"forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:13-14
It seems that there is always a lot of excitement surrounding the coming of the new year. Books, magazines, websites and television shows occupy themselves with the year that was. It is a time of reflection. It is a time to celebrate the year's victories, to let go of the defeats and even to say goodbye to those who have passed during the previous 12 months.
It is also a chance to look forward. There is a sense of newness regarding potential, challenges, opportunities and efforts to accomplish goals. Most everyone has high hopes for the new year and make plans to start fresh. Even the common greeting of "Happy New Year" is indicative of the optimism we share and the well wishes we extend to one another.
As Christians, there is every reason for us to share this optimism. The foundation of our faith is built upon leaving behind what was and pursuing what is ahead of us. We were brought out of the darkness of our sinful past into the light of God's love wherein we abide still. We were lost and without hope in this world, but have not been adopted into the family of God. We were destined to suffer the wrath but are now made to sit with Christ in heavenly places. Every single day that is granted to us, be it June 30th or January 1st, is a wonderful wonderful gift.
Beloved, though reflecting on the past, be it good or bad, has its value, it is far better to look forward. It is not where you start in life, it is where you are when it ends that truly counts. May we all continue to enjoy the richest of spiritual blessings and look forward to doing great things for Him who saved us in the coming year.
Happy New Year!
In Revival,
Lee
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Word-DD 12/30/2010
"like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation," 1 Peter 2:2
There have always been those who feel that the word of God needs supplementation. Everyone has their view, opinion and interpretation of the already inerrant scriptures and wants to share them with anyone who will listen. Books have been written, television shows produced and movies made that propagate these views and often draw us away from the original source.
Beloved, the word of God stands on its own. It is a good and perfect gift that could not possibly contain God but tells us all we need to know to have a relationship with Him. It is estimated that 100 million bibles are sold every year. This does not include those that are simply given away. Whatever anyone writes on, about or for the bible pales in comparison.
It is important that we approach the bible like the manual of the soul that it is. It contains the very words of life. We should be drawn to it like heat to flame, for all things were made by being spoken into existence. But the God of the bible took what he spoke, formed it by His hands and breathed life into it. As we are products of the word, let us always desire it. In it is found not only our origins but our eternity.
In Revival,
Lee
There have always been those who feel that the word of God needs supplementation. Everyone has their view, opinion and interpretation of the already inerrant scriptures and wants to share them with anyone who will listen. Books have been written, television shows produced and movies made that propagate these views and often draw us away from the original source.
Beloved, the word of God stands on its own. It is a good and perfect gift that could not possibly contain God but tells us all we need to know to have a relationship with Him. It is estimated that 100 million bibles are sold every year. This does not include those that are simply given away. Whatever anyone writes on, about or for the bible pales in comparison.
It is important that we approach the bible like the manual of the soul that it is. It contains the very words of life. We should be drawn to it like heat to flame, for all things were made by being spoken into existence. But the God of the bible took what he spoke, formed it by His hands and breathed life into it. As we are products of the word, let us always desire it. In it is found not only our origins but our eternity.
In Revival,
Lee
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Reputation vs. Reality-DD 12/29/2010
"I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." Rev 3:1
It is popular these days to ensure that we manage our image and create the proper impression. It is not nearly as important to some that their be sincerity and truth underneath these images and impressions. It is not about what is real, but what is perceived. Because of this we are less and less shocked when the mask is removed from our heroes.
This is not a new problem. Thousands of years ago, Christ instructed the Apostle John to pen these words and send them to Sardis, one of the seven churches in Asia. They were known for being a church with all of the right appearances but incomplete works that were seemingly driven by an effort to maintain their reputation.
Beloved, let us not be guilty of this charge in either our personal or corporate lives. It would be better to be known as a scoundrel who is trying to improve than one who claims to be righteous who is really a scoundrel. Let us live up to our calling rather than down to the lowest common denominator. In truth, we are not nearly as successful at maintaining the mask as we delude ourselves into thinking. And even if we are successful in fooling the world, Jesus has said, "I know."
In Revival,
Lee
It is popular these days to ensure that we manage our image and create the proper impression. It is not nearly as important to some that their be sincerity and truth underneath these images and impressions. It is not about what is real, but what is perceived. Because of this we are less and less shocked when the mask is removed from our heroes.
This is not a new problem. Thousands of years ago, Christ instructed the Apostle John to pen these words and send them to Sardis, one of the seven churches in Asia. They were known for being a church with all of the right appearances but incomplete works that were seemingly driven by an effort to maintain their reputation.
Beloved, let us not be guilty of this charge in either our personal or corporate lives. It would be better to be known as a scoundrel who is trying to improve than one who claims to be righteous who is really a scoundrel. Let us live up to our calling rather than down to the lowest common denominator. In truth, we are not nearly as successful at maintaining the mask as we delude ourselves into thinking. And even if we are successful in fooling the world, Jesus has said, "I know."
In Revival,
Lee
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Disagreeing Without Being Disagreeable-DD 12/29/2010
"And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." Acts 15:39-41
The truth is that we will not always agree. The bible is our guide in so many ways, but there are many areas that are not specific and are up for interpretation.
In this case, there were two very good friends and brothers in the faith who separated over whether or not to include a young disciple. They both felt so strongly about their polar opposite opinions that they did not continue their work together.
On the face of it, this may seem a tragedy, in reality, however, it is not. You see beloved, the work continued, the number of young "interns" were doubled and separately, the two duos were able to cover more territory and do more work than might otherwise have been possible. Neither of these men who were so strong in the faith and so critical to the growth of the church were dissuaded from the faith because of their difficulties. They continued on.
Some may separate from us due to differences of opinion, but as long as the cause of Christ is served and the spreading of the gospel continues, we must trust that all things are working together for good as part of God's grand design. Let us also not give up hope on maintaining our fellowship one with another. Later, Paul reunited with Mark and described him as being valuable to his work. One way or the other, we will see each other again as long as we remain in Him.
In Revival,
Lee
The truth is that we will not always agree. The bible is our guide in so many ways, but there are many areas that are not specific and are up for interpretation.
In this case, there were two very good friends and brothers in the faith who separated over whether or not to include a young disciple. They both felt so strongly about their polar opposite opinions that they did not continue their work together.
On the face of it, this may seem a tragedy, in reality, however, it is not. You see beloved, the work continued, the number of young "interns" were doubled and separately, the two duos were able to cover more territory and do more work than might otherwise have been possible. Neither of these men who were so strong in the faith and so critical to the growth of the church were dissuaded from the faith because of their difficulties. They continued on.
Some may separate from us due to differences of opinion, but as long as the cause of Christ is served and the spreading of the gospel continues, we must trust that all things are working together for good as part of God's grand design. Let us also not give up hope on maintaining our fellowship one with another. Later, Paul reunited with Mark and described him as being valuable to his work. One way or the other, we will see each other again as long as we remain in Him.
In Revival,
Lee
Monday, December 27, 2010
Being Connected-DD 12/27/2010
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." John 15:4
Contemplate our lives without Christ. What meaning would there be? What hope would there be? It is only through our lives in him that we realize our purpose, potential and prize.
Our purpose in life is to glorify Him who created us. We can only accomplish this by having a relationship with the son. This is what is meant by "abiding." As Christians, Christ lives in us and we live through him.
Our potential is to bear fruit. The seed of God's word and His love has been planted in the fertile soil of our hearts. This seed must grow down to become rooted and grow up to have life. Having been exposed to the sun, we are to grow to produce fruit, the works of Him who sent us. Inside this fruit are even more seeds for planting, growing and producing.
Finally beloved, is the prize. The prize is the promise of everlasting life with him whom we are connected. Through this connection flows the very essence of our lives. With him, our lives are eternal.
In Revival,
Lee
Contemplate our lives without Christ. What meaning would there be? What hope would there be? It is only through our lives in him that we realize our purpose, potential and prize.
Our purpose in life is to glorify Him who created us. We can only accomplish this by having a relationship with the son. This is what is meant by "abiding." As Christians, Christ lives in us and we live through him.
Our potential is to bear fruit. The seed of God's word and His love has been planted in the fertile soil of our hearts. This seed must grow down to become rooted and grow up to have life. Having been exposed to the sun, we are to grow to produce fruit, the works of Him who sent us. Inside this fruit are even more seeds for planting, growing and producing.
Finally beloved, is the prize. The prize is the promise of everlasting life with him whom we are connected. Through this connection flows the very essence of our lives. With him, our lives are eternal.
In Revival,
Lee
Friday, December 24, 2010
The Coming of the Light-DD 12/24/2010
"and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was." Matt 2:9
We so often find ourselves using the phrase, "light at the end of the tunnel" during times of trial, turmoil and trouble. It indicates that these are dark times but we are beckoned forward by the polar opposite of our circumstances. This is represented by light.
All of mankind has been in darkness since very near the beginning of our existence. It was we ourselves that extinguished the light that was created within us. As it is with life on this earth, our turning away from the sun does not extinguish it. It is always there. How fitting that God led the Magi through the darkness of night to the Light of Men by a star in the heavens. How wonderful it is to know that they were seeking this star, that they followed it and it lead them to the source of all things.
Beloved, as we celebrate the season of the coming of the Light, we must continue to seek the Light. We must walk in the Light. We must become the light and lead others out of the darkness of their individual tunnels.
A joyous and blessed holiday to all!
In Revival,
Lee
We so often find ourselves using the phrase, "light at the end of the tunnel" during times of trial, turmoil and trouble. It indicates that these are dark times but we are beckoned forward by the polar opposite of our circumstances. This is represented by light.
All of mankind has been in darkness since very near the beginning of our existence. It was we ourselves that extinguished the light that was created within us. As it is with life on this earth, our turning away from the sun does not extinguish it. It is always there. How fitting that God led the Magi through the darkness of night to the Light of Men by a star in the heavens. How wonderful it is to know that they were seeking this star, that they followed it and it lead them to the source of all things.
Beloved, as we celebrate the season of the coming of the Light, we must continue to seek the Light. We must walk in the Light. We must become the light and lead others out of the darkness of their individual tunnels.
A joyous and blessed holiday to all!
In Revival,
Lee
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Praise Him in Song-DD 12/23/2010
"Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name." Heb 13:15
Not long ago, I heard for the second time but paid real attention for the first time, to a song that is probably the most beautiful I have ever heard. It was moving to me on every level imaginable. Singing it and hearing it sung with a group of worshippers who believed it with all their hearts was an experience that nearly brought me to tears.
I thought I'd share the lyrics, written and copyrighted by Mark Lowrey and Buddy Green, with you for your "all season" consideration. May the Lord richly bless you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
Oh Mary did you know---The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---.
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great--I--- AM---.
Beloved, let us continually offer praise to him that is our salvation.
In Revival,
Lee
Not long ago, I heard for the second time but paid real attention for the first time, to a song that is probably the most beautiful I have ever heard. It was moving to me on every level imaginable. Singing it and hearing it sung with a group of worshippers who believed it with all their hearts was an experience that nearly brought me to tears.
I thought I'd share the lyrics, written and copyrighted by Mark Lowrey and Buddy Green, with you for your "all season" consideration. May the Lord richly bless you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
Oh Mary did you know---The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---.
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great--I--- AM---.
Beloved, let us continually offer praise to him that is our salvation.
In Revival,
Lee
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