Forgotten God-Episode 7

“When we become overly concerned about our appearance, our spiritual reputation, our coolness, and our acceptance, we are living as citizens of this world and not ambassadors.”

I recently talked with my group of students about what it means to be an ambassador. We focused on 2 Corinthians 5 and how when we focus on how we look, how we are accepted, or what others think of us we are thinking of things of this world and not Kingdom things. Ambassadors are only concerned about pleasing the people they represent. They aren’t worried about what they look like or how they are accepted, but the fact that they represent the person/people they are serving.

When we ask Christ to become Lord of our life…we become ambassadors for Him. We live our lives remembering that we are ambassadors for Him and our actions, words and choices reflect Him. When we commit to be an ambassador for Him, we commit to fulfill the Great Commission.

Forgotten God-Episode 5

"It's scary to pray boldly for change or freedom from sin, because if nothing happens, then doesn't that mean God failed? Doesn't that mean His Spirit isn't all we've been told He is?
I think the fear of God failing us leads us to "cover for God." This means we ask for less, expect less, and are satisfied with less because we are afraid to ask for or expect more. We even convince ourselves that we don't want more--that we have all the "God" we need or could want." (Chan 47)

My wife and I struggled with this for 15 long months. We had felt that it was time for us to start our family and began trying in July of 2009. One would think that simply because you’re trying to have a baby that getting pregnant is an easy thing. To make a long story short we are now expecting and are due in early June of 2011.

There were several times during the 15 months that I felt scared to ask God to get my wife pregnant. I was scared because like Francis says…would that meant God failed? I mean I was asking and pleading with God to help my wife get pregnant, but did I fully expect Him to do it or did I hold back a little because I didn’t want to be disappointed if God didn’t come through?

I also experienced praying boldly for change when I was interviewing for the current position I am in at the church. I felt like this was definitely something that God was calling me to and I was seeking Him and guidance from Him more than I ever had before. I remember thinking that I was asking God so much for this position that I knew if I didn’t get it that I was going to be disappointed in not only myself, but in God. I remember waiting a few days and I had convinced myself that I hadn’t got the job. That Brooklyn and Rick had selected someone else for the position that was better qualified than I was. A crazy thing happened though…the day that I woke up and was able to pray to God that it was okay if He didn’t bless me with the opportunity to work at the church and that I would still seek Him regardless…I got the call offering me the job.

It’s a humbling experience to know that the Holy Spirit is all that we’ve been told He is and that He cares. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts and to bless us with opportunities.

Forgotten God-Episode 4

Towards the end of Chapter 2 Francis talks about how he was asked “Who is the most Spirit-filled person you know?” He goes on to share about the person he feels is the most Spirit-filled and I am going to do the same below.

The day I found out that Charlie was leaving the church I work for I was extremely sad. Charlie was the pastor for our high energy service at the church I work for. He was the type of guy that exemplified what it meant to be filled with the Holy Spirit. No matter how bad of a day you were having or how tired you were…Charlie made you smile and feel better. He was full of energy and anytime you spent talking with him you knew he genuinely cared about how you were doing.

Charlie….you and your family are still missed and I wish we could have had more time to get to know each other. Jesus is so real in your life that when I look at you I see Jesus. I mean…it may be that you don’t’ wear shoes when you worship, but still you were an awesome example to everyone you came in contact with as to what it means to love the Lord with all of your heart, soul and mind.

Forgotten God-Episode 3

“I’m tired of living in a way that looks exactly like people who do not have the Holy Spirit living in them. I want to consistently live with an awareness of His strength. I want to be different today from what I was yesterday as the fruit of the Spirit becomes more manifest in me.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about this and how if we claim that Jesus has saved us and we’ve been changed…then shouldn’t we show evidence of that? If I really have the Holy Spirit living inside of me and I am really becoming more like God then shouldn’t the Fruits of the Spirit be more evident in my life every day? Shouldn’t I not be frustrated and instead be patient with the person not paying attention when the red light turns green? Shouldn’t I be more humble when someone says I did a good job? Shouldn’t I have more self-control when I want to go out to eat and we really can’t afford it?

So this is my prayer for all of us.…for the Holy Spirit to make us more like Him every day. For us to actually be humble, patient and self-controlled…instead of acting like we are.

Forgotten God-Episode 2

“If it’s true that the Spirit of God dwells in us and that our bodies are the Holy Spirit’s temple, then shouldn’t there be a huge difference between the person who has the Spirit of God living inside of him or her and the person who does not?

This may be a silly illustration, but if I told you I had an encounter with God where He entered my body and gave me a supernatural ability to play basketball, wouldn’t you expect to see an amazing improvement in my jump shot, my defense, and my speed on the court? After all, this is God we’re talking about. And if you saw no change in my athleticism, wouldn’t you question the validity of my encounter?” (Chan 32).

It is so sad when the only thing that separates some Christians from non-Christians is a WWJD bracelet. A sermon I am currently working on talk about how in Ephesians we’re called to “put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

When we invite Jesus into our hearts we have to expect that He is going to do more than just move in and leave things as is. Jesus is going to totally rearrange the furniture of our hearts and thus we will be changed. We’re not going to be the same after He establishes residence in our hearts.

Forgotten God–Episode 1

I started blogging on book quotes while I was reading another book called How to Hit a Curveball, Grill the Perfect Steak, and Become a Real Man. It was a great way of me to process the book and share some of my thoughts about it. I’m going to do the same as I work my way through Francis Chan’s book Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit.

"Even our church growth can happen without Him. Let’s be honest: If you combine a charismatic speaker, a talented worship band, and some hip, creative events, people will attend your church. Yet this does not mean that the Holy Spirit of God is actively working and moving in the lives of the people who are coming. It simply means that you have created a space that is appealing enough to draw people in for an hour or two on Sunday.

It certainly does not mean that people walk out the doors moved to worship and in awe of God. People are more likely to describe the quality of the music or the appeal of the sermon than the One who is the reason people gather for “church” in the first place” (Chan 31).

Right now you’re probably asking yourself…”what was that noise I just heard?” Yep, that noise was the wind leaving my lungs as I was punched and then kicked in the stomach by this quote. So many times in ministry I find myself relying more on technology, my abilities or resources than I do the Holy Spirit.

We’ve all been there. Whatever technology it is: your cell phone, computer or a sound system…it works perfectly fine until your stress level gets to about a 7 on a scale of 1/10. Your stress level then shoots through the roof because we' put our trust in things that will sometimes fail us. The only way to bullet proof our faith is to put our faith in the Holy Spirit…who will never fail us.