Sunday Circus?

A circus makes us ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ by giving us a spectacle. There are noises, sparkly costumes, and bright colors splashed everywhere. It’s all designed to overwhelm our senses, a kind of sensory banquet that leaves us impressed. And, it works! We do not go to the circus to meditate and think deep thoughts about world peace. We go to see the elephants, the high wire acrobats, and the clowns tumbling as a diversion from the tedium of everyday life.

When you go to church are you looking for a circus? Are you content with loud music, novel presentations, and flashing lights? Or, do you desire a real moment of worship, an encounter with the Lord of Heaven? Noisy circus-like Christianity cannot change the world. Meeting with God will change me, you, and the world! Paul says that His Power 'is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:19-22, NIV) That power flows from deep inside of us, from holiness of heart, and deep intimacy with God. The very things we often mistake for 'spiritual revival' - the grand productions featuring 'God's man of power for the hour,' – can actually block an incredibly intimate, empowering experience of the Holy Spirit.

An old joke circulated among preachers relates that the pastor on reviewing his sermon notes wrote in the margins, "Point weak; shout loudly!" If we feel the need to rise to sweaty heights of emotional displays to cast down the strongholds of the devil, I fear the we have most likely fallen into circus-style religion. We have substituted the 'still, small voice' of the Holy Spirit with our amplified declarations, that echo meaninglessly into the caverns of evil!

Our desire must be for Jesus Christ, not a thrill of emotion. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:8-10, NIV)
Read it again, this time from The Message: “Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. ... They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.”

Friend, don't get taken in by the 'show.' Don't let fast-talkers take your heart (or your money) away from the true Source of your hope and your power. Walk with Jesus. If you feel manipulated, pushed, pulled, or overwhelmed by a 'ministry,' that feels more like a circus: RUN- don't walk- away! Find a place where they love the Spirit's voice.

"The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says, "Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15, NLT)

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Only In God

Only in God, is my soul at rest.
In Him, comes my salvation.
He only is my Rock,
My strength and my salvation.

Only in God is found safety,
When my enemy pursues me.
Only in God is found glory,
When I am found meek and found lowly.

My stronghold, my Savior, I shall not be afraid at all.
My stronghold, my Savior, I shall not be moved.
Only in God, is my soul at rest.
In Him, comes my salvation.

Author: Talbot, John Michael
Copyright: 1980 Birdwing Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing;

Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Mech) (Admin. by EMI

Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) CCLI License

No. 810055

Unsure about love?

Sometimes people get under my skin! I’m not thinking about those who are merely thoughtless. A rude or insensitive remark may trigger a moment of irritation, but I quickly get over it. I’m thinking about the people whose choices are hurtful to others, who wrong friends and family by acting in ways that are totally selfish. I am not happy to admit that I am unsure whether I even want to love them! The Koran burning preacher in South Florida, Terry Jones, needs my prayers, but the truth is that I’d like to kick him in his butt! I know a young man who has caused his family grief for 10 years with one bad choice after the other. Every time he gets himself backed into a corner, he cries and wants them to rescue him from himself. I really don’t want to love him, either.

But, I don’t see any exceptions in Jesus’ words, do you? “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty." (Matthew 5:43-45, The Message) It is clear to me that the way Jesus thinks of love and the way I think of it are quite different. Love to me is an emotion stirred by the desirability of the object of my affection. The Lord says that love is a choice, an act of my will!

I have discovered that it is nearly impossible to wish ill on another if I am actively praying for them, which is one of the most loving acts. As I talk honestly with the Lord about someone and my responses to their actions, compassion begins to take form. The Spirit creates a concern, taking away judgment and replacing it with empathy, even those who anger me with their sinfulness, selfishness, or stupidity. I begin to desire their redemption more than my own comfort.

Are you unsure about love, disciple?
Are you repulsed by another, ready to refuse to care for them?

Here’s a word from the Word that challenges a different response. "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:18-21, NIV)

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Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Love Divine All Loves Excelling
Wesley, Charles / Prichard, Rowland H.

© Public Domain

What's that you say?

A sage observed there are three messages conveyed in any conversation;

"what is said,
what you think I said,
and what I think I said!"

Want to communicate well?

First, use plain and honest speech. Jesus taught us, "Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." (Matthew 5:37, The Message) In this day when lawyers are legion, as followers of the Lord of Truth, we must make integrity in communication our goal.

Second, remember that God is present! Scripture reminds us that there is another Listener in every conversation. His presence makes this prayer all the more important, "May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14, NLT) Our Lord knows not just what we say, but what we mean. That is both a comfort and a caution, isn’t it?

Third, remember that if you talk long enough you will reveal your heart!
"A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart. And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:35-37, NLT) Want to know who you really are? Listen to yourself.

James reminds us that our words are anything but ‘just words.’ They are a powerful force - for good or evil! With language rich in pictures, he says- "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything-or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. … With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. ... My friends, this can't go on." (James 3:3-10, The Message)

Are your words a source of life, refreshing others with encouragement, praising God, expressing faith?
Let me suggest a simple experiment just for today.
Be very aware of what you’re saying and pray prior to going into a conversation.
Then, don’t talk about others, except in a way that praises; don’t argue with others without listening intently. Ask more questions and make fewer declarations. Look for every opportunity to leave a compliment, a word of praise or thankfulness. Make it your aim this day that what you say will bless.

I can guarantee you that you will end the day more refreshed and joyful!
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You are God in Heaven
and here am I on earth,
So I'll let my words be few;
Jesus, I am so in love with You.

The simplest of all love songs
I want to bring to You,
So I'll let my words be few;
Jesus, I am so in love with You.

And I'll stand in awe of You,
Yes, I'll stand in awe of You!
-and I'll let my words be few-
Jesus, I am so in love with You.

Matt Redman
2000 Kingsway
CCLI License No. 810055

What I'm For!

Dr. Terry Jones, pastor of Dove World Outreach, (an awfully grand name for a church of 50) is planning to lead his little congregation in a book-burning on Saturday. This Florida church will be burning the Koran to let the world know that “Islam is of the Devil.” The congregation is proud of where they stand in defense of the ‘Truth’ and, according to their website, they often take to the streets to protest various sins of these United States. I understand them all too well, much to my regret.

Once I, too, was quick to condemn the culture, ready to pick up my pen and blast those ‘sinners’ who were destroying ‘my’ country. Then, the Spirit of God let me see my own sin and contrasted it with the depth of His love, expressed through Jesus Christ. His embrace of grace melted the anger and fear from my soul! I take no issue with their conviction that abortion takes a life, that same-sex marriage (at least in a Christian church) is abhorrent to God, or that Islam cannot lead people to truly know God through Jesus Christ. But, they’re focused on the wrong message!

The Gospel is not about being against something or someone. It is about proclaiming that the “kingdom of God has come near.” The very first mission of the disciples was not a preaching campaign to condemn the sins of their people. It was a invitation into a new order. "One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick." (Luke 9:1-2, NLT) Sin is real and darkness that exists needs to be dispelled. And how? Not by Law. Not by protest. Not by condemnation.

The way to redeem the culture is to bring the sinner the good news that God stands with open arms to welcome them back home; that through His Son, Jesus, He offers complete forgiveness and life in the Spirit. Will some abuse the grace of God? Yes! It happened to none other than Paul who watched some turn the gospel he preaching into a license to indulge every disobedient, Self-centered whim. It’s happened in my ministry when some have chosen to ignore holiness because ‘grace covers all my sin.’ But, the glory of the Gospel is its breadth. We can’t hope to earn what God has provided at tremendous cost to Himself – right standing with Him, reconciliation with Him.

I wish my mistaken brothers would read the passage you’re about to read. It might change their focus from book-burning to real Kingdom building. Let this word from the Word settle in your mind and heart. I am quoting from The Message because it is easier to understand. I encourage you to take some time to read the same texts from several translations of the Scripture, allowing the Spirit to show you, fresh and new, the heart of the Gospel.

Speaking of those who are not in Christ, we read: "Since they didn’t bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose: rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: mean-spirited, venomous… " (Romans 1:28-29, The Message) "Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done." (Romans 2:1-2, The Message) Then, comes the amazing announcement!

"But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened." (Romans 3:21, The Message) "God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured." (Romans 3:25, The Message) Ready for the grand conclusion?

"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise." (Romans 5:1-2, The Message)

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Amazing grace,
How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost,
But now I’m found,
T’was blind, but now I see!
- John Newton

Are you liberal?

Our church receives an offering at Christmas that is set aside for those in need. Throughout the year, when requests come for assistance we have funds available. Often, I find that it is hard to determine how and whom to help! I see many of the same people again and again, coming to ask for payment of utility bills and rent. Some are simply unable to generate income due to some kind of disability. Others are in the grip of addictions. Some are unmotivated, having lost hope and/or desire to be productive for reasons unknown. Some have just run into circumstances – job loss, poor health – over which they have little control. I find myself praying, “Lord, grant me Your wisdom to know how best to help this individual.”

It is always my desire to be liberal in attitude, to generously extend a hand as an expression of the love of Christ. An easier choice would be to judge those who ask, to separate myself from ‘them’ determining they are somehow unworthy. It’s an attitude that is all too common among the blessed and beautiful! There is an attractive lie that we want to believe that says, “I am better than you, more deserving, and thus need not share my life with you. If you’re need, it must be the result of your own failures.” That does not reflect the generosity of Jesus!

One day when Jesus and His disciples came upon a blind man, the men asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2, NKJV) The common assumption was (and still is!) that since he was suffering, he or someone must be responsible. Jesus reply shocked them. “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over." (John 9:3-4, The Message) The man’s blindness was an opportunity for ministry that revealed the love of God!

Our lives are changed, inside out, when we stop judging and blaming those who are suffering, who are sinning, failing, or falling, and instead adopt the liberal attitude born of thinking: “Your situation provides the opportunity to show the love of God!” I am not making a case for just throwing more money at problems, or failing to hold others accountable for change. That is not love, nor is it liberality. It is just dumb. But, we must, like our Great Example, come down from on high to stand alongside of those who are broken, bruised, and beaten by life. We when liberally love, we have gained the credibility to say, when necessary, “now, let’s work together on making a lasting change.”

Here’s a word from the Word. What does He say to you in it?
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few." (Matthew 9:36-37, NLT)

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