Year: 2013

In our world no one is rubbish

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Spend a few days on Africa Mercy Ship and you will see how two worlds collide at the intersection of courage and compassion. I lived in Togo for about 8 years as a missionary. So I am very pleased to see Mercy Ship back in Togo. The story of few doctors and nurses reaching, serving and touching lives of people who have been utterly rejected and labelled rubbish. Take a few minutes of your time and watch this video you will not regret it. Their story was featured in ’60 Minutes’ which aired Sunday Night on CBS. This is what the Christians are all about – looking right into the eyes of the hurting and ostracized to say “you are God’s child – and you are not rubbish.” This one is for all my SISTAS who were told that they are damaged goods… that is a lie straight from hell. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Calming the storm: A missed opportunity for the Disciples

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Imaging with me for a moment. Let’s say you have prepared almost all your life or for a short period for this moment – an interview, internship, a first date, a marriage proposal, your first surgery as a doctor, your first game, your first message as a pastor, or your first solo act and you completely freak out and fail to rise to the occasion. How would you feel? How will your teacher, mentor, coach, parent or friends react? The disciples had been in training for a while with Jesus. They saw the miracles and demonstration of supernatural power. They saw his compassion. They saw his life up close and saw how he dealt with adversity and challenges. He taught them how to pray, how to fight the fight of faith, how to cast out demons and what it will take to move mountains. Yet when the perfect occasion arose for them to exercise their faith and put into practice what they’ve learned from the master – they completely freaked out. We find their story …

20 Seconds of insane Courage

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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 What you need is just 20 seconds of insane courage. Literally, just twenty seconds of embarrassing bravery. And I promise you something great will come out of it. Did you know that the phrase – “Be strong and courageous occurs more than 10 times in the NIV Bible? This must be pretty important for the Lord to remind us over and again. So give yourself permission today to “be strong and courageous.” No matter to outcome of your courage or bravery, just make sure that fear doesn’t paralyze you.

It’s not about things but it’s all about Him!

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He is all I’ll Ever Need Sometimes all we want from God is a quick fix, a blessing, an answer to our questions or at least an explanation for our pain, sufferings and tragedies. So we cry out, fast and pray, seek, chase and pursue Him as if He is playing hide and go seek – until it dawns on us – that it is not about things but about Him. It’s about finding Him, being with Him, getting lost in Him, becoming crazy about Him, loving Him.  When you come to that place – than you will understand that this is all you want – all you will ever need – all you will ever live for. So today, let Him capture your heart again, let Him bring you to a place of depth in Him, a place you have never been before. A place where you are completely lost in the wonder of His love. Only than will you understand that it is not about things but it’s all about Him!

A Mighty Fortress is our God: A bulwark never-failing

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Listen to Chris Rice’s A Mighty Fortress is our God – Here Instead of posting a video or audio of this classic Hymn, I decided to just post the words. I found it moving and inspiring. I hope you feel the same way. I know some have changed the words over the years – I think the old school (original) version is better. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never-failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. 2. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle. 3. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to …

How life’s pressure affects Good Judgment

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Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 I am confident that every one of us know the story of how Abraham and Sarah were desperate to have children. Even though they had a promise from God there was always an inexplicable delayed either by God or some unforeseen circumstance. Like you and I, these giants of faith did the very same thing we do when we are under pressure. They decided to take matters into their own hands. I have seen it happen over and over – couples with a horrible marriage, people dealing with illness or the loss of a family member or friend – when people come under pressure they always try to take matters into their own hands. As we see with Abraham and Sarah – it never works – it always backfires. So the word of God proposes a different and sometimes difficult approach. As difficult as things might …

Overcoming Temptation

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For decades I have applied this battle plan to sexual temptation but hardly at all to the sins of selfishness, anger, self-pity, blaming, and sullenness. I have engaged my will head-on with sexual lust. I have heard Jesus say, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell” (Matt. 5:29). Nobody spontaneously tears out his eye. That is an act of will overcoming all kinds of natural disinclination. That’s what I do when any illicit sexual thought tries to gain the ascendancy in my mind. I go on the attack with A.N.T.H.E.M.: AVOID. Say NO! within five seconds. TURN to something magnificent, like Christ crucified. HOLD the pure thing in the mind until the temptation is gone. ENJOY the greater pleasure of the blood-bought promises of God. MOVE on to meaningful Christ-exalting activity. There is nothing passive in my will when the lion of lust comes out of the bushes. I …

Ignite

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Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. NIV Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. KJV Romans 12:11 The word Slothful/Lazy means to hesitate, to be slow. Slow and “poky” as in Matthew 25:26… “you wicked lazy slave… A lazy Christian is a contradiction of terms. Having been saved from the guilt and ravages of sin, the Christian is man at the zenith of his best powers. Strength, zeal, enthusiasm, vigor, and the full thrust of his total energy should distinguish the Christian’s performance in business, trade, profession, study, artistic creation, or in anything else that he pursues as a vocation; and, above everything, such qualities should characterize his devotion and service in the church. The opposite of what Paul commanded here is lukewarmness, a negative condition represented as disgusting to God himself (Revelation 3:16). Coffman’s Commentary I believe what God desires and applauds  in a believer is his or her passion and zeal not only for the things of God but for God himself. Here are four …

The formula hasn’t changed: Your first step to next step ventures

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While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Acts 13:2 So, you are sitting there and asking yourself – What’s my next move? What does God have in store for me? Should I do this, should I do that? Let me share with you a very simple advice. Jesus’ disciples understood a very important principle in determining next step ventures. It wasn’t coming up with the best ideas about what they needed to do with their lives. It wasn’t seeking out counsel from mentors and spiritual giants. There is a time and place for those. It was about being with God, waiting on God and listening for the Spirit to Speak. Your first step to next step ventures is taking time – short or extended times of worship and fasting and waiting on the Holy Spirit to speak. I am afraid too many have missed this all important step and have ended up wasting their lives simply …