Month: May 2013

Pitching to Jesus—and Refusing to Take His Signals

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I’ve imagined this scene in my head: I’m playing baseball with Jesus. The stands are full of fans, but out there on the field it’s just him and me. I’m the pitcher. Jesus is the catcher, behind home plate. He settles into his crouch, ready to play, and I look for his signals—simple commands. What pitch will he want me to throw? I wait in anticipation, but also with one eye on the crowd. What will they think of me? He signals a fastball. I think for a moment and shake my head—no, not a fastball. Next he signals a slider. This time I look toward my teammates in the dugout for guidance. Then I glance up at the fans. No, I’m not comfortable with that one either. He gives me yet a third signal. No, not today, thank you! Then I imagine Jesus silently and slowly withdrawing his signaling hand back into his mitt. There’s a deep disappointment in his eyes. He’s decided to let me throw whatever I want. So I do—and then …

Momentum

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Momentum is “force or speed of movement, the impetus gained by a moving object.” It is often described by taking into account the force that can stop it. On the other hand it is very difficult to explain the exact formula that brings momentum in a person’s life. But when a person gets momentum, nothing in the world can stop them. Now, this does not mean there will be no opposition, nor does it mean one will not come under attack from various forces. But when your career, business, ministry, church gets momentum – wherever and however it might have started – nothing will be able to stop you. Unless you stop yourself! The bible say, “from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it (NIV). Let’s un-pack that verse: 1. From the days of John until now – a non-stop momentum 2. The kingdom has been forcefully advancing – kingdom momentum 3. Forceful (violent) men lay hold of – a go getter momentum Nothing throughout the centuries have been …

Fallin

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There you go again… you did it. You promised God that it will never happen again. But there you go again… dealing, sniffing, lusting, gossiping. You told yourself it was all over. But there you go again… angry, grumpy envious, sensual. You have fallen. Well, it is not okay, but it’s okay. “Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.” So get up! Commit again… Try again… Quote: Chinese Proverb Video: Trip, born William Lee Barefield III

Discover the Seven-fold activity of God in Psalm 23

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God is perfect and everything he does is perfect. Take a fresh look a this timeless psalm again today… It’s the seven-fold perfection of God in our imperfect lives. he satisfies our hunger… There is a promised reward for all those who hunger after God and His righteousness – They shall be filled. he leads us by the still waters; There is a promised reward for those who would allow God to take them to still waters – They shall find rest he restores us when we have fallen away There is a promised reward for those who repent and turn from their wicked ways – They shall be restored. he guides us in the way of righteousness There is a promised reward for those who would look to God and His word for what they want to do – They shall find guidance. he abides `with us’ even through death There is a promised reward for who do not fear when life is hard, dangerous and even tragic – They will never be alone in …

How much do your have to hate someone to not proselytize?

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Have you heard about a place called hell? It is a place of intense and ferocious fire that never consumes its victims. It is a bottomless pit – blazing with fire. It is a place where worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. Imagine a lake of fire. In this place, they say, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And it is going to go on and on and on and on and on – forever. Yet, in our anger we tell people to “go to hell.” In our judgment we make them guilty and sentence them to hell. In our preaching and teaching we are more concerned about debating about it than we are weeping and urgently proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. We do not talk about it anymore because some say it is unnecessary – it only scares people. Some of those in the forefront of church leadership say it is not a place. They say it is happening now all around us – suffering, pain, sickness and death. Still others could care …