So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" John 18:3-4 (ESV)
They were looking for God! They didn't know it, of course. They were doing the job that had been assigned. Judas was carrying out the deal he had made with the religious leaders. The soldiers were on the track of a person who they had been told was a terrorist. They were walled in darkness. They carried torches because the night was thick with darkness. They had darkness in their hearts because they could not see the Light who was before their very eyes.
The author John tells a good story. He began this treatise with:
In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5)
Jesus had come to reveal the true nature of God to mankind. He was and is the light that causes the darkness of confusion to dissipate. What irony! Now as the story begins to climax, these men of darkness carry torches to find him who is the light of the world, but can't see him. They view him as an enemy when he is actually the object of their life's search.
It is the same story for all of mankind. Ever since the Garden of Eden, men and women have groped in darkness looking for the fellowship Adam had with God. Blinded by self-centered arrogance, they have viewed God as an enemy when he was their only hope of making any sense of life's experiences. When plans don't play out as they hope, they find ways to blame God and his order. But they end up falling to the ground when he identifies himself.
When the men with torches and swords came stumbling through the garden looking for the insurrectionist, Jesus goes toward them. He asks them, "Whom do you seek?" Notice that they didn't control this engagement even though they had the swords. When Jesus acknowledged that he was their target by saying "I am he," they fell backward. The darkness cannot overcome the light... ever.
Could it be that what we are fighting against in our own attitudes might just be God incognito? Maybe the issue is not the external obstacle that seems to create so much pain. Maybe the terrorist we have identified is none other than the light of our world we so desperately need.
"Open our eyes, Lord, to see what your light exposes. We don't know ourselves very well and we don't know you well enough to cease our striving and rest in your care."
Saturday, June 5, 2010
To Avoid Being an Abusive Leader by Malcolm Webber
It should be noted that most Christian leaders – as imperfect people – will probably, at some point, exhibit some of the characteristics of abusive leadership that we have noted in previous Letters. Therefore, the godly leader, knowing that he is not above this tendency, should consciously and deliberately take the following steps to avoid being abusive at all:
So, what specific changes do you need to make in your life and ministry? And what specific commitments can you make that will help you bring these changes to pass?
| 1. | Prayer. It is hard to know our own hearts and motives. We must remain continually in prayer, asking God to expose what is really happening inside our lives and ministries. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, (Rom. 15:31) | |
| 2. | Study the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the perfect Model of true leadership at all points. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11) | |
| 3. | Humility. The great antidote for abusive leadership is 1 Corinthians 3:7. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. | |
| 4. | Commitment. The godly leader must be committed to God, to his followers, and to inward reality in his own life. Especially during decision-making, he must remain unfailingly committed to truth, not allowing himself to be influenced by expediency, convenience or selfishness. The Holy Spirit will help us do this (Rom. 8:13). … if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (Rom. 8:13) | |
| 5. | Awareness. The Christian leader must develop the ability to distinguish between personal issues and an organizationally-based vision in his beliefs and actions. He must be acutely aware of his own vested interests at all times and strive to crucify them if they are not consistent with the interests of the people he says he is serving. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. (1 Cor. 4:4-5) | |
| 6. | Responsibility. The healthy leader will spend significant time and effort in assisting his followers’ development separate from his personal mission. In truth, the Christian mission is people-development (ultimately to the glory of God and the fulfillment of His will, of course). It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-13) | |
| 7. | Self-evaluation. The leader should accurately and honestly assess his own contributions to both successful and unsuccessful outcomes – rather than merely blaming others. Even good leaders may tend to avoid looking at their own contribution to poor performance. Moreover, the godly leader should address follower discomfort and poor performance that are often signals for his own need of self-reevaluation – particularly in the area of communication. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. (2 Cor. 5:9-11) | |
| 8. | Continual prayer, reflection and heart breaking before the Lord. God will keep us honest and pure. The leader must conscientiously seek to catch himself any time he is tempted to take advantage of his role and power. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. (Acts 24:16) | |
| 9. | Genuine accountability. Abusive leaders will often happily submit to those who they know share their views. In contrast, servant leaders will seek out balanced and honest counselors who are not afraid to disagree and to hold them genuinely accountable. Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. (Gal. 2:1-2) |
La Luz Radiante de La Santidad Por Francis Frangipane
La Luz Radiante de La Santidad
Por Francis Frangipane
(English)
Por Francis Frangipane
(English)
Cuando existe verdadera santidad en la vida de un
cristiano, ella produce a su alrededor una luminosidad
y un resplandor. Los bebés y los niños pequeños,
cuyos espíritus son todavía puros e
incontaminados, y que por lo tanto están más cerca
de la presencia real de Dios, también emanan esta
luz. Su luz es visible por cuanto sus corazones son
transparentes y veraces. Para nosotros, el camino a
la luz radiante de la santidad es esta misma senda
de transparencia y verdad. Ella es la via que nos
lleva al oro puro del reino de Dios.
cristiano, ella produce a su alrededor una luminosidad
y un resplandor. Los bebés y los niños pequeños,
cuyos espíritus son todavía puros e
incontaminados, y que por lo tanto están más cerca
de la presencia real de Dios, también emanan esta
luz. Su luz es visible por cuanto sus corazones son
transparentes y veraces. Para nosotros, el camino a
la luz radiante de la santidad es esta misma senda
de transparencia y verdad. Ella es la via que nos
lleva al oro puro del reino de Dios.
Cuando Nuestro Enfoque es Claro
Desde el momento en que Cristo entra en nosotros, somos
santos, separados para Dios. Este tipo de santidad es la
misma santificación que hizo que los utensilios utilizados
en el servicio del templo fueran santos: santos porque fueron
usados en el servicio del Señor. No tenían virtud alguna
en sí mismos; el material del cual estaban hechos no sufrió
ningún cambio. En ese sentido es que el cristiano, en general,
es santo. Pero la santidad que buscamos es la realización
de nuestra separación. Pretendemos una santidad que
refleje en nuestras vidas la presencia de Dios en los cielos.
Queremos tener ambas cosas: Su naturaleza y su calidad de
vida.
Desde el momento en que Cristo entra en nosotros, somos
santos, separados para Dios. Este tipo de santidad es la
misma santificación que hizo que los utensilios utilizados
en el servicio del templo fueran santos: santos porque fueron
usados en el servicio del Señor. No tenían virtud alguna
en sí mismos; el material del cual estaban hechos no sufrió
ningún cambio. En ese sentido es que el cristiano, en general,
es santo. Pero la santidad que buscamos es la realización
de nuestra separación. Pretendemos una santidad que
refleje en nuestras vidas la presencia de Dios en los cielos.
Queremos tener ambas cosas: Su naturaleza y su calidad de
vida.
Siendo que la verdadera santidad produce en nosotros la
vida real del Espíritu Santo, debemos estar seguros de saber
lo que es el espíritu. El espíritu de Dios es amor, no
religión. Dios es vida, no ritualismo. El Espíritu Santo hace
en nosotros mucho más que sencillamente “hablar en lenguas”
o testificar. El Espíritu nos guía a la presencia de
Jesús. Mediante nuestra unión y comunión con Jesucristo
recibimos nuestra
vida real del Espíritu Santo, debemos estar seguros de saber
lo que es el espíritu. El espíritu de Dios es amor, no
religión. Dios es vida, no ritualismo. El Espíritu Santo hace
en nosotros mucho más que sencillamente “hablar en lenguas”
o testificar. El Espíritu nos guía a la presencia de
Jesús. Mediante nuestra unión y comunión con Jesucristo
recibimos nuestra
Repito que la santidad que procuramos tener no es un conjunto
de normas legales o legislativas, sino la calidad de vida
del mismo Cristo. El Espíritu Santo obra en nosotros no solamente
un nuevo deseo de amar, sino que nos imparte el
mismo amor de Jesús. Desarrollamos mucho más que una fe
común en Jesús. En realidad comenzamos a creer como él,
con su misma calidad de fe. Es Dios en nosotros quien nos
hace santos. Dejemos que él nos sacuda, que nos baje de
nuestras cómodas perchas, hasta que con gran temblor y gozo,
con profunda adoración y santo temor nos aproximemos a
la realidad divina, a Dios mismo, quien nos ha llamado a ser
suyos por su propia voluntad y propósito.
de normas legales o legislativas, sino la calidad de vida
del mismo Cristo. El Espíritu Santo obra en nosotros no solamente
un nuevo deseo de amar, sino que nos imparte el
mismo amor de Jesús. Desarrollamos mucho más que una fe
común en Jesús. En realidad comenzamos a creer como él,
con su misma calidad de fe. Es Dios en nosotros quien nos
hace santos. Dejemos que él nos sacuda, que nos baje de
nuestras cómodas perchas, hasta que con gran temblor y gozo,
con profunda adoración y santo temor nos aproximemos a
la realidad divina, a Dios mismo, quien nos ha llamado a ser
suyos por su propia voluntad y propósito.
“No sabéis que sois templo de Dios, y que el Espíritu de
Dios mora en vosotros?” (1 Corintios 3: 16).
Dios mora en vosotros?” (1 Corintios 3: 16).
El Espíritu de Dios habita en nosotros. A la luz de esta
verdad, hagámonos otra vez la antigua pregunta: “¿Qué es el
hombre?” Sabemos como lucimos ante las demás personas,
pero si en verdad Dios mora en nosotros, ¿cómo nos ven los
ángeles o los demonios? ¿Qué luz nos señala en el mundo
espiritual, qué iluminación nos rodea, qué gloria declara al
mundo invisible: “Tenga cuidado, este es un hijo de Dios?”
Piense en ello: El Espíritu del creador, quien desde el principio
tuvo el propósito de hacer al hombre a su imagen,
está ahora en usted.
verdad, hagámonos otra vez la antigua pregunta: “¿Qué es el
hombre?” Sabemos como lucimos ante las demás personas,
pero si en verdad Dios mora en nosotros, ¿cómo nos ven los
ángeles o los demonios? ¿Qué luz nos señala en el mundo
espiritual, qué iluminación nos rodea, qué gloria declara al
mundo invisible: “Tenga cuidado, este es un hijo de Dios?”
Piense en ello: El Espíritu del creador, quien desde el principio
tuvo el propósito de hacer al hombre a su imagen,
está ahora en usted.
La Santidad es Un Cuerpo Lleno de Luz
Hay límites. Hay condiciones. Usted no puede servir a
dos señores. No puede servir a la luz y a las tinieblas, al
pecado y a la justicia, al yo y a Dios. La luz está en usted,
pero lo rodean las tinieblas. Nuestro mundo es un mundo
en oscuridad. Nuestras mentes carnales siguen siendo un
teatro de las tinieblas. En un mundo de opciones debemos
optar por la luz. Por eso es que Jesús enseñó que debemos
tener determinación y ser de un solo propósito si deseamos
llegar a ser hijos de luz plenamente maduros. Él dijo:
“La lámpara del cuerpo es el ojo; cuando tu ojo es bueno,
también todo tu cuerpo está lleno de luz; pero cuando
tu ojo es maligno, también tu cuerpo está en tinieblas”
(Lucas 11: 34).
Hay límites. Hay condiciones. Usted no puede servir a
dos señores. No puede servir a la luz y a las tinieblas, al
pecado y a la justicia, al yo y a Dios. La luz está en usted,
pero lo rodean las tinieblas. Nuestro mundo es un mundo
en oscuridad. Nuestras mentes carnales siguen siendo un
teatro de las tinieblas. En un mundo de opciones debemos
optar por la luz. Por eso es que Jesús enseñó que debemos
tener determinación y ser de un solo propósito si deseamos
llegar a ser hijos de luz plenamente maduros. Él dijo:
“La lámpara del cuerpo es el ojo; cuando tu ojo es bueno,
también todo tu cuerpo está lleno de luz; pero cuando
tu ojo es maligno, también tu cuerpo está en tinieblas”
(Lucas 11: 34).
Si su voluntad y su corazón están enfocados en Dios, su
cuerpo está lleno de luz, y está expresando con plenitud la
gloria de Dios en usted. Pero si es de doble ánimo, si está
viviendo en pecado o consintiendo pensamientos pecaminosos,
su luz se disminuye proporcionalmente hasta que su
cuerpo se llena de tinieblas. Jesús continuó advirtiendo:
“Mira, pues, no suceda que la luz que en ti hay, sea
tinieblas” (Lucas 11: 35).
cuerpo está lleno de luz, y está expresando con plenitud la
gloria de Dios en usted. Pero si es de doble ánimo, si está
viviendo en pecado o consintiendo pensamientos pecaminosos,
su luz se disminuye proporcionalmente hasta que su
cuerpo se llena de tinieblas. Jesús continuó advirtiendo:
“Mira, pues, no suceda que la luz que en ti hay, sea
tinieblas” (Lucas 11: 35).
Si usted no hace nada por su salvación, si no busca a Dios,
o decide desobedecerlo, está en oscuridad. No se consuele
con una esperanza carente de propósito de que algún día, y
de alguna manera, será mejor. ¡Armese de determinación!
Porque si la luz que hay en usted son tinieblas, qué terribles
serán las mismas tinieblas. Mi querido hijo o hija de luz:
¡usted debe odiar las tinieblas! Porque ellas son las sustancia
del infierno; son el mundo sin Dios.
o decide desobedecerlo, está en oscuridad. No se consuele
con una esperanza carente de propósito de que algún día, y
de alguna manera, será mejor. ¡Armese de determinación!
Porque si la luz que hay en usted son tinieblas, qué terribles
serán las mismas tinieblas. Mi querido hijo o hija de luz:
¡usted debe odiar las tinieblas! Porque ellas son las sustancia
del infierno; son el mundo sin Dios.
Pero nuestra esperanza es luz, no oscuridad. Sus pies
están andando la senda de los justos, que “como la luz de
la aurora va en aumento hasta que el dia es perfecto”
(Proverbios 4: 18). “Así que, si todo tu cuerpo está lleno
de luz, no teniendo parte alguna de tinieblas, será
todo luminoso, como cuando una lámpara te alumbra
con su resplandor” (Lucas 11: 36). Este versículo nos
muestra un cuadro muy claro de la apariencia de la santidad
en su madurez: nuestros cuerpos son radiantes de gloria,
así como cuando una lámpara alumbra en su plenitud.
¡Qué tremenda esperanza que podamos ser integramente
iluminados con la presencia de Dios, que no haya “parte
alguna de tinieblas” en nosotros! Un manto de luz y de gloria
espera a los que son espiritualmente maduros, a los santos
de Dios, un manto similar al que Jesús lució en el Monte
de la Transfiguración.
están andando la senda de los justos, que “como la luz de
la aurora va en aumento hasta que el dia es perfecto”
(Proverbios 4: 18). “Así que, si todo tu cuerpo está lleno
de luz, no teniendo parte alguna de tinieblas, será
todo luminoso, como cuando una lámpara te alumbra
con su resplandor” (Lucas 11: 36). Este versículo nos
muestra un cuadro muy claro de la apariencia de la santidad
en su madurez: nuestros cuerpos son radiantes de gloria,
así como cuando una lámpara alumbra en su plenitud.
¡Qué tremenda esperanza que podamos ser integramente
iluminados con la presencia de Dios, que no haya “parte
alguna de tinieblas” en nosotros! Un manto de luz y de gloria
espera a los que son espiritualmente maduros, a los santos
de Dios, un manto similar al que Jesús lució en el Monte
de la Transfiguración.
Un esplendor no para la eternidad sino para lucirlo aquí
“...en medio de una generación maligna... en medio de la
cual resplandecemos como luminares en el mundo”
(Filipenses 2: 14-15).
“...en medio de una generación maligna... en medio de la
cual resplandecemos como luminares en el mundo”
(Filipenses 2: 14-15).
“Porque en otro tiempo eráis tinieblas, mas ahora sois
luz en el Señor; andad como hijos de luz” (Efesios 5: 8)
Ahora usted es un hijo o hija de luz. Estas no son solo
figuras de retórica, o frases literarias. ¡La gloria de Dios
está en usted, y lo rodea y circunda! Esa es una realidad
espiritual. ¿Pero qué de las tinieblas que todavía hay en usted?
Pablo continúa diciendo: “Y no participéis en las
obras infructuosas de las tinieblas, sino mas bien,
reprendedlas; porque vergonzoso es aún hablar de lo que
ellos hacen en secreto. Mas todas las cosas cuando son
puestas en evidencia por la luz, son hechas manifiestas;
porque la luz es lo que manifiesta todo” (Efesios 5: 11-
13).
No oculte sus tinieblas, expóngalas a la luz. No las excuseluz en el Señor; andad como hijos de luz” (Efesios 5: 8)
Ahora usted es un hijo o hija de luz. Estas no son solo
figuras de retórica, o frases literarias. ¡La gloria de Dios
está en usted, y lo rodea y circunda! Esa es una realidad
espiritual. ¿Pero qué de las tinieblas que todavía hay en usted?
Pablo continúa diciendo: “Y no participéis en las
obras infructuosas de las tinieblas, sino mas bien,
reprendedlas; porque vergonzoso es aún hablar de lo que
ellos hacen en secreto. Mas todas las cosas cuando son
puestas en evidencia por la luz, son hechas manifiestas;
porque la luz es lo que manifiesta todo” (Efesios 5: 11-
13).
con simpatía; confiéselas. Odielas. Renuncie a ellas.
Porque en la medida que las tinieblas continúen ocultas,
continuarán dominándolo. Pero cuando la oscuridad la exponemos
a la luz, se transforma en luz. Cuando usted toma
sus pecados secretos y con confianza los lleva al trono de
la gracia de Dios en confesión, él lo limpia de toda iniqui129
dad (1 Juan 1: 9). Si peca otra vez, arrepiéntase otra vez.
Hágalo hasta que el hábito del pecado se rompa en su vida.
Haga como los buscadores de oro de tiempos pasados:
reclame el derecho de propiedad de su mina en el reino de
Dios, y esté listo a defender ese derecho sobre el “oro puro”
del cielo (Apocalípsis 3: 18). Y cuando acampe frente al
trono de la gracia, algo eterno comenzará a brillar en usted
como carbones encendidos en un horno. Y al persistir con
el todopoderoso, el fuego sacro de su presencia consumirá
la madera, el heno y la hojarasca de sus antiguos caminos.
Poder como el que Jesús tenía habitará en su ser interior.
Los ángeles se asombrarán porque su oro será refinado, sus
vestidos serán luz, y su vida será santa.
The Bright Lamp of Holiness by Francis Frangipane
When true holiness exists in a Christian's life, it produces a luminosity, a glow around that individual. Infants and little children, because their spirits are yet pure and undefiled and because they are so close to the actual presence of God, emanate this light as well. Their light is visible because their hearts are transparent and truthful. For us, the way to the bright lamp of holiness is this same way of transparency and truth. It is the way to the pure gold of the kingdom of God.
From the moment Christ enters within us, we are holy, set apart unto God. This kind of holiness is the same sanctification that made the utensils in the temple holy: holy because they were used in service to the Lord. They had no virtue in themselves; their material substance did not change. Christianity, in general, is holy in that sense. But the holiness we are seeking is the fulfillment of having been set apart. We are seeking a holiness that mirrors, through us, the presence of God in Heaven. We are seeking both His nature and His quality of life.
Since true holiness produces in us the actual life of the Holy Spirit, we must be sure we know who the Spirit is. The Spirit of God is love, not religion. God is life, not rituals. The Holy Spirit does more in us than simply enable us to "speak in tongues" or witness. The Spirit leads us into the presence of Jesus. Herein is our holiness received: in our union and fellowship with Jesus Christ.
Again, the holiness we are seeking is not a legislative or legalistic set of rules; it is Christ's very own life. The Holy Spirit works in us not merely a new desire to love, but He imparts to us Christ's very own love. We develop more than just a general faith in Jesus; we actually begin believing like Jesus, with His quality of faith. It is God in us that makes us holy. Let it stagger us. Let it rock us off our comfortable little perches until, with great trembling and great joy, with deep worship and holy fear, we approach the Divine Reality who has, for His own will and purpose, called us to Himself.
"Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Cor. 3:16). The Spirit of God dwells in us. In this light, let us ask ourselves again the age-old question, "What is man?" We know how we appear to other men but, if God truly is within us, how do we appear to angels, or devils? What light marks us in the spirit-world, what illumination surrounds us, what glory declares to the invisible realm: Behold and beware, here walks a child of God! Think of it: the Spirit of the Creator, who purposed in the beginning to make man in His image, is in you . . . now.
Holiness is a Body Full of Light
There are limitations. There are conditions. You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve light and darkness, sin and righteousness, self and God. Light is within you but so also is darkness. Our world is a world in darkness. Our ancestors were sons of darkness. Our carnal minds yet remain theaters of darkness. In a world of choices, we must choose light. That is why Jesus taught that we must be single-minded if we would become fully mature sons of light. He said, "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness" (Luke 11:34 KJV).
If you are focused in your will and heart toward God, your body is full of light and you are giving full expression to the glory of God within you. But, if you are double-minded, if you are dwelling on sinful or evil thoughts, your light is proportionally diminished until your very body is full of darkness. Jesus went on to warn, "Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness" (Luke 11:35 KJV).
If you do nothing about your salvation, fail to seek God, or choose to disobey Him, you are in darkness. Do not console yourself with an aimless hope that someday, somehow, you will get better. Arm yourself with determination! For if the light in you is in darkness, how terrible is that darkness! Son of light, you must hate darkness! For darkness is the substance of hell; it is the world without God!
But our hope is light, not darkness. Your feet are walking the path of the just, that path which grows brighter and brighter unto the full day. "If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it shall be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays" (Luke 11:36). This verse gives a very clear picture of what holiness looks like in its maturity: our bodies are radiant with glory even as a lamp shines at full brightness. What a tremendous hope---that we can be so wholly illumined with the presence of God that there is "no dark part" within us! A garment of light and glory awaits the spiritually mature, the holy ones of God, a garment similar to what Jesus wore on the Mount of Transfiguration! A splendor not just put on in eternity but one worn here, "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation"; here, where we "appear as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:14-15)."You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light" (Eph. 5:8). Now you are a child of light. These are not merely figures of speech! The glory of God is within and around you; it is a spiritual reality! But what of the darkness that is yet within you? Paul continued,
And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them . . . but all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. ---Ephesians 5:11, 13Do not hide your darkness, expose it. Do not sympathetically make excuses for it, confess it. Hate it. Renounce it. For as long as darkness remains in darkness, it rules you. But when you bring darkness out into the light, it becomes light. When you take your secret sins and boldly come unto the throne of God's grace and confess them, He cleanses you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). If you sin again, repent again. And again, until the habit of sin is broken within you.
Like the prospectors of old, you must stake your claim high in the kingdom of God, being ready to defend your rights to the "pure gold" of Heaven (Rev. 3:18). And as you pitch your tent at the throne of grace, something eternal will begin to glow in you, like hot coals on a furnace floor. And as you persist with the Almighty, the sacred fire of His presence will consume the wood, hay and stubble of your former ways. Power such as Jesus had will reside in your innermost being. Angels will stand in awe, for your gold will be refined, your garments light and your life holy.
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The preceding message is from Francis' classic book, Holiness Truth and the Presence of God (published by Arrow Publications). This book is currently part of the book special below. For more information on this book, see below or visit the Arrow Bookstore at www.arrowbookstore.com.
Church As We Know It is Over by Don Nori Sr.
The Church is at a major crossroads in her multi- millennial sojourn through time upon this earth. She has some very big decisions to make. But most of us are not aware of the change that is in the Wind. For church, as we know it, is over.
The church, (the one being built by Jesus, not this monstrosity of a system we incorrectly call the Church), will move on with the gentle sound of His voice. The Church He is building will not need an earthquake, a hurricane, or pixie dust floating in the air to get her attention. His sheep hear His voice and follow Him because they follow His voice. This will be a big test of who we really are and whose kingdom we are really building. If it is His Kingdom, we will leap at the sound of His voice and go where he leads us. If we are building the counterfeit, we will not be so inclined to move very quickly. For there is much to lose and much to risk in responding to Him whilst building anything of our own.
The charismatics, the Pentecostals and the revivalists are all crowding at the river Jordan. The Holy Spirit is urging, calling, leading them to cross, but few have the faith to cross because few have the faith to risk what they have built. Maybe that is the problem…we have built it and it is OURS. We must protect what is ours at all costs, even at the cost of moving on with the Lord. It is always so easy to camp along the river rather than risk the dangers of fording the rapids, even when you have the voice of the Lord drawing you on..
So we invent, discover and imagine all kinds of histrionics to keep everyone satisfied where they are… on the wrong side of the river. We go around the things He has shown us again and again. We devise newer and more complicated ways of saying and doing the things we have know for years. Oh, we will occasionally look longingly across the river, wondering if there really is more over there, but the safety is always here. Few will admit that we have lost the faith, the daring and the adventure of our earlier days. Although denominationalism is anathema to us, we gather around the same things and build the same walls and defend our position with the same conviction and piety as all those who have gone before us.
But those who do not cross the river do not change the world. It is true, they do not rock the boat, but they do not see anything new, experience anything deeper than what has been “felt and telt” many, many times and for many, many years.
God does not talk in circles. He has a definite destination in mind and He fully intends to have a people that will be willing to be lead to the deepest reservoirs of His love and the very fullness of His Life.
Church as we know it is over. He is about to wrestle control of His own church from the carnal hands of insecure, angry, controlling and legalistic men and women, to build His own church, just as He promised He would.
Church as we know it is passing away. The thing we have called church is but a dim shadow of the life-giving, empowering wholeness of that for which Jesus died, rather, rose from the dead to lavish upon mere mortal men.
We have asked for wealth when He wanted to give us nations. We focused on our healing when He wanted to make us healers. We have searched for mercy and compassion when He had called us to carry those same treasures to a dying world. We are self-examining when He wants us to be pouring ourselves out so others can find Him.
There is no doubt. The self-centered, need-oriented, program-driven, growth-addicted destiny-snatching, dream-killing counterfeit is about to be replaced by His church; a company of loosely connected people held together only by the bonds of love. This people is the Christ-centered, Kingdom-declaring, light-shining heart throb of God Himself. His people hear His voice and respond with joy and anticipation, not fear and uncertainty. They are a devil-ignoring, life-giving, God-honoring group of worshipers whose greatest fulfillment in life is to be called to His service by the gentle sound of His voice. This church understands that the hands Jesus will stretch out to heal will be their hands. They know they are His hug, His smile, His encouraging word and the world’s only hope of glory.
The solution is clear…You are the church that Jesus Himself, is building!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Now Back To Our Story by David VanCronkhite
A few years ago I wrote an article titled "A Few Degrees Off" for my "Pondering the Journey" series. The gist of it was how far off base we can become when we start our life-journey with a simple truth that is practiced or presented in a way that sets the compass just a little off. So it was with my journey.
I got "saved" and was immediately instructed to begin memorizing scriptures. Nothing wrong with that. I mean, how can anyone who desires to know God and follow Him argue with memorizing scriptures? But there was something not quite right. What if all we learn and take away, as I did, are lifeless laws and wooden words and miss the journey of the amazing stories of God encounters?
For me, the Book became merely a collection of scriptures. It was several decades before I realized it was a collection of stories of real people attempting to find a real God in the midst of real life. And life was and is a series of experiences--a few successes, a lot of failures and how we deal with a very relational God who desires to have life-infusing, two-way conversations.
I realized then that if we miss the stories, we'll never find the unfathomable love of God. I never knew, for instance, the depth of the story of God and Moses. Oh, I could quote the key scriptures surrounding the interaction of the two to prove my theology about God and man. But a story?
In Exodus 34 we find Moses desperate to know God, and God desperate for Moses to know Him. The Creator of the Universe tells this failure-of-a-man how to be successful, how to know Him, and how to become fully human the way he was intended to be. The words and story here--how God wants to impregnate all of mankind with His DNA--were never meant to become theological statements, but an ongoing, epic tale instilling hope and faith into a confused world.
Moses said "God, reveal yourself to me." And God answered, revealing His DNA, the unchanging character of I AM that I AM. "Look at it and then tell the people who I am so they will have a hope and a future." God, in His most awe-inspiring moment, began to show Himself to a murderer He had put His hand on, just as He desires to put His hand on each of us.
The Creator within us
The Creator slowly, painstakingly begins to describe what it means to have Him forever live, not only among us, but within us. He details the very nature of the Seed that He promises to impregnate us with, not in a natural way but, as Nicodemus would find out generations later, in a most supernatural way. And all this thousands of years before He sends the One to display the mystery and the availability of the Seed.
According to this story that crosses across testaments and supercedes any theology, God says that we can imitate Him if we'll let Him change us from within. It will take a supernatural birth. But when the Seed is planted, when we are impregnated, the world will know that something has happened to us.
Religion says, "Do this and do that." Even more, it says, "Don't do this and don't do that." God says, "Be this and be that because My Seed is in your spirit. We will journey together and I will point out where you have missed the mark. Your desires will begin to shift from pleasing yourself to pleasing me. And here is how you can please me. Be like I am. Act like I act."
God revealed to Moses the secret, the mystery of transformation. We take on His nature and must become like Him because the essence and character of God now dwells within us. "I am compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, merciful, truthful, covenantally faithful and forgiving," God told Moses. "That is how I want to be represented among the people. I want them to know Me that way. And if that is who I am, then that is how those who represent me must be."
Because our focus frequently has become more on theological certainty than relational faithfulness, we have become a generation that can hurl so-called truths at one another but cannot live life with one another. Yet, in our relations to man, whether a friend, a stranger or enemy, God calls us to reveal His character, to take on His very nature.
The Book is the love story of the ages. God tells Moses that He is Jealous for Him, not of him. God wants all of His love. And He tells us today that all He wants is for us to see, feel, hear, touch, taste this amazing love and love Him back.
How do we love like that? Not by theology or the law, but by Agape, By the germination and bursting forth of the Seed in us which is centered on pleasing the Father, expressing itself by doing good to our neighbors, strangers, and our enemies. Simply put, it is letting the Seed within begin the journey of daily transformation of a spirit that will eventually transform even the mind, soul and body.
Too many people today know us to be followers of God because of the scripture we quote and the theology we defend. It's time they recognize us as Christ followers because we are troublemakers with only one concern: to please the Father and allow the DNA of His Seed to grow and mature. Let us be known as "those people" who are compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, merciful, covenantally faithful, forgiving, and therefore, so, so rich in agape.
Can that really take place in our lives? Indeed. It's about a Seed, a supernatural Seed and being supernaturally impregnated from above. God, in His greatest mystery, will transform us in a moment and begin a journey to mature the Seed. It will be a journey back to the beginning of the story of the ages.
And because change is inevitable, I, for one, would rather sit on my porch with a neighbor sharing a love story than convincing them of my theological uncertainty.
Comments for David - david.vancronkhite@gmail.com or comment below
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Emerging Life Coach Movement by John Chasteen
Coaching is a hot trend in today's world.. Joyce and I believe in the coaching method and we are coaches to each other and others.... A coach listens more than anything, and uses questions to draw out the experience and potential steps needed for success. This article by our friend John Chasteen speaks to the growth of this model. If you want to be coached, or desire to become a coach, please contact me at agaperoad@gmail.com.. (Robert)
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COACH – isn’t that a word used in association with an athletic event? Not any more! The coaching movement is alive and well both in the church, and the corporate landscape of America.
According to the Harvard Business Review, the number of people entering the coaching field has skyrocketed over the last decade. Estimates project at least 20,000 working in the business/corporate industry alone.
Coaching is a hot trend in today's world.
So you are probably asking, “What does this have to do with me- I’m just a common everyday person?” That’s just it - coaches are common everyday people who come along side others and offer support, accountability, and encouragement. So why coach? Here are a few reasons:
I. It's a Biblical Model
Is coaching biblical? Absolutely! One of the most prominent examples in the New Testament is Barnabas. (Acts 4 & 5) To understand Barnabas is to understand coaching. Barnabas was an excellent coach who nurtured many into leadership and greatness in the kingdom – including the Apostle Paul.
Interestingly, it seems he chose to retreat from the mainstream of leadership and fade into the background of the New Testament church, scholars believe he did this in order to coach and mentor emerging leaders.
II. Here's the Basic Premise
The basic premise of coaching is this; “Your own insight is much more powerful than my advice.” Malcolm Knowles, the father of adult education in the U.S. states, “One of the most significant findings from adult learning research is that when adults learn something naturally instead of being taught- they become highly self directing and feel immediate ownership.
These insights go against the grain of most hierarchical leadership paradigms in America. However, leadership models are rapidly changing from directing to influencing. From controlling, to role modeling, from bossing to coaching. Have you made the shift?
III. It's a Relational Experience
At the heart of every good coaching partnership is a powerful and meaningful relationship. The buzz word” connect, reveals that most Americans are in a crisis of relationship.
Coaches know that the strength of progress is dependent on the strength of the relationship. Real transformation comes through the conveyance of information through strong and meaningful relationships.
Conclusion:
Are you ready to be a coach to someone? Or to be coached? Well, get ready, the day is coming when you just might hear someone say, “hey - would you mind coaching me?"
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