Order In The Church ~1 Timothy 2:9-13

The 1960’s were the era of the Woman's Liberation Movement that spread across the country. I feel that is was one of the worst things that happened as I'll explain. This movement had some positive results I will not deny from what I've read of History that the women's right's movement of the 1800's did far more than the women's liberation or Feminist movement.

 The Feminist movement of the 60's fueled the same- sex agenda if you don't agree check out any Feminist Group namely NOW. Feminism blurred gender lines and roles and does not line up with Scripture. However men also by nature have an overwhelming sense of pride. I realize that there are many differing viewpoints on a woman’s place in life and in the church. There are some men who feel that a woman’s place is to do whatever they demand, that is not biblical at all. Others say that women should be kept “barefoot and pregnant”. That is not biblical either. Others believe that women are second class citizens in society, and in the church. That is not a biblical view either. But neither is the view that Woman can do anything a man can do or vice-versa.

When we destroy gender roles and the appearance of femininity and masculinity, we detract from the beautiful picture of our redemption. The churches (born again believers) are described as the Bride of Christ. 

Women carry the awesome privilege of depicting the appearance, attitude and actions of the body of Christ. So when we approach these passages let’s approach them with this in mind. The reason Paul stresses the importance of the role of women is because they serve as a picture of the church. Likewise you can draw a spiritual parallel to each of the instructions God, through Paul gives to the women.

We are called to be the glorious Church without spot or wrinkle.

When He returns to take us to heaven what will we be doing? 

Is there unconfessed sin in your life that leaves your robes stained?

If Christ returned this very night would you be ready? 

The Church Unchained

1 Timothy 2:1-8

Imagine a man burdened underneath the weight of an unmanageable chain. When he rises in the morning he is antagonized by the weight of this rusty old chain squelching each fragile breath. Every day the weight of this burden multiplies the stress on the man. The weight of his burden has diminished his effectiveness in every area of his life. His strength grows weaker with each passing day. Defeated, famished, and exhausted he can hardly muster the strength to face another day.

The nights are cold and restless. The days are long and tiresome. This is not the life he wanted nor could he see how he could carry on much longer. All the while, there was one man who could deliver him from this bondage. All that was required was to simply call out and ask. Why then would he refuse to call out for help? What motivated the man to walk alone and refuse the help of another?

If he could by one conversation, by one friendship forever break free from his chains why would he not do it? How could he try to live out his life and carry the weight of his circumstance alone?

Inasmuch, why would we (followers of Christ) try to do the same?

The church that fails to pray is the church bound in chains. The Christian who neglects to maintain an effective prayer life is shackled by inadequacy, fear, and far too burden down to lift their hands in praise.

Most of us do not wear physical chains. But emotionally, spiritually, and mentally you may feel that way. The church is called to be the mighty, living, breathing, body of the one true God. We are called to be a mighty church! There are too many churches who have been chained in the effectivness because of a lack of prayer.

I'm afraid that unless we make some changes and return to a house of prayer that there wil be more than just spiritual doors chained shut...

Where then is our might and form where do we get our strength if we neglect prayer?

Where is our passion for prayer and our zeal for the gospel?

Where there is no vision the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).  

A church without prayer is a church filled with the ringing of dragging chains…

Let the chains hit the floor… In Christ you chains are gone for you have been set free!

Walk in that freedom, daily draw nearer to your savior!

I QUIT!!!!!!!!!!! Why I am walking away....

That is right, I am quitting. I am throwing in the towel, hanging up the hat, giving up the fight from not till forever. I’m done with it all! I’ve reached the end of my rope and I’m not going to do it anymore.

Now before you begin to flood my inbox, front door and my phone with questions of where I am going, please hear me out.

I’m not turning in my resignation to a ministry (that would be a lousy way of doing such a thing). I’m not giving up on life, employment, or on my marriage. All these things are going great.

I have come to a place of realization that sometimes I work too hard toward my own goals and not enough on surrendering to God’s plan and the destiny God has set forth for my life. I am departing from life as ordinary and working toward the fulfillment of my plan A. I am through with my endless goals that lead to burnout and exhaustion. It is high time that as ministers and individuals that we divorce the idea of normal and ideal. We must embrace God’s destiny.

It’s been said “If you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.” Solomon puts it slightly different in Proverbs 16:2 “All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.” I want to encourage all of us to examine the driving force behind all of our choices, decisions, and plans. Are we spending too much time planning and not enough time doing?

Real effective ministry happens when we stop trying to bring the increase and simply trust in God’s destiny for our lives, families, ministries, and events. Let us take the natural paths, too often it seems that we have more planning meetings about something and never take action. We tend to devise clever outreach programs and we have deceived ourselves. We think our motives are pure but are we simply focused only on numbers?

Recently I was asked why we don’t see more people come to the altar. How many people attended your Easter service? How many confessions of faith have you had? Since when did Christianity become a numbers game? I offer this warning to all of us, Let us be careful not to commit the same sin as King David. When David numbered all the fighting men of Israel he committed a great sin of pride.

Church ought to be organic and love ought to just happen. Let’s be obedient to God’s commands and live moment by moment. Do the next right thing. Let’s be careful not to live too focused on the future that we ignore the needs of the present. What is God calling you to do in the moment?

I’m done with me and my dreams; I want His will in my life. More than anything I want His spirit guiding me and not my heart. What about you?

Love and Chaos...~Reflections on 1 John 4:7-14 The Korea, Conflict, and Jesus

Take a breath, look around the world. We live in a hostile society bent toward the destruction of life, family, marriage, and freedom. The way of society is destruction, chaos, and hatred. All around us we hear of famine, wars, rumors of wars, and coming persecution of Christians and those of faith. A utopian society is far from the norm and frankly is difficult to imagine.

The world is in complete turmoil. We have troops heading to Asia, fighting in the middle-east, and relentless attacks on our freedoms here on our own shores, by our own leaders. As a society we have removed ourselves from the principals of our founders. Morality, order, respect for life and decency have been disregarded in pursuit of “equality.” Sadly in our efforts to promote “equality” we have created a new type of hatred.

By the actions, words, and policies of this present society, we have distanced ourselves from God. We, human society, have sought to remove the stigma of being considered of having any relationship with a supreme deity. We have declared our self-sufficiency and live in rebellion to the notion that we need anyone or anything. Societies have done this for the betterment of the human race. However, I call us to reason whether this has improved the state of human affairs.

Does separation of God from public policy benefit mankind? What positive advances have we seen whether economic or social from this exchange?

From my vantage point, I see that our culture has taken a drastic shift for the worse. We live in changing times and the changes are not all for the betterment of mankind. From Wall Street to Main Street there is stress and corruption. If you listen to the news you hear endless reports of families turning against families, senseless shootings and corruption from religious leaders to government officials. The trade mark of this society is greed, selfishness, and hatred.

In direct contrast to the ways of society, the Christian Life is one that is bound together by love. We are called to show love to our brothers and sisters simply because Christ has shown us such love. Love is the trademark of followers of Christ. Anytime a Nation or society embraces Godly values and adopts biblical statues, the quality of life improves, life is respected and crime rates drop. According to a study conducted by Baylor University, significant decreases in crime rates are found where there is a strong faith presence. The presence of faith communities promotes education and literacy, reduced crime and poverty, and social justice.

Why is this? What sets followers of Jesus apart from the rest of society? 

How can we find perfection through love? 

What is it about a faith in Jesus Christ that has the power to transform society?

Disturbed By Hope

There is an eerie sensation stirring up within me; something deeply troubling. While I cannot clearly define the cause for this disturbance, I know from where it comes from. I have felt it many times before. Often times it strikes me, as to prepare my heart for things to come. This arousing feeling is much like the early beams of light that streak across the sky in the pre-dawn moments, announcing the arrival of another glorious day. It calls all creation to silence, and brings it to attention. Time stands still if only for a moment. All of a sudden, it’s as if nothing else existed. 

No man made thing could rival the beauty of a glorious sunrise. In the same manner, nothing and no one could fabricate the quickening of the Holy Spirit of the Almighty God.

Who is like the Lord? Is there any being in heaven or earth that can stand against the Lord of Heaven and Earth? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:33-35, 37-39 ESV). Great Is His Power! There truly is no one like the Lord! Great is His name for He alone is worthy of all praise.

The more I ponder the greatness of God and the blessed hope He bestows, I am more deeply disturbed than before. The more I feel God’s grace and hope touch my heart, the more deeply broken I feel; yet, not for me but for others. There are so many who have a false sense of hope. They live convinced they have found it only to be deceived. They occupy church pews, shackled by traditions, refusing to step forward for we’ve been told to ignore it.

There is a stirring in my heart and soul. I can sense that God is moving; yet, not just in me but in others also. I see it in their eyes; you can read it on their faces. Hope is returning and it is calling out to every heart who will receive it. Hope longs to bring you home if you will just receive it. Hope is chasing after you, and calling out your name. I urge you not to run or say you don’t need it. Hope has a name and its name is Jesus! Hope is calling and He is calling out your name. Will you answer or will you just ignore Him?

How can we ignore the promptings of His Spirit? How long will we stay isolated by our fear or guarded by ignorance? Where is our passion? And where is our fire? God I pray you would stir up in us a fire. There are many voices yearning to dilute the voice of Hope. There are a multitude of voices calling us to doubt and give in. Not every voice is from God. Therefore Stand strong and trust in the Lord. Do not ignore His voice.

Real Hope is out there, He is knocking at your heart. Listen and you will hear the sound of your Fathers voice calling you near. He invites you home, near to His heart, and close to His side. You’re never too old to fall in His arms. So what will you decide?