Alone

Matthew 13:1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.

One of the most amazing things about the life and ministry of Jesus is that He took time for simple things. There is nothing really spiritual about sitting on a beach at the seacoast. Not much ministry happens when you get alone; not many lives are touched when you just hang out with friends. Yet, I believe that all of ministry needs these times; in fact, if we don't take these times we will dry up and become caught up in stuff that really has nothing lasting or significant about it.

If you follow this blog, you have read in the past how important I believe this principle is in living the Jesus walk. In fact, one of the key 5 points of the Jesus Walk is the necessity of taking time away. Ministry is difficult at best, and problems and disappointments are found at every turn. We tend to become isolated and start to believe that what we are doing is worthless. Please hear this; I am not writing to you as one who is telling you what you need. I am writing as one who has experienced firsthand the harsh realities of ministry and the deep disappointments which face us each day. However, I can also stand on the truth that “Joy comes in the morning.”

The question is how do we make it through the night so the joy can flow in the morning? I know that you can search hundreds of web sites and find instruction and places to go to renew and restore. Whole ministries are slated to that purpose. They see the importance and need of healthy, spirit-lead and spirit-filled people who don't rely upon self but know the inner peace that comes from knowing God. Seminars and conferences are offered to encourage and exhort to better ministry and better tools for doing ministry. Sometimes, however, all this becomes just so much more noise--one more thing to do and one more meeting to attend which just leads us down the same path to spiritual destruction. So what's the answer? Let me offer just one simple thing. Get alone.

Jesus did it--OFTEN. Time and time again Jesus took off for the inner place. He put aside the things of the day and got alone, sometimes at the seashore, or the mountain, or the garden. Regardless where it was, Jesus found time for solitude and inner reflection. And so should we. It's imperative that we get away, to reflect, to allow God to renew our souls. We need that; in fact, we crave that. We need food for our souls--things like a good book, a walk in the park, or even a movie with friends. We need to be alone from time to time.

SO here is the deal. These next two weeks I am going to be in Nicaragua. Most of what I am doing is listening. I am trying to hear God, to refresh my soul and to rest my mind from life. I will not be following the regular study of the Jesus Walk; instead I will be reflecting on what I am hearing and seeing. I invite you to journey with me wherever you are. Together we can reach new depths of love for God and discover new directions for our next great big adventure in ministry.

Blessings, Rip

Living Large

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

Is it really that simple? Does doing the smallest act of kindness bring such great rewards? If we are to live the Jesus Walk, then passages such as these must have an impact upon what we do. However, this passage is not simple when you think about it. How many of us actually do simple acts of kindness? Most of us are looking for something grander, something that makes a bigger kingdom impact. Not a bad thing to do by our world’s standards, but if we miss this call to simple things we might get lost in the magnitude of bigger is better.

I think what Jesus is teaching here is that even the simplest things given in His name become large. Living large requires that we understand that small is good as well, that forgetting the small acts of kindness because we are too busy or we don’t want to get our hands dirty does matter. The Christian life we live requires that we practice even the smallest things, and here is the promise--when we do these small things…God sees.

Isn’t it just like Jesus to turn things upside down? While we think doing great things make the difference, He is inviting us to do the small things. While we think great tasks bring great reward, He is calling us to do the menial task so that our reward will be preserved. Often the tedious, boring, less than glamorous everyday task of ministry are the very tasks that in the long term create greater results.

Living large is not about doing the big stuff. Living large is doing the right stuff for the right reason. It is living in such a way that even the smallest act of kindness done for the right reason brings about the godly character we are called to live. Living large requires that we step aside, so that God’s purpose in every act we do is fulfilled. That’s the problem for most of us. We forget that this is not about us, but about God.

So here is the challenge. Every morning for a week ask yourself what small act of kindness can you do today that no one will notice except God? What simple task can I perform with great diligence so that only God can receive the reward if that task makes a difference? It’s harder than you think, my friends.

Blessings, Rip

Willing People

Matthew 9:9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.

I love the simplicity of this calling in the life of Matthew. I believe that often we miss the callings of Jesus in life because of their simplicity. We love the extraordinary, we crave for the glitz and glitter, we rush to the fire--that’s the type of people we are. However, this calling of Matthew is simple: “Follow me.”

Now I am sure Jesus was aware of who Matthew was; this was not a random calling. None of our callings are random in the eyes of Jesus, He has a plan, and He knows where He is going. On the surface it is so simple. There was nothing to think about, nothing to do before following, nothing to tell anybody else about, just get up and follow. In fact, in another account of this calling of Matthew in the Gospel of Luke, it states that Matthew left everything there and immediately followed.

Many of the commentaries of this passage make mention of how Matthew was not the best choice to be a follower of Jesus because he was a tax collector; however, I think he is the perfect choice. He was perfect not because he was unique or special in anyway. In fact, he was not a good person at all. Just read verse 10-13 and get an idea how tax collectors were viewed. Yet that is why this is all the more incredible.

Here is some truth. Jesus doesn’t call the best people; Jesus calls the willing people. Yes, some of these people are good and they are best at what they do. But that is not why they are called. Jesus calls them according to what He sees in them and what He knows the outcome will be. That’s why the simplicity and beauty of this passage is so important. That’s why when we respond, we must do so willingly, leaving everything behind and following. I find this a unique quality in today’s world.

How did Jesus call you is the question that I want to pose. I doubt that there was writing in the sky and lights going off, or even angels singing the Hallelujah Chorus. I suspect that your calling and mine was in the same way, quite simple. Jesus called and we followed. Some with hesitation, some with fear, yet others with more prompting and nudging needed, but all of us are called in the same way. “Follow me,” Jesus says, and we decided the answer to that question needed to be, in fact could not be anything else but, “YES!”

SO here is the challenge today. I challenge you to renew your calling, to examine how and why you were called. I invite you to journey with me over the course of the next few days as together we think it through. Join with me to consider the implications and dimensions of this call and search the ways we can be faithful. The end result will be the same. I am simply called to follow and so are you. Lead on Jesus.

Blessings, Rip

Over-Comers

• Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
• Matthew 4:7 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.
• Matthew 4:10 You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.

These passages of scripture above taken from the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the desert have for us three distinct directions for fighting our own temptations. Each passage is powerful and was able to cause Satan to flee in light of the truth of scripture. SO here is the key for us. Speak the word of God and find victory in your life.

We should note from the beginning of this study that the first steps require a complete trust in God. This is not magic potion type of stuff; this is speaking out what we believe and what we know to be truth. So much of life revolves around belief. We believe in God, we believe in our friends and significant others, we believe in our spouses and children, and we can believe in the word of God as well.

In the spiritual war that wages in our lives and minds, the only weapon used as the offense is God’s word. Yes, we have been given the armor of God (reference Ephesians 6), but there as well, our only offensive weapon is the sword, which is called the word of God. Here is some truth: God’s word is all we need in our offensive attack against the evil that comes to tempt us into evil.

Before you get off on this idea, let me say that every part of the armor of God is important. We are in a spiritual battle, and defense is vital as well. We need to know how we are grounded with truth and righteousness and how we are to believe and to pray. These are the things that protect us. But when it comes to doing battle, we need the strong word of God. The battle is the Lord’s; God is at work in us performing His will and purpose.

The question is this. How can we overcome if we do not practice and speak the words of God when tempted? I can protect myself, I don’t need to watch certain types of TV or internet, I don’t go past bars where I am tempted to drink, I don’t let myself get bogged down with negative friends, and the list could go on . However, in all I try to do, I am never strong enough to protect myself from these things without God’s word. Sin creeps in when I least expect it too.

On the other hand, if I am actively speaking and feeding on the word of God, then this becomes the place where I have the advantage to overcome the things that try to overpower me in my life. Here is the challenge. Start today to actively speak and study God’s word. Put into practice the words that speak to your issue. Feed upon scripture that builds you up, and then at the end of the day ask yourself: “With God’s help, did I overcome today?”

I know the answer in your life and mine will be YES!

Blessings, Rip

God With Us

Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

Sometimes it is easy to forget that God is with us. We get caught up in the struggles of life and so trapped by the blindness of our heart that we forget one of the first promises found in scripture. In fact, if we were to do a study of all of scripture, one of the overriding components would be this idea that God is with us. Actually, let’s take it one step further and say that God is not only with us, but God is for us as well.

What does this mean then that God is with and for us? I believe that it stresses the unique relationship that God desires to have with His people. We are created in the image of God. As God was creating us, He chose the best there was to fashion us after, which was Himself. Think about that. God the creator, created us in the design of Himself. In essence and design, we are the image of the creator. We are created with His heart, His breath, His hands, His legs; all that He is, is in us. Yet we are not God. We are His creation.

The problem is that we have taken our eyes off the creator and placed them upon the creation. We look to ourselves for the answers when, in fact, the answers are only found in the one who created us. But therein is the good news, God declares that He is with us. Hey, He says, “Look up! I am here, all you need to do is seek me and I can be found.” “Come to me,” He says, “and I will give you rest.” God with us, the hope of Glory!

I love the song from Mercy Me, “God with Us.” I have included a link below if you want to listen, but here are the lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys4YgiZ392Y

Who are we--- that You would be mindful of us?

What do You see--- that's worth looking our way?

We are free--- in ways that we never should be.

Sweet release--- from the grip of these chains.

Like hinges straining from the weight,

My heart no longer can keep from singing.

All that is within me cries

For You alone be glorified:

Emmanuel, God with us.

My heart sings a brand new song.

The debt is paid, these chains are gone.

Emmanuel, God with us.

Lord, You know--- our hearts don't deserve Your glory;

Still You show--- a love we cannot afford.

Like hinges straining from the weight,

My heart no longer can keep from singing.

All that is within me cries

For You alone be glorified:

Emmanuel, God with us.

My heart sings a brand new song.

The debt is paid, these chains are gone.

Emmanuel, God with us.

Such a tiny offering

Compared to Calvary;

Nevertheless,

We lay it at Your feet.

Such a tiny offering

Compared to Calvary;

Nevertheless,

We lay this at Your feet.

All that is within me cries

For You alone be glorified:

Emmanuel, God with us.

My heart sings a brand new song.

My debt is paid, these chains are gone.

Emmanuel, God with us.

Blessings, Rip