All posts tagged: signs
Pitching to Jesus—and Refusing to Take His Signals
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 …
What is the single most Important need in the American Church?
Caution: This is tough read! For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 A few prominent church leaders were asked the following question in this short video clip: “What is the single most important need in the American Church?” After the third pastor said discipleship, I was hoping that the last one will say something different. Here is what I think and I’ll tell you why. We are generally skeptical to anything supernatural. We’re encapsulated in a worldview that is materialistic. In other words, if I can’t feel it, touch it or wrap my brain around it, than I don’t want to come anywhere close to it. We usually write it off and condemn. Even some of our brothers and sisters in Christ, have a difficult time accepting what the bible teaches about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Healing, prophecy etc… God is Supernatural. Everything He does is supernatural: The creation The New Birth of Salvation Regeneration Everything God does is supernatural. So it’s not very strange to me that He wants …
And these signs shall follow you
From time to time I come across some very very interesting people. My favorite are those who really have a desire to see God move in the Church. Whatever that might mean to them. I appreciate their passion and zeal for the things of God – I really do. I like to spend time with people like these. I almost always end up spending time in prayer or praise with them. One of the things they are really passionate about is seeing the presence and power of God moving in the church. They are hungry to see the miraculous. So, you might hear them get a little judgmental about pastors and church leadership. sometimes I want to shut them up, but I always remind myself that I need them to keep me humble, because I need the power of God for all of life and ministry. Where is the move of God? They ask. Where is the miraculous,? They question. Why are we not seeing the things we see happening in the Bible? These questions …
Walter Bright 