What Matters More?

We are days away from an historic election. Just to mention the name of an opposing candidate evokes hatred and fear in the hearts of many. It seems that so many people are hanging their hopes for the future on the results of this election. Nearly half of the country is going to be certain that we have chosen the wrong solution. To the most convinced, certainly prophecy of disaster will follow news of the proclaimed winners and losers. I think to myself, "Will it matter as much as we think?"

Then other thoughts come to mind, "What matters more?" Can the results of this election matter as much to me as other things? My own hard work ethic matter more that who is President? My own positive or negative attitude must matter more? How I love and care for my family matters to the results of my life more than who is elected to any government position. What matters more?

As I sit blogging, sipping my cup of coffee at the local coffee house, the conversation of the women at the next table drifts over my ears. The discussion is political. Each is convinced of the absurdity of the values of the wrong party. What matters more, their opinion of politics or their hateful attitudes towards those of opposing opinions? As they sit and gossip about so-and-so, it is apparent to me that their uppity attitudes will determine much more of the outcomes of their lives that the results of the election.

The Bible teaches that our choice of thinking about our own flesh or thinking about things of the Holy Spirit will bring drastically different results. There is a constant battle for dominance of our thoughts. What we think about will determine the outcomes of our life.  Colossians 3:2 reads, "Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth." Let's allow the life-giving Holy Spirit to control our thoughts. The results of the election or what controls our thoughts: what matters more? I think you know.

Peace,

Stan

Outsider's View of Church

At the end of August I asked the folks at church what their co-workers, family and friends think and say about God. It seems that many non-church-going-people think that they are not worthy of God. Others think they have no need for God. Still others believe in God, but don't think they fit in with the church going crowd. We found that many people are mad at God for what they believe he has done to them, or not done for them.

One thing we found is that many people are cool with God and Jesus, but they just don't like church people. Church people are seen by much of the non-church going populace as the "church lady" Dana Carvey made famous on Saturday Night Live. Because of church people they have met, they are convinced that to follow Jesus they will have to become angry, judgmental and narrow. They think that going to church will steal all the fun from their lives. The hypocrites in the church drive people away.

Un-churched people perceive church as boring, irrelevant and a pain-in-the-butt that could not be worth being part of. They think they don't have the right clothes or talk the lingo. If they ever worked up enough courage to attend a church they would be looking for a place to love, understand and to accept them. They definitely do not want to be judged by people. I saw a tattoo on a young man which actually read, "No man can judge me!"

Simply put, if the church is going to reach the un-churched we will have to change our attitude towards them. We need to act more like Jesus. We need to be less about rules and more about love, forgiveness, tolerance and serving. We need to explain better why we do what we are doing in a church service. We need to teach on subjects that will mean something to them.

At the end of the day, people need Jesus. Whatever we need to do to help the world perceive Jesus in truth is our duty. Our mission is to introduce Jesus to people. Let's break down the barriers. Let's take a look at ourselves often through the eyes of an outsider. Let's become better fishers of men.

Peace,

Stan

Purpose

In John 14:16-17 Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." In verse 12 Jesus made one of His most fascinating statements, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." In other words, believers will do the works of Jesus by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The purpose of indwelling Holy Spirit is connected with doing the works that Jesus did.

The works of Jesus can be summarized by this: Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. The Greek word translated "save" means to save, heal, deliver, set free and to make whole. In Acts 10:38 Peter spoke this about Jesus' ministry, "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." Jesus was born of the Spirit. On the day of His water baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and operated by the power of the Holy Spirit. The works that Jesus did we will do also. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are called to seek and to save the lost. This is real purpose.

At home, at work, wherever we go, God goes. God, the Holy Spirit lives in us. Our purpose is to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. We are born of the Spirit and filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8 Jesus told us that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. This endowment of power is for the purpose of being a witness for Jesus.

Peace,

Stan

Church as it Should Be

We have been feeding about 1000 people from the Life Center for many months now. After all of these months, we decided to invite them back to a party. So, on Friday night we grilled hotdogs, had games for the kids, had nice gifts to give away... Over 200 people came. What a fun idea!

Reet, our outreach pastor, organized the event and preached to the crowd. Several decided to follow Jesus. Many came to church on Sunday. And the greatest part is--Michelle and I were out of town at a meeting. We had nothing to do with this highly successful event, but to cheer it on from the sidelines.

This is a great example of the church being the church. Church is not something one attends. Church is something a person does. We are a go-and-do it church, NOT a come and watch us church.

What idea is the Holy Spirit giving you to be a blessing to others?

Peace,

Stan

Spirit Consciousness

Brother Lawrence from The Practice of the Presence of God p. 61 wrote, “The most holy and necessary practice in our spiritual life is the presence of God. That means finding constant pleasure in His divine company, speaking humbly and lovingly with Him in all seasons, at every moment, without limiting the conversation in any way.” This book written nearly 300 years ago gives instruction about the blessing of knowing God in all His majesty and feeling His presence every day. If you are born again, you are the temple of the Holy Spirit. God lives in you. Christ lives in you.

What would my life look like, if I was constantly filled with joy and CONTROLLED by the Holy Spirit? Acts 13:52, from The New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest, “And the disciples were constantly filled with joy and CONTROLLED by the Holy Spirit.” To be more controlled by the Holy Spirit, we will have to be more Spirit conscious. I have learned to say, "I am a spirit being. I have a soul. And, I live in a body."

With my body I contact the physical realm. With my spirit I contact the spiritual realm. With my soul I contact the intellectual realm. Our soul is our mind, will, and emotions. In the war between spirit and flesh, the soul casts the deciding vote. Whether I walk in the spirit or in the flesh is decided by my will (soul). It is in our emotions (soul) that we are offended, or happy, or sad.

At the new birth, my spirit was instantly changed from dead to alive. I instantly became the righteousness of God thru Christ Jesus. I am now complete in him. My body (flesh) will not be “saved” until Jesus comes again. My flesh must constantly be put under subjection to my spirit. Romans 12:1 - 2 (NASB)reads , “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” The more renewed my mind is, the more spirit controlled my life will be.

To be more spirit conscious, let’s say to ourselves, “I am a spirit being. I have a soul. And I live in a body.” Let’s pray without ceasing. Let’s keep a dialogue running continuously with God throughout the day. Bro. Lawrence wrote, “Whatever we do, even if we are reading the Word or praying, we should stop for a few minutes—as often as possible—to praise God from the depths of our hearts, to enjoy Him there in secret…What could please God more than for us to leave the cares of the world temporarily in order to worship Him in our spirits? These momentary retreats serve to free us from our selfishness, which can only exist in the world. In short, we cannot show our loyalty to God more than by renouncing our worldly selves even a single moment with Him.”

Let’s renew our minds with God’s Word, so we will not be conformed to this world. Get started on a Bible reading plan. Study the Word in area of need. Consult Word before decision making. Let’s be more Spirit controlled and less Flesh controlled

Peace,

Stan

Controlled by the Holy Spirit

Acts 13:52, from The New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest reads, “And the disciples were constantly filled with joy and CONTROLLED by the Holy Spirit.” What would your life look like, if you were constantly filled with joy and CONTROLLED by the Holy Spirit? What would the church looks like, if all followers of Jesus Christ would be more controlled by the Holy Spirit?

There have been three phases of God's relationship with humans. Phase One could be called: God Out There. For most of human history God was mysterious and unapproachable. He interacted sporadically with a few prophets and sheep herders. The rest of humanity was left in the dark.

The second phase began with an angelic announcement of Emmanuel--God with us. When Jesus came to the earth, God came to live among us. We beheld the glory of God. Jesus was the exact representation of God. He walked and talked with the folks. He ate meals in their homes. He was fascinating and compassionate. Then He left the scene. Before He left, He promised to send another Helper. The Holy Spirit, according to Jesus, would be with us and live in us.

When a person becomes a Christ follower, he is born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to live inside. God makes His home inside the spirit of human beings. How powerful it must be to be controlled by the One who lives inside.

"Is it in you?" is the question asked by Gatorade. The suggestion is that if Gatorade is in you, you can perform like an elite athlete. Perhaps you will not become dehydrated. I am not sure Gatorade will imporve your athletic skills. One thing I know, the Holy Spirit in you will absolutely improve your daily performance in life. The better question is, "Is He in you?"

Peace,

Stan

Outside Look at Church

On Sunday I asked our church a list of questions that caused us to consider what people outside of church think about God, Jesus and church. The responses were very interesting.

People are scared of God, mad at God and are confused by God. People in Bible days seemed to like Jesus OK. Yet, today it seems that people are very uncomfortable talking about Jesus. I think people are confused by Jesus today, because His followers are not much like Him.

If people are going to warm up to Jesus, I think Christians are going to have to start acting, talking, being more like Jesus. If people were to meet Jesus today, I think they would respond to Him just like they did years ago. The only Jesus people can see is the Jesus they see in Christians.

The world does not need judgmental, hypocritical, self-righteous Christians. The world needs loving, compassionate, humble servants of Jesus. God loved the world so much that He sent us Jesus. Jesus loves the world so much, He sends us to them. Let's do a better job of showing them the real Jesus.

Peace,

Stan