Archive for August, 2006
Peace
Posted by: | CommentsToday during my quite time the Lord taught me something as if for the first time. The topic was about God’s peace. Isn’t peace something we all want in life? Isn’t the peace of God something to behold? I beleive so! In fact the moments I have experienced God’s supernatural peace defy explanation…because His Peace cannot be explained or understood. It can only be grasped by a believer and follower of Christ.
However, what about everyday life. This is where I struggle. Peace moment by moment. Or having peace with people who are causing problems or making life and ministry difficult. How about having people with people who reject the peace you are trying to bring. That steals my peace. But GOd taught me somethings today that I want to write down in their rawest form. SO please realize this is fresh and not well developed but it is making peace in my heart right now so I want to share it.
God’s peace is with every believer. We must understand the Jesus is the Prince of Peace. All peace must ultimately God from Him! There will be circumastances and people that will try and steal are peace so we have to learn how to respond.
I will only speak about people right now…for it seems in my life that it has been the hurt that others have caused me in my life that most often steals my peace. SUre there have been some circumstances and even sometimes things that I have done (sin) that have stolen my peace and caused me pain. But for now God is speaking to me on how to minister PEACE when dealing with others.
First, brining peace to others is GOd’s business. We cannot make someone accept our message of peace. As a pastor I often talk to people and try to help them have peace. Many times my attempts are rejected. What God has taught me is this…I am only a messenger.
Second, God has also taught me that if someone is unwilling to accept the message of teh King and His Kingdom it is not my fault. No matter how aggressive or how earnestly I want to convince someone about the Word of God and the path of the Everlasting, if they refuse to listen and apply it I am wasting air. SO I have to be receptive as to whether or not someone is willing to listen the message of Peace (Truth, Way and Life).
Third, WHen you enter a home or a situation Jesus taught His disciples to say, "My Peace I leave with You" However, if they reject your peace it returns to you and you leave. That is it. You walk away.
Fourth, as you walk away you wipe the dust off your feet. WOW! That sounds harsh…even non peaceful. But Jesus is not saying be mean. He is saying don’t let them steal your peace. If they don’t want peace that is their heart problem. Take your peace back and wipe of the dust and move on.
THese concepts may sound simple above. Okay, I can do that. If someone rejects my message of peace I can wipe off the dust off my feet and move on. Yet, for me it is difficult. As a pastor I love people so deeply and care for them. It hurts me to see them hurt. It hurts me worse to see them loose peace or to continue in sin. It hurts me even more when I come with the message of peace from God’s word and they refuse to listen or heed to it! It hurts when they believe things that are not biblical and they continue in their ways refusing to attempt they are wrong.
The truth is I believe so deeply in the WOrd that I want to share that with everyone. I want everyone to walk witht under the peace of the Prince of Peace. The thing I have to learn to do is to take my peace back adn wipe off the dust.
SO guess what! I am going to try this principle that our Lord the Prince of peace taught! I am going to minister by saying, "May my peace be upon you." If the peace of the King and Kingdom that I bring is rejected I am going to learn not to spin my wheels so to speak…but to take my peace back and wipe the dust off my feet. This does not mean I won’t care. It means that until someone is ready to hear the truth and accept God’s ways, I am not going to loose my peace.
May the Lord of Peace be upon you.
PC
Why Blog?
Posted by: | CommentsThis is just an update of why blog? I have done a lot of reading on the potentional ministry of blogging. SOme pastors are for it and some are against it! However, it is my prayer and hope that members and visitors get a since of who there pastor is. Blogging is like journaling. I share my thoughts and insights on topics…to encourage, not offend. Blogging is an edifying tool for minsitry in my opinion. It also allows for me to express myself. And it let’s you see the real me as you read about my vicotories and hurts. It let’s everyone know that we are in this journey called life together. But we don’t walk alone…God is with us and we have eachother.
Blogging for the fun of it!
PC
STAND UP FOR JESUS
Posted by: | CommentsI have found in my ministry that many times people confuse the truth. Often when people actually love and live like Jesus they are accused of being out of line or come under attack. This should not surprise us…the pharisees did the same thing to Jesus.
Today it is difficult to stand up for Jesus sometimes. Why? Because the world doesn’t understand…but sometimes people in the church don’t either. Regardless we are called to stand up for Jesus. We are suppose to live out His ways and proclaim His Truth!
I am proud of all those Christians who stand up for Jesus. I have found in my ministry and at Broadman that there are those who will stand up no matter the cost! There are those who proclaim the Truth is worth it!
Jesus told us to take up our cross and deny ourselves and follow Him…that’s not easy. Especially when that implies that that we will be persecuted for Righteousness sake. But Jesus said those who are are blessed!
Find encouragement all my brothers and sisters who face such opposition…for when we endure such things we can consider it pure joy and the final result is maturity. (James 1)
Light the Fire
Posted by: | CommentsThe past couple of months have been hectic. We went from VBS to a Mission Project to Revival! Although I am physically exhausted…spiritual I feel great! The Light the Fire Revival was a great success. We had new people join our church and we had two people accept Christ. Then there was the main purpose of the Revival…to REVIVE God’s people. Many of you shared how reviving it was. I could feel the presence of God stronger with each night. The annointing of the Holy Spirit was exciting and the preaching was powerful. Each of the preachers and praise teams said that it meant a lot to them to lead worship and preach. They were revived as well.
One visiting pastor who had been at Broadman many years back made the comment that God has done a great work here at Broadman. You know what…he is right and God is continuing His great work here…and that is exciting.
I hope each of you had a time of REVIVAL with God. If you missed it…I am sorry and all I can say is God continue to REVIVE your people at Broadman.
God bless you all.
READ MY OWN WORDS
Posted by: | CommentsI wrote an article earlier this year called "Overwhelmed." Sometimes I simply need to heed my own advise. As I read it…I could only think…"I told you so!"
Isn’t it amazing how God works. I wrote something months ago that I needed to hear today. Praise God!
God Will Not Be Mocked
Posted by: | CommentsI just wanted to say to a world that does not know Christ…God will not be mocked. God will not remain silent forever. His justice will prevail. And Jesus will return someday.
To those who choose to follow the flesh and the path of unrighteousness…it is never too late so long as you have the breath of life and the freedom to choose Christ.
God will not be mocked!