My last blog was simple and able to stand alone in its presentation to the heart!
Hope you had time to really reflect on Jude 24 & 25! Now let me break it down and lets allow the Holy Spirit to reveal some central truth of His word!
In the last part of vs. 24 we see where, the Lord will bring us with great joy into His glorious presence, "without a single fault" (NLT). Reflect with me for a moment over your life since you have been a Christian! I would like to ask you, "have you made any mistakes or sinned since you became a Christian"?
So the question now is, "HOW"? How can God bring us into his presence without fault? The answer is found in vs.25. "All glory to him who alone (emphasis on "alone") is God, our savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
My prayer and desire for all who struggle with, "am I doing enough, the right things, the wrong things, etc. My prayer for you is that you would look to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith and gladly say, "He ALONE is Enough"!
That makes the songs like, "Jesus Paid It All", and "In Christ Alone", so much sweeter! The truth is you don't have that kind of power or strength to provide what it took to set you free! Just enjoy the journey and let your love for Jesus grow deeper than ever and allow His Holy Spirit to order your steps, and most of all learn to rest in His finished work that "He alone" could only accomplish!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Jude 24 & 25
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Here's My Box
The story of the woman with the alabaster box has got to be one of the greatest in the Bible. That's probably why Jesus said it must be told whenever the gospel is preached. Recently I have been studying this story and speaking about it from various angles.
Consider your life as that box.
All the good experiences! Like the day you were saved. The first time you led someone to the Lord. The times you have felt renewed in His presence and were off to a fresh start.
Also consider your pain. The abuse, hard words, broken dreams and broken promises-- all neatly packed away in that box.
The good, bad and ugly all living together.
Now picture the woman carrying the alabaster box. Recall her reputation.
Can you imagine her emotional baggage--the pain and humiliation?
This box of perfume was her most valued possession.
Despite how she had earned it.
When she found out that Jesus was near, she tucked the box under her arm and set out on a journey. She made her way out of her familiar place of abode and into the streets where she was likely looked upon with disgust.
At this point, nothing mattered but Him and a divine appointment of sorts. And Simon's house...a meeting place to trade her pain for his healing.
When she came through the door, she fell to her knees in worship. She bathed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She worshiped until she was finally able to offer the one thing that she held in high esteem; the only thing that could give her real identity and true purpose--her box.
The box held it all.
She reached for it and with all the strength she had, she broke it! She took what she had held dear and gave it away!
It was love and worship. It was emptying--a dieing out of what she was. It was also a discovery of who she was about to become.
Jesus wants your box, too. Your box is intended to be a blessing. All the wrongs and rights mingled together in that box are designed to bless someone else. Give Him your box.
Consider your life as that box.
All the good experiences! Like the day you were saved. The first time you led someone to the Lord. The times you have felt renewed in His presence and were off to a fresh start.
Also consider your pain. The abuse, hard words, broken dreams and broken promises-- all neatly packed away in that box.
The good, bad and ugly all living together.
Now picture the woman carrying the alabaster box. Recall her reputation.
Can you imagine her emotional baggage--the pain and humiliation?
This box of perfume was her most valued possession.
Despite how she had earned it.
When she found out that Jesus was near, she tucked the box under her arm and set out on a journey. She made her way out of her familiar place of abode and into the streets where she was likely looked upon with disgust.
At this point, nothing mattered but Him and a divine appointment of sorts. And Simon's house...a meeting place to trade her pain for his healing.
When she came through the door, she fell to her knees in worship. She bathed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She worshiped until she was finally able to offer the one thing that she held in high esteem; the only thing that could give her real identity and true purpose--her box.
The box held it all.
She reached for it and with all the strength she had, she broke it! She took what she had held dear and gave it away!
It was love and worship. It was emptying--a dieing out of what she was. It was also a discovery of who she was about to become.
Jesus wants your box, too. Your box is intended to be a blessing. All the wrongs and rights mingled together in that box are designed to bless someone else. Give Him your box.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Shut up and Think
I once heard that there are some people who have "diarrhea of the mouth"! Wow, how true!
And, yes, "WE" all have had this problem at least once!
Fridays are supposed to be my "off" day-- if there is any such thing as an off day being a pastor! I was on my way to the beautiful Little Red River nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains to do some fly fishing which has got to be the most enjoyable and restful sport ever! Apologies to you golfers. While driving, I was listening to the radio and this guy who was a guest on Dr. Dobson's broadcast was speaking about the "prodigals". In the middle of his message I recieved a text so I turned the volume down on the radio to make a phone call. When I finished the call, I resumed listening to this message! Perfect timing. Although I missed the introduction to this wonderful story, I heard the important part.
A pastor of a church had been bringing in the "nobodies" to his local church. One day a lady in the church came to him saying, "Pastor you are destroying our church. We have always had this good place of worship and fellowship and now all these people that don't fit and make it very uncomfortable are invading our quaint little atmosphere"! (paraphrasing, but real close) Most of us, if in this pastors shoes, would call the fire of God down on this woman's head and give her lots of Biblical proof that Jesus would have the same people following His ministry! Instead, he turns too her in a gentle voice and says to her, "Your right" and then asks her, "What should we do about it?" then asks her if she would help by disciplining some of the ladies! This lady became a great help to this church.
Proverbs 15:1 says: "a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger".
You have to understand that if someone has the courage too come to you and criticize what you are doing--when you and most everyone else know its the right thing--you can bet that person (whoever they are) has thought it through, weighed the consequences and is prepared to take on your response!! Further more, they are ready for a fight! This is where you need to"shut up and think"!
I once heard it said, "Wisdom is knowing what to say and when to say it"! The next time you are challenged by someone with "diarrhea of the mouth" stop and say too yourself, "This is a good time to build a bridge and mend a heart!" Give it a try. You'll never know if it works unless you give it a try!!
And, yes, "WE" all have had this problem at least once!
Fridays are supposed to be my "off" day-- if there is any such thing as an off day being a pastor! I was on my way to the beautiful Little Red River nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains to do some fly fishing which has got to be the most enjoyable and restful sport ever! Apologies to you golfers. While driving, I was listening to the radio and this guy who was a guest on Dr. Dobson's broadcast was speaking about the "prodigals". In the middle of his message I recieved a text so I turned the volume down on the radio to make a phone call. When I finished the call, I resumed listening to this message! Perfect timing. Although I missed the introduction to this wonderful story, I heard the important part.
A pastor of a church had been bringing in the "nobodies" to his local church. One day a lady in the church came to him saying, "Pastor you are destroying our church. We have always had this good place of worship and fellowship and now all these people that don't fit and make it very uncomfortable are invading our quaint little atmosphere"! (paraphrasing, but real close) Most of us, if in this pastors shoes, would call the fire of God down on this woman's head and give her lots of Biblical proof that Jesus would have the same people following His ministry! Instead, he turns too her in a gentle voice and says to her, "Your right" and then asks her, "What should we do about it?" then asks her if she would help by disciplining some of the ladies! This lady became a great help to this church.
Proverbs 15:1 says: "a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger".
You have to understand that if someone has the courage too come to you and criticize what you are doing--when you and most everyone else know its the right thing--you can bet that person (whoever they are) has thought it through, weighed the consequences and is prepared to take on your response!! Further more, they are ready for a fight! This is where you need to"shut up and think"!
I once heard it said, "Wisdom is knowing what to say and when to say it"! The next time you are challenged by someone with "diarrhea of the mouth" stop and say too yourself, "This is a good time to build a bridge and mend a heart!" Give it a try. You'll never know if it works unless you give it a try!!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Why?
Why is it that 20 percent of the church does 80 percent of the work?
Well, I am sure there are many answers out there! Some would refrain from service because they are not sure where they fit or they may feel that they are void of a gift or talent!
Lately I have been preaching/teaching about spiritual gifts in our church. And yes it is true that many will not, "step up to the plate", because they are not sure of their calling! This is no doubt why we are exhorted to, "make our calling and election sure".
Now let me tell you one of the biggest reasons why I think 20 percent of the people are doing 80 percent of the work. Identity Crisis!
Yes, many have no real concept of the price that was paid for their SIN on Calvary! Yes, SIN!! And because of this, "Sin" issue we have an epidemic of condemnation that is sweeping people away from the church and especially away from service in the church!
Now let me make it clear we are called to live Holy lives! We are called to love Jesus with all our hearts! And yes we blow it sometimes, and sometimes we even, yes, SIN! This is why Jesus came and poured out His blood on Calvary, because you and I had a great need, a need that we were unable to meet. A life of perfection that we could not hold to. Find your identity in Jesus, keep your hope in His blood, in which God says He is satisfied, and keep yourself in His house and serve Him with all your heart!
Well, I am sure there are many answers out there! Some would refrain from service because they are not sure where they fit or they may feel that they are void of a gift or talent!
Lately I have been preaching/teaching about spiritual gifts in our church. And yes it is true that many will not, "step up to the plate", because they are not sure of their calling! This is no doubt why we are exhorted to, "make our calling and election sure".
Now let me tell you one of the biggest reasons why I think 20 percent of the people are doing 80 percent of the work. Identity Crisis!
Yes, many have no real concept of the price that was paid for their SIN on Calvary! Yes, SIN!! And because of this, "Sin" issue we have an epidemic of condemnation that is sweeping people away from the church and especially away from service in the church!
Now let me make it clear we are called to live Holy lives! We are called to love Jesus with all our hearts! And yes we blow it sometimes, and sometimes we even, yes, SIN! This is why Jesus came and poured out His blood on Calvary, because you and I had a great need, a need that we were unable to meet. A life of perfection that we could not hold to. Find your identity in Jesus, keep your hope in His blood, in which God says He is satisfied, and keep yourself in His house and serve Him with all your heart!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Grace
No one comes to understand "grace" better than the one who is sincere in heart and yet caught in an intense struggle with some fleshly imperfection or "sin" in a desperate quest to overcome!
Barak Stafford
Barak Stafford
Monday, July 21, 2008
Glory
Wow! What a day at CIC Sunday!
The church was virtually full and everyone was so excited! Many have voiced their feelings on how they felt after the service. I even heard it said that we turned a curve!
This is such a great felling seeing we have been here for only 6 months. God is so faithful and His glory is to be revealed to His people.
Just wanted to post a blog letting you know that the Lord is on the throne your heart if you are His and he knows where you are, "because He is with you", and what you need. Whatever you do, "don't stop believing"!
All Glory to Him who is faithful!!
The church was virtually full and everyone was so excited! Many have voiced their feelings on how they felt after the service. I even heard it said that we turned a curve!
This is such a great felling seeing we have been here for only 6 months. God is so faithful and His glory is to be revealed to His people.
Just wanted to post a blog letting you know that the Lord is on the throne your heart if you are His and he knows where you are, "because He is with you", and what you need. Whatever you do, "don't stop believing"!
All Glory to Him who is faithful!!
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