Luke 5:18-20
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man
18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, 19 but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus saw the obvious. Jesus saw the act of faith of the paralyzed man’s friends.
Jesus saw the man’s twisted, useless body.
But more, Jesus saw what He sees in each of us. He sees that which separates us from Him. He sees sin.
Beyond the preaching … teaching … the working of miracles … Jesus’ focus is on His purpose for coming … to heal our sin-sick souls.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
SUNRISE
Habakkuk 3:2-4, 19
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Habakkuk’s Prayer
2 I have heard all about you, Lord.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need,
help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger,
remember your mercy.
3 I see God moving across the deserts from Edom,
the Holy One coming from Mount Paran.
His brilliant splendor fills the heavens,
and the earth is filled with his praise.
4 His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.
Rays of light flash from his hands,
where his awesome power is hidden.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
It is sunrise on the last day of KAA – U – KNOW 2009. We will head home tonight. God has given us a beautiful day (again) for our last day.
Read again the opening and closing of this beautiful prayer from the prophet Habakkuk (not one of our most spoken of prophets, probably because we stumble all over his name). As I observe the beauty of this last morning on this mountain, Habakkuk reminds me it’s all about the LORD!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Habakkuk’s Prayer
2 I have heard all about you, Lord.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need,
help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger,
remember your mercy.
3 I see God moving across the deserts from Edom,
the Holy One coming from Mount Paran.
His brilliant splendor fills the heavens,
and the earth is filled with his praise.
4 His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.
Rays of light flash from his hands,
where his awesome power is hidden.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
It is sunrise on the last day of KAA – U – KNOW 2009. We will head home tonight. God has given us a beautiful day (again) for our last day.
Read again the opening and closing of this beautiful prayer from the prophet Habakkuk (not one of our most spoken of prophets, probably because we stumble all over his name). As I observe the beauty of this last morning on this mountain, Habakkuk reminds me it’s all about the LORD!
Monday, June 22, 2009
PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME
Psalm 96:10-13
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
He will judge all peoples fairly.
11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise
13 before the Lord, for he is coming!
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with his truth.
What a powerful weekend we had at KAA. God showed up. The presence of the Lord was here!
God used the Crosstalk to draw many young people to Him. The Word went forth and it did not come back empty. I don’t have a final count for our kampers but I can tell you several confessed Christ as Lord and Savior and many others rededicated their lives to Him. Chains were broken and the bondages of sin fell away.
Now we must continue to pray for and disciple these young people. The work is not over. Our (the Body of Christ) responsibility to help them ‘Walk It Out’ … walk as children of the Light … just got bigger.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
He will judge all peoples fairly.
11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise
13 before the Lord, for he is coming!
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with his truth.
What a powerful weekend we had at KAA. God showed up. The presence of the Lord was here!
God used the Crosstalk to draw many young people to Him. The Word went forth and it did not come back empty. I don’t have a final count for our kampers but I can tell you several confessed Christ as Lord and Savior and many others rededicated their lives to Him. Chains were broken and the bondages of sin fell away.
Now we must continue to pray for and disciple these young people. The work is not over. Our (the Body of Christ) responsibility to help them ‘Walk It Out’ … walk as children of the Light … just got bigger.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
CROSS TALK
John 19:16-20
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
Today is Crosstalk day at Kids Across America kamp. The gospel will be presented through a powerful dramatic presentation of the passion of Christ (not the movie … live reenactment). Please pray today for these kids hearts to be open and receptive of the gospel message. Please pray tonight for an effective presentation and safety for the actors. Let’s begin right now to bind Satan and all his distracting demons.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
Today is Crosstalk day at Kids Across America kamp. The gospel will be presented through a powerful dramatic presentation of the passion of Christ (not the movie … live reenactment). Please pray today for these kids hearts to be open and receptive of the gospel message. Please pray tonight for an effective presentation and safety for the actors. Let’s begin right now to bind Satan and all his distracting demons.
Friday, June 19, 2009
WALK IT OUT
Ephesians 5:6-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Living in the Light
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Our kids about being taught to live as children of light. They have heard the message ‘Walk it Out’ in secular terms. Now they are encouraged by God’s Word to ‘Walk it Out’ for the Lord … live as children of light.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Living in the Light
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Our kids about being taught to live as children of light. They have heard the message ‘Walk it Out’ in secular terms. Now they are encouraged by God’s Word to ‘Walk it Out’ for the Lord … live as children of light.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
IN THE MOUNTAINS
Psalm 68:14-16
New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
14 When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land,
it was like snow fallen on Zalmon.
15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains;
rugged are the mountains of Bashan.
16 Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains,
at the mountain where God chooses to reign,
where the LORD himself will dwell forever?
Coming to you live from the Ozark Mountains.
God always meets us when we come to meet Him on this mountain at Kids Across America. This trip is no exception. We had bus trouble about a mile from the front gate. God answered the prayers we sent up and the bus was able to creep on in.
I am praying that the bus drivers made it back down safely and made it home with no further trouble!
Praise the LORD. God reigns in the mountains.
New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
14 When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land,
it was like snow fallen on Zalmon.
15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains;
rugged are the mountains of Bashan.
16 Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains,
at the mountain where God chooses to reign,
where the LORD himself will dwell forever?
Coming to you live from the Ozark Mountains.
God always meets us when we come to meet Him on this mountain at Kids Across America. This trip is no exception. We had bus trouble about a mile from the front gate. God answered the prayers we sent up and the bus was able to creep on in.
I am praying that the bus drivers made it back down safely and made it home with no further trouble!
Praise the LORD. God reigns in the mountains.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
THE CHILDREN
Luke 18:15-16
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Blesses the Children
15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.
16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.
Summer vacation … you must be kidding. More like a summer whirlwind! Since school was out three weeks ago, there has been a four day weekend spent in prison doing ministry, a two day trip to Atlanta with several church members for my former pastor’s anniversary celebration and many days getting ready to make the annual Eagle’s Wings trip to Kids Across America kamp.
KAA is most important because it’s all about the children. Jesus calls these children to Him on a beautiful mountain in the Ozarks. He meets them there in the activities … the counselors … the worship … and the Word. Many young people hear His call and respond. Jesus says, “Let the children come to me.” Parents send their children. Youth ministry workers bring them. That’s our part. When we get on the mountain, the Spirit takes over. WOW!!! KAA – U – KNOW!!!
Pray for us as we leave tonight and return on June 24th … and every day in between, as you are prompted by the Spirit. (Our group is 37 youth and 5 adults.)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Blesses the Children
15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.
16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.
Summer vacation … you must be kidding. More like a summer whirlwind! Since school was out three weeks ago, there has been a four day weekend spent in prison doing ministry, a two day trip to Atlanta with several church members for my former pastor’s anniversary celebration and many days getting ready to make the annual Eagle’s Wings trip to Kids Across America kamp.
KAA is most important because it’s all about the children. Jesus calls these children to Him on a beautiful mountain in the Ozarks. He meets them there in the activities … the counselors … the worship … and the Word. Many young people hear His call and respond. Jesus says, “Let the children come to me.” Parents send their children. Youth ministry workers bring them. That’s our part. When we get on the mountain, the Spirit takes over. WOW!!! KAA – U – KNOW!!!
Pray for us as we leave tonight and return on June 24th … and every day in between, as you are prompted by the Spirit. (Our group is 37 youth and 5 adults.)
Friday, June 05, 2009
POINT OF VIEW
Mark 8:31-33
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Death
31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. 32 As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.
33 Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
If your point of view on an issue does not fall in line with the Word of God, it is inherently satanic. When Peter spoke out against what Jesus was teaching His disciples, Jesus response was a rebuke of Satan.
There are many issues we classify as controversial. The controversy disappears when we yield our human view to God’s view. When we fail to yield, we give Satan ground … authority. No wonder society is struggling. We have given Satan a foothold.
LORD have mercy on us!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Predicts His Death
31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. 32 As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.
33 Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
If your point of view on an issue does not fall in line with the Word of God, it is inherently satanic. When Peter spoke out against what Jesus was teaching His disciples, Jesus response was a rebuke of Satan.
There are many issues we classify as controversial. The controversy disappears when we yield our human view to God’s view. When we fail to yield, we give Satan ground … authority. No wonder society is struggling. We have given Satan a foothold.
LORD have mercy on us!
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
THE REWARD
Hebrews 11:24-26
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Great Example of Faith
24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.
There are rewards – family prestige, physical pleasure, financial wealth – here on earth. All these were available to Moses but by faith, he chose another reward. He chose the heavenly reward which awaits us when we live for Jesus Christ.
Earthly rewards are fleeting. Heavenly rewards are eternal. In this life, which have you chosen to pursue?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Great Example of Faith
24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.
There are rewards – family prestige, physical pleasure, financial wealth – here on earth. All these were available to Moses but by faith, he chose another reward. He chose the heavenly reward which awaits us when we live for Jesus Christ.
Earthly rewards are fleeting. Heavenly rewards are eternal. In this life, which have you chosen to pursue?
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
VISION OF THINGS TO COME
Revelation 21:1-7
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The New Jerusalem
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
The vision given to John of things to come are simply beyond our ability to comprehend. Our human experience is filled with sorrow, tears, pain and death. Yes, we also have joy unspeakable but life teaches us that the mountain tops are followed by valleys. The goods times don’t last forever. It is difficult to imagine something which is totally out of sync with our daily experience. But that is exactly what the LORD told John to write, punctuating it with a declaration of His trustworthiness … His truthfulness.
Even though it is more than my feeble mind can conceive, I can trust God that one day, this mountain top vision will be my inheritance because I have victory in Jesus.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The New Jerusalem
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
The vision given to John of things to come are simply beyond our ability to comprehend. Our human experience is filled with sorrow, tears, pain and death. Yes, we also have joy unspeakable but life teaches us that the mountain tops are followed by valleys. The goods times don’t last forever. It is difficult to imagine something which is totally out of sync with our daily experience. But that is exactly what the LORD told John to write, punctuating it with a declaration of His trustworthiness … His truthfulness.
Even though it is more than my feeble mind can conceive, I can trust God that one day, this mountain top vision will be my inheritance because I have victory in Jesus.
Monday, June 01, 2009
YOUR WORK
1 Corinthians 12:1-6
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Spiritual Gifts
1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. 2 You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. 3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
I took last week of from writing the Gospel Pearls. I was preparing for and participating on a Kairos Prison Ministry weekend. God put together a team to go into the prison and share the love of Jesus Christ with 42 inmates. The guys and gals on this team were different … different backgrounds … different denominations … different styles … different ages … different races … all different. While different, we all had one thing in common … our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
God used our differences and our various spiritual gifts to paint a beautiful portrait of His love for all men, including these who were incarcerated. They too were different … as different as we were. They each responded to the love of Jesus in their own way. Many embraced it and some rejected it. Others just sat on the fence. The team faithfully used their gifts to God’s glory and there was a harvest which only God knows. God knows the heart.
What and where is the work God has called you to? What is the spiritual gift God has blessed you with and are you using it to bring in a harvest for Him?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Spiritual Gifts
1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. 2 You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. 3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
I took last week of from writing the Gospel Pearls. I was preparing for and participating on a Kairos Prison Ministry weekend. God put together a team to go into the prison and share the love of Jesus Christ with 42 inmates. The guys and gals on this team were different … different backgrounds … different denominations … different styles … different ages … different races … all different. While different, we all had one thing in common … our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
God used our differences and our various spiritual gifts to paint a beautiful portrait of His love for all men, including these who were incarcerated. They too were different … as different as we were. They each responded to the love of Jesus in their own way. Many embraced it and some rejected it. Others just sat on the fence. The team faithfully used their gifts to God’s glory and there was a harvest which only God knows. God knows the heart.
What and where is the work God has called you to? What is the spiritual gift God has blessed you with and are you using it to bring in a harvest for Him?
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