Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Missionary of Silence
Thursday, March 1, 2012
FEARLESS: PAUL
Fearless: Paul
Paul was fearless because of three experiences he had with Jesus
Experience #1: His Conversion to faith in Jesus: (acts 9:1-20) knowing and remembering how and when you met Jesus is of the utmost importance. What is your conversion story? Where were you? How did God reveal himself to you? Who introduced you to Jesus? Were there any verses that helped you? What did you do in response to Jesus (i.e. pray, get up and go forward) How did you say yes to Jesus free offer of salvation? This will always go with you as you go forward. Remembering how Jesus revealed himself to you will make you grow in fearlessness because you will know the one you serve and his power to reach out to you and transform you.
Experience #2: His time in the wilderness with Jesus. He let Jesus transform his stinking thinking for like several years he listened to only Jesus and no one else that will always grow your fearlessness over a few years (Galatians 1:15-24) Have you let anyone disciple you? If not you should approach someone who you respect spiritually and and ask them to disciple you. Otherwise you may not grow in maturity and will always fear the ways of man. Let someone pour Jesus into you.
Experience #3: His Sufferings for Jesus (Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (1 Peter 4:1 NASB) there is a List of sufferings Paul endured in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. This had to make him fearless becasue he had to lean on Jesus to even endure these things.
When My youngest brother was in High school he got in a life threatening car accident where he broke his odontoid vertebrae and had bleeding on the brain, and other countless broken bones. My brother faced it with such grace and patience. This kind of suffering can only bring perseverance and grow fearlessness. When we lean on our most fearless leader we too will become fearless. Nick Vujicic is a great story of joy in suffering. His story is a great story of leaning on Jesus, and you tell me what you think. Has he grown to be a fearless person? Enjoy
Paul was fearless because of three experiences he had with Jesus
Experience #1: His Conversion to faith in Jesus: (acts 9:1-20) knowing and remembering how and when you met Jesus is of the utmost importance. What is your conversion story? Where were you? How did God reveal himself to you? Who introduced you to Jesus? Were there any verses that helped you? What did you do in response to Jesus (i.e. pray, get up and go forward) How did you say yes to Jesus free offer of salvation? This will always go with you as you go forward. Remembering how Jesus revealed himself to you will make you grow in fearlessness because you will know the one you serve and his power to reach out to you and transform you.
Experience #2: His time in the wilderness with Jesus. He let Jesus transform his stinking thinking for like several years he listened to only Jesus and no one else that will always grow your fearlessness over a few years (Galatians 1:15-24) Have you let anyone disciple you? If not you should approach someone who you respect spiritually and and ask them to disciple you. Otherwise you may not grow in maturity and will always fear the ways of man. Let someone pour Jesus into you.
Experience #3: His Sufferings for Jesus (Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (1 Peter 4:1 NASB) there is a List of sufferings Paul endured in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. This had to make him fearless becasue he had to lean on Jesus to even endure these things.
When My youngest brother was in High school he got in a life threatening car accident where he broke his odontoid vertebrae and had bleeding on the brain, and other countless broken bones. My brother faced it with such grace and patience. This kind of suffering can only bring perseverance and grow fearlessness. When we lean on our most fearless leader we too will become fearless. Nick Vujicic is a great story of joy in suffering. His story is a great story of leaning on Jesus, and you tell me what you think. Has he grown to be a fearless person? Enjoy
Monday, January 30, 2012
FEARLESS: BARNABAS
Fearless: Barnabas
Barnabas was a Levite named an Apostle in Acts 14:14 part of the council of Jerusalem, stoned near Cypress, John Mark witnessed his death, he was the apostle of encouragement, and a peacemaker.
Barnabas was not afraid of the cost of discipleship in three areas.
1. He was not afraid to give (everything)
He gave up his property: There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them. and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles. (Acts 4:34-37 NLT)
Later he supports himself: Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves? (1Corinthians 9:6 NLT). Finally he is martyred: John Mark witnessed his stoning. I had a youth pastor that was really giving. He had the habit of giving away things including the best shirt he had in his closet with his brother. I decided to pick up the habit. I gave away things in college and it worked it has made me more giving! Go figure if you give stuff away it makes you more giving. One time we were really struggling with medical bills for our daughter and we have received several anonymous gifts from people in our church. Someone gave us $10,000 one time and $8,000 another time for these medical bills. Barnabas is the picture of fearlessness in becoming less and less bound by the materialism that our world lives by.
2. He was not afraid of being inclusive (even of dangerous people)
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. (Acts 9:26-27 NLT)
One time my wife and I were flying without our kids, which doesn't happen very often, and there was a baby in front of us that was really crying and having a hard time. We were not even in the air yet and then flight attendant told this family they would have to calm down their child before they could take off. Like the plane would not function mechanically if he was crying or something. Everyone around the family including us was outraged! We all understood it was a baby there was nothing they could do, not one of us was mad we were all sympathetic. This is how Barnabas was with dangerous people he did it with Saul (who became the great Paul) and he did it when he took John Mark with him on his missionary Journey. How will you be fearless and include people who might not fit the "status quo" or might even be dangerous.
3. He was not afraid of failure; or better said he believed in second chances (John Mark and Paul)
After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. (Acts 15:36-41 NLT)
Paul later said about John Mark, Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. (2 4:11 NLT). When I was in 8th grade I went on a youth retreat with our Church. We stopped at a really back country truck stop, I took the chance to stretch my legs and use the restroom. as I was leaving I came across a rack with lots of cassette tapes on them of all the popular music; Lynard Skynard, Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Credence Clearwater Revival, didn't I say this was one of those truck stops! Don't laugh You know you listened to them too! So I though it would be cool to steal some tapes and take them back to the van to show all the guys. As I got back to the van and showed all the guys they said, "are you crazy" and at that very moment I felt a hand grab my shoulder. I was caught. The owner let me off easy and my youth pastor gave me a second chance, and let me back into the group after my mother got a hold of me! This was a very nice move on his part to give me grace because I needed it at the time. For us as Christians we should really believe and hold to the statement "Grace is True". Barnabas was fearless in the face of failure and showed many people great Grace. Will You?
Joni and Friend Family retreat is where I see lots of Fearless people. Tegan Mickle is one of those who do not flinch in the face of fear and disability and go and serve and love all those people that the world has maybe forgotten. Here is her story.
Barnabas was a Levite named an Apostle in Acts 14:14 part of the council of Jerusalem, stoned near Cypress, John Mark witnessed his death, he was the apostle of encouragement, and a peacemaker.
Barnabas was not afraid of the cost of discipleship in three areas.
1. He was not afraid to give (everything)
He gave up his property: There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them. and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles. (Acts 4:34-37 NLT)
Later he supports himself: Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves? (1Corinthians 9:6 NLT). Finally he is martyred: John Mark witnessed his stoning. I had a youth pastor that was really giving. He had the habit of giving away things including the best shirt he had in his closet with his brother. I decided to pick up the habit. I gave away things in college and it worked it has made me more giving! Go figure if you give stuff away it makes you more giving. One time we were really struggling with medical bills for our daughter and we have received several anonymous gifts from people in our church. Someone gave us $10,000 one time and $8,000 another time for these medical bills. Barnabas is the picture of fearlessness in becoming less and less bound by the materialism that our world lives by.
2. He was not afraid of being inclusive (even of dangerous people)
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. (Acts 9:26-27 NLT)
One time my wife and I were flying without our kids, which doesn't happen very often, and there was a baby in front of us that was really crying and having a hard time. We were not even in the air yet and then flight attendant told this family they would have to calm down their child before they could take off. Like the plane would not function mechanically if he was crying or something. Everyone around the family including us was outraged! We all understood it was a baby there was nothing they could do, not one of us was mad we were all sympathetic. This is how Barnabas was with dangerous people he did it with Saul (who became the great Paul) and he did it when he took John Mark with him on his missionary Journey. How will you be fearless and include people who might not fit the "status quo" or might even be dangerous.
3. He was not afraid of failure; or better said he believed in second chances (John Mark and Paul)
After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. (Acts 15:36-41 NLT)
Paul later said about John Mark, Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. (2 4:11 NLT). When I was in 8th grade I went on a youth retreat with our Church. We stopped at a really back country truck stop, I took the chance to stretch my legs and use the restroom. as I was leaving I came across a rack with lots of cassette tapes on them of all the popular music; Lynard Skynard, Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Credence Clearwater Revival, didn't I say this was one of those truck stops! Don't laugh You know you listened to them too! So I though it would be cool to steal some tapes and take them back to the van to show all the guys. As I got back to the van and showed all the guys they said, "are you crazy" and at that very moment I felt a hand grab my shoulder. I was caught. The owner let me off easy and my youth pastor gave me a second chance, and let me back into the group after my mother got a hold of me! This was a very nice move on his part to give me grace because I needed it at the time. For us as Christians we should really believe and hold to the statement "Grace is True". Barnabas was fearless in the face of failure and showed many people great Grace. Will You?
Joni and Friend Family retreat is where I see lots of Fearless people. Tegan Mickle is one of those who do not flinch in the face of fear and disability and go and serve and love all those people that the world has maybe forgotten. Here is her story.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
FEARLESS: STEPHEN
Fearless: Stephen (Acts 6-7)
Stephen is an example of fearlessness to us today because of three attributes he exhibited in His life and Martyrdom
1. Stephen Was Not Afraid to Serve (he served anyone and everyone)
"Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them." (Acts 6:5-6 NLT)
We have had for the past year a Youth Ministry Intern at Creekside who has served our Church selflessly and he has accomplished some amazing things in Service to the Lord. These are just a few of the things Abe Kuhn has done for Creekside while he was here...
1. Youth ministry meetings Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday 2. The landing Celebrate Recovery youth program on Fridays 3. Cox elementary after-school tutoring 4. Organized and helped with monthly youth outreaches 5. Set up and broken down chairs at least 160 times for our church meetings 6. Painted the lines in the parking lot so Creeksiders know where to park 7. Been in charge of the working order of the youth center and improved it in many ways. 8. Been trained in theology and Christian living by reading one book a month. 9. Helped overhaul our youth website 10. Helped plan and execute a successful houseboat camp and English camp in Germany.
11. Spoke to our youth 6 or 7 times 12. But more than all he has done is who he is that touches us. A young man who loves the Lord and is consistently grateful for the opportunity to serve him. Abe we have become so grateful for the opportunity to have had you in our lives for this year. And to have you as a friend from now on. Abe is definitely an example to us of Stephen and his desire to serve the Body of Christ.
2. Stephen Was Filled With the Holy Spirit (and faith)
"Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith)." (Acts 6:5 NLT) "Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people." (Acts 6:8 NLT)
Sin is what hinders the filling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to God is how the filling of the Spirit is maintained. Ephesians 5:18 commands that we be filled with the Spirit; however, it is not only praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit that accomplishes the filling. Our obedience to God's commands allows the Spirit freedom to work within us. Because we are still infected with sin, it is impossible to be filled with the Spirit all of the time. When we sin, we should immediately confess it to God and renew our commitment to being Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.
3. Stephen Was Completely Bold (in the face of lies and persecution)
When I was a middle school intern after college I had a middle schooler named Michael. He was my bold and say anything middle schooler. One time we were on a rafting and camping trip. We were all in a 15 passenger van together. I know, it's crazy, a van full of middle schoolers! We were traveling down a windy dirt road along a beautiful river. Other people thought it was beautiful too. As we came around a bend in the road straight ahead of us was a couple having sex on a rock right in the middle of the river! At that moment I was desperately hoping that no one had seen these people, but alas it was too obvious and Michael shouted to the entire van "OH MY GOSH LOOK THOSE PEOPLE ARE HAVING SEX!" Chaos ensued on our van of middle schoolers. and for the next hours everybody was talking about it, and there was nothing I could do to diffuse the situation. Michael was very bold but a bad bold not a good bold. Stephen was bold and the right type of bold. He was bold for our Lord. Let's look at some things that he said. "None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke." (Acts 6:10 NLT) "You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!" (Acts 7:51 NLT) "Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered." (Acts 7:52 NLT) "You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels." (Acts 7:53 NLT) While Stephen was being stoned by the Sanhedrin this is what happened "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, 'Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!'"(Acts 7:55-56 NLT)
"Jesus was standing on the right hand of God--Why "standing," and not sitting, the posture in which the glorified Saviour is elsewhere represented? Clearly, to express the eager interest with which He watched from the skies the scene in that council chamber, and the full tide of His Spirit which He was at that moment engaged in pouring into the heart of His heroic witness, till it beamed in radiance from his very countenance."
(Title: Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary
Author: Jamieson, Robert, Fausset, Andrew Robert, Brown, David
Copyright: JFB, E-text version from www.ccel.org.)
As Stephen was Martyred for the faith, Jesus received him into heaven with a standing ovation, and we can know he embraced Him and said "Well done good and faithful servant, now enter my rest." Will we seek to be fearless and only strive to please the audience of one, and one day hear him say, "well done good and faithful servant, now enter my rest."
Stephen is an example of fearlessness to us today because of three attributes he exhibited in His life and Martyrdom
1. Stephen Was Not Afraid to Serve (he served anyone and everyone)
"Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them." (Acts 6:5-6 NLT)
We have had for the past year a Youth Ministry Intern at Creekside who has served our Church selflessly and he has accomplished some amazing things in Service to the Lord. These are just a few of the things Abe Kuhn has done for Creekside while he was here...
1. Youth ministry meetings Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday 2. The landing Celebrate Recovery youth program on Fridays 3. Cox elementary after-school tutoring 4. Organized and helped with monthly youth outreaches 5. Set up and broken down chairs at least 160 times for our church meetings 6. Painted the lines in the parking lot so Creeksiders know where to park 7. Been in charge of the working order of the youth center and improved it in many ways. 8. Been trained in theology and Christian living by reading one book a month. 9. Helped overhaul our youth website 10. Helped plan and execute a successful houseboat camp and English camp in Germany.
11. Spoke to our youth 6 or 7 times 12. But more than all he has done is who he is that touches us. A young man who loves the Lord and is consistently grateful for the opportunity to serve him. Abe we have become so grateful for the opportunity to have had you in our lives for this year. And to have you as a friend from now on. Abe is definitely an example to us of Stephen and his desire to serve the Body of Christ.
2. Stephen Was Filled With the Holy Spirit (and faith)
"Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith)." (Acts 6:5 NLT) "Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people." (Acts 6:8 NLT)
Sin is what hinders the filling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to God is how the filling of the Spirit is maintained. Ephesians 5:18 commands that we be filled with the Spirit; however, it is not only praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit that accomplishes the filling. Our obedience to God's commands allows the Spirit freedom to work within us. Because we are still infected with sin, it is impossible to be filled with the Spirit all of the time. When we sin, we should immediately confess it to God and renew our commitment to being Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.
3. Stephen Was Completely Bold (in the face of lies and persecution)
When I was a middle school intern after college I had a middle schooler named Michael. He was my bold and say anything middle schooler. One time we were on a rafting and camping trip. We were all in a 15 passenger van together. I know, it's crazy, a van full of middle schoolers! We were traveling down a windy dirt road along a beautiful river. Other people thought it was beautiful too. As we came around a bend in the road straight ahead of us was a couple having sex on a rock right in the middle of the river! At that moment I was desperately hoping that no one had seen these people, but alas it was too obvious and Michael shouted to the entire van "OH MY GOSH LOOK THOSE PEOPLE ARE HAVING SEX!" Chaos ensued on our van of middle schoolers. and for the next hours everybody was talking about it, and there was nothing I could do to diffuse the situation. Michael was very bold but a bad bold not a good bold. Stephen was bold and the right type of bold. He was bold for our Lord. Let's look at some things that he said. "None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke." (Acts 6:10 NLT) "You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!" (Acts 7:51 NLT) "Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered." (Acts 7:52 NLT) "You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels." (Acts 7:53 NLT) While Stephen was being stoned by the Sanhedrin this is what happened "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, 'Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!'"(Acts 7:55-56 NLT)
"Jesus was standing on the right hand of God--Why "standing," and not sitting, the posture in which the glorified Saviour is elsewhere represented? Clearly, to express the eager interest with which He watched from the skies the scene in that council chamber, and the full tide of His Spirit which He was at that moment engaged in pouring into the heart of His heroic witness, till it beamed in radiance from his very countenance."
(Title: Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary
Author: Jamieson, Robert, Fausset, Andrew Robert, Brown, David
Copyright: JFB, E-text version from www.ccel.org.)
As Stephen was Martyred for the faith, Jesus received him into heaven with a standing ovation, and we can know he embraced Him and said "Well done good and faithful servant, now enter my rest." Will we seek to be fearless and only strive to please the audience of one, and one day hear him say, "well done good and faithful servant, now enter my rest."
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Unreached People in the Himilayas
This video is a striking visually beautiful picture of the most unreached people in the world. They live mainly in the Himalaya mountains. What will you do to SEND or GO to make Christ known to them?
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