Marching Forth!

Since I've been reading through David Brainerd's diary, the primary thing that struck me is his fervency to enter the presence of the Most High. He was acutely aware of the presence of God. If he did not sense the presence of God he was struck with depression and the hideous nature of sin. He groaned and mourned that he would be far from God. But when God drew near to his heart, it is as if a bright light shone into his heart, warming it with heavenly virtue, love, and grace. The thought occurred to me: how far am I willing to go to cultivate the Holy Spirit's presence in my life? We do not earn the right to enter into the presence of God through prayer, fasting, mourning, or any external action. By the grace of God, those who have been born again have the privilege of entering into the throne room of grace and speaking with God face to face as a man speaks to His friend. We have become the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 18:16 states, " A man's gift ...

I have been praising God for His faithfulness and peace. I was able to meet with Pastor Pat from Shepherd's Staff and believe that I will take steps to pursue a partnership with that group. From the moment we sat down, God directed our conversation. I enjoyed the sweetness of gracious fellowship. Even in Coco's, I felt right at home. Now I'm not much of a "feeling" person. I don't believe that feelings always dictate God's leading. I tend to distrust feelings as a basis for belief. But sometimes we can go too far and disregard feelings entirely. God has given us feelings as well as senses. They both are necessary and important. However, faith operates on a plane that reaches beyond the physical senses. The Word of God provides the foundation for belief and though our feelings or senses may not agree, faith remains the true path. The scriptures say, "The just shall live by faith." How good it is to have a God who directs and guides us ...

Last night I intended to read a book. Laura had started a movie that did not interest me, but as I sat there for the next hour something interesting happened. Though I was very interested in my book I read about three pages (and not too well I'm afraid) and I was drawn to the movie. While I prepared for bed I thought about how the evening went, and repented that I had allowed myself to be robbed of time with God for a movie I didn't care about even after watching it. God showed me something through it all: if I had to be truthful, I would say that night sums up most of my Christian existence. I know I am not alone. Our Christianity is like a good book we pick up intending to immerse ourselves in but the world grabs our attention. We're robbed of scripture truth and spend our lives playing at following Jesus instead of really doing it. Now there's nothing inherently wrong with sitting down to watch a movie. Yet that was not my intention: my intention was to fel...

Thursday morning I have the privilege to meet with Pat Kenney of Shepherd's Staff ( http://shepsstaff.org ) for breakfast. Pat serves with this organization that aids in sending missionaries into foreign fields and provides training, oversight of funds, and performs other administrative tasks. It is by the grace of God that we have been connected through a common friend. My prayer is that God's will be accomplished. If God desires that my family partner with this group I ask that God would make it clear to both Pat and me. I will not consult with an arm of flesh in lieu of obedience, but I also want to avail myself to the wisdom and experience God has gifted others in this arena. Please seek the LORD with me, praying and fasting that God's will be accomplished in Australia and at home. May God receive all the glory for He alone is worthy.

When it comes to matters of morality and righteousness, God will never meet a sinner halfway: His holy standards do not shift or adjust with the moral climate of a society. No matter how the earth may quake, east remains east and west remains west. We serve a Savior who humbled Himself, put on human flesh, and became sin for us. He does not command that we befriend the world to gain followers for Christ. Compromise can be so subtle that it can even threaten to influence the workings of the church. 1 Cor. 7:23 says, " You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men ." How easily we can become slaves to the opinions and desires of others and neglect our heavenly purpose! God has called every believer into His service, and the specific role of each slave is dictated by the Master. Jesus not only reveals the path but the activity; He commands not only the activity but the means to His end. God does not show the end and allow us to devise the way to that end. Je...

During a sermon at camp, youth pastor Jeremy King of CC Vista suggested The Life and Diary of David Brainerd , compiled by Jonathan Edwards. I was able to purchase this book on alibris.com (great for rare or out of print books; for Christian books in print I use christianbook.com ) So far it has been an interesting read of Edwards and Brainerd, two men whose devotion and piety towards God are rarely seen among professing followers of Christ and from whose example I fall woefully short. A couple of quotes resonated in my heart: " I wanted not the favor of man to lean upon; for I knew Christ's favor was infinitely better, and that it was no matter when, nor where, nor how Christ should send me, nor what trials He should still exercise me with, if I might be prepared for His work and will " (pg. 79). On the day of his 24th birthday (David only lived to 29 years of age) he writes, " Oh, how much mercy have I received the year past! How often has God caused His goodn...

There are people who believe in God who do not live according to His ways. I am not even speaking of professing followers of Christ. The demons believe and tremble while many men believe and shrug. Demons believe according to the knowledge of the power and dominion of God, while man's idea of God is no bigger than the distance between his ears. It is the great shame of the church today that many times God is not indispensable to the daily lives of those who call themselves by Christ's name. We all agree that God is necessary for life, but we are content to live for ourselves according to our design. Pastor Rob Salvado of CC Vista claimed that many professing Christian lives could be compared to a Swanson's TV dinner: all parts conveniently separate. We confine all "God" activity with the peas, but we keep His influence from the mashed potatoes, meat, and brownie! He is a seasoning rather than substance. God is an ideal, not a reality. Brothers and sister...

There are those who claim the call of an apostle is not a call of God today upon a believer or relegate it to a general call. This smacks of the same sentiment as when people claim that tongues are not a gift for today or the need for prophecy has passed into antiquity. There is nothing more devious of Satan to convince believers that God could not possibly call them into a particular role or ministry because it is not relevant for today and thus never seek or participate in their rightful place in the Body of Christ. I believe that God has called me to be an apostle and preacher, and I relish this call with humility and thanksgiving. When I was growing up in the church, I was taught that apostleship is confined only to the first 12 disciples chosen by Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals this is simply not true. The Bible makes a distinction concerning the original 12 apostles for ease of understanding so we know who is being referred to instead of listing all 12 names every time, b...

God is like a king who married a poor peasant and gave her the keys to his castle. Should the new queen avoid meeting with the king, refusing to speak with him, serve or obey him, content with her new keys rather than her husband? God is a King too gracious to divorce such an ungrateful one, but this is the kind who would divorce Him and sue Him for His goods, never having truly loved Him. Many people desire the blessings and benefits of a Savior, but few are willing to serve Him as a slave. They desire the glory of heaven without earthly sacrifice or labor, and demand the comfort of the Spirit without obedience. Because of the hardness of man's heart Moses permitted men to divorce their wives but from the beginning this was not so. God will not force the apostate to live in His house. Some say a man cannot divorce God: if only that were so! Those who joined themselves to Him for His keys and riches are free to leave, though the Father's heart breaks, Jesus is wounde...

During the high school summer camp, Zach Vestnys, lead pastor from Calvary Chapel Petaluma, talked much about the cost of following Jesus Christ. He explained that if your relationship with Christ has cost you nothing, it is likely worth nothing. There were four questions given to us for a group discussion and I found them thought provoking and a profitable challenge: What has the cost of your Christianity been thus far? What price is God calling you to pay to pursue Him in a deeper relationship? In what ways has your life shown evidence of spiritual transformation? What trials have you gone through that God has used to change you? I challenge you to honestly seek God for the answers of these questions. All men have been created for the glory of God and we naturally cannot obtain this purpose through self-effort or any means through our flesh. Perhaps you fall short of your purpose because you are not willing to pay the price that God demands: denying yourself, taking up your...

One of the things that I always make expressly clear before I take the High School group to camp is that "camp love" is not tolerated. "Camp love" occurs when guys or girls from our group become infatuated with kids from other groups and this mirage tends to distract and detract from what God wants to do and say. Most if not all "camp love" experiences end with disillusionment, sadness, and broken hearts when faced with the reality of how distance taxes a relationship. The euphoria of this kind of physical love is only overshadowed by the heartache of shattered hopes. There are few things as fulfilling to have kids put aside their idols and routines to spend a week seeking God. The kids are always amazed at how God speaks to them at camp! It is interesting that many become preoccupied as early as the day of arrival that they will have to leave and face difficulties at home and manifold temptations. God is not only found at camp, however: the differe...

“The Prince is coming!” heralds shouted in the village square.  The news spread like wildfire through an orphanage in the small town. "Is it true? The prince is coming here? We must prepare gifts for him!" "But what can an orphan give a prince?" the children asked one another. A child named Humble spoke. “Perhaps if we give him a wonderful gift he will even adopt us!” “Stupid!” barked a little girl. “What would a prince want with an orphan?” Humble shrugged. “I dunno. But I am going to give him a great gift.” “Like what? You don’t have anything to give.” “I am going to dig really deep in the yard and find a big hunk of gold. I will give every piece of gold I find to the prince.” “Like you’re going to find gold in the yard,” another child butted in. “If there was gold, don’t you think miners would have discovered it by now?" “Just the same,” said Humble, “I will try.” The children decided that they too would give a gift to the king. One de...

There is at least one occasion in the Christian walk where "Me First!" is the correct attitude: repentance. Repentance means a change of mind (Gr. metanoia). I have heard it said that repentance means to turn around, but this can happen only after the mind has been changed by God's truth and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations ( Luke 24:27 ). A reason why Christians are anemic spiritually is that repentance is neglected in daily living. It is not a "one time thing" when one repents and trusts in Christ as Savior: it is a moment by moment exercise of faith and humility. We need our minds continually renewed ( Romans 12:2 ) so we can discern the perfect will of God. If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and call God a liar ( 1 John 1:8-10 ). Repentance brings us into fellowship with God. When you hear the call to repentance, say ME FIRST!

Experience is a great teacher. God uses the experiences of our lives to build our faith and prove to us how sure a foundation He is. Through trials, failures, and obedience we grow in wisdom and grace. Yet there is a dangerous side of experience: we can allow experience to fetter us to our past. We begin to look at our experience as a model that others should follow because of the outcome. We can trust our methods and allow our own past to hinder future progress. Our experience can take our eyes off Christ and focus on ourselves. Samson was a judge over Israel who had faith in God. He is one of the few mentioned in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. Yet the physical strength of Samson caused him to rely upon himself and wander from God. Samson was living in sin with Delilah and finally broke the vow concerning shaving his head. He said in Judges 16:20, " ...I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!" But he did not know that the Lord had depar...