An Immediacy and Urgency to Jesus' Mission

Yesterday, I started a personal study in the book of Mark. I was immediately struck by the word "immediately." (See what I did there?) Well, this particular word was used at least 8 times within the very first chapter of Mark. As I thought about why this was, I thought about our culture and how we always seem to want the next thing. I know for myself that I am rarely content in the place that God has me and am always looking ahead to the next thing. I can so easily lose sight of the mission that Jesus has called me to as His disciple. I can know so many truths about God and His Word, yet I can so often neglect to live them out. 

So as I continued to study Mark 1, there seemed to be a purpose and urgency to Jesus’ mission while He was on earth that can so often evade us these days. Aren't we as his disciples called to emulate Jesus' example? 

This purpose started with Jesus calling his disciples by saying, "follow me!" How did the disciples respond to these words? They "immediately" left what they were doing and all that they had to follow Jesus.

When Jesus went into a synagogue, he "immediately" started teaching.

After he was done teaching, he "immediately" left and went to the next house and healed Simon and Andrew's mother's fever.

The following day, he didn't waste time. It says in verse 35, "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."

Jesus was on a mission that was purposeful and urgent. He wasn't messing around. And the fact is, Jesus is still on a mission today through his disciples. But, can’t we often mess around and lack the purpose and urgency that we see Jesus display through the gospels?

I started asking myself today as I continued into chapter 2 and watched the way that Jesus had lunch with sinners. When was the last time I had lunch with a bunch of sinners? When was the last time I heard someone was sick and went over to their house to just be with them and pray for them? When was the last time I openly preached the gospel to a group of unsaved people? 

If you and I truly are called to emulate Jesus' example? Then why do we so often forget the urgency of His mission and so often neglect proclaiming his kingdom to those around us?

Remember that story about the men who remove the roof and lowered the paralyzed man down in front of Jesus? Why did they have to do that? Because, Jesus had opened his home up to anyone and his house was so full of sinners that no one could enter through the front door. 

Jesus surrounded himself with people that were in need not only of physical healing, but also more importantly he surrounded himself with people that were in need of salvation from their sins. 

Jesus gave up his throne in heaven to surround himself with sinners like you and I. Why did he "immediately" go from place to place? He wanted as many people as possible to experience the love of his heavenly Father. That's what we as His disciples should want as well. We should want other's to experience the love of the Heavenly Father that we have experienced through Jesus. 

A closing question for you to think about: Are you really willing to give up everything you have, your car, your job, your house, your family, even your own life for the sake of the gospel?

Jesus gave up everything so you could have an eternal hope and peace. Are you willing to give up everything you have in this world so that others can have that eternal hope and peace as well? 

We as his disciple must fight to never lose sight of the urgency and immediacy of Jesus' mission.

You're alone in that sin: A lie from the devil!

You’re alone: one of the biggest lies by which the devil uses to keep us entangled in sin and deep in shame.

Would anyone understand if I confessed?

Why would I confess when everyone would just think less of me?

Lies, lies and more lies: I was not alone!

For over two years I believed that lie.

For over two years I walked in hidden sin.

For over two years no one knew who I truly was.

On the outside I put up a front. On the inside I was rotting, decaying and falling apart.

Yes, I professed to be a believer when I was 7.

Yes, I knew all the right answers.

Yes, I was known as a “godly” leader amongst my peers.

But, I was the only one who truly knew what was going on inside of me.

It was depressing and lonely.

And each time I clicked that link or deleted that web history, I felt emptier.

I felt as if I was alone.

That no one would understand.

That I would be thought of as less.

Lies, lies, and more lies: I was not alone!

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I knew I couldn’t keep living two separate lives.

I was no longer clicking on that link because of desire or want. It was a habit.

A habit that I had did not want anymore.

But my pride was still getting in the way.

One morning, I decided to push that pride to the side.

I decided to not believe the lies of the devil.

But to believe the promises of God’s Word.

1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God. Being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit.”

Christ suffered once for my sins.

The sins that I keep giving into were the reason Jesus CHOSE to die for me.

The sinless creator of the world died for my sinful soul.

Each click, each lustful thought or action that I gave into were the reasons Jesus was spit upon, mocked, whipped and crucified.

Instead of thanking Jesus, I was turning my back on him.

Instead of thanking Jesus, I was saying I know better than the sustainer of the universe.

When I confessed my sins, all the lies of Satan were proved wrong.

I wasn’t alone.

The only one that was alone was Jesus as hung upon the cross.

The only one that was alone was Jesus as he endured the wrath for all of my lust, pride and lies.

I wasn’t condemned or looked down upon.

I was lifted up and encouraged by brothers and sisters.

I was surrounded by people who were struggling and fighting the same temptations of the world that I faced.

I wasn’t alone.

Satan wants to make us think we’re alone.

Satan wants to make us think no one will understand.

But they are lies: You are not alone!

In reality, it’s quite the opposite.

The devil uses the same tricks and the same snares to entice all human beings.

No human being is alone.

Don’t believe that lie anymore.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man…” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth…But…if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:6,9)

Will you hold back when Jesus calls?

Today I began David Platt's new book, "Follow me: A call to die. A call to live." I've already been encouraged after the intro and first chapter and highly recommend it. During the first chapter Platt quotes Oswald Chamber's from his devotional "My Utmost for His Highest."  It challenged me and provoked me that I just had to share it here. Read the following, and I pray it encourages you to live the life God is calling you to live:

"Suppose God tells you to do something that is an enormous test of your common sense, totally going against it. What will you do? Will you hold back? If you get into the habit of doing something physically, you will do it every time you are tested until you break the habit through sheer determination.  And the same is true spiritually, Again and again you will come right up to what Jesus wants, but every time you will turn back at the true point of testing, until you are determined to abandon yourself to God in total surrender….

Jesus Christ demands the same unrestrained, adventurous spirit in those who have placed their trust in Him….If a person is ever going to do anything worthwhile, there will be times when he must risk everything by his leap in the dark.  In the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold on to or believe through common sense, and leap by faith into what He says.  Once you obey, you will immediately find that what He says is as solidly consistent as common sense.

By the test of common sense, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad, but when you test them by the trial of faith, your finding will fill your spirit with the awesome fact that they are the very words of God. Trust completely in God, and when He brings you to a new opportunity of adventure, offering it to you, see that you take it.  We act like pagans in a crisis—only one out of an entire crowd is daring enough to invest his faith in the character of God."

My Top Ten Books of 2012

I just wanted to share briefly what books have challenged, encouraged me and taught me the most this past year. I'd encourage you to pick up any one of these books and be encouraged in your walk with him. I've included a paragraph after each title to share a little about what the book is about and why I loved it. Also included is a link to Amazon where you can purchase the book. I pray that you would be encouraged by these books for they have certainly challenged me immensely in my walk this past year!

1. Gospel Wakefulness - Jared Wilson
I think the reason this book hit home with me so much is that I saw myself throughout the pages. There were countless testimonies that pointed to Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in people's lives. Jared Wilson talks a lot about how we are often not awake to the true depth of the gospel. A lot of times it takes someone hitting rock bottom in a sin or in a trial to fully grasp what Jesus did for you on the cross.  I've given this book out countless times and recommend every believer get a copy of this book and read it!

2. Kisses from Katie - Katie Davis
This was one of those books that I just couldn't put down. Katie's example of faith and willingness to follow Jesus no matter what was the main reason. Katie's selflessness and desire to help the neediest of people will challenge, convict and change the way you live life. Buy it, read it and emulate her example where you live!

3. Gospel Centered Discipleship - Jonathon Dodson
I've read this book twice in the last 12 months. The first chapter opens up with talking about how we often as believers we separate evangelism and discipleship. Jonathon does a great job explaining how believers should not only be looking to be discipled but also be seeking to discipling others, but as we do this we must always have the gospel central. Definitely worth your time to read.

4. Reckless Abandon - David Sitton
This book is another story of a missionary who worked in the unreached people groups of Papa New Guinea. David Sitton writes about his time there and how God moved and saved many people through the work of a few missionaries who obeyed Jesus words to "go and make disciples of all nations." If you like a book that will challenge you to reconsider the way you are living your life currently, this is a book that will do it!

5. One to One Bible Reading - David Helm
This is a short book that I read in two sittings. But it really helped me think through how to sit down one on one with another individual and study God's Word. It talks about sitting down with a non-believer, newer believer and a person who has been saved for a long time. This book has helped me immensely in the ministry that I've been doing in the public high schools!

6. When Helping Hurts - Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett
Two professors at Covenant College came together to write about how churches and believers often have good intent in helping the poor and those in need. But in reality, we are doing more harm then we are doing good. They do an excellent job in bringing clarity in what truly is helping those in need and what the best way to come alongside them is!

7. Jumping Through Fires - David Nasser
I read this book in one night. David is now a pastor in Birmingham, Alabama but in this book he shares the story of his life. He shares how his family had to flee from Iran and how they finally came to live in America.  It's a powerful story of how God changed and saved the hearts of an entire devoted Iranian Islamic family.

8. Radical - David Platt
This is one of my favorite books of all time and a yearly read for me. I had the privilege of leading a group of teens through this in a 4-week book study. Not only did I see God use it to challenge the high school students who were reading it, I was freshly challenged again as I read through the pages for a 5th time. One review says that Platt shows, "God is in it for God’s glory, and we are given God’s grace so that we can multiply his image throughout the rest of the world. We are here to extend God’s glory, not simply enjoy the material rewards of grace and blessing."

9. The Cross and Christian Ministry - D.A. Carson
A book that was written a while ago. This was the first book I read in 2012 and was freshly provoked by the way Carson takes the first 4 chapters of 1 Corinthians and shares 9 key leadership lessons for ministry. While its directed towards leaders, Carson writes with every believer in mind. He reminds us that the cross of Christ must stay central in preaching and in Christianity as it is the transforming power from spiritual death to life, and Christian immaturity to maturity.

10. (2013) The Insanity of God - Nik Ripken
As I battled what to put for my tenth and final book, I couldn't get this book off my mind. Although it did come out this month in the year 2013, I decided to cheat a little and put it on this list. This book contains countless stories of persecuted Christians around the world. Nik Ripken (not his real name) worked in Somaliland for 6 years before having to pull out because of the war. As the back of the book says, "The ashes of Somalia led the Ripkens to travel around the world to listen to the stories of more than six hundred believers in over sixty countries." The stories in this book at times moved me to tears, but most of the time to praising God for his power amidst persecution. Buy this book, read this book, be challenged by this book and let God transform your heart to follow Him like these persecuted Christians.

Living Wholeheartedly Today

A friend of mine sent me this quote by Charles Spurgeon yesterday, "We have no other time in which to live.  The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. Serve God now. Do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do tomorrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of today. No man ever served God by doing things tomorrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the thing which we do today. Do not give Christ a little slurred labour; but when you do serve Him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength."

It's so easy for me to think of the future, to think of what I want to do down the road. I so often desire to be in the future rather then in the present, but then I remember I'm exactly where I wished I was 2 years ago. I'm in the future of my past and now I'm wishing for something else.

I don't want this to be true of me anymore. I want to live today serving God wholeheartedly where I am. I don't want to look back in a year or two and be thinking of time that I wasted. Time that I frittered away thinking of the future. Let us us honor Christ in all that we do today and at this very moment. Let us serve God today with our whole heart, our whole soul and all the strength we can muster! Let's go to bed tonight tired from serving God wholeheartedly today.

Tempted to Complain? (Two truths to remember)

This morning, I awoke to a calm after a storm. Hurricane Sandy came through Maryland last night and did some damage. Not as much as expected, but still caused some inconveniences such as roads being closed, basements being flooded, power outages, lack of sleep.

After about 5 hours of sleep and a shower, I headed out to the local Starbucks to start prepping for two bible studies I will be leading in the next two days. So after I got my cup of coffee, I opened up my bible to Philippians 2. 

Verse 14, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning,”

It was like a slap to my face, like a bucket of ice cold water being dumped on my head. I have constantly been tempted the last few months to grumble/complain about or question my circumstances. And not only have I been tempted, but I have been complaining and questioning my circumstances. Then last night happened, and I got minimal sleep and spent hours making making sure two basements didn’t flood. I complained this morning in my heart and started complaining even more this afternoon as I sat down in Starbucks trying to work and study without my eyes shutting. But then I read this verse and took a punch to the gut. I have no place to complain or grumble at all. Ever.

I have every reason to be happy, content and satisfied in my dear Lord this morning. And even though there are some inconveniences here and there. I’d still have every reason to be happy, content and satisfied in the Lord this morning.  There is a single truth that cannot change about me: I am a Son of God and this does not change based on how I feel or change because of circumstances. I am a Son of God because my faith is in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

Philippians 2:5-8, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

This is the reason we are to do everything without grumbling or complaining. . If Jesus didn’t grumble and complain about becoming a man and dying a death he didn’t deserve. Then I have no right to question or complain about anything.

Although this is the primary reason, Paul also gives us another reason to do everything without grumbling or questioning. Verses 14-15 together say, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

We live in a crooked and twisted generation. And when we grumble or complain, we are just going with the flow of this world. Let us shine as lights in the world.

So, today, tomorrow and the every day to follow let us remember these two truths no matter your circumstance and no matter how you feel:

Remember the truth of the gospel.  

Remember we are representing Jesus Christ. 

Let us fight to live in a way that we can say what Paul did in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

Can Someone Be a Believer and Not Read God's Word?

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A few years ago, I went through a period of really doubting God and my faith. I had a lot of questions about what I believed. One of the biggest ones was: How do I know the Bible is reliable and real?

I’ve included a few resources on the bottom of this post that were very helpful to me in helping me gain a understanding and trust in God’s Word. But to be honest, the biggest way I’ve gained faith in God’s Word is by diving into it and studying it for myself! I remember two years ago, I hardly had any desire or hunger for God’s Word. I’d grown up reading it, but I did this more out of duty and because my parents told me too.

Two years ago, when I started walking in the light (See my last post), I was a part of a small group led by a man with a passion and knowledge of God’s Word that I so desperately wanted. Tonight as I write this, I can say with 100% honesty that God has been faithful in giving me that passion for His Word.

The other night in a small group I was leading, one of the guys in my group asked the following question, “Can a person be a believer and not read God’s Word?”  

This of course started a pretty long conversation with a lot of thoughts that were thrown out. But I truly believe this question can be answered by realizing who we have become when we place our faith in Christ's death and resurrection. If God has cleansed us with Jesus’ blood, if we are living in the good of what He has done for us, we are going to have some type of desire for God’s Word. Even when I didn’t have a complete hunger, desire and awe for God’s Word, I knew that God’s Word was written for my good and I recognized that I needed it more.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”(ESV)

When this was written, it was a promise of what was to come. It was a foreshadowing of when Jesus was going to die on the cross and atone for our sins. It's saying when we put our faith in the blood of Jesus, we are then cleansed. Then look at what it says God will do, “I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” You literally are getting a new heart at conversion. This new heart knows what is from God and has discernment as to what is from the world. Not only do we receive a new heart, we now have a new spirit that causes us to walk in God’s ways. So to answer the question, “Can we a believer and not read God’s Word?”

Yes and no. Yes, if you have no access to it. A lot of believers don’t have God’s Word in their languages, but they would give a lot to get it. But no, if you do have access to it. Because you are going to have some sort of desire for it. You may not have a deep burning passion to study it for hours each day, but you’ve been given a new heart.  Therefore you know that the Word of God is one of the biggest means for you as a believer to know Him.

I want to challenge you. Don’t take God’s Word for granted. Most of us have 5 copies in 5 different translations on our shelves and read it because it’s what a believer is suppose to do. That's what I did for a long time. When I saw my small group leader’s passion and desire for God’s Word and was jealous of it. I started praying every morning for that same kind of passion and desire. I cried out to Him every morning to give me a hunger, to show me new things, to make me fall in love with His Word. And after about two weeks of doing this every morning, God answered that prayer. The last two years, God has taught me so much through His Word and I can’t go a day without opening it and God revealing Himself to me.

If you currently have no desire or hunger for God’s Word, if you currently look at it as a check box on your daily list of things to do. Stop for a second and consider what you are holding in your hands. It is the Word of God. God has revealed himself to us and we now have access to growing in our understanding and knowledge of Him.

I think the most important thing we need to understand is that the Word of God is one of the most vital ways for us as believers to deepen our relationship with God. It is the key for us as believers to be able to understand how God has called us to live in this life. It is the way we as believers can understand and gain a greater image of just how great the God we really are serving. Dive into God’s Word and find satisfaction that is not found in this world.

A couple resources that have served me immensely in doubting God's Word a couple years ago:

1) “The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?” by F.F. Bruce.

http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Testament-Documents-Reliable/dp/0802822193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348004806&sr=8-1&keywords=are+the+new+testament+documents+reliable

2) MP3 “Can We Trust Our Bibles?” by Peter Williams

http://sgm.edgeboss.net/download/sgm/next/2011/next2011.s3-williams.mp3