Whew, my head is spinning as I look back at the last few weeks. The sale of our church facilities, the move into a school and the development of systems for doing the portable church thing all have dominated my time and thought life. I see why companies like Portable Church Industries charge forty to fifty thousand to set up a portable church. I have found it to be challenging and thrilling to be on a new adventure. Yet I recognize that it is vital not to let the project choke out the central reason the project exists in the first place. That is that Christ would be revealed in our community. It starts with us staying connected and passionate about our relationship with Jesus. There is an ever-present danger to drift into an outward religion and to let the inner fires of faith and passion for Christ to wane. The Apostle Paul who was incredible busy building and planting churches wrote that life for him centered on the ” greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”. Jesus must be the central focus of our lives. We can do that by making a conscience decision to place Christ first. It is helpful to remember and rehearse what Jesus has done for you. Think of the grace of God. Express your thankfulness to Jesus. Read the gospels and thrill at Jesus our hero! Pray and give Him your cares, then listen for His encouragement.

Details and Risk

It has been a while since I have had time to write. The church I lead has sold our building and is moving to a school. This move allows us to free up significant funds for ministry and and lower our overhead significantly. It is our desire to do this portable church thing well, so a lot of energy has been going into how to develop systems to move gear and streamline setup. There is real concern that with out great thought to this area we will tire out our core group that is planting this new church. It becomes a pastoral issue as well as a logistic issue. Every decision seems to be loaded with pros and cons. Each decision carries some measure of risk.

In a movement like ours (Newfrontiers) you would expect people to identify with mission and not with a building. Yet we have discovered that no matter how much you preach and teach on mission, there are some who just don't get it. Every thing is processed through the lens of risk. What will it cost me? This will be more trouble! Why spend this much time? The answer to this question is that we need to have the resources to fulfill our mission!

The very nature of life in God has much to do with risk. Risk is a central by-product of a life lived by faith. All of the great heroes of the Bible has to forsake the secure and pursue what God had called them to with little more than a promise. Jesus in inviting men to be His followers said. "if any man would seek to save his life, he will lose it, but he that loses his life for my sake will find it again." Ignoring our instincts of self preservation and living for Christ requires great faith and trust in God. I believe that God through the ages has moved through a people that will take risks for Him. We will make mistakes surely, missteps of course, yet God moves in all of those things!
Paul in his letter to the Roman Christians wrote "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes." To respond to a call requires some revelation or interaction with God. When we hear Him and follow Him, God works in all the circumstances of life. In my experience the more we risk for God the more we see His hand.

Transformation

The death and resurrection of Christ sits central in our lives of Christians. The cross stands as a symbol of the tremendous price Christ paid for our self directed living. The reality that our sin, and the just penalty of sin were laid on Jesus is the defining characteristic of the Christian faith.

Isa 53:4-10
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (NIV)

Due to the generosity of God we receive the benefits of a relationship that is leads to salvation and transformation. The work that Christ did on the cross is much more than some kind of cosmic transaction. It is helpful to look at the Hebrew to gain some understanding of the benefits we have received.

Benefits received by the work of the Cross.
• He was pierced for our transgressions (peh'-shah = a revolt or rebellion)
• He was crushed for our iniquities (avown= perversity, depravity)
• The punishment that brought us peace (friendship with God)
• By his wounds we are healed (rapha' ;to mend, to cure)

It is unsettling to view our lives from God’s perspective, revolt, rebellion, perversity, depravity is not something we want to own, yet that is the reality of our nature. When we have a revelation of this, the work of the cross captivates us. Friendship with God! The healing of our nature and transformation! God is generous indeed. Yet many times we settle for something less than a living relationship with Christ, and rely on ritual and form. It is in the relationship that life is given and empowerment for change takes place. Consider Paul’s description of the work of the cross and the benefits we receive.

2Co 5:14-21
We are ruled by the love of Christ, now that we recognize that one man died for everyone, which means that they all share in his death. (15) He died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but only for him who died and was raised to life for their sake. (16) No longer, then, do we judge anyone by human standards. Even if at one time we judged Christ according to human standards, we no longer do so. (17) Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. (18) All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. (19) Our message is that God was making all human beings his friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends. (20) Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends! (21) Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God. (GNB)

Paul in his writing described him self as the chief of sinners as he had persecuted those who were following Jesus. Yet God broke into his life, and he was forever changed. I have come to believe that the more we see and understand God’s generosity the more we will give ourselves to God’s agenda.

Confidence in God

We know that faith is central to the Christian life. The scripture tells us that with out faith it is impossible to please God. For many, faith is a set of principles for securing blessing. We are tempted to see faith as a methodology to move God on our behalf. Faith is some thing more profound.

Abraham is described as the father of faith and our ancestor. The promises made to him apply to us.

Rom 4:16-22
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring-not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed-the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

It would do us well to look at the foundation of his relationship with God. In Gen 12:1-8, the LORD had says to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Abraham responds to the revelation and leaves for the land of Canaan. The Lord would speak again and promise, "To your offspring I will give this land."

This word from God would carry Abraham for the rest of his life. It was central to all the promises he would receive. The root of faith is revelation of who God is. His character and faithfulness is central to our putting our trust in Him. Abraham responds to God with trust and confidence. He took God at His word. Abraham allowed his dreams and aspirations be changed. Abraham’s faith wasn’t just a principled response, it was a heart response! When we place our lives in God’s hand, trusting Him, we too will have great confidence in God.

Abraham obeyed and the promise became a reality. Notice what is contained in the promise.

I will show you. --- Promise that He will lead us.

You will be a great nation.---- We will have a legacy.

I will bless you. ---- He will care for us.
I will make your name great. ---- We will be significant.
You will be a blessing. ---- We will contribute.
I will bless those who bless you. ---- Secures for us favor.
I will curse those who curse you. ---- He will avenge us. (Sarah)
You will be a blessing to the world. --- Our life has meaning.

The intent of the promise applies to you and your offspring. As Christians we have the assurance of the cross that demonstrates that God is for us. As you consider the promises of God realize that He is the initiator. Our response is to trust Him and to step forward with confidence.

The Kindom and Compassion

As I am laying the ground work for launching a church, the Lord keeps focusing me on those outside the church and His heart for them. It is our desire to be a people preoccupied with the building of the Kingdom of God. At the heart of the Kingdom of God is the desire to reconcile men to God, a heart of compassion grieving for the destruction that sin causes. Jesus was criticized for being a friend of sinners in Matthew chapter 9. When I read this account I am struck with Jesus’ response. 'I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ The word used for compassion in the Greek is ‘eleos’ which means ‘kindness or good will toward the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.’ Another time a dumb man, demon-possessed, was brought to Him. Jesus moved with compassion cast the demon out and the dumb man spoke. Jesus motivated by compassion, or good will toward the miserable and the afflicted, reached out to help him. The Pharisees were not pleased. Their hearts were hardened to the afflicted. Their theology believed that bad things happened to those who fell short. In their life with God they worked so hard and became satisfied with their own progress that they lost sight of the fathers heart. How sad, an afflicted man spoke and they were distressed.

Many times we tend to recoil from the afflicted of this world, yet Jesus commands his people to pray and get involved. Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." I am of the personal opinion that much of the western church looks at those outside of the faith with same attitude as the Pharisees. The more we understand the grace of God the more we will understand that Jesus reached out to us while we were, as Paul would write “God’s enemy”. As we get a hold of how broken we were (and may I suggest we still are) it should motivate us to spread the good news of how God made a way for us. The religious spirit on the other hand, is one that measures it self against the righteousness of other men. Therefore it will always be at odds with grace and redemption. The religious spirit always grades on the curve, it builds it self up at the expense of those who are sinners and the afflicted, the very ones that God cares so passionately about.

Reaching our world is not dependent upon our finances of our resources but upon our faith in God. When we embrace the heart of Christ that has been revealed by His graciousness to us the values of the Kingdom become our own, and we stretch to fill the calling given to us

Keys to Long Ministry Life

Early in my journey as a Christian I was taught that character always trumped gifting. After thirty-two years of ministry I am fully convinced that this is true. I have been told that as many as 80% of those called to ministry give up after just five years. The pressure of ministry life, the constant pressure to perform, unreasonable ideas of success all take their toll. How can we who are called to ministry keep from losing our way? First and foremost is leaning into the grace of God. Grace can be described as “God’s influence on the human heart”. We started the race with grace and it is by grace that finish well. Following list questions is a list of areas that I believe is our responsibility to maintain in our character. I hope it is help to those who are walking the journey of ministry.

• Am I sure of my calling?
• Is my vision clear?
• Is my passion hot?
• I’m I developing my gifts?
What are my top spiritual gifts?
What I’m I doing to strengthen those gifts.
• Is my character submitted to Christ?
• Is my Pride subdued?
• Am I over coming fear?
Fear immobilizes and neutralizes leaders.
• Are interior issues undermining?
• Is my pace sustainable?
• Is love increasing for God and others?

Freedom from the fear of man.

I have been considering the importance of obedience. There are lessons from Saul’s life that serve as an example and a warning for us.

Saul was chosen and appointed King over Israelites. He was the Lord’s anointed with all the promises that go with that call. His future looked bright. God had commanded him to lead an army to go and punish and destroy the nation of the Amalekites.

1Samuel 15:1-2
Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt.

God’s anger towards the Amalekites went back five hundred years when the children of Israel were fleeing Egypt. Moses was leading the people out of slavery out of Egypt and the new nation was extremely vulnerable. The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. If God had not intervened Israel would have been destroyed. Five hundred years later the Amalekites were still launching raids and attacking Israel.

Saul received the word of the Lord and proceeded to move against this enemy. He summoned the men -- two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah, and mustered them at Telaim. Saul was confident about the out come! They went to war and were victorious.

Yet there was a problem, God had given Saul very specific instructions that the people should not take the spoils of war. Yet that is what Saul allowed them do. Saul even went so far as to set up a monument in his own honor. It is amazing to read the account in the bible in 1Samual 15:19. When confronted with his disobedience and the fact that he had not done the specific things that was asked of him, Saul began to rationalize.

1 Sam 15:19-35
Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?" "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal." But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king." NIV

Ultimately Saul was caught in the snare of the fear of man. I have come to the conclusion that there are some specific characteristics of those who are caught up with the fear of man.

1. Pride - The need to proclaim our accomplishments. Insecurity is another manifestation. There he has set up a monument in his own honor 1 Sam 15:12

2. Self deception - I have carried out the LORD's instructions." 1 Sam 15:13
Saul believed that there was wiggle room that God’s nature was different than what it is. (idolatry)

3. Blaming--"I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites;” 1 Sam 15:15

4. Self Justification-"I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 1 Sam15: 20 Part of human nature is to grade on a curve, to make excuses or to rationalize. The command was clear but yet Saul felt he had obeyed even when he clearly didn’t.

5. Lack of responsibility--"I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; 1 Sam 15:30

Many times if we were honest we can identify areas of our own life that when we know what is right and what God expects from us, but we like Saul build strongholds of rationalization and miss the obvious. It becomes more important to us to maintain an image or follow the crowd. The grace of God gives us the liberty to follow God with our whole heart. Here are some of the ways I have discovered to cultivate obedience

1. Understand God’s true nature. He does not wink at sin, all sin has consequence.
God is holy; the grace he gives was purchased at a terrible price.

2. Cultivate the fear of the Lord.

1 Pet 1:17-19
Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 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 forefathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
(NIV)

3. Know that God is for us.

4. Meditate on God’s grace and love.

It is my conclusion that obedience flows from a grateful heat that has experienced the love of God. One that recognizes the influence of God on my heart and responds not as one who is under law but on that but on who has experienced life.