Pastor's Blog
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THE SUPER SHOULD BE NATURAL |
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Just a quick look at Scripture tells us clearly that a belief in the supernatural should be, has to be, an important part of our walk as a Christian. It’s vital to note that without supernatural help we are an impotent people and unable to accomplish anything worthy of our heritage. How do we engage this mysterious help? How do we, who are comfortable in the carnal, manage to touch and experience this enormous power that is largely wasted upon us and lies dormant in much of the church today? I think first, we must believe in the reality of it and Him. That He and the power He wields actually exists! It’s surprising when you hear folks confess faith in a supernatural God and then see them almost ashamed to be expressive with their praise of Him. If God is real, then the knowledge of this fact should completely change our lives. He sees, He knows, He understands our motives and how real or anemic our faith actually is. Understanding the fact that God exists within reality and is not a belief created by the mind of ancient man leads us (or should lead us) into an overwhelming desire for a communal relationship with Him. This, of course, is pursued by prayer . . . solitary, corporate, silent, loud, whenever, wherever, however, with whomever – prayer! It’s how we express our thankfulness, our fears, our passion, our needs. It’s how we communicate with the supernatural Creator who lovingly exists within our sphere of understanding for this very reason – to be known.
God, being real, has a Creator’s desire for those who faith Him; to experience His realness, to trust in His ability, and to have confidence in His power. Armed with this knowledge we are then able to move freely within the supernatural not being amazed at it’s existence but rather overwhelmed at the love behind it!
Teach me your way, O Lord!
Dale |
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WORDS OF LIFE |
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What brings words to life? It's when you believe them and live them, right? How many have read the "Holy Script" throughout the many generations since it became known to man and were never changed? Countless! But there have been many who were forever changed by that same Word. Their lives completely rearranged by this strange writing that boasts promises that must be embraced to be felt and followed to be appreciated.
Has God's Word come to life for you? When read, is there a sense that God's very presence consumes you, enlightens you, strengthens you, teaches you, moves you to change so that you might know Him, follow Him and love Him more deeply?
The writer of an ancient letter we call the book of Hebrews relates to us that God's Word is "living" and "active." Isn't that amazing?! This very writer was speaking of what we call the Old Testament probably without any special knowledge that there would come a day when his very letter would be included in that description! As he wrote, the Word of God came to life on his parchment to forever mold and change succeeding generations. That is, if we believe.
Many may claim to, but few (Jesus says) will be changed. Many may want the "Life" but not want the life. So, when you come to this table today, if it is but a ritual for you or something to be done because it's always been done, does it hold any true value for you? Probably not. But if you "faith" the words and hold to their sacred meaning (allowing it's life to give you life) then you express who you really are by identifying with the one who spoke them.
Faith, brings words to life!
Teach us your way, O Lord!
– Dale |
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COMMON SENSE |
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How uncommon is sense? How can my brain be on vacation so often when the rest of me is working so hard? Too many times it’s the things in plain sight that end up tripping us up! The simple or the obvious that reach up and grab us.
I was reading a list recently that someone sent me of real instructions for everyday products. We can’t be this dumb – can we?
* Iron: “Do not iron clothes while you’re wearing them.” (Nobody here does that, right?)
* Hair dryer: “Do not use while sleeping.” (There goes my multitasking!)
* Bar of soap: “Use as regular soap.” (As opposed to the irregular soap you sometimes use?)
* Chainsaw: “Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands.” (Wimps!)
* Kitchen knife: “Warning keep out of children.” (Everybody else beware!)
* Bag of peanuts: “Warning, contains nuts.” (What? I’m so confused!)
You know why these warnings are posted, don’t you? The manufactures are concerned about our sanity! I mean who hasn’t thought, “I’ll just grab the chain and stop the saw?”
How many lost souls are going to stand before a holy and righteous God and cry, “Foul! We didn’t know You really meant it? You really expected us to live surrendered lives?“ Warning: Not knowing Jesus is dangerous for your eternal soul! Those who are in love with this life and consumed by the world will one day burst into flames!
The sense of it is that living for Jesus is an extremely uncommon way of living. Please don’t ignore the directions – that just doesn’t make sense!
– Dale |
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IT COST HOW MUCH? |
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Is salvation free?
Isn’t it the truth that it’s the free things in life that seem to cost the most? Salvation falls into that category. Probably one of Satan’s most insidious lies is “cheap grace”! The steps to Christ are simple but the decision cannot be easy. Grace is costly because one must be willing to give all of oneself. Aisle walking has little to do with surrendering to Christ. Becoming that new creature that the apostle Paul writes about in his letter to the Corinthian church requires total and complete change – that’s a tremendous cost! “Dying to self,” is a familiar Christian phrase that is seldom practiced. As one author writes, “Christianity is not a 'way' tried and found wanting, but a 'way' seldom tried” (Dale Phillips’ paraphrase). Grace is costly because as we morph from the inside out we give up precious parts of our self. Like in Tolkien’s book, “Lord of the Rings,” the character who coveted the ring holding on to his “precious” caused him to become a grotesque monster. If we doggedly hold on to our “precious,” telling God that it’s off limits; whether it be hatred, envy, jealously, unforgiveness, greed, or even misplaced love, instead of morphing into a child of Christ we begin to change into that twisted grotesque creature who thinks they can have their salvation and live their old life too.
Grace is costly because you must give up everything or you cannot possess it. But that’s no less than God gave! Grace was costly for Him as well. He gave heaven’s best – His Son!
Teach us your way O Lord,
– Dale
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GOD IS ABLE |
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It is axiomatic to say, "God is able!" Able to do anything, able to do everything! It is also an established truth – in light of Jesus' incarnation and defying the grave – that our Father is serious about establishing His church and enlarging it to reach the world, one community at a time. Truth is, God wants His church to grow!
What's the problem? That's the problem, knowing the problem! And another truth (that can muddy up the water) is that not every type of growth is actually Spirit-filled or Spirit-led. The problems are real and the consequences are serious. It could be disobedience. We see from the book of Joshua that one person can cause a huge problem for the whole body. (Think of the city of Ai.) It could be an unwillingness to forgive, or deep-seated bitterness! It could be resentment, rebellion or possibly laziness. It could be an unwillingness to submit to God's established servants, such as Pastor or Deacons. Of course it could be just be the absences of any real "want to"!
The problem is though, we often think the problem is someone else. What if (and this is just food for thought) the problem is in your heart? Scary, isn't it?
God, may I have the courage to look deep within my heart and allow Your light to shine where it's most desperately needed so that I might not hinder Your purpose.
– Dale
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