Who are you? And why are you here? Do you know? Do you know your purpose? Rick Warren wrote a good book that is a great help in understanding not only your purpose but also who you are in Christ. If you haven’t read Purpose Driven Life then you need to get a copy and read it! There is an even better book that tells us who we are. Compiled through the centuries, written by many different authors, the Bible has been called God’s love letters to mankind. The God of all creation left his world, heaven, and entered man’s world, the earth, in the form of a baby. John told us that the word became flesh and dwelt for a while among us. Why did he do that? I think he did it because of an almost incomprehensible love for his creation. He also knew that by redeeming his creation from the destruction intended by the enemy, he could spend eternity with us.
I think that our enemy wants us to believe that our worth is determined by our performance, that our value is determined by how much we do for God. He wants us to believe that if we spend much time depressed, angry, or worried then we are second-class Christians. Jesus said that our enemy is a liar, the father of lies, that when he lies he speaks his native language. We know from scripture that he can be very subtle. Statements such as “Life should be easy” and “Life should be fair” might seem true. But living in a depraved and fallen world there is much that is hard and unfair about life.
John read to us from Psalm 13 and talked about how David was in despair about his life, his being, and his relationship with God. I attended Dwight’s Life Group this Sunday and heard him explain how Elijah experienced despair and depression following his triumph over the prophets of Baal. Depression and despair that Elijah experienced, that David experienced, are unfortunately common experiences of the human condition, even among Christians. Some experts say that maybe up to half the population will experience depression at some time in their life.
What is the solution to these lies and to overcoming despair and depression? John told us Sunday morning. In his first passage Colossians, chapter 3, Paul tells us to “set our hearts on things above” and to “set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.” And then he told us that David in Psalm 13 awoke from his despair and said, “I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me.” I know personally how hard this is sometimes. But when we struggle, God gave us each other to strengthen and encourage us. He even said that we are to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
If you haven’t done it yet, join a Life Group. It is in relationships that we can receive the best of what God has planned for us.
Gil Martin
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Soaring Like an Eagle Among the Turkeys
I have been thinking a lot about identity this week as a result of pastor John's sermon on Sunday. As a he pointed out from Colossians 3:3-4: as a Christian, my life is hid with Christ in God. That gives me security! Also Christ is my life. That gives me significance! When Christ returns I will be with Him in glory. That gives me satisfaction!
Too many Christians are a lot like the beautiful swan who was the centerpiece of the story of the ugly duckling. God has great plans for the Christians but they have forgotten or not realized WHO they really are. As one theologian said, "It is tough to soar like an eagle when you live among turkeys."
It is a battle to remember who we really are. There are many voices who try to deceive or convince us, Christians, that what is true is not true and what is not true is true.
It reminds me of the classic game show, "To Tell the Truth." On that show three panelists would say that they are the same person. The contestants would then ask them questions to discern who was telling the truth and which two were lying. The winning contestant was the one who identified the truth.
In life the Christian has to discern while not two but three voices are telling him or her lies. The world, the flesh and the devil do not play fair. The victorious Christian is one who holds to what he or she knows is true despite the onslaught of falsehood.
We not only walk in victory when we hold to our identity, but we also please God. In fact the Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:6 that what truly pleases God is the faith that holds that God exists - when liars scream He does not - and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him - while those same enemies of our soul call us fools for following Christ.
I have been thinking recently a lot about death as my dad battles with cancer. I do not know that there is a "good way" to die, but I have wondered which is a worst way to pass away. My dad is courageously living each day as God's gift as he fights the pancreatic cancer with the "new generation" of chemo. That is very difficult for us all.
Yet, Dad's older brother by 5 years and older sister by almost three years are in a stage of dementia. They both are unaware of their world and are fuzzy on their identity. As bad as it is to die of cancer, it may be worse to lose one's mind.
For many Christians, they are suffering from spiritual dementia. Our pastor called us Sunday to go back to Scripture where we find truth to counter the lies. We need to go back to the Bible to find our true identity so we can walk in victory and please God. May God keep the truths in Colossians 3:3-4 clear in our minds and firm in our hearts.
May God enable us to soar among the turkeys!
Too many Christians are a lot like the beautiful swan who was the centerpiece of the story of the ugly duckling. God has great plans for the Christians but they have forgotten or not realized WHO they really are. As one theologian said, "It is tough to soar like an eagle when you live among turkeys."
It is a battle to remember who we really are. There are many voices who try to deceive or convince us, Christians, that what is true is not true and what is not true is true.
It reminds me of the classic game show, "To Tell the Truth." On that show three panelists would say that they are the same person. The contestants would then ask them questions to discern who was telling the truth and which two were lying. The winning contestant was the one who identified the truth.
In life the Christian has to discern while not two but three voices are telling him or her lies. The world, the flesh and the devil do not play fair. The victorious Christian is one who holds to what he or she knows is true despite the onslaught of falsehood.
We not only walk in victory when we hold to our identity, but we also please God. In fact the Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:6 that what truly pleases God is the faith that holds that God exists - when liars scream He does not - and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him - while those same enemies of our soul call us fools for following Christ.
I have been thinking recently a lot about death as my dad battles with cancer. I do not know that there is a "good way" to die, but I have wondered which is a worst way to pass away. My dad is courageously living each day as God's gift as he fights the pancreatic cancer with the "new generation" of chemo. That is very difficult for us all.
Yet, Dad's older brother by 5 years and older sister by almost three years are in a stage of dementia. They both are unaware of their world and are fuzzy on their identity. As bad as it is to die of cancer, it may be worse to lose one's mind.
For many Christians, they are suffering from spiritual dementia. Our pastor called us Sunday to go back to Scripture where we find truth to counter the lies. We need to go back to the Bible to find our true identity so we can walk in victory and please God. May God keep the truths in Colossians 3:3-4 clear in our minds and firm in our hearts.
May God enable us to soar among the turkeys!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Do you spend more time looking up or looking down?
Do you spend more time looking up or looking down?
This Sunday’s sermon reminded me of a question that I asked a lady in our church a few weeks ago. As She walked by she was looking down the whole time. When she looked up, she seemed to have a lot on her mind. I asked her the question, “Do you spend more time looking up or looking down?’ Her answer was, “looking down.” I wonder how true this is for all of us.
This past Sunday john challenged us with a thought from Colossians 3:3. That challenge was that our life was hidden in Christ. That means my life is not found in my present circumstances wither good or bad. My life is in Christ!
It is amazing to me how easy it is for us to be come so consumed by our present circumstance that we neglect to acknowledge our future.
I remember a few years ago when my daughter was struggling through her teen years, she made some unwise choices. The circumstances of those choices caused her a lot of pain and she suffered consequences from them. But the greatest pain that she suffered was from her own thoughts of herself. She now saw her self much differently than before.
In all of her brokenness she could not let go of the fact that she had hurt God and destroyed her testimony. I remember her saying that she no longer felt worthy to have a relationship with God, and she no longer felt she should be called a Christ. What she saw and what I saw were too different things. What I saw was a girl who no longer had it altogether and was proud. I now saw a girl who was depended on God and humble.
I reminded her that life was filled with success and failure.
Even though God wants us to acknowledge things we do in the present and confess our sin, he does not want us to do that in isolations of what He has said about our future. God doesn’t just see where we are now. He sees what we will be one day also. One day we will be JUST LIKE JESUS! That is why it is so important for us to know who we are and what God has said about us. We can’t view our present circumstance in the right way unless we acknowledge are future.
We have to spend more time looking up trusting what God’s word says than looking down. Even when we cannot see it or even feel it. That is the substance of faith. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, The conviction of things not seen”
This Sunday’s sermon reminded me of a question that I asked a lady in our church a few weeks ago. As She walked by she was looking down the whole time. When she looked up, she seemed to have a lot on her mind. I asked her the question, “Do you spend more time looking up or looking down?’ Her answer was, “looking down.” I wonder how true this is for all of us.
This past Sunday john challenged us with a thought from Colossians 3:3. That challenge was that our life was hidden in Christ. That means my life is not found in my present circumstances wither good or bad. My life is in Christ!
It is amazing to me how easy it is for us to be come so consumed by our present circumstance that we neglect to acknowledge our future.
I remember a few years ago when my daughter was struggling through her teen years, she made some unwise choices. The circumstances of those choices caused her a lot of pain and she suffered consequences from them. But the greatest pain that she suffered was from her own thoughts of herself. She now saw her self much differently than before.
In all of her brokenness she could not let go of the fact that she had hurt God and destroyed her testimony. I remember her saying that she no longer felt worthy to have a relationship with God, and she no longer felt she should be called a Christ. What she saw and what I saw were too different things. What I saw was a girl who no longer had it altogether and was proud. I now saw a girl who was depended on God and humble.
I reminded her that life was filled with success and failure.
Even though God wants us to acknowledge things we do in the present and confess our sin, he does not want us to do that in isolations of what He has said about our future. God doesn’t just see where we are now. He sees what we will be one day also. One day we will be JUST LIKE JESUS! That is why it is so important for us to know who we are and what God has said about us. We can’t view our present circumstance in the right way unless we acknowledge are future.
We have to spend more time looking up trusting what God’s word says than looking down. Even when we cannot see it or even feel it. That is the substance of faith. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, The conviction of things not seen”
Monday, March 16, 2009
Christ is Our LIFE
Dr. Avant pointed us to a powerful truth yesterday in his sermon. He took us to Colossians 3:3 where Paul tells the believers at Colosse': " For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory." Our life is hidden with Christ because Christ is our life.
As I heard our pastor speaking on this verse, I was reminded of John 14:6 where Jesus says: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man (or woman or child) comes to the Father but by me." Notice from this verse the exclusivity of Christ as the holder of life and access to the Father. He is the only one who offers authentic life.
Jesus told Martha in John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life." Notice here the power of the life we have in Christ. It is eternal and victorious even over death! Martha's brother and Jesus' friend, Lazarus, had died four days earlier. Martha needed to realize not just that God had a plan for resurrection of those in the faith, but also that the plan was a person and his name is Jesus. Jesus is the victor over death!
Remember the name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew yeshua. The name Joshua comes from this word, and Jesus does too. The name literally means salvation. Our life and our salvation is found in Christ. So, our life is sourced in, held by, and offered by none other than Jesus Christ.
That is good news. No, that is great news!!
Dr. Avant said something to us that I had never heard put the way he put it. The truth of what he stated I had heard. Hearing it put a new way, though, brought the truth home to my heart in a fresh way. The statement he made follows:
As I heard our pastor speaking on this verse, I was reminded of John 14:6 where Jesus says: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man (or woman or child) comes to the Father but by me." Notice from this verse the exclusivity of Christ as the holder of life and access to the Father. He is the only one who offers authentic life.
Jesus told Martha in John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life." Notice here the power of the life we have in Christ. It is eternal and victorious even over death! Martha's brother and Jesus' friend, Lazarus, had died four days earlier. Martha needed to realize not just that God had a plan for resurrection of those in the faith, but also that the plan was a person and his name is Jesus. Jesus is the victor over death!
Remember the name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew yeshua. The name Joshua comes from this word, and Jesus does too. The name literally means salvation. Our life and our salvation is found in Christ. So, our life is sourced in, held by, and offered by none other than Jesus Christ.
That is good news. No, that is great news!!
Dr. Avant said something to us that I had never heard put the way he put it. The truth of what he stated I had heard. Hearing it put a new way, though, brought the truth home to my heart in a fresh way. The statement he made follows:
God the Father loves YOU as much as he loves God the Son.
Some people have followed the formula for defeat we learned in the message yesterday so long that all they need to know is the truth of the above statement. How do we know it is true? God the Father allowed God the Son to pour himself out to death - on a cross - so that we might have LIFE. That's love in the most pure sense. Sacrificial, others-centered love.
Let that love wash over you today. Are you wounded in a relationship? Let the love of Christ heal those wounds in your heart. Then extend that same healing to the other party in the wounded relationship. Do you have a stolen identity? Do you have a destructive addiction? These things only lead to death. Allow the life-giving love of Christ lead you out of those place.
Right now, embrace the love of the one who has embraced you , where you are, in this moment, with all your imperfections.
Lord Jesus,
We know there are those living in defeat and destruction and despair who have never experienced your love. Lead us to them Lord, so we can help them trade in the lies and the pain for the truth and love and grace. In you alone can they find life. You are life, Christ. Eternal in duration and meaningful for the present. Lord, help us be life givers.
In your name I pray, Amen.
Dwight Munn
Friday, March 13, 2009
Infected with Joy
I hate germs and infections.
When I was a small child, I contracted a condition called shigellosis. Think Montezuma's revenge. Think very sick. I was in the hospital for a week, and ran such high fever. This was 40 years ago now, so the treatment options weren't what they are today. I was infected by a bad germ.
Did I tell you that I hate germs and infections? Ok, we have that straight.
There is one kind of infection I long for. It is the best kind. Those in Destiny on Wednesday night were infected by it. We were all infected with a highly contagious strain of testimony-itis. This is a condition that is acute and results from coming into contact with a person who has got a testimony they have to share with others.
Can I just tell you what a great blessing it was to be infected Wednesday night? A precious young lady gave her testimony of the power of Christ to deliver her from the most difficult types of addictions. The glow of God was all over her face, and it really infected the the people in the room with a sense that God was at work. I noticed her before she ever gave her "impromptu" testimony because her smile revealed her "infected with joy" condition.
What a cool thing when God works in a life, doing a great work, and then that person touches others and infects them. I am glad she spread the "germs" of her delivery from addiction around the room. It may have even made some people run some spiritual fever. (It's OK, you don't have to take ibuprofen for that!)
Are you a carrier of testimony-itis? I hope so. I pray God gives you testimonies during 40 Days of Victory of his work in your life in which all who hear can join in and praise God for all he has done. Remember that we have this blog to share testimonies. You can email the pastor and/or staff. You can put your testimony on the rotating boards located in the grand hallway (outside of worship center) on Sunday.
One warning. The enemy has an anti-bacterial agent he wants to use. He wants to kill the germs you might spread with your testimony. Please, don't wash your heart of the word God wants you to speak because of his anti-joy activities. Don't let his whispers convince you not to share the infecting power of your testimony. Infect someone with joy by sharing how God is giving you victory in your life. God's people need to hear it!
Remember victory is the supernatural joy of defeating what would defeat you.
Spread the germs of testimony. Infect God's people.with joy.
Let's pray joy spreads like wildfire. Spiritual awakening could be the result.
In Christ,
Dwight Munn
When I was a small child, I contracted a condition called shigellosis. Think Montezuma's revenge. Think very sick. I was in the hospital for a week, and ran such high fever. This was 40 years ago now, so the treatment options weren't what they are today. I was infected by a bad germ.
Did I tell you that I hate germs and infections? Ok, we have that straight.
There is one kind of infection I long for. It is the best kind. Those in Destiny on Wednesday night were infected by it. We were all infected with a highly contagious strain of testimony-itis. This is a condition that is acute and results from coming into contact with a person who has got a testimony they have to share with others.
Can I just tell you what a great blessing it was to be infected Wednesday night? A precious young lady gave her testimony of the power of Christ to deliver her from the most difficult types of addictions. The glow of God was all over her face, and it really infected the the people in the room with a sense that God was at work. I noticed her before she ever gave her "impromptu" testimony because her smile revealed her "infected with joy" condition.
What a cool thing when God works in a life, doing a great work, and then that person touches others and infects them. I am glad she spread the "germs" of her delivery from addiction around the room. It may have even made some people run some spiritual fever. (It's OK, you don't have to take ibuprofen for that!)
Are you a carrier of testimony-itis? I hope so. I pray God gives you testimonies during 40 Days of Victory of his work in your life in which all who hear can join in and praise God for all he has done. Remember that we have this blog to share testimonies. You can email the pastor and/or staff. You can put your testimony on the rotating boards located in the grand hallway (outside of worship center) on Sunday.
One warning. The enemy has an anti-bacterial agent he wants to use. He wants to kill the germs you might spread with your testimony. Please, don't wash your heart of the word God wants you to speak because of his anti-joy activities. Don't let his whispers convince you not to share the infecting power of your testimony. Infect someone with joy by sharing how God is giving you victory in your life. God's people need to hear it!
Remember victory is the supernatural joy of defeating what would defeat you.
Spread the germs of testimony. Infect God's people.with joy.
Let's pray joy spreads like wildfire. Spiritual awakening could be the result.
In Christ,
Dwight Munn
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Choosing Life
As our pastor spoke on Sunday morning, it struck me that our life really consists of constant choices of life or death, blessings or curses. From the moment we wake up in the morning, we have the opportunity to live the life Christ has promised those who follow him, or we can choose to accept a cheap substitute.
Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and that more abundantly." Many of our lives have been affected by the trinity of actions that the thief (Satan, if you look at the context of the passage) exacts on those who allow him. We have to stand against the onslaught of the enemy says Paul. When we choose to let his efforts of pillaging dog our lives, we have chosen death and curses. The thief steals joy, relationships, and genuine love. He kills hope, dreams, and spiritual progress. He destroys relationships, unity, and growth- both personally in our lives and corporately in churches.
The good news is we do not have to settle for this. His (the thief) plan is not God's plan. God's plan is for us to live the life he has for us. In Christ, we have the ultimate blessing. In Christ, we find God's plan for a life of meaning and significance. Don't let the thief rob you of the life Christ offers. Christ's life lived in us results in the promise of heaven when we die. It also results in a life here and now that is fulfilling and victorious.
The Champion of the universe has offered victory for us. Will you enter into that victory today?
Dwight Munn
Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and that more abundantly." Many of our lives have been affected by the trinity of actions that the thief (Satan, if you look at the context of the passage) exacts on those who allow him. We have to stand against the onslaught of the enemy says Paul. When we choose to let his efforts of pillaging dog our lives, we have chosen death and curses. The thief steals joy, relationships, and genuine love. He kills hope, dreams, and spiritual progress. He destroys relationships, unity, and growth- both personally in our lives and corporately in churches.
The good news is we do not have to settle for this. His (the thief) plan is not God's plan. God's plan is for us to live the life he has for us. In Christ, we have the ultimate blessing. In Christ, we find God's plan for a life of meaning and significance. Don't let the thief rob you of the life Christ offers. Christ's life lived in us results in the promise of heaven when we die. It also results in a life here and now that is fulfilling and victorious.
The Champion of the universe has offered victory for us. Will you enter into that victory today?
Dwight Munn
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Victory is a Choice
For as long as I can remember, athletic competition has been a major component of my life. I have always loved to compete, and I’m honestly not sure which is greater -- my love for winning or my hatred for losing! I’m sure that I have not always done a great job of keeping those emotions in balance. Certainly, if confronted with the choice, I’ll choose victory every time!
The spiritual battle that all believers face is infinitely more important than any mere athletic competition. While the stakes are high, the truth is that we have the ability to decide to enjoy victory from the moment we decide to follow Jesus. John 1:12 tells us, “ Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” Choosing to receive Christ is a decision for victory because we become one of God’s children and that means an unbelievable inheritance is ours!
As great as a relationship with God is, he does not guarantee us freedom from problems. He does, however, promise victory over those problems. In Romans 8:37 Paul writes about the position of believers in Christ when they encounter the most difficult circumstances. He declares “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Being considered a conqueror is a pretty lofty distinction, so being “more than a conqueror” is really something special!
God has given believers the right to become his children, and the responsibility to live as “more than a conqueror!” Why would anyone choose to lose when they can choose to experience victory?
Do you have the will to win or do you choose to lose? You were born to be a winner!
Mark Fenn
The spiritual battle that all believers face is infinitely more important than any mere athletic competition. While the stakes are high, the truth is that we have the ability to decide to enjoy victory from the moment we decide to follow Jesus. John 1:12 tells us, “ Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” Choosing to receive Christ is a decision for victory because we become one of God’s children and that means an unbelievable inheritance is ours!
As great as a relationship with God is, he does not guarantee us freedom from problems. He does, however, promise victory over those problems. In Romans 8:37 Paul writes about the position of believers in Christ when they encounter the most difficult circumstances. He declares “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Being considered a conqueror is a pretty lofty distinction, so being “more than a conqueror” is really something special!
God has given believers the right to become his children, and the responsibility to live as “more than a conqueror!” Why would anyone choose to lose when they can choose to experience victory?
Do you have the will to win or do you choose to lose? You were born to be a winner!
Mark Fenn
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