Jesus - WOW!

If you have been following along in The Story, we are covering the chapter "No Ordinary Man". If you have the time, find an hour where you can actually read the recommended passages of scripture.
Mattthew 5-7;  9;  14;  Mark 4-6;  Luke 10; 15;  John 6. 

There are a lot of things happening in these chapters. I am sure most of you have read the gospels before ... perhaps several times and you might be saying I know these stories. So you may have a tendency to simply skim over them.  This time when you read, don't just read them quickly. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you. Take out your pen or pencil and underline words and phrase that pop out at you. Record what He is saying to you personally. The Word is alive and fresh and is used by the Holy Spirit to encourage you, challenge you, convict you, increase your faith, motivate you to action ... you know what I mean! There are 100's of lessons in these pages. God wants us to put his word into practice so that we can be used by Him to advance His kingdom.

I love the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7.  By reading it one night over 37 years ago, I was convicted of my sin and cried out saying I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry for over an hour.  Later in Matthew 9:9, Jesus spoke to me and said "Follow Me". I said "Yes" that night and I have never turned back even though some said that "this" would never last.  They were wrong!  I later learned that I was saved and would have eternal life. I couldn't get enough of the Word. I devoured it. It was food that I had been starving for. Now I know that Jesus is the Word. He also says He is the Bread of Life.  He is Living Water. He is the Resurrection and the Life.  etc. I know for sure where I will spend eternity and I want to serve Him and make disciples wherever I am working or going.  Matthew 28:18-20

Enough about what He has done for me. You all have similar stories about how you came to know Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord. Look for opportunities to share your story with others. Ask God each day for opportunities to connect with others who need a Saviour which may mean getting out of your comfort zone or may mean just being obedient to the Holy Spirit. Only you know your story. Tell it when given the opportunity. Build relationships. Ask questions. Let them tell their story and talk about themselves.  Listen. They will probably ask you about yourselves. Speak! Be lead by the Holy Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Walk in the Spirit. Abide in Him. Trust Him to give you the words to speak and obey! He desires to reach those around you wherever you are.

Jesus often taught using parables which are sometimes hard to understand. The Holy Spirit can teach you their meaning. Simply ask Him. He will give you insights and His thoughts. Meditate on the passage and ask Him to show you what it means. You can also look in commentaries to see what the Holy Spirit has taught others if needed.

Read the parable of the Sower again. (Mark 4) One of the first messages I preached at the Salvation Army Lighthouse in Toronto was on this parable and the various soils. I brought in various soils in pots to illustrate my point. By the way, as believers we need to be careful about the weeds and thorns that can grow up in our garden ... if you know what I mean!  Dig them out by the roots when necessary!

I also love the parable of the "prodigal son". You may also have prodigals within your family and extended families. Most families do. Don't give up hope! Don't give up praying for them! God is still working on them. Love them! Be ready to welcome them home with open arms! Be ready to rejoice and celebrate with all the angels in heaven when they come home!  

In the rest of the readings you will see how Jesus calms the storm, walks on water, drives out a legion of demons, resurrects a young girl who has "fallen asleep" (died), feeds 5000 men and their families with 5 loaves and 2 fishes.

These were all very amazing examples of Jesus' power and authority over nature, over demons and over life and even creation. Jesus also said when He left us that we would be doing even greater things than He with His authority and power and in His name. We have the privilege of sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of God and being used by the Holy Spirit to lead others to Christ, receiving forgiveness of their sin so that they can not only have the promise of eternal life but to also grow spiritually and become like Christ and eventually do the same as us ... make more disciples.

Let's all experience the joy of seeing prodigals come to the Lord and celebrate with the angels in heaven regularly. Let's party! Can't you just see (imagine) the Lord's big smile! Don't let the weeds and thorns of this world prevent you from being fruitful and seeing a great harvest of souls enter into His kingdom as you serve Him.  Let your faith increase. He wants to use you and me for His purposes. May He bless us and help us to be fruitful - 30, 60, 100 fold!

Jesus Ministry and Growth ... A model to follow

Here is a brief summary of what Jesus as a human (like you and I) went through during his life and ministry.  I think we can expect to follow and experience the same things if we are true followers of Christ, seek first His Kingdom and desire to obey His great commission and commandments.

Jesus was...

• Born of the Spirit ... 
• Learned and knew Gods Word ... 
• Grew in wisdom and stature ...
• Was baptized in water... 

• Was filled with the Spirit ... 
• Prayed and fasted ... 

• Was tempted and tested by devil  - allowed by God ...
• Learned to use the Word (sword of the Spirit) ... 

• Chose and made disciples ... 
• Ministered - Teaching, Preaching, Healing ... 
• Was blameless, perfect and Holy ... In our case we want to become Christ- like 

• Lead by the Spirit and walked in the Spirit ...
• Displayed fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience ...) 
• Became a witness / messenger / ambassador for Kingdom of God... 
• Desired and saw fruit, much fruit,/ more fruit / great harvest ...
• Discipled others to do the same.

As leaders and representatives for Christ, I pray that we will all find ourselves on the same path of becoming more like Jesus, being His witnesses, having the desire to make disciples, fulfilling the great commission and seeing much fruit!

No Ordinary Birth, No Ordinary King!

If you have been a believer or follower of Jesus for a number of years, the story of Jesus' birth can become very familiar to us ... perhaps too familiar! You may even have the attitude that I don't really need to read it again. I know the story and I have heard it several time.

I have read the story of Jesus' birth several times. Like you we get a number of Christmas cards which remind of His birth. We sing carols every year. We know all the characters - Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and angels, the wise men and King Herod, etc, etc. We have even played these characters. So what's new?

Over the past several weeks we have been reviewing Old Testament stories. Stories about Noah, Moses, Joshua, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Ruth, Gideon, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah and others. We were amazed at how God did "miraculous" things and was always "monkeying in the machinery" of these lives to accomplish His purposes.

I would encourage you to read  The Birth of The King, as if you were reading it for the first time with fresh eyes. You will again be amazed at what God did in order to come down onto earth to be with us and fellowship with His children over 2000 years ago.  And let us not forget that He is with us always and loves us and wants many more to enter into His kingdom

God sends an angel to Mary to announce that she, a virgin, is going to have a baby boy who will be named Jesus.  She will be impregnated by the Holy Spirit. WOW!  Mary is OK with this (she is submissive) even though she could be rejected by her family, and her village and perhaps even be stoned to death because others would assume she had committed adultery. Joseph, her fiance, could have called the wedding off and rejected her but he didn't. God speaks to him via an angel in a dream giving him the same message. He supports Mary and goes along with what God is doing. I am sure he completely understood what was going on! Not!

It just so happens a census is called and Joseph and Mary have to go to Bethlehem to register and Jesus is born there, fulfilling one of many OT prophecies. Angels appear to shepherds announcing the birth of a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. How many of you have seen angels lately?  Not an ordinary occurrence! The three kings who were looking for Jesus do not return to King Herod to let him know that they found King Jesus and worshiped him.  Another angel speaks to Joseph in a dream again and warns him to flee to Egypt to protect Jesus' life from the massacre of baby boys that King Herod was doing. At the appropriate time they return but are lead to live in Nazareth which again fulfills another OT prophecy. These are not coincidences!

Over and over again you see how God chooses, speaks, leads, warns, protects, provides, encourages, and ultimately accomplishes His plan through "ordinary people" like you and me. We are told Mary, the mother of Jesus, treasured all these things in her heart.  She remembered and reflected on all the circumstances and things that were said and were happening to fulfill the promise of a Saviour ...Jesus ... who is now our King and Lord and will someday soon be recognized by everyone as King of kings and Lord of lords.

I found myself taking time to remember and reflect on how God has been working things out in my life to bring me to the point where I recognized my sin and needed a Saviour. I can see how he brought me to Himself and remember that night when I was "born again" by the Holy Spirit. I will never forget that night when I accepted the invitation from Jesus to "Follow Me"  ... the joy, the peace, the new heart, the new desires, the new appetite for the Word, the excitement to tell everyone I knew just like the Shepherds did.  I was forgiven of my sin!.  I was cleansed from the inside out and made new. But I also remember the spiritual struggles and the victories and the mini revivals that have taken place over the past 4 decades of being a follower of Jesus. Indeed I know for sure that Jesus is my Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and coming King and that I will one day live with Him eternally!  I am thankful for His Word and the leading and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  

I would encourage you to reflect on your own salvation, your own "spiritual birth" in Christ, your own ongoing sanctification of becoming like Christ and being made Holy and cherish those memories and thoughts. He has done so much for you and continues to do so!  Don't be afraid to tell others your story and the good news of His Story like the shepherds did.  This Story is never old.


   

Nehemiah - A Small Group Leader Lead By God

How many times have you heard a series of messages on the book of Nehemiah?  I have probably heard this book preached more than any other book in the Bible.  It's must be a favourite, especially when gleaning leadership principles.  Leaders attempt to "grow" other leaders.

As I (re)read Nehemiah this time around I realized that there is so much more to see!  If you were a teacher or preacher you could easily spend 12 or more weeks in this book as there are so many applications to teach and apply in our lives.

Nehemiah, like Esther, is another book one ought to sit down and read and reread and let the Holy Spirit teach you, convict you (as necessary) and encourage you.  God wants to use me and you just as he uses Nehemiah.  Nehemiah is really just an "average guy" like us...but with God leading him and directing his steps and answering his prayers, he became all that God wanted him to be for the assignment he was given by God. He was fully equipped (by God) for the task and was very successful despite much opposition from the enemy within and without.

Here are a number of words which hint at the numerous life lessons covered in this book: Prayer, Intercession, Brokenness, Rebuild, Restore, Reinforce, Reconstruct, Repent, Return, Reform, Renewal, Revival, Re ______,  Compassion, Sacrifice, Determination, Leadership, Faith, Dependence on God, Community, Cooperation, Courage, Commitment, Coming together, Working together, Standing firm, Doing our part, Overcoming fear, Overcoming discouragement, Standing Firm, Defending one another, Being wise, Watching out, Listening to God's Word, Obeying God's Word, Covenant, Promises kept, Faithful, Joy of the Lord, Rejoicing, Celebrating, Helping the poor, Giving ....

What I noticed most in my reading this time is the importance of having an intimate relationship with God through prayer.  God placed a burden on Nehemiah's heart when he heard that the walls had not been built and the gates were burned down.  Nehemiah responds. He fasts and prays.  He actually interceded for Jerusalem and their situation for about 4 months before doing anything.  He becomes an answer to his own prayer.  God wanted him to return to Jerusalem and help rebuild the walls.  But ...how could he leave his job of serving the king and queen Esther?  God worked it out and he was actually given a leave of absence and sent to Jerusalem by the king with all that he needed to start the rebuilding the walls.

Nehemiah demonstrates wisdom (from God) as he figures out what should be done and how to do it.  He shares his vision and easily motivates (with God's help) everyone to get involved in the rebuilding project. Nehemiah organizes and leads the project but he also rolls up his sleeves and works along side the people. He leads by example.

When the enemy came to discourage and distract them from their work, Nehemiah was provided wisdom by God to keep the project going, allowing them to keep working and to also being ready to fight the enemy if/when necessary. Everyone worked hard and probably didn't get much sleep but there was tremendous cooperation among the small groups of men and women as they worked on their section of the walls. The walls and gates were (re)built in 52 days. A mammoth project done in record time! God worked with them and through them and answered their prayers as they worked.

The joy of the Lord was there strength! When they finished the project there was more time of rejoicing. Ezra reads the word and explains it to them. Repentance occurs over their past wrong doings.  Action was taken to correct their mistakes (sin). They all renew their commitment to follow God and obey His word.  They (re)celebrate the Feasts of Tabernacles which lasts 7 days but is very similar in activities to the Purim Feast we learned a little about last week.  I think the Jewish people know how to party and hopefully going forward will remember why they are rejoicing!

If we are going to become great leaders we are going to have to become great men and women of  prayer and of the Word and learn to lead by example ... in other words become more and more like Nehemiah who was like Jesus.

This is my goal and vision for us all!  Let's help each other achieve this goal of prayerful, servant leadership in the areas of service that God has equipped us and called us to do.  (see Ephesians 2:10)

By the way, Nehemiah 9 provides a great little summary of many of the attributes of God and his plan of redemption and restoration as recorded in the OT..











    

The Book of Esther ... Read it and Rejoice!

This week I am not going to say too much about the story in the book of Esther. You should read the entire book yourself in one sitting. You can do this in about 30 minutes. If you have time, read it again. It's a great story! An exciting plot! Interesting characters! You will be introduced to a wealthy, egotistical king who loves being surrounded by beautiful woman; a queen who loses her position because she doesn't show up to one of the king's parties; a beautiful young Jewish girl named Esther who later becomes queen; a wise (older) cousin named Mordecai who raised Esther like his own daughter and suggests that Esther not tell anyone that she is Jewish; a character named Haman, who you learn to despise because of his evil plots to kill Mordecai and all the Jews and of course God, whose name is actually never mentioned in the story but you can see Him working behind the scenes in every scene / act of the story.


You will cheer when you see how the tables turn and the good guys win and the bad guys get what they deserve.  You will also learn about an important fast which will drive you to consider fasting when your life depends on it.  You will also be introduced to Purim, a feast or holiday that the Jewish people still hold in the middle of March celebrating their deliverance and salvation. Aside: This would be a great holiday for us as believers and followers of Jesus to consider celebrating at least once a year because of what Jesus has done for us when we were saved.  Something fun to do in March (usually)!

I was personally interested in learning more about Purim.    When doing an Internet search, I found a great site worth looking called Judaism 101 which is actually written by a devout Jew "lay person" but it is a site that is well used and respected by rabbis.  It is written in an easy to read style (which I like) and full of very interesting "stuff".  It doesn't hurt to learn more about our spiritual heritage ... since Jesus was a practicing Jew.  The site provides an excellent overview of the story in Esther, an understanding of Purim and a recipe for making a desert called  Hamentaschen - "Haman's Pockets".  They look yummy - could be a new Tim's product! To all my friends who like desert ... let me know if you make some Haman's Pockets.


Thank you Heavenly Father for always being there and working on our behalf and looking after us even though we can't see You. Forgive us for when we fail to seek You and Your kingdom first. Thank you Father for giving us all these true stories in your Word which encourage us and increase our faith and help us to live by faith and to see what You have done and are doing in our lives.  Thank you Son of God, Jesus, for paying the penalty of our sin and providing us salvation by your shed blood.  Thank you for Holy Spirit for coming into our lives, filling us, directing us, teaching us, counseling us and encouraging us.  You and your Word provide us what we need to live for you. Without You we can do nothing of value for expanding His Kingdom.  Empower us.  Anoint us for the works you have planned for us to do.  Lord thank you for the family of God, our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Thank you for your commandments and promises. Help us to obey your commandment to love You and others so that others will know that we are your disciples. We bless your Holy Name.

Here is song from my past that for some reason I have been singing often this week ...
Heavenly Father We appreciate You - Chorus

Remember.... Communion Sunday this Sunday.  Prepare!  Examine self.  Confess any sin. Be filled with the Holy Spirit! and  ... Read Esther and let the Holy Spirit speak to you pesonally.

 

       

Focus ... Don't quit!

This week many of the small groups are looking at Session 19 in The Story - The Return Home. I thought Bobby Neerholf (and the Holy Spirit) did a great job last Sunday with his message covering the return of the Israelites to Jerusalem from captivity. I do not have a lot more to say but I will try to make some points as the Holy Spirit is still dealing with me and reminding me of lessons I have learned but must relearn as I seek to serve Him.

The Israelites were pretty excited about getting to go home and rebuild the temple. Things were going a long pretty good. They were seeing results. But then words were said and stuff began to happen that discouraged them and the project slowed down. They lost their focus. They began to focus on personal things and looking after themselves rather than giving themselves to the work that God wanted them to do ... rebuild the temple.

This scenario often happens in our lives too. To be honest I enjoy starting a new project or being involved in a new ministry but over time "stuff" happens which slows you down or discourages you and your team or group and you feel like quitting or giving up. The enemy wants you to quit and give up and make you feel like a failure ... which often leads to depression. So ... don't!  Don't give up! If you do, you will never know what God might have accomplished through you. He never would have called you to the task or project if he didn't want you to complete the task and accomplish the result. Remember He is with you. Rest in Him. Remain in Him. Rely on Him. Receive your encouragement from Him. He will provide the encouragement you need through people, circumstances, His word and His Holy Spirit. There is much joy in completing whatever you have begun! Don't quit.

Ok ... I have just been preaching to myself! Maybe some of you also needed to hear that message too!

We need balance in our lives in terms of how we spend our time and money but we also need to remember to "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will given to you as well" - Matthew 6:33. This verse has been one of my key "life verses". If we put God first, he will ensure that we are looked after ... and He always has! He wants you to succeed at the work he has given you. Be strong and courageous and carry on.

And may He receive all the glory as He works through you and me by his Holy Spirit.

 

Daniel and Friends - Great Faith, Much Prayer

It has been a while since I have read the account of Daniel and his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azarriah or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  I have been blessed and challenged again!

These young guys are amazing!  Because of their integrity, faithfulness, commitment to God and strong prayer life, God blesses them and places them all in very influential and powerful positions within a kingdom of a foreign land - Babylon. These young men remind me of Joseph and how God blessed his life and allowed him to find favour in whatever He did while in a foreign land.

The miracles that we see God do to protect "his kids" also standout.  Their (our) God obviously gets the attention of the king of this foreign land after seeing the miracles God does to protect and save them.  God is recognized as the God of gods.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abendengo get thrown into a fiery furnace because they wouldn't bow down and worship the 90 feet high golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar makes.  They would die if necessary but believed God would save them.  Even if He didn't save them, they would still not bow down and worship this image.  I wonder ... would I be able to respond like these young men?  Would I take such a stand for God? Would my faith be this strong? Would I be willing to die for my faith?  I'd like to be able to say "yes"!  Sure, I know I have said, like Peter, I am willing to die for my faith ... but I am also hoping I am never tested to this extent.  If ever faced with this kind of situation, I trust that I will be given enough grace to have this same kind of bold faith in God regardless of the outcome.

Daniel also takes a bold stand when later in his life, king Darius was tricked into making an edict that forced everyone to only pray to him for a 30 day period or else they would be thrown to the lions.    Daniel ignores the edict and doesn't change his practice of praying three times per day and is consequently thrown into the lion's den. Like his friends, Daniel is protected and delivered. The lions somehow  - actually we know how! - were not hungry that evening and Daniel remains alive. King Darius was overjoyed that Daniel was still alive. Darius ultimately gives a decree that everyone in his kingdom must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.  Daniel prospered  during the reign of Darius and later, the reign of Cyrus.  Wow!  God receives all the glory and was well know to everyone while Daniel lived.  

These are amazing miracles ... not unlike parting the red sea or providing manna daily for 40 years to over three million people in the desert, and more! But we know that nothing is impossible for God.

Some of us may be going through some very challenging times.  As you face your "mountain" and difficult time, continue to put your trust in the One and only God of all creation and His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that we have been given.  Trust Him.  Pray about everything.  Let Him protect you and carry you through. Remain faithful. Remain strong and courageous.  Do not fear. He is able to deliver thee! He has promised to be with you always.  We are praying for you.  Pray for those in your small group. Prayer, I believe and am learning, is the most important work we can do. God hears and answers. Be filled and stay in step with the Holy Spirit. Spend time reading His word. Pray that I do the same!  As the chorus says, "Dare to be a Daniel!"