June 22, 2010, Romans 6

Key Verse:

¹What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? ²By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? ³Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

(Romans 6:1-4)

Central Truth:
To live, is to die and to die is to gain. What Christ offers us requires much more than just a prayer and a dunk. Christ calls us to die to ourselves AND our sins for Him.

Where do YOU stand?

Ok...The whole book of Romans is just an incredible book. Prior to chapter 6 Paul is explaining to the Romans the Gospel. He tells them that their "law" and "rituals" don't save them (e.g. circumcision). They too are sinners and will be judged accordingly regardless of their obedience to the law or the amount of foreskin on their body. Paul also goes on to explain what dreadful, awful sinners we are. He even says that "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory."

GOOOOOOOOD NEWS . . . . . .

We are saved by grace! Though we are undeserving and full of sin, God's grace is more than enough to cover us and make us right before him. But here is the problem! Many of us (and the the Romans did too) think that "well, if this grace is sooooo good, then i can go on sinning without going to Hell....because I'm covered." But Paul explains in Chapter 6 why that dog just won't hunt. Christ died for our sins, and once we choose Him, we choose to die to our sins as well. We cannot continue to go on living in our sin and think it's OK. Now granted, we are going to screw up. But Paul is talking about the blatant, continual sin that we have never relinquished to Christ. For example . . . if a man is having an affair on his wife and then comes to know the Lord for the first time, he must repent this to God, his wife, and his lover and move on . . . never to cheat again. He cannot continue to go on sinning and expect that things are OK. He never died to this sin, and therefore, He never died to Christ.

I don't believe you can lose your salvation, but I do believe there are many people who have never received it . . . simply because they never truly allowed God to consume their life; they never died to Him.

Have you?

June 21, 2010, Romans 5

Key Verse:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:1

Central Truth:

How great is Jesus that He came to die for our sins even when we did not deserve it! And how greater still is His gift of love now that we are justified through His sacrifice.

JUSTIFIED

Wow. This chapter delivers some pretty good news. First, peace in Christ; we stand in grace, we rejoice in hope, and even our sufferings are to be celebrated because they serve to build our character and make us stronger. And secondly, even though sin entered the world through one man (Adam), our righteousness comes from one man (Jesus!) too.

I imagine a sort of two part triangle graph. The first triangle is Adam and his sin. It flows from the small point of the triangle down onto all mankind and from it death onto all mankind. The second triangle is Jesus’ gift of grace. It pours down from the point of the triangle onto all who would accept it. “For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19
My Life application bible has an entry that breaks it down like this: As children of Adam we have ruin, sin, death, separation from God, disobedience, judgment, and law. As children of God we have rescue, righteousness, eternal life, relationship with God, obedience, deliverance, and grace.
I am justified through faith. If I trust in God and His promises through Christ and scriptures, I am saved or absolved from guilt. The more I struggle with temptations and sin in my life, the more Grace will be poured down on me. So I live in the peace of His presence, but I also face the daily challenges that help me to grow more like Him. In those challenges, I have the love and grace of Jesus Christ, and that can help me through anything.

June 18, 2010, Romans 4

Key Verse: 
Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 

(Romans 4:4) 

Central Truth: 

What does God owe us for the work that we do while we are on Earth? (Stay with me, I promise it's not as depressing as it sounds!) 

GETTING PAID 
I love when our kids get done doing something that we ask them to do, just regular routine chores at that. Just the other day, our son came in after brushing his teeth and held out his hand in front of us. I just gave him the traditional slapping of the hands, "five," but still there he stood. Again, I gave him the "five," and stood he still stood there staring at me. Finally, I just had to ask, "What is it exactly that you are holding your hand out for?" The classic six-year old response followed, "Daddy, you owe me a dollar. I brushed my teeth just like you told me to!" 

Wow!? A dollar just for brushing his teeth, and I surely don't remember telling him that I was going to give him a dollar for brushing his teeth. He just expected it to happen, and I can just imagine his thought process, "I do what you tell me, which means I obey my mom and dad like the Bible says, and that's my job. I should get paid for doing my job. Where's my dollar?" 

At this point, you can't help but to laugh. Poor thing. Even though we go to work every day to buy the toothpaste, the food, the clothes, provide a house, and pay for the dental appointments that help him keep teeth in his mouth, he should still get paid for brushing his teeth, shouldn't he? After all, it takes so much time and energy to brush your teeth. Right? 

See, my son was in the mind set that I owe him something for every little thing that he does. He tried to justify a reward with an agreement that I wasn't really buying into. But, he figured that he could talk me into giving him that dollar. And, I had to break his heart and tell him that isn't the way it works. 

As Christ followers, we can't do things and expect that God will reward us for each and every little thing that we do. We can't just do "Christian" things (go to church, read the Bible, etc.) and expect to earn God's favor and our admittance to Heaven. That is just not the way it works. I really like how The Message version of Romans 4:5-6 reads: 

If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we
don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for
you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you
could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—
well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by
God. Sheer gift.
You see, God doesn't owe us anything. We can work all day long down here on Earth, and it won't do us a bit of good if we haven't accepted Him into our hearts. God doesn't owe us anything, and you won't be able to talk your way into Heaven by listing out all of the wonderful things that you have done on Earth. All He wants to know is that you accept the gift that He sent when His Son died on the cross and that you put your trust and faith in Him. What a gift! That's the biggest pay day that you could ever have for not doing any work at all! 

If you haven't placed your faith in Him and you are still trying to work your way into His favor, stop right now and ask Him to come into your life. The hard work is already done! 

June 17, 2010, Romans 3

Key Verse:

For all have sinned and fall short of God's glorious standard.

(Romans 3:23)

Central Truth:

Jesus took the fall for all of our sins.

ARE YOU GOING TO ACCEPT THIS GIFT?

Christ took OUR punishment on the cross. Have you really ever stopped and thought about that statement? The Bible teaches us we were all born deserving of Hell. Jesus took all the future sins and burdens upon himself for us when He died on the cross. Wow. Why would he do that?

My 6 year-old son once asked, "Why did Jesus do that for us?" I said, "He loves us so much and wants us so much that He did that. Isn't that awesome?" And, he then says, "That's kinda crazy." I agree. I know, personally, I sometimes do stuff not pleasing to God, and I think: "He knew I would do these things, and He still did all that for me?" It's a hard concept to tackle.


Then, here's the even crazier part. When we choose to trust in Jesus and ask him to forgive us of our sins we will be saved. Again, "all have sinned and fallen short of God's standard," but God in His overwhelming grace finds us not guilty when we accept Him. Simple as that. No work, no accomplishment, no check list, and no good deed will ever get you to Heaven. I often hear other people say, "They are good people; I believe they will go to Heaven" or my favorite, "A loving God would not send anyone to hell." God does not send you to Hell, you chose it by rejecting Him.

So, I just keep saying it, "All have sinned and fallen short." But, what a gift we have in Jesus to be made whole. The whole concept of salvation is blown out of proportion by the world. Certainly, it can't be that easy to receive salvation? It is. There is only one God, only one way to Heaven. You have a gift, it is free. You better take it and tell others about this gift as well.

June 16, 2010, Romans 2

Key Verse:

“So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”

(Romans 2:3-4)

Central Truth:

Our judgment of others is an affront to the immense grace and mercy that God has poured out on us.

GIVE WHAT YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN

“I can’t believe she did that!”

“Oh, that makes me so mad! How could he be so inconsiderate?!?!”

“That sure was a stupid thing to do…now I’ve got to stay and fix their mess.”

Some days people make choices that we don’t agree with. Well, maybe I should say most days. And all too often, when they make those choices, we just can’t seem to understand why they behave the way they do. For example, have you ever gotten really angry at someone for a decision they made and how it affected your life? Now, has anyone ever been irate with you because you made a similar decision? “What are they so angry about?!?! Obviously, they just didn’t understand my heart!” you say.

Exactly.

There seems to be a double standard here. We tend to judge other people by their behaviors, but then judge ourselves by our intentions. We can’t understand why someone would be so angry with us because it was our desire to be helpful, while at the same time we choose to be angry at someone else because they chose to do something that, in our opinion, wasn’t right.

This can actually be broken down into one of the basic skills we learn in science class as children: the difference between “observation” and “inference.” For a refresher, “observation” is only what we can actually see; “inference” is making an assumption based on, you guessed it, what you’ve observed. When we judge someone we are making an assumption based solely on the observed behavior of that person. We’re assuming we know what’s going on (and you know what it means to “assume,” right?). There will always be other information that we’re lacking. We are so quick to say that we know what someone meant to do without knowing the whole story, yet we are offended when someone does the same to us.

The thing is we all do this at one point or another. We pass judgment on others without knowing their heart. We can be critical, picky, and even condemning at the drop of a hat. Paul was clear that we will experience God’s judgment for this lack of love and patience with others. He goes so far as to say that we are showing contempt for the grace that God gives us during these circumstances. Ugh, that hurts. My judgment against others is an affront to God’s patience and the immense amount of grace and mercy He has poured out on me.

I am so thankful that God doesn’t judge us the way we tend to judge each other. Paul says in verse 2 that God bases His judgment on truth (He knows the whole story) and that means He includes our status as a child of the King. Due to the audacious gift of his own life, we are given grace and mercy beyond our wildest dreams. Isn’t it about time we showed some to others?

June 15, 2010, Romans 1

Key Verse:

" . . . Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God."

(Romans 1:1)

Central Truth:

You are set apart, chosen.

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE ?

Paul knew absolutely who he was. I'm not talking about social standing and family names. I'm talking about a man chosen, set apart for the Gospel of God. Stop right now. Think about that. What does that mean? Because, you know what . . . . ?

So are you.

You are chosen.

Set apart.

For the Gospel of God.

Our calling is not just to be "good" or even holy men and women but to be set apart FOR the Gospel of God. The one thing that is all important is that the Gospel - the truth about the love, grace and redemption given us in Christ - is a reality that we are to proclaim. Why else would we be left here after salvation? If our fellowship with Christ will not be known in all of its fullness until we get to Heaven, why do we not go straight to Heaven after accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord? One reason is central - so that others may know. We are to be the messengers - the proclaimers of the reality of the Gospel. Without us, people do not have a representative of Christ.

So what does that mean for you for today? Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in who we want to appear to be, who we are striving to be, and who we "should" be that we forget who we truly are. Really, the only thing that is important is that we are chosen to be His representatives. We have all "represented" something at some point - be it an organization, our school, a product, whatever. We've had bumper stickers, t-shirts, and monograms to let everyone know; we brag on our school's teams, stats or what our product can do for you. So I ask, what are you doing to "represent" the Reality of the Redemption to others around you? Do you find a way in conversations to let others know what Christ has done for you? Do you "represent" Him well in your relationships? at work? at school?

Challenge:

"(Insert your name), a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God."

Put that on your mirror, on your dashboard, whatever, and make it your prayer that you will KNOW in your heart that this is who YOU are and live that with urgency.

June 14, 2010, Acts 28

Key Verse:
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Acts 28:30-31 New International Version)

Central Truth:

Even though Paul faced challenges, he did not cease his teachings and preachings of the Gospel. How blessed we are that we have pastors that follow in Paul’s footsteps today! They are not afraid to stand alone and preach the truth of the Bible.

STANDING ALONE

As we read this chapter about Paul preaching and the dangers he faced, the ridicule, the doubt, and even being arrested, we thought of what it must feel like to be a preacher of God’s word in today’s world.

Once the music and praise is over in a church service, the pastor walks out on that stage and stands alone. What does he “feel” from the people sitting in the seats in front of him? Can he “sense” our tension and life struggles from our faces staring back at him? Can he see our connection or lack there of from his preaching God’s word? Does God intuitively guide his focus to those not saved or even toward those that need a nudge to step up to make a public commitment to God? Does he see the tears that stream down our faces when our hearts are so filled by the Holy Spirit from words he speaks in his sermon?

It truly is amazing that pastors really exhibit and model their faith by standing alone in front of us. They stand there knowing that God is with them too as they preach unceasingly the messages of the Bible. They stand there publicly making themselves vulnerable to ridicule, skepticism, and doubt. So our prayer is to pray for the pastors of Christianity that they remain strong and unyielding just as Paul did.

June 10, 2010, Acts 26

Key Verse:

“The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner”

(Acts 26:26)

Central Truth:

There are people that are dying and going to Hell every day. We cannot afford to keep our lights hidden any longer.

HEY BUDDY, DO YOU HAVE A LIGHT?

“Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!

Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!

Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!”

I’m going to be straight up with you right out of the shoot here: I think that song is a load of hooey.

I know, I know . . . a lot of you most likely grew up in church, singing that song in Sunday School or in your children’s choir. I’m sure you absolutely adore that song. “It brings back such good memories,” you say.

I still think it’s a bunch of baloney and that most Christians really don’t live that way. Oh, I think it’s a great little children’s song, and it’s awesome to listen to my kids when they sing it. But in reality, when they “grow up,” like us, will they really take those words to heart and actually let the light of Christ in their lives shine for the world to see? Will the community they live in really know that Jesus reached down from Heaven with blood stained hands and snatched them from the pit? Or, will that song just become another children’s song that is cute for their kids to sing, but isn’t really practical in the world that they live in?

I ask that because the truth of that song has to become practical in our world. The reality is that we live in a world, in a community, that needs Jesus so badly they can almost taste Him. They know they need something, and they keep reaching for everything else because they don’t know that it’s Jesus that they’re missing. People are dying and going to Hell each and every day, and the real tragedy here is that you and I know it; yet we aren’t willing to do anything about it. We are too embarrassed to be seen giving living water to those in need of a drink from the deep well of God’s love.

Now, most of us won’t ever be thrown in jail or forced to defend ourselves the way that Paul had to in this passage. But Matthew 5:14-16 says: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” We are called to do these “good deeds,” whether or not we are comfortable with them. We have the light for those in darkness, the living water for those who thirst. It might not be easy sometimes and it might cost us something, but Hell is banking on us keeping our doors, wallets and mouths shut. It is time for us to step up and shower our community with the compassion, love and grace of Jesus Christ. Let’s make that children’s song mean something again.

Hey, do you have a light?

June 9, 2010, Acts 25

Key Verses:

“If I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if not, . . . I appeal to Ceasar . . . ."

(Acts 25:11)

"But when his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes expected . . . .and I find he has done nothing deserving of death.”

(Acts 25:18 and 25)

Central Truth:

God can take the worldly policies of those in authority to serve His gracious purposes, IF we recognize them as such. Christ expects His followers to submit to the governing authorities in their cultures, and see how that can witness of God’s authority in their lives.

WALK YOUR TALK

I greatly admire those whose "walk and talk" match, and I love it when Scripture gives us consistent examples of how to do this! But Acts 25 is a tough one to dig through! At first reading, I thought "there is not much transferable truth here." But on looking more deeply, I saw some wonderful "walk and talk" matches!!

Paul -- probably the greatest Christian man who ever lived, and the one to whom we, today, owe abundant thanks---- is the man who is the focus of this chapter. Because Paul obeyed God’s calling on his life (to be a"church planter"), the book of Acts escribes how the church grew and spread from Jerusalem (in Israel), to Asia Minor, and then to the Mediterranean area, Europe, Africa, nd eventually to us, here in America, and all over the world---WOW!

We today, in Macon, Georgia, and Piedmont Church stand on Paul’s shoulders—thanking him for enduring unmentionable hardships and imprisonments as a "church planter." He wrote more than half of the New Testament to new churches which were eing planted, and many writings were often from prisons. I am sooo thankful that he chose to be obedient to God’s purpose for IS life (and God has a purpose for EVERY Christ follower), and that he leaves clear instructions for Christ followers in every eneration since his time.

In Acts 25, we find him being presented to the "legal authorities" of his day, as mentioned in verses above. To me,the point of this chapter, historical though it is, is to show Christ followers that we have a responsibility to yield to the legal systems/governing authorities, in our cultures. During these experiences, we have the opportunity to speak of the faith that is in us. These "contacts" with "the law" may be opportunities in disguise, to show how our "walk and our talk" match.

I love some verses in Romans 13: (written by this same Paul) who learned these lessons well. "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is NO authority except that which GOD has established….for rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong….for he is GOD’S SERVANT to do you good…therefore it is NECESSARY to submit to authorities, not only because of possible punishment, but also because of conscience". (read through Romans 13:1-7 for more on "God’s servants".)

So next time you encounter "God’s servants"- when you see those blue lights flashing behind you (or your teenager), or a tax bill comes, or a subpoena arrives, or you are chosen for jury duty- remember as Paul did, that these are GOD’S SERVANTS! Submit to their authority and do what is RIGHT. Don’t try to "get out of it." These experiences with "God’s servants" can be God given opportunities to witness to what is inside of us…..our "walk matching our talk."

June 8, 2010, Acts 24

Key Verse:

For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. And we wanted to judge him according to our own Law.

(Acts 24:5-6)
Central Truth:

Persecution...We have no idea!
STAND UP !

The early church experienced persecution . . . the persecution that Jesus spoke of . . . "for His names sake." We don't know or experience persecution for Jesus because we don't proclaim the name of Jesus with boldness and reckless abandonment. We live in a culture that prefers, expects, requires, and demands timidity, safety, and non offensiveness! The early "Christ-followers" and leaders had so much more at stake than we do . . . their lives! They were criticized, austricized, brutalized, tortured, and killed for their faith and radical vocalization of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

I felt a lot of shame when I read this chapter. I am a poor example of what the early Christians demonstrated in their total, fearless allegiance to Jesus and His last commandment to us... "go to every city and even to the ends of the earth and preach My name, God's love and forgiveness!"

Forget the ends of the earth. Are we willing to preach, share, talk about Jesus to our "hell bound" neighbor who lives 100 yards from our safe, comfortable, non aggressive, accepting home?

Our country was once a Christian nation built and blessed on the belief, faith, and obedience of Jesus, His character and His principles. The United States of America is a passive and frightened mass of people without the Christian leadership we once were eager to follow, trust and emuilate!

Who will step up and lead ? Who will be bold ? Who will be fearless ? Who am I?! Who are you?!

"Jesus, Please strip and rebuild our passive hearts with unashamed boldness and courage to shout Your name, Your love, Your forgiveness, Your power, Your freedom to a lost and desperate neighborhood, community, city, country, and world!"
Amen!

June 7, 2010, Acts 23

Key Verse:

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

(Acts 23:11)

Central Truth:

God expects much, but you are never in the ring alone.

COACH GOD

I love to watch sports that I cannot do, Olympic Gymnastics for instance. The athletes fly across the floor, bounce and twirl through the air with a summersault, land flat on their stomach only to bounce up and do a back flip. It is truly a gift.

Have you ever noticed who they look at before and after their routine? It is usually their coach. He stands with a kind look on his face and gives a strong fist pump to say, "You can do it." Regardless of whether the gymnast nails his routine or falls flat on his face, the first person he goes to afterwards is his coach.

I love the scene in Acts 23:11. I picture Paul in custody and God standing off a ways. (In a movie, He would be partially in the shadows.) Paul is probably sitting on his prison cot with his arms on his knees and his head hung low. God doesn’t tell him to take a break. He says good work, but you are not done yet. Today you defeated the Sanhedrin; tomorrow we take on the Romans!

The scene reminds me of Rocky. Rocky is beat to a pulp, sitting in his corner, bleeding, eyes swollen shut. He looks to his coach and says, “Mick I ain’t got no more. I can’t win; he’s too strong.” Mickey in his raspy little voice says, “You can do it Rock. You trained like a dog. We made you strong. This is your time kid. YOU'RE AN ANIMAL! This is what you waited your whole life for! Now get out there and KNOCK HIS BLOCK OFF!” Then the music starts. Rocky staggers to the center of the ring, takes the best his opponent can give, and with Mickey screaming from the ropes, summons his last bit of strenght and starts swinging.

God trains us to glorify Him. He puts us in situations where we will fail without Him. He gave us His best and He demands our best. Our faith in God’s unmatched power gets us through the match.

So, when you are bloodied, your eyes swollen shut, and your spiritual muscles are aching, hear God in your corner saying, “I made you strong, it's your time kid.” Then, get up, stagger to the center of the ring, and start swinging as hard as you can.

June 2, 2010, Acts 20

Key Verse:

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

(Act 20:24)

Central Truth: 

We should hold back nothing from God but put everything into His hands. We should fix our eyes upon Him with everything that we do in life.

DON'T HOLD BACK

As I read this chapter, the key verse above Acts 20:24 stood out to me and the question arose: Are we true to ourselves in doing what God has called us to do?

We sometimes hold back what God wants us to do in life and do not give God a chance to do His work in us. His will might be for us to do something totally different than what we think we should be doing. We have to put our total trust into God, knowing that He will guide and direct us in the path that He wants us to go.

What are you pursuing with all your might? Is it you career, hobbies, family, or God? We were all put on this earth to serve a purpose. We are to pursue God with everything we have and do. We cannot fully pursue Him if we are always focused on other "important" things. Most of what we feel is critically important at times, is not. In the long run, those things don't really matter. Is this new car going to make me look good? Will this pair of shoes make me feel better about myself? Will sending my children to this school make my family "the same" as the others? Will this job give me the good reputation that I have always wanted?

We need to pursue Christ like many of us pursue these other things. It is so easy to just live life in the moment. The things of this Earth are only temporary though. We should be pursuing eternity. There are bigger and better things just waiting for us. We have to make the choice.

As Peter did in Mathew 14:29, we have to get out of boat and get out of our comfort zone.
What are you holding onto more than God? Don't let your fear of life and what others think get in the way.

Take a minute and evaluate yourself and your life. Are you really pursuing what you have been called to do and are you doing it while holding nothing back? 

June 1, 2010, Acts 19

Key Verse:

They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are YOU?”

(Acts 19:13-15)

Central Truth:

God provides power through the Holy Spirit.

PORTABLE POWER

My answer would probably go something like this: “Who am I? You’re asking me who I am? Well… uhhh, yeahhh, about that… you see, what had happened was... OK. I’m obviously not Jesus. And I’m certainly not Paul, the Pope, Mother Theresa, Billy Graham, or Andy Stanley. Not even close. To be honest, I’m not a professional. I mean, I don’t work for the Church or anything like that. I’m just a regular guy, your average Joe. I’m an amateur, an impersonator, a stunt-double.”

I guess that’s why I so often forget- It’s not so much about WHO I am, but about WHOSE I am. By myself, I am nothing more than a dirty ragamuffin. A pile of smelly, filthy rags; even on my best days. But a child of God, who’s been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, has power. And the more intentional my relationship with God is, the stronger that power becomes.

What is the Holy Spirit? Pastor Jerry once gave a message where he said God gives us “Portable Power” through the Holy Spirit. When I am weak compared to the forces battling against me, I can tap into this portable power. It’s right here with me, wherever I go. But I can’t access the power it if I keep forgetting it’s there. Similarly, I can’t go dig through my own bag of tricks, pull out some random tool, and then expect it to work the same way. A watch battery is not an adequate substitute for a V8 engine.

So during a crisis or storm, how do we fight evil in such a way that we are tapping into the “portable power” of the Holy Spirit? How do we live our lives so that we rely on Jesus, and not our own limited strength? I don’t know- I’m figuring this stuff out as I go along, one day at a time.Stumbling, running, falling, crawling, flying, digging, walking, tumbling… as best as I can figure out how. I have no easy formulas or recipes. But I am encouraged, because I know I’m not alone- I have all of you on the journey with me.

And I can at least tell you this- that every time I have gone through a storm in the past six years, I have always remembered the last point of that sermon: “Do not ignore what the crisis reveals.” Instead of making RELIEF your sole priority, look for the purpose, the point. God uses storms to reveal things. I try to answer the questions- What am I supposed to learn from this? About my relationships? About God? About myself? Somehow finding purpose makes things easier. I don’t always find an answer. But then again, I don’t stop going bass fishing just because I don’t always catch one.