of the redeemed by grace. It will be a day of joy and glory to our Lord.
I am so pleased with my family. We are not perfect in performance but I would not trade any of them for another. I'm reminded of my own father's words when he was asked about the six boys that he had. He said, "I would not give one of them up for a million dollars but I wouldn't give you a dime for another one!" Then he laughed and laugh.
If you have a family, do all you can to keep it healthy. Swallow your pride. Go the extra mile. Seek to understand before you're understood. Serve. Give. Love.
Sometimes family is just hard work to keep everything in balance but it is worth it. Our two little grandchildren were at the table, Damien is two and Summer is a couple of weeks old. They have no idea of the joy that they have entered. They are in a home that loves them and wants the very best for them. There will come a day when the gospel will be clearly presented to them so they also may be a part of the great marriage supper of the Lamb. Oh, what a day that will be! Oh, what a family time we will have for all eternity!
I hope to see you there!
Revelatian 19:9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’”
At the end of Revelation this verse appears where we will sit down with our Lord to a great meal that has been prepared for the occasion. Won't it be something!? To sit and laugh and celebrate the victory of the Lamb. To go through and hear the stories of the redeemed by grace. It will be a day of joy and glory to our Lord.
I am so pleased with my family. We are not perfect in performance but I would not trade any of them for another. I'm reminded of my own father's words when he was asked about the six boys that he had. He said, "I would not give one of them up for a million dollars but I wouldn't give you a dime for another one!" Then he laughed and laugh.
If you have a family, do all you can to keep it healthy. Swallow your pride. Go the extra mile. Seek to understand before you're understood. Serve. Give. Love.
Sometimes family is just hard work to keep everything in balance but it is worth it. Our two little grandchildren were at the table, Damien is two and Summer is a couple of weeks old. They have no idea of the joy that they have entered. They are in a home that loves them and wants the very best for them. There will come a day when the gospel will be clearly presented to them so they also may be a part of the great marriage supper of the Lamb. Oh, what a day that will be! Oh, what a family time we will have for all eternity!
I hope to see you there!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Contending for the Faith
What does it that for a person to be knowledgeable about the faith? Knowledgeable enough to carry, live out and yet defend the faith?
I'm in the Calgary area, right now, sitting on our Seminary Board. We are thinking out loud these questions above. It is a great meeting.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
To raise up the up and coming spiritual leaders while releasing the leaders of the day, is a real challenge. To create a movement there always has to be someone that will lead out. Who will it be but the "grassroot" leaders of the faith? Our role is to equip them so they are ready to 'contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.'
I'm very excited about our Seminary's future. Our greatest tool to develop and train leaders is beginning to wake up to the task that is at hand. A movement is about to start! We will see 1000s of people trained and ready to go in the fields of harvest.
May the Lord bless us. May the people see the great potential before us. May God's glory be magnified to the ends of the earth. May we take on the responsiblity of equipping every believer with the tools to contend and live out their faith in a manner that makes an impact! To God be the glory!
We I'm excited about the direction the Seminary is taking is I just have to look at my life's mission that I wrote down years ago.
"...To Be A Spirit-filled Leader
in Word & Action in order that I may,
I'm in the Calgary area, right now, sitting on our Seminary Board. We are thinking out loud these questions above. It is a great meeting.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
To raise up the up and coming spiritual leaders while releasing the leaders of the day, is a real challenge. To create a movement there always has to be someone that will lead out. Who will it be but the "grassroot" leaders of the faith? Our role is to equip them so they are ready to 'contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.'
I'm very excited about our Seminary's future. Our greatest tool to develop and train leaders is beginning to wake up to the task that is at hand. A movement is about to start! We will see 1000s of people trained and ready to go in the fields of harvest.
May the Lord bless us. May the people see the great potential before us. May God's glory be magnified to the ends of the earth. May we take on the responsiblity of equipping every believer with the tools to contend and live out their faith in a manner that makes an impact! To God be the glory!
We I'm excited about the direction the Seminary is taking is I just have to look at my life's mission that I wrote down years ago.
"...To Be A Spirit-filled Leader
in Word & Action in order that I may,
through Christ, Teach & Motivate
Up & Coming Leaders
With Words & Resources,
In Order That They May Discover & Live
To Their Full Potential & Purpose
Before God & Man."
Alan Braun August 4, 1997
Up & Coming Leaders
With Words & Resources,
In Order That They May Discover & Live
To Their Full Potential & Purpose
Before God & Man."
Alan Braun August 4, 1997
Thursday, November 1, 2007
I Spoke with Someone Famous Today
I spoke with someone famous today on the phone. If you knew who it was you might even be impressed. But I have to ask myself, Why does it sort of give me a thrill to speak with someone who has alittle bit of fame on the earth? Their fame has only given he or she the ability to gain a few more friends than the "normal" person. So what, really?!
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
As believers, we have been given the priviledge of speaking with the LORD Himself! What an honour. And we have been encouraged and commanded by Him to tell others that we have a relationship with Him. He wants us to mention His name often to those who are searching for meaning and purpose.
It is strange that we don't boast in this relationship that we can have with the Lord, more. The Apostle Paul seemed to glory often in the communication he was having with his Lord. He wanted everyone to know it was Christ and Christ alone.
We have an opportunity to speak to our friends about the most famous Being we know,...the LORD God of Heaven! It doesn't get better than that. No other man could come along that has so affected the world like our Jesus. Let's speak to Him often. Let's encourage others to engage in meaningful communication with Him. He is central to all communication that has any value. His name is even called,...the WORD!
Hey, I got to speak with the LORD Himself today, did you?
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
As believers, we have been given the priviledge of speaking with the LORD Himself! What an honour. And we have been encouraged and commanded by Him to tell others that we have a relationship with Him. He wants us to mention His name often to those who are searching for meaning and purpose.
It is strange that we don't boast in this relationship that we can have with the Lord, more. The Apostle Paul seemed to glory often in the communication he was having with his Lord. He wanted everyone to know it was Christ and Christ alone.
We have an opportunity to speak to our friends about the most famous Being we know,...the LORD God of Heaven! It doesn't get better than that. No other man could come along that has so affected the world like our Jesus. Let's speak to Him often. Let's encourage others to engage in meaningful communication with Him. He is central to all communication that has any value. His name is even called,...the WORD!
Hey, I got to speak with the LORD Himself today, did you?
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