Alpha and Omega
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." -Revelation 1:8
There are some who follow Jesus because they want God to conform to their plans instead of them conforming to His.
Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is come into the world." Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to a mountain by Himself alone. (John 6:14--15)
They wanted to take Him by force and make Him the king. They saw the Messiah as a political liberator. They didn't understand that before He will come to reign as Lord of lords and King of kings and establish His kingdom, He would first suffer and die for the sins of humanity.
Sometimes people are that way with God today. They expect the Lord to conform to their conception of Him. They expect God to conform to their plans. They decide, and He is supposed to cooperate.
It doesn't work that way. He doesn't conform to your plans. You conform to His plans.
The only thing that is going to turn us around, conform us, is a change of heart, a spiritual awakening, and that can only happen through prayer and the proclamation of the gospel.
Jesus Christ is not a means to an end. He is the end. He is the all in all. He is the Alpha and the Omega.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Daily Caffeination 02/19/09
More Bread, Please
"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you." -John 6:27
After Jesus' miracle of feeding the 5,000, He went across the Sea of Galilee. A crowd followed Him to the other side.
And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." (John 6:25--27)
Jesus could see right through them. These people had no real interest in the supernatural. Nor did they really have a desire even to know Jesus Himself. They just wanted their food. They wanted Christianity without Christ.
People want forgiveness, but they don't want to repent. They want to go to heaven, they want to wear the crown, but they don't want to bear the cross.
But it's a package deal. You don't get to pick and choose the things that you like. You may think, "I want forgiveness. I want to know I'm going to heaven. But I still want to sin." No. It's not going to work.
You have to decide--do you just want bread, or do you want the Bread of Life?
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries
"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you." -John 6:27
After Jesus' miracle of feeding the 5,000, He went across the Sea of Galilee. A crowd followed Him to the other side.
And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." (John 6:25--27)
Jesus could see right through them. These people had no real interest in the supernatural. Nor did they really have a desire even to know Jesus Himself. They just wanted their food. They wanted Christianity without Christ.
People want forgiveness, but they don't want to repent. They want to go to heaven, they want to wear the crown, but they don't want to bear the cross.
But it's a package deal. You don't get to pick and choose the things that you like. You may think, "I want forgiveness. I want to know I'm going to heaven. But I still want to sin." No. It's not going to work.
You have to decide--do you just want bread, or do you want the Bread of Life?
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Daily Caffeination 02/17/09
A Dangerous Place
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me. -John 12:26
What is the most dangerous place in the world?
A war zone certainly qualifies. The jungles of Africa can seem very dangerous, especially at night, when wild animals run right through the safari camp. You can hear animal sounds like you have never heard before in your life. That's a scary place to be.
But did you ever think that one of the most dangerous places you can be is right in church? Attending church can be hazardous to your spiritual health if you are coming for the wrong reason.
Why is it hazardous? Because you are exposed to truth. If you have no intention of putting that truth into practice into your life, your church can actually be one of the worst places to be.
It's a dangerous thing to hear the gospel without any intention of applying it in your life.
You may be fooling yourself. Are you in church because other people are? Are you going because it's popular? Or are you going to church because you have made the decision to follow Christ?
Jesus said, " 'If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor' " (John 12:26).
When I signed up to follow Jesus, I didn't sign up to do what other people were doing. I signed up to be His follower, no matter what. He will stand by you as you follow Him, and God will honor you.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me. -John 12:26
What is the most dangerous place in the world?
A war zone certainly qualifies. The jungles of Africa can seem very dangerous, especially at night, when wild animals run right through the safari camp. You can hear animal sounds like you have never heard before in your life. That's a scary place to be.
But did you ever think that one of the most dangerous places you can be is right in church? Attending church can be hazardous to your spiritual health if you are coming for the wrong reason.
Why is it hazardous? Because you are exposed to truth. If you have no intention of putting that truth into practice into your life, your church can actually be one of the worst places to be.
It's a dangerous thing to hear the gospel without any intention of applying it in your life.
You may be fooling yourself. Are you in church because other people are? Are you going because it's popular? Or are you going to church because you have made the decision to follow Christ?
Jesus said, " 'If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor' " (John 12:26).
When I signed up to follow Jesus, I didn't sign up to do what other people were doing. I signed up to be His follower, no matter what. He will stand by you as you follow Him, and God will honor you.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries
Friday, February 13, 2009
Daily Caffeination 02/13/09
Time to Hear
"He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him." - John 14:21b
We live in a day of 12-step programs for this, four points to success for that, and all forms of programmed means of becoming successful. Have you ever wondered how you can guarantee a greater revelation of Jesus in your life? Jesus tells us how this can be done. It is all tied to obedience. In John, He tells us the following: "Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him" (Jn. 14:21). The key here is in the last three words. He will show Himself to us because of our loving Him through our obedience. The more obedient we become, the more revelation of His presence we will feel in our life. Jeremiah tells us, "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jer. 33:3).
Many Christians wonder why they cannot hear or sense God's presence in their life. It is because they do not seek Him with a whole heart, and they are not obedient to the things He has asked. God does not show us the next move until we are obedient to the first thing He has spoken to us. It is a progressive process. He entrusts the small things to us first, then moves us to the larger. I was like many today who are so focused on seeking the activity of God rather than seeking God Himself. Hebrews tells us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. In the Old Testament we are told, "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deut. 4:29).
I realized if I was going to hear God's voice, I had to make time to seek Him and hear Him. I had to spend focused time alone reading, studying, and seeking His face only. Jesus set the model for this when He often left the crowds to be alone and seek His heavenly Father. I also had to tune my "radio" to His frequency. Static comes into that frequency when I am disobedient. My level of seeking determines the power of my "radio" to reach Him. The more I seek Him, the more I hear Him. Seek the Lord today so that you may be empowered by His presence.
"He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him." - John 14:21b
We live in a day of 12-step programs for this, four points to success for that, and all forms of programmed means of becoming successful. Have you ever wondered how you can guarantee a greater revelation of Jesus in your life? Jesus tells us how this can be done. It is all tied to obedience. In John, He tells us the following: "Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him" (Jn. 14:21). The key here is in the last three words. He will show Himself to us because of our loving Him through our obedience. The more obedient we become, the more revelation of His presence we will feel in our life. Jeremiah tells us, "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jer. 33:3).
Many Christians wonder why they cannot hear or sense God's presence in their life. It is because they do not seek Him with a whole heart, and they are not obedient to the things He has asked. God does not show us the next move until we are obedient to the first thing He has spoken to us. It is a progressive process. He entrusts the small things to us first, then moves us to the larger. I was like many today who are so focused on seeking the activity of God rather than seeking God Himself. Hebrews tells us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. In the Old Testament we are told, "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deut. 4:29).
I realized if I was going to hear God's voice, I had to make time to seek Him and hear Him. I had to spend focused time alone reading, studying, and seeking His face only. Jesus set the model for this when He often left the crowds to be alone and seek His heavenly Father. I also had to tune my "radio" to His frequency. Static comes into that frequency when I am disobedient. My level of seeking determines the power of my "radio" to reach Him. The more I seek Him, the more I hear Him. Seek the Lord today so that you may be empowered by His presence.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Daily Caffeination 02/12/09
Worthless Idols
"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." -Jonah 2:8
Have you ever exercised your will over the will of God? Have you ever been so willful that you were going to go your own way no matter what God said? If so, you have been at the same place as the prophet Jonah. God called Jonah to deliver a message to God's people as a warning. Jonah flatly refused. It was Jonah's will over God's. Guess who won?
Talk about willpower; Jonah had it! In fact, he was so rebellious toward God's will that he got on a ship to go the opposite direction. But he couldn't go far enough. The omnipotence of God caught up with Jonah, and he was hurled overboard when the seas became rough and the ship's crew figured Jonah was the source of their problems. Overboard he went and into the belly of that big fish.
God has a way of getting us to rethink our decisions, to reconsider our position. In fact, we see the extent of Jonah's willfulness by the amount of time he was willing to hang out in the belly of that fish - three full days. Then, Jonah decides enough is enough! Obedience is better than this fish belly and seaweed.
From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.
He said: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and You listened to my cry. You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all Your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, 'I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.' The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But You brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord." And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh (Jonah 2:2-3:3a).
In the midst of realizing his own calamity, Jonah made a seemingly out-of-context statement: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." Jonah was thinking of the sailors who threw him overboard and how they prayed to worthless idols. In the business world, we rub shoulders with those who cling to worthless idols every day. How tragic.
But this story's primary message is for every believer. And I can identify with Jonah. There's been many a man placed in the "belly of the fish" to encourage him to fulfill the purposes of God for which He called him. Jonah's situation changed immediately upon his obedience. Obedience is a mysterious thing. Jesus had to learn it through the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). If Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering, what does that mean for you and me? Sometimes willing obedience requires encouragement.
"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." -Jonah 2:8
Have you ever exercised your will over the will of God? Have you ever been so willful that you were going to go your own way no matter what God said? If so, you have been at the same place as the prophet Jonah. God called Jonah to deliver a message to God's people as a warning. Jonah flatly refused. It was Jonah's will over God's. Guess who won?
Talk about willpower; Jonah had it! In fact, he was so rebellious toward God's will that he got on a ship to go the opposite direction. But he couldn't go far enough. The omnipotence of God caught up with Jonah, and he was hurled overboard when the seas became rough and the ship's crew figured Jonah was the source of their problems. Overboard he went and into the belly of that big fish.
God has a way of getting us to rethink our decisions, to reconsider our position. In fact, we see the extent of Jonah's willfulness by the amount of time he was willing to hang out in the belly of that fish - three full days. Then, Jonah decides enough is enough! Obedience is better than this fish belly and seaweed.
From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.
He said: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and You listened to my cry. You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all Your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, 'I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.' The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But You brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord." And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh (Jonah 2:2-3:3a).
In the midst of realizing his own calamity, Jonah made a seemingly out-of-context statement: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." Jonah was thinking of the sailors who threw him overboard and how they prayed to worthless idols. In the business world, we rub shoulders with those who cling to worthless idols every day. How tragic.
But this story's primary message is for every believer. And I can identify with Jonah. There's been many a man placed in the "belly of the fish" to encourage him to fulfill the purposes of God for which He called him. Jonah's situation changed immediately upon his obedience. Obedience is a mysterious thing. Jesus had to learn it through the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). If Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering, what does that mean for you and me? Sometimes willing obedience requires encouragement.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Daily Caffeination 02/11/09
Remember Lot's Wife
But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.-Genesis 19:26
Who was Lot's wife? We don't really know a lot about her, not even her name. We assume that she met Lot in Sodom. We can safely conclude that Lot's wife was not a believer. It's clear she did not want to leave Sodom. She wanted to steal one last glance, and it cost her everything.
The book of Genesis tells us what happened that day. While they were fleeing, she looked back and became a pillar of salt. When Jesus said to His disciples, " 'Remember Lot's wife' " (Luke 17:32), it was a warning to not look back.
Why was looking back such a horrible sin, causing the judgment of God to fall upon Lot's wife? Doesn't it seem a little harsh? All she did was steal a quick glance.
But it wasn't just one last look. It was a lingering, a desire to stay there. You see, looking back is a step toward going back.
The devil will come to you and say, "Hey, Christian! Remember the old days?" Let's be honest. We all had some fun in this world.
But the devil doesn't remind you of the other things. He doesn't say, "Remember when you were miserable and empty, lonely, and terrified of death." He will remind you of a few good times because he knows that the first step to going back is looking back.
Then, like Lot's wife, you start to look over your shoulder. That is why Jesus said, " 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God' " (Luke 9:62).
If you are going to follow Christ, you need to look forward, not over your shoulder. Remember Lot's wife: you don't want to be turned into a pillar of salt.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries
But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.-Genesis 19:26
Who was Lot's wife? We don't really know a lot about her, not even her name. We assume that she met Lot in Sodom. We can safely conclude that Lot's wife was not a believer. It's clear she did not want to leave Sodom. She wanted to steal one last glance, and it cost her everything.
The book of Genesis tells us what happened that day. While they were fleeing, she looked back and became a pillar of salt. When Jesus said to His disciples, " 'Remember Lot's wife' " (Luke 17:32), it was a warning to not look back.
Why was looking back such a horrible sin, causing the judgment of God to fall upon Lot's wife? Doesn't it seem a little harsh? All she did was steal a quick glance.
But it wasn't just one last look. It was a lingering, a desire to stay there. You see, looking back is a step toward going back.
The devil will come to you and say, "Hey, Christian! Remember the old days?" Let's be honest. We all had some fun in this world.
But the devil doesn't remind you of the other things. He doesn't say, "Remember when you were miserable and empty, lonely, and terrified of death." He will remind you of a few good times because he knows that the first step to going back is looking back.
Then, like Lot's wife, you start to look over your shoulder. That is why Jesus said, " 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God' " (Luke 9:62).
If you are going to follow Christ, you need to look forward, not over your shoulder. Remember Lot's wife: you don't want to be turned into a pillar of salt.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Daily Caffeination 02/10/09
Make a Choice
Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. -James 4:4
Lot was the nephew of the only man identified in the Bible as the intimate friend of God, Abraham.
Abraham essentially wanted to walk with God, but Lot did not. Abraham was a man who possessed a deep friendship with God. Lot was interested in a friendship with God, but he was also very interested in a friendship with the world.
The apostle James asked the question, "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4).
James is saying that if you are going to follow Jesus Christ, you can't be a friend of this world. And "the world" means this world system that is hostile to the truth of God.
In case you haven't noticed it, this culture we are living in does not promote Christian values. In fact, if anything, this culture promotes the opposite.
It seems at every turn there is hostility toward those of us who believe there is right and wrong, morality and immorality. In a day when anything goes, people don't like those who hold to a set of standards and are unshakeable in them.
So if I want to be a friend to this world, if I want to go out there and do whatever my little heart desires, and engage in any pleasure that interests me, I cannot be the friend of God.
It's like having a foot on the dock and a foot in a rowboat that is beginning to drift away. You are going to have to make a choice. You can't live in two worlds.
You need to walk with God, as Abraham did.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries
Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. -James 4:4
Lot was the nephew of the only man identified in the Bible as the intimate friend of God, Abraham.
Abraham essentially wanted to walk with God, but Lot did not. Abraham was a man who possessed a deep friendship with God. Lot was interested in a friendship with God, but he was also very interested in a friendship with the world.
The apostle James asked the question, "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4).
James is saying that if you are going to follow Jesus Christ, you can't be a friend of this world. And "the world" means this world system that is hostile to the truth of God.
In case you haven't noticed it, this culture we are living in does not promote Christian values. In fact, if anything, this culture promotes the opposite.
It seems at every turn there is hostility toward those of us who believe there is right and wrong, morality and immorality. In a day when anything goes, people don't like those who hold to a set of standards and are unshakeable in them.
So if I want to be a friend to this world, if I want to go out there and do whatever my little heart desires, and engage in any pleasure that interests me, I cannot be the friend of God.
It's like having a foot on the dock and a foot in a rowboat that is beginning to drift away. You are going to have to make a choice. You can't live in two worlds.
You need to walk with God, as Abraham did.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries
Monday, February 09, 2009
Simply WOW!!!
I am still processing this past weekend. I have been reflecting and celebrating God's blessing from yesterday. On February 8, 2009 we officially launch NCC Kingstowne. We launched it with what I believe to amazing success. The energy was high, the theater was packed, the message was off the hook and an amazing response afterwards from many people.
I give all glory to God for what he did and how He opened the doors for us. It was God who made this HUGE dream become reality.
I also give major props to the launch team, who have been so instrumental in getting NCC Kingstowne off the ground. The have been faithful in the three weeks leading up to the launch, they were out before 8:00am setting up the equipment and getting ready for the service. I appreciate the team that God has placed around me at Kingstowne, I could not and would not want to do this without each one them.
I really do feel like we hit the ground running and on the right foot. I also believe we made some great connections with first time guests. It was also awesome seeing the familiar faces and friends who came out to support me and the launch, very encouraging.
All in all, it was a spectacular day and I can't put into words how I feel right now. I so glad and honored to be a part of National Community Church and the work we are doing to serve the Washington Metro area. I really feel like there is going to be Greater Things happening throughout this area, I am grateful that I can be a part of it. God is so great!
Here is the message that Pastor Mark preached yesterday to kick off the GREATER THINGS series...I am truly believing for Greater Things!
I give all glory to God for what he did and how He opened the doors for us. It was God who made this HUGE dream become reality.
I also give major props to the launch team, who have been so instrumental in getting NCC Kingstowne off the ground. The have been faithful in the three weeks leading up to the launch, they were out before 8:00am setting up the equipment and getting ready for the service. I appreciate the team that God has placed around me at Kingstowne, I could not and would not want to do this without each one them.
I really do feel like we hit the ground running and on the right foot. I also believe we made some great connections with first time guests. It was also awesome seeing the familiar faces and friends who came out to support me and the launch, very encouraging.
All in all, it was a spectacular day and I can't put into words how I feel right now. I so glad and honored to be a part of National Community Church and the work we are doing to serve the Washington Metro area. I really feel like there is going to be Greater Things happening throughout this area, I am grateful that I can be a part of it. God is so great!
Here is the message that Pastor Mark preached yesterday to kick off the GREATER THINGS series...I am truly believing for Greater Things!
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