November 12, 2011

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

In “Rebuilding Your Broken World”, Gordon MacDonald suggests twenty-six questions to help develop accountability and invite feedback. If we desire to grow, we should submit our selves to a spiritual mentor and answer these questions honestly.

1. How is your relationship with God right now?

2. What have you read in the Bible in the past week?

3. What has God said to you in this reading?

4. Where do you find yourself resisting Him these days?

5. What specific things are you praying for in regard to yourself?

7. What are the specific tasks facing you right now that you consider incomplete?

8. What habits intimidate you?

9. What have you read in the secular press this week?

10. What general reading are you doing?

11. What have you done to play?

12. How are you doing with your spouse? Kids?

13. If I were to ask your spouse about your state of mind, state of spirit, state of energy level, what would the response be?

14. Are you sensing spiritual attacks from the enemy right now?

15. If Satan were to try to invalidate you as a person or as a servant of the Lord, how might he do it?

16. What is the state of your sexual perspective? Tempted? Dealing with fantasies? Entertainment?

17. Where are you financially right now? (things under control? under anxiety? in great debt?)

18. Are there any unresolved conflicts in your circle of relationships right now?

19. When was the last time you spent time with a good friend of your own gender?

20. What kind of time have you spent with anyone who is a non-Christian this month?

21. What challenges do you think you’re going to face in the coming week? Month?

22. What would you say are your fears at this present time?

23. Are you sleeping well?

24. What three things are you most thankful for?

25. Do you like yourself at this point in your pilgrimage?

26. What are your greatest confusions about your relationship with God?

Gordon MacDonald was a successful pastor, writer and conference speaker who had a major moral failure in his ministry. The process of rebuilding his life, marriage and ministry are chronicled in the book “Rebuilding Your Broken World” and a major part of that process was building clear boundaries and layers of accountability into his life. Men who live in isolation, who allow darkness and secrets are ripe for failure.

What safeguards are you building into your life? Is there something you need to confess? Do you need to repent of something?

November 11, 2011

God bless our veterans today! My sincere thanks to every veteran who may be reading this. Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated.

Here is a devotional I found that I share in your honor.

"As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Romans 8:36

Many years ago, a paramedic showed me a soldier’s knapsack Bible. It belonged to his uncle, who had been killed in World War I. The Bible, along with his other possessions, had been returned to his grieving family. As they looked through the Bible, they discovered these words from Romans were underlined in pencil: “For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” They seemed to describe the young man’s horrifying experiences of trench warfare.

Alec, the paramedic, felt as though his young uncle was speaking to him beyond the grave, letting him know that his death at the Somme was a sacrifice for the freedom of the people back home. But his message didn’t end there. Verses 38 to 39 were double underlined, revealing the young soldier’s faith, which death could not diminish nor destroy

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39

In the midst of all our carefree leisure, happy pursuits, and personal freedom, does our faith match up to that of the young soldier?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, nothing can ever separate us from You, but sometimes we take that for granted. Remind us of Your sacrifice, Your loss, Your passion that has given us this wonderful opportunity to live beyond death, to hope above adversity, to have faith in the face of danger and trouble. In Your Holy Name we pray. Amen.

November 10, 2011

Do you think it is possible to live without anxiety? Would you like to do so? Five times in the 10 verses, Matthew 6:24-34, Jesus used the word worry.

And in three of these instances, He spoke it as a command: "'Don't worry'" He wasn't merely making a suggestion or trying to calm people down. This was an order! "Worry." He said, should be banned from the hearts of kingdom people.

Why is it wrong for kingdom people to be fraught with worry?

1) Worry is futile and counterproductive. Jesus pointedly asked whether anxiety could add even a short time to our life spans (v. 27). In truth, doctors tell us that anxiety will most likely shorten our lives.

2) Worry indicates a lack of understanding. The nature and character of our Father is to feed the songbirds and water the wildflowers. "'Aren't you worth more than they?'"

3) Worry shows a lack of faith. Jesus said it takes a person "'of little'" to worry aboutHis needs being met (v. 30). What impact does anxiety have on our kingdom witness?

4) Worry is an ungodly response to life. Of all the arguments against anxiety, this one should perhaps stun us. If worry is the pattern that comes most naturally to everyone (V. 32), why would we want to be known for being like the average unbeliever.

As kingdom people, there should be numerous things about us that can only be explained by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Freedom from worry is one of them.

When I pray, "Thy kingdom come," I am establishing that my first concern each day is God's kingdom and not mine. Further, I am asking the Father to show me what He s doing and allow me to participate with Him as He advances His kingdom on earth. Ask God to strengthen your faith and put your focus and the kingdom so that you can put worry behind you.

November 9, 2011

EKG Devotional Day 33

Look aroun you. What in your world is eternal? Your diploma? Your home entertainment system? You week at the beach every Summer?

The only thing that is eternal around you and me today is people - human beings whose souls will live on after they die.

Some will be redeemed and will live forever. Some will be lost and will face God's righteous judgment. But putting our energies into serving, helping, loving, encouraging, and supporting other people is how kingdom people invest in eternity.

Our money is God's money, and it's intended to be used to advance His eternal kingdom. But storing "'treasure in heaven'" is so much more than just putting money in an offering plate. It's about invesing in our children rather than loading them up with gifts and gadgets. It's about investing in our families rather than filling  all our free time with pleasure. It's about investing in our neighbors rather than sinking all our time and money into the lawn and the landscaping.

It's not wrong to possess earthly things, but we can't let earthly things possess us. Money itself doesn't pose a threat to the kingdom person. But those who love it will always struggle when called upon to share it.

How do we claim victory in this area of our lives? We begin by acknowledging that we possess nothing. We determine that ur role in regard to money is to manage it for God, the real owner.

We look for opportunity to invest in forever through our church, our denomination, and other missions organizations that are advancing God's kingdom. We become involved personally and financially with relief organizations in our own communities.

Now let the Eternal control our checkbook.

Learning about the kingdom is exciting, but joining God at work in the world is even more exciting. How will you redirect your finances to join God's kingdom activity?





November 8, 2011

EKG Devotional Day 32

"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."   Matthew 6:12

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He prayed: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."  Do we honestly want God to forgive us in the same stingy way we often distribute our forgiveness to others? It is truly a chilling thought.

Forgiveness is at the heart of kingdom relationships. To begin with, we cannot become kingdom people at all without first experiencing the forgivness of God.

Throughout our lives this recognition of God's holiness and our sinfulness continues to drive us to prayer, seeking our Father's forgiveness. As kingdom children, we place so much value on the intimacy we enjoy with our Dad, we can't allow anything to hinder our relationship - even for a brief moment. We need forgiveness and we know it. So we go to our Father in prayer.

Have you ever thought that prayer is really a family affair - not just conversation between Father and child but also a way to remind ourselves that we are members of the family of God, that we are in community with one another? In all of the statements of request found in the Lord's Prayer, al of the pronouns Jesus used are plural: "Give us today our daily bread.'" "'Do not bring us into temptation.'" "'Deliver us from the evil one.'"

We don't just pray for ourselves. We pray for one another.

And the request for forgiveness is no different. "'Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive or debtors.'"

So for the same reason that I cannot pray for my own "daily bread" while remaining unconcerned for my brother;s lack of bread, I cannot receive God's forgiveness for myself without being prepared to dispense an equal portion to others. Forgiveness must go botj ways in our lives, or we're not going anywhere in thekingdom.

Pray for others' needs as well as your own. Ask God to reveal those needs to you so  that you can pray specifically.



November 7, 2011

Before I post today's devotional thought let me take a moment to honor a great man of God, Dr. Billy Graham on his 93rd birthday! What a national treasure he is!

EKG Day 31 Devotional

What does it mean to pray in Jesus' Name? It first means that we have established a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. But in addition, it means that we address the Father with the same commitment and misson as His Son. It means that His Son's passion has become our priority.



* It is a confident prayer of a child who knows his Father is in the heacens, far beyond all that we will ever comprehend , yet nonetheless so near that He knows what we need before we ask Him.

* This is the prayer of the child who knows his Father's name is holy and whose passion is to manifest the Father's holiness in his own life.

* It's the prayer of the child who know his Father's name is holy and whose passion is to manifest the Father's holiness in his own life.

* It's the prayer of the child who knows that his Father's kingdom is paramount and whose first desire is to advance that kingdom.

* It's the prayer of the child who knows his Father is trustworthy, and therefore he submits his will to that of the Father.

* It's the prayer of the child whose first desire is to enjoy the Father's reward.

Two-thirds of the Lord's Prayer addresses the issues of the Father, and only one-third speaks about our personal needs. In thiking about my own prayer life, I realized that I often reveresed that order. I usually spent the largest amount of my prayer time on my own wants and needs.

But kingdom praying is not about informing God. He already knows!

Kingdom praying is not about convincing God to side with us. He already has! Kingdom praying is about enjoying God's presence and discovering His purpose.

Is this what you're already doing? Or, are you ready with all of your heart to start praying this way today?

How does your awareness of the Kingdom and of the intimate Father-child relationship you have with God make this prayer a personal experience rather than a ritual to repeat in coporate worship.

November 6, 2011

The truth is we never really get over being “Toys R Us” kids, our toys just get more expensive and more numerous! We spend more and more money to get more and more stuff and yet have less satisfaction and bigger debts.

How God moves us from needing to own and control stuff to wanting to be owned and controlled – by Him:

1) Ownership – It’s mine! I own it! I’ll do with it what I please!

2) Stewardship – It’s mine. I will try to manage it in a way that pleases God.

3) Loanership – It is not mine. It has been given by God and I will please Him.

4) Lordship – I am His. Everything I have belongs to Him. I will serve as He directs.

“Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” I Chronicles 29:11

Ownership – “It’s mine! I own it! I’ll do with it what I please!”

We recently paid off one of our vehicles. It felt good to get the title in the mail to formally affirm that we own this car! I won’t think about how much it cost me in car payments to own it. Nevertheless, my name is on the title and the registration.

One of the driving forces behind the “American Dream” is the desire to own expensive things like:

1) the biggest house they can afford (or not)

2) the biggest and most powerful vehicles they can afford (or make payments on)

3) the best boat they can get

4) the best motorcycle or RV or fill in the blank - _____________.

In the USA, we tend to judge success and wealth in terms of how much stuff we manage to get during life. Increasingly we see the development of the Golden Rule – those with the gold make the rules. Many live from the perspective that the one who dies with the most toys wins. However, everyone takes his or her last ride in a rented car and that hearse never has a U-Haul trailer attached.

There are two main reasons why owning stuff is at the heart of the American Dream – we are free and because we are free we are able to be prosperous. Both of those are blessings from God.

However, I can think of several other powerful needs that ownership appeals

- Owning something gives feelings of power

- Owning something gives a sense of permanence and security

- Owning something gives a sense of pride

Don’t misunderstand, I bleed red, white and blue, and I believe in capitalism, and I have stuff that I own as well as other stuff I hope to own! But when your ownership is driven by emotional needs rather than practical realities you are in dangerous territory. That path leads to materialism, which is a form of idolatry. It can also lead to slavery because it can get you into the bondage of debt. Plus, it doesn’t meet the basic need and probably will frustrate you more. Ownership is fine until you get owned by what you own or by the need to own. (AVOID – “OWERSHIP” to GET OWNERSHIP)

God’s world success is judged not so much on what you get but by what your willing to give. Jesus said, “Lay up treasures in Heaven where moths and rust do not corrupt or thieves break into to steal.” Then He makes His point, “For where your treasures are there will your heart be also!”

When you use your wealth and possessions to help others and bless others and advance God’s Kingdom you are turning the material into eternal. Investing in God will bring benefits that are out of this world?

This might be a good time to do a quick inventory of your “stuff”. Do you own it or does it own you? Are you spending your life or investing it?

Stewardship – “It’s mine. I will try to manage it in a way that pleases God.”

The “ownership attitude” is represented in the Bible by a foolish man who Jesus told about in one of His stories. This man had a bountiful harvest and decided he would build bigger barns and live it up with wine, women, and parties. But that night, he died and went into eternity unprepared. All that he owned couldn’t help him in eternity and he left all his riches to others.

Another example of the ownership attitude is the Rich Young Ruler who came to Jesus with his impressive resume of success and religious practice. But when Jesus told him to sell everything he owned and become His follower, the young man walked away.

I want to talk about what I believe is the next growth point on the road to generosity. I may challenge some assumptions at this point or make some of you just plain angry. But I think stewardship is just the second step and not the destination for givers.

I have come to that conclusion partially because of the Pharisees. They were faithful tithers – not just of their money, but they tithed on everything! This was their attitude - “It’s mine. I will try to manage it in a way that pleases God.”

However, you see them being rebuked by Jesus because they were doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. Apparently, their reason for tithing was to impress God and to impress people – the wanted to look religious. Also, they wanted to escape the guilt of not doing what they had been taught and trained to do. Their tithing wasn’t driven by a deep sense of generosity nor a deep compassion to help the poor. Wanting to earn their salvation and earn the admiration of people motivated everything they did. The Pharisees gave in order to get.

Stewardship is better than ownership. Stewardship indicates a level of spiritual growth beyond ownership. But it is often motivated by legalism rather than love. It is often ownership with a conscience. It is giving with an expectation of return. While often help up as the ultimate ideal for Christian giving, I believe it is a positive step on the journey to Lordship.

Are you tithing? What is motivating you to tithe – is it love or is it legalism? Do you view it as giving your money to Him?

Loanership – “It’s not mine. It was given to me. I will give it to God”

Jesus did a lot of miracles during His earthly ministry. One of the best known of those supernatural acts was the feeding of the 5,000 (which in fact, was 10,000 to 15,000 counting women and children). That’s a lot of happy meals and a whole bunch of people – especially when they had no food!

The reason that Jesus was able to accomplish this amazing feat was because a young boy donated his lunch to Jesus and the disciples. This lad is an example of what I call “Loanership”, the third step in overcoming the ownership myth. His attitude was, “My lunch is not mine, it was given to me and I will give it to God.” As a youngster, he waived his ownership rights in the knowledge that all blessings come from God. He refused to claim it and was quick to share it.

Popular radio personality, Rush Limbaugh often declares his “talent is on loan from God”. It is a humorous acknowledgement of a serious fact – we are here temporarily and by the grace of God. Each of us, as well as all we have comes with an expiration date.

Missionary martyr, Jim Eliot, once said when asked why an educated young man would give up a chance at a comfortable career to go to a remote Amazon jungle, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

“Loanership” is a more spiritually mature attitude than ownership because it understands the temporary nature of life and the surrendered nature of believers. It is preferable to stewardship because it makes no claim of possession, takes no credit for earning it and seeks God’s will in how it should be used.

The “loanership” attitude of this lad, allowed Jesus to transform five loaves and two fish into the original power lunch! The simple lunch basket became a supernatural lunch buffet!

Have you grown to the “loanership” level or are you still laying claim to what He has given you to share?

Lordship – “I am God’s, everything I have is God’s and God can use it as He pleases.”

Have you noticed that many times when people say, “It’s not about the money” that it is about the money? But when God says. “It is not about the money” it is about much more that money.

With God, it’s not about ownership because He already owns everything. And it is not about stewardship because we can give our money and keep our hearts. And it is not about loanership because it is not possession He wants – He wants to possess us! He wants us to possess Him and His holiness and His authority and His power.

THAT is Lordship!

Lordship is Abraham offering Isaac on an altar when God’s will is confusing.

Lordship is Noah building an ark for over a century when it hadn’t rained.

Lordship is Joshua declaring, “As for me and my house……..”

Lordship is Job declaring, “Though He slay me, yet will I serve Him”

Lordship is a widow giving her last penny to honor God at the Temple.

Here’s what Lordship looks like:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

MONEY SPEAKS! IT TELLS:

Who You Love

Whose Your Lord