Goodbye 2007, Thanks For the Memories

Wow 2007 is coming to an end! I can not believe today is the last day of 2007. As I reflect back on this past year, I have to say this has been an exciting year. A year of fulfilled dreams, a year of change, a year of adventure, a year of chasing and catching a lion.

My theme going into 2007 was to chase my lion. The theme was from the book, In A Pit With Lion On A Snowy Day by my Lead Pastor Mark Batterson. This past year I was able to see one of my greatest dreams become a reality. I am so thankful for where God has taken me from and where He will continue to lead and guide us. I am so incredibly grateful that my amazing wife has been a part of this journey with me, I would not want to do it with out her.

As I reflect back on 2007, there are so many things that I have been blessed with and many things I was able to take part in. Here are the highlights...

Great friends and family
Our Crosslight family (we miss you all so much, we love you)
Our NCC family (we are so glad to be a part of such an incredible community)
The opportunity to serve at two incredible churches (Crosslight Assembly and National Community Church)
Moving to back to the Washington Metropolitan area
To have an incredible friend and mentor in Pastor Mike Buckley
Celebrating 14 years of marriage
The opportunity to officiate my nephew's wedding
Being able to attend my step mom's 55th birthday celebration
The opportunity to help lead and teach at NCC's Upward Bound Retreat
Going down to Atlanta for Catalyst with the NCC team (fun times)
Having the great opportunity to stay at NCC as part of the awesome team that God put there
Catching up on the first 3 1/2 seasons of 24 (a great show)

This has been a great year...looking ahead to 2008 for what God will do next.

Thank you for all for reading this little blog over the past two years, I hope and pray that it will continue to be a blessing, and an encouragement to you. In 2008, please continue to follow our journey right here.

May God continue to bless each one of you, have a great 2008!

Daily Caffeination 12/31/07

A Future and a Hope

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.-Jeremiah 29:11

I've heard it said that the future is an opportunity yet unmet, a path yet untraveled, a life yet unlived. How our future will be lived depends on the priorities and purposes of our lives today. The direction we take right now determines where we will end up in the future.

We might be frightened by an uncertain future, but as Christians, we don't have to be afraid. We can welcome the New Year with an anticipation of what God will do in us and through us. Our future as Christians is as bright as the promises of God.

When the children of Israel were being held as captives in Babylon, God sent them a message of hope. Many of them felt that God had forgotten about them or that His intentions toward them were bad. They were frightened about their future, and they cried out to God for deliverance. So God raised up the prophet Jeremiah to speak to them.

If you have ever felt as though you were forgotten by God, if you have ever felt that God was against you, or if you have ever been frightened about your future, then God's words to the Israelites apply to you as well: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11--13). Search for God. He has a future and a hope for you too.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Great Times with Friends

Lora and I had a great time this weekend hanging out with our good friends from Richmond, Danny and Rachel Wood. We had the chance to watch football, eat, go to church, play Guitar Hero III, play Dutch Blitz, play spades, plat Settlers of Catan, walk around Chinatown and Union Station with Danny and Rachel. We simply had an amazing time with them, just wish they could have stayed longer. The only thing is that I am sick as a dog, I have a terrible cold with a sore throat and I have totally lost my voice.

We really enjoy hanging out with close friends and really miss Danny and Rachel alot. If you are not in the area and want to come to DC we can hook you up with a place to stay. We would love to have a chance to hang with you. Lora and I really value all of our friends. We are so thankful for each of our friends.

A real quick thought...2 more days until 2008! WOW!

Daily Caffeination 12/28/07

True Worshipers

Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.—Palm 29:1–2

King Herod was a shrewd and clever tyrant, and he was a great builder. Today, some 2000 years later, the remains of his incredible structures, including his fortress of Masada, are still visible in Israel. He built Masada because he was afraid that someone would try to take his kingdom. He even had his own sons executed because he perceived them as a threat to his kingdom. It was said in Herod’s day, “Better to be one of Herod’s pigs than his sons.”

When wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2), Herod suddenly realized there was another king in town. The Bible says Herod was troubled. He told them, “When you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also” (Matthew 2:8). Just as the wise men were true worshipers, Herod was a false one. He was hostile toward God, yet he masqueraded as a worshiper of Him.

Herods by the dozens sit in the pews of many churches today. Outwardly, they appear devout and deeply religious, but inwardly they are living a lie. They don’t know God. They don’t have a relationship with Him. They may sing the songs and give to the offering. They may do all the right things, but it doesn’t mean they are true worshipers, because God looks on the heart.

If your life is not right with God when you come to worship Him, not only does it fail to please God, but it is offensive to Him. What does God see in your heart? There are plenty of false worshipers today. Are you a true one?

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/27/07

A Life of Worship

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.-Colossians 3:23

Some people come to church with great expectations. They expect something profound to happen in the church service, and then they don't see it happen. The question is, did they ever stop and think the problem might be with them? If they have not been worshiping God for the last six days, they cannot effectively worship Him on Sunday. The worship in the sanctuary is largely meaningless unless it is preceded and prepared for by a life of worship.

The word worship comes from an old English word that means "worthship." It means to worship something because it merits your worship. But worship is not just when we sing a song.

Living a life of worship means that we live to glorify God in all we say and do. Classical guitarist Christopher Parkening has said there are two things he can do well: fish and play the guitar. Now you might not fish or play the guitar. Well, what can you do? I can program a computer. Good. I can frame a house. Great. I can cook a good meal. Very good. I have artistic ability. Great. You can take whatever you have and do it for the glory of God. Whatever you do, you can honor the Lord with it. God can use you in whatever vocation you are in. The apostle Paul wrote, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23--24).

You can do your job well and effectively as a testimony and a witness for Jesus. You can live a life of worship.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/26/07

Because He Is Worthy

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.-Psalm 95:6-7

Worship can turn the most miserable circumstances into a wonderful time. But our reason for worshiping should not be because we are in a good mood and feel like it. Nor should we refrain from worship because we are not in a good mood. We should worship because God is worthy. No matter what we are going through, no matter what our circumstances, God merits our worship. God is pleased when we worship Him with a proper heart.

I will share a little secret with you: Sometimes when you worship, your problems don't go away, but they won't seem as significant because you reevaluate things. You see, before you begin to worship, your problems can seem very big. But as you worship God and think about His glory, His power, His splendor, and His love, you come away with the realization that God is great and mighty, and your problems are tiny. You see Him in perspective.

The Book of Acts tells the story of Paul and Silas, who were beaten and imprisoned for preaching the gospel. The Bible tells us that at midnight, they worshiped God (see Acts 16:25). As they sang and worshiped, an earthquake came and the whole prison fell apart. It's wonderful when you can be lifted above your circumstances like Paul and Silas were. I'm not talking about mind over matter; I'm talking about faith over circumstances, about honoring the true God who is still on the throne, no matter what you are going through.

God may deliver you immediately from your situation, like He did with Paul and Silas. Sometimes God will change your circumstances. Sometimes He won't. But in all our circumstances, He is worthy of our worship.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Merry Christmas

MERRY
CHRISTMAS
EVERYONE!

Please be blessed as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Experience His Joy this Christmas.

In Him,
Chris and Lora

The Christmas Story - What it is truly all about...

As told by Matthew
The Nativity

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

-Matthew 1:18 - 2:23 New International Version

Daily Caffeination 12/24/07 (Christmas Eve)

True Seekers

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."-Matthew 2:1-2

The story of Christ's birth is one of the Bible's most famous and loved stories, probably one that most people who are not even familiar with Scripture have heard at one time or another. And certainly a story we hear repeated every Christmas is the account of the wise men being led by the star to the place where the King was to be born.

Matthew's Gospel tells us these wise men came from the East (see Matthew 2:1). Skilled in astronomy and astrology, these men were highly revered and respected in their culture and were especially noted for their ability to interpret dreams.

Because of their knowledge of science, mathematics, history, and the occult, their religious and political influence grew until they became the most prominent and powerful group of advisors in the Medo-Persian and Babylonian empires. More than just soothsayers and magicians, they were dignitaries. And though they weren't kings, they were men of tremendous importance.

But even with all their knowledge, these wise men still had not found the answers they had been looking for in life. You might say they were seekers. We know they were true seekers, because God revealed himself to them in a special way when the star led them to the place where they could find Jesus: "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy" (Matthew 2:10). Then they offered Him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

God tells us in Jeremiah 29:13, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." If you are also a true seeker, if you want to know the true God, then He will reveal himself to you too.

Daily Caffeination 12/23/07

OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever -1 Timothy 5:8

When love is used as a verb in the Bible, it requires the lover to meet the needs of the one being loved. Love must be given away. God so loved the world that He gave (John 3:16). The corollary to John 3:16 is 1 John 3:16-18: "We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. . . . Let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."

The essence of love is meeting needs, and our most important assignment from God is to meet the needs of those who are closest to us (1 Timothy 5:8). We tend to use the people closest to us instead of meeting their needs. So the busy homemaker is out resolving everybody else's child-rearing problems but her own. The pastor is available to everyone but his wife and children. And the executive will work overtime to solve company problems while ignoring needs at home.

Take an inventory of your family's needs. I'm not talking about the external needs like clothing, education and food. I'm talking about gut-level needs that determine their sense of worth and belonging. When was the last time you hugged your child and told him you loved him? Have you noticed good character qualities in your spouse and pointed them out? If all you ever point out is physical qualities or achievements, your family members will base their worth on how well they perform and look instead of developing character. Do you regularly reinforce good behavior, or do you only notice the poor behavior? When your child does something nice, do you thank him? Does your child know that he is loved and valued from the way you talk to him?

Love can't be separated from action. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). If you love your family members, follow through with loving words and deeds.

O Holy Night, Christmas song

I love this version of the song O Holy Night. This is another one of my favorite Christmas carols, such an awesome and beautiful song.

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother,
And in His Name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name
Christ is the Lord
Their name forever praise we

Noel, Noel, and
O night, O night Divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O night Divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy Night

Daily Caffeination 12/22/07

Living a Life of Conviction

For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. -1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

Everyone lives a life of conviction. Whatever we give our greatest time, our greatest energies, and our greatest resources to is a good indication of where our convictions lie. Some live a life of conviction about sports. Some live a life of conviction around pleasure. Still others live a life of conviction about very little that matters at all.

Whenever God chooses to do a deep work in a life, a strong conviction is born of the Holy Spirit. Conversions in the early Church resulted in changed lives that held to a deep, life-transforming conviction regarding what they believed and how they lived out that belief. Paul explains that the gospel they received came not just in words, but also in power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.

In order to impact the marketplace for Jesus Christ, each of us must be reflecting a faith that is demonstrated through deeply held convictions. Are you living a life of deep conviction that spurs you on to reflect the power of Christ in your life and the lives of others? Paul was willing to suffer great persecution for his faith in a living God. God calls each of us to a life that is supernatural, not simply a good, moral life. The early Church understood the role the Holy Spirit played in demonstrating this power of the gospel. It was this deep work that resulted in living the gospel with great conviction. If you are not living the gospel with great conviction, ask the Holy Spirit to so fill your life today that the power of His Spirit is truly reflected in your life so that you may impact others in your marketplace.

A Quick Update On Our Lives

This is the latest support letter we mailed out. I had sit on this for a little bit until certain people were in the know on what was happening. Here is a little update on us here in DC as well as what 2008 is shaping up to look like...

This past month or so has been a crazy ride. We read somewhere that it’s okay to have plans, even long term ones, but we still have to be open to hear God’s voice and willing to follow His way when it differs from our plans, which is often the case. We were faced with that kind of decision in the last couple of weeks, which is one reason why we’re a little late in getting this month’s newsletter to you.

As you know, we came to NCC for a 1 to 2 year internship position. Although we hadn’t fully planned out what would happen at the end of the internship, there were definitely some plans starting to form. But after just six months of the internship, Chris was offered a full time staff position at NCC. Wow…God is so amazing. What a testimony of God’s work in Chris that after just a few short months, they don’t want to see him leave. We took the decision very seriously and sought God for His direction through fasting, prayer and wise counsel. After much prayer and consideration, Chris accepted the position.

We really believe that this is what God has for us in this season of our lives. This position will offer Chris some amazing opportunities and we are excited to see how God will use him in this new role. When he officially starts on January 1, he will continue his role as Point Pastor of the Ebenezers location. In addition, he will be taking over Point Pastor responsibilities for the Union Station location, which has three services on Sunday mornings. He will be responsible for both locations until NCC brings on a new Church Planter in Residence. That person will then take over the Ebenezers location and Chris will stay with Union Station until NCC is ready to launch their next location!

In addition to his Point Pastor role, Chris will be more involved with NCC’s outreach activities and he will lead the assimilation ministry. The assimilation ministry aims to help new and current NCC attendees feel welcome and get plugged in to ministry and small groups, which helps to create the community they need, especially in a setting like NCC with multiple locations and services.

One very exciting opportunity is that Chris will be preaching as part of the new hybrid model at the Union Station location. This is part of an experiment to let the Point Pastors preach at their locations. So for the particular weeks that the Point Pastors preach, they will focus on the same theme/topic, but each Point Pastor will have the opportunity to develop their own message around that theme, which will allow their own thoughts, ideas and personalities to show through. Chris is really excited about this! There will some other exciting things going on in 2008 and we’ll keep you posted as those come to fruition.

Now for a brief look back at this past month.

In addition to Chris’ continued role as Point Pastor of the Ebenezers Coffee House location, he’s had the chance to be part of some exciting events over the last few weeks. One of which was a baptism at Ebenezers. You might be wondering how you have a baptism at a coffeehouse. Here’s how. NCC has a portable baptistry which we put together and filled in the downstairs part of the coffee house. The evening began with an hour of worship and ended with about eight people being baptized. What a great night!

Chris has played an integral role (including building a manger scene!) in an annual community outreach event that will take place today…NCC’s Live Nativity in Lincoln Park. We will have live animals, a choir of angels, actors playing all the parts and hot chocolate and cookies! We’re excited to have a chance to display the reason for the season to our community!

This coming weekend marks the start of a new series, Joy, which will look at the Christmas story and focus in on the wise men, who the Bible says were "overjoyed" when they found Jesus. Each week will focus on a different dimension of joy: the joy of wonder, the joy of giving and the joy of worship.

Our couples small group is on a break for the holidays but we will resume in late January and are excited about getting back together with our group. It has been an awesome way to connect with other couples and build
community.

Chris was in Baltimore for a couple of days earlier this week for NCC’s annual staff retreat. This was a time set aside to plan and strategize for 2008. Although it was a packed couple of days, it’s exciting to hear about some of the plans for next year.

Since Chris will begin full time in January, this will be the last month we ask you to send in your monthly support for us. But, this won’t be the last time you hear from us! We’ll be sure to keep in regular contact so you know what is going on in our lives. You all have a vested interest in our ministry and we hope you will celebrate with us as we launch into yet another new phase of our ministry and lives together.

We are so, so thankful for all of your support, both spiritually and financially. We could not have made this move without you and we hope that you are as excited as we are about what God is doing in our lives and in the DC area.

We love you all! Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

In Christ,

Chris & Lora Jarrell

Chris.jarrell@theaterchurch.com

Daily Caffeination 12/21/07

Acquainted with His Strategies

For we are very familiar with his evil schemes.-2 Corinthians 2:11

Billy Sunday said, "One reason that sin flourishes is that we treat it like a cream puff instead of a rattlesnake."

Not only do we need to recognize the power of temptation, but we also need to realize that our adversary, the devil, is powerful. We do not want to underestimate him. He is a powerful spirit being with a well-organized network of demon powers ready to do his bidding. The apostle Paul said he was not "ignorant of his devices," or literally, his strategies and his deceits (see 2 Corinthians 2:11 nkjv).

Jesus told us what the ultimate agenda of the devil is: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10 nkjv). But then in contrast, He added, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

Christ wants us to have life and that more abundantly, not to mention life in heaven, beyond the grave. The devil wants to steal us from God's protection. He wants to destroy us. He wants to kill us.

And while we don't want to underestimate the devil's power, neither do we want to overestimate what he can do or have an overblown concept of who he is. As 1 John 4:4 says, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (nkjv).

God has put a hedge of protection around every one of His children. That is not to say He will not allow hardship. Nor is it to say that He will keep us free from all temptation. But it is to say that God will never let us be tempted beyond what we are able to withstand.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Little Drummer Boy

One of my favorite Christmas songs...

The video below is Trent's Austin's from Lifechurch.tv rendition of the song.

Come, they told me pa rum pa pum pum
Our newborn King to see
Pa rum pa pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pa pum pum
To set before the King pa rum pa pum pum
Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum
So to honor Him pa rum pa pum pum
When we come

Little Baby pa rum pa pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pa pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa rum pa pum pum
That’s fit to give a King
Pa rum pa pum pum
Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum
Shall I play for You pa rum pa pum pum
On my drum
I’ll play for You on my drum

Then He nodded pa rum pa pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pa pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pa pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pa pum pum
Rum pa pum pum, Rum pa pum pum

Then He smiled at me pa rum pa pum pum
Me and my drum
I’ll play for You on my drum
Lord, I’ll play for you
Always play for you
I’ll play for you on my drum
This gift I bring to honor the newborn King
On my drum

Daily Caffienation 12/20/07

Caught in Its Current

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.-James 1:14

Some years ago, I was at the beach with my son Jonathan, and we decided to go swimming. We weren't very far from the shore. Suddenly, there was one of those drops in the sand and, for a few moments, my feet could not touch the ground.

As I held on to Jonathan, a little riptide began to pull us over to the right, just enough to move us along. We were originally lined up with a lifeguard stand, but I noticed it had moved quite a distance. Obviously it had not moved. We had moved. We were being pulled along. I could not stop myself. I kept reaching for the ground with my feet, but I could not get my footing.

Suddenly, the lifeguard came down from his stand and began running toward us with his flotation device. I didn't mind being saved, but I was only a few feet from the shore.

"I'm all right," I said, trying to wave him off.

But you know what? I wasn't all right. I couldn't stop myself. As he began swimming out, I thought, "I have got to get my feet on the ground." Finally, I planted myself.

"I'm OK," I shouted to him, and he waved and swam back in.

That is what temptation is like. You think you can handle it, but suddenly you are caught in its current.

To pray we won't be tempted and then place ourselves in a vulnerable situation is like thrusting our fingers into a fire and praying they won't be burned. We need a healthy respect of the enemy we face and of the temptation that he will utilize in our lives.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/19/07

There's No Escaping It

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.-James 1:12

It was Martin Luther who said, "One Christian who has been tempted is worth a thousand who haven't been." Temptation is a subject we are all familiar with. None of us enjoys it, but it is a reality of the Christian life. No doubt we would rather there were no such thing as temptation. But it may surprise you to know that testing--even temptation--can have a positive affect in the life of a Christian.

It has been said, "Christians are a lot like tea bags. You don't know what they are made of until you put them into hot water." It is in the hot water of testing and temptation that we see what we are really made of.

Everyone faces temptation in their lives. As James 1:13 says, "Let no one say when he is tempted. . . ." This verse does not say if one is tempted, but when. Temptation is inevitable. There is no escaping it.

The word tempt means "to entice to do wrong by a promise of pleasure or gain." We must realize that it is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus himself was tempted, after all. Paul certainly grappled with it as well. But it is a sin when we give in to the temptation.

We don't want to underestimate the seductive power and pull of temptation. We make a big mistake when we say, "I can handle this." Famous last words. Because even the strongest Christians are vulnerable to the enticements of the devil. Even those who have known the Lord for years are still susceptible to the enemy's attacks.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Letter from Christ (Wish I had it this past Sunday)

I wish I had this on Sunday, I could of have used this for my message at Crosslight. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. I personally couldn't agree more, I think this communicates what we should be about as Christ followers.

Letter From Jesus Christ, concerning His birthday celebration:

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are
taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't
actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your
predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a
time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembere d
anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your
own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My
birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let
Me continue:

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene
depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen
and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My
followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the
town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I w h o made all trees. You can
& may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you
wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in
relation to you & what each of our tasks is. If you have forgotten that
one, look up John 15: 1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way
My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to
soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time
of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them
personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards
his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that
yo u' ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It
will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and
they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth,
and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and
remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own
life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you
don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile
it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the
local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm
smile an d a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a 'Merry
Christmas' that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop
shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that
day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with
their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary,
especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never
heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your
town who not only will have no 'Christmas' tree, but neither will they
have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I
suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the
the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me &
they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement a bout your belief in and
loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret
that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions
that you are one of mine.
Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the
rest. I'll help you. And do have a most blessed
Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember, I LOVE YOU!

Jesus

Daily Caffeination 12/18/07

Intended for Choice Work

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.—Romans 8:29

I read about a traveler who was visiting a logging area in the Pacific Northwest. He watched with great curiosity as a logger, working alongside a mountain stream, would periodically jab his sharp hook into a log as it went past and separate it from the others. This visitor could not see any reason as to why the logger would grab certain logs and let others go by.

When the visitor asked the logger about it, he replied, “These logs may all look alike to you, but I can recognize that a few of them are quite different. The ones that I let pass by grew in a valley where they were always protected from the storms. Their grain is rather coarse. But the logs that I have pulled aside come from high up on the mountains. They were beaten by strong winds from the time they were quite small. This toughens the trees and gives them a fine grain. We save these logs for choice work. They are too good to be used for ordinary lumber.”

Maybe God is saving you for a choice work. Maybe you have been going through hardships and have asked, “Why, Lord? What is the purpose?” Maybe He has made it known to you. Or maybe He has not. Know this: He is seeking to make you more like Jesus and create in you a family likeness. It’s part of the Christian life.

It is also part of every life. Everyone goes through hardship. But for the child of God, whatever comes into our lives comes first through the grid of God’s plan and purpose for us.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

A Few Meaningful Picture From Yesterday

This past weekend we had the opportunity to go down to Richmond and visit with good friends and our church family at Crosslight as well friends from the YMCA where we used to workout at in Chester. I love reconnecting with people and love sharing memories with with people we love spending time with.

Here are a few meaningful pictures from this past weekend...

PICTURES FROM THE YMCA EARLY RISERS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Peggy Morrison

Jeff Williams

Vic and Tiff

My buddy and workout partner - Paul Craig

AT CROSSLIGHT ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Pastor Mike and Donna Buckley

Danny and Rachel Wood

Jerry, Misty and Nicky Osborne

Daily Caffeination 12/17/07

Not If, but When

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.-James 1:2--4

It would be nice if we could see the trials in our lives as options, as electives. It would be nice if we could say, "I'm going to skip the trials course."

But trials are going to happen in the life of every believer. Notice that James says, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials . . . (James 1:2, emphasis mine). The phrase, "various trials," could also be translated, "many-colored trials." So no two trials or experiences are necessarily alike.

You will be tested. The question is, will you pass or fail? We must remember that God never tests us without a reason.

God's ultimate purpose is to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. God wants to produce a family likeness in us. This means that some trials and testings will show us immediate results, while others will produce long term ones.

In other words, there are times when I can come through a trial, look back, and say, "I learned this when I went through that experience." But then there are times when I come through a difficulty, and I can't tell you what I have learned.

But what has happened, maybe unnoticed by me, is that I have become a little bit more like Jesus. He has worked in my life to mold me and shape me into His own image. It's hard to say what has resulted sometimes. But we can know that God is in control. And His ultimate purpose is to conform us into the image of His own dear Son.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Advent Conspiracy

This Sunday, I am headed down to the Richmond/Petersburg area to see friends and family, I will also be preaching at our former church, Crosslight Assembly of God. I love every opportunity I have to share God's transforming Word.

This weekend, I will challenge my Crosslight family to have an outward view during this Christmas/Advent season, more specifically I will challenge them to conspire together as a church community to begin a movement restoring the scandal of Christmas by worshipping Jesus through compassion, not consumption.

Here is the question Want to lay out to all of you and the question I will lay out on Sunday morning...What if you could inspire each other, your family and yourself to avoid being consumed by commercialism this Christmas?

I know this is a hard question to think about, but I believe as Christ followers, as ones who are willing to boycott everyone who removes "Christmas" out everything. Or we scream out when the world who doesn't claim to follow Christ take Christ out of Christmas. When we get swept up by consumerism and max out our credit cards to buy gifts for everyone on Christ's birthday and not showing compassion to those who are in absolute need. I believe we take Christ out of Christmas, we have lost the true meaning of Christmas, we no longer celebrate the life of the one we are called to follow.

What do we need for Christmas? We don't need anything! We want a lot for Christmas. Look around you and look at those in need. Are we doing what we are called to do, I believe the great way we can celebrate Christmas is to look outwardly and provide for those that are in need.

Let us redeem the advent season and let us not make this year’s Christmas about credit cards or overspending. Let us look at the examples in Scripture make it about:

- Worshipping Christ more meaningfully.

- Giving relationally to our friends and family.

- Refusing our culture's hunger for consumerism.

- Loving all by giving to those most in need.

Here are few practical ways you can shop for people and give back to those in need.

Below is a list of links with some great websites offering useful gift alternatives. i will include a small blurb of info regarding each organization.

http://store.madebysurvivors.com/
this is an organization that someone connected to NCC helped get off of the ground. made by survivors is a branch of the emancipation network, which is an anti-human and sex trafficking organization. made by survivors is a marketplace for girls who have been rescued from human trafficking to sell the goods and products that they make in various shelters and rescue missions around the world. these are truly gifts with a human touch.

http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/home.php
one of the best and most comprehensive marketplaces for worldwide goods out there. ten thousand villages buys and imports goods fairly from small co-ops and villages all over the world, some who would otherwise have no access to the greater global market. this is an amazing initiative that is gaining ground in the u.s. they have this online store, but also actual store locations as well. the gifts here are beautifully, hand crafted.

http://www.tomsshoes.com/
the story of toms shoes is an amazing one. walking the streets of argentina, the founder noticed the amount of kids walking around without shoes. this is a major health issue. much disease can be prevented in such areas of the world by simply wearing shoes. so the founder decided that he would create a company that produced shoes, in an argentine style, and match a shoe for shoe donation for each pair that were purchased. they have already provided thousands of shoes to kids around the globe. i don't own a pair, but i heard they are super comfy!

http://www.worldvision.org/
yes! it's the buy a goat place! it's true, you can buy a goat here, but you can also buy many other things. click on the christmas catalog and find out the number of items you can purchase for families, individuals and villages abroad. things that will help sustain life and provide the opportunity for spiritual growth.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
like worldvision, you can browse the christmas catalog and purchase items to help people in need all over the world. both worldvision and samaritan's purse include personalized cards that you can give to friends and families notifying them of the donation made on their behalf.

The videos below really gets to the heart of what I will share on Sunday morning please watch...

Daily Caffeination 12/14/07

Pop Quizzes

Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.-Psalm 25:4

One of the first things that often comes to mind when we go through difficulties is, What have I done to deserve such a thing? But it is important for us to know that God does have lessons He wants to teach us during trials. I definitely want to learn what He is trying to teach so that He doesn't have to repeat the lesson later on.

Remember in school when the teacher would announce, "Class, today I am going to give you a pop quiz"? Those who hadn't studied weren't ready for the test.

God gives pop quizzes too. There are times when He will bring certain tests into our lives. We find a good example of this in a test Jesus gave His disciples. The multitudes came wanting to hear Him, and they were all hungry. John 6:5--6 tells us, "Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?' But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Jesus wanted to see if His disciples were learning anything. Jesus wanted them to say, "Lord, you are the Creator of the universe. You have a plan. We trust You."

God will test you because He wants you to grow up. He wants you to mature. He wants you to develop a walk with Him that is not based on your fluctuating emotions, but on your commitment to Him as you learn to walk by faith. When a crisis hits, you will see how much faith you really have.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/13/07

The Question of His Return

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”—Luke 4:18–19

In 1999, as the world prepared to enter a new millennium, there were some who claimed to have somehow deciphered a biblical code, secret messages, and an understanding of the original language of Scripture that revealed that Christ would come back in the year 2000. Of course, there is no Scripture whatsoever to support this kind of idea. And, of course, Christ did not come back in 2000. The fact is that we don’t know when He will return. He could come back today. Or He could come back in 10 years. We really don’t know.

Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). If you were to translate that from the original language, it would say something like this: “No one knows the day or the hour when the Son of Man will come back.” What that really is saying is, “No one knows the day or the hour when the Son of Man will come back.” God said what He meant, and He meant what He said. He will return when He is ready. He will return at the appointed time.

The purpose of Jesus’ first coming was to preach “the acceptable year of the Lord,” in other words, that salvation is available to all. But the purpose of His second coming will be to execute the vengeance of God.

If you are an unbeliever, you ought to come to Him now, since now is “the acceptable year of the Lord.” Come to know His grace and love and invite Him into your heart and life. Don’t wait until He comes with judgment for a sinsick world.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/12/07

At the Appointed Time

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”—John 10:17–18

At one point in Jesus’ ministry, the people in His own hometown of Nazareth tried to kill Him. They had taken Him to the edge of a cliff to push Him off, but the Bible tells us that Jesus passed through their midst and went on His way (see Luke 4:30). This just goes to show that no one ever took the life of Jesus.

It is almost laughable to read the biblical account of soldiers—led by Judas Iscariot through the Garden of Gethsemane—coming to arrest God with their swords and spears, coming to supposedly take “against His will” the one who holds the solar system in the span of His hand. Jesus said, “No one takes [my life] from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:18).

The reason the people of Nazareth couldn’t kill Jesus was because His hour had not yet come. He often used that phrase throughout His ministry. But His hour finally did come when He willingly went to the cross of Calvary.

Jesus said that He came to give His life as a ransom for many (see Matthew 10:28; Mark 10:45). He came to lay His life down on the cross of Calvary. And at the appointed time, that is exactly what He did. At the appointed time, He was born in the manger in Bethlehem. At the appointed time, He was crucified on the cross of Calvary. At the appointed time, He rose again from the dead. At the appointed time, He will come again to this earth. God keeps His appointments. And He is always right on time.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/11/07

Spiritual Blindness

“I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”—Acts 26:17–19

Before I was a Christian, I had heard the gospel and even had a respect for it. But I didn’t understand it. Christians would come up to me and give me tracts to read—even little red Bibles. They would thrust these things in my direction, say, “Read this,” and then back off. I would take whatever they handed me and stuff it into my pocket. Meanwhile I was thinking, I wish one of these people would just talk to me about God. But no one did.

At home, I kept a drawer filled with all the materials people gave me. I had everything you could think of in that drawer. I wanted to know God, but I couldn’t figure it out. Every once in awhile, I would take the drawer, empty it on my bed, read all that stuff, and try to make rhyme or reason of it.

The problem was that I was spiritually blind. I didn’t get it yet. But then one day, it just clicked for me. God opened my eyes, which has to take place before a person can be converted. The Bible teaches that before we are Christians, we are blind to spiritual truth: “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3–4).

If you have unbelieving friends and loved ones, then you need to ask God to open their eyes and help them to see for themselves their own need for Him.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/10/07

The Acceptable Time

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.-2 Corinthians 6:2

Some people will say the reason they are not Christians is that it is just not their time yet. They don't think they are ready.

That would be like someone who is drowning in the middle of the ocean saying to the lifeguard, "I am not ready yet." What part of dead do they not understand? I would say that if you are drowning, then you are ready for salvation.

Unbelievers are in a worse state than a person who is drowning, because they are separated from God by their sin. If they are wondering when they should come to Jesus Christ, the time is right now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not next month. It's right now. God says, "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

This is the acceptable time. We don't know how long it will last. There is coming a day when Jesus Christ will return to this earth for His people. There is coming a day when He will catch all true believers up into heaven with Him. We call it the rapture of the church. It is that moment that we look forward to as Christians, when we will go to be with the Lord. It is described in Scripture as happening "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (2 Corinthians 15:52).

Now is the time when God is looking in grace upon those who are separated from Him by sin, and the gospel is going out to them. Now is the day of salvation.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

What a Week...

What an amazing, awesome, busy week I had las week...

Last Sunday started with services at Ballston in the morning and that evening we had our staff Christmas Party at the Battersons. It was so awesome hanging with the entire staff along with the spouses and being able to celebrate the start of Christmas season together. I really love the team I work with.

Monday and Tuesday, we had our staff retreat in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD. Great time planning and visioneering for the future. I am so excited about going into 2008 (more BIG news coming soon).

Wednesday, I had my day off along with the first big snow in DC. SO COOL! We had about 2-3 inches. DC looks amazing with the snow. Did I mention that I love snow. Woohoo!

On Thursday, we had the opportunity and the amazing honor to go to the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse. Thanks to the David and Sharon Simon for getting the tickets and inviting us to attend with their amazing family. We had a great time sitting in the cold. We also had the opportunity to see Sara Evans perform as well as seeing President and Mrs. Bush as they lit the Christmas tree. Awesome event...really enjoyed hanging with the Simons.

Friday, Joel and I started to build the Nativity scene for Saturday. The person who was suppose to hook us up with the manger scene backed out on us a day before our Nativity Outreach. So, I had to pull out my construction skills (yeah right, that is too funny). Anyways, so we started the construction Friday and finished at 4:00 PM, the start of the Living Nativity at Lincoln Park.

Friday evening, Lora and I went to a Hanukkah Party that one of her friends had. Then after we left the party we stopped by our best friends Mike and Sonja Colon's house and hung out for a little bit.

Saturday morning got up at 6:30 am and headed to the office to continue work on the manger scene. Mid afternoon we loaded up the van to set up for the Living Nativity event at Lincoln Park. I wasn't able to stay and enjoy the Living Nativity, had run home and get ready for services at Ebenezers at 5:00 and 6:30.

After the services, helped to unload the van after Living Nativity. From what I understand, from all those who attended the Living Nativity, it was an amazing event we had about 400 people come out from the community to experience the Living Nativity.

After we got done unloading the van, we headed over to Amy Doolittle's house for her goodbye party. Amy was the Hospitality Leader at Ebenezers when I started at NCC and she has been super supportive of Lora and me and really been such an encouragement to us. She is headed out the Washington State. Gonna miss having her around NCC. This is one of the bad things about being in such a transient area, people come and go way too often.

Reflecting back on last week it was a great week and extremely busy! What a week!

Daily Caffeination 12/07/07

A Friend in Need

So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.-Job 2:13

Job certainly stands out as a shining example of someone who was patient in adversity. He went through incredible difficulties. You probably remember his story: It started out in heaven, with God telling Satan about the faithfulness of His servant Job. We can almost imagine God beaming and pulling on His suspenders as He spoke of His servant Job. But then He allowed hardship to fall on Job.

If it is true that into every life a little rain must fall, then Job was hit by a tsunami. In one day, he lost his flocks, his servants, all his children, and his health.

Then Job's friends came to visit. They could hardly recognize their friend, because he was in such sad shape. "So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great" (Job 2:13).

One of the best things you can do for people who are hurting is to just be there for them. The Bible says we should "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). You don't have to give them a sermon. You don't need to have all the answers. You simply need to be there.

I have been a pastor for many years, and I have come to realize that I don't have all the answers. Sometimes the best thing I can do for a person who is hurting, for someone who has lost a loved one, for the one who is facing a horrible sickness, is to be there and pray for him or her. By simply being there, you can be of great comfort to a friend in need.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/05/07

At the Right Time

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.-2 Peter 3:9

As we look at this world we are living in, as we look at the way our culture is going, we say, "Lord, come back. Return soon." But God has His own schedule: He is not late, and He is not early. He will be right on time.

When Jesus came to earth the first time, it was according to God's perfect plan: "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4--5). I love that. When the time was just right, at the appointed hour, Jesus Christ--the Son of God--fulfilled the prophecies of Scripture and was born in a stable in Bethlehem. And when the time is just right, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will return to the earth.

Yet God has a plan He wants to accomplish in the interim. The Bible tells us, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). The Lord is waiting for those last people to come into His kingdom and put their faith in Him. Can you imagine if you knew the one person whom God was waiting for? Wouldn't you be tempted to put a little pressure on that individual?

We need to remember that as Christians, our numbers are relatively small. But the task is immense. And the time is short.

Daily Caffeination 12/04/07 (2nd Day in Baltimore at the Staff Retreat)

Preparing with Patience

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.—James 5:7

The early rains in Israel would usually come in late October or early November. These were anxiously awaited by the farmer, because they would soften the hard-baked soil for plowing. The latter rains would come in late April or May. These were essential to the maturing of the crops. If the farmer were to rush out and harvest his crops before their time, he would destroy them. So he had to wait.

James knew that patience was also an important factor in awaiting the Lord’s return. He wrote, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain” (James 5:7).

No crop appears overnight. Like farmers, we need to be patient and recognize that it takes time for growth to happen in our lives. However, the word “patience” does not speak of a passive resignation, but of an expectant waiting for the Lord. This is not a casual, nonchalant approach. Rather, it is an excited expectancy, a readiness.

Some believers don’t live this way. They just passively bide their time. But the Bible tells us we should be actively preparing as we await the return of Christ: “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Romans 13:11–12).

Let’s be sure we are living in a holy manner as we patiently wait for Christ’s return.

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/03/07

A Changed Life

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.-1 John 3:3

Most Christians would readily agree with the simple truth that Jesus Christ is coming back again. But here is the question: If we believe that, how should it affect the way we live? We should be interested in taking the great truths of the Christian life and applying them to the way that we live. James 5:8 tells us, "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

It is important to remember that God did not give us the prophecies of Scripture to entertain or tantalize us. Rather, these truths were given to us for a number of reasons. One of them is to motivate us toward personal godliness and bold evangelism. The truth of the soon return of Christ should cause us to want to live a holy life, and it should have a purifying effect on us. It should keep us on our toes spiritually.

It is interesting that when God points out what is wrong with a nation spiritually, He doesn't point His finger at the government; He points His finger at the church. God says that when a nation is sick, it is because there is a problem in His church. But He also tells us how to fix it: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

What it comes down to is how the teaching that Christ is coming back affects you. Don't worry about the rest of the world. Don't even worry about your Christian friends. How does this truth affect you?

Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 12/01/07

Striving Versus Abiding

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. -Psalms 127:1

What does it mean for the Lord to build the house? It almost seems a contradiction when we consider that we might be the builders in this passage. God wants us to allow Him to build the house. He explains further:

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for He grants sleep to those He loves (Psalm 127:1-2).

God is telling us there is a way of working without striving. There is a way to conduct business without sweating and toiling for outcome. His warning to each of us is to avoid thinking that outcome is based on our sweat and toil. Outcome is based on obedience. That outcome is sometimes more than we deserve. Sometimes it is less than we hoped for. His desire for each of us is to see Him working in our daily work life. He wants us to avoid looking to our own effort to gain an outcome.

One day Jesus called out to Peter from the shore of the lake and suggested he throw his net on the other side of the boat. It was this simple act of obedience that yielded a tremendous catch that he would not have received unless he obeyed.

We are called to work; He is called to bring forth the fruit. He is the vine. We are the branches. Fruit comes forth naturally from a healthy tree.

Today, ask God to show you when you enter into striving. Ask Him to show you the difference between loving trust and obedience and striving for outcome. It can be challenging for us to balance this in our daily work experience. He wants to help us walk in this freedom and rest.