Gal 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything,
but faith working through love.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
The Greatest Show On Earth
(and in the entire universe)
The greatest show in the universe
Takes place right here on earth
It’s happening exclusively
With those of the new birth
The angels are intrigued
And watch with awe from heav’n above
When one frail human rises up with faith
Which works through love
The Creator, Main Character,
The Source of Love directs, enjoys this show of courage and compassion pure;
The greatest Scene, you know, is when His Son
preformed that Act His Father’s so proud of -
And now the spotlight shifts to us:
Our faith which works through love.
You are a star, designed to shine this glory
And as you do
He’s writing His love story
through you
He’s not impressed with fancy speech,
(the Maker of the tongue)
The things man holds in high esteem
He counts them all but dung
There’s really only one great feat
The Father takes note of:
It’s when His son or daughter moves in faith
Which works through love.
The greatest show in the universe
Takes place right here on earth…
© 2007 Michael J. Ledner
written 6/30/2007
[ to hear this song, go to myspace.com/michaelledner ]
The greatest show in the universe
Takes place right here on earth
It’s happening exclusively
With those of the new birth
The angels are intrigued
And watch with awe from heav’n above
When one frail human rises up with faith
Which works through love
The Creator, Main Character,
The Source of Love directs, enjoys this show of courage and compassion pure;
The greatest Scene, you know, is when His Son
preformed that Act His Father’s so proud of -
And now the spotlight shifts to us:
Our faith which works through love.
You are a star, designed to shine this glory
And as you do
He’s writing His love story
through you
He’s not impressed with fancy speech,
(the Maker of the tongue)
The things man holds in high esteem
He counts them all but dung
There’s really only one great feat
The Father takes note of:
It’s when His son or daughter moves in faith
Which works through love.
The greatest show in the universe
Takes place right here on earth…
© 2007 Michael J. Ledner
written 6/30/2007
[ to hear this song, go to myspace.com/michaelledner ]
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
. . . only believe
“Do not be afraid. Only believe.” - Jesus (Mark 5:36)
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:27-29)“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Ps 32:8)Most of the time, believing God isn’t our initial response to His counsel and instruction to our hearts (as we read His Word, hear His Word taught or in prayer / on the go... as He speaks to our hearts). Initially, we’re afraid, doubting, wondering, or just plain slow in our response when His word comes to our hearts.
And in case we’ve forgotten, we’re ’believers.’ We’re known to the world as believers. That’s because we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ— that He is who He says He is. We’re now marked as “one of those believers.” But when it comes to actually believing Him throughout the day, throughout our lives, we are weak in our believing—as seen in the lack of joy that accompanies believing.And why does it seem so difficult to simply believe Him—believe what His Word says—believe what He is speaking to our hearts? Because we are fallen creatures and, no matter how much we grow in Him, it will probably not be our initial response until these fallen bodies are glorified.
So, stop getting down on yourself when you find yourself being a doubting Thomas. But don’t stay there… Jesus isn’t always going to come to you as He did with Thomas and say, “Reach out your hand and put into in my side…”. Just start believing and rejoicing! Hey—you’re going to heaven! Do you believe that? Then rejoice! Hey—all your sins are paid in full—and God has set His love on you both now and forever - love that flows like a mighty rushing river! Do you believe that? Then rejoice! He has made you a new person—a companion and partner with Him throughout all eternity.
Do you believe that? Then rejoice! Joy is a way to proclaim your belief to the angels, to the demons and to God; to unashamedly let the whole universe know that you really do believe what God has said. And why shouldn't we believe and rejoice? We're believing in a God who if faithful and true. We have a whole Bible that testifies to His faithfulness and truthfulness. Not only that, we have our own history of God's faithfulness, mercies, and kindnesses - God writing "His-story" into our hearts.God knows that you and I struggle in having that simple child-like faith. The enemy also knows that when a believer simply believes God and rejoices, he/she becomes powerful in God's kingdom and a threat to his. That's why the enemy hits us with all he has the moment he sees us starting to believe God (and gives a double shot when he sees us dare rejoice!).Remember, the Lord is kind and will help us out - even when our heart is doubting. One man said to the Lord, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” (Luke 9:24). If you're struggling with believing, this is a good place to start.
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:27-29)“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Ps 32:8)Most of the time, believing God isn’t our initial response to His counsel and instruction to our hearts (as we read His Word, hear His Word taught or in prayer / on the go... as He speaks to our hearts). Initially, we’re afraid, doubting, wondering, or just plain slow in our response when His word comes to our hearts.
And in case we’ve forgotten, we’re ’believers.’ We’re known to the world as believers. That’s because we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ— that He is who He says He is. We’re now marked as “one of those believers.” But when it comes to actually believing Him throughout the day, throughout our lives, we are weak in our believing—as seen in the lack of joy that accompanies believing.And why does it seem so difficult to simply believe Him—believe what His Word says—believe what He is speaking to our hearts? Because we are fallen creatures and, no matter how much we grow in Him, it will probably not be our initial response until these fallen bodies are glorified.
So, stop getting down on yourself when you find yourself being a doubting Thomas. But don’t stay there… Jesus isn’t always going to come to you as He did with Thomas and say, “Reach out your hand and put into in my side…”. Just start believing and rejoicing! Hey—you’re going to heaven! Do you believe that? Then rejoice! Hey—all your sins are paid in full—and God has set His love on you both now and forever - love that flows like a mighty rushing river! Do you believe that? Then rejoice! He has made you a new person—a companion and partner with Him throughout all eternity.
Do you believe that? Then rejoice! Joy is a way to proclaim your belief to the angels, to the demons and to God; to unashamedly let the whole universe know that you really do believe what God has said. And why shouldn't we believe and rejoice? We're believing in a God who if faithful and true. We have a whole Bible that testifies to His faithfulness and truthfulness. Not only that, we have our own history of God's faithfulness, mercies, and kindnesses - God writing "His-story" into our hearts.God knows that you and I struggle in having that simple child-like faith. The enemy also knows that when a believer simply believes God and rejoices, he/she becomes powerful in God's kingdom and a threat to his. That's why the enemy hits us with all he has the moment he sees us starting to believe God (and gives a double shot when he sees us dare rejoice!).Remember, the Lord is kind and will help us out - even when our heart is doubting. One man said to the Lord, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” (Luke 9:24). If you're struggling with believing, this is a good place to start.
What is Church
What IS the church? What DOES God say the church is? Has the church been re-defined by culture? Is the church as powerful as God intends it to be? Or, is it weak? Why is it that Christians seem to hop around from ‘church’ to ‘church’? Could it be that many Christians are really just "dating the church" as Joshua Harris writes about in his book entitled, Stop Dating The Church?
As lead pastor of DSC I believe that…
THE CHURCH IS PEOPLE, NOT A BUILDING Dallas Willard has said we are at the mercy of our thoughts. If we embrace a false perspective of Church, it will ultimately lead us to a false experience as the Church. "When we define church as a place we visit, a program we attend, a pastor we follow, or by our personal preferences, we miss God's intentions. The Church is God's people." This is what the Apostle Paul said to the Corinthians:
"The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house." 1 Cor 16:19
Now, how can a building, or a house meet in a house? The church met at their house. It was people that met in their house. The church is people; a community of people that are committed to the Lord and to each other.
IT'S A COMMITMENT, NOT AN AFFAIR
A common pastime of Christians today is "Church-hopping" - going to this church for the teaching, this church for the "worship," and another church for the "fellowship." At first glance, this sounds great— but it’s like a bachelor having many girlfriends and never settling down… "I like Suzie because she’s fun, and I like Judy because she’s serious and contemplative, and I like the way Sally looks." All the pleasures of relationship with no commitment. The problem is, it’s shallow. And our love affair with shallow living keeps us from the abundant life Jesus offers us. The mature believer knows and has experienced this fact of life: the rich life Jesus offers comes only through commitment—whether it’s in a marriage or with people at a local congregation. And our commitment to Him is first and foremost. When the church is being the church, there will be a real sense of family.
IT'S A FAMILY (with a purpose), NOT A SOCIAL CLUB
When we understand that Church is not a building, but people, and that the abundant life is experienced in committed relationships, we then are positioned to enjoy the richness of our extended family—God’s people—caring for each other, being real with each other, and joining together to shine His light—helping others to know Him.
FREE INDEED! The Purpose Behind True Freedom
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… so, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Jn. 8:31-36Our freedom doesn’t come from our government. It comes from God. And a person is only free, free indeed, when that person is "holding to Jesus’ teaching." Freedom has a purpose—not to do our own thing, but to do God’s will, His purposes. It’s being free to serve God by serving others.
.
Yes, we are thankful to God to be in a country in which we are free to express ourselves and to pursue happiness. Yet, many pursuers of prosperity and power are miserable. These people are not free inside. That’s because they don’t see the purpose of true freedom.
.
The Apostle Paul saw freedom’s true purpose and lived it. He said,"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave of everyone to win as many as possible...I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." 1 Cor. 9:19-23. Paul was "holding to Jesus’ teaching" and hit freedom’s true purpose—which is serving the Lord by serving others in order to lead them to a relationship with Jesus. He understood that true freedom was only attained through being committed to His cause, and he knew the secret of freedom: was to be a slave to Jesus & His will.
.
Nobody is really free from serving a master. The Bible says that we are slaves to the one we obey (Rom 6:15-23). We’re only free to choose our master—which can be Satan and sin, or Jesus and His love. Being an American doesn’t automatically make one free inside. Being a sold-out follower of Jesus makes us truly free—free to be His servant.
.
A good question to ask is, "Am I truly free?"Let’s always be thankful for the outward freedoms we have in this great country, and thankful for those people who gave their lives to secure those freedoms. This 4th of July enjoy the barbecue, the fireworks, the friends and family, the freedom to express yourself. But let’s also keep in the back of our mind what true freedom is all about.
.
Yes, we are thankful to God to be in a country in which we are free to express ourselves and to pursue happiness. Yet, many pursuers of prosperity and power are miserable. These people are not free inside. That’s because they don’t see the purpose of true freedom.
.
The Apostle Paul saw freedom’s true purpose and lived it. He said,"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave of everyone to win as many as possible...I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." 1 Cor. 9:19-23. Paul was "holding to Jesus’ teaching" and hit freedom’s true purpose—which is serving the Lord by serving others in order to lead them to a relationship with Jesus. He understood that true freedom was only attained through being committed to His cause, and he knew the secret of freedom: was to be a slave to Jesus & His will.
.
Nobody is really free from serving a master. The Bible says that we are slaves to the one we obey (Rom 6:15-23). We’re only free to choose our master—which can be Satan and sin, or Jesus and His love. Being an American doesn’t automatically make one free inside. Being a sold-out follower of Jesus makes us truly free—free to be His servant.
.
A good question to ask is, "Am I truly free?"Let’s always be thankful for the outward freedoms we have in this great country, and thankful for those people who gave their lives to secure those freedoms. This 4th of July enjoy the barbecue, the fireworks, the friends and family, the freedom to express yourself. But let’s also keep in the back of our mind what true freedom is all about.
The Awesome Journey Of The Devoted Believer
Devotion is the Christian’s wholehearted surrender to the Jesus, and following Him as our "Audience Of One." It’s the qualifier for an eternal partnership with Jesus. Devotion is the appropriate response to Jesus’ love and devotion He has shown, is showing and will show to us.Devotion begins when Jesus wins the heart and wins the trust of a believer.
.
To some believers, this happens the moment of conversion. To others, it takes some time (some believers have a difficult time being convinced that Jesus may actually have a better life to offer than the one they’re pursuing).Then, and this is crucial for true victory, devotion demands that the believer locks all the secret "back doors" in his life, his heart, and gives the keys to Jesus.
.
Next, the devoted follower steps on to a pathway that leads to a co-rulership with Jesus. The obstacles on that path usually hit us when we're not expecting. So this "walk" demands trust. But, since Jesus has won the heart, trust is the only course of action for the devoted believer. And trust is learned in the land of trials and tribulation; the same place character is built.A Christian’s devotion is the anchor that steadies him in those times of testing when all hell seems to break loose. Devotion says, "I’m staying. I’m pressing on. I have no other place to go." Devotion is the only way in which the believer can truly grow. It’s an awesome adventure—journeying from faith to faith, glory to glory.
.
Without a devoted heart, the believer just stays in the spins of the world, flesh and devil...kind of like Bill Murray living "Groundhog Day" over and over and over. We're all stuck in a similiar Groundhog Day spin until we secure our devotion to Jesus Christ.Devotion, our appropriate response to His devotion toward us, sets us free to journey on the pathway called Fruitfulness and Great Reward.
.
To some believers, this happens the moment of conversion. To others, it takes some time (some believers have a difficult time being convinced that Jesus may actually have a better life to offer than the one they’re pursuing).Then, and this is crucial for true victory, devotion demands that the believer locks all the secret "back doors" in his life, his heart, and gives the keys to Jesus.
.
Next, the devoted follower steps on to a pathway that leads to a co-rulership with Jesus. The obstacles on that path usually hit us when we're not expecting. So this "walk" demands trust. But, since Jesus has won the heart, trust is the only course of action for the devoted believer. And trust is learned in the land of trials and tribulation; the same place character is built.A Christian’s devotion is the anchor that steadies him in those times of testing when all hell seems to break loose. Devotion says, "I’m staying. I’m pressing on. I have no other place to go." Devotion is the only way in which the believer can truly grow. It’s an awesome adventure—journeying from faith to faith, glory to glory.
.
Without a devoted heart, the believer just stays in the spins of the world, flesh and devil...kind of like Bill Murray living "Groundhog Day" over and over and over. We're all stuck in a similiar Groundhog Day spin until we secure our devotion to Jesus Christ.Devotion, our appropriate response to His devotion toward us, sets us free to journey on the pathway called Fruitfulness and Great Reward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)