As One!

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." -Romans 12:4, 5
 
Dr. Lance Wallnau, a speaker and author on Christian cultural influence, talks about supporting one another in our respective callings "As One." In a message he once shared, he pointed out the similarities of the Christian life and that of the movie Gladiator.

Before the main character and commander-turned-slave Maximus goes out into the Roman Coliseum as a gladiator, he devises a battle plan between he and the other slave men going with him. He knew they would not survive on their own. Therefore, they developed a strategy to defeat whatever might come their way - together.

During one scene, all of the men are huddled together with shields covering each side of their company. When it's time to attack, Maximus shouts "AS ONE!!!" The men shout back, knowing their next step in strategy. They eventually (and amazingly) beat the odds together as each man fights under Maximus' leadership and serve alongside each other, with strength and honor.
 
Isn't that much like the Christian life? The Bible says to "fight the good fight." (2 Tim 4:7) Often we forget who our enemy is, and instead point our arrows and swords at each other. Often we don't realize our need to be under the covering of a capable and servant-minded leader. Much of the time we fear developing lasting and accountable relationships, fighting our battles alone. Sometimes we harbor offense that cripples us for a lifetime, and binds us to the idea that there is no one out there who can support us. Sometimes we let our individual goals and dreams override that of the group.

But, in order to fight the good fight that Timothy talks about - and even survive in some cases - we need to fight together to see our dreams and purpose come to life and fruition in God. A single individual accomplishes nothing great. Greatness is accomplished by a group of dedicated and diverse people who understand God's will and "battle plan" for the earth.

Are you fighting the battle alongside others you love and trust? May no one have to fight "the good fight" alone.

Being Aware of Resistance

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."  -1 Peter 5:8

Have you ever started something you know God had called you to only to be met with extreme resistance?   "Why is this happening to me?" we might ask.  "God, all I'm trying to do is serve you!"

What we fail to realize is that we have an enemy that is "hell bent" on deterring us from our mission.

Things will happen in life.  Demands will continue to be placed on us, problems and issues will arise, and what we have to do will continually try to dissuade us what we feel called to do. 

So how can we push through?

Being aware of our enemy is the first step.  Expecting resistance will better prepare us for that resistance, and developing a plan to tackle that resistance will also help us in defeating it. Reading the word, prayer, worship, and speaking life and truth over situations that we’re going through are tools that can help us overcome.  I know a businesswoman who is continually listening to good preaching (even while she sleeps!) to re-program her brain to overcome.  We also need to be aware of resistance in our personal lives, and manage our time & emotions well (i.e., fatigue, PMS {ladies}, loneliness).

Are you aware of the resistance in your life? Pray today and ask for the Holy Spirit's help in defeating that resistance.  The Holy Spirit is our helper while we are living out our calling on this earth.  (John 14:26)

Different Rules

"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." -Matt 18:18

 

Have you ever noticed that Jesus does the rather uncanny? He drives demons into pigs, He turns water into wine - He multiplies bread and fish. Twice He says in Matthew, "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven." Jesus plays by different rules. 

Our trouble is, we've always played by the rules our family, society, and the world has taught us. But these rules can leave us powerless. If we believe our circumstances are bigger than our God we're headed for trouble. If we believe that God has no power (when He's shown He does), we're rendered helpless. We need to learn different rules. We need to learn the rules of heaven. 

In The Fourth Dimension by Yong-gi Cho, he describes another dimension whereby we can access heaven. When we become believers, the spiritual dimension is alive and well in our hearts, and is accessible to us. The blood of Jesus made it possible for us to access heaven. Pastor Yong-gi Cho describes story after story of how God taught Him to access this fourth dimension for His purposes. 

Just as when we play a game, we need to learn the rules of heaven so that we can live successful, victorious lives. We can do this by engaging in activities that build our faith, such as going to an active church, proclaiming what God says over our situation, agreeing with people who believe with us in prayer, and speaking life over our lives, hopes, dreams, and the people we love and serve. 

Are you in a habit of "proclaiming" prayer? Are you in a habit of worship? Are you in a habit of believing God for the best, no matter what? Make it a habit to play by the right rules. We know Jesus has already won. We just have to believe Him.

Taking Only His Yoke

"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." -Matthew 11:29-30
 
In our busy world, it is easy to get involved in so many things. When life gets complicated, often it can birth many children! 

Because we have such a limited amount of time on earth, it is essential that we use our time where we are best suited or called. The Message version of the above verse states, "I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you?ll learn to live freely and lightly."
 
The problem lies in what we feel obligated to. We may not want to let someone down or lose our reputation. It is wise to be accountable; it is prudent that we follow through. But, we need to know our limits. The magic word for this problem is, "no." Jesus challenged His disciples to put Him first, even before friends or family. (Luke 9:59-62) 

Even when Jesus was in full pursuit of His purpose, sometime He had to say "no" to the multitudes to get some rest for He and His disciples. (Mark 6:31) Although He was God, He knew the limitations of a mortal frame. 

Are there any yokes (or burdens) you are carrying that God has not called you to bear? Pray about those today and ask God which ones He has called you to bear. I believe the saddest thing we could do is exchange busy (obligatory) work for the work of our true calling. Let God lead you in this today.

Things I Cannot Comprehend

"I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say." -Job 40: 4&5

Have you ever marveled at the greatness God?  There are so many things that I cannot understand or comprehend.  My human mind just can't process it.

For instance, I cannot comprehend:

• How God knows each of us, intimately and personally; how he knows the number of hairs on each of our heads (Luke 12:7)
• How He created the world, simply by speaking (Genesis 1:9-12)
• How God created the universe, all of the planets and millions of stars (Genesis 1:14-17)
• How God created people - in His image - with the most complex body system of any other living creature on earth (Genesis 2:7)
• How God parted the Red Sea on behalf of the Israelites (Exodus 14)
• How He created Jesus, and Jesus, through Himself, gave us the power to overcome death (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20)

I suppose that is why we need faith - to overcome our natural mind.  "For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth." Psalm 47:2

Does your faith surpass the things you may not understand?  This childlike trust on our part reveals our place in the kingdom of heaven.  (Matt 18:3)  Decide to believe & trust Him today. 

Great Followership

"At once they left their nets and followed him." -Matthew 4:20

What makes a great follower? Why should we be great followers? Becoming a selfless follower is one of the biggest proving grounds for becoming a leader. We need to learn to lay down our own agenda. A great follower will more than likely produce a great leader. Conversely, poor followers make poorer leaders.

Jesus was the greatest example of serving his followers by laying down his life. He did the most menial task you could have done back in those days as an act of service to them; he washed their feet.

"He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus replied, 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' 'No,' said Peter, 'you shall never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.' - John 13:6-8

Simon McIntyre, in his book Follow the Leader states, "...people who grasp at leadership and try to bypass the apprenticeship of followership only demonstrate their misunderstanding of the purpose of leading." He goes on to say, "(Servants) are strong, intelligent, confident people living successful lives. They are able and willing to take on roles of service because they are confident in themselves and not so insecure as to feel that taking on sometimes menial tasks might be beneath their dignity. They are following the example of Jesus..."

We might think of serving another person as demeaning and self-effacing. This is in fact the point of serving - to get past ourselves.

Elisha followed Elijah. Joshua followed Moses. Joseph served Potiphar. The disciples followed Jesus. Sometimes we need to lay down our agenda in order for God to truly birth His plan and purpose in us. One of the ways He does this is through calling us to serve another man's vision. We need to realize it is not all about us.

Who are you following right now? Are you serving them to the best of your gifts, talents, and abilities?

My Only Hope

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18-19

When I was younger, I was really seeking God. I was hungry, and my heart was craving a true experience with a living God. I had grown up in a stuffy church that seemed rather phony to me, and I was looking for something real, something authentic. I would pray to God as a teenager, but I had a really hard time hearing Him or feeling His presence in my life. This led me to check out New Age as a way to extend my faith.

Well, it was cool for a while. They did Reiki and meditation and other things that I thought was drawing me closer to God. It was real, for sure. But at one point at one of the meetings, I felt a dark heaviness come over me. I knew it wasn't what God wanted. I cried out to Jesus to help me, and the darkness went away. I determined not to go back there again.

Several months later, I attended a church where the Holy Spirit was active. I really enjoyed that church, and although I had a lot of "church hurt" to get over I really grew and matured there. I had finally found the authentic faith and relationship with God I was looking for that was real. I really felt God's presence in my life and I could feel it in others. This was the truth.

Today we're called closed-minded if we say Jesus is the only way to heaven. But if I gave someone directions to my house and they got lost because they didn't follow them, what can I do? God sent His son Jesus to die on our behalf, and Jesus is alive for our lives today. The Holy Spirit is active on the earth helping us with anything we may need. He is called the helper. (John 14:26)

Sometimes if all we've experienced is superficial religion we can write Christianity off as counterfeit. But we have to get in a place where the truth of God can be ministered to us.

Do you experience God's presence on a daily basis? Have you felt His activity in your life? Have things happened to you that you know could only be God? If you haven't yet, seek Him out. God says we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our hearts. (Jer 29:13) I know that was true for me.