Does Jesus Ignore Some People?

10-30-08

SCRIPTURE
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe." (Mark 5:35).

OBSERVATION
Jesus has always been known as the One who hears us all. He is the One knows us individually and cares. But sometimes He ignores certain ones.

"Is it I Lord?"

Jairus was a church leader with a sickly daughter. Having requested of Jesus to pray, they began making their way toward the house. But in route, some men intercepted Him with news that the daughter was dead.

"Why bother the teacher anymore? It's over. Accept it."

The Bible then tells us that Jesus ignored them!

Instead of giving up the chase, Jesus reassures Jairus that he needs to keep Plan A and move forward. It wouldn't be long before people would see a little girl arise and astonishment and amazement would fill the house.

I've done that. I've ignored a rude comment, an off-the-cuff remark that was not worth arguing over. Or a poorly timed or off color joke that was better left unnoticed than dealt with.

I wonder if Jesus has ever had to ignore me because of something I said or did? Maybe when I threw cold water over someone's zeal and excitement? Or I wonder if I have ever diminished someone's faith by settling for second best? We all can be too much like the men from the synagogue by minimizing something that means nothing to us but a great deal to another.

APPLICATION
I am realizing that I need to bolster the faith of others. I must be careful of my words and be sure that I am encouraging others' desire to follow God's best. Radiant Life Fellowship shouldn’t just be another church. Instead, it is a place where people can find solutions to their problems. I know that there are times where we will not be able to change circumstances, but still, I can help people to rise above them.

I don't ever want Jesus to have to ignore me in order to give faith a chance.

I want God to marvel at my faith and my willingness to see things change. How easy it is to slide into mediocrity until it becomes "normal" and even "religious." I will choose to take the higher road and challenge people toward their best so God will never have to turn to an angel and say, "Just ignore what Chris Thompson just said."

Instead, my prayer is that I be, according to Jeremiah 15:19, a spokesman for God!

"If you return, then I will restore you - before Me you will stand; and if you extract the precious from the worthless, you will become My spokesman."

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Thank you for teaching me Your ways by allowing me to shadow You through the Gospels. Help me to see you as You are, and then pattern my life after Yours. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Called out or Choked out

10-29-08

SCRIPTURE
"Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop - thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." (Mark 4:18-20)

OBSERVATION
In our prosperous society or shall I say prosperous "minded" society, we are up against the epidemic of worldliness and materialistic gain. The epidemic is a self-centered heart issue pressed by commercialism and marketing of goods. We are all bombarded with the inner struggles of wanting more and the outer pressures of keeping up with the pace of worldliness.

Jesus addresses this epidemic and the outcome of our fruitfulness based on how His Word is received and applied.

APPLICATION
I feel caught between the tensions of being choked out and called out.

What can choke me out?

Worries of this life; There's so much to worry about or is there? I don't want to allow worry to choke out who I'm called to be and what I'm called to do. I'm worrying too much in certain areas of my life.

Deceitfulness of wealth; I don't think I'm deceived in thinking that money is the focus of my heart and life. I do deal with wanting to be richer, to make more money so I can____...? So I can what? I need to be content and wise as a steward of the BLESSINGS He has provided. I am blessed!

Desires for other things; Ouch...here it is! I've got to be sure that I can control the appetite of my desires for things. Oh yes...there's an appetite -a craving to acquire more - it's the bigger, better, newer, latest, greatest syndrome. HELP ME JESUS!

The Spirit of the Lord is saying to me; "Chris, I have called you to Myself - setting you apart to be different, to think and live differently, to want and desire differently. I see your struggle and hear your hearts cry to be like Me. You know I am Your provider - your Blesser! I am your Rewarder so trust Me and keep longing to be like Me. Don't cave in to your earthly cravings - be watchful, serious and prayerful about your spending. I will give you strength to be a wise steward and then watch. Watch Me bless you. Stay near to Me and I will commune with you - satisfying your longings and exceeding your expectations."

PRAYER
All I can say is WOW God... Thanks for speaking to me this morning. May I heed Your warnings and abide in Your promises. I love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength!

My Friends, the tax collectors

10-27-08

SCRIPTURE
"While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him." (Mark 2:15)

OBSERVATION
I love Mark’s account of this situation with Jesus dining with sinners. He affirms that sinners need help. Jesus didn't come to make friends with the popular and highly esteemed. He came to make healthy, those who are sick in heart and separated from God. And those were the kind of people that were attracted to Jesus, anyway.

APPLICATION
It's not the size of my bank account, home, stature or brains that should attract people to Jesus. It will be dependent upon my willingness to hang out with those who are far from God. To share life with them, Love them, Serve them and attract them to Jesus.

This morning my heart is stirred to love those whom God has placed in my life who are not Christians. I have family members and people I meet with weekly who need Jesus. I want my life to attract them to the One who desires to dine with them.

To attract them to Jesus, I need to:
Pray for my friends who live their lives far from God
Reach out through acts of kindness and love
Be ready and bold to share my faith with them.
I need to keep looking for the open doors...and step in what prompted by the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER
LORD - Please help me to live in such a way that attracts people to Jesus. May my words and actions be a reflection of who You would be to them. I love You and need You.

What is my mission?

10-24-08
SCRIPTURE
"And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:22-24)

OBSERVATION
What is your mission? Paul knew his. And along with it came a willingness to sacrifice ... his safety, his comfort, his life. Regardless of the warnings signs that shouted out the dangers that stood in his way, he relentlessly pursued the assignment the Lord placed on his heart.

Sometimes I think we have a tendency to misunderstand what "sacrifice" really looks like. We surrender ourselves, if and only if there is a return for our sacrifice. Only if I get something out of the deal – attention, reward, pleasure, money, etc. Sometimes the response ends with this: “…and all I get in return is this?"

But, Paul provides us with a picture of unconditional sacrifice. It's not about receiving, but it's giving of ourselves:
regardless of the dangers,
regardless of the risks,
regardless of the rewards, or lack thereof.

It's giving without any expectation of returns. And it all hinges upon our understanding of our mission. When the mission is clear, we will give of ourselves no matter what the costs. Is my mission clear and compelling enough?

APPLICATION
What's my mission, my life-long mission? This is a question I need to ask myself daily. Each day will present me with choices that I need to make as to where I direct my time, my energy, my attention and resources. But, my decisions can't be based upon what I think I will get out of it. Each choice that I make must be based upon what I can give towards fulfilling my life-long mission as a husband, father and servant-leader. A sacrifice isn't truly a sacrifice, unless it costs. What am I willing to pay towards fulfilling my mission today?

PRAYER
Father, thank you for once again adjusting the focus of life for me. You reminded Paul "it is more blessed to give than to receive," let that reminder resonate in my ears and life as true for me today in all that I choose to do.

bald headed vow

10-23-08

SCRIPTURE
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. (Acts 18:18).

OBSERVATION
I wonder what the vow was that Paul had taken. In those days, a person would shave his head to remind him of the vow. This would be a daily reminder for as long as it would take for his hair to grow back. One month? Maybe two months? But daily, he'd rehearse that vow each time he would look into a mirror or scratched his head.

I wonder. I wonder what that vow was.

I know that Paul was being persecuted in every town he'd come to. It began as soon as he landed on Grecian soil. The Thessalonians drove him to Berea, and from there, he'd be escorted to the coast to avoid the Jewish lynch mobs. No sooner did he reach the coast, he would flee to Athens, and then onto Corinth. It would be here that the Jews would turn abusive, and Paul would leave a last time. And just before embarking for Syria, he made a vow.

What kind of vow? Why now? What was he so concerned about that needed a daily reminder?

It is never disclosed, it could be a vow not to quit, no matter how difficult life got. A vow to stay connected to God in such a way that he could stay engaged in life and advance the causes of Christ. Maybe it was a vow to remind him of God's promise in the night: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent..." Was it to remind him to stand fast and not cave into the demands of the Jews? Was it a promise he made to stay faithful to his assignment even unto death?

I think I'd have that tendency to quit, anyway! To let someone else share Christ with my neighbors. To stop preaching for a season. To hide myself away. In fact, didn't Job feel like that? In Job 13:21. He asks God of only two things: to remove the sufferings he'd been experiencing and to stop the threats that have been barraging his life.

I wonder if the vow was an internal covenant he made to stay true to who he was and to keep pressing forward regardless of the setbacks, discouragements, and non-receptivity.

The vow? I wonder.

APPLICATION
I need to hear from God about my future…And I need to make vows too. There will be many down turns in the road where I would like to bail out, to quit, or just to be involved on a more cautious, distant level. Keep it safe. Risk less. But it will need to be either all in, or all out for me. I cannot be lukewarm.

I don't know if I will cut my hair or shave my head or anything like that. Although I’m willing. But I want to write down what I sense the Lord asking of me in this season, and stick with it no matter what. I know the enemy would love to derail me, as he would anybody. But I will cut the covenant, make the vow, to remain true to His calling and assignment for me: To be a godly husband, dad, friend, son, brother, neighbor and pastor in such a way that God gets all the glory and is well pleased.

PRAYER
Dear Father,
Thank you for the vow you made to me. I choose to do the same with you. I want to serve You with a whole heart and a completely sold-out soul. Please help me to plot my next season out according to Your guidance and I will commit to following that while walking daily with You and dying daily to myself. Please send me a mentor to help encourage and admonish me to keep my vow.

How to Agree to Disagree

10-22-08
SCRIPTURE
"They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." (Acts 15:39-41)

OBSERVATION
This is juicy stuff. People love to watch a conflict unfold…especially if they are not involved in it. That’s why some of the reality TV shows are so popular. This just happens to be a real life conflict among distinguished, anointed, reputable leaders - Christian leaders that is. And in the Bible. Wow. I would've loved to have been on the scene when this "sharp disagreement" took place. I wonder what tone of voice, intensity of conviction and heart of love was being displayed? Did they resolve their conflict? Were they straight up real with each other? Did they sugar-coat their words? Paul and Baranabas definitely parted ways with their pick of companions.

APPLICATION
How often I've seen this in church life among Christians - leaders, servants - great hearted, well intentioned people who love God and are committed to His calling. Let's face it - tensions and sharp disagreements are real in our relationships and ministries at times. It’s not pretty. It’s messy.

In the passage above, it makes a reference to Paul being commended by brothers to the grace of the Lord and he went on strengthening churches. I'm not sure about what kind of resolve occurred but I do believe that one healthy key to agreeing to disagree, is to be commended by brothers in the Lord, held accountable and blessed by the grace of the Lord.

Couple of thoughts for me this morning:
When I'm in a disagreement with someone, get some accountability to hear God through my mentors. I can get dangerous when I'm in a "sharp disagreement." My tendency is to withdraw and paint the other person as worse than they really are. I start second guessing everything they do and say. I lose trust.

Don't lose sight of the calling and vision. It's easy to get side tracked from moving on into God's purposes when we deal with conflict. Paul moved on to strengthen churches and didn't neglect his assignment.

Maintain a pure, humble, gentle, truthful heart. Without compromising God's conviction, I must work through disagreements with a Christ-like heart.

Understand that the end result does not always mean that we end up with the same type of relationship going forward. Paul says in Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Not everyone wants to live at peace with me. So I’ve got to do everything in my power to do what’s right…but understand that the other person may have no interest in peace and reconciliation.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus. Thanks for speaking to me through Your Word. I ask for wisdom to hear Your voice whenever I encounter disagreeing situations. May I recognize that my enemy is not my brother or sister in Christ. Remind me that there is another battle going on and it’s not a battle against people…but a spiritual battle. The spirit of the enemy wants to divide relationships and devour our church. You are Lord of my life and I desire that you be Lord of my conflicts, too!

Make me Contagious

10-21-08

SCRIPTURE
The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. Acts13:49

OBSERVATION
I live in a region of North Carolina. The region includes much of Mecklenburg county, some of Iredale county, some of Lincoln county and some of Catawba county. That’s my region, essentially. So when Acts 13:49 says that the Word of the Lord spread through the whole region what does that look like today in the region I live in? What kind of environment would need to be in place for the Word of God to spread through such a vast territory? The word spread makes me think of a contagious strand of virus that is caught and moves quickly through families, neighborhoods, schools and work places. So this Word of God – the Good News that Jesus has come, lived among us, died and came back to life in order to give us LIFE should spread through our whole region. What’s my role in this contagious spreading of the Word of the Lord?

APPLICATION
I should be so contagious that whatever is inside of me that is of God, would spread like a virus. If that is going to be true of me, then I need to daily make sure that what is inside of me is in fact of God and should include: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, faithfulness, contentment, forgiveness, generosity, and gentleness…to name a few. If that is actually growing inside me…then that will spread “through the whole region” without effort. That’s part of the reason why I do the daily Life Journal. That’s why I weekly gather with the church on Sundays. That’s why I live with a trust and dependence on God. All of these exercises help me to live a contagious life that infects others with the Word of the Lord.

PRAYER
God. I want to be a part of a movement that spreads Your Word (which includes Your love) throughout this region I live in today. I can’t do it without You. I need You. Use me in such a way that would only point people to You. I also ask that You would somehow make the people of Radiant Life Fellowship just as contagious. Bless and multiply this effort to spread You throughout this region.

PRAY

10-20-08

SCRIPTURE
"So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God." (Acts 12:5)

"And when she recognized Peter's voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. And they said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was so. And they kept saying, "It is his angel." But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed." (Acts 12:14-16)

OBSERVATION
I can so relate to this. I have great intentions to pray fervently…but after a while, my prayers become mundane... repeating phrases I was taught as a kid “Thank you for this day” “Help me to…” type prayers. It’s really interesting, here, how in just a few short verses the "fervent prayers" of the saints for Peter's release turned into such an apathetic response. James had just been executed and it seemed that Peter was next. The urgency of the moment prompted a call for some desperate prayers and so they did. But, when the urgent became the mundane, apparently so did their faith. Their fervency faded. Their passion dissipated into one of disbelief. And I am so much like them.

What surprises me is how quickly they seemed to change in their attitude and belief about God's ability to answer their prayers. There was almost an unbelief to their belief much like the father in Mark 9:24, who when pleading with Jesus to heal his son, confessed "I do believe, help my unbelief."

But aren't we the same in many respects when it comes to our prayers to God – when the situation calls for desperate prayers, we cry out. But, when the urgency has passed, we fall back into our mundane prayer life…repeating the same sentences out of habit. It’s almost an unbelieving belief that God will answer our requests.

Our tendency is to do the same when it comes to our prayers for our finances, for physical healings, for restoration of relationships that haven't yet resolved themselves. It seems time has a way of washing away our passion for that which we initially petitioned before the Lord with urgency.

But, our prayers and the fervency by which we pray shouldn't be dictated by our circumstances, or by the passing of time. When we pray, shouldn't it be based on a faith that God will indeed answer? And when He does answer, shouldn't we be thankful rather than amazed?

APPLICATION
Today, I created a FACEBOOK page that will hopefully help connect prayer requests of people with pray-ers. Feel free to check it out and let the prayers flow. In the mean time, there are times when my unbelieving belief gets in the way of standing firm on the faithfulness of my God. The greatest opposition to my prayers isn't necessarily Satan, or anyone else; it's my unbelief that God can do exactly what He says He will do. It really comes down to my belief that God is good. So, even if my prayers don’t get the answer I was looking for from God…can I still believe that God is good? I cannot allow my faith to be dictated by my circumstances. I must trust in an unfailing, faithful and good God with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding.

PRAYER
Father, forgive me for allowing my circumstances to dictate the level of my faith in my prayers to you. I do believe; help my unbelief. Just as You have instructed, to "ask, seek and knock" I will keep believing. Thank you for being my faithful Father.

integrity and honor under pressure

10-17-08

SCRIPTURE
Job 1:9-11 9"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

Acts 7:59-60 "As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died."

OBSERVATION
This morning we read about 2 men who both suffered for doing the right thing. Both Job and Stephen loved God and lived lives in service to Him, but ultimately they paid a huge price for their beliefs. We're taught that God is love and that He protects us, but often we have the wrong definition of love and protection - we imprint the world's definition of these traits on to God and expect that He operate in a way that we are familiar and comfortable.

God didn't love them any less because He allowed them to suffer. Quite the opposite, as we see in the conversation between God and Satan. Job was a sterling example of someone who loved and worshiped God for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer. He understood the relationship between man and an all-powerful God, Creator of the universe - he understood that we must simply submit to our Creator's will.

Stephen also understood the reason for his persecution and attack. His response, like Job's was admirable and inspiring. He knew the possible consequences of his bold words to the council and yet he didn't back down or compromise the message and in the chaos of the riot that broke out, his faced shined with the brightness of an angel and he prayed to God that these murderers be forgiven of their actions.

APPLICATION
What can I learn from these 2 extraordinary men? I need to ask the Lord to strengthen my character. When I'm tested and stressed, what comes out of me? Do I have integrity and honor under pressure? Would I worship and praise my Lord and God under mental, spiritual or physical suffering or pain? I must have an understanding and a faith that can withstand temporal ups and downs, while not losing my compassion for those around me. These are qualities that will help me be a better husband, dad, leader and a better servant.

PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
May I praise you in blue skies and in storms. In the desert and in the garden times of life. Please create in me a depth of character that will please You. Thank You for the many blessings. May I represent You well in my family, neighborhood and church.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Prayers of Boldness

10-15-08

SCRIPTURE
"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." (Acts 4:29)

OBSERVATION
Peter and John had been roughed up and threatened by the big wig rulers of Israel. The message of Jesus was their goal to make known among people but they were met with heavy resistance. Peter and John's courage rubbed off on other believers – and they prayed boldly. They didn’t do a preemptive strike or slander the resistance. They prayed. Taking to God became their courage and strength.

APPLICATION
Peter, John and the prayer above is rubbing off on my heart. I feel the Lord calling me out to "bring it!" To bring the great message of salvation and Life found in Jesus to those around me.

It’s not easy.

To what degree am I willing to be a bold witness? Internally, it seems that my fear of failure or rejection is a motivating factor to be a wimp in witnessing for the Lord.

This morning, I place my heart before the Lord – the desire to be a bold witness, not shaken or rattled by my own internal threats. I'm not even being persecuted for witnessing – probably because I'm not witnessing enough. I want to do more – say more – I want to be more than I am in the area of sharing my faith in public. I used to be so much more bold – forgive me Lord! Give me more chances to be bold for you.

Please challenge the people of Radiant Life Fellowship to pray prayers of great boldness.

PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Help me to bring Your message (with courage and love) to others. Help me not just to live out my Christianity, but to speak it out, being a bold witness for You. Help me to be led by Your Spirit as I relate to people who need You. I need You in order to do this.

A Covenant

10-14-08

SCRIPTURE
"In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it." (Nehemiah 9:38)

OBSERVATION
Even in our culture, it is wise to bring people back to covenant, through accountability, signing off on binding agreements and sealing our commitment with one another.

APPLICATION
When I complete forms, put my signature on documents making a commitment to a contract, letter, consent form --- even email, I am extending my hearts commitment. My intentions and follow through are now in writing. When Jenny & I signed off on our mortgage, we are held completely responsible, accountable to its agreement. We signed our marriage certificate together committing our lives to each other “for better of worse, in good times and bad, sickness and health, in times of great wealth and in times of poverty keeping myself for her only, as long as we both shall live.

At Radiant Life Fellowship, we covenant together to pursue LIFE in 6 Directions. It's a simple covenant. But it's a way we commit to be the church. Anyone is welcome to check out our covenant and decide to join us on this journey.

How much more as I write in this journal this morning, unto You Lord - I commit my thoughts, heart and life to live by Your commands.

This morning I feel Your prompting to commit my heart to:
1) Consistently evaluate my life by asking You more often during the day –
"How am I doing with You?" “Am I looking and acting and living more and more like You each day?”
2) To call leaders (people I shepherd and lead) to a stronger, greater accountability to spiritual disciplines. I want to lead by example and by bringing out the best in those leaders around me.
3) I renew my covenant with my wife and kids to be fully present and disciple them in this season of change.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus...How I long to be transformed - to look, act, talk, think and be like You! Help me to follow through with the covenant I've made with You this morning.

Rise above your Past

10-13-08

SCRIPTURE
"But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words." (Acts 2:14)

OBSERVATION
Is it any surprise that it was Peter who stepped forward to become the spokesman for the others? After all, wasn't it Peter who seemed to suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder as he stepped out of the boat, but couldn't keep his focus on Jesus and nearly drowned?
Wasn't this the same Peter who fell asleep in the garden with his fellow disciples, when they were supposed to keep watch for the Lord, who was suffering through His toughest challenge? Wasn't this the same Peter who, although proclaimed his allegiance to Jesus, denied any association with Him three times?

Yet Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, was able to rise above and beyond his past.

APPLICATION
I can relate with Peter in many respects. To see his radical reversal from all his mess-ups and failures, to becoming one of the greatest leaders of the New Testament church. This assures me of the promises that God is indeed "a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness" (Neh. 9:17), which gives me hope.

After all, like Peter, there have been occasions where my surrounding circumstances have drawn my attention away from Him I’ve lost focus. I found myself drowning in my own fears, worries, and insecurities. There have been occasions where I have "fallen asleep"-- my sensors have been dulled by busyness, poor time management, tiredness. Where I've failed to keep my spirit refreshed and attentive to be able to fulfill what He's asked of me in my marriage, with my family, with my responsibilities in ministry. And there have been times where I failed to heed His warnings and failed to trust the promptings He's placed on my heart, just to do it my way, and finding myself discouraged and disheartened.

But, Peter gives me hope. Just as he was able to rise above his past, so must I. And just as the Holy Spirit empowered him to do so, my reliance must also be upon the strength and power of Him to move past my past and into the future that He has for me.

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your lovingkindness that never gives up on me. Forgive me for my past-- for times that I have neglected you and failed to trust in your ways. Forgive me for failing to keep my eyes away from distractions that have surrounded me. Empower me to become all that you desire me to be. Refresh me in your Holy Spirit today. Give me LIFE, here and now and COURAGE to point my friends to You: the Life Giver.

Teaching Series @ Radiant Life Fellowship

Here's a peak at our latest teaching series @ Radiant Life Fellowship.

SUNDAY’S IN OCTOBER: “FOOD”
October 5th – Food Part 1 (1 Thes. 4:14)
“death brings life”

October 12th – Food Part 2 (Genesis 3)
“lust promises what it can’t deliver”

October 19th – Food Part 3 (Romans 7)
“what you consume matters”

October 26th – Food Part 4 (Genesis 25)
“birthright and the bowl of red soup”

Sunday's
5-6:30PM
412 Armour Street
Davidson, NC 28036

An Invitation to YOU

I’d like to invite you to come check out Radiant Life Fellowship for yourself.

SUNDAY’S
5-6:30PM (We’re the church that meets on Sunday nights)
412 Armour St.
Davidson, NC 28036

We are a community of
the broken, the messy
the hopeful, the doubters
the desperate
the seekers
and the followers.

Step in and look closely.
Step in—but step and turn to the right or to the left now,
whichever is opposite your standard routine.

Look closely.

Next to the teenager [wearing shorts and flip flops] is a man [starched collar with an executive air]; just a few seats away from them is another man [tattoos on his arms and neck], and a few seats back is a couple [older, grayer]. Across the room from them is a couple [not married] sitting at the same table with another couple [celebrating their 23rd wedding anniversary next month]. A bunch of kids [with lots of energy] sit anticipating their time at THE GROVE.

A single mom [shiny high heels] is directly across the room from another couple who are unable to have children [jogging pants and tennis shoes], and between them a child [blinking sneakers] swings his feet above the floor in the place where he sits among the blue chairs set up around our facility, outfitted to host a church.

Step in. Look closely and see: all of us are covered in the same dust.

We are a community of people with ordinary differences and eccentricities, with gaps and divisions, with doubts, fears and insecurities—but what unites us is our common pulse of need. We all need food to eat, water to drink, a roof overhead. We need a purpose and a place to be; we need truth and meaning; we need rest and relief and saving. We need people around us who can look and see like Jesus did, who can notice and stand alongside us, who can give of themselves.

The need is what makes us human. Sharing the need is what makes us church.

Our weekly gathering for worship (Sunday's from 5-6:30PM) simply a piece of who we are called to be. As disciples of Jesus, church is what happens as we serve each other and serve side by side throughout the week. We learn together how to love and live as the body of Christ. Consider covenanting with us along this journey.

Serve; and carry a Sword?

SCRIPTURE
"Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked" (Nehemiah 4:18).

OBSERVATION
This has got to be one of my favorite verses in Nehemiah!

So here they are ... working with a trowel of cement in one hand and a sword in the other. Sanbalat and Tobiah stationed themselves against them. They opposed the work of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Why? Their anger was ignited because they saw progress! Now that's about as malicious as you can get! But jealousy and envy are twins in the subtle war that destroys people and relationships. Envy is so powerful that even though you see something as good, you will be unable to benefit from it. Envy sucks the Joy & Gratitude right out of your life. It will debilitate your growth and stunt your future. It will withhold from you anything good ... especially if it gives credit to another. Envy demands credit and jealousy will not share it with anyone else. And if it cannot get the credit, no one else will either.

Ezekiel 8:5 defines jealousy, not as an emotion, but as an idol. It is a spirit that attacks us all.

"Then He said to me, "Son of man, raise your eyes now toward the north." So I raised my eyes toward the north, and behold, to the north of the altar gate was this idol of jealousy at the entrance."

APPLICATION
And I wonder if sometimes that enemy is within me ... it could have infiltrated my own soul and I must be aware of the vices of my own heart. Jealousy can destroy me from within. Read what Nehemiah records about their enemy's strategy: "Also our enemies said, 'Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.'" The enemy's subtle, and hides well. It could be lurking within us even now! Observe and be aware.

We must learn to build with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other. Peter reminds us to be on the alert, for the devil is like a prowling lion seeking those he may devour. Solomon weighs in and reminds us that the "woman of folly" sits by the way ... "Calling to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight." No, she doesn't go after the crooked ones. It's the ones trying to straighten their paths out that becomes allures her.

It would sure be nice if, as soon as we decide to serve God and rebuild a marriage, our relationships, our consciences or our faith, that life just immediately smoothed out. There would be such a vote of confidence from heaven that we'd hit no air pockets, no dropped calls, everyone says "Good morning" to you, everyone likes you, it's my birthday, and I win the lottery.

Ain’t gonna happen like that.

Instead, the enemy goes on the warpath. Jealous people get mad and envious eyes begin to squint in your direction. It’s just a part of rebuilding.

So rebuild
your marriage,
your finances,
your broken relationships,
your family,
your integrity,
with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other.
It can be done.
The temple was magnificent for the Jews, and it can be the same for us.

PRAYER
God. I thank you for allowing us opportunities to rebuild what’s been broken.

The Hand of the Lord my God was on me...

SCRIPTURE
"...Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me" (Ezra 7:28).

OBSERVATION
I noticed that the hand of God was on Ezra. That gave him courage. He received his requests and he succeeded. Everything fell in place because of the hand of the Lord being on his life. Now, this didn't excuse him from hard work. He still had to log his requests with the King. He still had to organize. He still had to make the long, arduous journey to Jerusalem. He still had to fast, be on guard, and be wise. But you can still do all of the above, and if the hand of God is not on us, we would not succeed.

APPLICATION
The same is true today. I have been a student of the hand of God for many years, and I have seen His blessing poured out on some, and I have similarly seen his Hand removed from others.

I have seen brilliantly funded and executed endeavors fall flat. On the other hand, I have seen unlikely people do something, and I have watched God bless it beyond compare. There have been times I have been and experienced both extremes.

Today I talked and cried on the phone with my brother and his wife over the news that their unborn baby girl has been diagnoses with Trisome 18…a rare defect that most likely will end her little life either before she is born or shortly after. It’s heart-wrenching.

But even in the midst of this grim news, I can confidently say that God’s hand is on my brother, Andy, and his wife Lois and their two daughter’s lives. They are grieving and yet they have hope that God is still loving and gracious. They recognize the weight of this news and in the same conversation, my brother talked about how he was concerned for his neighbor who was not a Jesus follower… “How we respond to this crisis, in our family, will say a lot about what we believe about our God. Our own kids will come through this with an image of God based on how we respond to this.”

Now, I don’t understand it all. And then again, maybe I am not supposed to. But I know that without God's presence and without His hand, we can do nothing. It’s obvious to me that the hand of God is on Andy, Lois, Madeline and Meredith. I pray it is obvious to them and others as well.

PRAYER
Lord, comfort my brother and his family with the overwhelming sense of Your presence, peace and wisdom. As a result of Your hand being on their lives, give them courage. I ask that you would see my brothers and his family as you did Ezra (in this situation) and may people proclaim that the Hand of the Lord was on their life.

Misconceptions

10-06-08

SCRIPTURE

Luke 19:14 "But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' 15 "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. (Luke 19:14-15).

OBSERVATION

Check it out. When I’ve read this parable before, I’ve always focused on what the servants did with what they were given. But according to this, some of the servants actually hated the would-be king. I don't know if they all felt that way, but upon his return, he'd have to weed them out. The way he did that was by giving them responsibilities and resources to invest.

Regardless of their opinions about him, the newly crowned king returned, and the evaluations began. He would uncover those who rejected him by the way they carried out their responsibilities! I never saw noticed this before, but the proof of their relationship to the king was what they did with what they were given.

The first one was diligent. He made wise choices and carried out the King's commands. This servant was commended as was the second. However, the third had a different story ... an excuse as to why things didn't pan out. He had a wrong picture of the king and it affected everything about him.

'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are ... (and here's the misperception) ... a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' (verse 20)

He had a misconstrued view of the king. His conclusions painted him as a ruthless person. He didn't see the real person. I have noticed that when we misconstrue (prejudge) people, we can come to dislike or even hate them without ever really knowing them. Actually, we aren’t hating a "person" as much as our picture of that person. We then project that misperceived image onto him or her, and we are now convinced they are as we see them. We even spend energy spreading our misperceptions to others. It gets out of control. But I’m glad these things only happen in parables.

APPLICATION

Those misperceptions can come about due to jealousy, envy, or personal covetousness, and the wages of these sins always bring death. It affects our production and our relationships, and more than not, it is very difficult to remedy. We have so convinced ourselves that the perception is true, and we carry that with us regardless of how others may try to convince us otherwise.
It is written: " Love thinks the best..." (1 Corinthians 13) Love wins.

1 Corinthians 13 reminds us of a quality of love that many Christians forget. I must do my best to always think the best of people. Oh yes, I will not be gullible, but I must be sure to picture people the way Jesus would.

PRAYER

Jesus, You are my King. You have given me resources to steward: family, friends, neighbors, house, salary, stuff, and church. I will invest them for Your Kingdom's sake and look forward to Your return. Help me to live out my love for You in the way I live. Please teach me to use what You have entrusted to me with wisdom. Also, mentor me to see people correctly. Help me to dispel any misperceptions so that I can see each person the way You do.
In Jesus' name, Amen

carry my cross

10-01-08

SCRIPTURE
Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

OBSERVATION
Carrying my cross alludes to a death. I have to die in order to really follow Jesus as His disciple. But this verse is not advocating suicide (taking my own life) since Jesus came to give us life abundantly. But there is stuff inside of me (greed, pride, judgmental attitudes, self-centeredness, discontent, impatience, lust, hatred...) that has to die in order for real LIFE to live in and through me. Death leads to Life.

APPLICATION
I've got to die daily. It's a discipline. Over time, the old me (which should be dying) will give way to the Life Jesus promised I could live. A life full of love, hope and faith. The greatest of these is love. Love wins.

PRAYER
Father, I desire to have and live Life as Your follower. Show me areas that still need to die inside me. Then give me the courage to live Life as a follower. Lead me.