In the light of all the suffering and loss sustained in Alabama and surrounding states due to the recent tornadoes, something beautiful and amazing has surfaced and begun to shine through the dark days like a diamond caught in the sunlight. The good will, humanity and self sacrifice of neighbors, answering the call to meet the needs of those in crisis is awe inspiring. Truly in times like these we see the potential of the human race to be selfless, adequate in the ability to love thy neighbor as thyself. When we see a catastrophe such as this and witness such loss and tragedy, we are moved to action by something innate, something built into our DNA…love. Love alone, love unconditional, will give of itself to save another.
Here in Selma, Al there is a far greater crisis taking place even now. It is one that may not be as visible to the undiscerning eye but its effects are devastating. In our streets, in our workplaces, in our homes, all around us victims are claimed. Just like those storm victims who did lie trapped beneath rubble and debris, waiting and praying for rescue; our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and loved ones lie trapped here beneath invisible walls that have fallen in, in deep hopelessness, bound by the chains of sin, under the jurisdiction of death and they are crying out for help. They are waiting for their rescuer. Though they may not even know that God is their only hope and Christ their savior, when the garbage and debris are peeled away and the light begins to pour into the dark places and the chains fall away, they will see and they will be eternally grateful. The plight of the victims of these tornadoes is indeed sad and not to be belittled, but this too shall pass, but for those facing the crisis of death and hell, their suffering will be an eternal one. What are we doing to rescue them?
It is hard for me to comprehend how we can be moved with such compassion to take action to save lives and meet needs after a terrible storm, yet daily we like the priest and the Levite pass by people who are dying and in need and do not take the time to stop and help them. I am definitely not saying that we should not help those victims of such great catastrophes, or that it is not a wonderful thing to do. I am simply wondering why we cannot choose to live with such compassion every day. Were love and selflessness to become a lifestyle rather than a reaction to certain stimuli then the entire world would be saved and there would be no need unmet. The Good Samaritan inconvenienced himself greatly. He did not have an extra donkey, he placed the suffering man on his own donkey, and then he took the reins and walked him the rest of the way to the city. His loving rescue came out of self-sacrifice. Maybe it is that we too often are just not willing to walk those extra miles.
My hearts’ desire is that you will join me and that today we will not only reach out with compassion to those victims of the storms, but that we will continue in our endeavors each and every day, to reach out with compassion to those in the greatest crisis of all, an eternal crisis for which Jesus is the only rescue.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A Right View of God Produces Greater Faith
What is it that is impossible for God or what is he unable to do or accomplish. It is our lack of understanding, and right-seeing of whom God is that weakens our faith and ushers in doubt. Surely if we could truly grasp the infinite, limitless nature of God, all doubt and fear would be removed. I would venture to say that even the well known saying that we have nothing to fear but fear itself would be proven untrue when we come to the knowledge that even the spirit of fear is at the mercy of our almighty father. What’s more is that there nothing we could not do, rather moving mountains or parting seas, were we to grasp the unlimited resource of the Holy Spirit of God which dwells within us. 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? -1 Corinthians 3
In our often times sincere and right hearted pursuit of God, we may find that we, from the start, begin wrongly. This being because our very concept of God, of who God is, cripples us from the very offset. To consider him something obtainable, something comprehendible, something that we can wrap our finite minds around, is to inevitably limit his very being. To compare God to anything we’ve known, seen, heard or imagined, is to place him within the very limited realm of human understanding. Instead, we must recognize that he is a being without realm or scope, whose very essence defies all possibility of understanding. God cannot be placed in any box that we can contrive to fit him in. To truly know him, all of him, is a foreign concept that can never be fully realized.
Isaiah 55 describes it like this:
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Deuteronomy 4:15-18 conveys to us clearly the truth, that God is of no form or image known to man and thus cannot be represented or defined by any man made thing, either of the reality or the imagination. To do so would be to be guilty of the sin of idolatry.
15 “Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female, 17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth.
Why then is it written just a few short scriptures later and many other times throughout the word, in some way or other, that we are to seek God so that we may find him?
Deuteronomy 29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Isaiah 55 says this: 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
This is the beauty of the revelation of God through his holy word and the experiencing of his glory through the love and power of the Holy Spirit; that we can come to know him in some way, and the essence of who he is, as is revealed to us through his attributes.
“O Majesty unspeakable, my soul desires to behold Thee. I cry to Thee from the dust. Yet when I inquire after thy name it is secret. Thou art hidden in the light which no man can approach unto. What thou art cannot be thought or uttered, for Thy glory is ineffable. Still, prophet and psalmist, apostle and saint have encouraged me to believe that I may in some measure know Thee. Therefore, I pray, whatever of Thyself Thou hast been pleased to disclose, help me to search out as treasure more precious than rubies or the merchandise of fine gold: for with Thee shall I live when the stars of the twilight are no more and the heavens have vanished away and only Thou remainest. Amen.” -A.W. Tozer
1 Corinthians 2 Reveals to us our only hope in knowing him to any extent; that the Spirit of God knows the mind of God and reveals himself unto us:
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[c] 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”[d]
But we have the mind of Christ
So we can know the attributes of God, which are revealed to us through the Holy Spirit but only those which have been revealed; as “God being infinite must possess attributes about which we can know nothing.” -A.W. Tozer
When we rightly see God as he is, being omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, being indescribable, uncontainable, and without bounds or limits then and only then can we understand the profound truth that nothing is impossible for God, as it is said “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV
In our often times sincere and right hearted pursuit of God, we may find that we, from the start, begin wrongly. This being because our very concept of God, of who God is, cripples us from the very offset. To consider him something obtainable, something comprehendible, something that we can wrap our finite minds around, is to inevitably limit his very being. To compare God to anything we’ve known, seen, heard or imagined, is to place him within the very limited realm of human understanding. Instead, we must recognize that he is a being without realm or scope, whose very essence defies all possibility of understanding. God cannot be placed in any box that we can contrive to fit him in. To truly know him, all of him, is a foreign concept that can never be fully realized.
Isaiah 55 describes it like this:
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Deuteronomy 4:15-18 conveys to us clearly the truth, that God is of no form or image known to man and thus cannot be represented or defined by any man made thing, either of the reality or the imagination. To do so would be to be guilty of the sin of idolatry.
15 “Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female, 17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth.
Why then is it written just a few short scriptures later and many other times throughout the word, in some way or other, that we are to seek God so that we may find him?
Deuteronomy 29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Isaiah 55 says this: 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
This is the beauty of the revelation of God through his holy word and the experiencing of his glory through the love and power of the Holy Spirit; that we can come to know him in some way, and the essence of who he is, as is revealed to us through his attributes.
“O Majesty unspeakable, my soul desires to behold Thee. I cry to Thee from the dust. Yet when I inquire after thy name it is secret. Thou art hidden in the light which no man can approach unto. What thou art cannot be thought or uttered, for Thy glory is ineffable. Still, prophet and psalmist, apostle and saint have encouraged me to believe that I may in some measure know Thee. Therefore, I pray, whatever of Thyself Thou hast been pleased to disclose, help me to search out as treasure more precious than rubies or the merchandise of fine gold: for with Thee shall I live when the stars of the twilight are no more and the heavens have vanished away and only Thou remainest. Amen.” -A.W. Tozer
1 Corinthians 2 Reveals to us our only hope in knowing him to any extent; that the Spirit of God knows the mind of God and reveals himself unto us:
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[c] 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”[d]
But we have the mind of Christ
So we can know the attributes of God, which are revealed to us through the Holy Spirit but only those which have been revealed; as “God being infinite must possess attributes about which we can know nothing.” -A.W. Tozer
When we rightly see God as he is, being omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, being indescribable, uncontainable, and without bounds or limits then and only then can we understand the profound truth that nothing is impossible for God, as it is said “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV
Monday, March 28, 2011
Awakening Is Here!
Hey everyone. I know it's been awhile since I've blogged anything. Things have been extremely busy, both with Crosstrainer Student Ministries and D.I.V.E. Kidz. Sometimes keeping facebook, twitter, websites and blogs updated can seem like an impossible task, at least for one person. I just had to take the time today to let everyone know about our incredible weekend at The RAMP though. We took 20+ youth to The Ramp this weekend and to say that God moved mightily would be an understatement. I have been to quite a few Ramp services in the past and every other type of service, convention, rally, etc. you can think of but I can honestly say I believe this was the most powerful yet. It only seems to get more so every time I go. We had several first timers go this time and they all got smoked. It's awesome to know that God is adding to the burning, passionate God seekers we already have among us. If you could only hear, see, and experience all that God is doing in this generation right now you would probably be awestruck. For one moment turn off the news, turn off MTV, turn off the computer...forget everything the world is telling you about this generation. Push out the other junk and listen to what God is saying... Now is the time. This is the generation of the 3rd great awakening. Better get on board now or you might miss out. Here is just one powerful example of what God is doing in our nation and across the world...
Revival in South Carolina Schools
Recently Eddie James Ministries had the opportunity to minister in a public school assembly. We frequently get this chance, but this time it was a bit different in that we were actually allowed to talk about God. We usually have to make it "inspirational"(instead of spiritual) as to not offend, etc. A public highschool in South Carolina decided to take a stand & give us (& God) complete freedom to minister! They sent letters home in advance asking permission for the kids to be involved in the meeting. Out of the whole school only 10 students were kept out of the assembly due to their parents wishes. At the end of the meeting around 500 kids came forward to make a statement that they were giving their life to God for Him to have & use. So powerful!
Upon exiting the school, one of the EJM members was stopped by a parent who said "Just so you know my daughter text me today during the school assembly to apologize for her behavior & how she treats me. She also said from here on out she is done messing around with drugs & alcohol - thank you!". Just an example of one of the lives that was forever changed! And not only the highschool student, but what a testimony to her mother.
But the goodness continues, after that school meeting, calls from other public schools began pouring in (I heard there were 10 schools interested in the surrounding areas, but I'm not positive) asking for us to come and deliver the full gospel instead of the usual "No mentioning God" policies that we have to follow in public school systems. Today we went back to the original school for another assembly to find that a few surrounding schools were sending their students over on buses so that they too could participate in the outpouring! 1500+ kids committed their lives to Jesus Christ today.
AWESOME things are happening in South Carolina!!! Please pray that these kids can sustain the relationship they have begun with Jesus, that it's not just a one time thing. Unfortunately we are not able to connect all these kids with a home church. But because true Christianity is first & foremost found in a relationship with Jesus Christ I personally am believing/praying that these kids were so impacted that they find themselves in their bedrooms weeping before His throne & buying Bibles to read on their own until they can find a church home. I'm praying that their parents hear the prayers coming from bedrooms all over South Carolina and what was first poured out in a school gymnasium will overflow into families/homes/communities. In Jesus' name.
The next school we went to had some issues with their pa system. Eddie just started singing "How Great is Our God" not knowing exactly how the students would react. Within no time at all the public school gymnasium was filled with students standing to their feet, raising their hands & singing along. The presence of God was ushered in! Not only were students impacted but the principal of the school himself got up & admitted that he had intended on telling Eddie to "turn down the religious stuff". However he felt so gripped by the Holy Spirit that he ended up asking Eddie to "turn it up" instead. Awakening is here! =)
Believe it my brothers and sisters! This generation is awakening to their need for God. Their hearts are crying out...WE WILL SHAKE A NATION FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!!!!!
Upon exiting the school, one of the EJM members was stopped by a parent who said "Just so you know my daughter text me today during the school assembly to apologize for her behavior & how she treats me. She also said from here on out she is done messing around with drugs & alcohol - thank you!". Just an example of one of the lives that was forever changed! And not only the highschool student, but what a testimony to her mother.
But the goodness continues, after that school meeting, calls from other public schools began pouring in (I heard there were 10 schools interested in the surrounding areas, but I'm not positive) asking for us to come and deliver the full gospel instead of the usual "No mentioning God" policies that we have to follow in public school systems. Today we went back to the original school for another assembly to find that a few surrounding schools were sending their students over on buses so that they too could participate in the outpouring! 1500+ kids committed their lives to Jesus Christ today.
AWESOME things are happening in South Carolina!!! Please pray that these kids can sustain the relationship they have begun with Jesus, that it's not just a one time thing. Unfortunately we are not able to connect all these kids with a home church. But because true Christianity is first & foremost found in a relationship with Jesus Christ I personally am believing/praying that these kids were so impacted that they find themselves in their bedrooms weeping before His throne & buying Bibles to read on their own until they can find a church home. I'm praying that their parents hear the prayers coming from bedrooms all over South Carolina and what was first poured out in a school gymnasium will overflow into families/homes/communities. In Jesus' name.
The next school we went to had some issues with their pa system. Eddie just started singing "How Great is Our God" not knowing exactly how the students would react. Within no time at all the public school gymnasium was filled with students standing to their feet, raising their hands & singing along. The presence of God was ushered in! Not only were students impacted but the principal of the school himself got up & admitted that he had intended on telling Eddie to "turn down the religious stuff". However he felt so gripped by the Holy Spirit that he ended up asking Eddie to "turn it up" instead. Awakening is here! =)
Believe it my brothers and sisters! This generation is awakening to their need for God. Their hearts are crying out...WE WILL SHAKE A NATION FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!!!!!
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