Thursday, September 30, 2010

Crushed



Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,-Colossians 1:24, ESV

 We make calls out of our own spiritual consecration, but when we get right with God He brushes all these aside, and rivets us with a pain that is terrific to one thing we never dreamed of, and for one radiant, flashing moment we see what He is after, and we say—“Here am I, send me.”
 
This call has nothing to do with personal sanctification, but with being made broken bread and poured-out wine. God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with. If God would only use His own fingers, and make me broken bread and poured-out wine in a special way! But when He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, and makes those the crushers, we object. We must never choose the scene of our own martyrdom. If ever we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.
 
I wonder what kind of finger and thumb God has been using to squeeze you, and you have been like a marble and escaped? You are not ripe yet, and if God had squeezed you, the wine would have been remarkably bitter. To be a sacramental personality means that the elements of the natural life are presenced by God as they are broken providentially in His service. We have to be adjusted to God before we can be broken bread in His hands. Keep right with God and let Him do what He likes, and you will find that He is producing the kind of bread and wine that will benefit His other children.

Chambers, O. (1993). My utmost for his highest : Selections for the year (NIV edition.). Westwood, NJ: Barbour and Co.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Dead Lions


But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.-Ecclesiastes 9:4, ESV


There are those in this world who chase after power, money, and the admiration of man. The world hails them as visionaries, role models, and as kings here on earth. They are as the mightiest of all beasts, the lion. But one very important truth escapes them, they too will come to their natural end. The lion and the dog must one day die.

The Lord was the greatest person to walk the face of the earth, yet He was regarded as lower than a dog as He was led to the cross. There are men that will set themselves up as lions and they may rule here and now, but there will be a day when those regarded as dogs will rule over the dead lions. To be regarded as a dog by the world but to know in your heart that you are a lion in the eyes of the Lord is one of the true joys that come from understanding our identity in Christ.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Thank You


Once in a while I hear from one of our former students. I received this message a couple of days ago and I wanted to share it with everyone. It is not a testimony of our ministry as much as it is of God's wonderful grace and powerful calling upon the hearts of His people. Though this letter is to me as you read it you will see the real hero is Jesus. I have omitted certain personal details and the students name.

Hey Pastor Matt!
 

I'm just going to cut it to the chase

Thank you.

Since I was eight you've encouraged, mentored, and challenged my walk with Christ. I think sometimes when people are raised in church we turn on autopilot and sometimes check out and I believe that was me. I knew that God was real and that He loved me and stuff but I don't think I knew who God was.


I've even had to step down (from ministry) a few times because my walk with Christ was...pretty much non existent. I clung to a mask of smiles and handshakes covering a life of sin, and filth. I was living in sin and also mocking God with my presence in the church.


Thank God for my parents, who fear the Lord, for showing me Jesus even when I spat in their faces.
And thank you, for calling me out, for your boldness in what you minister to us because its God's convicting Word and nothing less.
 

My moms greatest fear was sending me off to college, she even tried to "Marry me off" but it was only Jesus Christ that could save me. He did! Believe it or not, on August 8th 2010, I fully surrendered my life to Jesus. I cant believe that I sat in church all theses years and played an act, but He is faithful and He still pursued me. and I just wanted to let you know that.

Jesus is moving at my school. I'm involved in some Campus for Christ ministries, but its the people, I have strong sisters and brothers in Christ that have been my iron sharping me. We know in our hearts that God has called us to do something big, so please pray for us.

But thank you. Thank you for your faithfulness and your love for Jesus, because you have been my role model all these years and great will be your reward in Heaven.


I just felt the need to tell you...so thanks again.

"And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 
Romans 10:15 (NIV)

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Reflecting on 9/11


On September 11th, 2001 almost 3000 people died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania. I remember getting ready for work that day, like any other day, when live coverage on the Today Show broadcast the horrifying video of planes cutting through the twin towers. I stood slack-jawed in unbelief at what I was seeing. Several minutes later the World Trade Center came crashing down in a plum of fire, smoke, and toxic ash.

Later reports came in of plane crashing into the Pentagon, the Pentagon! The country was bracing for the worst, how many planes were out there and where would the next crash be? Next the report came in of a plane that was possibly heading for the White House crashing in a field in rural Pennsylvania. That was a tense day with everyone hoping that the senseless violence had ended.


The days following 9/11 we saw the best of American charity, brotherly love, and solidarity. Churches were packed the Sunday following the attacks. Men and women from all over the country volnuteered to help at ground zero. Thousands of American young men and women enlisted in armed services eager to defend our country. Many of us prayed fervently, for the victims, their families, and for America.

Today the news is dominated by war on two fronts, the growing intolerance for Muslims, and the pitiful financial state of our nation. How did we get here? How do we get out of the mess we are in? When can we get back the way things were before 9/11? These are the questions I find myself asking but there are no real answers.

What is the best way I can honor the memories of those who perished on 9/11? I believe it is to live a life free from the fear of terrorist attack, support our troops, and most importantly pray for our nation. I pray for the recession to end, for troops to come home and lasting peace, and for the threat of terrorism to be wiped from the earth. Most importantly I pray for revival.

I pray that God's people would rise up and take hold of their mission to bring the Gospel to every soldier, Muslim, and neighbor. I pray that idols of greed and gluttony that consume America be crushed. I pray that we could love men and women who worship other gods without compromising our Faith in Christ, and show them Christ by how we love one another. Jesus is Lord and He is the answer.