"Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, " This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" Luke 9:35
Imagine being on the mountain of transfiguration and seeing wonders never before seen by anyone. Our Lord, with whom the disciples walked, was for the first time revealed in his glorified state. To compound this, they saw men of their own history (Elijah and Moses), revealed, present and talking with the Lord. This must have been a sight their minds could scarcely contain.
Jesus' closest friends thought it appropriate to build three tabernacles to commemorate this occasion. It was then when God Himself spoke those immortal words.
You see beloved, the apostles, even after the time spent with him, still did not fully understand who Jesus is. Tabernacles are worship places. They were conceived and designed by God for His worship. Ultimately, they gave way to Temples. The apostles, in their enthusiasm, were ready to set up worship places for other men. As famous, historical and spiritual as they were, they were still just men.
Sometimes it is necessary for God to redirect us. Too often we want to worship the wrong thing or person. There is only one God. He has only one begotten son. It is in him whom we live, move and have our very being. Though it will be exciting to one day see Moses, Elijah and all of our other spiritual forefathers and heroes, it is Jesus who will have made it possible through his ultimate sacrifice. It is all and only about him.
In Revival,
Lee
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Value of "Church"-DD 11/30/2010
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Isa 2:3
It has been said that church (organized corporate worship) is fading into irrelevance. Today there are so many distractions that take away from our coming together. People are choosing social media to connect. Many stay at home and watch televangelists, citing no need to go to a house of worship. Then there are those that consider the Christian lifestyle and the belief in Jesus Christ as too restrictive and tend toward a more open "spirituality." Finally, there are those who do not believe at all. These are the folks you see playing golf, going to the gym, tailgating at professional sporting events, etc., on your way to worship.
Somewhere along the way we have forgotten (or turned our backs on) the importance of worship. There was a time when this was the center of our lives. Our social, spiritual and even physical needs were met via the gathering of ourselves together. The church was with whom we communed while communing with God.
Beloved, there is no substitute for our corporate worship: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Heb 10:23-25. Let us always endeavor to meet together and learn of our God and then share what we have learned with all whom we meet.
In Revival,
Lee
It has been said that church (organized corporate worship) is fading into irrelevance. Today there are so many distractions that take away from our coming together. People are choosing social media to connect. Many stay at home and watch televangelists, citing no need to go to a house of worship. Then there are those that consider the Christian lifestyle and the belief in Jesus Christ as too restrictive and tend toward a more open "spirituality." Finally, there are those who do not believe at all. These are the folks you see playing golf, going to the gym, tailgating at professional sporting events, etc., on your way to worship.
Somewhere along the way we have forgotten (or turned our backs on) the importance of worship. There was a time when this was the center of our lives. Our social, spiritual and even physical needs were met via the gathering of ourselves together. The church was with whom we communed while communing with God.
Beloved, there is no substitute for our corporate worship: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Heb 10:23-25. Let us always endeavor to meet together and learn of our God and then share what we have learned with all whom we meet.
In Revival,
Lee
Monday, November 29, 2010
What Have You Done For Me Lately?-DD 11/29/2010
"As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10
So often in life today, people are concerned first and only about themselves. To borrow a phrase from a popular entertainer, "I've got mine [fool], you gotta get yours!" This is the epitome of worldliness. It has everything to do with selfishness, greed, materialism and a complete disregard for the needs of others. This is outside what Christ has called us to be.
In reality, God has given us all various gifts and talents. No one possesses them all and no one is without one or more. What most fail to realize is that those gifts are not for ourselves alone but for the benefit of others.
Beloved, consider this thought: if everyone looked to the needs of his brother and sister, no one would have unmet needs. Surely this is a righteous thought that leads to righteous acts. The Lord has said, "Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things (the meeting of your needs) will be added unto you." His work and His promises are revealed in us, particularly when we obey His commands. Remember, we are to love one another as Christ has loved us.
In Revival,
Lee
So often in life today, people are concerned first and only about themselves. To borrow a phrase from a popular entertainer, "I've got mine [fool], you gotta get yours!" This is the epitome of worldliness. It has everything to do with selfishness, greed, materialism and a complete disregard for the needs of others. This is outside what Christ has called us to be.
In reality, God has given us all various gifts and talents. No one possesses them all and no one is without one or more. What most fail to realize is that those gifts are not for ourselves alone but for the benefit of others.
Beloved, consider this thought: if everyone looked to the needs of his brother and sister, no one would have unmet needs. Surely this is a righteous thought that leads to righteous acts. The Lord has said, "Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things (the meeting of your needs) will be added unto you." His work and His promises are revealed in us, particularly when we obey His commands. Remember, we are to love one another as Christ has loved us.
In Revival,
Lee
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
If the Lord Wills-DD11/24/2010 (repost)
"Come now, you who say, " Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, " If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." James 4:13-15
In this day and age, we busy ourselves with all kinds of pursuits. They are many and varied in their content and scope. These activities often involve setting goals, creating action steps and measuring impact or results. This is what every job teaches us to do. That training filters into our family life and becomes who we are.
I submit to you that there is a missing component in all of our grand planning. Too often, we fail to consult God. Surely he has equipped us with ability, however, the greater gift is His ability. The scriptures are replete with examples of times and events where God's direction was sought in prayer and times when it was not.
To be clear, prayer does not guarantee the success of our plans. The point is that He may have other plans for us or the situation. We are but a small component of the His grand plan and we do not often see or understand our place in it. This is where faith comes in. We must rely upon our Father to know what is best and to do what is best.
When you plan pray. When you pray always pray that your righteous desires will fit within the will of the Almighty.
In Revival,
In this day and age, we busy ourselves with all kinds of pursuits. They are many and varied in their content and scope. These activities often involve setting goals, creating action steps and measuring impact or results. This is what every job teaches us to do. That training filters into our family life and becomes who we are.
I submit to you that there is a missing component in all of our grand planning. Too often, we fail to consult God. Surely he has equipped us with ability, however, the greater gift is His ability. The scriptures are replete with examples of times and events where God's direction was sought in prayer and times when it was not.
To be clear, prayer does not guarantee the success of our plans. The point is that He may have other plans for us or the situation. We are but a small component of the His grand plan and we do not often see or understand our place in it. This is where faith comes in. We must rely upon our Father to know what is best and to do what is best.
When you plan pray. When you pray always pray that your righteous desires will fit within the will of the Almighty.
In Revival,
Lee
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Friends In Deed-DD 11/23/2010
"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him." Job 2:11
Beloved, we all experience times when things seem to be at the worst. Despite our best efforts (and sometimes because of our worst efforts), we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death. To be sure, this is a metaphor for difficult times.
We all have our own way of handling these times. John the Baptist, while in prison, sent his disciples to the Lord to inquire whether he was the expected Messiah. Gideon asked for a sign from the Lord. Most of us, however, look to our trusted friends.
When Job was at the lowest of low points, 3 of his good friends came to comfort him. What a blessing friends and brothers can be at times like these. We are told in the word of God that we are to bear one another's burdens. We are also told to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. The truth is, we need each other. We need to know the privilege of serving others when they are in need and the humility of accepting help when we are in need.
Perhaps the greatest example of all was Jesus. In his darkest hour, he was accompanied by three friends. It is true that they slept on the job a bit, but they were there, just as they so frequently had been. May the Lord be thanked for true friends that are there when needed.
In Revival,
Lee
Beloved, we all experience times when things seem to be at the worst. Despite our best efforts (and sometimes because of our worst efforts), we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death. To be sure, this is a metaphor for difficult times.
We all have our own way of handling these times. John the Baptist, while in prison, sent his disciples to the Lord to inquire whether he was the expected Messiah. Gideon asked for a sign from the Lord. Most of us, however, look to our trusted friends.
When Job was at the lowest of low points, 3 of his good friends came to comfort him. What a blessing friends and brothers can be at times like these. We are told in the word of God that we are to bear one another's burdens. We are also told to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. The truth is, we need each other. We need to know the privilege of serving others when they are in need and the humility of accepting help when we are in need.
Perhaps the greatest example of all was Jesus. In his darkest hour, he was accompanied by three friends. It is true that they slept on the job a bit, but they were there, just as they so frequently had been. May the Lord be thanked for true friends that are there when needed.
In Revival,
Lee
Monday, November 22, 2010
Fulfilling Our Ministry-DD 11/22/2010
"But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Tim 4:5
While incarcerated, Paul wrote two letters to his young protege, Timothy. Among the final thing he had to say in life were these last words of encouragement to a young preacher charged with a great responsibility.
Though many who pursue the ministry use the "Timothies" as a "how to" manual, there are words of wisdom for us all. We are, in fact, a royal priesthood to whom all of the word of God applies. For instance, Timothy is advised to be sober. This means to be watchful. We should always keep an eye out for any type of threat to the cause of Christ and our own steadfastness. Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Those threats, as outlined in both letters, were both internal and external to the church and the person.
He then advises endurance through hardship. The scripture is replete with advisements even from Christ that the Christian life is not always a walk in the park. Being a minister certainly has its challenges. Being a Christian living a godly life likewise involves joys, heartaches, temptations and triumphs. The key, however, is to not allow those challenges to derail you from the faith.
What is the work of an evangelist but to share the word of God with a world of sin sick people? We are all familiar with the Great Commission. As Christians, we are obligated to teach, baptize and teach again. As the glorious benefits of the Lord were shared with us, so should we pass it forward.
Finally beloved, we are to fulfill our ministry. There is not one of us who does not have one. God has gifted us each with certain gifts and abilities. This gives us both the opportunity and the responsibility to employ these blessings for the expansion of the borders of the Kingdom and the benefit of others. It is not enough for us to simply claim Christianity, we must be what we claim. This can only be accomplished by demonstrating our faith by our works. Let us consider these things.
In Revival,
Lee
While incarcerated, Paul wrote two letters to his young protege, Timothy. Among the final thing he had to say in life were these last words of encouragement to a young preacher charged with a great responsibility.
Though many who pursue the ministry use the "Timothies" as a "how to" manual, there are words of wisdom for us all. We are, in fact, a royal priesthood to whom all of the word of God applies. For instance, Timothy is advised to be sober. This means to be watchful. We should always keep an eye out for any type of threat to the cause of Christ and our own steadfastness. Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Those threats, as outlined in both letters, were both internal and external to the church and the person.
He then advises endurance through hardship. The scripture is replete with advisements even from Christ that the Christian life is not always a walk in the park. Being a minister certainly has its challenges. Being a Christian living a godly life likewise involves joys, heartaches, temptations and triumphs. The key, however, is to not allow those challenges to derail you from the faith.
What is the work of an evangelist but to share the word of God with a world of sin sick people? We are all familiar with the Great Commission. As Christians, we are obligated to teach, baptize and teach again. As the glorious benefits of the Lord were shared with us, so should we pass it forward.
Finally beloved, we are to fulfill our ministry. There is not one of us who does not have one. God has gifted us each with certain gifts and abilities. This gives us both the opportunity and the responsibility to employ these blessings for the expansion of the borders of the Kingdom and the benefit of others. It is not enough for us to simply claim Christianity, we must be what we claim. This can only be accomplished by demonstrating our faith by our works. Let us consider these things.
In Revival,
Lee
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Reality of Temptation-DD 11/19/2010
"But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." James 1:14-15
Back in the seventies, there was a popular saying, "The Devil made me do it." The originator of this phrase is lost to history but it was certainly made popular by comedian Flip Wilson. In a time of free love, drug experimentation, social change, etc., it was indicative of the struggle we have with right versus wrong. The phrase itself indicates an awareness and perhaps even a regret at having committed some act. But it simultaneously shifts the blame and provides an excuse.
Today, we still employ a form of this mentality. We should know, however, that long before today, or the seventies for that matter, God saw to it that this fallacy was addressed.
Back in the seventies, there was a popular saying, "The Devil made me do it." The originator of this phrase is lost to history but it was certainly made popular by comedian Flip Wilson. In a time of free love, drug experimentation, social change, etc., it was indicative of the struggle we have with right versus wrong. The phrase itself indicates an awareness and perhaps even a regret at having committed some act. But it simultaneously shifts the blame and provides an excuse.
Today, we still employ a form of this mentality. We should know, however, that long before today, or the seventies for that matter, God saw to it that this fallacy was addressed.
- James advised submission to God and resistance to Satan: "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
- Jesus put Satan in his place: "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me:" Matt 16:23
- Jesus also responded with the word of God: "It is written," Matt 4:4
- Joseph was wise enough to run away: "And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside." Gen 39:12
Beloved, Satan cannot make any of us do a single thing. Though he uses influence, we make the choice. Let us not look to blame anyone or anything for the things that we choose to do or not do. It starts and ends with us.
In Revival,
Lee
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