Isaiah 53:5 gives us the wonderful promise of divine healing. Of course, the first person that may enter your mind when you think about healing is Oral Roberts. Bro. Roberts spent his life being used of God to heal the sick. The great healing crusades he conducted throughout our country brought the healing message of Jesus Christ to hundreds of thousands of people. For just a few moments I would like to focus on the local church and divine healing.
I thank God for men like Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn and others like them. However, many healing's occur at the local church level that only those in attendance on that day have the privilege of witnessing. This in no way makes these healing any less significant or miraculous. They are, after all, "power encounters" with the God that heals. Though they do not get the media hype and the recognition of the masses, they are none-the-less just as real and significant as those seen in the mass crusades.
I said all of this because in our Wednesday Evening Bible study last night, a lady that had been suffering with back problems for most of her life received healing. It was the most beautiful thing that I witnessed in a long while. She was playing the piano and the body began to intercede on her behalf. When we were through with the music, she came off the platform and got to the second row in the sanctuary and said, "Dear God, I am raising my feet. I haven't been able to raise my feet for over five years!" She then proceeded to give God praise for the next 15 minutes or so. During this time, many people were being touched by the power of the Spirit that was so sweet and strong in that place.
Although there were only a handful of people there to witness this miracle, it was a moment in which Isaiah 53 came to life right before our eyes. Moments like these in the local church do several things - faith rises, excitement rises, God's promises become tangible, and the church rejoices together. I think if we were to ask those who have been healed by God where their healing occurred, I think the majority would say, "My local church".
This post is not intended to be a slam against healing crusades, but rather it is to celebrate the miraculous work that occurs at the local church. We celebrate with the masses at healing crusades, but lets us never forget the healing that occurs within our local churches. "By His stripes we are healed" - notice there is no location mentioned!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Gossip - A Cancer in the Church
In 1 Timothy 5:13 it says, "And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not." Gossip eats away at the very fabric of a church. It will if left untreated, destroy not only the church as a whole but individuals within a church. Scripture is very clear about the destructive nature of gossip. It tears down and never builds up. This is why gossip is normally done in dark for if it was truth it would be in the light. The enemy has used the weapon of gossip for years within the church and has been extremely successful in tearing up churches with this weapon.
My concern is that people tend to stereotype a church by the ways some of its people conducts themselves. For instance, how many times have we heard people say, "That church is just full of a bunch of gossipers?" Or worse than than that, "I have been the victim of gossip before and the hurt is still there". What about the pastoral family whose children have become bitter against God and the church because they heard church members barbecue the pastor week after week? It breaks my heart to see people who have been wounded by a Christian who can not overcome gossip.
Don't you think it is time that we learn to live Christ-like lives? Don't you think it's time that we learn to control that unruly member - the tongue? Don't we have enough wounded people walking around due to this terrible epidemic in the church? We need men and women of God who will stand up against this cancer invading the body of Christ. It is time that we say, "I will not allow gossip to ruin one more life and it will not allow it to be a cancer in my church". When someone begins to gossip, we need to be the spiritually mature and tell them in love that we will not be apart of gossip. If the body of Christ does not stand against this cancer in the church, one day we will see the church destroyed because people could not stop the gossip.
Let us come against this evil within the body of Christ and pray that God will close the mouths of those who wag their tongues for the purpose of tearing down. We have a choice before us, will our words build people up or will they tear down our brothers and sisters? The good news of Jesus Christ is all about love. How can we possible love someone as Christ loves them if we are constantly tearing them down? The answer is we can't. There is no way that we can truly love someone and at the same time speak words of destruction to them or about them. Let's eradicate gossip for our lives! Pray and ask God to give us the strength and ability to overcome this cancer that is raging through the Christian church today.
Cancer devours the body. That which once was healthy becomes sick, weak and tired. Gossip causes the body of Christ to be destroyed. It causes the witness of Christ within that body to become sick, weak and tired. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to infuse us in such away that Gossip is eradicated from our lives. God Bless!
My concern is that people tend to stereotype a church by the ways some of its people conducts themselves. For instance, how many times have we heard people say, "That church is just full of a bunch of gossipers?" Or worse than than that, "I have been the victim of gossip before and the hurt is still there". What about the pastoral family whose children have become bitter against God and the church because they heard church members barbecue the pastor week after week? It breaks my heart to see people who have been wounded by a Christian who can not overcome gossip.
Don't you think it is time that we learn to live Christ-like lives? Don't you think it's time that we learn to control that unruly member - the tongue? Don't we have enough wounded people walking around due to this terrible epidemic in the church? We need men and women of God who will stand up against this cancer invading the body of Christ. It is time that we say, "I will not allow gossip to ruin one more life and it will not allow it to be a cancer in my church". When someone begins to gossip, we need to be the spiritually mature and tell them in love that we will not be apart of gossip. If the body of Christ does not stand against this cancer in the church, one day we will see the church destroyed because people could not stop the gossip.
Let us come against this evil within the body of Christ and pray that God will close the mouths of those who wag their tongues for the purpose of tearing down. We have a choice before us, will our words build people up or will they tear down our brothers and sisters? The good news of Jesus Christ is all about love. How can we possible love someone as Christ loves them if we are constantly tearing them down? The answer is we can't. There is no way that we can truly love someone and at the same time speak words of destruction to them or about them. Let's eradicate gossip for our lives! Pray and ask God to give us the strength and ability to overcome this cancer that is raging through the Christian church today.
Cancer devours the body. That which once was healthy becomes sick, weak and tired. Gossip causes the body of Christ to be destroyed. It causes the witness of Christ within that body to become sick, weak and tired. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to infuse us in such away that Gossip is eradicated from our lives. God Bless!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Blessing of God
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). Paul speaking to the church at Ephesus, remind the Ephesian believers that God through Christ has blessed them with every spiritual blessing. In other words, in Christ we have all spiritual blessing that we need.
After our service today, I began to think on the idea of blessing. God so richly blessed us today in our service that I was reminded of the passage in Ephesians. God has provided for our physical healing through stripes on His back, financial need is provided due to His riches in glory and finally through His blood salvation has been provided.
I can't remember a time that I felt so blessed as I did today. We prayed for a four year old child who has been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. After the service, he came to me and said, "Pastor I am strong because God has healed me". What a blessing to have this child speak for the blessing of God upon his life. He is standing on faith for his healing even at the young age of four. I could not help but think of the innocence of this little boy's confession. I think that we as adults can learn allot from a statement such as this.
Finally, I was reminded this week of my passion for pastoring God's people. I have always held to the position that when ministry begins to be a job and not a calling, then I need to look for something else to do. Satan wants us to throw in the towel and will cause us to focus on our trial rather than on Christ. A young man in our church reminded me of this when he said, "You know, it bothers me when ministry is no longer fun and fulfilling". He said that was the road he was headed down. God wants to remind the both of us, "Don't get weary in well doing..."
What a perfect reminder in Ephesians as Paul reminds us that all Spiritual blessings have been already provided - we simply need to appropriate them.
After our service today, I began to think on the idea of blessing. God so richly blessed us today in our service that I was reminded of the passage in Ephesians. God has provided for our physical healing through stripes on His back, financial need is provided due to His riches in glory and finally through His blood salvation has been provided.
I can't remember a time that I felt so blessed as I did today. We prayed for a four year old child who has been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. After the service, he came to me and said, "Pastor I am strong because God has healed me". What a blessing to have this child speak for the blessing of God upon his life. He is standing on faith for his healing even at the young age of four. I could not help but think of the innocence of this little boy's confession. I think that we as adults can learn allot from a statement such as this.
Finally, I was reminded this week of my passion for pastoring God's people. I have always held to the position that when ministry begins to be a job and not a calling, then I need to look for something else to do. Satan wants us to throw in the towel and will cause us to focus on our trial rather than on Christ. A young man in our church reminded me of this when he said, "You know, it bothers me when ministry is no longer fun and fulfilling". He said that was the road he was headed down. God wants to remind the both of us, "Don't get weary in well doing..."
What a perfect reminder in Ephesians as Paul reminds us that all Spiritual blessings have been already provided - we simply need to appropriate them.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Change
There are some times that I wonder why I even write on this blog. Very rarely do I even get a comment on what I have written, but for some reason I do keep writing. Although I do not update it as much as I should, (considering my last post was about Easter and here it is July) I am trying to do some better this year. Oh well, here is another futile attempt at blogging.
The subject I would like to deal with today is "change". Many times change is both needed and necessary. However, there are times in which change just for change sake is not a good thing. In Ecclesiastes, the Bible talks about there being "times" or transitions in our lives - a time to live, a time to laugh, a time to dance etc. Although these times of transitions are apart of life, often we ascribe change to being a "God" thing when in reality it is our own self that desires the change.
I have been in pastoral ministry for some 20 years and have heard this statement more than on one occasion, "Pastor, God has been dealing with me about some changes that I need to make". On the surface this sounds like a great confession, however it usually ends with "God is leading me elsewhere". Why would God lead people away from a particular church just so they could make changes? I would like to submit that many times people use the "God is leading me" card, simply because they want to ascribe something spiritual to something that is a matter of their own free will and choices.
Why not simply be honest and say, "I want to leave because I want to." As a pastor this provides for an opportunity to counsel with an individual on the subject of God's will and listening to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But when the "God is leading me" card is played that shuts the door for any counseling opportunity. So, I simply want to say if it is God's leading then so be it however, don't play the "God is leading" me card when in reality it is our will and God has nothing to do with it.
The subject I would like to deal with today is "change". Many times change is both needed and necessary. However, there are times in which change just for change sake is not a good thing. In Ecclesiastes, the Bible talks about there being "times" or transitions in our lives - a time to live, a time to laugh, a time to dance etc. Although these times of transitions are apart of life, often we ascribe change to being a "God" thing when in reality it is our own self that desires the change.
I have been in pastoral ministry for some 20 years and have heard this statement more than on one occasion, "Pastor, God has been dealing with me about some changes that I need to make". On the surface this sounds like a great confession, however it usually ends with "God is leading me elsewhere". Why would God lead people away from a particular church just so they could make changes? I would like to submit that many times people use the "God is leading me" card, simply because they want to ascribe something spiritual to something that is a matter of their own free will and choices.
Why not simply be honest and say, "I want to leave because I want to." As a pastor this provides for an opportunity to counsel with an individual on the subject of God's will and listening to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But when the "God is leading me" card is played that shuts the door for any counseling opportunity. So, I simply want to say if it is God's leading then so be it however, don't play the "God is leading" me card when in reality it is our will and God has nothing to do with it.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
New Web Site
Please check out our new website at www.lifegrowingstrong.com and let me know what you think about it.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Easter Reflections
Easter has come and went and I wanted to make a few comments regarding this wonderful day. God blessed us with beautiful weather on Easter Sunday this year. I always love it when Easter is a bright sunshiny day! It makes the day so much exciting for all.
I have always loved the Easter season, it is a time of beautiful spring flowers blooming, warmer weather and there is just a wonderful sense of life. I also love it when the Spirit of the Lord moves on individuals and they give their life to the Lord. We experienced that miracle on Easter. We had someone give their life to the Lord! The miracle of the new birth on the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! It reminds me of an old hymn we used to sing, "There is a new name written down in Glory and it's mine oh yes it mine. The white robed angels sing the story a sinner has come home!" Praise the Lord on Sunday a new name was written in glory. Praise the Lord for salvation.
We can celebrate the Easter season every day! Jesus is alive He is not dead. Is your relationship with Jesus dead? Do you need resurrection power infused into your relationship with Christ? My prayer is for resurrection power to raise His people into newness of life. May God richly bless you as we spread the "Good News" that Jesus saves today. Please remember pray that we will remain faithful to our mission of Life Growing Strong!
I have always loved the Easter season, it is a time of beautiful spring flowers blooming, warmer weather and there is just a wonderful sense of life. I also love it when the Spirit of the Lord moves on individuals and they give their life to the Lord. We experienced that miracle on Easter. We had someone give their life to the Lord! The miracle of the new birth on the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! It reminds me of an old hymn we used to sing, "There is a new name written down in Glory and it's mine oh yes it mine. The white robed angels sing the story a sinner has come home!" Praise the Lord on Sunday a new name was written in glory. Praise the Lord for salvation.
We can celebrate the Easter season every day! Jesus is alive He is not dead. Is your relationship with Jesus dead? Do you need resurrection power infused into your relationship with Christ? My prayer is for resurrection power to raise His people into newness of life. May God richly bless you as we spread the "Good News" that Jesus saves today. Please remember pray that we will remain faithful to our mission of Life Growing Strong!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Fighting the Good Fight
I feel honored to be a pastor. Not to say that I enjoy every single day, but I know that God has called me to pastor His people. I do not take this calling lightly, but enter into it with fear and trepidation. It is an awesome responsibility to preach the Word, but to pastor God's people is also an ominous and rewarding task. I am saying all of this because I have a young man in my church who is 23 years of age. His parents were told that he would not live to see his second birthday. Tonight he is literally fighting for his life.
He has been sick in the hospital for a week as of today. Three different doctors told the family that if he lived through the first night he would not live for more than two days and that he needs a miracle - it has been a week so far! The only explanation that can be given is the healing Jesus has his hand on him. We all are praying for a miracle for this young man.
I said all of that to say, he is an inspiration to me. When I visit him, I see a young man who is fighting the good fight of faith. When I look into the tired eyes of his mom and dad and several other family members, I see what hope truly looks like. I see in their tired,teary and wearied eyes hope and a faith in a God who works miracles. This young man is fighting the good fight of faith and although he is so sick, he brings such inspiration to me and to all who have been touched by this special young man. I can only hope that I have the same resolve he does to finish the race that God has set before me. Please pray for this young man and his family. We believe in a miracle working God and are believing in a complete and total healing for him.
He has been sick in the hospital for a week as of today. Three different doctors told the family that if he lived through the first night he would not live for more than two days and that he needs a miracle - it has been a week so far! The only explanation that can be given is the healing Jesus has his hand on him. We all are praying for a miracle for this young man.
I said all of that to say, he is an inspiration to me. When I visit him, I see a young man who is fighting the good fight of faith. When I look into the tired eyes of his mom and dad and several other family members, I see what hope truly looks like. I see in their tired,teary and wearied eyes hope and a faith in a God who works miracles. This young man is fighting the good fight of faith and although he is so sick, he brings such inspiration to me and to all who have been touched by this special young man. I can only hope that I have the same resolve he does to finish the race that God has set before me. Please pray for this young man and his family. We believe in a miracle working God and are believing in a complete and total healing for him.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Seasons
I am so ready for Fall! Yes, I said Fall - not Spring! I love the fall season of the year. I enjoy Spring, but Spring here in Oklahoma means Tornado's! I don't care for the storms either. Now fall, that is a wonderful time of the year - color changes, cool weather and beautiful scenery! Winter - cold, dead, icy and stuck in the house! I know that every season has its purpose and without the changes of the seasons creation would get out of balance.
Although I may not like the winter and spring, God certainly knew what He was doing when he created the world. Without the deadness of winter, spring would not be as beautiful. Without the storms of spring, grass would not turn green and the flowers would not bloom. Without the warmth of summer, we would not dry out from the spring rains. God told us in Ecclesiastes 3:1,"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:" Every season has its purpose - that is the way God made it.
It gives me great comfort in knowing that when the storms of life come, when the deadness of winter come and when the heat of the battle rages God has given us His promise that He is there in the midst of it all! What a comfort to know that Jesus loves us so much that he does not abandon us in the trials and tribulations of life! He is a wonderful God who loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with us! Take the time today to thank God for the seasons of our lives!
Although I may not like the winter and spring, God certainly knew what He was doing when he created the world. Without the deadness of winter, spring would not be as beautiful. Without the storms of spring, grass would not turn green and the flowers would not bloom. Without the warmth of summer, we would not dry out from the spring rains. God told us in Ecclesiastes 3:1,"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:" Every season has its purpose - that is the way God made it.
It gives me great comfort in knowing that when the storms of life come, when the deadness of winter come and when the heat of the battle rages God has given us His promise that He is there in the midst of it all! What a comfort to know that Jesus loves us so much that he does not abandon us in the trials and tribulations of life! He is a wonderful God who loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with us! Take the time today to thank God for the seasons of our lives!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
New Year New Goals
Well, as you can see I did not do very well with keeping my blog updated. However, 2010 is the year! I am going to do my best to post on my blog at the very least bi-weekly. So, this is my first post of the New Year and I am pumped to say the least. I believe that this is going to be the best year for Freedom Life Church of God. I can not wait to see what God is going to do.
Since March of 09, my wife and I embarked upon a lifestyle change that would radically change our lives forever. We have - drum roll please - lost a total of 193 pounds! My wife is at 98 pounds and I have lost 95! We did this the "old fashioned" way by exercise and healthy food choices. I would like to challenge all who read this to join us on this journey. Remember we "are the temples of the Holy Spirit". Let's take care of what God has given us.
God Bless!
Since March of 09, my wife and I embarked upon a lifestyle change that would radically change our lives forever. We have - drum roll please - lost a total of 193 pounds! My wife is at 98 pounds and I have lost 95! We did this the "old fashioned" way by exercise and healthy food choices. I would like to challenge all who read this to join us on this journey. Remember we "are the temples of the Holy Spirit". Let's take care of what God has given us.
God Bless!
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