Breaking the Dam

There are some things that Jesus said that really make you sit back and think. There's one in particular where he was addressing the people in John chapter 7:37 and he says "if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

What a great promise! This is not the only time that Jesus talked about being thirsty. But on this occasion he talks about living water flowing from within us. Of course directly after this. The author gives us an explanation of what he is talking about, which is the Holy Spirit that has not been sent as of yet. How desperately do we need those streams of living water flowing from within us today.

I think it is fairly safe to say that streams of living water flowing within us would something wonderful. It would replenish lack that is in our souls. I think it is safe to say that it would also energize us to continue on in this life. Imagine how hurts and damaged areas of our life can be positively affected by the streams of living water. It would replenish our lack of passion, lack of boldness, and so much more. When you begin to meditate on all that these streams can provide in our life, it would be ludicrous not to ask for them. "Lord, send the streams and break the dam that's holding them back.".

See the Lord has provided these streams through his Holy Spirit that lives within us. If we have called on the name of the Lord for salvation then we have access to the throne of God and to the benefits of living in the kingdom of God. One of the greatest benefits is the arrival of the Holy Spirit who helps us and fills us with his power and goodness. The simplest way I know to allow the Holy Spirit to flow with those streams of life is to ask him. Sure, there are many things that we can do to facilitate the spirit moving in us but the easiest to understand is simply asking. God has provided, all we need to do is ask. Once we ask then we allow him to fill us. We break the dam.

We tear down the barriers of unbelief and doubt that so quickly arise in our minds. We allow God to be a supernatural God in our lives and stop trying to analyze everything that he wants to do for us. So many times we fail to receive all that is available to us because we over analyze God's promises. Let the word of God override your thoughts. Let what God says be what you believe. Let the rivers flow in your soul and replenish every dry area.

Luke 11:13 "if you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Ask and receive.

Purpose

The subject of purpose has really been on my mind for the last couple of months so I thought I would pen a few quotes that I have randomly come across. Here is one from a movie. Don’t ask me which one. I wasn’t even watching it but my wife heard it and repeated it to me.

“Without purpose life is boring.”

I can agree with that can’t you? When you have a sense of purpose in what you are doing it takes the boredom away because you want to occupy your time with things that help the purpose get accomplished. It really does give you direction and help you make decisions. Here is another quote from a men’s magazine article that I happened to read:

“When you are confident of your purpose, you worry less and devote more energy to constructive endeavors”

This is so true. When you are about your purpose you just don’t spend time worrying about things. I really think this relates to several scriptures where Paul the apostle addressed the idea occupying our time with work. There seemed to be a problem in the church at Thessalonica because of the very accurate and real truth of Jesus’ return. It seems that because His return was so imminent the people just became idle in waiting. They did nothing which began to cause many other problems such as becoming meddlers, gossipers, busybodies. Paul encouraged them to work with their hands and be busy. Occupy was the term he used.

Occupy doesn’t mean to just take up space. It means to work. To be busy getting things done. It infers the use of the facilities God has given us in order to carry out the many tasks that are necessary to live. It means to devote energy to constructive endeavors and not just waste time. Purpose helps us focus our energy, abilities, talents, and time. It gives us fulfillment and life.

I believe this is why we feel so good about joining with groups and organizations that share a common purpose. It is very fulfilling to be a part of something that causes us to feel worth in life. So many times we might think we don’t have an individual, unique purpose. That is fine. In reality I believe everyone needs to join God in His purpose. It is the most fulfilling. But it is also very good to be a part of something that gives us purpose. In the end it all serves the same purpose (pun intended!).

Purpose in Life

I came across this quote the other day by W Clement Stone, an expert on success and positive attitudes, "whenever you discover your mission (or purpose), you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on.".

As I've been contemplating purpose over the last couple months I've realize how important theme this is in the Scriptures. There is a verse that is always spoken to me out of Proverbs 29:18. Basically this verse states that where there is no purpose, there is no direction. In essence, that is what this verse is talking about. It uses the word vision or revelation for which I think we can also include the word purpose. I think it is easy to see that when we purpose to do something we usually get it done. Most people go through life and find purpose in the things that they are doing. Because of this purpose or this driving force inside of them, they are able to accomplish many things in life. We have actually been created with a need to find our purpose in life.

Although this is not always easy to do, it is also not as difficult as we think. I think there is a great correlation between what we are passionate about and what our purpose is life. When we understand that the purpose of our life in relationship to God then we can better understand the reason for much of what we do. And this purpose helps us set short term goals that are attainable. In this way we can understand the why of today in order to reach the purpose of tomorrow. There are a lot of things that we all do that are not always fun but if we find how they fit into a greater purpose. They are much easier to carry out.

It is important to bring into focus a greater purpose for our lives that we can only find in Jesus Christ. Of course, there are many things that are very noble purposes in this world and I don’t deny those but state that there is a greater purpose into which all these things fit.

I'm sure most everyone has asked themselves the question, "why do I exist". Finding our purpose in life answers this question and brings a tremendous fullness to our life. And remember Jesus came to give us life in abundance, not just in existence. So where do we begin to find the true purpose in life? I believe it can be found in the person of Jesus Christ. I believe the Bible will give us all the direction we need to live this life to the fullest and to accomplish the purpose for which we were created.

Let me give one key factor towards finding the answers to these questions. We are God's creation. He made you the way you are with the abilities and talents that are innate in you. God has given each of us the ability to fulfill our purpose on this earth. Here's a quote from a Greek philosopher, "know thyself". That's a valid statement. That is where we need to start.

Can You See?

It is interesting to read the story of Abraham. It encompasses quite a few chapters in the book of Genesis and is pretty detailed. Wow what lessons we can learn from his stories. Both good and bad.

For the moment I simply want to take one ongoing story that is weaved throughout his whole life story. And specifically I am focusing on the covenant promise God the Father made to Abraham from the very first.

It is now a universal (or global if you prefer) promise that was first spoken to Abraham but now can be claimed by all mankind. “I will bless you and you will be a blessing”.

Of course the Lord expands on this statement by saying to Abraham that his descendants will be so numerous that you won’t be able to count them. What an awesome promise. God spoke this to Abraham. We have it written and can read it but Abraham heard God’s voice over and over saying what He had promised him. He heard a word, promise, from God’s heart to his. And he heard it many times as we look at scripture.

Now here is an important side note. Abraham wasn’t sure how and if this would ever happen. And as a result we can read his life saga of mistakes for not truly believing what God said He would do for him. So it gets a little more interesting because the Lord understands that we need help in order to believe. We probably make believing a lot harder than it really is. I know I do. You know when Jesus says ‘just believe’ and a father cries out and exclaims ‘I do but help my unbelief!’. It is supposed to be easy and it really is. It is just too easy and therefore the paradox of what we are doing when we fight the good fight of faith.

But I am digressing a bit. Let me get back to the focus of what I want to share in this blog. Abraham, same as us, needed a way to boost his faith and cause believing to by faith to become a reality without seeing the actual fulfillment. Because you see the key to faith is that we are believing without having seen what is actually the focus of our faith. So how do we get it to click on the inside that what God says is really true and as a result we are unshakeable in our trust in Him to fulfill it?

Here it is. No more suspense. God told Abraham one night to look up at the stars. He wanted him to see promise of an heir and birthing of nations through the visual of the stars. Impossible to count and so the promise was impossible to fathom. But the stars gave Abraham a visual. It is the same as putting scripture on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror so you see it everyday. Every time Abraham would look up and see the stars at night he would be reminded of the promise God had made to him and would be able to get a mental picture of a spiritual promise.

It actually says in Genesis the verse immediately following the star visual that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. So wasn’t he believing or trying to before now? Of course! But now he had something he could visualize in the natural in order to believe in his heart what God had said. Maybe we should use this as a key to believing the great and awesome promises God has given us. Find your visual to keep before your eyes. Find your star-filled sky to look at.

Here is a verse that really speaks to this in 1 Corinthians 15:46:
The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual (NIV)

So it looks like God had a simple way for us to believe all the time. First the natural: See it with your eyes in the world around us that God created. Then the spiritual: believe that it is done and it is settled in your heart.

Written Words

Have you ever thought about how words effect you? I think we are not very aware of their power in our lives until we actually hear words that carry an impact on where we are at the moment. I don’t mean where we are in reference to geography but where we are on the inside.

Of course we can talk long and hard about the negative effect that words have on our lives. I think everybody recognizes that. But I want to blog about the positive effect instead. I think this really hit me recently as I was able to hear and read words directed to me that just filled me with an overwhelming sense of God’s grace and love for my life. What a blessing for my life. It is not something one thinks about everyday. What I mean is we don’t go around thinking “I wish people would speak words that build me up today”. And in our society today I believe we definitely lack telling people around us positive things about them. So when it happens it tends to make us sit back and think how awesome it feels to hear positive things about who you are in life.

Words of praise. Did you know that God speaks words of praise to His children all the time? He sure does. Just read what the bible has to say about you. Let me rest my case in the truth that “for God so loved the world (you) that He gave His only begotten Son”. That should be enough yet the bible is riddled with God’s words of love toward us.

Obviously we would all agree that it is important to esteem and bless one another. We encourage our young athletes before they step into the game. We encourage children in our schools that they can do it. Over and over again we employ words and notes to build up people of all ages so that they will achieve more in life as well as have a great attitude.

Here is my point. Everyone is effected for the better as we build them up. Let’s do it more regularly. Let’s make it a point to esteem and edify others in the moment. Not wait for another day or future time. Let’s do it more often. It is a beautiful thing to receive words of affirmation and love that let you know your life is worth living.

Say something good to somebody in your life!

Define Salvation

What is your definition of salvation? Have you really thought it through? When you hear the word salvation what comes to mind?

Moses said to the people of Israel once, "stand still and see the salvation of your God." The Israelites were blocked in by the enemy on one side and the Red Sea on the other. What did salvation mean to them at that moment? I'm sure it meant something more than what we think. After all, they were at the point of dying and there was no way out. So salvation at that point meant living. It meant to be delivered from the hand of their enemies. And probably a whole lot more.

What does it mean to us? I think the usual answer would be that it means forgiveness of sins. Is that all it means? When we talk about salvation through Jesus Christ, are we only talking about forgiveness? I think we can safely say that salvation is a lot more than forgiveness of sins and a free ticket into heaven.

Jesus came and became a man on earth. He was in every way a man like you and I. Yes he was God, but he was also totally a man. You see Jesus came to show us how to live and how to have life. His message was not one of just how to get into heaven but it was a message of how to live with abundant life. Just think about this for a minute. Jesus died on the cross as a man. He literally took our place so that God's judgment would be removed. He purchased right standing before the Father in heaven.

Even though we could expand on all of this for quite some time I would like to focus solely on the word salvation. What does it really mean? I think we have short-changed the meaning of salvation that Jesus has provided for us. We usually only repeat what we have heard over the years. In the normal response to salvation is is that we are forgiven of our sins. But salvation is a lot more than that. Not to minimize the importance of forgiveness of sins, which is a great miracle and blessing from God. But at the same time we don't need to leave out all that God has provided for us. We need to see the whole picture and embrace the truth of God's word. Salvation is all-inclusive and affects every part of our life, spirit, soul and body.

I believe Jesus came to earth to show us the depth of what salvation really is through his life and actions. So here's an oversimplified way to look at salvation. What is going on in your life today that you need said to be saved from? That you can meditate on that for a while and when you come up with an answer you can cry to our Creator, Jesus Christ, saying, "save me Lord!". You see, he didn't pay the enormous price of dying on a cross only to save you from sin. He made the ultimate sacrifice in order that we might live and enjoy the blessings of heaven on earth. I am purposely not filling in the blanks in this blog. I'm leaving that for you to do. I don't believe I can fully define salvation with a few words. Because I think it takes on a new meaning for each individual and situation we are living. The important thing to see is that salvation goes beyond the saving of our soul to get into heaven. That doesn't change just because we don't believe it. It is still true. We need to change our mindset about salvation in order to change our beliefs of salvation. We need to see the realm of possibilities that God has provided for us through the work of Jesus Christ and not limit all that he did by believing only part.

Breaking The Curse

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4706741805360354160

I think you will enjoy the above link. It is the testimony of a family that lost a 17-year-old daughter in a plane crash. I thought some of his insights were very good. Hope it ministers to you as much as it did to me.

I have been studying recently about the effect of curses on our lives. My main text has been out of Galatians chapter 3. There it speaks mainly about Jesus becoming a curse for us and freeing us through the price he paid. Redemption. We are purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. We have been redeemed from the curse. Throughout the word of God there is much to be said about cursing and blessing.

One of the outstanding things that I find in the word of God pertaining to cursing and blessing is the fact that we are not to curse. In the book of James we find the example of a fountain that can only produce one kind of water. Saltwater and freshwater cannot come from the same fountain. Nor can blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. We are also told in the book of Deuteronomy that God has set before us the blessing and the curse and it is up to us to choose one or the other. In Psalms 109:17 it states that if we curse we will also be cursed.

The truth is Jesus died to free us from all curses. We must accept the redemption that he has provided for us through his blood. We need to know and appropriate all that he has paid for through his blood. He wants us to live in freedom from all curses. He wants us to inherit the blessings of Abraham. Now that's an interesting statement. The blessings of Abraham. I guess we would have to go through the word of God and discover exactly what are all those blessings. Abraham was known as the father of faith. God performed miracles on his behalf. He also spoke to him as a friend and called him a friend. But the blessings of Abraham go much further than that. The blessings of Abraham include all the promises that God has made to us and for us through his Son. So we should embrace the blessing rather than the curse.

How do we embrace blessing? Simply said, by embracing Jesus and all he purchased. By accepting what he did for us and refusing to wear the curse. We accept His grace for life. We live by faith in all that is provided for us. We believe what we hear in the word of God. You see, to believe God by faith means there is nothing we can do to earn anything from God. That would be imposing a law on ourselves. And if we live by a law then we must obey every part of it. Many times we put obligation, be it religious, social or personal on ourselves and find that we cannot live up to those things. We have imposed a law that we cannot complete. So we need to learn that the righteous live by faith. Simple trust in all that God has said and done for us.

I will write further about this in future blogs. There are several aspects to the subject that I would like to mention. The text I mainly refer to earlier is Galatians 3:1-14. But there are several other texts I would like to speak about. Let me close this session with one more idea. It is found in Nehemiah 13:2 and it states this, "our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing." The God we serve takes all that is against us and turns it into something favorable. He turns the curse into a blessing. What an amazing truth. We live in a world that is under a curse. But Jesus redeemed us from the curse.