Is Jesus a respectable religious leader? A Mr. Rogers with a beard?

Tags

Authority, God is God, Jesus, Love, Obedience, Power

Jesus

Is Jesus a respectable religious leader?

• Jesus is not interested in being a “respectable religious leader”. He is not Mr. Rogers with a beard. Jesus is powerful and very direct. Jesus challenges me every day.
• Jesus is in charge of everything. Seriously. Believe it. God has given everything over to Jesus. There is not a thing Jesus isn’t in charge of.
• All Jesus does is what He sees the Father doing. His power and authority come from God. Jesus is obedient and challenges me to do what God desires. That is mainly to find a way to love.

May I know that God is God.

Jesus does what He sees the Father doing.

May I do the same.

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Is God’s word important for my life? 3 important questions to answer.

Tags

Eternal Life, Francis Chan, God's Word, Grace, Jesus, Obedience

Is God’s word important for my life? Am I living it out in my life?

For most believers we read the word, but the word in not living in and through us. Francis Chan shares the importance of having the word of God live through you and through obedience following God.

• Is God’s word important to me?
• Am I living (doing) what Jesus challenges me to do?
• Will I have eternal life because of God’s grace or because of my obedience?

 

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” ~Jesus

Tags

God's Goal, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Love, Luke 6, Obedience

Why? The words of Jesus haunt me. Why do I pretend that he is my Master and then not obey him?

As parents, we know the frustration of asking our children to do something, only to discover they have completely ignored us.

• Listen and do: You can almost hear the frustration in Jesus voice over the issue of listening and doing. This is key. It is useless to listen only. Obedience must follow.
• My mission is to love. That is it, plain and simple. I really don’t have any other job. That is God’s goal for me.
• Love lays a solid foundation for everything else in life. It will stand the test of time. It will earn my God’s favor.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”

Source: Luke 6:46, 49

May I have a well built house. May I put into practice what Jesus says. God has a goal for me. My job is to believe, be obedient and have faith.

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” ~Jesus

Tags

God is Good, God's Plan, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Matthew 12, Obedience

What does it take to be a part of God’s family?

The answer is very straight forward. Jesus doesn’t hold anything back from me. His challenge to me is to do what God wants. Obedience is the core of everything in God’s world.

It is not about my plan. It is all about God’s plan. He has one. Will I obey it? Jesus challenges me to do so.

Now here is some VERY good news. God’s plan is simple and straightforward.

In this day of complicated programs and books, simplicity rocks. The kids even have it on a bracelet. WWJD. “What would Jesus do”?

God’s plan is for me to do what He has in mind for me. All the time. That puts me in the family of God. Good news for sure.

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.  (Matthew 12:50)

“Something has always come up and prevented it.” ~Apostle Paul

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Goals, Jesus, Obedience, Paul, Planning, Romans 1, Rome

Paul knew how to plan. Fortunately, he listened to God and so sometimes was unwilling to follow what he planned so he could do what God wanted.

It would have given him personal pleasure to do what he wanted. It didn’t mean that God didn’t want him to see his plans through at some point. It just had to be in God’s good timing and not Paul’s.

The thing to pursue is what God wants on any given day. Jesus has ultimate goals for us and tasks to accomplish every day. That is all that really counts at any given point in time.

Please don’t misinterpret my failure to visit you, friends. You have no idea how many times I’ve made plans for Rome. I’ve been determined to get some personal enjoyment out of God’s work among you, as I have in so many other non-Jewish towns and communities. But something has always come up and prevented it.  Romans 1:13-15

“You’re more than happy when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.” ~King David

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Happiness, Happy, Jesus, King David Sayings, Obedience, Psalm, Psalm 119, Wise Sayings

How can I be happy? How can I be more than happy? It is pretty simple and straight forward.

King David knows the answer is in following God’s directions.

I need to do my best to find Him in everything. I can go my own way and I can go His way. That is the choice that I have every moment of every day.

Happiness, true happiness, comes from keeping one foot in front of another on the road that Jesus wants me to be on.

Jesus speaks to my heart in a frank and direct way. For that I am very thankful. I hear him. Will I listen and do what He has in mind for me?

You’re more than happy when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.

Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me. Psalm 119:1-8

"But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete." ~~Jesus

Tags

Focus, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Obedience

How do we know about Jesus and who He is?

Just look at the totality of what He did and does. He is entirely focused on what His Father, God, wants Him to do. And Jesus does it. And it is amazing.

That is the only witness that Jesus needs. Jesus completed everything God gave him to do. And Jesus is still doing it today.

May we turn to Jesus, obey him and be complete.

But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete.” ~~Jesus (John 5:34-38 The Message)

“I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

2 Corinthians 2, God is God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Obedience

Paul decided not to show up, even though he was wanted. How often, just because someone asks me to come, do I show up not even thinking, is this something God wants me to do?

Sometimes there is a pain that our Spirit filled life brings to others. Sometimes the timing is off.

Better to show up when God wants me to and not just because someone asked me to.

I must seek God. He will lead the way for me.

That’s why I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us. If by merely showing up I would put you in an embarrassingly painful position, how would you then be free to cheer and refresh me? 2 Corinthians 2:1-2

“I was convinced at the time I wrote it that what was best for me was also best for you.” ~~Apostle Paul

Tags

2 Corinthians 2, Apostle Paul Sayings, Love, Obedience, Tears

Obey God

What is the best thing to do? What does God want? Do I pray first or just do what I want?

Paul has a heart for what is best for his brothers and sisters. He really wanted to see them. He decided to write to them to express his ideas rather than visit. His entire motivation was love and concern. 

Do I do what is best or do I act selfishly satisfying my own needs?

That was my reason for writing a letter instead of coming—so I wouldn’t have to spend a miserable time disappointing the very friends I had looked forward to cheering me up. I was convinced at the time I wrote it that what was best for me was also best for you. As it turned out, there was pain enough just in writing that letter, more tears than ink on the parchment. But I didn’t write it to cause pain; I wrote it so you would know how much I care—oh, more than care—love you! (2 Corinthians 2:3 The Message)

 

"It’s not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing." ~~Jesus

Tags

God's Will, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 10, Messiah, Obedience

Jesus reminds me it’s not about me. That comes as a shock because I love to live like it is.

In God’s world (Kingdom) it is all about God. It is all about what He wants and what He does. Jesus is clear. It is all about what our Father in heaven wants. May his will be done, we pray.

Need an agenda for today? Listen and act on what God wants. That will lead to a whole lot of rejoicing.

It’s not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.” ~~Jesus (Luke 10:18-20 The Message)

“Do whatever he tells you.” ~Mother of Jesus (Mary)

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Faith, John 2, Mother Mary, Obedience

Water to Wine

This is pretty good advise. It came from a woman who knew Jesus very well. His mother knew who Jesus was and what He could do.

And so it was pretty simple. “Do whatever he tells you.”

Now the whatever wasn’t going to make any sense to them. The wedding guests needed wine. Jesus told them to put water into some jars. But, she advised them to do whatever He asked.

And so, the rest of the story is pretty simple as well. They did!! And the water turned into very fine wine.

May I do whatever He tells me.

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, John 2:5-8 TNIV

“Think of yourselves the way the Messiah Jesus thought of himself.” ~Apostle Paul

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Apostle Paul Sayings, Death, Humility, Jesus, Messiah, Obedience, Philippians 2, Resurrection, Selfless

The birth of Jesus has special meaning. We must see it from the eyes of Jesus, our Messiah. We should think of why Jesus gave up the glory of heaven and humbled himself to come to earth as a man. He became a slave for us. Jesus humbled himself.

Forget about the baby and see the man on the cross, dying for us. Jesus didn’t come to give us Christmas trees filled with gifts. Jesus came to give us a cross and an empty tomb.

Above all else, Jesus humbled himself to be obedient to God, his father. His obedience led to his exaltation.

It wasn’t about the manager. It was all about the cross, the empty tomb and his mighty resurrection.

All honor and glory to Jesus, our Messiah.

Think of yourselves the way the Messiah Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus the Messiah, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

Source: Philippians 2:5-11 MSG – Think of yourselves the way Christ – Bible Gateway

Is my obedience not so much out of love as it is out of carefulness? “Just tell me what to do, God, and I’ll do it.”

Tags

Desire, Fear, God is Good, Jesus, Love, Matthew 25, Obedience, Passion

Jesus told of the man who entrusted three of his servants with thousands of dollars, urging them to handle his affairs well while he was away. When he returned, he listened eagerly to their reports.

The first two fellows went out into the marketplace and doubled their investment. As a result, they were handsomely rewarded.

The third servant was not so fortunate. His gold was taken from him, and he was thrown into “outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” My goodness.

Why? All he did was bury the money under the porch until his master’s return.

Most of us would probably agree with the path he chose-at least the money was safe there. But listen to the man’s reasoning.

Speaking to his master, he said, “I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it” (see Matt. 25:14-30 NLT). He was afraid of the master, whom he saw as a hard man. He didn’t trust his master’s heart.

The issue isn’t capital gains- it’s what we think of God. Are  we saying the same thing: “God, I don’t dare desire because I fear you; I think you are hard-hearted.”

Or do we see our Father as someone who loves us more than anyone else can. Someone who has our best interests at heart.

Even though we may profess at one level a genuine faith in him, at another level are we like the third servant? My obedience is not so much out of love as it is out of carefulness. “Just tell me what to do, God, and I’ll do it.”

The deepest moral issue is always what we, in our heart of hearts, believe about God. And nothing reveals this belief as clearly as what we do with our desire.

“Grace doesn’t overlook sin, it empowers obedience.” ~~Bill Johnson

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Bill Johnson, Grace, Jesus, Obedience, Sin

Grace leads us somewhere very important. It leads us to where Jesus wants us to go. Grace leads us to “obedience land”.

What a glorious place. What a powerful gift. 

“Grace doesn’t overlook sin, it empowers obedience.” ~~Bill Johnson

Is God our friend?

Tags

Friend, Jesus, Maturity, Messiah, Obedience

Mature

We start out as slaves. Our path to maturity starts with servitude and obedience. I saw this in my relationship with my father. I had to learn obedience first. When I matured, we became the closest of friends. He treated me that way and I responded. That was so cool.

The same is true with our heavenly Father. We are his friends. He tells us His most innermost feelings and secrets. God wants us to have a heart after Him and wants us to live in intimacy with Him. He wants this far and away above obedience.

God wants us to mature. He wants us to move beyond servitude. He wants us to be His friend. He wants us to co-reign with the Messiah Jesus.

What is Jesus saying to me today that requires supernatural courage?

Tags

Courage, Obedience, Peter

Courage

There were two who walked on water. Jesus wasn’t the only one. Peter had supernatural courage. Jesus said one word. It was “come”. Peter did.

What is Jesus saying to me that requires supernatural courage? It could be just one word. God has a goal for me today. I must discover what it is. I must have courage to act on it. It is all about what God wants. It is nothing about what I want.

May I move at His word. May I have supernatural courage. May I live in the new plan.

"Quiet! Get out of him!" ~~Jesus to the demons in a man

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Authority, Demons, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 1, Master, Obedience

Jesus has authority over everything. To the demons He says “Get out” and they do. They know who Jesus is. They obey Him.

They also know why Jesus had come. Jesus, my Master, came to destroy the evil ones. And Jesus has. Jesus died for me. Jesus was buried like a man. Jesus, the son of our Heavenly Father, was raised up from the dead. Jesus is victorious. Jesus ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God, ruling over all things.

Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars.

Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!”

Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out.

Mark 1:25-26 The Message

” God the Father has his eye on each of you.” ~Apostle Peter

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1 Peter 1, Apostle Peter Sayings, God's Goal, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Messiah, Obedience

Eye of God

God has given me an assignment. Jesus personally has a mission for me. I must focus on knowing what it is and doing it.

God never forgets about us. Never, ever. I am not off God’s radar screen. God is in a good mood and keeping up with me.

God has given me the Holy Spirit to help me be obedient. I can’t do it on my own. When I try, I fail to realize God’s goal for me. Jesus sacrificed his life to keep me obedient.

God has amazing things in store for me. Every good thing is intended to be mine. Rumors to the contrary are from my enemy. God is on my side. God has his eye on me. God is God and will make it happen.

I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!

Source: 1 Peter 1:1-2

“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.” ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jesus, Messiah, Obedience

Love and Obey

When Jesus says it is time to go, it is time to move on. To not obey is deadly to our soul.

The Holy Spirit has been sent to guide us. It is a moment by moment kind of thing. What does God want me to do right now?

There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

“The great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you.” ~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 10, Messiah, Miracles, Obedience

Miracles Happen

Jesus, the Messiah and our Master, challenges to understand what is remarkable about this powerful life in the Spirit of God. It is not about the miracles. It is all about knowing and acting on God being in charge. That is the big deal.

God is God. God is great. It is all about God. There is nothing else. That is the only thing that should give us pleasure. Jesus reminds us all the time that the only thing he did is what he saw God doing. It is all about obedience.

Jesus said, “I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I’ve given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.” Luke 10:18-20

“If we obey God, it is going to cost other people more than it costs us.” ~~Oswald Chambers

Tags

God's Will, Obedience, Oswald Chambers

Obey God

Am I willing to let others experience pain because I am following Jesus?

Obedience brings joy to the believer. To the friends and family of the believer, it may bring pain. We have to decide who we are going to please. Love makes the difference.

“If we obey God, it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the pain begins.” ~~Oswald Chambers 

“Though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do.” ~Author of Hebrews

Tags

Hebrews 5, Jesus, Messiah, Obedience, Suffering, Trust

How do we learn trusting-obedience? This is not an answer we want to hear. We learn trust and obedience by suffering. That is how our Master Jesus, the Messiah, learned it. That is how we learn it. It is the process God uses.

We surely wish it could be another way. This is the only way however. This is the way of God, our Father. The is by doing what God wants. Do we believe God has our best interests at heart? Once we clear that hurdle, obedience is right around the corner.

Trust and obedience, in God’s world, are linked. We can’t trust if we don’t obey.

Thank God for the Holy Spirit who helps us. Thank God our Master Jesus can be trusted. May I be obedient to God.

While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God. Because he honored God, God answered him. Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him. (Hebrews 5:7-10)

“Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient.” ~Author of Hebrews

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Hebrews 4, Jesus, Messiah, Obedience, Promise, Rest

We have the promise. It has not been fulfilled yet. We can receive it today even though in the past it has gone unfulfilled.

We can obey. We can rest. Today is the day. Now is the time. God is faithful. If we let God take over, we can rest.

Our place of rest comes in our obedience to God and what He wants to have happen today. He has a plan.

May I listen and obey. That is my part.

God made that vow, even though he’d finished his part before the foundation of the world. Somewhere it’s written, “God rested the seventh day, having completed his work,” but in this other text he says, “They’ll never be able to sit down and rest.” So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient. God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today, just as he did in David’s psalm, centuries later than the original invitation: Today, please listen, don’t turn a deaf ear . . . Hebrews 4:3-7

"I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide to act." ~~Jesus

Tags

Act, Decide, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Listen, Obedience

Jesus only does what he hears the Father say to do. That is His standard for us as well. We are living in Jesus’ new government if we do what God asks us to do.

Jesus knows the source of his power and life. The life of a disciple of Jesus is one all about listening to God and deciding to act on what God wants us to do. That is the source of power in God’s world.

Notice the sequence.

• Listen
• Decide
• Act

“I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide to act.” ~~Jesus (John 5:30-33 The Message)

"You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Messiah, Obedience, Trust

Jesus can be trusted. Jesus doesn’t have a self serving bone in His body. Jesus only does what He sees the Father doing. That is it. Jesus is all about loving God. Jesus always realizes God’s goal. Jesus is the perfect Son.

Jesus challenges us to live the same way with the same power of God’s Holy Spirit. We can trust Jesus. Jesus is looking out for our best interests.

Obedience becomes the central issue. Will we carry out orders? Will we obey God?

“You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders.” ~~Jesus (John 5:30-33 The Message)

“Because Jesus honored God, God answered him.” ~Author of Hebrews

Tags

Answer, God, Hebrews 5, Honor, Jesus, Messiah, Obedience

Jesus is all about doing what He sees His Father doing. He listens to God. Jesus doesn’t do anything without hearing from God first. In his heart and soul, he is all about listening.

Jesus knows what is in God’s heart. He was obedient to the point of giving everything up, coming to live with us, perfectly following everything His Father wanted Him to do. Jesus understands what God’s goal is at any given moment.

Jesus honored God.

What was the result of this perfect obedience? God answered Him. Jesus became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him.

I think the essence of honor is obedience.

“Because Jesus honored God, God answered him.” (Hebrews 5:8) 

"Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 10, Obedience

Jesus challenges us and gives some good advice. Focus on today’s needs and not long term plans. It runs counter to many things we hear. The whole culture of planning and success theology are at odds with what Jesus demands.

God is in control. Our plans don’t matter much at all. Not to God anyway.

Jesus demands we follow a different path. Travel light!!

 “Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.” ~~Jesus (Luke 10:4 The Message)

“Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of unbelief.” ~~Edwin Louis Cole

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Edwin Louise Cole, Faith, Jesus, Obedience

Love and Obey

God asks us to have faith that He knows what is good for us. God then asks to act on our faith. To not act is to believe in the goodness of God.

Jesus knew this and was completely obedient.

Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of unbelief. Edwin Louis Cole

"God has given His commands to us, but we pay no attention to them, … because we do not truly love and respect Him." ~~Oswald Chambers

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Disobey, Love, Obedience, Oswald Chambers

Love of God

Is it about obedience or is it about love?

We like to think it is about obedience. That is the easy answer but it is just a symptom.

God wants our love. Love leads to obedience. The sequence is important.

“We don’t consciously and deliberately disobey God— we simply don’t listen to Him. God has given His commands to us, but we pay no attention to them— not because of willful disobedience, but because we do not truly love and respect Him.” ~~Oswald Chambers

The Digital Ministry: A Manifesto

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Authority, Digital Ministry, Disciples, God Thoughts, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mission, Obedience, Worship

Radical Sayings of Jesus

Jesus has a mission for us. He commissioned us. He commanded us to do it. He demands we pay attention. This isn’t optional. So let us pay attention to what He wants.

His mission for us starts with go out and train. The audience is everyone near and far. What a wonderful time we live in right now. If we see our mission as a digital ministry, we have the tools to go out and train, near and far. Not only do we have some amazing tools today, the pace of change is accelerating so fast that the new tools that will come in the next few years will make our heads spin. They don’t make God’s head spin though. It is His intent that we use them to make disciples all over the world.

What an amazing God we serve.

So … here starts the manifesto for the digital ministry. Fasten your seat belts, it may be a bumpy ride but God will use us when we listen to Him about this exciting world. Let’s not hold back, risking ourselves totally.

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.

Source: (Matthew 28:15-20 The Message)

“You have set my heart free.” ~King David

Tags

Freedom, Heart, King David Sayings, Obedience, Psalm 119

Obey God

Not only has He healed my heart, He has set it free. That freedom leads me to run in the path of His desire for my life. His freedom leads to my commitment to do what He wants for me.

Freedom leading to willing obedience is His way. And I run in it!! Willingly. Gladly.

Here are the key ideas:

1. Obedience leads to freedom.
2. God’s goal for us is for us to obey him and his commands.
3. Obedience is required because God is God.
4. God is in a good mood and sets our hearts free.

 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32

“Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” ~Jesus

Tags

Faith, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 2, Obedience, Worry

Here is a lesson in worry from our Master Jesus.

Jesus wasn’t worried. He wasn’t anxious. He was just doing what He knew to do which was be in His Father’s house.

His parents were worried. Jesus was not.

I should be concerned about doing my Father’s business and not worry about anything else.

Jesus continued to grow this way. Stuff just didn’t faze Him because He was listening to His Heavenly Father and just doing what He heard Him saying.

May I be about my Father’s business and grow in His favor. May I worry about whether I am pleasing him.

Here are the key ideas:

1. Jesus challenges us to focus on pleasing God. There is nothing more important.
2. God’s goal for us is to grow in wisdom.
3. Our growth should focus on what God thinks about us.
4. We can go from weak to strong in Jesus.

When they saw Him, they were astonished ; and His mother said to Him, “Son , why have You treated us this way ? Behold , Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:48-52

 

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow." ~~Jesus

Tags

Focus, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Kingdom, Love, Matthew 6, Obedience, Right Now, Zephaniah 3

Jesus challenges us to focus on what God is doing today, right now. That is all that Jesus did. He focused like no one else on that one thing. He gave it His entire attention. Nothing else matters. This is not easy at all. It is not the way of this world. It is the way of God’s world (Kingdom).

In our culture, we are big on planning. It is an obsession. It is big business. We all want to be strategic. We miss today’s opportunities as a result.

The other side of this is equally disturbing. We whine and complain about what God didn’t do yesterday. We miss what God is doing by choosing to see what he didn’t do.

Jerusalem will be told:  “Don’t be afraid. Dear Zion, don’t despair. Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.  Zephaniah 3:17 The Message (MSG)

Jesus knew that if we did today what God wants us to, tomorrow will take care of itself.

Here are the key ideas:

1. Jesus challenges us to focus exclusively on what God is doing.
2. God’s goal is for us to be obedient to him. God wants us to love him.
3. God is God and it isn’t our place to question what he is doing. God is a mighty warrior. God is committed to seeing us through to the end.
4. God is in a good mood and takes care of our needs today and always.
5. God is great and doing amazing things right now.

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34 The Message)

“We are His workmanship, created in the Messiah Jesus for good works.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

Apostle Paul Sayings, Ephesians 2, Jesus, Obedience

Goal

There is no plan B. There is no backup plan. Contingencies are out the door. God has a goal for me and my life. I need to lean into Jesus and hear the plan for today.

The enemy lies to me leading me to believe if I don’t do what my Father wants, then someone else will do it. That isn’t the truth.

Here is the truth. God created me to join Him in the work He is doing. This is the good work He has gotten ready for me to do. This is the work I had better be doing. He doesn’t have anyone else in mind to do it. He doesn’t have a plan B. There is no backup plan. It is His plan for me.

God is ready. Am I?

For we are His workmanship, created in the Messiah Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Who are we to question God?

Tags

God is God, Jesus, Obedience

God is God

Who are we to question God?

The answer is we are in no position to question Him. God is God. God does whatever pleases Himself. God has a plan even though it isn’t clear to us. It doesn’t need to be clear to us. In due time, we vaguely see what God has in mind.

God’s goal for us is that we wait on Him, seek His way and do what He wants us to do.

God is God. God does whatever is right, in His eyes. God doesn’t need our approval. God doesn’t need our permission. Period. End of story.

We are no one. God is God.

"One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons." ~~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Tags

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Obedience

Obey God

We love to hear great speeches and sermons. They stir us. They get us thinking.

Do they get us to act on the word of God?

Jesus wants obedience. He challenges us to act to achieve God’s goals.

One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons. ~~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Leaders who want a culture of honor so they’ll be treated better miss the point. Honor is the atmosphere in which the people of God become their best." ~Bill Johnson

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Bill Johnson, Honor, Obedience

Honor

Honor is not about what others think of us. God’s goal for us is that we honor God. God wants to be first in our life.

It is not about how we are treated. People of God may, in fact, be mistreated.

Leaders who want a culture of honor so they’ll be treated better miss the point. Honor is the atmosphere in which the people of God become their best. ~Bill Johnson

"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." ~~Bertand Russell

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Bertrand Russell, Obedience, Time

 

The time has come

We are so into “time management” that we loose site of the fact that, in Jesus, we are going to live forever. Now that is a long time.

Doing what God wants us to do is not time wasted. The question is do I enjoy doing God’s will?

That is the goal. That is where my pleasure should come in. That is not time wasted.

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. ~~Bertand Russell

"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus Sayings, Matthew, Matthew 6, Obedience

God wants us to act on what He is talking with us about. Jesus gets that.

Jesus knows what the Father is doing and He does that. He acts on His Father’s words. He knows the vital connection between knowing and doing.

Jesus challenges us to listen to our Father and act on what we hear. There is a vital connection between what God is doing and what I should be doing.

Is God forgiving me? I must forgive myself and everyone else.

Is God healing me? I must bring others to God’s healing hand.

What is God doing? Am I doing it as well?

“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 6:14 The Message)

"Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes." ~~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Faith, Obedience

Faithfulness

Faith and obedience are joined together. You can’t separate them from each other.

May I believe what God is telling me and act on God’s word.

Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes. ~~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Wake yourself up and look to God." ~~Oswald Chambers

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God's Will, Obedience, Oswald Chambers

Obey God

Jesus is clear that we need to look to God for everything. We get lost, we need to stop and check in with God. What does God want us to do right now. That is the essential question.

Wake yourself up and look to God. ~~Oswald Chambers

“Obedience is thicker than blood.” ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 3, Obedience, Priority

Radical Sayings of Jesus

Jesus is clear with us. The most important thing in our life is to obey God. That is it. That is God’s goal for us.

On a number of occasions Jesus drives the point home that family is not the number one priority. That is unsettling but that is the message of Jesus. Jesus did not ever say this is first and this is second and this is third. Jesus did not rank things that way.

With Jesus it is only about obeying God. That is the only thing not the first thing.

Just then his mother and brothers showed up. Standing outside, they relayed a message that they wanted a word with him. He was surrounded by the crowd when he was given the message, “Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside looking for you.”

Jesus responded, “Who do you think are my mother and brothers?” Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, “Right here, right in front of you—my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”  (Mark 3:31-35 The Message)

"The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us." ~~Oswald Chambers

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Faithfulness, Freedom, Obedience, Oswald Chambers

Obey God

It is all about God. God is God. He will have His way, in us and in the world.

It is all about what God wants to do through us. It is not about what we will do for him.

God’s goal is for us to be obedient to what He wants to do. It is all about obedience.

Period. End of story.

The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us. ~~Oswald Chambers

"My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God’s Word. Obedience is thicker than blood." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus Sayings, Loyalty, Luke 8, Obedience

Radical Sayings of Jesus

Jesus challenges us to see the reality of GOD’s World (Kingdom).

Who is our family? Who are our mother’s, brothers and sisters? What is family all about?

What is that reality?

Obedience is the only thing that matters.

Who is obeying GOD? They are our family. We need to be loyal to them. We need to love them.

Jesus throws conventional wisdom on its ear. Blood is not the thicker than water.

It is all about who is doing what GOD wants to have done today. Find them. Connect with them. They are our family.

“My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do GOD’s Word. Obedience is thicker than blood.” ~~Jesus (Luke 8:21 The Message)

 

“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies.” ~Apostle Paul

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2 Corinthians, Culture, Emotion, Obedience, Truth, World

Culture of Corruption

All it takes is to watch the evening news to know we live in a massively corrupt culture. God’s goal is that we tear down the massively corrupt culture of this world and replace it with God’s culture and society.

Our Father has given us tools to demolish that culture. To bring it right down.

I can’t fight it the same way the world does. My tools are different. Will I allow God to demolish it in my life?

May I live a life of obedience that leads to maturity.

May I receive the good news of God’s new goal for me.

May I not miss God’s goal in my life today.

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by the Messiah. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. 2 Corinthians 10

 

"You scratch out God’s Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this." ~~Jesus

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Bible, God's Word, Jesus Sayings, Mark 7, Obedience

Jesus is talking to religious people. That could be us.

Jesus challenges us to really understand what God is saying and to quit making up things that only benefit what we want.

Jesus isn’t looking for selfish people. Jesus doesn’t want us to be religious and quote scripture for our own benefit. He knows we do this way too much.

God’s goal for  us is to search out His word and act on what He is asking us to do.

“You scratch out God’s Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this.” ~~Jesus (Mark 7:13 The Message)

 

“God isn’t pleased at being ignored.” ~Apostle Paul

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Apostle Paul Sayings, Focus, Freedom, God's Will, Obedience, Romans 8

Am I focused on God?

That is an essential question. It may be the only question worth considering most of the time.

God’s goal is for us to focus on Him and what He wants. That is it.

Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored. Romans 8:5-8

“I’ll go. Send me.” ~Isaiah

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Isaiah 6, Obedience

Obey God

Isaiah was an amazing man of God. He stood in God’s presence. He knew God intimately. One day he heard God say “Whom will I send?”

He didn’t look around to look and see who God was talking to. Isaiah heard the voice of his Master. Isaiah understood that God’s goal for us is obedience. That was Isaiah’s heart.

God wasn’t necessarily talking to Isaiah. God needed someone to go on a mission for Him.

Isaiah answered even though God wasn’t talking to him. He was ready and had a heart to go.

And then I heard the voice of the Master: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”

I spoke up, “I’ll go. Send me!”

via Isaiah 6:8 MSG – Holy Holy Holy In the year that King – Bible Gateway.

"But you weasel out of that by saying …." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus Sayings, Mark 7, Obedience, Religious

Radical Sayings of Jesus

Jesus is direct with us about twisting God’s words and using them to our advantage. Jesus knows what His Father said and meant. We do too.

We can’t weasel out by trying to change the intent. Jesus challenges us to not be religious. It is all about knowing God, listening to God and doing what our loving Father wants us to.

Obedience is preferred over sacrifice.

May I believe what God has said and act on it.

Moses said, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel out of that by saying that it’s perfectly acceptable to say to father or mother, ‘Gift! What I owed you I’ve given as a gift to God,’ thus relieving yourselves of obligation to father or mother. (Mark 7:10 The Message)

"You get rid of God’s command so you won’t be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions! " ~~Jesus

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Jesus Sayings, Mark 7, Obedience

God’s Commandments

Jesus challenges us to obey God and not follow the latest religious fads. God is clear in what He wants us to do. Religious leaders can deceive us with various fashionable and trendy ideas. This is not God’s way.

Our way is to “interpret” God’s word to our advantage. Jesus knows we do it. He demands that we stop.

God’s word and way is clear.

May we follow it today and every day.

Jesus went on, “Well, good for you. You get rid of God’s command so you won’t be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions! Moses said, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel out of that by saying that it’s perfectly acceptable to say to father or mother, ‘Gift! What I owed you I’ve given as a gift to God,’ thus relieving yourselves of obligation to father or mother. You scratch out God’s Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this.” (Mark 7:9 -13 The Message)

“A wise heart takes orders; an empty head will come unglued.” ~~King Solomon

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Authority, King Solomon, Obedience, Orders, Proverbs 10, Wise Sayings

Order

We live in a world where we must respond to others and take orders. We have bosses, police, parents, teachers and the list goes on.

It is a matter of the heart. Do we have a heart that respects authority? If so, we are wise.

There is another side of this. Do we come unglued when someone in authority asks us to do something? King Solomon concludes we have an empty head. As my dad would say, “That is not right bright”.

God’s goal for us for us to obey. Obey authority here and in heaven.

“A wise heart takes orders; an empty head will come unglued.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:8)

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

Ephesians 5, Obedience, Results, Work

Down with busywork

Not all work is the same. Some things are much more important in the Kingdom than others. I shouldn’t waste my time on useless work.

God is clear that some things we focus on just don’t produce any results. They are useless. They are a tree that doesn’t bear any fruit.

God’s goal for us is that we focus on His world and expose anything that isn’t productive.

Am I just doing busywork? Do I see that as a sham? How would this look in the light of Jesus and His glory?

May I know what He wants me to do and may I do it with enthusiasm!!

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them–Ephesians 5:11

 

 

“Beware of the inclination to dictate to God what consequences you would allow as a condition of your obedience.” ~Oswald Chambers

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Obedience, Oswald Chambers

Oswald Chambers

When I see things from my world, I can fall into the trap that I can “dictate to God” how I want things to happen.

God is God and it is only what he wants that matters. My role is only an issue of hearing His word and obeying Him.

Beware of the inclination to dictate to God what consequences you would allow as a condition of your obedience ~Oswald Chambers http://ow.ly/VfjW

“So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride.” ~Apostle Peter

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1 Peter 4, Faith, God is God, Obedience, Trust

God is God

God is God. That means He knows what He is doing even if I don’t get it. His answer is the right answer. His timing is the right timing. He is God.

My job is give all my difficulties to Him and trust Him. He cares about me in ways I can’t understand. God can do anything He wants to. He is in a good mood and wants the best for us. This is obsession every day. What is in our best interest is God’s every desire.

God’s goal for is for us to trust Him. God doesn’t want to be anxious or live in fear.

Yep, He is God and He isn’t going to stop being God. May I live my life that way.

So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it. 1 Peter 4:17

 

 

“He that cannot obey cannot command.” ~Benjamin Franklin

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Ben Franklin, Obedience, Service

Ben Franklin

Every one focuses on “being charge”. Leadership is the rage.

Being a servant is the first order of business. If fact, serving is the business.

 

 

“He that cannot obey cannot command.” ~Benjamin Franklin