What Do You Have in Your Hand?

I went on a hunting expedition this morning for the multiple stories of Jesus feeding multitudes of people. (Mt. 14:13-21, Mt. 15:32-39, Mk. 6:30-34, Mk. 8:1-9, Lk. 9: 12-17, Jn. 6:1-13). There is a common thread in these accounts that is amazing. Jesus told, and still tells His disciples (that would be us!) "you feed!" How are we ever going to feed so many Lord? Whatever Jesus blesses will be multiplied and it will be done. Jesus is telling us not to fret when hundreds come, because thousands are coming!

Today on the news I saw an example in Haiti of God's people taking care of business. No one is waiting around for someone to come and help them out. I wouldn't call it a well-oiled machine, but the job of caring and loving survivors is getting done.

Their church lies in ruins in the background. They have arranged shelters for themselves and any neighbor who comes into the church property. Fires are going, huge pots of stews are being cooked. Each of God's people have given what PENNIES they have in their hands and from that little bit, God is giving much. Vegetables, fruits and perhaps a little meat. Their faces show their trust is in the Living God! The earthquake has strengthened their faith and they are ALL sharing what they have. They know they are the blessed of God. We don't have much in the way of problems do we?

Every day we have a roof over our heads, food on the table and clothing to wear, gas in the car to get to work. Let us be thankful and realize when tough times, really tough times come, our Father never abandons us. Be encouraged today to give what you have in your hand. Haiti is one of the poorest nations on this earth, yet in the middle of their adversity, Christians have their own "Feed-a-Block" going. God bless His people in Haiti.

Vision 2

Yes; without vision, the people perish. "When people do not accept divine guidance [vision],they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful." Prov. 29:18 NLT. Now, "Vision 1" is complete.

I've been reading of the loaves and fishes. In the three accounts I read, Jesus had compassion on the people. Love compelled Him to feed and take care of the people who came to Him with their needs. When Jesus blesses what we give, there is more than enough to go around.

What a large vision for the disciples. You feed...you feed...you feed. And with the blessing of Jesus, they did just that. No one went away from the provision hungry. I love the prefix, pro and suffix, vision! At the beginning it must have seemed an impossible task. All by ourselves it will always be so, but we will never have to be anxious about the vision God gives. He will never leave us or forsake us.

This is no small mission Jesus has given us. From the beginning, it's been large vision. Consider the Great Commission...go into ALL the world and preach the gospel. Everything God does is big. Creation vision, big. Salvation through Jesus Christ, the most powerful vision the world has ever experienced. God's vision for love, so great it's never ending. It's difficult to imagine anyone ever turning down the blessing of being part of this. Even if our part is small, when it's together, God will bless it.

Keep your eyes and ears open for the next few weeks concerning vision. Pray. Talk with friends about vision. Churches all over the world are getting ready to see a move of God so great...There are no words for it, except be ready. No one is left out, just say yes and God will provide for vision. Opportunities will seem to pop up out of no where. Just look at the news today, the terrible quake in Haiti and Dominican Republic. Look, just look at the outpouring of compassion God is giving people to help rescue, to heal, to provide. This is God moving in our earth. This is so big, it overshadows everything else we hear in the media . This is the Great Commission in action. Action has been a big part of TRC as long as we have been attending, almost six years. I expect it to soar and we will never look back except to thank God for what He has done in the past.

Can we do this? In our really small Monroe? In the power of His might, we will do it. God says.

Vision

I've been praying since yesterday for blog words to write about God's vision. Every day we know that God has been stepping up the pace of ministry through TRC, but putting living words to the vision that He has given is another thing. It's like trying to explain the presence of Jesus. Words are wholly lacking to describe what that means in the heart. It's the same with vision.

There are certain things we know about vision. We perish without it. "Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." There's a clue, obedience to the will of God. Jesus very simply called his disciples, "Come, follow me." No big explaination, no great response from the disciples about what questions they may have had, if they did have questions. (Do you suppose Judas thought to himself, "what's in it for me?" Just wondering.)

The call of Jesus covers everything. Anxious about the unknown? Come, follow me. How will I have time for everything? Come, follow me. I will if... What is that to you? Come, follow me. I don't have much. Come, follow me. I'm weak, come follow me. Whatever we can come up with, Jesus says: "Come, follow me."

The second part of Vision soon.

Sweet Presence of Jesus

Early this morning my granddaughter Rosemary and I had a twitter exchange about a worship song titled "This is our God." It's one of many worship and praise songs that Hillsong has produced. The song is the title to the cd. Well worth having it.

This afternoon I was doing some veggie shopping at Uwajimaya in Bellevue, thinking this whole time about worship and found myself rushing to get done with errands and get home. I knew an "event" with the Lord was about to happen. I got my iPod and started listening to the song. Had to play it again. And again and again. How precious and sweet is the presence of Jesus our Lord! We are powerfully changed in His presence. Oh, if all the world would know how beautiful our Savior is!

Since being a part of TRC, the way I look at praise and worship has been changed forever.

We are created to worship the Lord. All of God's creation has a desire to worship something greater than what we are, so some create no-gods so they can "see" their god, but their no-god will forever be what it is, a no-god without power to love, create, forgive, or bless. We have the honor to worship the true and living God, and I pray all of us will come to prayer and worship looking at worship with new eyes. We can have high expectations because of who our God is.

I pray this Sunday we all come expecting to know the presence of Jesus as we worship together. Let's thank God we still have the privilege of freely worshiping Him with all that we are.

Christmas Eve 2009

Must see! Our granddaughter Rosemary just posted pictures and comments from the evening together. She and her husband Josh, also known as CB1, have a definite flair for capturing everything with pictures. That's why you must see! www.chakulablog.com This is their food blog and it is very much like them; joyful, colorful, and passionate. Click on the link here, or on the left side of my blog and you'll be there.

2010:Men and Women of Influence

We are chosen by God to be people of influence in our families, the Church, our neighborhoods, our nations, our world. God hasn't called us into His great kingdom to be men and women sitting on the sidelines of life.

I've been thinking about influence since before Christmas; who has influenced me, who are the great influences from the Bible, what great pastors have we had that have influenced us? Some of the greatest influences have been people with humble spirits. Most have never been well known. Others from the Bible are favorites of all of us. I love the life of Esther. Her circumstances of being an orphan could have had a negative influence on her, but God had big plans for her. From God's point of view, it doesn't matter what our background has been. Many times He chose the humble to do His greatest work. The shepherd boy David faced down the giant and influenced his nation for God the rest of his life. And what of Gideon? Saul/Paul had a confrontation with God and look how the world has been influenced by Paul's obedience?

It's true, no matter who we are, because of His Spirit in us, we are men and women of influence. World changing, nation changing, life changing influence. Just coming to church, doing the bare minimum (no such thing in God's kingdom), isn't for any of us. If someone in your life has said to you, that you'll never amount to anything, I challenge you to reject that in Jesus name because it's a lie.

2010, twenty-ten, MMX, however you want to put it, dust off your gifts that God has placed in you and use them to influence people...this year. If you're wondering how that will happen, come to TRC Sunday, 9:30 and 11:30 AM and you will hear about prayer and fasting. Put yourself in God's hands and you will know what He wants you to do.

Message to a Friend

What you are experiencing right now in this state of rebellion is the grace of God. He alone is the Giver of all life. He is our very breath, (Gen. 2:7). He chooses when and how long we breathe. There is only one God who gives us life. Physical, spiritual and emotional life, and when we rebel, we waste that precious life He gives.

Did the way get too narrow for you? Have you taken offense at someone? The way of rebellion is the broad way and at first it will seem like it gives freedom, but it's a trap. It all leads to captivity and eventual death. There is nothing you will find in this world that will match the love of Christ in your life. Why would you ignore His great love when you need it the most?

This may be a hard saying (John 6:60-64), but faithful are the wounds of a friend, Proverbs 27:5-9. If you are courageous, read Proverbs 27, the whole chapter. In it you'll find what grace gives, and also what rebellion gives when we insist on living our own way.

We are almost at the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century. Time is moving quickly my dear friend. I challenge you to take a great leap of faith, put away the lust of the flesh. You will never be satisfied fully in this world, but in Christ all of us are heirs to all things. Make 2010 a new beginning, the grace of our Christ is about restoration of all things. Let your alls be all.

TRC this Sunday, 9:30, 11:30. We're saving the seat for you. Friends are waiting.