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Prayer

The key to a successful life is to be devoted to God. The mark of a life devoted to God is prayer. This was the big idea of my message last Sunday.

The entire message is taken from Matthew 6 where Jesus explains to His disciples how they should pray. It takes us back to the most popular prayer that has been prayed for centuries and by billions of people.

As you listen may the Lord bring to life the power of His word and cause you to want to draw nearer to His presence. He loves you!

Favorite Quotes

“If you want to get the best out of a person, always look for the best in that person.”

- Nicky Gumbel

An Unwelcome View

In this message series on leadership, discover how Jesus set the example for godly leadership in how He lived His life, and how He compels us to follow His example.

An Uncommon Attitude

In this message series on leadership, discover how Jesus set the example for godly leadership in how He lived His life, and how He compels us to follow His example.

Christmas Message

Christmas Message

Men in Black 3 in China

Today was a meeting set for the young church leaders in one of China’s most metropolitan city. They asked me what time the meeting was and what the agenda was. I asked them to check what movies were showing and get the screening hours. The list consisted of movies from Hollywood, Bollywood and local Chinese. We decided to watch Men In Black 3. They thought I was joking. I wasn’t. And they did not find it funny. They were expecting me to teach them how to be good disciple makers and leaders. I assured them was watching a movie was vital to learning how to make disciples. And watching movies is also a good way to teach.

Years of relating with these young leaders have earned a level of trust even though it was obvious that they were wondering what in the heck this was about. Fortunately the movie was entertaining and funny. Yet they sat quietly watching the movie probably still wondering what’s this got to do with leadership and discipleship.

At lunch the men were still puzzled, “what was that about?” Then I asked, “Can you tell which parts of the movie had the Gospel in it?” They were stunned. The Gospel in MIB 3? Yes. Of course, why not? If God is at the core center of all of life and the full expression of His love for us is manifested in the Gospel it only stands to reason that we can find a connection in the day to day affairs of people, that includes MIB 3. They couldn’t respond. They did not even know where to start.

I said I spotted three clear instances. To write all three would make this post too long. But the first one was when Agent J (Will Smith) was attempting to travel back in time. To do so he would have to jump from multiple stories of a building and wait for the right moment to click the hand held machine that would bring him to his desired date in the past. As he positioned himself to jump the man who gave him the machine said, “you must love your friend so much for you to do this” (not exact quote).

Taking high stakes risks for someone always makes for a good story. That’s why movies are made of it. It’s a sure fire formula to lure viewers. Something inside of us feels good about these things. To take a risk for a significant other. Why? Because somewhere inside of us is a heart that responds to the Gospel. Unfortunately we would rather believe make believe celluloid that gives us a momentary massage to make us feel good rather than the Holy Spirit who continually speaks to us saying “that’s what Jesus did for you.” The truth of Gospel is eternally more powerful and potent than a momentary make believe movie.

My young friends could not believe that there were two other instances. But my point to them was simple. As ministers and church leaders who make disciples we must be able to show the people that Gospel is everywhere and it is as relevant as the day Jesus walked the earth. Leaders should not limit their ability to reach others to just a Sunday morning preach.

Classic Steve Murrell

The picture of Steve Murrell winning this race is a classic shot. Thanks to his father (I think) and a good camera.

For many years I have grown up spiritually under Steve’s teaching gift. Steve has always had a way of unpacking God’s word in a way that I could relate to and understand. More importantly be able to apply it to my life. Now that he spends most of his time traveling for the Every Nation world I don’t get to listen to Steve as often. Thankfully last Wednesday Steve spoke at our monthly staff meeting in Manila – and like the picture above, true to form Steve delievred another classic.

I’m meditating on his message for my Sabbath today. I was so convicted by what he said, I knew I had to review it and internalize the words of Philippians 2. Paul starts out with an appeal to unity and likemindedness. Then he explains how that can be achieved:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

Four things will cause disunity: selfish ambition, vain conceit, devaluing other people’s contributions, concern only for one’s interests. More than just a teacher Steve is an intuitive leader who knows what to say and when to say it. With the growth of Every Nation particularly in Asia he cautions us on how enticing success can be and how it can lead to blind ambition and vain conceit – surefire causes for disunity.

Steve explained that….”When God does something in us our response should be one of humility. When He does something for us our response is gratefulness. When He does something through us we tend to get full of ourselves, our natural human response is one of pride.” It is here that we must look to Jesus.

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:6-8

At the end of the day the issue of our hearts is sin. In this case – the sin fo pride. Pride is the combination of our fears and insecurities that we learn to cover up with our well fabricated lies (mainly to ourselves). Through constant practice we perfect our pride. Fortunately there is a remedy. Look to Jesus.

Although being God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. He did not use His super powers to his own advantage. Instead He humbled Himself and became a servant who obidiently obeyed the Father unto death.

Lord, thanks for the reminder. Thank You for Your example, may we learn, apply and find victory over our own fears and insecurities. And may we learn to be truthful about ourselves.

Massive – Sabbath day meditations

The Sun is the largest thing the naked eye can see from the earth. It is no wonder it has often been looked upon as deity. The Egyptians had a god named Ra – “the Sun god” – one they looked upon as second in rank only to Pharaoh – “the living god.”

The Sun’s radius is about 700,000 kilometers. That’s massive compared to earth’s – about 6,300. This radius creates an enormous mass. It’s so massive NASA estimates that about 1.3 million earth sized planets can comfortably fit inside the Sun. As massive as the Sun is it is but one of billions of other stars out there. In his heart the Psalmist correctly declared:

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:6

I am left with one appropriate response – humility, dependence and gratitude.

“My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. Psalm 131:1

This translates to worship – a lifting of my eyes and look to You. In You rests all my trust for You alone are worthy.

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” Isaiah 40:26

Enjoying my day-off with Marie – run, swim, movies: “Hunger Games.”