Scripture to read today:

Psalm 124; 2 Corinthians 11; 2 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 13

Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Corinthians 12: 8-9
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Observation:
I don’t know what Paul’s affliction was (I’m not sure if anyone knows) but whatever it was, he says that the Lord gave it to him to keep him humble- so that he could be weak and rely on the power of God.

Application:
Do we see our hardships this way? Do we see them as opportunities for God’s power to work in us? If we follow Paul’s lead, then the grace of God is all we need. This is one of those hard lessons for me- I am strong- raising a family by myself and running a household. I have to be. But I also have to be weak before God, so that He can fill me with His strength.

Prayer:
Lord, You are merciful and mighty! Thank You for working in my life, giving me strength to raise my family to know You. Amen.

Verse of the Day

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. “

— 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV)

Scripture to read today:

2 Corinthians 7; 2 Corinthians 8; 2 Corinthians 9; 2 Corinthians 10

Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Corinthians 10:7
Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do.

Observation:
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth in advance of Titus (and company) making a visit there. Obviously, there is some in-fighting in the church, and among their neighbors, about who is really saved by Christ.

Application:
Do we do this? Do you think you’re a better Christian than I am, or that I’m more worthy of Christ than you are? I hope not- for we are all sinners, and none of us deserve the gift that God gave us of His Son, who brings forgiveness through grace. Anyone who is a child of God should recognize that his brothers and sisters in Christ receive the same gift of grace in an equal measure. Not one is more important than another.

Prayer:
Lord, help us to realize that You are here for us all. That You mete out grace and forgiveness in equal measures to all your children. Help us to be happy about this, not grudging or boastful. Amen.

Scripture for today:  2 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 4; 2 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 6 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   2 Corinthians 4:7-12If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. 

Observation:  Paul was cautioning the people from thinking too highly of them and not being realistic.  He did not want them to worship the people bringing the message so he continually told them to look at the mere person bringing the message and hear the message as from God.

 Application:  The fact that God would use someone like me to tell others about Him is about the stupidest plan I can think of.  I mean I fail, I get mad, I have no patience at times, I am unable to have a day without committing some sin or another, yet, God has chosen to use me to tell others about his son Jesus Christ.  What a crazy, insane plan.  I often wonder if God ever regrets that he chose this way to win the world to Christ.  I hope in some small way people can hear my message and look beyond me to the God, Creator of all.  Without Him in my life, I am without!!

 Prayer:  Lord, use me to tell others about you, despite my shortcomings and thank you for never giving up on me.  I would have a long time ago.

Pastor Mike Householder spoke this morning at Lutheran Church of Hope here in Des Moines about the true Church, and what that actually means. It was awesome, and here my thoughts on what he said. 

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ”But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Peter, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.”               [Matthew 16:13-19] 

The Church, the family of Jesus Christ, is built on the rock of Peter’s faith. Peter himself is not the rock necessarily, but it’s his faith. The other disciples are afraid to admit that Jesus is the Messiah, but Peter steps out and tells Jesus he is indeed the One. It is on that display of faith that Jesus constructs his family. This passage also tells us that Hell and Satan cannot overcome the church. The Bible tells us that Satan has dominion over the Earth, and it’s my belief that any one person on their own will cannot defeat him and his temptation, but as the church, with God on our side, he cannot enter our gates.

Now, it needs to be clarified that the Church is not just a building. It’s so much more than that. The church is all the people in the world who share Christ in their hearts. This means that wherever you go, the church goes. We are always representing our Savior, no matter where we are or what we’re doing. Who we serve, the church is serving. On the flip side of that, and more powerfully in my opinion, who we ignore, the church is ignoring.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” [2 Corinthians 5:20] 

The church is God’s vessel for reaching the world. For reaching the hurting. We can’t do it on our own as individuals. As a group of servants though, as a family, we can reach the whole world. Do you really believe that? 

Do you see church as someplace you go on Sunday mornings, or do you see it as a lifestyle? A lifestyle of servanthood. A lifestyle of learning and growing. Be the church. 

Think about it. 

P.S. See Acts 2 for more detail about what church is, and I may do on a post on that in the future.

Scripture to read today:

2 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 4; 2 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 6

Scripture that spoke to me:
2 Corinthians 4: 18
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Observation:
Paul was trying to encourage the people of Corinth to have courage in times of trouble. He was reminding them that they have everlasting life- to focus on heaven and not so much on this world.

Application:
He needs to remind me of this, too. I have a tendency to not be able to see past next week, much less past this life to the next one. Part of it is because I’m too busy- I don’t take time to commune with God like I should. I pray, but often don’t listen for the answers. I know this is why we’re supposed to honor the Sabbath- take a day to slow down and get some rest and reconnect with God.

Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for not spending enough time with You. Thank You for this daily study, which helps some! Amen.

Our sweet friend Mary Barrett went home to be with the Lord after battling cancer for less than a year.

The first time I met Mary was many years ago at the very first Calvary Chapel Southeast Pastor’s Conference.

Over the years we got to know her and her husband Joe. Unpretentious, sincere, talented, sweet. She was one of the best worship leaders I’ve known. She loved Jesus deeply.

This morning I read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 and thought of Joe.

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does^[a] deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our^[b] behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

Notice verse 11, “helping together in prayer.” That’s our job now. Helping Joe in prayer.

My mom died when I was a senior in high school. It’s a very painful thing to lose someone you love so dearly. It’s very comforting, though, to think about what heaven is like and what they are experiencing who are know enjoying that perfect land of glory.

So let’s help Joe with our prayers and keep our eyes fixed on the eternal.

Life is hard but God is good.

In these chapters Paul begins defending his ministry and then attacks the “super-apostles” as the TNIV calls them. The main body of chapter 11 is filled with his boasting which, contrary to the world’s boasting, consists of a list of pain and suffering he has endured for the sake of the Gospel. Paul concludes his “boasting” by mentioning his thorn in the flesh. He asked three times for it to be removed but the Lord responded that he must live with it. Specifically, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This verse has comforted millions of Christians and since Paul does not specify what his thorn is Christians have long wondered and many identify it with whatever thorn they have. Perhaps this was Paul’s (Holy Spirit’s) intention or perhaps he just didn’t want to go into details which would distract readers from his point. Paul ends the section with the hope that when he comes to them he will find them living in purity, having given up their debauched ways (12:21). In the concluding chapter he makes an important statement: “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” (13:8). In the midst of his personal difficulties he will not let up his concentration on the truth of Christ even if it means he will face opposition from some in Corinth.

Chapter seven contains a very comforting statement by Paul: “He [Titus] told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever” (7:7b). Despite the difficulties in the past and Paul’s call for repentance their relationship has been healed because they repented. Titus was also very encouraged to be involved in this matter.

In chapter eight Paul recounts the hardships of the Macedonian churches. Even in the midst of their poverty they have given generously to the collection for Jerusalem. He utters a promise and a challenge that we might consider: “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little’” (8:13-15). It is in the midst of encouraging the Corinthians to carry through with their promise of the previous year of taking a collection for the hard-pressed Jerusalem Christians that Paul utters the famous line: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (9:7). We often use this in church to refer to giving to our own church but actually Paul was referring to giving for Christians in another city. Ultimately this collection is about bringing praise to God (9:13).

2 Corinthians 3:18 ~ “And we, who with unveiled faces all relfect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

For more Word Filled Wednesday visit Amydeanne.

The verses “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” have always caught my attention (2 Cor 4:8-9), especially in light of a certain song. The beginning of chapter five talks more about Christians’ luminal existence, something which I mentioned previously from Dr. Spilsbury’s lecture. We hope for what is unseen, living out our earthly existence in the reality of what is to come. We do not just do this for our own sake, but as the only representatives of Christ that people will ever meet in this life: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (5:20-21).

2 Corinthians 6:14 is a much used, but often misunderstood verse: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?” In its context this verse is clearly referring to something to do with idol worship and prohibits associating with those who worship what is not God; Christians are not to join themselves together with these people. This verse has often been used to prohibit marriage or business partnerships between Christians and non-Christians but this was not Paul’s intention. When we read this verse we need to view it within the context of the letter. Paul has just been speaking about his suffering and will follow up with a series of Old Testament references, culminating in the statement: “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (7:1). Finally, we need to ask what Paul meant by “yoking.” In How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth the authors note that this was not commonly used for marriage so unless Paul is introducing an unusual reference for marriage into a passage against idolatry it does not mean marital yoking. This is a place where a word study might be helpful.

Someone gave me a poem about the All-suffiecient Grace.  I didn’t even realise i needed this reminder, but i did.  Did you know that God always gives suffient grace, for each trial, for each conflict and for each temptation?   Our God is an awesome God who glorifies Himself through our weakness.  Nobody can be to weak, no one can be strong enough.  His grace will always be enough for every situation.

Now, how do i remember this?  I think of that verse in 2 Corinthians 12.  What Jesus said a long time ago, but still is ever so real today.  “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  I encourage you to.  Whoever you are that you may accept this grace and let your life through it glorify God!

Paul begins this letter by reassuring the Corinthians that he is ok because God has provided. Paul had faced stiff opposition in Asia and the Corinthians must have been very concerned for him and those with him. Not all in Corinth were thrilled with Paul as becomes clear from the end of chapter one and the beginning of two. He has not visited them because his previous letter caused some to perhaps, shall we say, become weary of him. He doesn’t want to turn their joy into grief. Paul turns to some specific matters of which we do not have more information. This would be a good time to consult a commentary. The principle he lays down is that by opposing him a certain person has done harm to the Corinthian church and if the church forgives that person Paul will also forgive him (2:10).

In chapter three he compares the Law to life in the Spirit. Those who have the Spirit and live in the Spirit rather than the Law, “are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (3:18). This is the Law of Freedom.

I  H  O  P

Insidious Horde Of Perfidious

My ministry in compliance to 2 Corinthians 11:12 – 15

And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us [Foundational Apostles] in the things they boast about. 13 for such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Gregory P. Garwood

     I am ever amazed at the arrogance of the Joel’s Army/ Kingdom Now/ Dominion Theology/ Manifest Sons of God heretic Mike Bickel. Bickel is strongly connected with other false “Kansas City prophets” Paul Cain, John Paul Jackson, Bob Jones and Rick Joyner.

C. Peter Wagner “Presiding apostle” of the International Coalition of apostles, who, in his superior “discernment,” commissioned and endorsed the proven fraud Todd (Bam Bam) Bentley in Lakeland Florida earlier this year, is associated with Bickel through Rick Joyner. Joyner was front and center with Wagner when Wagner “decreed” with self appointed “apostolic authority” of Bentley,

“This commissioning represents a powerful spiritual transaction taking place in the invisible world. With this in mind, I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree to Todd Bentley, your power will increase, your authority will increase, your favor will increase, your influence will increase, your revelation will increase.

“I also decree that a new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry. A new life force will penetrate this move of God. Government will be established to set things in their proper order. God will pour out a higher level of discernment to distinguish truth from error. New relationships will surface to open the gates to the future.”

As we now know, God did pour out a higher level of discernment to distinguish truth from error, but not on Bentley, Wagner or Joyner. Rather, God poured out the discernment on Geraldo Rivera because shortly after Geraldo interviewed Bentley on Geraldo at large, Bentley turned tail, packed his bags and beat a hasty path out of Lakeland with his tail between his legs. It was later revealed that Bentley is an alcoholic biker fraud who had been involved in an adulterous affair with an assistant for several years. We still don’t know what happened to all the money donated to Bentley’s Fresh Fire Ministries since they are protected as a 501 c (3) “ministry.” I guarantee you that if Bentley ever kicked one of my loved ones I would have to have him incarcerated before I took matters into my own hands and flattened his nose.

We witnessed the superior discernment of Wagner, Joyner and crew didn’t we? By the lack of discernment these men proved that they either had no discernment, or they were heavily involved in deceptively covering up the facts. Either way, one must question the character of these “ministers.” Actually, these men are fulfillment of scripture because they are all deluded and deceived, used by Satan in the last days before the return of Jesus Christ just as Jesus Himself told us there would be. Now that we know a little history, lets get on to IHOP.

Mike Bickel heads the International House of Prayer. They use the acronym “IHOP - KC.” The only IHOP I recognize is the International House of Pancakes which was founded in 1958; long before Bickel’s elitist empire was formed. As a matter of fact, I think the true IHOP should sue Bickel for trade mark infringement just as the World Wildlife Fund sued The World Wrestling Federation in 2000 and won. I think The Pancake guys would win hands down and I wish they would nail Bickel and his boy’s with a law suit seeking punitive damages for defamation of character for fraudulent practices. Someone needs to bring Bickel and his boys to their knees begging God for forgiveness.

The reason I call Bickel and his boys evil and controlling is because I have done a little research on the hoard and have found some rather disturbing facts.

This network commits deception by omission. They don’t want you to know that they believe in the office of “restored apostle.” One IHOP affiliate in Ephrata, PA claims in a statement on their web sight that they are not apostles. Gateway House of Prayer states;

“GHOP values the complete restoration of Apostolic Foundations. Apostolic Foundations does not mean we are apostles. Apostolic Foundations speaks of the specific training Jesus gave His apostles that they were to teach all their followers and can be summed up in the following descriptions: . . .” (GHOP, about us, apostolic foundations)

However, as we see in the link to the Gateway application for internship, they state;

“GHOP values the complete restoration of Apostolic Foundations. Apostolic Foundations speaks of the specific training Jesus gave His apostles that they were to teach all their followers and can be summed up in the following descriptions: . . .” (Intern Application page 3)

http://gatewayprayer.com/trainingmedia/SEER%20Internship%20Application%20Packet.pdf

Note the omission of the words “does not mean we are apostles.” in the intern application. Was GHOP careless in their omission of the words, or were they being vague? By association with Joyner, Wagner and company through Bickel, it would stand to reason that GHOP shares the same belief as their leader. Note the suggestive “Foundations” they use when describing “the complete restoration of apostolic foundations.” What’s a foundation? An Apostle, so one begs to question just what are they “restoring? The office of foundational Apostle has passed, never to return. I can say this because nowhere in the bible do I read about the office of foundational Apostle being restored. Don’t be deceived, people, these guys have bought hook, line and sinker the fraudulent office of “restored apostle.” They simply are not honest enough to admit so for fear of loosing a few brainwashed sheeple.

Upon further examination it appears that these groups all work from the same application template. The mission statements and statements of faith may be a little different between affiliates but they all work from the same basic format. The alarming thing to me is that each H O P sight I’ve visited requires the applicant to sign a waiver relinquishing all rights for the applicant to review the information gathered against them as you will see if you visit the Gateway sight below and scroll down to page 13 “Pastoral Recommendation.”

 http://gatewayprayer.com/trainingmedia/SEER%20Internship%20Application%20Packet.pdf

And here from the House of Prayer in Atlanta page 15 for example.

http://www.ihop-atlanta.com/assets/pdf/intro09application_p.pdf

Why do they ask you to sign a waiver? What do they have to hide or gain? I’ll explain why.

First of all, the waiver is a measuring tool to see how malleable the applicant is.  This proves that these megalomaniacs are dangerous! Only arrogant, flatulent fools like these would ever expect anyone to waive their constitutional rights. Only dangerous cults seek such insulation. They are looking for blind followers who have lost all common sense. Only blindly loyal followers can be lead to drink the cool aid and join Hale Bop in the sky. These snakes need to be investigated BEFORE we end up with another Jonestown massacre!

Secondly, the waiver is a document of power. It gives them teeth. The waiver gives the wolves the appearance of power that they so desperately wish they had over the gullible sheeple. Sign away your rights and they own you. Requesting you to relinquish your rights is a very dangerous sign that these snakes are not to be trusted. This request should surely raise a red flag with any sensible person.

Thirdly, by waiving your constitutional rights, you give them the authority to use what ever they discover about you to control you! They can say what ever they want about you and you have no recourse to amend what they are accusing you of. They will manipulate you with guilt and uncertainty. They can destroy you and you have no legal protection. And remember, they will have access to your permanent records and by signing the waiver, they can add what ever they want to your record! You will be left indefensible! When I think of these guys, pertinent scripture comes to mind.

Matthew 23:33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” (Jesus Christ)

Some of these insolent snakes have the unmitigated gall to require a “Consumer report” of you gathering, among other things, “Credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, (What ever that may mean.) personal characteristics, criminal background or mode of living.” They also want your Full name, currant address, city, zip code, gender, date of birth, social security number, drivers license number and state where issued and some very personal information that would never be asked in a healthy setting. In the cyber world this is known as phishing. Verify for yourself on page 12 at the IHOP Atlanta link. What are they going to do with all of your information?

Why must you submit all of this information to simply play guitar for them? The answer is because they have an ulterior motive that’s why! They go on to advise the brainless applicant that;

 “This report may be compiled with information from credit bureaus, courts record repositories, departments of motor vehicles, past or present employers and educational institutions, government occupational licensing or registration entities, business or personal references, and any other source required to verify information I have voluntarily supplied.”

They then correctly advise the brainless applicant at the end of the Background Check Inquiry Release Form;

“I understand that I may request a complete and accurate disclosure of the nature and scope of the background verification, to the extent such investigation information bearing on my character, general reputation, personal characteristics or mode of living.”

Hard to believe?  Again, I strongly suggest you visit the links I have provided and verify this pompous arrogance for yourself. Now, here is a prime example of their deceit. You see that on the background check inquiry release form that they advise you that you have the right to request a “complete and accurate” disclosure of the report gathered on you AFTER you sign the background report authorization. (pg. 12 ) This application may be considered an employment application so it may be understandable to request such information. What is unconscionable is that these snakes require you to waive your constitutional rights later on page 15. Again I ask why they need you to waive your rights with no explanation given unless something suspicious is going on. Your rights are designed to protect you. Why do they want you vulnerable and unprotected? Does this seem like a request that a safe organization would make? I think not!

Another reason they want such information from people with a signed waiver is summed up in one word, control. Not only do they want to control you, they want to control all of the churches that “network” with them. I know of what I speak because I have had experience with the Reading House of Prayer and I have a prime example of their control tactics.

I used to play at RHOP often, to an empty room and with great trepidation. I was required to complete “Harp and Bowel” training before I could “minister.” I attempted to complete the training twice but each time I had a huge uneasiness about it. I never did make it through the training but was permitted to “minister” anyway under the “covering” of another “team.” (They needed warm bodies to control)

I am a musician and sound technician and I used to attend Grace Fellowship in Shillington, PA, a word - faith church. A few years ago a pastor with the Bridge Builders Ministries, Victor Dunning, requested that we host a musician from the UK. Grace fellowship granted the favor and asked me to form and coordinate a supporting worship team. I knew Vic because Vic was senior pastor at my former church, Hopewell Christian Fellowship of the Hopewell Network of Churches. (Lead by that rascally lead “apostle” Lester Zimmerman.)  I left Hopewell Christian Fellowship because the direction the church was headed didn‘t square with the Word of God. An associate pastor, Curt Malizzi began to follow lock step the debacle in Toronto created by Mike Bickel that eventually spread to Brownsville Florida culminating in the fraudulent Todd Bentley “revival” in 2008.

I had the support team recruited and we had actually practiced twice when the RHOP boys heard that I was coordinating the event. The RHOP boys called me, much to the consternation of Vic, and attempted to “assume the leadership role.” They were aghast that they hadn’t been notified of the event. I suppose I was to request permission from RHOP before contributing in any way to a worship event in their “region.” How is that for arrogance? They actually think they should control any and every church which “networks” with them. After the RHOP boys had everything in an uproar, Vic had to tell them to back off and that he called the shots and that I was to complete the task. I know of what I speak, it happened to me.

Here’s the clincher with the whole application, it seems a very remote possibility that anyone exists that could pass such muster. So, knowing this, the poor mindless applicant who now has no right to view his “file” will forever wonder just what the snakes did uncover about him or with whom they have shared the dirt. The snakes now have the power to coerce blind obedience. I know first hand how gossip works. I was involved in “agape” prayer ministry at Hopewell Christian Fellowship Telford, PA and the things I shared with them were used against me in a futile attempt to control me. The information that got back to me could only have come from the “prayer” sessions.

I suppose the most striking thing about the arrogance of these snakes is the fact that there are such milquetoast sheeple who will blindly “obediently” sign their lives away. It’s very alarming to see just how many gullible and willing there are in the world today.

In closing, I want you to think about something. If these guys are arrogant enough to refuse public disclosure of their finances, what would make you think they can be trusted with your personal information? The waiver says it all folks, it’s as simple as that. These guys are not to be trusted; anyone who has the misfortune of being lured in by these snakes is in eminent spiritual, economic, psychological and physical danger.

Think about it!

Revelations 2:2-3

 2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

 3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Gregory P. Garwood

Clara Peller became famous many years ago in a Wendy’s commercial asking the question, “Where’s the beef?” The commercial became a favorite, and she became known as the “Where’s the beef?” lady. The point of the commercial was that, unlike other hamburger places, Wendy’s didn’t just have a fluffy bun, but had the beef to go with it. There was some substance to their hamburgers that was lacking in other places. The saying came to be used in business and social circles, even political campaigns, to challenge whether or not there was really anything to a proposal or idea, or was it just fluff and show.

Although a little dated, this is the question that is challenging the church today- where is the substance of our Christian faith and where is the character of God that is supposed to mark our fellowship. The church is known for its’ rhetoric, its’ stances on some social issues and for…. but what should be the first thing the church is known for?  What is the real “beef” of our existence as a body of believers in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord?

Read the quote by Ed Stetzer from the book Compelled by Love (which I highly recommend for your reading)

“We would all agree:  Christians ought to be the most loving people in the world- but we aren’t. Let’s face it; every church in North America would be overflowing if we didn’t have the reputation of being hypocrites, liars. etc. ... We cannot be loving and live for self. Love does not operate selfishly. Love changes us. “And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised (2 Cor 5:15 HCSB).  The enormity of God’s forgiveness compels us to live differently. Since the God of the universe has treated us in a most loving and forgiving way, Christians should be the most loving and forgiving people on earth. When we fail, we dishonor the One to whom we belong. Christians and unbelievers alike share the sin of hypocrisy, but we are without excuse because we know better… when we claim allegiance to the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who died on a Cross as the outworking and fulfillment of His love and forgiveness, then we should not act in unloving ways. Something is wrong when a person claims to belong to Christ and yet fails to love others” (p. 23-24)

When we talk about who we are to be as a church, we cannot start with us, but with God. Who is He?  What is He like?  What is His mission?  Too often our conversation begins with what programs we run, what kind of music we sing, what group of people we are trying to reach… but the substance of the church is the character and the work of God. To some this may seem to be overly obvious, but there are two issues to deal with…

1) The rest of the world does not see this as overly obvious- in fact they are probably wondering why they don’t see more love from the church. Here is the question, “If God is so loving, why is there _____ in the church?”.  The question is a valid one- why is there fighting in the church, why is there racism/classicism in the church, why is there hatred in the church.  Even further, why is the church not more involved when it come to the issues of loving the least? Why does the church seem to reject so many people?  Why is there not more acceptance of those who are not like church people?  Why is there still such segregation in the church?

So how do we answer these things?  Do we just assume that since the church has been this way it is alright to be this way?  The answer is an emphatic no. As Stetzer says, we have no excuse. We simply are not living out the true character of God. In some way we have taken God and put Him through the filter of our culture, experiences, preferences, prejudices and pet peeves and emerged with a God that is not supernatural in His love toward man, but is much like us- picking and choosing how and who we love. When the world looks at us, does it see a supernatural love, a God love, that draws them to Him… or merely another group of people with their ideas and ideologies asking people to be like them.

2) Christ expects it. Love is the motivation of God’s work and needs to be at the core of who we are as His people. We have in some cases replaced love in the church with our way of doing things– which we sometimes mistakenly call righteousness– defending to the death minor issues of preference (what we wear, do we have tattoos, do we go to certain kinds of movies, what political party are we affiliated with, etc) while allowing the love of God to take a back seat. Love drove God to forgive us in Christ. Christ calls us to forgive as God forgives… no wiggle room here… so that our motivation in dealing with the world is God’s love, not our level of acceptance or tolerance of someones sin.

Christ says that He loved, and gave His life. He loved and forgave those who crucified Him. He loved and He graciously taught people how to love their Heavenly Father. He loved and He fed the multitudes. He loved and He healed the sick. We love and we….. What could you fill in the blank with there. What is the evidence of our love for the world?  What could we point to in order to demonstrate the deep, passionate, and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ flowing through us?

So the call to the church, coming from above (God) and beside us (the world), is to love. We have everything we need to be the “love leaders” of our world. Yet…  Well, it just bugs me that the church, the people of God, can possibly have any other attitude when it comes to looking at the world full of hurt, pain, disappointment, confusion, hunger, homelessness, abuse, neglect… and you can fill in the blank with what you see in your workplace or in your family or on your streets or on the news.

One thing strikes me about Jesus, who really was righteous in all His ways, when He encountered the hurting. Read the gospels, Jesus approaches those who are hurting with compassion. He had compassion on the multitudes who were hungry, the blind who were begging, the sinner who was stealing, the woman who had been with five husbands, and the list goes on. The harshest words Jesus ever spoke were for those who were not loving to the world and were filled with self-righteousness (that would be the Pharisees). They were known for what they were against, the people that they accepted and rejected, the rules that they kept, the days and traditions they observed– all done in the name of God, just not done with love.  Unfortunately, their description and the description of much of the church today, is identical.

There needs to be a revolution in the church today, a revolution of love for God and love for the world. God commands it, the world needs it, and we should want it. My heart is alternately excited at the possibilities of a church loving the world the way Christ loves imperfect sinners to bring them into a relationship with their Heavenly Father…. and concerned that it is going to require too much change from some people. Let love be what motivates us to live this Christian life. Let’s be supernatural in our love for the world, and see a world drawn to God in the midst of the chaos, hate, evil and confusion of this world.

Reading Gregory the Great’s “Pastoral Rule,” a document addressing Christian shepherds and their pastoral roles, I came across this quote.  Ponder it with me.

Secular employments, therefore, though they may sometimes be endured out of compassion, should never be sought after out of affection for the things themselves; lest, while they weigh down the mind of him who loves them, they sink it, overcome by its own burden, from heavenly places to the lowest (Gregory the Great, “The Pastoral Rule,” in The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 2nd series, p. 18).

Gregory’s comment illustrates numerous biblical exhortations for pastors and leaders in ministry.  Consider three:

2 Timothy 2:4, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”

2 Timothy 2:20-21, “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful for the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

1 Peter 5:2-3, “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God whould have you; not for shameful gain…”

In a world filled with distractions…Television.  Radio.  Video Games.  Internet.  Telephone.  Cell Phone.  Email.  Blogging.  Facebook.  Twitter.  The list goes on… Where was I?  Oh yeah, distracting secular employments!  In a world filled with distractions, Gregory’s warning is a timeless reminder that one of Satan’s ploys is to take our eyes, our minds, our affections off what really matters and to fill them with worldly goods (Read: Luke 14:16-24). 

More so than ever, our enemy has an avalanche of options to force us off the straight and narrow path.  He may not tempt us to be bad but to be busy with banality.  For none of the things listed above are intrinsically evil, but they become instruments of destruction when they hinder our worship, deter our mission, promote lethargy, or increase vain curiosity.

I don’t say this as a disenchanted technophobe, but as someone who regularly utilizes the modern amenities afforded by technology.  Nevertheless, I feel their effects.  Gregory’s words rachet me back to Jesus’ pre-modern call to pick up my cross and follow Him.  I confess that too many times, I am distracted in this pursuit, and so I appreciate his exhortation.  I pray for spiritual renewal in my life and a return to a “sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3).  I pray for others too that we will together fix our eyes on Jesus running with endurance the race set out for us, and that to do this well we throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  In this I pray, that we will learn how to use mass media not for purposes of distraction, but for purposes of spiritual destruction–”destroying arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5)

Father in Heaven, Undistracted Deity: Give your people the wisdom to see the ways in which worldly distractions keep them from following you as loyal soldiers, clean vessels, and willing shepherds.  Spirit of Truth, lead us to repent and turn from our futile pursuits and to utilize all creation, technology included, for your glory.  Protect us from the world’s all-consuming efffects.  Lord Jesus, glorify yourself in your church, liberating your people to be wholly committed to loving and serving you.  And may the world watch in wonder and follow in obedience to you as your church turns from distraction to devotion!

Sola Deo Gloria, dss

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory,” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Commenting on this verse, John Calvin writes,

“The promises, I say, are testimonies of Divine grace: for although God shows kindness even to the unworthy, (Luke vi. 35,) yet when promises are given in addition to his acts of kindness, there is a special reason- that in them he declares himself to be a Father. Secondly, we are not qualified for enjoying the promises of God, unless we have received the remission of our sins, which we obtain through Christ.

Thirdly, the promise, by which God adopts us to himself as his sons, holds the first place among them all (emphasis mine). Now the cause and root of adoption is Christ; because God is not a Father to any that are not members and brethren of his only-begotten Son.

Everything, however, flows out from this source- that, while we are without Christ, we are hated by God rather than favourably regarded, while at the same time God promises us everything that he does promise, because He loves us. Hence it is not to be wondered if Paul here teaches, that all the promises of God are ratified and confirmed in Christ,” (Calvin’s Commentaries, vol. XX, “2 Corinthians,” pp. 137-138).

We’ve been working on sermon conclusions as of late.  The whole process has been a very technical exercise so far, touching on mostly basics of crafting a good expository sermon (as opposed to topical or textual).  This type of sermon is defined as the presentation of “the meaning of a Scriptural text so that it may be understood and acted upon.”  Essentially, explanation and application.  The idea is to understand what a text is saying in the larger literary and grammatical context of the text and the historical and cultural context of the author and its original audience.  From there, you draw implications of how it relates to modern folk and how it applies to life, so we’re not sitting there saying, “So what?”

It’s mostly theory at this point as we haven’t dove into hermeneutics just yet, but we’re on our way in my Covenant Theology class.  We’re still in the ABCs phase.

At any rate, here’s the sermon conclusion I wrote.  It wraps around from the introduction, so if it doesn’t make sense, make sure you read my previous post.  It’s based on 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (ESV).

Fortunately, Fred did not leave Michelle to fend for herself.  He did not want her to remain discouraged and saddened because her car was in bad shape, so he invited her back into the shop to propose a plan.  You see, Fred is not just in the business of repairing vehicles.  He desires to build relationships with his customers.  He wants to educate and encourage them to pursue a philosophy of maintenance to maximize the life and effectiveness of their vehicles.  “After all,” he says, “the cheapest car you own is the one you currently have.”  He wants to share in the bounty of knowledge and experience he has gathered in over 30 years of service.  And he wants his customers to do the same: to pass on this same philosophy of care.

When Michelle came back into the shop, Fred took the time to explain why her car reached the condition it was in and walked her through how he planned to repair it.  He recommended ongoing behavior so this situation could be avoided in the future, and then he proposed a payment plan since she clearly did not have the funds to immediately cover the costs.  Michelle was humbled by Fred’s concern and help, and I imagine after this experience, she looks at her car and her care of it in a very different way.

You see, God looks at us in much the same way.  We are saddened and discouraged because we don’t measure up to His standards, and we realize we never will by any efforts of our own.  Yet He does not leave us in this place, distant from him.  He comes to us in our place of need and does not just visit us, but he lives among us.  God is indeed near!  He welcomes us into his midst because he wants to be our God, to walk with us and have fellowship with us.  He becomes our father because he wants to make us his people.  He makes us his children because he wants us to join with one another and share our portions together.  God’s actions establish an enduring relationship so that it becomes our delight to pursue holiness, responding to Him without reserve and hesitation.  So I say to you, brothers and sisters, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from sin, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of our God.

This was Paul’s cross.

“I speak as if insane–I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”
2 Corinthians 11.23-27 

What’s your cross?

by Eric

Ryan and Karen led worship yesterday in church, which was lovely, and they were good enough to sing one of my favorite songs, which happens to be one they wrote, called “Made Brand New.” I have always enjoyed that song and been challenged by it and today was no different. As I sang this song that I’d sung many times before, I found myself remembering 2 Corinthians 5:17, which echoes that lyric from the song. Paul writes “if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

As I thought about all this, I found myself questioning how it was that this whole thing worked with God making all things new. When does that happen? Is it new by the moment? Because often I don’t feel very new. This is especially true when I find myself wrestling with sin in my life. I get frustrated to still be wrestling with things that should have been dealt with by now and that I don’t always feel made new, as in clean and restored from my sin. If God has made me new, how come these things keep happening?

I didn’t find any clarity on that when I was in church, although I did have a sweet time at dinner with Katie, the Musser twins, and a certain classy lady who’s now dating one of them. When I got home tonight I looked up that passage and read the rest of 2 Corinthians 5:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

The parts that I italicized really stuck out to me. Paul commands us to reconcile ourselves to God. WE have to do that part. What the crap? How does that work? Well I forget sometimes that reconciliation is something that involves both parties offering something. God has already offered us forgiveness and the chance to be made brand new through his sacrifice on the cross. Christ’s blood stands ready to wash over me like a flood and take my sin/shame/guilt/apathy with it. But often, I think, when that flood hits me I cling onto those things even as Christ is trying to wrench them from me and leave me “brand new.” 

I need to being willing to let go of the memory and shame of who I’ve been and really step into being the new creation that God’s not only called me to me, but also provided a way for me to be. Even as I write these words, God continues to call me to be a new creation…to be a better man tomorrow than I have been today through his guidance and help. But it’s not a passive thing. I have to be reconciled to God by laying at the cross everything of myself that he’s trying to clean me of.

I want to emphasize that I’ve been writing “I” on purpose in this post. I don’t think God’s doing the same thing in each and every one of our hearts. For me, in my life, I feel God calling me to content for calling he has given me and push myself in my pursuit of it. I don’t think that’s where everyone else is probably at right now. But, if you’re in a boat similar to mine, then the challenge I lay out is for us to be intentional in letting Christ wash us clean and in doing so participate in our own reconciliation to God…to live as the new creations he’s allowed us to be…and to then take this ministry of reconciliation with us in all we do.

These are my notes from the talk I did for a group of teenagers at my church last night.  Although in the actual talk I “freestyled” it a lot more.  So there was a lot more said and applied that is not in the notes.

1. Profound Problem:

This is one of the most fundamental problems that people have with the God of the Bible!  People get angry about this issue! Divine judgement is offensive!

This is not a universal problem or difficulty. This is a western modern/post-modern problem.  Many cultures would have more of a problem with the idea of a God of love than a God of justice/punishment.

Perhaps it is easier for us to not be as concerned with justice and punishment when we sit in our nice suburban homes but what about…

So why is it a problem for us?  Our postmodern epistemology.

We have an unwritten assumption in our culture that each individual has the right to determine what he or she believes and that is right and good for that person. And how dare any god judge us and send us to hell for what we believe.  Is it not my right to believe whatever I want?

Tim Keller: “the most fundamental belief in American culture is that moral truth is relative to individual consciousness. Our culture, therefore, has no problem with a God of love who supports us no matter how we live. It does, however, object strongly to the idea of a God who punishes people for sincerely held beliefs, even if they are mistaken.” (A Reason for God p70)

“We believe so deeply in our personal rights in this realm that the very idea of a divine Judgement Day seems impossible” (p72)

Unless we believe that our culture is superior to every other culture why should be let our Western cultural hang-ups be the judge as to whether Christianity is valid.

2. Do you really want everyone to just go free?

What about justice?

Why is your natural reaction towards revenge or vindication?

If everyone gets off then justice does not matter!

3. If God is a God of love then he must also be a God of judgement:

Because He Cares!

Because Sin/Justice Matters!

Bekky Pippert says “God’s wrath is not a cranky explosion, but his settled opposition to the cancer… which is eating out the insides of the human race he loves with his whole being.”

4. But is eternal punishment not a bit harsh

Ok so even if we can agree that sin deserves judgement and that it really does matter; is eternal punishment in eternal hell still not a bit harsh.  What if he punished us - felt the consequences for our actions - and then forgave us?

CS Lewis suggests that hell is the being given over to our own choices, left to continue on the trajectory that our life was on anyway.

“Hell is simple ones freely chosen identity apart from God on a trajectory into infinity.” (RFG p 78) addictions, isolation, denial, delusion, self-absorption, self-pity.

CS Lewis famously said “Hell is the greatest monument to human freedom.”   Romans 1:24 God gave them up to their desires…

“All God does in the end with people is given them what they most want, including freedom from himself.” (RFG p79)

5. The Clue to resolution

Now all of this seems a bit harsh when it is taken out of context.

The context for this doctrine - is the story of God.  The bible is not a bunch of nice verses put together in a book to help you through the day, and make you feel good.

The Bible is a story - the story of God and the world he has made. The story of God and the people he creates and he loves.

Elements of the story:

• God the glorious!
• Creates
• The entire universe
• With man and woman as the most glorious of all his creation - those who are made to bear the image of God, made for relationship with God.
• Those whom God loves - reject him, hate him, take the gift and spit on the Giver!
• The traitor race messes up their own lives, their families, communities, countries, environment, their children…
• God loves his people… God is heartbroken and angry!
• But refuses to let sin win - God will not let sin have the final word over his world, his people.
• Because he loves us - sin matters. If he does not love us - sin does not matter!

• Then God does the unthinkable… you can only think that this doctrine is a harsh doctrine if you do not understand what happened at the cross.
• God the glorious has pronounced judgement, the fullest and harshest (no accusations against God of playing favourites). His wrath is poured out against all the hurt, the pain, the evil and the self-centredness of the human race (because he cares!).
• But then he does the unthinkable - he himself becomes man and he becomes one of the traitor race. And he then goes to the cross and bears their punishment - he takes on himself the full force of his own wrath. The innocent must die and the guilty go free.

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:21 (also Col 1;21-22; Galatians 3:13; Romans 5:6-10; 1:18; 3:21-26)

This doctrine is harsh but that is only if you do not understand the cross. Where wrath and mercy kiss!

The radically God-centred nature of the cross - God’s wrath is poured out, God become man, God takes his own anger, God dies, God provides forgiveness

If you stood outside of Jerusalem 2000 years ago - you could not say

1. GOD DOES NOT CARE ABOUT SIN AND JUSTICE!

2. GOD DOES NOT LOVE US

Yes God will judge and punish those who refuse to trust in him but there is a sense you will send yourself to hell…

Note: I found two books very helpful in thinking through this issue:

Tim Keller: The Reason for God

Don Carson: The Difficult Doctrine of the love of God