October 24, 2013

"Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”  John 4:39-42

Who doesn't love a good miracle?

Who couldn't use a miracle?

Over the past few days we have learned a couple of things about miracles. 

First, miracles happen in response to a great need. If you are struggling with a big need you are a candidate for a miracle!

Second, miracles happen as a result of a great deed. When you do what God has asked you to do He will do what only He can do.

Today I want to make another point about miracles. While we like the outward miracles that we can see happen, but some of the most effective miracles are those that happen in the heart of a person and are out of view.

As an example of this point, I point to the Samaritan woman at the well whom Jesus encountered.

Something happened to her! Something changed her from the inside out. Her heart was different! Her attitude was different. Her demeanor was different.

She had met the Messiah! She found the living water that would flood her with joy. She found Someone Who told her everything she had ever done and yet He didn't condemn her. In fact, He loved her despite her sinfulness.

Once she had experienced the grace of Jesus for the forgiveness of her sins, she hurried into her hometown and told everyone about this Messiah Who have changed her heart!

The record shows that most of the town put their faith in Jesus and make Him their Messiah! 

That's miraculous!

When Jesus fed the multitude, thousands were satisfied but there is no record that any were saved.

I encourage you to expand your concept of miracles! A miracle that transforms a life is no less significant than one that parts the sea.

Don't miss the forest for the trees!

October 23, 2013

"After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing."  John 9:6-8

As you were reminded in yesterday's post, miracles always happen in respond to a need. The more desperate the need the greater the miracle.

I want to call your attention to another common denominator in Biblical miracles - a great deed.

Just as every miracle happened in response to a need, every miracle was preceded by a deed.

What do I mean by a "deed"?

By a "deed" I am referring to an act of obedience done to demonstrate faith in Jesus.

The blind man was told to go wash in the pool. He did and when he did he was healed!

Moses was told to lift his staff and stretch it over the waters of the Red Sea. He did and the sea opened to allow hundreds of thousands to cross on dry ground!

Peter was told to step out of the boat and onto the stormy sea. He did and walked on the water!

Four friends climbed to the roof and tore a hole in it to lower their friend down to Jesus. He was converted and healed!

The stewards at the wedding were told to fill the jars with water and bring them back to Jesus. When they did He turned the water to wine.

Jesus told Lazarus' friends to unseal the tomb. When they did, Jesus walked in and spoke life back into Lazarus!

The disciples were told to cast their nets over to the other side of the boat. When they did they caught so many fish their nets were breaking!

If you care to study the miracles of the Bible (OT and NT) you will see these two dynamics at work in each miracle - there was a great need and in response to that need there was a person who obeyed and did a great deed. The great need and the great deed combined to demonstrate the healing power of Jesus.

Are you in need?

Ask God what He wants you to do about it!

October 22, 2013

"When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves. "But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!" They said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  Matthew 14:15-17

Let's see, here we have thousands of hungry people and just one simple lunch. That's a problem! How do you do the math on that?

Well, when you have Jesus it helps balance the equation: 1 lad + 1 lunch + 1 Lord = leftovers!

No wonder the feeding of the 5,000 is one of the most popular and well-known miracles of the Bible!

This miracle illustrates an important truth that binds all the Biblical miracles together - every miracle came in response to a need! Search the Old Testament and the New Testament and try to find a miracle that did not happen because there was a God-sized need to be met. 

In 2013 America, we don't like having unmet needs. Most don't need to be needy. Some believe they are entitled to have their needs met. I don't enjoy being in need and I doubt if you do.

But, let's think about this. Miracles arise in response to needs and we don't like to be needy. So do you think there could be a possible connection between our aversion to needs and the rare occurrence of miracles?

While I am sure the answer to the question of miracles is more complicated than just a reluctance to admit you have a need or your unwillingness to suffer need, I am sure it is part of the reason.

A multitude to feed, a dead brother to raise, a sea that stands in the way, a man who is lame, a man who is blind and millions in a dessert needing food and water, were all desperate needs that were met by a miraculous provision from God.

Every person I know would love to receive a miracle. But not every one of them is willing to bear suffering or neediness.

If needs give rise to miracles, and if you don't want to be in need, guess what you will likely not receive?

Perhaps you need to spend some quiet with God and give this some prayerful consideration.

October 21, 2013

"Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples.  Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping."  Matthew 8:23-24 

It is good to be in the same boat with Jesus. You would like to think that if you are in the boat with Jesus you would have smooth sailing. But this story proves that having Jesus in the boat does not exempt you from storms, contrary to what some might claim.

Why would anyone think that being in the boat with Jesus should exempt you from the storms? Is He a lucky charm? Is He a season pass from suffering? Do we get pulled out of the real world? What are your expectations when you share the boat with Jesus? What should they be?

Let's talk about the expectation thing this morning. I think it is crucial and I also think it is one of the central truths of this story. We try to fit Jesus into our expectations. A few storms can knock that out of us.

We should expect Jesus to be exactly Who He is - the Son of God! It is up to us to discover all that means.

Jesus had spent the day trying to reveal to the disciples Who He is and what they should expect from Him. Go back and start at the beginning of Matthew 8 to set the context for this story.

He healed a leper, and then He was pleasantly surprised by the faith demonstrated by a Roman officer - so much so that He made a point of it to His disciples in case they had missed it. And, to honor that Roman's faith, He did a long-distance healing. Later, He healed Peter's mother-in-law and spent the evening casting out demons.

Not bad for one day in the life of Jesus!

Based on that brief glimpse, what should we expect when He gets in our boat?

Expect Him to be powerful! He had power over disease and over demons!

Expect Him to be Scriptural! He used His power to fulfill the prophecies and promises of Scripture! If you want to know Him, know them!

Expect Him to be purposeful! After Jesus had healed and delivered and ministered, He called those who would follow Him to put Him first. A Christ-follower must be willing to forsake all to come after Him.

Expect Him to be personal! Jesus spoke to large crowds and was followed by multitudes and ultimately died for everyone, but He deals with people individually - personally. He knows your name! He knows your need!

As you meditate on these thoughts, let me ask you two more questions, "How many of your fears are rooted in wrong expectations of Jesus?" And, "What would happen to your level of fear if you came to a better understanding of what to expect from Him?"

Could we be onto something here?

October 20, 2013

"Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm."  Matthew 8:26

Jesus asked a very probing question, "Why are you afraid?"

He didn't wait for them to answer, He gave them a pointed answer, "You have so little faith."

That had to be hard to hear, but who's going to question Jesus? No one responded, "We have great faith!"

They knew He was right!

Have you ever heard Jesus whisper that to you? I'm sure you have questioned your own faith from time to time. And I guarantee that the devil has often accused you about your lack of faith.

They probably understood the point He was trying to make, but they were notoriously slow learners.

So, just in case - - what WAS He saying to them?

First of all, I believe He rebuked them because they called on Him out of fear rather than out of faith. You really could paraphrase this sentence, "Oh, you of great fear!" and not change the gist of the question. If you haven't noticed by now you soon will, this study is about faith as much as it is about fear.

Second, I think He confronted them for allowing the 18" gap between their heads and their hearts. We have that, too, don't we? The difference between faith and fear is the difference between what we know about Jesus and how we apply it to life situations. In the past 24 hours these guys had seen Jesus healing people and casting out demons. They knew He had power and authority from God, but when they were faced with this storm, they forgot Who He was. You could rephrase His statement like this, "Don't you remember Who I am, you fearful ones?"

And, I believe that He was disappointed that they had focused on the storm instead of the Son of God. They became fixated on the problem rather than His power. He was a second thought to them when He should have been a first response. In their boat lay the Creator of the universe and they got spooked by a storm. Their fearful focus relgated Jesus to an unused resource. 

It is a lot easier to recognize this "lack of faith" in the life of others, isn't it? Those disciples, what were they thinking?

But let me ask you, "If Jesus stood before you right now would He commend your faith or would He confront your fear?" 

Like the disciples, you can't have great fear and great faith at the same time. And like them, you may be just 18" away from having greater faith. What do you need to do today to move what you believe about Jesus in your head to how you respond with your heart?

Oh, by the way, Jesus calmed the storm anyway.

October 19, 2013

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”  Revelation 12:11

This short verse is long on important truth. It gives three ways to overcome the Enemy in your daily living.

The Cross of Christ - “by the blood of the Lamb”

While It is hard to fully understand the scope and significance of the Cross of Christ, there are several significant truths that we CAN get our minds around.

-          It provides forgiveness for sins

-          It promotes fellowship with God

-          It purchased freedom in Christ

-          It promises a forever future

Praise God for the power of the Cross!

Second, there is The Confession of Christ – “by the word of their testimony”

I believe Christians don’t understand the power of their testimony. Briefly, here are three reasons why your testimony overcomes the Enemy:

-          It is a testament to the power of God

-          It is a test of my performance (how is my life impacting others)

-          It taunts the Enemy for his predicament

Finally, there is The Commitment to Christ – “they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

When you embrace the power and the purpose of the Cross it will transform your life. As you serve God daily through your life and your lips it will translate into a testimony. You could say that a testimony is the result of your faith being tested against life. As that happens you will discover that faith wins! But you will also discover the Enemy will fight back. When you have a powerful testimony you will make some people happy and other people very angry. You will encounter opposition and some persecution. It will require commitment to be faithful to Christ in an ungodly world. You will need to have the some sort of commitment Jesus had!

Christ-commitment means you have no “plan B”.

If your Christianity is worth living by isn’t it worth dying for?

Do you need more spiritual power in your life?

Cling to the Cross!

Confess Christ with your life and your lips!

Commit to following Him with no plan B!

October 18, 2013

"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters who accuses them before our God day and night,  has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." Revelation 12:10-11

Just in case I haven't convinced you of the power of a personal testimony like yours or like mine, here are two more women touched by the testimony of Rhonda Baker:

"A few words about my Women's Pastor Rhonda Baker: A huge hole was made in my heart when I was a child, due to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse I endured from my parents. I started self medicating with drugs about 13 yrs old. I'm 53 and at 43 I finally was able to get off drugs. I thought life would get better, men work, kids, nothing filled the hole in my heart. The first of this year I walked into central, in a full blown depressive black mood, whatever happened that day was my last resort. I had to look like a real mess tear stained face shaking mumbling the words,"i need help" A wonderful women grabbed my hand and said "lets get you to Rhonda" It was Thursday women's conference day so I was handed off to three more wonderful women with a warm hand and a hug and the words"get her to Rhonda" Central is a huge church with lots of hallways.and lots of women were there that day, but we turned a corner and I saw something truly special in a tall slender blonde women, and I knew this was Rhonda. She took my hand led me to her office, I'm not sure what blurted out of my sobbing mouth, but when she started to talk I knew that The Almighty God , His Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit, were using Her to guide me and teach me that my heart will be filled, that I'm no longer out in the dark alone and cold. Through Rhonda, that day My Savior brought me home. I listen to every piece of advice Rhonda gives me, and it always works. I'm in C R, I go to the 12 step program, the women's conference, I volunteer on Saturdays with the homeless and of course church on Sundays. I see her around and I kno shes one of the busiest people on this planet but if she sees me, its always a warm hello, and she stops the world for a minute, and asks how I am. Rhonda Baker You ask? Yes I know her, through God she saved my life. sincerely, and with many many blessing to you all,"  Lori York

"My name is Tracy and my husband's name is Darryl. We live in Las Vegas and we were on the verge of divorce 5 years ago because he had an affair and we were far from God and were living the Vegas life style of growing marijuana for a living in our house with our children that were two and one years old. The friends we had were all strippers and their husbands were criminals. I was applying to be a waitress at the strip club but God shut that door and protected me by not getting a call back to be hired. I found pornography at home and had enough of this life so I went to Central Christian Church to Celebrate Recovery and God restored our marriage and we stopped everything and started a new life with new christian friends, we got sober and jumped right into ministry. I applied to be Rhonda Baker's intern and this time I got a call back because God had other plans for my life. She mentored me and taught me everything, what it is to be a godly woman, wife, mother, and friend. She taught me what real love is. She believed in me and taught me how to be a disciple for Jesus. She fanned into flame that spark in me to spread the good news. After two years of interning with her she told me I'm ready to go out there and lead but I didn't want to leave her safe umbrella. Every time I doubted myself and didn't believe I was good enough, she uplifted me, encouraged me and reminded me of God's calling on my life for such a time as this. Me and my husband are now in ministry, he teaches jr high and high school and we are launching a brand new ministry of Celebrate Recovery at the satellite campus in the Southwest Las Vegas. I am now mentoring women and showing them everything Rhonda taught me on how to fully submit to God and get off the fence of being half in the world. I am forever grateful for Rhonda Baker!"


Okay, so let's review. Randy Baker's testimony and my testimony and the witness of a small Wesleyan Church convinced Rhonda to give her heart to Jesus. After Rhonda walked with the Lord for a number of years (while she was developing her testimony) God called her into ministry. Now Rhonda serves in women's ministry at a mega-church in Las Vegas, Nevada.


You have just seen two examples of the impact of her testimony.


It makes me wonder who is waiting to hear your testimony.