Gospel

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Faith for the Vision

I carried the Peruvian flag tonight during the Parade of Flags. 

It’s amazing the reach Rhema has around the world! 

Brother Hagin was given a charge by the Lord to “Go teach my people faith.”

Rhema Bible Training College is a fulfillment of that charge to take the gospel to all of the world!

Brother Hagin knew he couldn’t do it alone. This would be something that would continue after his death. 

Hundreds of schools and thousands of graduates later, Rhema is going strong!

And the gospel is being proclaimed throughout the world. 

It’s amazing how one man’s willingness to obey God has made such an impact…

Here’s my question to you: 

Is your vision big enough?

Or do you try to limit God by saying, “This can’t be done”?

Of course, nothing can be done alone, but God’s not asking us to do all these things by ourselves. 

God’s asking you to have faith and to leave the rest up to Him. 

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WBS 2: Understanding the Times

Pastor Hagin prayed for several international directors tonight. 

He spoke words of encouragement and change from the Lord. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for those regions!

This time of edification is necessary because of the times. Our world is not a tame, safe place to live. 

My friends, Jesus is coming back. 

This is not a hell, fire, and brimstone message. It’s simply the truth, but I want to point out something:

Hell is a real place and the punishment for not accepting the free gift of salvation is not just an embellished scare tactic used by Christians to “convert” you to Christianity. 

I put convert in quotations because Christianity is more about a relationship with God than anything else. 

Like I said before, Jesus is coming back! 

He’s waiting on his cue from Father God to take the church up to Heaven with Him. And Father God is waiting as long as possible because it’s His desire for all to be saved.

So, the reason the Rhema family is talking about taking a stand for the truth is simple:

Rhema’s mission is Jesus’ mission. We want to spread the gospel through all the world and see many come to know Christ. 

The gospel will be confirmed by signs, miracles, and wonders. The Holy Spirit’s power accompanies the message we carry! 

Jesus scolded the religious leaders of the day for not understanding the times. Therefore, I’d say the church needs to understand the times as well. 

As Ms. Lynette said this morning, “This is the season of declaration.”

Why do we need to declare?

Because Jesus is coming soon and the world needs to hear the message. 

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Why giving matters

I have a friend who always has granola bars in her backpack. 

She’s generous, too. If you need a snack, just find her! 

I’m actually going to buy her a box of granola bars this weekend because she’s helped me–and many others–out this week. 

My friend’s genorisity got me thinking…

Shouldn’t all Christians be known for their generosity?

It’s in the Bible. You see passages about:

  • Hospitality
  • Giving
  • Prayer
  • Miracles
  • Healing

And all of it was done for the purposes of evangelism to the lost and edification for the body of Christ. 

Nothing was ever done for selfish ambition. 

Christians are not supposed to be stingy–in any area!

In my class on the gifts of the spirit, we’ve talked quite a bit about how none of God’s gifts are for us. 

This makes sense to me because in light of the bigger picture, it’s kind of comical to think anything is ours to begin with. 

It all belongs to Him!

Plus, Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins. He is our Redeemer and our pardon was purchased with His blood. 

How can we not give freely when He is our example?

Jesus has given us everything. 

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Gifted to Serve

Don’t forget who you are–ever!

The comparison trap is a snare that many of us step in. 

It’s so easy to look around at others and think, “There’s just no way for me…”

First off, that’s stinkin’ thinkin’ from the get go. 

Secondly, no one’s asked you or even expects you to be anyone but yourself. 

As Christians, we understand that there’s unity in diversity. 

Think about the list of ministry gifts and manifestation gifts. 

They’re all different! And everyone has a job to do within the body of Christ. 

The goal is the same: share the gospel and make disciples. But the means required to do so demands a diversity of methods. 

I know this topic is a bit elementary in nature. It’s just that I found myself forgetting these fundamental truths today. 

The biggest reason I run far away from the comparison trap is that there’s no room for encouraging others when you’re busy comparing yourself. 

Plus, you waste time and wreck relationships. 

Do you know what I did during my prayer time today?

I thanked God for who He made me to be.

 I thanked Him for opening doors of opportunity to minister to others by using the gifts He’s given me. 

And, no, it isn’t prideful arrogance to pray in this manner. If the goal was to puff yourself up it would be different. 

The goal is to thank Him for using you in His kingdom. 

The goal is to recognize that God made you to be a vessel that serves others.

Understanding your identity in Christ takes away the need to compare yourself to anyone else. 

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Not an ordinary book

The biggest part of my job is communicating with students, so most of my day is spent talking on the phone or checking my email. 

It doesn’t bother me too much because my job–my mission–is to help the students connect with the right information to graduate. 

I love connecting others with information!

Ask any of my closest friends and they will tell you I always have a book recommendation. 

Just tell me what you need or want to know and I’ll get a book in your hands. 

This passion is not separated from my faith either. 

I love teaching and explaining scriptures! 

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

As much as I love reading, I’ll never love another book like I do the Bible. 

The Bible is Jesus in print. 

It’s His mind, His will for us to follow. 

Every question can be answered by the Bible. 

This is why it’s so important to teach and explain scriptures. You’re connecting others with information–faith–and faith comes by hearing. 

What can faith do?

Well, we’re saved by grace through faith. 

We’re healed by faith. 

We pray by faith. 

Just check out Hebrews 11 and you’ll see how all of our favorite Bible characters did nothing without faith. 

In fact, Hebrews 11: 6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

I’d say faith is important. 

I’m all about sharing a book with someone to help them understand more about Christianity. 

Just be sure you give that person a Bible as well. 

Then go a step further: Actually read, study, and discuss both the recommended book and the Bible with them. 

Other books are great, but only the Bible holds all truth. 

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Protecting the innocent

God's loveA 6 month old little boy died this week. I saw it on the news last night. His mom’s loser boyfriend neglected him and he died…

Another news story came on right after that one: A mom left her 4 children home alone and the house burned to the ground. Thankfully, all of the children escaped and are now in protective custody. At least they have a chance at a good life now.

I will never understand neglect and abandonment.

How could anyone harm an innocent child?

Children are an inheritance from the Lord. They are precious gifts! The most important thing someone can do is be a parent. When I think of the number of children who are suffering because of negligence and abandonment, my heart breaks.

I remember what it was like to grow up without parents. I had so many unanswered questions and I didn’t even know how to express them.

  • Why wasn’t I good enough for them to stick around?
  • What’s wrong with me?
  • Do they even love me at all?

I wrestled with these questions for years. It wasn’t until I became an adult and allowed God to mend my heart that I finally understood the truth:

  • It was never my fault.
  • There is nothing wrong with me.
  • I am loved deeply by my Heavenly Father.

One of the strongest desires of my heart is to share this truth with children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected.

These children are not damaged goods. They just need to be told the truth and given some hope.

Psalm 68:5-6 says:

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families.

I strongly believe that it is up to Christians to provide love and support for hurting children. Mentorship, foster care, and adoption are three great options that can forever change a child’s life.

 

 

 

 

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30 seconds or less

I just watched The Golden Globes for the first time. There were so many movies that I had never even heard of!

I’m not one to follow celebrities, but it was interesting to see the fashion and winners and the general hoopla surrounding the whole affair. 

I’m surprised at how little time they give the winners to say thank you. 

Only 30 seconds to express gratitude for projects that took a year or more to make?

I can’t even imagine what I would say or do under those circumstances, though, as a Christian, I’m often under the same pressure when asked questions about my faith. 

Short answers are hard to give, yet that is what many people demand. 

Explain God in 30 seconds or less…go!

Wow. 

How can I explain the love of the Father, the sacrifice of the Son, and the job of the Holy Spirit in that time frame?

We are instructed to have an answer ready for any occasion. 

We are also told that the Holy Spirit will tell us what to say. 

And most conversations about faith ebb and flow nicely between those to paradigms.

 The difficulty level, for me, comes in trying to express the fullness of joy I have found in my relationship with God. 

It’s rich and deep and intimate and fun and challenging and intentional (and I could keep going). 

I usually get really worked up in my explanations because there’s just so much I can say, which is why I can relate to all of the Golden Globe winners. 

Sometimes I can wrap up my thankfulness in 30 seconds or less, sometimes I can’t and I keep talking until the commercial break. 

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Packing, purging, and processing

I’ve done a LOT of purging over the past 3 years, but it’s amazing how much stuff one person can accumulate.

Deciding what to keep and what to give away or sell can be tough. I wanted to share with you my technique for purging.

  1. Is this item useful?
  2. Who gave it to me?
  3. Can this thing be easily replaced, if needed?
  4. Why do I like this item so much? (If I can’t seem to shake my desire to keep it after the first 3 questions.)

Christmas is already a time when I start to sift through my possessions. Being a stingy hoarder is something I guard against vigilantly. This kind of attitude smacks of fear and ungratefulness and the highest level of selfishness.

Add to Christmas time my upcoming move (it’s a month away) and I’m about in full blown purge mode.

I only have one rule when moving: Everything must fit in my car.

I realize having a family will change this rule. The day will come soon enough, though, when another vehicle–maybe a trailer or truck–will be needed to move me. So, for now, I am sticking to my guns on this…

My bend toward minimalism is another big factor in keeping my stash of possessions at a manageable level.

We need to question what we own. It’s a telling picture of what matters most to us in life.

I’m not one of those people who rants and raves about the woes of capitalism and consumerism and how the two are intricately linked (which they really are, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing).

I just know that my value system in regards to possessions is being radically changed because of the gospel.

I also know that most people have never stopped and ask themselves critical questions on the subject either.

In light of all these things, I’ll leave you with two questions to think on:

What are the guidelines you use when purging?

What questions do you ask yourself when making a purchase?

 

 

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Grace is the greatest motivator

“But for the grace of God” is one of my favorite phrases to describe how blessed I am. 

Paul was the first person to use this verse as an explanation of his life and ministry:

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15:10‬). 

In this verse Paul was talking about who he was because of the grace of God. The phrase I grew up hearing talks about who we’d be without the grace of God. 

Either way, the greatest common denominator is grace. 

Grace is the best motivator. 

Nothing empowers you toward change, toward action like the undeserved gift of grace. 

I try my best to see everything through this lens, especially as I hang out with non-Christians. They need to see that grace is for them. 

Do you remember what life was like before Christ?

Do you remember the patience and mercy of God during that time?

How often we forget where we started. I know that I’m guilty of this mentality. 

As a child, I was reminded quite regularly of how fortunate I was to end up on top despite of the abandonment of my parents. 

And it’s true. 

I should’ve been placed in foster care. 

I shouldn’t have graduated from college. 

I should’ve ended up impoverished or inprisoned. 

The statistics were not in my favor.

But for the grace of God…

Redemption and restoration is found through grace. There is hope for the seemingly hopeless. 

Christ in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) and Christ is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). 

This is what makes the gospel such wonderful news. 

 

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Compelling Love

I’m reading Tortured for Christ and it’s an inspirational and eye opening book. 

The cruelties inflicted on Christians in communist countries are evil beyond compare because, as Richard Wurmbrand says, the presence of evil in it’s darkest state was seen in the eyes of their torturers. 

  The love of Christ, though, is greater than all evil. 

What’s amazing to discover is that the Christians never hated, belittled, or backstabbed their tormentors. 

The grace and love of Christ compelled them to see these men as who they could be. 

All around the world, persecuted Christians share this same view. 

I want to follow their example. I want to love others with the pure love of Jesus. 

The level of selflessness expressed by my persecuted brothers and sisters calls me to action, challenges my apathy. 

If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend it. 

Go to The Voice of the Martyrs website to request the book (it’s free).