Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and King!
It has been a while, I hope everyone's "holy day season" is being blessed and will continue to be.
Well, to get right into it, I cannot begin to do this topic proper justice, but I will make an attempt. I seek to express my heart of these 2 vitally important aspects of our walk with Christ.
What is "prophetic imagination"? Basically the imagination Jesus Christ had, even more so the essence of God. Think about it. God uses some seriously interesting ways to reach people, a burning bush, a talking donkey, and the best of all, God putting on flesh! As stated by Shane Claiborne, "Until we have the sort of imagination that Jesus had to upstage hoarding and to celebrate a dream more liberating than the American dream, nothing will change".
If I had to define prophetic imagination, I would say its using the Holy Spirit creative force to reach the masses with the Gospel. Picture all the ideas...!!!
Just to reference, and now I am ashamed I even attempted to write this blog before reading..
The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann.
Now, using the prophetic imagination think about the mission. As Christians we are commanded to be on mission, spreading the gospel of Christ Jesus. All of us!!!
So, if we use this "prophetic imagination" in our everyday life, to fully persuade others of the truth that is in the gospel, what would our conversations be like.
I truly believe, that if we as Christian, devoted Christ-followers, begin to fully understand and live out the mission of Christ, we will "turn the world upside-down", just as the Apostles did in the 1st Century!
We have to become missional, and this will radically revolutionize everything we think we understand about the "Christian life".
Our Church gathering will be more than a song, dance, and sermon - rather it will be a time to gather as Believers and share and express all that the Lord is doing through us in our community.
Our lives will be so consumed with purpose we will not have as much worry or complacency of the whole sin matter.
Our Gospel (Good news of Christ) will make so much more sense to the world that so desperately needs it. Rather than repent and believe, it will be repent and live. Live this life that makes so much more sense.
And our conversation....
What did you and fellow Christians talk about after Church this week? gossip?
Consider, this...We will actually be able to gather and impact lives by all that the Lord is doing through us..Think of all the stories the 1st Century Believers could share! Or even more, think of the Chinese Church and how many stories they can tell! We have fallen short!
If and when we begin to follow the Jesus Christ, that SENT OUT the Believers, we can begin to be CHRISTIAN SUPER-HEROES!
Yes more to come....
Love to the body of Christ,
and a broken heart for the lost,
in the name of Jesus Christ,
Michael Miano
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. (I Thessalonians 2:8)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
What is this?
Yes, thats the title, because that is what I am sitting here saying about this whole thing we call "Church". Suprised?
Well, its been a while since I blogged so a little update...I finished reading "An Irresistible Revolution" (yes, the book was awesome, thats a whole other topic in and of itself). I have been listening to alot of Francis Chan sermons, so I have been getting fed some serious Spiritual meat. Also, been delving into mennonite studies and New Monastics. So, its safe to assume, this will be a "radical" blog.
Main thought- WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
So lately I have been thinking, what really is the good news? Is it the Spiritual "pie in the sky" message many preach, or how about the plain and simple, "social gospel"? It's very clean that we need to be clear on this because Scripture makes it quite clear that there are true and false gospels out there (2 Corinthians 11:4 & Galatians 1:9; and the devil is not a complete idiot to try and pass off something that is totally out there).
Yes, I put my study skills to use. Through studying I realized that the true Gospel of Christ Jesus is very Spiritual and also very practical, but in no way is the gospel tracks of I have seen the gospel of Christ. So I have taken a vow not to hand out these "gospel tracks" anymore. Bye Bye, "This could be your last 5 minutes alive" (that was the title of my latest set of 100 tracks).
As Christians would should be displaying the "kingdom of heaven on earth". Thats what this is all about "the kingdom of God" (refer to my first couple blogs). We yell to the unbelieving masses, "There is another way!!!". Most people are unsatisfied and are living a life totally outside God's best for them. Basically, feeding the pigs (read through Luke 15:11-31).
Th ultimate message of the Gospel of Christ is "come home", be who God created you to be, and live the life God has predestined for you. Why you ask? Because you know that this world has nothing to offer, look around, look within yourself...Let's be real!
Here is a brief essay I wrote the other day titled "A Compromised Mission".
Have we, the Christians compromised the mission? Do we focus on seemingly insignificant things in an effort to avoid having to deal with the real issues (lets say post-modernism)? I.E.- Materialistic culture, apathetic Christianity, lukewarm faith which has led us to a lack of persecution, lack of care and concern for the lost, this new version of "churchianity". Or even worse, do we focus on these things as a cover-up because we like what we have now, rather than going back to the ways of the 1st Century church? Look at the fruit then!!!
I always say "its not necessarily what you do that is sin, but rather what you dont do". Think about the gospel centered life, is it about being a sinless puritan or rather in the gospel a message of a whole different way of life? Doesnt scripture teach us that God will prune us of sin? Was sin a NT church focus? What does the church in China have to say about "our gospel"? What do they focus on? The mission! What if we focus on the mission, and allow God to do the work in us, rather than have a self-centered, create a partal sanitized life gospel?
Dont compromise the mission!!!
What about our faith is worth dying for? What is the "gospel"?
The unbeliever says- "wow this life sucks!"
Christians following Christ should be yelling back- "There is another way, the kingdom of
God stands in opposition to the ways of this world that dont lead to happiness. Where this world leads to death and destruction, the gospel of Christ leads to peace and abundant life!
Well, its been a while since I blogged so a little update...I finished reading "An Irresistible Revolution" (yes, the book was awesome, thats a whole other topic in and of itself). I have been listening to alot of Francis Chan sermons, so I have been getting fed some serious Spiritual meat. Also, been delving into mennonite studies and New Monastics. So, its safe to assume, this will be a "radical" blog.
Main thought- WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
So lately I have been thinking, what really is the good news? Is it the Spiritual "pie in the sky" message many preach, or how about the plain and simple, "social gospel"? It's very clean that we need to be clear on this because Scripture makes it quite clear that there are true and false gospels out there (2 Corinthians 11:4 & Galatians 1:9; and the devil is not a complete idiot to try and pass off something that is totally out there).
Yes, I put my study skills to use. Through studying I realized that the true Gospel of Christ Jesus is very Spiritual and also very practical, but in no way is the gospel tracks of I have seen the gospel of Christ. So I have taken a vow not to hand out these "gospel tracks" anymore. Bye Bye, "This could be your last 5 minutes alive" (that was the title of my latest set of 100 tracks).
As Christians would should be displaying the "kingdom of heaven on earth". Thats what this is all about "the kingdom of God" (refer to my first couple blogs). We yell to the unbelieving masses, "There is another way!!!". Most people are unsatisfied and are living a life totally outside God's best for them. Basically, feeding the pigs (read through Luke 15:11-31).
Th ultimate message of the Gospel of Christ is "come home", be who God created you to be, and live the life God has predestined for you. Why you ask? Because you know that this world has nothing to offer, look around, look within yourself...Let's be real!
Here is a brief essay I wrote the other day titled "A Compromised Mission".
Have we, the Christians compromised the mission? Do we focus on seemingly insignificant things in an effort to avoid having to deal with the real issues (lets say post-modernism)? I.E.- Materialistic culture, apathetic Christianity, lukewarm faith which has led us to a lack of persecution, lack of care and concern for the lost, this new version of "churchianity". Or even worse, do we focus on these things as a cover-up because we like what we have now, rather than going back to the ways of the 1st Century church? Look at the fruit then!!!
I always say "its not necessarily what you do that is sin, but rather what you dont do". Think about the gospel centered life, is it about being a sinless puritan or rather in the gospel a message of a whole different way of life? Doesnt scripture teach us that God will prune us of sin? Was sin a NT church focus? What does the church in China have to say about "our gospel"? What do they focus on? The mission! What if we focus on the mission, and allow God to do the work in us, rather than have a self-centered, create a partal sanitized life gospel?
Dont compromise the mission!!!
What about our faith is worth dying for? What is the "gospel"?
The unbeliever says- "wow this life sucks!"
Christians following Christ should be yelling back- "There is another way, the kingdom of
God stands in opposition to the ways of this world that dont lead to happiness. Where this world leads to death and destruction, the gospel of Christ leads to peace and abundant life!
Friday, October 23, 2009
RE-defining "Church"! (Me and Shane Claiborne)
Well, its been a while…
I recently read what I might consider my best, though provoking read yet, The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
I had heard so much about the book, and searched through bookstores until I found it. What pushed me over the edge to HAVE TO READ was the story of Brandt Russo
http://adventure.wrecked.org/?filename=homeless-jesus&redirected=wreckedfortheordinary.com
So, I wanted to rehash some of the stuff in the book that provoked me to thought..
“Don’t let the world steal your soul. Being a Christian is about choosing Jesus and deciding to do something incredibly daring with your life”.
Wow- where did this attitude go? That’s so true..study the lives of the apostles, their lives were WRECKED!
One might ask, what is the “irresistible revolution”?
“There is a movement bubbling up that goes beyond cynicism and celebrates a new way of living, a generation that stops complaining about the church it sees and becomes the church it dreams of. And this little revolution is irresistible”. -I so needed to read that. I myself am not satisfied with what we call Church today, but at the same time, we know Christ Jesus loved the Church, died for the Church. I am so done with complaining and hearing people complain, its about time to BE THE CHURCH!
The motto of Freaked-Out Fellowship is “Turning the world upside-down”, so you know I loved it when Shane spoke about really taking in what Jesus said as if He meant it, and this could “turn the world upside-down”.
That’s the key- taking Christ Jesus at His Word and following Him!Basically to try and sum up some of the stuff I underlined…..,
Shane decided to truly live up to this “Irresistible Revolution”. He slept on streets with homeless people, lived with mother Teresa in a Leper Colony in Calcutta (Yes, you read that right!!!). Came home and lived and lives our authentic Christianity…
Oh man, I am so convicted!
A common problem I have is that I always do these deep searches of myself and ask God in prayer-”Where am I called?”..Shane makes it clear- “…rather than waiting around for God’s special plan for your life, you should just go find where God is already at work and join in”.
Totemism- making God in our own image!
“God created us in His image, and we decided to return the favor”- George Bernard Shaw
Shane’s book has given me such as desire to go back and study Church History (AGAIN). Take a good look at the book of Acts (something I love and urge all to study), also the sociology of the 1st Century Church. As well, as Monastics and other interesting stuff, that could so set us on fire today. A FIRE SO DESPERATELY NEEDED!
I truly hate economics and talk of such. I hate math, numbers, and our materialistic culture…So do!!! The way Shane talked about economics was so intriguing. He convicted me on some of my ways, and how selling everything isn’t going to create community, all that happens as community is formed. The way he explained “radical interdependence” was well put and answered my question on how a ministry should be supported!.
“Until we have the sort of imagination Jesus had to upstage hoarding and to celebrate a dream more liberating than the American dream, nothing will change. Until we have the courage to risk and scheme ways of redistribution with the same passion and fervor with which people scramble after wealth, the market will overpower God’s vision of JUBILEE. (oh yeah, that’s an entire story in and of itself)
Fear of God- It’s not about fearing hell, because we have been told that “the gates of hell with not prevail against the church”. But rather, the fear that we have no idea what following Jesus Christ will lead us to next. Or better said “I have no idea what in the world God’s going to dare me to do next”.
“Christians should be troublemakers, creators of uncertainty, agents of a dimension incompatible with society”- Jacques Ellul - JESUS FREAKS STAND UP!!!
Awesome coined term- “Theological Pranksters” (more to come on that…)
“…..we need more fools, holy fools who insist that the folly of the cross is wiser than any human power. And the world may call us crazy”.
How so? - “alternatives to existing world structures, of bartering communities, of money collectives for emergencies (instead of insurance), of prophetic interruptions to war and theft, of sustainable urban gardening and eco-energy alternatives, of using trash and wreckage of the consumptive world to create things that bring life and beauty”.
OK, so I apologize not much of an editorial blogger. Ha ha! That was basically my thoughts as I sat here fanning though the book. I would STRONGLY urge you to read the book, maybe a chapter after your Biblical devotions?
The book has sparked so many ideas in me…basically what Shane talked about in the book as “prophetic imagination" (which I will be blogging about soon!).
Really are you satisfied with the state of Christ’s bride? How about the state of the world? Let’s get to work!!!
Love you all, in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
http://www.freakedoutfellowship.weebly.com
Check out The Simple Way website: (Shane Claiborne’s “church”)
http://www.thesimpleway.org/
I recently read what I might consider my best, though provoking read yet, The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
I had heard so much about the book, and searched through bookstores until I found it. What pushed me over the edge to HAVE TO READ was the story of Brandt Russo
http://adventure.wrecked.org/?filename=homeless-jesus&redirected=wreckedfortheordinary.com
So, I wanted to rehash some of the stuff in the book that provoked me to thought..
“Don’t let the world steal your soul. Being a Christian is about choosing Jesus and deciding to do something incredibly daring with your life”.
Wow- where did this attitude go? That’s so true..study the lives of the apostles, their lives were WRECKED!
One might ask, what is the “irresistible revolution”?
“There is a movement bubbling up that goes beyond cynicism and celebrates a new way of living, a generation that stops complaining about the church it sees and becomes the church it dreams of. And this little revolution is irresistible”. -I so needed to read that. I myself am not satisfied with what we call Church today, but at the same time, we know Christ Jesus loved the Church, died for the Church. I am so done with complaining and hearing people complain, its about time to BE THE CHURCH!
The motto of Freaked-Out Fellowship is “Turning the world upside-down”, so you know I loved it when Shane spoke about really taking in what Jesus said as if He meant it, and this could “turn the world upside-down”.
That’s the key- taking Christ Jesus at His Word and following Him!Basically to try and sum up some of the stuff I underlined…..,
Shane decided to truly live up to this “Irresistible Revolution”. He slept on streets with homeless people, lived with mother Teresa in a Leper Colony in Calcutta (Yes, you read that right!!!). Came home and lived and lives our authentic Christianity…
Oh man, I am so convicted!
A common problem I have is that I always do these deep searches of myself and ask God in prayer-”Where am I called?”..Shane makes it clear- “…rather than waiting around for God’s special plan for your life, you should just go find where God is already at work and join in”.
Totemism- making God in our own image!
“God created us in His image, and we decided to return the favor”- George Bernard Shaw
Shane’s book has given me such as desire to go back and study Church History (AGAIN). Take a good look at the book of Acts (something I love and urge all to study), also the sociology of the 1st Century Church. As well, as Monastics and other interesting stuff, that could so set us on fire today. A FIRE SO DESPERATELY NEEDED!
I truly hate economics and talk of such. I hate math, numbers, and our materialistic culture…So do!!! The way Shane talked about economics was so intriguing. He convicted me on some of my ways, and how selling everything isn’t going to create community, all that happens as community is formed. The way he explained “radical interdependence” was well put and answered my question on how a ministry should be supported!.
“Until we have the sort of imagination Jesus had to upstage hoarding and to celebrate a dream more liberating than the American dream, nothing will change. Until we have the courage to risk and scheme ways of redistribution with the same passion and fervor with which people scramble after wealth, the market will overpower God’s vision of JUBILEE. (oh yeah, that’s an entire story in and of itself)
Fear of God- It’s not about fearing hell, because we have been told that “the gates of hell with not prevail against the church”. But rather, the fear that we have no idea what following Jesus Christ will lead us to next. Or better said “I have no idea what in the world God’s going to dare me to do next”.
“Christians should be troublemakers, creators of uncertainty, agents of a dimension incompatible with society”- Jacques Ellul - JESUS FREAKS STAND UP!!!
Awesome coined term- “Theological Pranksters” (more to come on that…)
“…..we need more fools, holy fools who insist that the folly of the cross is wiser than any human power. And the world may call us crazy”.
How so? - “alternatives to existing world structures, of bartering communities, of money collectives for emergencies (instead of insurance), of prophetic interruptions to war and theft, of sustainable urban gardening and eco-energy alternatives, of using trash and wreckage of the consumptive world to create things that bring life and beauty”.
OK, so I apologize not much of an editorial blogger. Ha ha! That was basically my thoughts as I sat here fanning though the book. I would STRONGLY urge you to read the book, maybe a chapter after your Biblical devotions?
The book has sparked so many ideas in me…basically what Shane talked about in the book as “prophetic imagination" (which I will be blogging about soon!).
Really are you satisfied with the state of Christ’s bride? How about the state of the world? Let’s get to work!!!
Love you all, in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
http://www.freakedoutfellowship.weebly.com
Check out The Simple Way website: (Shane Claiborne’s “church”)
http://www.thesimpleway.org/
Thursday, September 17, 2009
"Turning the world upside-down"
Don't you love that quote? Thats my motto. AS a Believer in Christ, a sanctified trouble-maker like Jesus, thats my goal, as I believe thats what Christ, the King, wants us to be doing.
Allow me to elaborate a bit. Think of some things that are important in your life, or even better, what do you view as success? Now, pick up the Word of God, do you and God agree? (Seek 1st the Kingdom of God, and....)
That itself, is the Christian Revolution!
Think to to ressurection of Christ Jesus. He defied what this world views as normal. Rising from the dead? Wow!
I had read through, (and shared through open-air) the passage in Matthew chapter 5. Most of us know this as the Sermon on the Mount or even the Beatitudes.
Look at it...(I read it through THE MESSAGE, talk about impacting). Here I'm going to use the NIV.
Blessed are you...
"poor in Spirit", "When you mourn..", "the meek", "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness", "the merciful", "the pure in heart", "peacemakers",. ...you when you are persecuted".
Wow, ok so which of those do you see our culture promoting, actually our culture pretty much disdains all of them. That's why we need to be revolutionaries!
A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turn around") is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.
Jesus is King,
His servant,
Mike Miano
P.S.
9-11 just passed. As many of you may know, I have an "alternative view" to what really happened on 9-11. I was a 9-11 truther, and still am in many respects, for a while.
This 9-11 I went and asked 2 basic questions.
What do you believe happened on 9/11/2001?
Where was God on 9/11/2001?
The results where very encouraging.
Let me say this, I have not become "watered-down" on the political aspect, but I see the bigger picture. The revolution isnt about politics, its about the hearts of men. I do believe that when men's hearts are changed, so will politics.
AS the saying goes..Seek 1st the Kingdom of God!
Allow me to elaborate a bit. Think of some things that are important in your life, or even better, what do you view as success? Now, pick up the Word of God, do you and God agree? (Seek 1st the Kingdom of God, and....)
That itself, is the Christian Revolution!
Think to to ressurection of Christ Jesus. He defied what this world views as normal. Rising from the dead? Wow!
I had read through, (and shared through open-air) the passage in Matthew chapter 5. Most of us know this as the Sermon on the Mount or even the Beatitudes.
Look at it...(I read it through THE MESSAGE, talk about impacting). Here I'm going to use the NIV.
Blessed are you...
"poor in Spirit", "When you mourn..", "the meek", "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness", "the merciful", "the pure in heart", "peacemakers",. ...you when you are persecuted".
Wow, ok so which of those do you see our culture promoting, actually our culture pretty much disdains all of them. That's why we need to be revolutionaries!
A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turn around") is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.
Jesus is King,
His servant,
Mike Miano
P.S.
9-11 just passed. As many of you may know, I have an "alternative view" to what really happened on 9-11. I was a 9-11 truther, and still am in many respects, for a while.
This 9-11 I went and asked 2 basic questions.
What do you believe happened on 9/11/2001?
Where was God on 9/11/2001?
The results where very encouraging.
Let me say this, I have not become "watered-down" on the political aspect, but I see the bigger picture. The revolution isnt about politics, its about the hearts of men. I do believe that when men's hearts are changed, so will politics.
AS the saying goes..Seek 1st the Kingdom of God!
Monday, July 20, 2009
"Some Pretty Bad Things..."
A message to try and sum up the radical, obsessive, crazy mind of Mr. Michael Miano. (Yes, its just an attempt! lol)
OK, so let me give a little backround, last month is the matter of a week, two people made this comment about me, "must have done something really bad in the past to be that crazy about God". I could go on for days about that comment, so the best place- MY BLOG!
Well, for the curious mind...Yes I have. I was a gang member and a leader, so use your imagination of the things I took part in, seen, and did. BUT, let me say this, the worst thing I have ever done, is something I still do in part, and you do as well. That is...Shun God and not live completely devoted, dedicated to living for Him. I mean every second.
Let me introduce you to the Jesus Christ, the Messiah, that I know.
The biggest problem today is that everyone "believes in God" or "believes Jesus died for them". The word believe almost provokes the thought that it might or might not be true. Not the case here, Jesus Christ living, dying and raising from the dead is a reality in my world. (Yeah, ask me for some evidence!!).
So, live with this reality. God creates man and woman. We decide to live for ourselves and it leads us to self destruction etc...FACE IT, we suck at life, we cant do it ourselves. So God, being as awesome and creative, and loving, as He is decides to come to Earth as man and live among us, to show us an example, and then die to make eternal life a reality! Truly follow Him, and His example and we will live forever.
Ok, so let me give some study information for those of you who might find the excuse, "ahh he just went off the deep end". 1st, I would reccomend the lastest trend- Crazy Love by Francis Chan (Confession- I have yet to read it, but study notes from others are enough to convince me).
Ok, first all sin is equal (JAMES 2:10-11), so its not that I have commited some crazy sin and am trying to make up for it. Plus, scripture tells us that we cannot earn salvation by good works, so regardless that wouldnt work(Ephesians 2:8,9).
You want to know why I am so devoted? Because the reality of Gods love for me, makes Him so worthy for me to live like that and also GOD COMMANDS IT!
I know ALL the things you DO, that you are neither HOT nor COLD. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like LUKEWARM WATER (BAD WATER), neither Hot nor Cold (GOOD WATER), I WILL SPIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH!
Revelations 3:14-22
Well hope that explained some...Always open to explain more.
with Love and Truth,
Michael Miano
A Freaked- Out Follower of Jesus Christ
http://so4j.com/what-is-a-lukewarm-christian.php
OK, so let me give a little backround, last month is the matter of a week, two people made this comment about me, "must have done something really bad in the past to be that crazy about God". I could go on for days about that comment, so the best place- MY BLOG!
Well, for the curious mind...Yes I have. I was a gang member and a leader, so use your imagination of the things I took part in, seen, and did. BUT, let me say this, the worst thing I have ever done, is something I still do in part, and you do as well. That is...Shun God and not live completely devoted, dedicated to living for Him. I mean every second.
Let me introduce you to the Jesus Christ, the Messiah, that I know.
The biggest problem today is that everyone "believes in God" or "believes Jesus died for them". The word believe almost provokes the thought that it might or might not be true. Not the case here, Jesus Christ living, dying and raising from the dead is a reality in my world. (Yeah, ask me for some evidence!!).
So, live with this reality. God creates man and woman. We decide to live for ourselves and it leads us to self destruction etc...FACE IT, we suck at life, we cant do it ourselves. So God, being as awesome and creative, and loving, as He is decides to come to Earth as man and live among us, to show us an example, and then die to make eternal life a reality! Truly follow Him, and His example and we will live forever.
Ok, so let me give some study information for those of you who might find the excuse, "ahh he just went off the deep end". 1st, I would reccomend the lastest trend- Crazy Love by Francis Chan (Confession- I have yet to read it, but study notes from others are enough to convince me).
Ok, first all sin is equal (JAMES 2:10-11), so its not that I have commited some crazy sin and am trying to make up for it. Plus, scripture tells us that we cannot earn salvation by good works, so regardless that wouldnt work(Ephesians 2:8,9).
You want to know why I am so devoted? Because the reality of Gods love for me, makes Him so worthy for me to live like that and also GOD COMMANDS IT!
I know ALL the things you DO, that you are neither HOT nor COLD. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like LUKEWARM WATER (BAD WATER), neither Hot nor Cold (GOOD WATER), I WILL SPIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH!
Revelations 3:14-22
Well hope that explained some...Always open to explain more.
with Love and Truth,
Michael Miano
A Freaked- Out Follower of Jesus Christ
http://so4j.com/what-is-a-lukewarm-christian.php
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Yesterdays Devotional Reading
Well, it has been a while. Most of you loyal blog readers already know that I have some issues with consistency. These past couple weeks have had their ups and downs, physically, mentally, and of course Spiritually!
Yesterdays devotional reading came as an expressing of the “Living Water” for my thirsty soul. So much so that I wanted to share it.
Well, let’s turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 5. I want to speak about reconciliation, as our position and responsibility. Looking to the text we realize that the Apostle Paul is admonishing the Corinthian Church. Judgment is upon us and we know we will face judgment on what we did with this life the Lord gave us (verse 10). SINCE, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we know the TRUTH, our job is to tell others, actually better put -PERSUADE! (verse 11).
To me this thought alone, judgment, is enough to make us out of our minds (verse 13), as many of you have heard my expression of visions and dreams concerning the Day of Reckoning. This “out of our minds” is what should give us the passion we need to express the seriousness of this message.
Verses 14-15, express that by Christ’s love and death, we are compelled to spread the message that all should turn to Him as Lord and Savior, “Since He died for us we should live for Him”!
We are ambassadors of Christ imploring (which means to express with earnest supplication) that all should be reconciled to Christ! Are you on the job?
Not hired? Yes you have. That brings us to the next part of my devotional. Now, let’s turn to Jeremiah chapter 1. Believe it or not the person you are today, was created and foreseen before the foundations of the world, and you were hired before birth. Verse 5 says it all- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…”.
Let us all realize this truth. Let us listen and understand to the command of the Lord which enables us to be Ambassadors of reconciliation.
“You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 1:7-8).
Yesterdays devotional reading came as an expressing of the “Living Water” for my thirsty soul. So much so that I wanted to share it.
Well, let’s turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 5. I want to speak about reconciliation, as our position and responsibility. Looking to the text we realize that the Apostle Paul is admonishing the Corinthian Church. Judgment is upon us and we know we will face judgment on what we did with this life the Lord gave us (verse 10). SINCE, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we know the TRUTH, our job is to tell others, actually better put -PERSUADE! (verse 11).
To me this thought alone, judgment, is enough to make us out of our minds (verse 13), as many of you have heard my expression of visions and dreams concerning the Day of Reckoning. This “out of our minds” is what should give us the passion we need to express the seriousness of this message.
Verses 14-15, express that by Christ’s love and death, we are compelled to spread the message that all should turn to Him as Lord and Savior, “Since He died for us we should live for Him”!
We are ambassadors of Christ imploring (which means to express with earnest supplication) that all should be reconciled to Christ! Are you on the job?
Not hired? Yes you have. That brings us to the next part of my devotional. Now, let’s turn to Jeremiah chapter 1. Believe it or not the person you are today, was created and foreseen before the foundations of the world, and you were hired before birth. Verse 5 says it all- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…”.
Let us all realize this truth. Let us listen and understand to the command of the Lord which enables us to be Ambassadors of reconciliation.
“You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 1:7-8).
Monday, June 22, 2009
"It's like being Born Again"
A continuation of the latest trip- Living Life!
Yes, so its still on my mind, actually it seems to be making me crazier and crazier. ha ha ha.
Well, to be completely honest, my goal was to be a risk-taker and complete the 3-day challenge given by liveontheedge.com, but spending almost a whole day in a car, then eating dinner, than playing in the pool all day, and then the car again really didn't afford me the opportunity to "live on the edge".
So, last night it happened again! I was watching the movie "Passengers", and the story line is that this woman is counseling these survivors of a plane crash. The one "survivor" is living very risky, such as jumping off buildings, using other peoples boats, basically living on impulse. Then, he made this statement- "It's like being born again". Wow- talk about a Word from God!
Where have we heard that before? "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
I have never really thought about that. As Christians we are baptized, and this symbolizes are dying to self and to this world, and being born again in Christ.
If you are dead, and now alive, how should you live? Obviously, we should be living a risk-taking life, appreciating the resurrection power and so much more. That is, if the resurrection is your reality.
I have realized that, there is a healthy difference between spontaneity and routine, and that is being Born Again, and living in the Spirit! Amen!
"Divine Impulse", I guess it could be called.
My personal oath and quote of the day is this.... “Lord, I will follow Thee—but—.”....FORGET THAT!! Stop putting flowers at the base of the cross, pick it up and follow Him!"
No more excuses, let's be totally Freaked-Out!
Here is the Challenge: What do you do if you cannot die? How do you live if you cannot die? What do you do if you will live forever and the next phase will be unimaginably wonderful – forever?
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."
— T.S. Eliot
Some Risk Taking links:
http://www.themoorings.org/life/basics/risk.html
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Easter/Nine-Ways-to-Live-the-Resurrection.aspx
Yes, so its still on my mind, actually it seems to be making me crazier and crazier. ha ha ha.
Well, to be completely honest, my goal was to be a risk-taker and complete the 3-day challenge given by liveontheedge.com, but spending almost a whole day in a car, then eating dinner, than playing in the pool all day, and then the car again really didn't afford me the opportunity to "live on the edge".
So, last night it happened again! I was watching the movie "Passengers", and the story line is that this woman is counseling these survivors of a plane crash. The one "survivor" is living very risky, such as jumping off buildings, using other peoples boats, basically living on impulse. Then, he made this statement- "It's like being born again". Wow- talk about a Word from God!
Where have we heard that before? "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
I have never really thought about that. As Christians we are baptized, and this symbolizes are dying to self and to this world, and being born again in Christ.
If you are dead, and now alive, how should you live? Obviously, we should be living a risk-taking life, appreciating the resurrection power and so much more. That is, if the resurrection is your reality.
I have realized that, there is a healthy difference between spontaneity and routine, and that is being Born Again, and living in the Spirit! Amen!
"Divine Impulse", I guess it could be called.
My personal oath and quote of the day is this.... “Lord, I will follow Thee—but—.”....FORGET THAT!! Stop putting flowers at the base of the cross, pick it up and follow Him!"
No more excuses, let's be totally Freaked-Out!
Here is the Challenge: What do you do if you cannot die? How do you live if you cannot die? What do you do if you will live forever and the next phase will be unimaginably wonderful – forever?
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."
— T.S. Eliot
Some Risk Taking links:
http://www.themoorings.org/life/basics/risk.html
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Easter/Nine-Ways-to-Live-the-Resurrection.aspx
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