Yesterday, someone I love dearly reduced me to a sobbing wreck. She said this, “You want to know why people are attracted to you? It’s because you love them so much and they can see that.” Well, what a stunning and unbelievable thing to say. If only it is true and people can see Jesus in me. Oh wow – let me never lose that Lord.
But as I sat in front of my computer, weeping quietly, I heard Him say this, “These tears of yours are partly the joy of knowing fellowship with me, of knowing that you are beginning to reflect My love. These tears, though, are also reflecting My tears for the lost – especially for those who maybe really do think they are saved yet I do not know them and one day I will have to say that to them.” Can you ever imagine that – that one day the Lord may say to you, “Away from me. I never knew you!”
I recently wrote that we must save ‘the saved’ as well as saving the sinner. If we see a brother or sister to whom we genuinely believe the Lord might say, (Matthew 7:23 NIV) “Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'." That is when we have to say something – we MUST rescue and restore them.
Very good words but just who are we talking about? Well, I also heard this story recently. A friend of mine tells of a lady who was, and still is, a regular church go-er. This lady was a fairly typical ‘formal’ church attendee – she carried big Bible, always wore a big cross prominently round her neck. She was a choir member and has attended the same church for quite a few years. One day she was told about the son of a fairly close friend who had been to a meeting, had gone forward, prayed the ‘Sinners Prayer’, and had gotten himself saved. To her own and her pastors everlasting shame she had reacted with the following. “Saved? What’s saved?”, she said. Three absolutely damning and devastating words. It is of no surprise therefore that we need to save the ‘saved’ as well as saving the sinner.
“Saved??? What’s ‘saved’? “ – ‘Saved’ is walking and living in a personal relationship with Jesus. A personal relationship – like that with a close friend. Someone you talk to and listen to; someone you trust; someone who never lies to you; someone who loves you unconditionally. Closer than a brother. That is being saved. Yet how many more men and women, apparently ‘of God’, are there who really have never truly been saved – maybe have never even heard the Gospel as it has never preached in their church. Men and women who faithfully come to church week in and week out. Yet men and women who know nothing of a personal relationship with God – who have never prayed the sinners prayer – who have never been told of the need for personal repentance? Men and women who, maybe deliberately or maybe un-knowingly treat their local church as a members only club of good, well intentioned people. People who may ultimately be on their way to hell with those dread words ringing in their ears - “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!.”
The Lord weeps as many tears over these as over the other lost people who know nothing of Him – who have rejected Him. He reminds us today that, when Jesus comes, He will judge the Church first so that His Bride may actually be perfect and spotless. He will clean his Church, then claim His bride, then judge the rest of the world. Oh I don’t pretend that this is escatalogically correct – I have no idea of the sequence of end-times and, while we are here, I see no reason whatsoever for all the conjecture on it all. God alone knows the day and time. All we need to know is that we have an amount of time and that only before Jesus returns for us. It may be today or tomorrow or the next day or sometime later. Who knows except God the Father? Yet what about all those who may miss the boat? God’s tears testify to His love for them and for His desire that ‘none should perish, but all should have everlasting life.’
Oh Lord, heal our smug self-satisfied attitude. Fill us all with Your love for the lost. Give us all some of Jesus’ love for all men – to love the sinner but to hate the sin.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
All Are Welcome (Full Version)
Luke 14:16-24 (New King James Version)
“Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’”
We are living in a modern day version of this parable
“ALL Are Welcome” - Familiar words? They should be if only because they are on more church publicity boards than any other phrase. “All are welcome” has such a homely feel to it yet, I believe, it hides one of the most pernicious of delusions and lies that the enemy has ever managed to foist upon the church of God.
I have two serious questions for you.
OK – let me ask you the first question. When was the last time you had an altar call in your church? This week? Wonderful. A month ago? Well OK – at least you did one – or was that a one off? How many of you can say that “We almost never have altar calls at our church.” Well that explains the “All are welcome” on your publicity board then.
Allow me to picture for you an average church council meeting. The vicar or priest or pastor is sitting at the head of the table as chairman of the meeting. To his right is the treasurer and to his left is the secretary. Five or six other worthy souls are also sitting round the table with looks of varying interest and anticipation and, at the other end of the table sits Jesus Himself. He likes to sit in on these meetings as He is quite interested in what His Bride is doing for His Kingdom. The chairman taps his glass to get attention and the meeting proceeds. Various issues are dealt with from funds and the planned Sunday School outing to church cleaning and the voluntary register of coffee servers each Sunday after morning service. Jesus looks bored. Finally, the any other business agenda item comes up and Frank, the young almost new blood on the council starts up – “What about doing an outreach of some kind to attract new people to the church?” He has been waiting a long time to raise this point and Jesus, too, perks up and thinks to Himself, “Hey this is better – they are at last talking about My Kingdom work.” The chairman clears his throat and is clearly almost embarrassed by the question. “Frank”, he starts, “Frank. We had an outreach a few months ago when we invited folk to join us at our summer barbeque. Only three people turned up. Outreach around here just doesn’t seem to work.” Frank looks dismayed – Jesus looks somewhat abashed – “THAT was an outreach?” The chairman, in full flight now, goes on, “That was when we decided to invite everyone to the church. We discussed various ways of inviting them and finally decided that, as they don’t listen very much, we should have a permanent invitation displayed for all the world to see. That is when we had “ALL are Welcome” painted on our publicity board. Jesus got up and left. Frank subsided and gave up..
Perhaps this is why your church hasn’t had an altar call lately – there is just no need and no point having one as no-one will come. Why is that I wonder? Is it perhaps that you have no outreach program; you have no real desire to actually reach the lost. Maybe it’s someone else’s job to do that and all you are there to do is to be a members only club. Maybe you don’t want to risk getting almost radical folk into your peaceful and steady environment. After all, radicals will only cause problems and upset folk – radicals will annoy our neighbours and the local authorities may try to shut us down. Can’t have old Mrs Bloggett in pew 12 upset by someone taking her regular seat – she’s had that seat for over 30 years. Every week, same time, same place. Real old stalwart. No no – can’t have radicals they may upset the really good givers and tithers. That could ruin our finances.
So that brings us to question 2. When was the last time the Gospel was actually preached in your church. John 3:16 or 1 Corinthians 15 – when was either scripture preached in your church by your pastor.
What prompts such questions? This absolutely true story started this off as the Lord prompted me to think about what is said here.
A friend of mine tells the story of a lady who was and still is a regular church go-er. This lady was a fairly typical ‘formal’ church attendee - carried big Bible, always wore a big cross prominently round her neck. She was a choir member and has attended the same church for quite a few years. One day she was told about the son of a fairly close friend who had been to a meeting, had gone forward, prayed the ‘Sinners Prayer’, and had gotten himself saved. To her own and her pastors everlasting shame she had reacted with the following. “Saved? What’s saved?”, she said.
“Saved??? What’s ‘saved’? “
Ezekiel 34:1-6 (NKJV) “ And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”
Lord – have Mercy on us for we have all sinned either by commission or omission. We are all guilty Lord if for no other reason than we knew but we said nothing.
I have said before – only the guilty will be offended by this.
“Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’”
We are living in a modern day version of this parable
“ALL Are Welcome” - Familiar words? They should be if only because they are on more church publicity boards than any other phrase. “All are welcome” has such a homely feel to it yet, I believe, it hides one of the most pernicious of delusions and lies that the enemy has ever managed to foist upon the church of God.
I have two serious questions for you.
OK – let me ask you the first question. When was the last time you had an altar call in your church? This week? Wonderful. A month ago? Well OK – at least you did one – or was that a one off? How many of you can say that “We almost never have altar calls at our church.” Well that explains the “All are welcome” on your publicity board then.
Allow me to picture for you an average church council meeting. The vicar or priest or pastor is sitting at the head of the table as chairman of the meeting. To his right is the treasurer and to his left is the secretary. Five or six other worthy souls are also sitting round the table with looks of varying interest and anticipation and, at the other end of the table sits Jesus Himself. He likes to sit in on these meetings as He is quite interested in what His Bride is doing for His Kingdom. The chairman taps his glass to get attention and the meeting proceeds. Various issues are dealt with from funds and the planned Sunday School outing to church cleaning and the voluntary register of coffee servers each Sunday after morning service. Jesus looks bored. Finally, the any other business agenda item comes up and Frank, the young almost new blood on the council starts up – “What about doing an outreach of some kind to attract new people to the church?” He has been waiting a long time to raise this point and Jesus, too, perks up and thinks to Himself, “Hey this is better – they are at last talking about My Kingdom work.” The chairman clears his throat and is clearly almost embarrassed by the question. “Frank”, he starts, “Frank. We had an outreach a few months ago when we invited folk to join us at our summer barbeque. Only three people turned up. Outreach around here just doesn’t seem to work.” Frank looks dismayed – Jesus looks somewhat abashed – “THAT was an outreach?” The chairman, in full flight now, goes on, “That was when we decided to invite everyone to the church. We discussed various ways of inviting them and finally decided that, as they don’t listen very much, we should have a permanent invitation displayed for all the world to see. That is when we had “ALL are Welcome” painted on our publicity board. Jesus got up and left. Frank subsided and gave up..
Perhaps this is why your church hasn’t had an altar call lately – there is just no need and no point having one as no-one will come. Why is that I wonder? Is it perhaps that you have no outreach program; you have no real desire to actually reach the lost. Maybe it’s someone else’s job to do that and all you are there to do is to be a members only club. Maybe you don’t want to risk getting almost radical folk into your peaceful and steady environment. After all, radicals will only cause problems and upset folk – radicals will annoy our neighbours and the local authorities may try to shut us down. Can’t have old Mrs Bloggett in pew 12 upset by someone taking her regular seat – she’s had that seat for over 30 years. Every week, same time, same place. Real old stalwart. No no – can’t have radicals they may upset the really good givers and tithers. That could ruin our finances.
So that brings us to question 2. When was the last time the Gospel was actually preached in your church. John 3:16 or 1 Corinthians 15 – when was either scripture preached in your church by your pastor.
What prompts such questions? This absolutely true story started this off as the Lord prompted me to think about what is said here.
A friend of mine tells the story of a lady who was and still is a regular church go-er. This lady was a fairly typical ‘formal’ church attendee - carried big Bible, always wore a big cross prominently round her neck. She was a choir member and has attended the same church for quite a few years. One day she was told about the son of a fairly close friend who had been to a meeting, had gone forward, prayed the ‘Sinners Prayer’, and had gotten himself saved. To her own and her pastors everlasting shame she had reacted with the following. “Saved? What’s saved?”, she said.
“Saved??? What’s ‘saved’? “
Ezekiel 34:1-6 (NKJV) “ And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”
Lord – have Mercy on us for we have all sinned either by commission or omission. We are all guilty Lord if for no other reason than we knew but we said nothing.
I have said before – only the guilty will be offended by this.
All are Welcome
All are Welcome
Familiar words? They should be if only because they are on more church publicity boards than any other phrase. “All are welcome” has such a homely feel to it yet, I believe, it hides one of the most pernicious of delusions and lies that the enemy has ever managed to foist upon the church of God.
OK – let me ask you a question. When was the last time you had an altar call in your church? This week? Wonderful. A month ago? Well OK – at least you did one – or was that a one off? How many of you can say that “We almost never have altar calls at our church.” Well that explains the “All are welcome” on your publicity board then.
Allow me to picture for you an average church council meeting. The vicar or priest or pastor is sitting at the head of the table as chairman of the meeting. To his right is the treasurer and to his left is the secretary. Five or six other worthy souls are also sitting round the table with looks of varying interest and anticipation and, at the other end of the table sits Jesus Himself. He likes to sit in on these meetings as He is quite interested in what His Bride is doing for His Kingdom. The chairman taps his glass to get attention and the meeting proceeds. Various issues are dealt with from funds and the planned Sunday School outing to church cleaning and the voluntary register of coffee servers each Sunday after morning service. Jesus looks bored. Finally, the any other business agenda item comes up and Frank, the young almost new blood on the council starts up – “What about doing an outreach of some kind to attract new people to the church?” He has been waiting a long time to raise this point and Jesus, too, perks up and thinks to Himself, “Hey this is better – they are at last talking about My Kingdom work.” The chairman clears his throat and is clearly almost embarrassed by the question. “Frank”, he starts, “Frank. We had an outreach a few months ago when we invited folk to join us at our summer barbeque. Only three people turned up. Outreach around here just doesn’t seem to work.” Frank looks dismayed – Jesus looks somewhat abashed – “THAT was an outreach?” The chairman, in full flight now, goes on, “That was when we decided to invite everyone to the church. We discussed various ways of inviting them and finally decided that, as they don’t listen very much, we should have a permanent invitation displayed for all the world to see. That is when we had “ALL are Welcome” painted on our publicity board. Jesus got up and left. Frank subsided and gave up.
There was another invitation once. A king or rich man invited many people to a wedding feast but, like today, a lot of those invited didn’t bother to come. They made excuses or they just ignored the invitation. The king was not a little put out by this – after all he was their king and his people simply snubbed him. So he sent his servants out from the palace to go find anyone they could find and not just to invite them but to bring them in to the feast so that all the seats were taken. You find the story in Luke 14:15-24
Perhaps this is why your church hasn’t had an altar call lately – there is just no need and no point having one as no-one will come. Why is that I wonder? Is it perhaps that you have no outreach program; you have no real desire to actually reach the lost. Maybe it’s someone else’s job to do that and all you are there to do is to be a members only club. Maybe you don’t want to risk getting almost radical folk into your peaceful and steady environment. After all, radicals will only cause problems and upset folk – radicals will annoy our neighbours and the local authorities may try to shut us down. Can’t have old Mrs Bloggett in pew 12 upset by someone taking her regular seat – she’s had that seat for over 30 years. Every week, same time, same place. Real old stalwart. No no – can’t have radicals they may upset the really good givers and tithers. That could ruin our finances.
Only those who are guilty will be upset by all of this. I hope some of the rest of you will see to it that the “All are Welcome” notice is removed. After all it probably saves you having to do anything to get people into the kings banquet.
Doesn’t it?
Familiar words? They should be if only because they are on more church publicity boards than any other phrase. “All are welcome” has such a homely feel to it yet, I believe, it hides one of the most pernicious of delusions and lies that the enemy has ever managed to foist upon the church of God.
OK – let me ask you a question. When was the last time you had an altar call in your church? This week? Wonderful. A month ago? Well OK – at least you did one – or was that a one off? How many of you can say that “We almost never have altar calls at our church.” Well that explains the “All are welcome” on your publicity board then.
Allow me to picture for you an average church council meeting. The vicar or priest or pastor is sitting at the head of the table as chairman of the meeting. To his right is the treasurer and to his left is the secretary. Five or six other worthy souls are also sitting round the table with looks of varying interest and anticipation and, at the other end of the table sits Jesus Himself. He likes to sit in on these meetings as He is quite interested in what His Bride is doing for His Kingdom. The chairman taps his glass to get attention and the meeting proceeds. Various issues are dealt with from funds and the planned Sunday School outing to church cleaning and the voluntary register of coffee servers each Sunday after morning service. Jesus looks bored. Finally, the any other business agenda item comes up and Frank, the young almost new blood on the council starts up – “What about doing an outreach of some kind to attract new people to the church?” He has been waiting a long time to raise this point and Jesus, too, perks up and thinks to Himself, “Hey this is better – they are at last talking about My Kingdom work.” The chairman clears his throat and is clearly almost embarrassed by the question. “Frank”, he starts, “Frank. We had an outreach a few months ago when we invited folk to join us at our summer barbeque. Only three people turned up. Outreach around here just doesn’t seem to work.” Frank looks dismayed – Jesus looks somewhat abashed – “THAT was an outreach?” The chairman, in full flight now, goes on, “That was when we decided to invite everyone to the church. We discussed various ways of inviting them and finally decided that, as they don’t listen very much, we should have a permanent invitation displayed for all the world to see. That is when we had “ALL are Welcome” painted on our publicity board. Jesus got up and left. Frank subsided and gave up.
There was another invitation once. A king or rich man invited many people to a wedding feast but, like today, a lot of those invited didn’t bother to come. They made excuses or they just ignored the invitation. The king was not a little put out by this – after all he was their king and his people simply snubbed him. So he sent his servants out from the palace to go find anyone they could find and not just to invite them but to bring them in to the feast so that all the seats were taken. You find the story in Luke 14:15-24
Perhaps this is why your church hasn’t had an altar call lately – there is just no need and no point having one as no-one will come. Why is that I wonder? Is it perhaps that you have no outreach program; you have no real desire to actually reach the lost. Maybe it’s someone else’s job to do that and all you are there to do is to be a members only club. Maybe you don’t want to risk getting almost radical folk into your peaceful and steady environment. After all, radicals will only cause problems and upset folk – radicals will annoy our neighbours and the local authorities may try to shut us down. Can’t have old Mrs Bloggett in pew 12 upset by someone taking her regular seat – she’s had that seat for over 30 years. Every week, same time, same place. Real old stalwart. No no – can’t have radicals they may upset the really good givers and tithers. That could ruin our finances.
Only those who are guilty will be upset by all of this. I hope some of the rest of you will see to it that the “All are Welcome” notice is removed. After all it probably saves you having to do anything to get people into the kings banquet.
Doesn’t it?
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
The God of Surprises too??
The God of Surprises too??
It is often said that God is the God of suddenlies. Suddenly He does this or suddenly He does that. This is wonderful and serves to remind us of who He really is because sometimes, when He moves ‘suddenly’, we can be almost shocked at the power and force of His moving.
Yet just as Our wonderful God springs a suddenly moment upon our meetings – a ‘spontaneous’ healing, a move of conviction bringing sudden but open repentance – wonderful as these things are, there is another side to Him that perhaps we do not acknowledge very much. Much as we publicise the suddenlies that He brings to our meetings or to our lives, so also is He a tender loving God who brings great and wonderful surprises to our lives.
As many of you know, I was widowed something over three years ago. However, I knew that the Lord has a perfect plan for me and for my life and I was able to keep His promises before me throughout all of the dark moments that followed. I can truly say from experience that His Grace really is sufficient for me – sufficient for you and for all of us.
So earlier this year, when my mind started to ask Him about those promises, He led me to leave it all with Him – He would bring someone to me. OH yes ??? Wow - you should have heard all the questions I fired at Him. Throughout it all, He simply said to receive His peace and leave it all up to Him. For whatever reason I did – until He suddenly allowed me an illness that ‘stilled’ me – caused me to be completely still in His presence. I was unable to drive and I was even unable to walk out alone for about three weeks. That was a suddenly moment I can tell you. Yet the Lord spoke to me and my blog output went up by about 400% - as WP can testify.
Then, quietly and gently, the Lord brought someone to my notice – He did this to both of us actually. Without a word from Him, He totally surprised us both by generating a most unusual and powerful love. After all, I live in the UK, the lady lives in Texas and we have never even met, so how can you love someone you don’t know? It’s ridiculous – isn’t it?? But our God is the God, not only of suddenlies, not only of surprises, but also of love. We have both been completely caught out, bowled over, and utterly surprised by what God has done in our lives this past two months. Other Christians have confirmed the veracity of our feelings. We will meet in September and we plan to marry (yes marry!!) later in the year. We are both of an age when we know what we are doing – we know what the Lord has said to us – we are both consenting adults and we see no point in messing around. After all the rapture is almost certainly on the way so we want to be together in Him when that happens.
Yes, truly, God is a wonderful creative God of the most beautiful surprises too. Ask @TwangyTexan – she will tell you the same thing.
It is often said that God is the God of suddenlies. Suddenly He does this or suddenly He does that. This is wonderful and serves to remind us of who He really is because sometimes, when He moves ‘suddenly’, we can be almost shocked at the power and force of His moving.
Yet just as Our wonderful God springs a suddenly moment upon our meetings – a ‘spontaneous’ healing, a move of conviction bringing sudden but open repentance – wonderful as these things are, there is another side to Him that perhaps we do not acknowledge very much. Much as we publicise the suddenlies that He brings to our meetings or to our lives, so also is He a tender loving God who brings great and wonderful surprises to our lives.
As many of you know, I was widowed something over three years ago. However, I knew that the Lord has a perfect plan for me and for my life and I was able to keep His promises before me throughout all of the dark moments that followed. I can truly say from experience that His Grace really is sufficient for me – sufficient for you and for all of us.
So earlier this year, when my mind started to ask Him about those promises, He led me to leave it all with Him – He would bring someone to me. OH yes ??? Wow - you should have heard all the questions I fired at Him. Throughout it all, He simply said to receive His peace and leave it all up to Him. For whatever reason I did – until He suddenly allowed me an illness that ‘stilled’ me – caused me to be completely still in His presence. I was unable to drive and I was even unable to walk out alone for about three weeks. That was a suddenly moment I can tell you. Yet the Lord spoke to me and my blog output went up by about 400% - as WP can testify.
Then, quietly and gently, the Lord brought someone to my notice – He did this to both of us actually. Without a word from Him, He totally surprised us both by generating a most unusual and powerful love. After all, I live in the UK, the lady lives in Texas and we have never even met, so how can you love someone you don’t know? It’s ridiculous – isn’t it?? But our God is the God, not only of suddenlies, not only of surprises, but also of love. We have both been completely caught out, bowled over, and utterly surprised by what God has done in our lives this past two months. Other Christians have confirmed the veracity of our feelings. We will meet in September and we plan to marry (yes marry!!) later in the year. We are both of an age when we know what we are doing – we know what the Lord has said to us – we are both consenting adults and we see no point in messing around. After all the rapture is almost certainly on the way so we want to be together in Him when that happens.
Yes, truly, God is a wonderful creative God of the most beautiful surprises too. Ask @TwangyTexan – she will tell you the same thing.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
What are you making your idol today?
Just saw a question in my email – “Is patriotism idolatry?” Of course the answer is “Yes – it can be.” – but it made me ask a follow up question – What are you making your idol today? Here’s a list of other possibilities :-
• Money – that’s always been a ‘good’ idol to have except that the Bible says that the love/idolatry of money is the root of all evil.
• Riches, property, jewels, or art is another small group where many pay homage and worship their false gods and idols.
• Your favourite sportsman/woman – another popular one in that many sports stars today have been raised to idol status. This may be due to their sporting prowess or to the riches generated by that prowess. Either way they are ‘idols’.
• Your favourite entertainer – singer, group, film star – another idol group. Just look at the success of the Pop Idol programs.
• How about your favourite business man/woman? Many make idols, even gods, of them.
• Finally your favourite Christian (ministry, pastor, preacher, prophet, healer etc) Very many have been idolised for both their ministries and their persona. We put them on little pedestals and we almost worship them. Sometimes we treat them as equals with God - but we'd never admit it !!
So, have you idolised any of these? After all, you have so many to choose from !
Of course the Bible says in Exodus 20:2-5
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
So where does that leave our idolising of mere people? The real problem with idols is that they fall. Let me cite just one or two fallen idols – OJ Simpson? Michael Jackson? In latter times a certain Mr. Woods has fallen somewhat.
There isn’t a single ‘idol’ worth the name. Not one who lives up to his or her billing. Granted that some of them actually believe their own press – actually believe they are important. Most have quite a liking for, and enjoy their status, and only a very few actually care little or nothing for their own fame. It’s very much that way in Christian circles too. How many Christian ‘idols’ have been caught out – have tried to play down something – have broken marriages and so on? All they prove, sadly, is that idols fall.
However, God, the Lord, never falls – He never falters nor stumbles. He certainly never fails. He never says that He wished He hadn’t done something. It sort of puts all our idolatry into perspective doesn’t it? I think it does – how about you ??
• Money – that’s always been a ‘good’ idol to have except that the Bible says that the love/idolatry of money is the root of all evil.
• Riches, property, jewels, or art is another small group where many pay homage and worship their false gods and idols.
• Your favourite sportsman/woman – another popular one in that many sports stars today have been raised to idol status. This may be due to their sporting prowess or to the riches generated by that prowess. Either way they are ‘idols’.
• Your favourite entertainer – singer, group, film star – another idol group. Just look at the success of the Pop Idol programs.
• How about your favourite business man/woman? Many make idols, even gods, of them.
• Finally your favourite Christian (ministry, pastor, preacher, prophet, healer etc) Very many have been idolised for both their ministries and their persona. We put them on little pedestals and we almost worship them. Sometimes we treat them as equals with God - but we'd never admit it !!
So, have you idolised any of these? After all, you have so many to choose from !
Of course the Bible says in Exodus 20:2-5
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
So where does that leave our idolising of mere people? The real problem with idols is that they fall. Let me cite just one or two fallen idols – OJ Simpson? Michael Jackson? In latter times a certain Mr. Woods has fallen somewhat.
There isn’t a single ‘idol’ worth the name. Not one who lives up to his or her billing. Granted that some of them actually believe their own press – actually believe they are important. Most have quite a liking for, and enjoy their status, and only a very few actually care little or nothing for their own fame. It’s very much that way in Christian circles too. How many Christian ‘idols’ have been caught out – have tried to play down something – have broken marriages and so on? All they prove, sadly, is that idols fall.
However, God, the Lord, never falls – He never falters nor stumbles. He certainly never fails. He never says that He wished He hadn’t done something. It sort of puts all our idolatry into perspective doesn’t it? I think it does – how about you ??
Monday, 19 July 2010
Fear and Complacency
Talking to a visiting preacher from India recently, I asked him what he found the most in the church throughout the UK? His answer neither surprised nor thrilled me. He looked me straight in the face and said, very simply, “The whole Western Church is full of Fear and Complacency”. When pressed, he said it was fear of speaking out and upsetting someone and full of smug, self-satisfied complacency – a sort of “I’m saved, so I’m all right Jack” attitude. I was appalled by his answer and oh so sad.
So I sought the Lord on this and He said to look around us in our own church, home group, and yes – even in our family. He confirmed what the preacher was saying. The Lord took me back to a very recent event locally when one of our local churches celebrated a somewhat unique ‘double’ in that two couples were celebrating their ruby, or 40th, wedding anniversary. Over 400 people turned up for a grand barbeque held on a local school field. The Lord pointed out that every person there was from the one church. Where was the outreach to other churches? Where were the local non-church families? Nowhere – it was a closed church event. The only reason we even heard about it was that it was held on the playing field of the school where my own church meets
I believe that we all probably agree that the church has of late become fearful of speaking out lest we upset someone. This is true wherever political correctness rules – and that’s just about anywhere in the West these days. So where has our courage gone? Where has our right to free speech gone? When are we going to speak the Gospel again without fear of anything man can do? When will we learn to obey God rather than man? AND oh - what a condemning phrase that is – “a closed church event”. How many events do we as Christians hold that are closed to the world when, to open them up a little bit, may spread the gospel to a new family or two?
Surely we, as 21st Century Christians, must be more like our 1st Century counterparts. Where is our zeal for the Gospel? Where is the burning inside us that says that I must speak to people about Jesus Christ – whatever the consequences? Oh – I know I am asking more questions than giving any answers but my whole purpose here is to try to regenerate in you the joy of your salvation and the zeal you had, however shortly, for the Gospel.
If I can encourage just one person to seek a deeper relationship with God, then I'll have a fruitful day. If not, my efforts will be in vain. Come on people, shake that complacency off. Cast out that fear of speaking the truth. We plant seeds. We may not see them grow and ripen, but someone will harvest them eventually. God will honour your sowing and planting, so lose yourself in Him today - let the Holy Spirit loose in you - watch what He will do with your life if only you allow Him to do it.
Jesus is returning soon – how will you and I stand before Him on that day?
So I sought the Lord on this and He said to look around us in our own church, home group, and yes – even in our family. He confirmed what the preacher was saying. The Lord took me back to a very recent event locally when one of our local churches celebrated a somewhat unique ‘double’ in that two couples were celebrating their ruby, or 40th, wedding anniversary. Over 400 people turned up for a grand barbeque held on a local school field. The Lord pointed out that every person there was from the one church. Where was the outreach to other churches? Where were the local non-church families? Nowhere – it was a closed church event. The only reason we even heard about it was that it was held on the playing field of the school where my own church meets
I believe that we all probably agree that the church has of late become fearful of speaking out lest we upset someone. This is true wherever political correctness rules – and that’s just about anywhere in the West these days. So where has our courage gone? Where has our right to free speech gone? When are we going to speak the Gospel again without fear of anything man can do? When will we learn to obey God rather than man? AND oh - what a condemning phrase that is – “a closed church event”. How many events do we as Christians hold that are closed to the world when, to open them up a little bit, may spread the gospel to a new family or two?
Surely we, as 21st Century Christians, must be more like our 1st Century counterparts. Where is our zeal for the Gospel? Where is the burning inside us that says that I must speak to people about Jesus Christ – whatever the consequences? Oh – I know I am asking more questions than giving any answers but my whole purpose here is to try to regenerate in you the joy of your salvation and the zeal you had, however shortly, for the Gospel.
If I can encourage just one person to seek a deeper relationship with God, then I'll have a fruitful day. If not, my efforts will be in vain. Come on people, shake that complacency off. Cast out that fear of speaking the truth. We plant seeds. We may not see them grow and ripen, but someone will harvest them eventually. God will honour your sowing and planting, so lose yourself in Him today - let the Holy Spirit loose in you - watch what He will do with your life if only you allow Him to do it.
Jesus is returning soon – how will you and I stand before Him on that day?
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Rainbows
Rainbows
This is a word primarily for Norway and Scandinavia. However, it seems to me that it is true for any part of the world
Flying to Norway recently, I looked out of the window and there was a perfect circular rainbow with the silhouette of the plane right in the middle. I have only ever heard of this phenomenon before but this time, there it was right in front of me – a brilliant shining completely circular rainbow. Wonderful sight. I asked the Lord if He was showing me this for a particular reason and this is what He said to me
“You have seen the ice and snow in this land yet I am about to melt the ice that has gripped this land for so long. I am sending my Holy Spirit to melt all resistance so that He will be freed up for revival. This is for NOW.”
A little later on, after landing, we were driving through the hills and mountains. I could see how low the cloud base was as it was hiding the tops of the highest hills and peaks. Yet something else was there too and, as I watched, I could hear the demons running to and fro screaming in fear saying, “We’ve got to go! We’ve got to go!!”
I asked the Lord a little later on about all of this and He showed me that revival is coming to Norway much sooner than we think. Certainly it will be sooner than any of the churches expect – sooner perhaps than many of them want because they are simply not prepared yet. Yet that surely is one of the beauties of revival – we are never ready for it because it comes with a sudden-ness that surprises us all. It comes with a power that sweeps all before it.
The Lord is saying this to us all, “Watch for the unusual. Watch for spontaneous repentance. Watch for spontaneous and unexpected miracles of healing and deliverance. These are ALL signs that My Holy Spirit is about to bring revival to your land.” I am reminded that revival is not something we can demand or call down, no – revival is a sovereign act of God. It is as sudden and dramatic in its effect as a tidal wave or tsunami. We can never fully prepare for it as we never know when it will happen. All we can do is watch, pray, and try to be ready.
Hallelujah – Lord send your Holy Spirit with revival to Norway and to the whole of Scandinavia - in Jesus Name we ask it Amen??? \o/
This is a word primarily for Norway and Scandinavia. However, it seems to me that it is true for any part of the world
Flying to Norway recently, I looked out of the window and there was a perfect circular rainbow with the silhouette of the plane right in the middle. I have only ever heard of this phenomenon before but this time, there it was right in front of me – a brilliant shining completely circular rainbow. Wonderful sight. I asked the Lord if He was showing me this for a particular reason and this is what He said to me
“You have seen the ice and snow in this land yet I am about to melt the ice that has gripped this land for so long. I am sending my Holy Spirit to melt all resistance so that He will be freed up for revival. This is for NOW.”
A little later on, after landing, we were driving through the hills and mountains. I could see how low the cloud base was as it was hiding the tops of the highest hills and peaks. Yet something else was there too and, as I watched, I could hear the demons running to and fro screaming in fear saying, “We’ve got to go! We’ve got to go!!”
I asked the Lord a little later on about all of this and He showed me that revival is coming to Norway much sooner than we think. Certainly it will be sooner than any of the churches expect – sooner perhaps than many of them want because they are simply not prepared yet. Yet that surely is one of the beauties of revival – we are never ready for it because it comes with a sudden-ness that surprises us all. It comes with a power that sweeps all before it.
The Lord is saying this to us all, “Watch for the unusual. Watch for spontaneous repentance. Watch for spontaneous and unexpected miracles of healing and deliverance. These are ALL signs that My Holy Spirit is about to bring revival to your land.” I am reminded that revival is not something we can demand or call down, no – revival is a sovereign act of God. It is as sudden and dramatic in its effect as a tidal wave or tsunami. We can never fully prepare for it as we never know when it will happen. All we can do is watch, pray, and try to be ready.
Hallelujah – Lord send your Holy Spirit with revival to Norway and to the whole of Scandinavia - in Jesus Name we ask it Amen??? \o/
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