Unstoppable Mission-Part 1

This past Sunday, we started a new series entitled "Unstoppable" as we work through the first five chapters of the book of Acts this summer. For many, Acts is considered to be the Acts of the Apostles, but I think it would be more accuately described as the Acts of the Holy Spirit.

Written by Luke, we can view this as a sort of Luke Part 2 in a way. The gospel of Luke tells the life an ministry of Jesus while Acts tells us about the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth and propagation of the church.

Instead of opening with an adrenaline rush like most action movies today, the book of Acts opens slowly telling us about how Jesus appeared to the first believers over a period of 40 days.

After His suffering, He presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 NIV

Knowing the heart of man, Jesus knew the disciples would doubt His resurrection. So over a period of 40 days, Jesus gave the early followers "many convincing proofs" that He was alive. They must have believed that He had risen from the dead because I am sitting here today writing this blog. These men and women were willing to go to their deaths for the cause of Christ...and it all started with the 40 days He spent with them after His resurrection.

Today, many doubt the truth of the Bible or the importance of the church. Do you think it would make a difference if Jesus came and spent 40 days with them? If He ate with them, lived with them, and taught them the truth about themselves?

What about you? Do you have doubts about Jesus? About the Bible? about everything?

Don't let that shake your faith because even the first followers had doubts...but they didn't have the Bible or the Holy Spirit...which we all have today.

How much time do we spend in Bible study and prayer each day? What would happen in your life if you committed to spending 40 days reading the Bible and praying every morning?

Let's find out!! I will be unveiling our "40 Days to Defeat Doubt" Plan this coming Sunday!!

Prayer emphasis: Ask God to revral Himself to you today in His wor and through the power of the Holy Spirit!! Ask Him to truly help you believe!!!

Remembering the heroes of D-Day

Read 2 Kings 3:1-5:27

On June 6, 1944, in the largest military land invasion during World War 2 and in the history of the world for that matter, the Allied forces breached Nazi Europe in what signaled the beginning of the end for the  Nazi forces. This invasion, known as Operation Overlord, involved 150,000 men, 5000 ships, and 11,000 airplanes. 

Years of planning, training, and preparation went into this day, now known as D-Day. With so many moving parts invloved, how did everything work so well together?

Simple obedience to the mission.

Each man had specific orders that were a crucial part of the operation. The commitment of the Allied servicemen to be faithful to their role in the mission won the day. No one demanded a bigger or more important role than their rank would give. Running on Normandy beach that morning one single man could not have been able to see the big picture. But with tens of thousans of men staying true to the plan, the Allied Forces were on their way victory inover the Nazis.

Learning to know and understand one's place and to be obedient to the authorities God has placed in a person's life is an important part of growing up.  "Yes Ma'am" and "No Ma'am" and "Yes sir"  and "No Sir" are some of the most important words a child ever learns to say. 

In this passage, a man named Naaman seems that he hasn't learned any of these lessons. Naaman was an important commander who had been struck with leprosy. Through a servant girl, he learns that there is a prophet of God in Israel who can cure him of his leposy. He comes to see Elisha, but Elisha doesn't personally come out to see him, he sends a servant with specific instructions.

Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy." I Kings 5:10-11 NIV

The commander came seeking healing but refused to follow orders and be obedient to the mission Elisha gave him. Thinking that he was mnore important than he was, Naaman first went away angry because he felt like he had been disrespected by Elisha.

God created you for a special purpose and mission. The Bible is your manual for this life mission. Each and every new day, you must make a decision to be obedient to God's word and stay true to your mission or to disregard your calling and live for yourself. This may be fun for a season, but ultimately you will fail the mission God has given you.

What is the mission God has given you for your life? What is your specific calling?

If the Bible is you mission manual, how obedient are you to the intructions God has given you?

Prayer Emphasis: Ask God today to reveal more of His plan for your life to you. Surrender to this plan and commit to be faithful to the instructions God has given you in the Bible.

The Patience of God

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:16)

I am blessed to be the father of seven  children, five boys and two girls ranging in age from 15 years old to 2 years old. Each day my life is filled with so much wonder and excitement as my children are discovering their way in this world. Unfortunately, some of this “discovery” includes my children making very poor choices in how they deal with us as parents and how they deal with each other. Especially after a long day, I have a tendency to grow impatient with their arguing and stretching of our house rules.

But once the house is quiet, God has a way of reminding me how much I am like my own children. I think of how I constantly push the limits of what He wants for me, and how I too am in desperate need of mercy. I am humbled by His “unlimited patience” with me, and this humility creates a genuine desire in my heart to have the same kind of patience with those I love the most. God gently reminds me that I am an example of His love towards everyone I spend time with, especially my children.

God, today I am reminded of Your merciful and patient heart towards me. Help me to extend Your love and mercy towards those I love most today. In Jesus’ name, ame

God's Private Office

Read Romans 1:18-24

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- His eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Grand Canyon one weekend while speaking at a retreat in Arizona. As we made the drive up from Prescott, I pictured in my mind what the “big hole” would look like. I had seen pictures and heard stories, and I was excited to finally see for myself.   My wife and I caught our first glimpse as we rounded a corner while approaching the south rim of the canyon. We were speechless. After parking and walking up to the rim of the canyon, we stood in silence as we took it all in.

Later that day, as the sun set over the canyon and the painted desert stretched out in the distance, my heart was filled with praise for God, the Creator of unspeakable beauty. I could not help thinking that it would be hard to deny the existence of God standing at the edge of such a breathtaking view. I reluctantly drove away that day feeling as if I had just met with God in His private office.

God, remind me each day of Your unfailing love through the simple beauty of Your creation. In each sunrise and sunset, river and stream, songbird and sonnet, let me find You in all of Your glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.