And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
(Mark 1:40-45 ESV)

What Jesus does in this paragraph of Scripture is startling to the people watching, but Jesus was not focused on the watching people.  He was not interested in attracting crowds and that was not why He did the miracles that He did.  He was focused on an individual who had lost his health, his dignity, his ability to earn income, his social status, his family and his friends.  Jesus responded with a touch and the words “I will; be clean”.  The crowds gasped when Jesus touched the leper, but the leper was filled with healing warmth that flooded His being as he was healed of leprosy and was made clean.  It was love that moved Jesus to act to make this man’s life better.  Jesus did not just feel sorry for him.  Jesus helped him.  Jesus responded with compassion – a love that compels one to act.

The first touch this man felt for probably many years was the touch of Jesus.  He would never be the same.  Why did Jesus touch him?  He did not have to do so.  In all of the recorded exorcisms, Jesus spoke a word and freed the individuals.  He never once laid a hand on a demoniac.  He would speak a word and the winds and waves would obey Him, so why did He touch this leper?  Maybe, he touched the leper to be our example; a pattern for us to follow.

Who are the social outcasts of our day?  Is it the diseased?  Is it those living in poverty?  Is it the homeless?  Is it the incarcerated?  Is it the shut-in?  Is it those living alternate lifestyles?  Is it those of a different race?  Is it those of a different faith?

Who are the social outcasts in your city?  Who in your city is financially and socially isolated?  Who is shut-in?  What would happen in your city if each person makes it a point every day to do an act of compassion, reaching out to touch one that is in need?  I believe more people would realize the Kingdom of God and want to be a part of it.

Beloved, we live in a day where there is an overabundance of armchair theologians and armchair politicians.  We don’t need any more of those.  What we need in our day are people who will follow Jesus and get their hands dirty in point of need ministry revealing that in the Kingdom that Jesus is ruling over there is love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all. 

Touch people beloved.  Touch people.  Be Jesus’ hand extended.   

Know that you are loved,
gaj

The first chapter of the Gospel of Mark closes with a startling paragraph of Scripture that displays both human despair and the love of God.  Jesus comes into our world proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God that is established in Him.  He victoriously combated evil and it’s captivity of people.  Along the way, He left His followers a wonderful pattern; an example to follow.  Let’s look at the last paragraph of Scripture in Mark chapter one.  

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
(Mark 1:40-45 ESV)

Take a look at the one in need in this paragraph of Scripture.  His name and past is not given, but his present situation is and it is not pleasant.  This man has leprosy, an incurable disease.  Leprosy is described in Leviticus chapter 13 of God’s Word.  To have leprosy in the days of Jesus meant that you were separated from your friends and family.  No longer could you be touched as your would be considered “unclean” under the Mosaic Law.  You would be separated from family and friends being forced to live on the outskirts of the city with other lepers.  When you walked through the city, you were to keep your upper lip covered and have to declare yourself unclean as you walked shouting “leper, leper, unclean.”  You watched the crowds divide and stay far from you as you walk through.  Being shunned by all, you were financially and socially isolated, unable to work and dependent on charity.  That was the life of this leper. 

I wonder what life was like for this man prior to being declared “unclean” with leprosy.  Did he have a wife?  If so, how long had it been since he felt her loving touch?  How long had it been since her lips touched his? 

Did He have children?  How long had it been since he felt the loving embrace of his child’s arms around his neck?  How long since he had held his children in his lap.

I’m sure that he longed once again to just be touched and to touch his family and his friends.  He could no longer associate with them.  Their touches were now just a part of his memory and he stayed secluded for their well being.  He would never want any of them to go through what he was experiencing.  He loved them too much.

Then one day, he heard about Jesus being in His city.  He had heard of the exorcisms and miracles that were happening, but would Jesus be willing to associate with a social outcast who was “unclean” and incurable?  In his total desperation, he goes to Jesus and says “if you will, you can make me clean.”  This leper did not doubt Jesus’ ability to heal him.  He doubted Jesus’ willingness to heal him.

Beloved, we know that Jesus can help us, but do we sometimes doubt His willingness?  May we always remember that Jesus is not only able, but He is willing to help.  His help may come when we least expect it and in ways that we never imagined, but He will help us.  He will help us from earth to glory as we follow Him.  It will be a wonderful and victorious journey.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
(Mark 1:35-39 ESV)

Prayer is priority in this paragraph of Scripture, but there is a deeper meaning than what appears on the surface that I would like to articulate to you.

First of all, notice that Simon (Peter) is beginning to take a leadership role as a follower of Christ.  Notice also that Peter has the right heart.  Peter sees all of these people in need of healing and in bondage to evil and he desires to see them healed and set free.  Peter is beginning to get a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God is all about – love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all.  He still does not fully understand, but he is getting a glimpse of it and he desires that people experience the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.  So Peter and others with him go looking for Jesus.  They know that Jesus is the answer, but He has disappeared!  What were they to do with all of these people that still needed healing and deliverance?

When Peter finds Jesus praying, He couldn’t believe it.  The actual Greek here has tones of a sense of hostile pursuing.  It was like Peter was saying “What are you doing here?  Everyone is looking for you!  Don’t you know that there is still work to be done?  People are in need!”

Notice how Jesus responds to Peter.  Jesus said "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out."  Jesus is showing through His words and actions that He was not following Peter.  He was not doing it Peter’s way and He was not on Peter’s time schedule.  Peter was called to follow Jesus.  Jesus says here that His main focus is to preach the same sermon in every town - “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15).”

Peter would eventually learn to follow.  It would not be an easy lesson, as it’s not an easy one for most of us, but he would learn to follow Christ.  And when he does, he will reach his full potential in the Kingdom while using his words and actions to reveal the Kingdom to others. 

Follow Jesus friends.  Follow Jesus.  Don't expect Him to follow you.  If you do expect Him to follow you, you will be highly disappointed.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

On the first Sabbath of Jesus’ earthly ministry recorded in the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus ministers all day and late into the night.  He performs an exorcism in the Synagogue (Mark 1:21-28), a healing in a house (Mark 1:29-31) and numerous healings and exorcisms in the streets of Capernaum (Mark 1:32-34).  He has to be physically tired, as although He is the Son of God, He is ministering on earth in a human body as the Son of Man.  As the Son of Man, Jesus gives us an example to follow.  As the Son of God He reveals His Kingdom to us in words and actions as He heads towards the cross to take God’s judgment of our sins upon Himself.  He has to be physically tired after such an eventful day so He gets off by Himself and prays.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
(Mark 1:35-39 ESV)

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Beloved, ministry is to take place at the point of need.  Ministry is not restricted to within the walls of a church building or the confines of a service.  The need is the call.  When we see a need, and we have the ability to meet that need, we are to minister as unto Jesus. 

Jesus said "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
(Matthew 25:31-40 ESV)”

Know that you are loved,
gaj

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
(Mark 1:32-34 ESV)

Notice in this paragraph of Scripture the advancement of the Kingdom being established through Jesus.  The Kingdom is always advanced through point of need ministry and we will see that throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry as we study the Gospels.  It started that Sabbath day in the synagogue with the deliverance of the man possessed by a demon (Mark 1:26) and spread to inside a house with the healing of a woman (Mark 1:31) and now Jesus takes it to the streets of the city of Capernaum as people are brought to Him there.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
(Mark 1:32-34 ESV)

The Jewish Sabbath is a weekly day of rest observed from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.  A lot has taken place on this Sabbath day that Mark tells us about in chapter 1 of his gospel.  Earlier in the day, Jesus teaches in the Synagogue and casts a demon out of a man who was in attendance there (Mark 1:21-28).  After the service, He heals Simon’s mother-in-law in the house of Simon and Andrew who were brothers (Mark 1:29-31).  And now, Mark is detailed in telling us that after the Sabbath was over, as marked by sundown, people brought to Jesus those “who were sick or oppressed by demons.”

Notice that the people who were brought to Him where either “sick or oppressed by demons.”  Some in our day have associated illness, especially mental illness, as demonic possession, but this account of Jesus’ life and ministry in Scripture is careful to separate the two.  It would be wrong for anyone in our day to attribute a person’s illness, whether it is physical or mental, to demon possession. 

I have been in the ministry for over 19 years.  I have ministered both within the walls of the church building and outside the walls of church building and beyond the confines of a church service.  I have ministered to those in hospitals and prisons.  I have ministered to young gang bangers in correctional facilities and the homeless on the streets.  I have ministered in America and in third world countries.  I have ministered to literally thousands of ill people both mentally and physically, but I can count on one hand those who were possessed by demons that were made obvious through physical manifestations including voice, facial distortions and actions.  I was never afraid and the Holy Spirit within me always triumphed over these evil encounters.  I tell this to implore you to not associate illness with demon possession.  Many precious people have been wounded and hurt because there are those who have taken their illness and proclaimed them to be demon possessed when they were not at all demon possessed.  It should not be and it hinders the work of those who are utilizing their life to advance God’s Kingdom with the help of the Holy Spirit who gives them the needed and necessary spiritual discernment.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
(Mark 1:29-31 ESV)

I don’t want to neglect a piece of this paragraph of Scripture that is very important and must be touched on.  Notice what Simon’s mother-in-law does after Jesus heals her of both her fever and whatever was causing it.  She get’s up out of the bed and immediately helps others. 

Beloved, Jesus helps us so that we can help others.  Live your life recognizing His hand on it and using it to always help others.  As you do, His kingdom will be revealed through your actions.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
(Mark 1:29-31 ESV)

At first glance of this passage of Scripture it would be easy to minimize this miracle by saying “it was only a fever.”  But, with closer inspection and with our own personal experiences, we know that something wrong in the body causes the fever.  A fever makes a person feel bad enough and keeps one in bed, but more importantly there is something going on in the body that is causing the fever.  In Jesus’ day, with limited medical knowledge, they treated a fever as a disease in itself and treated the fever instead of the cause.  Many would die as a result.

We are so blessed in our day.  Now we have medical science and medicine which are instruments of healing in our day, but the source of healing is always God.  Whether healing comes from an instant miracle or through a process aided by medical procedures and medicine, it is God that brings the healing.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
(Mark 1:29-31 ESV)

Notice what Simon, Andrew, James and John does.  When they leave the synagogue with Jesus, their faith in Jesus and His kingdom that He was revealing was enlarged.  They go to Simon and Andrew’s house which must have just been a short distance from the synagogue as revealed through the words “and immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.”  When they get there, Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever.  Upon the news of her illness these Christ followers had a heart to provide this lady the care she needed for her health and they tell Jesus about her fever.  Their faith had grown and they now knew to take their needs to Jesus. 

Beloved, we all have needs and we must take those needs to Jesus knowing that He cares for us and desires for us to place all of our cares and anxieties on Him.  Jesus desires to help us and as He does, His kingdom is revealed and faith always grows.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

I was fortunate to be raised by Christ following parents who used their God given abilities to minister at the point of need and take care of felt needs just as Jesus did.  I grew up seeing them do without and give of their time, talent and treasure so that the needs of others would be taken care of.  I’m glad that they did not teach me to leave the needs of others in the sovereign hands of God.  I am glad that Jesus did not teach us to leave the needs of others in the sovereign hands of God.  I am glad that so many people get it and are continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus and not just merely attending a church service expecting God to take care of people.

Mom and Dad are now in their senior years of life and I will take care of them and their needs.  I will do it out of my love for them and in obedience to Scripture, just as they taught me by example.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
(1 Timothy 5:8 ESV)

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Some Christians today feel as though we should leave the care of others in the hands of a sovereign God.  Some believe the care of others should be left up to the government, but yet they get upset at government if they raise taxes due to providing social programs.  What is the answer that Christ gives us?  What is the answer that Scripture gives us?  I’m often reminded of this Scripture found in James 2:14-18 that helps us with the answer:  “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV)” 

Beloved, if God reveals a need to us and if He has given us the ability to meet that need, it is His expectation that we do so.  We don’t have to pray about it.  The need is the call.  God takes care of the needs of people through us.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

In Mark 1:16-20 we are told that Jesus and the freshly called fishermen were in the Synagogue on the Sabbath.  Scripture tells us that the people are astonished at His teaching.  His message was about the Kingdom that was being established in Him and was different than the teaching they were accustomed to and delivered by religionists who demanded obedience to manmade rules, regulations and traditions.  As Jesus teaches, there is a collision of good and evil which is manifested in a sudden interruption.

And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
(Mark 1:23-28 ESV)

Jesus not only taught about the Kingdom of God, but demonstrates the kingdom of God through His actions that will be described throughout the Gospel of Mark.  Mark’s writing style is to get the reader to understand the meaning of events instead of giving details of the events he writes about.  As we read and study Mark, we should always be looking for the meaning of the events that take place and this event is no exception.

Jesus introduced to the world the kingdom of God, not only through His words, but through His actions.  With Jesus coming into our world, Satan’s kingdom was disturbed.  Satan’s kingdom realized who Jesus was and what authority He had as the Son of God even though the people did not.  In these five verses of Mark we see the two kingdoms collide, but it’s just the beginning.  Jesus will not only be victorious over demons, but also sickness, disease, hunger and death.  He will show through his actions that the Kingdom of God breaks through the powers of evil that seeks to destroy people.  His authority as the Son of God ensures His victory.  He walks the earth conquering the powers of evil and He dies on an old rugged cross.  On the third day He was resurrected and defeated death which is evil’s greatest weapon and people’s greatest enemy. 

At the cross, Satan was defeated, the power of sin was broken and God’s Kingdom became available to ALL people through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).  Jesus accomplished His mission on earth and because of His obedience to Father, He was re-glorified and placed back at the right hand of Father (John 17:1-5).  Jesus is now ruling supreme over His Kingdom.  As we fix our eyes on Jesus and follow Him and continue His point of need ministry, those around us will realize the wonderful kingdom that He places in each follower.  Why? - Because their felt needs will be met through Christ followers continuing His point of need ministry.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"   -- Matthew 25:37-40

Know that you are loved,
gaj

In Acts 8:14-25 we see Jesus changing three individuals as they make the right choices to believe, repent and follow Him.  And if Jesus changed these people, He will change whoever decides to follow Him.

Peter was a fisherman who decided to follow Jesus.  At the cross of Christ, Peter denied knowing Jesus although he had followed Him for three years.  Jesus didn’t give up on Peter though.  After the resurrection, Jesus went looking for Peter, not to condemn him or judge him, but to renew and restore him.  After the ascension of Jesus, Peter stayed in Jerusalem to wait for what Jesus had promised – the Holy Spirit.  On the day of Pentecost, Peter was used to deliver a basic message (Acts 2) and three thousand people decided to become Christ followers that day.  But Peter still has some prejudices in His heart that have to be eliminated so He is one of the Apostles that goes to Samaria to see if it could really be true that Samaritans and not just Jews could become Christ followers.  As He sees that it is true, the racial prejudices that have gripped his heart begin to loosen and His heart becomes more like that of Jesus, the One he follows.

The apostle John joins the apostle Peter on this trip to Samaria.  John like Peter, had prejudices in His heart that have to be eliminated.  It was John who had wanted to call fire from heaven to destroy a village in Samaria when they had rejected Jesus during Jesus’ ministry on earth (Luke 9:51-56).  Of course, Jesus rebuked John’s actions teaching John an important lesson at that time and directing his steps to Samaria this time to further purge the prejudices of John’s heart.

It was not by chance or accident that these two men were chosen as the delegation of the apostles to test the authenticity of the new non-Jewish Christ followers.  They were following Jesus once again to Samaria.  He was directing their every step and was going to bring more change to their heart and way of thinking that would impact their behavior.

Simon was a Samaritan entertainer who had just decided to follow Jesus.  He had much to learn and it would require the rebuke of a fellow Christ follower to straighten his walk with Christ.  Simon witnessed the effect produced by the laying on of hands, practiced by the apostles Peter and John, and offered them money in order to acquire the same power.  Ever since that day, the attempt to turn the spiritual into the commercial has been given the term “simony”.  Peter gave Simon a stern rebuke for his actions (Acts 8:23-24) and Simon’s motives were checked.  He learned a lot about humility and repentance that day.

As Peter and John witnessed the authenticity of non-Jewish people who had become Christ followers, prejudices were broken down in their hearts.  Their way of thinking toward others changed impacting their behavior toward others.  On their journey from Jerusalem to Samaria, they did not bother preaching the word to the villages in Samaria.  As they left Samaria to return to Jerusalem, they did preach the gospel to the villages of the Samaritans (Acts 8:25).   Jesus had brought more change to them.  They now were looking at people through the eyes of Jesus instead of the eyes of the prejudices that they had learned all their life.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

THE SPECIAL CARE GIVEN TO THOSE AROUND THE THRONE OF GOD MAGNETIZES ME TO IT.
 
Notice the loving care they receive.  They continually stay in God’s presence.  "Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them."    (Revelation 7:15 NIV)  They will never again experience separation from the presence of God.

God protects them from pain and suffering.  "Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat."    (Revelation 7:16 NIV)  This life is full of pain and suffering.  People around the world are in pain and suffering today.  The beloved will spend eternity in God’s presence where there will be no pain and suffering.

God wipes away their tears.  "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."    (Revelation 7:17 NIV)  There will be no crying around the throne; just joy unspeakable and full of glory!

There is so much about God’s presence and spending time with Him for all eternity that I don’t understand or comprehend, but I know one thing – I want to be a part of the great multitude wearing white robes.  I want to be found in this beautiful picture painted for us in God’s Word.  Only now on this earth are we given opportunity to wash our robes.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

"These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."    (Revelation 7:14 NIV)  They have overcome the world.  While they were on earth, they washed their robes.  They accepted Jesus as their Savior.  They placed their faith in Jesus and accepted everything He did for them at the cross of Calvary.  They made Jesus their Lord; they fixed their eyes on Jesus and they followed Jesus.  In doing so, they overcame the world.

Beloved, we live in an evil and perverse world that increasingly grows out of step with God’s Word.  Only now on earth can we wash our robes in the blood of Jesus Christ.  Without the blood there is no cleansing.  Without cleansing, there is no redemption.  There is no salvation.  Wash your robes.  Daily go to the foot of the cross and wash your robes in the blood of Jesus Christ.  Daily go to the cross and crucify self. Crucify your fleshly nature at the foot of the cross.  As we decrease at the cross, Jesus increases in our life.  We make Jesus Lord; we deny ourselves and we take up our cross and follow Him.  And one day beloved, we will find ourselves around the throne full of joy and wearing spotless white robes!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

The angels fall prostrate before God and begin to worship Him "saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!""    (Revelation 7:12 NIV)  These angels are not able to sing redemption’s song, but in all humility they praise and honor God.  They give their creator all glory!  They also are full of joy in bearing witness to the multitude of the redeemed shouting praise to God.

Here we see glorious angels who have never sinned praising God in all humility.  How much more should we who have sinned and been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ humble ourselves and worship Him?

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Beloved, it’s not as much about whom we are as it is what Jesus can make us.  Those Jesus calls, He will make into what He desires them to be and the finished person will not look like the one that answered the call.   All that those called must do is keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and follow Him.  Along the way, He will perfect the faith that He initiated in them when He first called them.  God’s Word says in Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Know that you are loved,
gaj

The first 15 verses of the Gospel of Mark tells us about the ministry of John the Baptist, the baptism of Jesus, the temptation of Jesus and the message of Jesus, which is the same message for us in our day.  In verse 15, we hear Jesus say "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." After making His message simple and clear, He began to call those who would follow Him and continue His point of need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
(Mark 1:16-20 ESV)

John the Baptist is in prison and Jesus could have decided to continue His ministry alone, but He chose not to do so.  His plan is to call people to follow Him.  He will train, empower and direct them to continue His point of need ministry.  He trains by example, He empowers by the Holy Spirit and He directs through His Word.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
(Mark 1:9-11 ESV)

As John was baptizing all of the people who were repenting of their sins, Jesus appears on the scene.  This is the most unlikely time for the Son of God to show up.  Jesus had no need to repent of sins because He was sinless.  But yet, He allowed John to baptize Him.  His baptism was not for sins, but was to identify with people in their sin showing His willingness to submit to God’s judgment of their sin.

Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will, which meant certain death on a cross, was pleasing to the Father and demonstrated by the Father’s words and the Spirit’s descent upon Jesus.  Notice that all three persons of the Trinity was present – the Father, the Son and the Spirit.

It is hard for us to comprehend what is taking place.  Jesus came into our world to die for our sin.  He was sinless and had no need to die for Himself.  It was all about us.  The Father loves us and wants to spend eternity with us so much that He sent Jesus.  The Father wants us to experience life in Him and not death.  And Jesus submitted to the will of the Father and He came.  He left the glory of heaven and the splendor of the Father’s presence to come into our world to live and to die.  He came as the son of man and He came as the son of God.  He was 100% human and 100% God.  As the son of man, he lived his life as an example for us to follow.  As the son of God, He died for our sin taking God’s judgment for it upon Himself.  And here at His baptism He, as a man, is indwelt by the Spirit just as all those who are born into God’s Kingdom would be.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Those who follow Christ making Him their Lord and Savior are baptized with the Holy Spirit by Jesus. 

Paul explains this baptism best: 

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:5-11 ESV)”

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Mark jumps right into truth as he begins the Gospel of Mark.  In the first eight verses we are introduced to John the Baptist and Jesus Christ is exalted.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:1-8 ESV)

The very first verse of Mark is short, but it speaks volumes – “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1 ESV)” Throughout the entire Gospel of Mark, we are told about Jesus.  It is good news to all who learn of Him, but this good news did have its beginning with Mark’s Gospel.  Jesus was proclaimed throughout the Old Testament and the Prophets and Mark is implying to this with a reference to Isaiah. 

Mark declares that Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ.  The name “Jesus” means “Yahweh is salvation”.  Matthew brings particular attention to this meaning – “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21 ESV)” 

Christ is a title and means “the anointed one”, or “the Messiah”.  So here at the start of the Gospel of Mark we have the declaration that Jesus is the son of God and the Messiah who saves us from our sin and delivers us out of its captivity and bondage.

I thank God that He sent Jesus into our world!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

In the paragraph of Scripture as given to us in Acts 7:54-60, the religionists break the Roman law which prohibits them from executing a death sentence.   As a mob, they react to Stephen’s stand for faith and justice.  They kill the messenger and God’s instrument of grace.  Instead of making the right choice, repenting of their religious ways and following Christ, they make the wrong choice and choose religion over Christ.  Their actions show how religion is full of anger and leads to death and not life.

As I read this paragraph of Scripture, it is Stephen’s reaction that catches my eye and speaks volumes into my life.  Notice with me:

• Stephen the Christ follower, even in death, kept his eyes fixed on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of faith (Acts 7:55).
• Stephen the Christ follower left this world praying to Jesus and releasing himself to Jesus’ care (Acts 7:59).
• Stephen the Christ follower prayed for his enemies as they violently attacked and killed him (Acts 7:60).

What a picture of Christ portrayed by a follower!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

All through Acts chapter 7, Stephen is giving a defense in response to the religionist of His day trying desperately to hang on to the status quo.  They feel threatened that Jesus and His followers were going to bring change to their religious structures including the Temple and the Law.  Instead of embracing the change that Christ brings, they resort to lies and the spreading of fear in order to hang on to what they are accustomed.  Stephen takes a stand for faith and justice.  He lives and dies for Christ and Christ alone.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Be encouraged to hear God’s Word.  Regularly listen to sermons and teachings delivered through God’s anointed messengers.  It will grow your faith.  God's Word says How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:14-17 ESV)

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Be encouraged today to read God’s Word.  It was as the Ethiopian, in Acts chapter 8, was reading Isaiah that Philip meets up with him and points Him to Jesus Christ through the Scriptures (Acts 8:26-39).  As we read the Scriptures, we will be pointed to Jesus Christ.  God’s Word is all about Jesus and in order to have a relationship with Jesus, we must learn about him through God’s Word.  The New Testament tells us that Jesus Christ is the Word.  John’s Gospel says And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 ESV)

Take time every day and read the Bible.  As you read Scripture, you will be pointed to Jesus Christ and your relationship with Him grows as you will learn more and more of Him.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Why do you make me see
wrongdoing and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me;
strife and contention arise.
So the law becomes slack
and justice never prevails.
The wicked surround the righteous--
therefore judgment comes forth perverted.

- Habakkuk 1:3-4, NRSV

Know that you are loved,
gaj

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(Titus 3:3-7 ESV)

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Even when our faith is immature and deficient, God does a work that only He can do.  And through it all, God still loves us and is perfecting our faith as we focus our attention on Jesus and follow Him.

In Acts 12:1-11 we are told of how the Apostle James was killed and Peter was placed in prison awaiting his death. After Herod Agrippa I saw that beheading James pleased the people, he decided to do the same to Peter and He had him put in prison.  Because Herod was now observing the Jewish law and trying to win favor with the people, he would not put Peter to death during the Passover season.  He would wait until afterward and do to Peter in front of all the people what he had already done to James.  In the meantime, he would hold Peter prisoner and make it impossible for him to escape or be freed by assigning four squads of soldiers to guard him.  Each squad consisted of four Roman soldiers and each squad would have a six hour shift.  Two soldiers would be chained to either side of him and two soldiers would guard the door.  There was seemingly no way Peter would be able to escape, but God sent an angel to deliver Peter out of the prison in the middle of the night.  As Peter followed the angel, he was set free.  Peter was still in a daze from it all and when his mind finally cleared, he realized that he was supernaturally delivered by God and saved from death.

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, "It is his angel!" But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place. Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
(Acts 12:12-19 ESV)

The church survived without a church building for three hundred years.  There were no building funds.  There were no campaigns to pay down building debt.  There were neither maintenance invoices nor utility bills to pay.  Instead, Christ followers met in houses and existing facilities.  At this time in Jerusalem, the church had grown to large numbers and was meeting in many houses in the city.  Upon his supernatural deliverance from prison, Peter went to John Mark’s mother’s house.  Many believe that this was the house that held the upper room where Jesus had His last supper with the disciples the night before His crucifixion.  This was probably the house where Peter met with other Christ followers regularly and was the people he was most familiar with as Rhoda knew his voice.  In any case, Peter went to where he knew people would be meeting in the middle of the night to pray for His safe release.

Prayer has always been a quality that identifies the church.  Christ followers are praying people and follow the example that Christ gave as He walked this earth ministering at the point of need.  Jesus took the time to pray and the disciples, seeing that this was a priority in Jesus’ life, asked for Him to teach them how to pray. 

Faith is exercised as one communicates to God and asks for his help, guidance and intervention.  A person prays believing in God and believing that He can do the impossible.  Those who met in this house knew that Herod had beheaded the Apostle James and was planning to do the same to Peter the next day at the conclusion of the Passover.  They were praying earnestly for him day and night knowing that God could deliver and in this case, it would take God. 

Peter knocked at the gate indicating that this house had a courtyard which was typical of the bigger homes of that day that could accommodate many people.  Rhoda goes to see who is knocking.  Upon recognizing Peter’s voice and without opening the gate and letting Peter in, she goes back inside tell the people it was Peter.  The people thought she was out of her mind!  Anyway you look at this it is humorous.  Their prayers had been answered.  Evidently they had enough faith to pray knowing that God could deliver Peter out of this seemingly hopeless situation, but their faith was deficient in realizing that God was willing to deliver Peter.  Even though their faith was deficient, God moved on their behalf and supernaturally delivered Peter from the chains of bondage and certain death.

Beloved, we have been supernaturally delivered from the bondage of sin and saved from death by Jesus Christ.  Some may doubt our deliverance and that doubt may come from some who have prayed for our deliverance, but nevertheless we have been delivered!  We didn’t do anything to deserve it.  It was all God pouring our His amazing grace upon us.  We were bound in the chains of sin and held captive in its prison.  But Jesus set us free.  And when Jesus sets us free, we are free indeed!

Not only is God able to deliver and set the captive free from the power of sin, God is willing.  All Peter had to do was follow the angel the Lord sent out of the prison he was held captive in.  We have been given Jesus to follow.  All of those friends and loved ones that you are praying for, God can and he will deliver as they follow Jesus out of their prison.  Keep praying for them.  Pray earnestly for them.  God will do in an instance what no person could do in a lifetime.

If you are held captive by the power of sin today, I encourage you to follow Jesus out of that prison.  As you fix your eyes on Him and follow Him, He will break every shackle that binds you.  He will lead you out of darkness and despair.  He will take away your hopelessness and give you a reason for living.  He will truly set you free!

Beloved, as we follow Christ and keep our eyes fixed on Him, our faith will grow because He is the founder and the perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).  When our faith is immature and deficient, God still loves us.  He does supernatural things in our life and in our circumstances regardless of the size of our faith.  And as He does, our faith grows.  It is simply Jesus perfecting our faith.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

It is possible for us to grow to such a point in our faith as to rest in times of trouble knowing that God is in control of our life as we follow Christ on this journey from earth to glory.  He is directing our steps.  He is making a way where there seems to be no way.

For the early followers of Christ there was a season after Saul became a Christ follower (Acts 9) in which they experienced a freedom from oppression and persecution brought on by the religionists of their day.  It would not last long though.  King Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of the King Herod of Jesus’ birth, in order to gain favor with the Jews began to observe their ways and practice their law.  He had heard them complain of Christ followers spreading the message of Christ and how it threatened their religious tradition.  He decided to display his hand of power against the radical Christ followers in order to win more favor with those who were merely religious.

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."
(Acts 12:1-11 ESV)

James here is the disciple of Jesus, son of Zebedee and brother of John, not to be confused with James, brother of Jesus and author of the book of James in the New Testament.  James, John and Peter made up the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples while He ministered on earth.  Why James would die and Peter escape is a mystery of divine providence.  Peter still had much to accomplish as he would author two epistles of the New Testament.  James would complete His mission and be the first of the disciples to join the glorified Christ.

After Herod Agrippa I saw that beheading James pleased the people, he decided to do the same to Peter and He had him put in prison.  Because Herod was now observing the Jewish law and trying to win favor with the people, he would not put Peter to death during the Passover season.  He would wait until afterward and do to Peter in front of all the people what he had already done to James.  In the meantime, he would hold Peter prisoner and make it impossible for him to escape or be freed by assigning four squads of soldiers to guard him.  Each squad consisted of four Roman soldiers and each squad would have a six hour shift.  Two soldiers would be chained to either side of him and two soldiers would guard the door.  There was seemingly no way Peter would be able to escape.

Notice what the followers of Christ did.  They prayed for Peter, but it was not a half hearted prayer mouthed through sleepy lips.  It was earnest prayer.  The oppressive hand of Herod was powerful, but not as powerful as earnest prayer that releases divine power that destroys strongholds and sets the captive free (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  Beloved, earnestly pray for those you know that are held captive by their troubles.  Prayer is our spiritual weapon.  Pray earnestly. 

What catches my attention the most today from these paragraphs of Scripture is what Peter was doing in the midst of his troubles.  He was asleep.  That is an indication that his faith had grown to a point where he was able to rest in the midst of his troubles.  He could not always do that, but now his faith had grown to a point where he could.  He trusted God fully and understood that God was in control of his life as he followed Christ.  He was at peace.  He did not fear death as he realized that to be absent from the body would mean that He would be present with our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Beloved, I believe that is the faith God desires to develop in each of us.  It’s a faith that will inspire our earnest prayers for those that are held captive by their troubling situations and seemingly hopeless circumstances.  It’s a faith that allows us to rest in the middle of the greatest storm that life brings our way knowing that God is in control and He can either calm the storm or get us through it. 

Supernatural deliverance came to Peter that night.  It was an undeniable miracle that happened in a fashion in which no person could take the glory.  It was all God.  Peter rested.  God delivered.  

Beloved, allow your faith in God to produce that same rest in you today.  God knows the difficulty that you are in.  He knows what you are going through.  He has lifted up others who are praying earnestly for you.  He will make a way where there seems to be no way.  He will make the impossible possible.  Trust Him.  Rest in Him.  He will do the rest.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NRSV

Know that you are loved,
gaj

As Christ followers recognize God's grace at work in people, they are glad because they realize that God is doing the same work in others that He has done in them.  They know that God is no respecter of people; what He does in one, He will do in another.  And it’s not because one deserves it.  It’s all the result of God’s grace; His unmerited favor towards us all.

In Acts 11:19-21, many Gentiles had lost their confidence in their idols and were looking for something better.  Their situation looked hopeless, but God was working on their behalf.  He broke down religious tradition and practices in Jewish people and sent them to Antioch to preach Jesus.  Through the preaching of Christ, many non Jewish people turned from their idols, received the forgiveness of sins and became followers of Jesus Christ.

The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:22-26 ESV)

Antioch itself was significant.  It was the third most important city in the Roman Empire.  It was exceeded only by Rome and Alexandria.  The church in Jerusalem heard of what was happening in Antioch and out of love sends to them Barnabus, their best encourager.  When Barnabus arrives in Antioch, he “saw the grace of God” and “he was glad”. 

The biggest thrill in ministry is seeing God’s grace on people and the changes that it brings to their lives.  I was preaching the good news of Christ in Santiago Cuba on a hot and humid spring night to hundreds of people who had gathered.  The small building was packed full and the crowd stretched out the open doors, into the yard outside and across the street.  Later I would be told that there were over 900 people listening, mostly outside because they could not get in the building.  As I spoke a sentence, I would wait and watch the people as the interpreter spoke in their language what I just said in English.  As I watched, I could see God’s grace at work in them.  They soaked up the message of Christ like a dry sponge absorbs water.  Many became followers of Christ that night, but one lady, I will never forget.  She was 90 years old and had never heard the Gospel.  She decided to receive God’s grace and begin her journey with Jesus that night as she gave Him her life and made Him her Lord.

We experienced the supernatural that night.  We did not speak the same language.  We did not have the same color of skin.  We were raised under two different types of government.  We were of different economic status as they lived in extreme poverty and I live in wealthy America.  They would stay, but I would go back.  We had a lot of differences, but we had one thing in common.  We had experienced God’s amazing grace.  God loved us all equally and poured His grace out upon us.

I’ve seen God’s grace on women and on men as I’ve preached Jesus to them in Jail.  I’ve seen God’s grace on the homeless as I’ve encourage them with the good news of Jesus who Himself experienced homelessness.  I’ve seen God’s grace on gang members as I’ve pointed them to Jesus, the most courageous man that has walked this earth.  I’ve seen God’s grace on sex offenders in transitional housing as I’ve told them that a relationship with Jesus is the answer to their sexual addictions.  I’ve seen God’s grace at work and it always makes me glad. 

Beloved, rejoice in God’s grace today.  His hand is not only upon you, but it is upon those around you.  Recognize that we are all God’s creation and created in His image and in His likeness.  We all make mistakes in life, but God still picks us to follow Jesus in spite of our mistakes.  He picks us just like we are and He brings changes to our heart and mind as we follow Christ.  As we allow Him to change our heart and our mind, our behavior changes and others begin to experience God’s grace through our words and through our actions.  As others experience God’s grace, we will see it and it will make us glad.

I encourage you today as Barnabas did those in His day to remain faithful to Jesus.  Value Him and your relationship with Him above all else.  Above all that you own and all that you dream to own and above all other relationships.  Remain faithful to Jesus.  Keep a steadfast purpose to follow Him, continuing His point of need ministry in the power and in the fullness of the Holy Spirit until He comes.

Know that you are loved,

Rev. Greg Johnson
Founder
LovingGodFellowship.org

When we are going through troubling times, it’s easy to believe that we are in it all alone.

But, we are not.

God is with us.

Even in the tough stuff.

He is there.

And He will get us through it all as we place all of our trust in Him.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

~ Isaiah 43:2, NLT

You are not going to sink.

Trust Him.

The best is yet to come!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Do you feel that you are in a hopeless situation?  Nothing you try to do helps and you don’t know what to do next.  Please know today that no situation is hopeless. 

The central theme of the book of Acts in God’s Word is found in one verse given to us by Jesus Christ.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Act 1:8 ESV)

Throughout the book of Acts we see this fulfilled.  Stephen preached Christ to the Jews in Acts 7.  In Acts 8, Phillip preached Christ to the Samaritans who were half Jews. In Acts 10, Peter preached Christ to the house of Cornelius who was non Jewish or Gentiles.  The rest of the book of Acts focuses on the preaching of Christ to all people regardless of their race or social status.

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
(Act 11:19-21 ESV)

Many Gentiles had lost their confidence in their idols and were looking for something better.  Their situation looked hopeless, but God was working on their behalf.  He broke down religious tradition and practices in people and sent them to Antioch to preach Jesus.  Through the preaching of Christ, many non Jewish people turned from their idols, received the forgiveness of sins and became followers of Jesus Christ.

You may be saying about now, "how does this help me?"  "My situation seems hopeless and I don’t understand how this is relevant to me." 

Beloved, these three verses of Scripture are relevant to us today, in the midst of our seemingly hopeless situations, because God’s heart is revealed to us in them. 

God goes out of his way to rescue perishing people and provide hope to the hopeless.  God does not want people to be hopeless no matter where they live, what they have done or what they have become.  He sent Jesus into our world to give us the hope of eternal life.  Jesus showed us by example how to live a life dependent upon God, He died for our sins and on the third day He defeated the hopelessness of death giving us resurrection life.

God uses people to help others out of their hopeless situations.  In God’s infinite wisdom, He uses people to help people.  It is God that gives a person the heart to go out of their way utilizing their time, talent and treasure to help other people.  If you are in a situation that seems hopeless today, know that God is preparing others and He will send them just at the right time to help you at your point of need.

The power of God is manifested in the midst of hopeless situations.  If your situation seems hopeless, you are ready for the power of God to be manifested in your life.  He will work undeniable miracles in ways in which He will be exalted. 

Where Christ is exalted, hopelessness turns to faith.  God’s Word is what grows our faith.  Christ is exalted throughout God’s Word.  As we read God’s Word and we listen to God’s Word proclaimed through His messengers our hopelessness turns to faith.  As our faith in Christ grows through the consumption of God’s Word, we become strong in Him and nothing will move us.

Be encouraged today!  God is for you and not against you.  He is working on your behalf even when you do not realize it.  As you wait on the Lord, His power will be manifested in the midst of your situation and He will be exalted in and through your life.  Know today that there is no situation that is hopeless with God!

Click and check out our audio Bible messages.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

How we react to criticism will influence those who criticize.  The way we react will either bring further criticism or it will be instrumental in a change of the critic’s heart. 

Acts 11:1-3 tells us how Peter received criticism because of his obedience to God.  After Peter hears the criticism, he responds and his response is a model to follow as it produced a change in the heart of his critics.

But Peter began and explained it to them in order: "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But I said, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' But the voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.' This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."
(Act 11:4-18 ESV)

When I was just beginning in pastoral ministry, one of my mentors told me that I would face much criticism if I obeyed God and not people.  He said “when you receive criticism look for the truth that lies somewhere within it.”  He said that “there are usually elements of truth in all criticism.”

Since receiving that advice, I have received a lot of criticism and I always try to look for the elements of truth that may be present in it.  In looking for the element of truth in the criticism that Peter received in Acts 11:1-3, we see that his critics stated a fact.  He indeed went into a home of a foreigner, spent time there and even ate with them.  That was the truth.  The non truth in their criticism, which was the result of their religious tradition, was that God was just for the Jew only. 

Peter does not run from his critics.  Instead, he faces them and responds.  Peter’s response was not an argument.  He did not allow himself to get caught up in an argument with his critics that would take away valuable energy from helping people at their point of need.  Instead, his response was just simply a statement of the facts.  In obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, he did go to the house of a foreigner and he took six fellow Christ followers with him, which would prove to be a valuable move of wisdom, as these were witnesses to what took place in that house.

The fact is that God loves ALL people and desires that ALL people receive the forgiveness of sins that comes through faith; faith which increases through hearing the good news about Jesus Christ.  As one’s faith grows to the point of believing, they receive the new birth that Christ talks about; specifically His words “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (see John 3:1-8).

Peter’s straightforward narration of his experience silenced his critics.  What could they say?  Peter’s preaching the good news of Jesus Christ to a house full of non-Jews grew their faith to the point that they received the forgiveness of sins.  And through the Holy Spirit, God had given the Gentiles a change of mind and heart and the assurance of eternal life just as He had the Jews.  Peter and six other Jewish Christ followers witnessed this move of God.  Now, with Peter’s response to criticism by stating the facts of what happened, God has given these critics in the early church a change of mind and heart to receive all people into the church of Jesus Christ.

Notice their response which is an outward indicator of the change that had taken place in their heart.  They “glorified God.”  The fruit of their lips had changed from criticism to praise!  To God be the glory!

Beloved, the Holy Spirit will take us places we would never imagine to minister Christ to people we never would have met without Him bringing it all together.  As we obey God instead of people, we will face criticism.  Look for elements of truth in all criticism and don’t spend energy in arguing.  Just state the facts and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.  If we follow Peter’s model of defense in just stating the facts we are allowing room for a change in the heart of our critics.

Click and check out our audio Bible messages.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

If you are obedient to God and include all people in your sphere of influence, regardless of who they are and what they have done, you will be criticized by those who still don’t get who God is and what He has left us here to do.  And those who criticize you may be a part of your community of believers.

Acts chapter 10 begins with Peter being partial to those of his own race and belief system.  The chapter concludes with Peter obeying God and making those outside of his own race and belief system a part of his sphere of influence.  He does not condemn them or judge them; he simply associates with them and points them to Jesus.  As he does this, the Holy Spirit does the rest.  Acts chapter 11 begins with Peter being criticized by those in his community of believers for including those who were different.

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them."
(Act 11:1-3 ESV)

Peter was criticized for obeying God and including those in his sphere of influence who were different.  You would think that those in his community of believers would be rejoicing over his obedience to God, but they were not.  Instead, they were upset.  They just didn’t get who God is and what He has left us here to do.

Take a moment and consider who you have included in your sphere of influence.  Are they different from you?  Or are they just like you?  There are a lot of people in our day who go to church, but only include people who are like them.  Most churches are segregated and do not fairly represent the racial diversity of God’s Kingdom. 

There are those in our day who only include people who:

• Vote like they do belonging to the same political party
• Are of the same faith
• Are of the same denomination
• Have the same color of skin
• Are of the same economic status
• Have the same sexual orientation

They exclude others who are different than they.  I feel sorry for these people because they just don’t get who God is and what He has left us here to do.  There is hope for these people though.  If God could change Peter, God can change them.  That is what gives me great hope for change in our day.

Beloved, I encourage you today to look at all people through the eyes of Christ.  Christ died for all people.  It doesn’t matter who they are or what they have become, God loves them as much as He loves you.  Don’t try to change people and make them just like you.  Instead, obey the direction of the Holy Spirit.  He will broaden your sphere of influence and speak God messages through you.  He will do the rest.  When criticism comes from those who don’t get who God is and what He has left us here to do, you will know that you are right on course as a Christ follower.

Click and check out our audio Bible messages.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

God is not partial and He does not show partiality to one group of people over another based on status or race.  God loves all people and He has sent the Holy Spirit to baptize us all into one body.

Peter was preaching a simple but yet powerful Christ centric message as recorded in Acts 10:34-43.  His audience was of a different nationality, but Peter had learned that God shows no partiality.  God loves all people and desires that all people come to Him through Jesus Christ.  As Peter told this house full of foreigners about Jesus, faith rose up within each hearer.  And we know that God’s word declares that faith comes from hearing the Word (Romans 10:17) .  It was saving faith springing up within them like a gushing fountain and they were receiving the forgiveness of sin that Peter told them would come through believing (Acts 10:43).

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. (Act 10:44-48 ESV)

As Peter was speaking, there was a holy interruption.  He did not conclude his message with a story and a prayer, nor did he precede his message with a joke to break the ice.  He didn’t ask for a show of hands of those who would like to receive Jesus into their hearts.  He did not ask people to come forward to receive Christ.  He simply spoke God’s message and the Holy Spirit did the rest.

The six Jewish brothers (“the believers from among the circumcised”) that he brought with him were “amazed”.  They could not believe that God was pouring out the gift of the Holy Spirit on these foreigners as He had poured out on the Jews on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).  And they would have never believed it if they had not come with Peter and witnessed what God was doing at this God gathering.  They were witnessing God baptizing believers into one body by His Spirit.  It is as the Apostle Paul would write in 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks”.

When Peter realized that these people had just received the Holy Spirit as He had earlier, he immediately pointed them to water baptism which is an outside indicator and testimony of what God has done on the inside.  All through the book of Acts and early church history, Christ followers did not wait to baptize a new Christ follower in water.  When a person was baptized into the body by the Spirit, they immediately looked for a hole of water deep enough to follow their Lord Jesus Christ in water baptism.

Beloved, in this paragraph of Scripture, some of the heart of God is revealed to us:

• He desires to use preachers to communicate the good news of Christ to all people.
• He has ordained the preaching and hearing of the Word to produce and grow saving faith in people.
• He does not need manmade gimmicks that produce “converts” or “church members”.
• He is not partial.
• He loves and desires for all people to be baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ regardless of race, regardless of status, regardless of what they have done and regardless of what they have become.

God is no respecter of people.  What He does for one, He will do for another.  May He lift up preachers in our day who will deliver God messages and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in baptizing all people, Jews and Gentiles, into the body of Christ.  And may we be quick to follow our Lord Jesus Christ in water baptism as an outward testimony of a spiritual rebirth.

Click and check out our audio Bible messages.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

God messages are delivered by imperfect people who submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit.  These messages are good news!  They always point people to Jesus and grow the faith of the listener to receive the forgiveness of sins and become followers of Jesus Christ. 

In Acts chapter 10, God puts together a God gathering.  By the time we get to verse 34, we see that God has put together a full house of foreigners and has sent an imperfect preacher to give them the good news of Jesus Christ.  This messenger of the good news of Jesus Christ was once a racist and a coward, but God was changing him and using him to minister at the point of need as Jesus had showed Him by example.  Let’s look at the God message delivered by the imperfect messenger.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
(Act 10:34-43 ESV)

The message that Peter delivers at this God gathering of people is simple, but yet powerful in building the faith of the listener in Jesus Christ.  The entire theme of the message is Jesus.  It is relevant to us today and we will do good to note the major points of the message:

• Jesus came into our world as God’s gift to people due to His love for people.
• Jesus ministered at the point of need in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus was put to death by people revealing the sinful nature that is within each us.
• In contrast, Jesus was brought to life again by God who desires to give life to all people.
• The Christ follower is a witness to the resurrection as Jesus is a living presence in their life.
• The result of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is forgiveness of sin for every believer.

Beloved, that is a God message that never looses its relevancy and it is Good News to each hearer!

There is no one that is perfect, that is why Jesus came into our world.  He showed us how to live and how to minister at the point of need in the power of the Holy Spirit.  He died for our sins.  He rose again.  He ascended back to be with God the Father.  He has not left us alone, but has sent the Holy Spirit to empower His followers to continue His point of need ministry.  He is coming again.  That is all good news!  It is relevant in our day.  And it is still delivered to God gatherings of people from all around the world through imperfect messengers.  And when it is, faith grows and the forgiveness of sins is realized.

Click and check out our audio Bible studies.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

God puts together gatherings where people are presented with the truth of His Word so that their faith can grow to a point where they can receive all of His spiritual blessings.  These God gatherings cross all barriers that man has instituted; they transcend learned traditions and practices and are used to build the church of Jesus Christ regardless of race or nationality.  

In Acts chapter 10, we are seeing God put together a gathering of people to receive the good news of Jesus Christ.  It would require that barriers be broken down and it would require obedience.  In the first paragraph (Acts 10:1-8), God is working on a Gentile named Cornelius.  In the second and third paragraphs (Acts 10:9-23), God is working on a Jew named Peter.  In the fourth and fifth paragraph, we see the gathering come together as these two individuals obey God.

So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man." And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me." And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.' So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."
(Act 10:23-33 ESV)

As Jesus was helping Peter see that racial barriers had to come down, Cornelius was busy getting his house full of his friends and family so that they could receive the blessings of God that were coming.  He didn’t know what they were going to receive; he just knew that if God was putting it together, it would be good. 

By the time Peter gets to the house of Cornelius, the house is full of people.  This was a God gathering designed by God, but for it to take place and people’s faith grow to receive God’s spiritual blessings; it required the obedience of Cornelius and Peter.  In this paragraph of Scripture we see that their obedience to the instructions that came to them through prayer resulted in a God gathering.  When God puts a gathering together, good things are going to happen.

These two individuals did not realize what the result of their obedience would bring prior to obeying.  They knew God and they knew that if they obeyed Him, the result would be good.  Many never enter into all that God has for them because they can’t see what the results of their obedience will bring.  These two did not have to see the results before they moved forward in obedience.  They trusted God and knew that if He was leading, the result would be good.

Beloved, trust God and move forward in obedience as He instructs you through His Word and through prayer.  You may not understand it all, but that is not a requirement.  All that God requires is obedience and as we step out in obedience, we know that the best is yet to come.  God rewards obedience with His spiritual blessings.

We need God gatherings in our day, but it will require stepping out in obedience.  At Loving God Fellowship we have built a platform for God gatherings to take place in cities across America and around the world.  We have stepped out in faith believing the instructions God has given us, not knowing what the end result will be while realizing that God’s spiritual blessings are for all nations and they will follow obedience.  We are calling these gatherings Loving God Fellowship or LGF Gatherings and all we need on the other end are for people like Cornelius to step out in obedience and gather their friends and family.  God will show up and with Him comes spiritual blessings.  To learn more about these gatherings and how you can be a part, please go to our website at LovingGodFellowship.org and click on the link “Building the Church without a Building” or the link “Church without Walls”.

May those who love God and ALL people rise up in obedience to the Lord in our day.  May God gatherings where the truth of God’s Word is proclaimed and faith is enlarged be commonplace.  May we realize that God gatherings do not have to take place in a church building and on a church day.  And may we receive the spiritual blessings that always follow our obedience to God.

Click and check out our audio Bible studies available online.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Prayer positions oneself for sweet encounters with the Lord resulting in immediate impact on behavior, attitudes and beliefs.  An encounter with Jesus can do in an instance what could never be done by man in a lifetime.

In Acts 10, the Lord is breaking down racial barriers that had been in place for generations.  For the church to be what Jesus intends it to be, there can be no discrimination.  We are learning the heart of Jesus for the church in this wonderful chapter of God’s Word.  We are seeing the importance of separating one’s self for the purpose of prayer which makes available the resources of heaven and opens us up to sweet encounters with our Lord.

Peter was on the house top praying when the Lord gave him a vision of all kind of animals coming from heaven on a sheet with His command for Peter to kill and eat.  Peter refused because of the unclean animals, but the Lord showed him three times.  Jesus was showing him that nothing He has made is unclean, including ALL people.  

Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them." And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?" And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say." So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
(Act 10:17-23 ESV)

This is a beautiful paragraph of Scripture that records the obedience to direction given through prayer.  Cornelius received instructions through prayer (Acts 10:1-8) and here we see the beginning results to obeying those instructions.  Peter was pondering on the meaning of the instructions he received through prayer, but the Holy Spirit was about to show him the deeper meaning which would require him to let go of traditions and practices that he had held onto entire life. 

Somewhere between his walk from the rooftop to the door, it started to make sense.  As Peter was obedient to the Holy Spirit’s instruction, change percolated in his behavior, attitude and beliefs.  Peter did something that he would not have done before.  It would shatter the way he was raised and go against everything he had been taught from a young child upward.  He invited non Jews, people of a different race and different beliefs, not only into the house with him, but to be his guests for the night! 

Something happened in Peter.  It started when he separated himself from all distractions and went up on the rooftop to pray (Acts 10:9-16).  It continued as he meditated on what he was shown as he prayed.  It happened when he stepped out in obedience to the Holy Spirit; behavior, attitude and beliefs all where changed.

Beloved, as we pray, we will have times of sweet encounters with Jesus.  We will receive instructions and as we obey the instructions, we will have supernatural changes in behavior, attitude and beliefs.  It may shatter the way we were raised and go against everything we have been taught, but it will always line up with Scripture and take us into a deeper love of God that will result in a deeper love of ALL people.  

Click and check out our audio Bible studies available online.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Do you ever wish there were more hours in a day?  Life can become quite overwhelming.  There are deadlines to meet.  There are bills that have to be paid.  There are appointments to be kept.  There are assets that have to be maintained such as houses and cars.  There are relationships that have to be nourished.  And how do we ever find time to properly take care of ourselves?  To live a healthy life, we have to eat right and exercise. 

Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed and losing perspective?  I do quite often. 

God has given me a verse in His Word that puts everything back in perspective.  I want to share it with you today so that you can glean from its wonderful truth. 

(2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV) “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 

Wow!  This is the greatest double paradox in history.  It is powerful and it puts everything in perspective.  Understanding it will change our life and the way we live it.

GOD ARRANGED FOR JESUS TO BE MADE SIN
It’s all about divine justice, divine wrath, divine self-sacrifice and divine love.  Because of God’s divine justice, His reaction to sin is divine wrath.  God in His infinite wisdom decided that the penalty of sin would be death and that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 11:22 NIV)  But the blood had to come from a perfect sacrifice; one that did not know sin.  That would be the only thing that would appease God’s wrath.  The only one that could fulfill this was God Himself because only God is sinless.  But yet God could not die.  So God came into our world.  I get so excited every time I think about it.  It amazes me that God left the portals of heaven and came into our world.  That is how much God loves us.  God has gone out of His way to save us from His wrath.

Only Jesus could be the perfect sacrifice for our sins; a sacrificial lamb without spot and without blemish.  At the cross, Jesus took upon Himself every sin we ever committed.  God’s Word says (Isaiah 53:6 NIV) “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  At the cross, Jesus took upon Himself God’s divine judgment and God’s divine wrath that we deserve so that we would be shielded from God’s judgment and His wrath.  Beloved, our sins were charged to Jesus’ account.  It doesn’t sound right.  He was innocent, we are guilty.  We deserve the punishment, but God took it upon Himself instead.  It was divine self-sacrifice.  That’s how much God loves us.        

GOD ARRANGED FOR PEOPLE TO BE MADE RIGHTEOUS
Again God’s Word says (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV) “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."  Jesus’ righteousness was credited to the account of all who would believe on Him.  It all happened at the cross of Christ.  

MANY PEOPLE IN OUR DAY HAVE A CONFUSED UNDERSTANDING OF GOD
Many today believe that God is just waiting for us to mess up so He can pour out judgment.  They live in fear and they teach fear to others in believing that everything bad that happens is God’s judgment being poured out.  They tie every disaster that happens to the judgment of God.  There are consequences of sin that we bring on ourselves, but God is not pouring out His judgment on us through everything bad that happens.  

These people are still living under the old covenant instead of the new covenant.  They are confused because they do not understand what God did for us at the cross.  At the cross, Jesus took our sin upon Him.  At the cross, Jesus shielded us from God’s perfect justice and His wrath.  At the cross, Jesus took our punishment.  Beloved, it is at the cross we see a loving God drawing lost people to Himself.  Since the cross we have been living under God’s grace.  God’s heart is that all be saved and come to Him.  Jesus is coming again for those who have denied self, taken up their cross and followed Him.  The best is yet to come!

DRAW CLOSE TO THE CROSS
Beloved we must draw close to the cross.  Cling to the simplicity of the cross.  Realize and believe everything that God did for you at the cross.  Refuse to live in fear.  Decide to live in total victory through Jesus.  Remember God’s Word that says (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV) “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 

And always remember the cross. 

Remembering the cross will help you keep perspective no matter what comes your way!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

I received the following question yesterday and want to take time to answer it here on my blog:

What do you think the words "dead works" mean? I know what it means to me, but could you expound on it for me? I know how it is used in the scripture, but could it also apply to Christians? Thanks for your thoughts on this!

My Answer:

We know that faith without works, or faith without action is dead.  Check out what the Word of God says:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
(Jas 1:22-25 ESV)

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
(Jas 2:14-26 ESV)

So according to what God’s Word tells us, if a person does not act on what they believe, it is "dead faith".

I believe that "dead works" would be doing good deeds without truly believing in the simplicity of the cross, denying self, taking up the cross and following Jesus, having a personal relationship with Him.

There are a lot of good people destined to spend eternity in hell separated from God because they believe, but don't act or they act, but don't believe.

I've spent the last 18 years of my life encouraging people to build a relationship with Jesus and put their faith into action.  I stopped referring to myself a long time ago as being a "Christian".  Instead, I refer to myself as a "Christ follower".  There is a big difference. 

Christians believe and churches are full of them each weekend.  Christ followers believe and follow Christ in point of need ministry outside the walls of a church building.  They put their faith into action daily.  When they see a need or an injustice, they go into action.  They can not help it.  It is a change that Jesus has brought to their way of thinking and their heart because they decided to follow Him.

If everyone that attended a church building on the weekends would put their faith in action during the week, our cities would be turned upside down for Jesus Christ.  A justice revival would take place in every city. 

It has been my experience that the Christians who believe, but do not put their faith into action are the hardest people in the world to reach for Jesus Christ.  They think they are okay, but they are not.  May God open their eyes to what it means to deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus as they love God and ALL people as their self.

And for all those who do good deeds, but do not believe - may they be drawn to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; that their works would not be dead, but alive in Jesus Christ.  They are close to the Kingdom of God which is already at hand.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

According to an article published by WebMD Medical News “Top 10 Causes of Death Worldwide” the top two causes of death is heart disease and stroke.  Doctors tell us that the main causes of heart disease and stroke are genetics, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and stress.  Genetics are out of our control, but we can eat healthier, exercise and guard our heart from the stresses of our journey.  We need to look at what the Bible says about guarding our heart from the stresses of our journey and specifically look at something Jesus tells us concerning this.

In John chapter 13, Jesus is spending time with His followers in an upper room just prior to His crucifixion.  Jesus predicts Judas’s betrayal and Peter’s denial and begins to prepare them for His death.  You can detect the heaviness in the room as these followers begin to try to comprehend such news.  They had left everything to follow Jesus – jobs, homes, families.  They left everything to follow the person they thought was going to set up His Kingdom and rule on earth and deliver them from the Roman oppression that in itself was heart wrenching and depressing. 

Jesus senses the heaviness, the depression, the anxiety, the worries, the stress and He ministers these words:  (John 14:1-3 NIV)  ""Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."  In these words, Jesus gives us the cure for a troubled heart.

Do not let your heart be troubled.
We live in troubling times.  There are wars being fought and genocide taking place.  There are terrorists.  There are famines.  There are earthquakes.  There are increasingly more severe and frequent natural disasters.  It is like Jesus said it would be prior to His return (Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21). 

Many things that are happening bring stress.  When devastation occurs in our day it is because of a destructive, life destroying devil and not a loving, life giving God.    Jesus said (John 10:10 NIV)  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."   

In the midst of all that is going on around us, we must not let our hearts be troubled.  It’s a command given to us by Jesus.  Jesus not only gives us this command in John 14:1, but He also gives us the methodology of keeping our hearts from being troubled.

We are to place all of our trust in Jesus.
Jesus said (John 14:1 NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me."  The only way we are going to keep our hearts from being troubled is to place our total trust in Jesus.  We must constantly remind ourselves that He is the Good Shepherd and we are the sheep.  Jesus said (John 10:11 NIV) "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." 

King David knew how to trust the Lord.  David said (Psalms 23 NIV)  "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. {2} He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, {3} he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. {4} Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. {5} You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. {6} Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Beloved, to keep our hearts from being troubled on this journey that we are on, we must place our trust in the Lord.  Jesus will see us through whatever comes our way as we fix our eyes on Him and follow Him.

We are to forget the past and look beyond the present.
Some people allow their heart to be troubled by living in the past.  Others are so consumed with present trials that are overwhelming.  We must put the past behind us and look beyond the present in order to protect our hearts from being troubled.  Jesus said “(John 14:2-3 NIV)  "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Beloved, no matter what you have gone through in the past and no matter what you are going through now, you have a bright future.  Jesus is preparing your eternal home and He is coming back for you.   That is the very next event on God’s agenda.  All Bible prophecy up to that point has been fulfilled.  Jesus is returning for the beloved.  God’s Word says “(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV)  "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. {18} Therefore encourage each other with these words."

Beloved, be encouraged with these Words today!  God is not against you.  He is for you!  Jesus is coming to rescue you!  Keep following Jesus on this journey from earth to glory!  Keep your eyes fixed on Him and keep your hearts from being troubled!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Prayer is a powerful.

It is a privilege that God gives to each one.

We get to talk to the Creator.

The resources of heaven are made available to us through prayer.

Divine communicated happens through prayer.  We see evidence and examples of this throughout the Word of God.

Continual rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving is the will of God for each of us.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1Th 5:16-18 ESV)

Because of this, we have available an online resource that facilitates being prayed for and praying for others at LGF online.  It is interactive and is a place where people all around the world list their prayer requests, praise reports and any questions about prayer.



All are invited to join us for prayer online.

The direct link is http://www.lovinggodfellowship.org/prayer_request .

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Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Jesus prepares you for that which He is preparing for you to do.  And rest assured that as Jesus is working in your life, He is also working in the lives of those that He will lead you to touch for Him.  But we must let go of all traditions and practices that would hinder our obedience.

In Acts 10:1-8 Cornelius, a Gentile, receives specific direction from God as he is praying.  The direction is to send men to go get Peter who was staying 30 miles south.  God was doing a deep work in Cornelius’ life.  He, along with his family, would be radically impacted through Peter’s obedience to Jesus.  But first, Peter had to be prepared for that which Jesus was preparing Him.

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." But Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common." This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
(Act 10:9-16 ESV)

Peter separates himself from distractions and goes to the rooftop where he would not be disturbed so that he could pray.  It was in prayer that God’s specific instructions came to Cornelius the day prior.  We see God doing a work at both end of the lines in both individuals and the conduit of that work in both instances is prayer.

As they pray, divine communication comes to both Cornelius and Peter preparing them both for a divine appointment.  As Cornelius prays, an angel is the means of communication.  As Peter prays, a vision is the means of communication.  The means of the communication differ, but prayer is the common ground or the conduit of the communication.  Beloved, the resources of heaven are open to us through prayer and it is in prayer that we will be prepared for what is ahead of us. 

I wonder how many appointments we miss and how much preparation in us we forfeit in neglecting to separate ourselves for times of prayer.  Prayer needs to be a part of our life and the Holy Spirit will lead us into those times of separation from distractions that we need in order to be prepared for what is ahead of us as we follow Christ and continue His point of need ministry.  May God give us much sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit and a desire to separate ourselves from the distractions of our day to spend time in prayer.

The vision that comes to Peter rattles the core of what he has been taught and what he has practiced all of his life.  The orthodox Jew adhered to strict food laws as outlined in Leviticus 11:2-47 of the Old Testament.  These food laws were given under the old covenant in order to separate the Jews and make them different from the world around them.  But, Jesus said that He came to fulfill the old covenant.  Now beloved, we have been given a better covenant through Jesus Christ.  We see in reading the Old Testament how the old points to the new, but we no longer live in the old as we are active participants in the new.

No doubt Peter heard the teaching of Jesus firsthand when He declared all foods clean and told them that it was not what went into a persons mouth that defiled (Mark 7:14-23).  But it’s hard to stop in an instance what one has been practicing for a lifetime, so Peter needed further preparation.  To emphasize the instruction, Peter is given the vision, not once or twice, but three times.

Peter recognized the instruction coming from Jesus as we see in his response of “By no means, Lord”, but his reaction is a contradiction.  How can you call Jesus “Lord”, but do not do what He says.  This is the reaction that still keeps many people from following Jesus. Peter is having a hard time letting go of tradition and what he has practiced all of his life.  As we will learn further in the tenth chapter of Acts, Peter will eventually see that Jesus was showing him that He does not favor one group of people over another.  He created and loves ALL people and there is no room for discrimination in the Kingdom of God. 

May we be quick to let go of traditions and those things that we have practiced all of our life responding in total obedience to Jesus as He prepares us to continue His point of need ministry in our day.  He will give us direction, preparing us for ministry opportunities ahead of us, as we pray.  But we must let go of all that hinders.
 
Click and check out our verse by verse Bible study in the book of Acts.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

If we seek God, He will find us.  As we place all of our trust in Him and allow our faith to control us, He will lead us into all that He has for us and it will be good.

In Acts chapter 10 we see God breaking down racial prejudices so that the Gospel can be shared with all people regardless of their race.  There is no room for any discrimination within the church of Jesus Christ.  Discrimination will always divide and never unite.  In the body of Christ there is unity. 

In the beginning of Acts chapter 10 we are introduced to Cornelius.  We learn about him and his desire for God.  We also learn that if we seek God, He will find us.

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, "Cornelius." And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea." When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
(Act 10:1-8 ESV)

Caesarea was the capital of Judea and was about 30 miles north of Joppa, where Peter was staying with Simon the tanner on the coast (Acts 9:43).  God was doing a deep work in Peter and breaking down all prejudices as we will see further evidence of in Acts Chapter 10. 

Cornelius, stationed in Caesarea, was a centurion and part of the Italian Cohort.  A cohort was a group of 6 centuries which were 100 men each, so a cohort was 600 men.  Each century was under the command of one Centurion.  Centurions were the backbone of the Roman army and would be equivalent to a modern day Captain.  Each Centurion was paid well at five times the pay of an ordinary soldier.

Cornelius was socially prominent and wealthy.  Cornelius is proof that it is possible for a person to be socially prominent and wealthy while being a person of faith.  Cornelius did not allow his prominence and wealth to control him.  He allowed his faith to control him as we know from this paragraph of Scripture.

The evidences of his faith are:

• He was devout and feared God.  “God-fearer” is a term used in New Testament times for a Gentile who had attached themselves to the Jewish religion.  They did not accept circumcision and the Law; but they attended the synagogue and believed in one God.
• He gave generously to meet the needs of people.  His search for God had made him love people and desire to meet their needs.
• He prayed to God continually.
• He was quick to obey God’s message when it came.

Cornelius was a Gentile and not a Jew, but he attached himself to the Jewish religion instead of the pagan beliefs of his surroundings.  He wanted all that God had for him and really trusted the Lord to guide him in all things.  He was certain that what God had for him was good. 

Allow your faith to control you.  Put all of your trust in the Lord today.  He will guide you in all things.  All that He has in store for you is good.  As you seek Him and do all that you know to do, He will lead you into all that He has for you.  Be quick to obey Him.  Seek God and let Him find you. 




Click and check out our verse by verse Bible study in the book of Acts.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

As Christ followers wait for specific direction to come to them from their Lord, they pray and do all that they know to do to continue the point of need ministry of the One they follow.  When direction comes it will always be in Christ’s timing and the Christ follower’s obedience to the direction will always result in Christ being exalted.

Acts 9:32-35 gives us account of Peter continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus outside of Jerusalem in a city named Lydda.  As He followed Christ there, Peter was used as an instrument in the healing of a man who had been paralyzed and had not walked in 8 years.  Jesus healed this man through Peter’s willingness to be His hand extended.  Revival broke out in the city as true revival always impacts the community and brings social change to it.

Where would Peter go next?  When would he go?  How would he know to go?  What would he do until he received direction?

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
(Act 9:36-43 ESV)

Peter followed Christ in point of need ministry in Lydda, until He received the next step.  The next step came through unlikely sources that communicated a need.  Peter did not delay.  He did not put it off explaining that things were happening where he was at that required his attention.  When Peter found out there was a need, he got up and went.  The need was the call of God.  The need was the instruction of Jesus.  He received all of the direction he needed to step out in obedience when he was informed of a need.

As a Christ follower, Tabitha was continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus through making undergarments and outer garments and distributing them to the poor in her city.  Her city was seeing the love of Christ and the Kingdom of God demonstrated through her actions as she provided for their felt needs, but her godly life and good works did not prevent her from sickness and death.  She died and the community, along with the other Christ followers, was grieving at her loss. 

When Peter arrived, he separated himself from all distractions and did what Jesus showed him to do; he prayed.  He prayed until he knew what to do next.  He received his direction through prayer.  In a boldness that only comes as a result of prayer and through the unction of the Holy Spirit, he told Tabitha to get up and he presented her to the people alive. 

Notice that Peter took no credit for this miracle.  All the credit belonged to Jesus.  A Christ follower receives direction and obeys.  Jesus does the rest.  And when Jesus does it, He will be exalted.  As a result of this miracle, many in Joppa believed.

All the while, God was doing a deep work in Peter, eliminating all prejudices from his heart so that he could minister at the point of need regardless of race, gender or status.  How do we know such a work was being done in Peter?  As he stayed in Joppa for many days waiting for his next assignment, notice that Peter stayed with Simon, a tanner.  The occupation of a tanner was considered unclean.  Because of the stink of the dead animals, the job was carried on outside a town or city.  God was doing a work in Peter and he was overcoming the prejudices of a Jew, for he recognized God’s grace in Simon regardless of his race or his occupation.

Direction comes to those who follow Christ and pray.  They may receive direction through unlikely sources, but it will come and it will always point to a need that Jesus desires that they meet.  As they step out in obedience, Christ is exalted, lives are touched and the Kingdom of God is realized on earth.

Click and listen

Click and check out our verse by verse Bible study of Acts.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Christ followers bring encouragement and healing to people as they continue the point of need ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Saul deciding to deny self take up his cross and follow Jesus, as recorded in Acts chapter nine, brings peace to the church that had become scattered from Jerusalem due to the persecution spearheaded by Saul.  It’s in this peace that we see Peter at the conclusion of Acts chapter nine leaving Jerusalem and visiting those who make up the church in the surrounding areas bringing encouragement and healing to them.

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
(Act 9:32-35 ESV)

Peter went to the people and did not expect them to come to him.  Peter could have stayed in Jerusalem and been comfortable as a leader of the early church, but he didn’t.  He couldn’t and be a Christ follower.  Jesus did not stay in the synagogue on the Sabbath and expect needy people to come to Him.  Jesus allowed the Holy Spirit to direct His steps as he went and ministered to people at their point of need every day of the week.  And now we see Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, following Jesus and continuing His point of need ministry. 

Peter knew that within himself, he could do nothing.  He knew the source of healing was Jesus Christ.  Through the knowledge given by the Holy Spirit, Peter was able to tell Aeneas that Jesus was healing him.  Aeneas had been paralyzed and confined to a bed for eight years.  Peter would not dare say these words unless the Holy Spirit prompted Him.  He spoke the words and the healing was immediate. 

This miracle was instrumental in the residents of Lydda and Sharon deciding to become Christ followers.  They could not deny the healing power of Christ when they witnessed this man walking again after eight years of bed confinement.

We need Christ exalting miracles in our day and I believe that they will increase as more and more people decide to shake off the shackles of dead stale religion and deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus.  I believe that in the last days, there will be a supernatural reaping of the harvest of souls that is already ripe for harvest.  Christ exalting miracles will draw people to Him.  I’m not talking about superstars making a circus out of faith healing.  I’m talking about common folk, full of the Holy Spirit, continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus on a daily basis wherever the Holy Spirit directs them.

Christ followers minister encouragement and healing at the point of need.  They rely on the prompting of the Holy Spirit knowing that they can not heal, but Christ will heal.  They are willing to go instead of wait; act instead of just attend.  They know that Jesus will do the rest as they simply follow Him.

Click and listen

Click and check out our verse by verse Bible study of Acts.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

I am adding Just Courage: God's Great Expedition for the Restless Christian to my recommended list of books.  Just Courage is written by Gary A. Haugen, President and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM).

If you want to stay safe and just be a church attendee, this book is probably not for you.  But if you want to go on an adventure and make a difference with your life as you follow Christ, you will devour this book.  I did.  It spoke to my soul and gave me great encouragement as it refreshed my resolve to be brave and follow Christ in what I call "point of need ministry."

I love when Haugen talks about the great commandment of loving God and people.  How can we love God who we can not see when we don’t love our neighbor who we do see?  If we love our neighbor who we do see, we will follow Jesus and seek justice for them.  This will cost us something.  It will require action from us as we do something with our life to make a difference for those who are oppressed.

My favorite chapter in the book is titled “Would You Rather be Safe or Brave?”  You can be a Christian and be safe, but you can not be safe and follow Christ.  To follow Christ you must be brave because it may cost you your life.  It just takes courage.

Seek justice,
   Rescue the oppressed,
   Defend the orphan,
   Plead for the widow.  (Isaiah 1:17 NRSV)

If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
   Then your light will rise in the darkness,
   And your night will become like the noonday.

The Lord will Guide you always;
   He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
   And will strengthen your frame.
   You will be like a well-watered garden,
   Like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:10-11)

And Jesus says, “Come, follow me.”

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

It is important to know what we believe and why we believe it.  I personally believe that God’s Word is the authoritative guide for all all of a Christ follower’s beliefs and actions.  That is why it is so important to read, study and know the Scripture as a Christ follower.  It’s very important in our day because there are many false teachers, authors, prophets and preachers among us.  Jesus said it would get this way in the last days.  We must learn God’s Word and contend for faith and justice in our day based on what Scripture tells us.

Don’t rely solely on what someone tells you or you read in a book.  A Christ follower strives to be so familiar with Scripture that they know if what they are hearing in church, through a ministry or in a book is correct or not.  And when someone asks them “what do you believe?”, they are able to tell.  And when someone asks “why do you believe that?” they are able to point them to the Scriptures.

I was online today and visited one of today’s popular authors and pastor of a very large mega church.  I went to their “What We Believe” page to try to figure out what they believed and found a few very general statements with no Scripture reference at all.  It left me wondering if they really know what they believe and if they believe that God’s Word is the authoritative guide to all of our beliefs and actions.

At LovingGodFellowship.org, it’s all about God’s Word.  We know what we believe and why we believe it.  We love God’s Word.  We read it.  We study it.  We learn it.  We point people to it.  We preach it.  And we live it.

Click here and check out the "What We Believe" page at LovingGodFellowship.org. 

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

NOTE:  This post is in continuation to the post Worldwide Ministry.

Twenty years ago, corporations developed mission and vision statements.

Ten years ago, churches saw the value of publicly stating and promoting mission and vision statements to describe what they are all about.

When we established LovingGodFellowship.org in December 2005, we saw the importance of putting what God laid on our hearts to accomplish in words utilizing a mission and vision statement and making it known.  We took it one step further than most churches do though.  We placed the mission and vision statement in our founding Constitution and Bylaws so that it could not be easily changed.  With the mission and vision statement being in the Constitution and Bylaws, it will take a 75% vote of the Board of Directors to change what LovingGodFellowship.org is all about. 

What are the mission and vision statements of LovingGodFellowship.org?

Mission Statement
Loving God Fellowship is an interdenominational fellowship of believers desiring to reach, equip and empower people to fulfill the Great Commandment of loving God and loving people (Matthew 22:36-39, Luke 10:25-37) and to fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

What does that tell us about LovingGodFellowship.org?

We are interdenominational – we are made up of Christ followers from all denominational backgrounds and do not allow doctrinal beliefs, which are manmade, to stop us from our Jesus mandated mission of loving God, loving people and making disciples.

Our mission is simplified to the two commandments that Jesus left all of His followers to accomplish until He returns.

• The Great Commandment of loving God and people. (Matthew 22:36-39, Luke 10:25-37).
• The Great Commission of making disciples.  (Matthew 28:18-20)

How can we love God who we can not see when we do not love people whom we do see?  If we love people whom we do see, we will stand for justice and equality for all.  We will use all of our available resources to care for the needs of people and thus continue the point of need ministry of Jesus.  Along the way, we will show others, by our example, how to follow Christ just as Jesus has shown us by His example.

That’s our mission.  That’s what LovingGodFellowship.org is all about.

The purpose of the vision statement is to dial in on how we will go about accomplishing the mission.

Vision Statement
The vision of Loving God Fellowship is to impact cities and communities through believers ministering at the point of need just as Jesus led, commissioned and empowered His followers to do until He comes.

In 2010, we will be emphasizing the start of LovingGodFellowship.org (LGF) gatherings in cities around the world who will meet once a week for Bible study, fellowship and encouragement, but will spend the rest of the week ministering at the point of need as they follow Jesus.  Members will be encouraged to volunteer in community activity instead of just attending a church service and utilizing all of their expendable time volunteering in church activity.  This takes ministry beyond the walls of a church and the confines of a church service.

Most churches have set goals in obtaining as many volunteers as they can for their church and its activities, programs and events.  Our goal is to facilitate volunteers to minister in the community, at the point of need as Jesus did.

Please pray with us that God will lift up men and women in 2010 that will facilitate these weekly LGF gatherings in their cities and that God will attract to these gatherings those who desire to utilize their life to make a difference in our day.  This is vital in fulfilling our vision and accomplishing our mission.

As you pray, God may lead you to be one of these facilitators in your city, on your campus, or in your neighborhood.  If He does, please be quick to respond to Him in total obedience.  We are here to help you every step of the way!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

NOTE:  This post is in continuation to the post Worldwide Ministry.

God’s love for us and His desire to be with us amazes me.  He created us to be His inheritance and He has gone out of His way to be with us.  It blows me away because there are times I don’t even want to be with me!  Yet God does!  Isn’t that awesome?  Think about it.  With all of the imperfections we have, God who is perfect wants to be with us.  Amazing!  That’s what it is.  It’s amazing grace.  God loves us so much and wants to be with us so much, He has come into our world through Jesus Christ.  Everything He does, He does to benefit us and our well being on this journey that we are on from earth to Glory.

Through the unction of the Holy Spirit allow me to point out a few nuggets from the Word to you today.  In Mark 2:1-12, we see and sense the heart that God has for each of us.

Jesus preaches the Word.
The Word of God says (Mark 2:1-2 NIV)  "A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. {2} So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them."

The first chapter of Mark tells us that Jesus came to Capernaum preaching a message of repentance for the Kingdom of God is at hand.  He called people to follow Him.  He set people free that were bound by evil.  He healed the sick.  And He went to other towns doing the same.  In the second chapter of Mark Jesus comes back to Capernaum and is probably once again at the house of Peter.  The house is packed with people that need God to touch them.  The church growth “experts” of our day tell pastors and church leaders in America that people will not come to church if they are crowded.  They have told leadership that once a building reaches 80% of capacity you have to build a bigger facility.  They have told leadership that people have to be in a comfortable setting with padded seating, just the right colors on the walls and floors with the air temperature not too hot and not too cold but just right.  And the sound and acoustics have to be perfect; not too loud and not too soft, but just right.  Because of this, many churches have went into loads of debt and because of their debt load, the poor and needy in their communities are neglected and their city is not impacted by the love of God through the church.

The Bible tells us something different than what the church growth “experts” of our day tells us.  The Bible tells us that people will come to where Jesus is present.  They don’t care if they are crowded.  They don’t care if the seating is not comfortable.  They don’t care if it’s too hot or too cold.  They don’t care if the sound and acoustics are not perfect.  They just want to be in Jesus’ presence.  And that’s the setting we have here in this passage.  May God lift up pastors and church leaders in our day that will refuse to listen to the “experts” and get back to what God says in His Word.  It is God’s Word that is the authoritative guide for all of our beliefs and actions.  We must listen to God and not the “experts” in order for us to impact cities in our day.

Notice what Jesus does in this packed house setting.  In verse 2 it says “he preached the word to them.”  He did not entertain them.  He did not start a program or conduct a special event.  God knew that they did not need that because none of that would help them on their journey from earth to Glory.  It would only make their flesh temporarily feel good.  They needed more than that.  They needed food for the spirit and soul.  Jesus PREACHED THE WORD! 

Beloved, in our day we need the Word of God preached!  It’s only the Word that builds faith.  If you are involved in a church where the Word has been diluted or replaced by entertainment, you need to run as far as you can from it.  Find a church that has a pastor and church leaders that love Jesus and His Word.  Find a church where the Word is preached and lived out in daily life.  You don’t need entertainment.  You need the Word.  Entertainment will gratify the flesh, but the Word will build faith in you and sustain you on your journey from earth to Glory!

Jesus forgives sins.
The Word of God says (Mark 2:3-5 NIV)  "Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. {4} Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. {5} When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven.""

God has come into our world forgiving sins.  We look at people and see their great physical needs that are obvious.  God looks at people and sees their greatest need and that is the forgiveness of sins.  This is a need that only God can meet.  Only God can forgive sins.

The religionist of our day believe that people need to come to God through their perfections.  Because of this the church today has grown intolerant to those that are struggling on their journey.  God help us!  We don’t come to God through our perfections; we come to God through our imperfections.  It’s through our imperfections that we realize we need God. 

God’s Word says:  (Isaiah 64:6 NIV)  "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."  (Romans 3:23 NIV)  "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"  (1 John 1:8-9 NIV)  "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

God has come into our world forgiving sins.  He knows that is our greatest need.  A perfect God comes into an imperfect world riddled with sin and He reaches out to imperfect people forgiving them in the midst of their imperfections.   Come to God just as you are.  Don’t wait until you are good enough.  If you do, you will never come to Him.  Come to Him as this paralyzed man did.  Come just as you are in the midst of all of your imperfections.  He offers you forgiveness.

Jesus brings miracles to our lives.
God’s Word says (Mark 2:6-12 NIV)  "Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, {7} "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" {8} Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? {9} Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? {10} But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, {11} "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." {12} He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!""

Wow!  Jesus does not buckle under the pressures of the religionist.  Instead, He works a miracle in this man’s life.  God has come into our world working miracles.  This man was carried into the presence of Jesus full of spiritual and physical imperfections.  He walked out completely forgiven and made whole.

Beloved, that’s the God that we serve.  He blows away the ideas and teachings of the religionists of our day that have put Him in a theological box that they can explain and control and He ministers to imperfect people.  God has come into our world preaching the Word, forgiving sins and working miracles.  That’s just what I need in my life.  I don’t need entertainment.  I don’t need comforts.  I don’t need the religionist of my day.  What I do need is the Word of God, forgiveness of sins and miracles in my life.  And God has come into my world to do just that. 

O how much He loves me.  O how much He loves you.  Rejoice Beloved!  Rejoice!  God loves us so much He has come into our world!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

We complete a task or a project and sit back taking pleasure in our accomplishment.

We get that one thing that we always wanted, not knowing how we could continue to live without it, and we take pleasure in obtaining it.

What does God take pleasure in?

He has created all things.

As I stood 11,000 feet above, atop the wonder of Mt. Hood in the beautiful state of Oregon, I looked around at the majesty of God’s creation and I took pleasure in it.

As I sat in the crispness and silence of a pre-dawn morning in the woods of Kentucky surrounded by nothing but nature and awaiting the sunrise, I took pleasure in the quietness of anticipating another awakening of God's creation  to the rays of light and warmth.

Oh the joy of taking pleasure in God’s creation recognizing Him and His greatness in it.

But, what does God take pleasure in?  The beauty, vastness and majesty of what He has created?

God’s source of pleasure is more specific.

God takes pleasure in you.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.  (Psa 147:7-11 ESV)

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Christ followers are sojourners.

They realize that their life is but a journey.

They hang onto nothing tightly.

They discard anything that hinders their walk.

Their focus is intense.

Their gait is straight.

Their destiny is sure.

Their help is certain.

The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
(Psa 146:9 ESV)

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

I pray God’s grace and peace for all of my facebook, twitter and LovingGodFellowship.org friends and family on this Christmas day as we celebrate the First Advent with joyful hearts while looking forward to the Second Advent with expectant hearts.  The best is yet to come! 

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.  (John 1:9-13 ESV)

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
- Psalm 62:9-12

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

God does not hold our past sins against us and we are to reflect His heart and not hold past sins against others realizing that the life changing power of God’s amazing grace is at work in us and in others.

Acts chapter nine begins with Saul heading from Jerusalem to Damascus as a persecutor.  It concludes with Saul going back to Jerusalem as the persecuted.  He goes to Damascus to arrest and destroy Christ followers.  He returns to Jerusalem as a Christ follower.  The changes in Saul’s life are brought about through grace.  It truly is amazing.

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.  (Act 9:26-31 ESV)

Saul’s return to Jerusalem puts him in a very difficult position.  All of his religious buddies there know that he is now a radical Christ follower.  And the Christ followers in Jerusalem had not forgotten his self led drive to destroy them.  But just as there was a Christ follower in Damascus that accepted Saul and brought him into the gathering, there is also one in Jerusalem.  Thank God for Ananias in Damascus and Barnabus in Jerusalem.

Ananias and Barnabus had a couple of things in common.  They believed the best in others and they did not hold a person’s past against them.  This is the heart of God.  He does not hold our past sins against us and we are to reflect His heart and not hold past sins against others realizing that God’s amazing grace changes us and others.

Saul was brought to the local gathering because true conversion involves joining the Christ following community where encouragement can be received and given.  Not only must converts join the Christ following community, but the Christ following community must welcome converts, including those from different religious, ethnic or social backgrounds.  May God lift up Ananiases and Barnabuses in our day that will take the initiative to be friends with newcomers who have decided to deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus.

A true community of Christ followers will always welcome others regardless of who they are and what they have done in the past.  It is a community of sinners who have been arrested by Jesus and dramatically impacted by the life changing grace of God and they quickly recognize that God’s grace is at work in others.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

The Holy Spirit intervenes in the life of a Christ follower again and again, providing direction and protection needed to not only enter into one’s destiny, but also to complete the journey. 

In Damascus, Saul had entered into his destiny as he denied self, took up the cross and followed Jesus.  Entering into one’s destiny is not entering into some waiting pattern until a future event takes place.  Instead, it is a life long journey that is full of adventure and excitement.  Saul had just started on his journey and there was much for him to accomplish for Christ and His kingdom,

When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.  (Act 9:23-25 ESV)

Saul had entered into his destiny but had not completed his journey.  There was much to do ahead of him.

• He would go on to become the apostle to the Gentiles.
• He would go on to establish churches on his missionary journeys.
• He would go on to write two thirds of the New Testament.

The Holy Spirit intervened again and again to direct and protect Saul and assure that he completed his journey as He followed Jesus.

Beloved, you have a destiny.  The moment you denied self, took up the cross and began to follow Jesus, you took your first step into your God given destiny of continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.  What all you will accomplish for Jesus and His kingdom is still yet to be written.  It’s a journey.  The Holy Spirit will intervene again and again in your life providing you the direction and the protection needed to complete the journey and accomplish everything God has intended. 

The days in front of the Christ follower are always exciting and adventuresome.  From the first step of entering one’s destiny to completing the journey, there is much to be accomplished for Jesus and His kingdom.  The Holy Spirit has been given as a supernatural partner and He will direct and protect.  The Christ follower marches forward knowing that the best is yet to come! 

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Salt.

Salt heals.

Salt cleans.

Salt restores.

Salt melts ice.

Salt preserves.

Salt adds flavor.

Jesus said:

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. ~ Matthew 5:13, NLT

Be salty my friend.  Be salty.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
(Psa 112:1-10 ESV)

Keep your eyes fixed on Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2)!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

I’ve seen so much suffering and so much lack of compassion in our day, but I stay full of hope.

Half of this world’s population lives on less than two dollars a day.

Many go hungry daily.

Many die daily of preventable and treatable disease.

Some say that government is the solution.

Some say that the institutional church is the solution.

What does Jesus say?

What does Jesus expect?

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." But Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." (Mat 14:14-16 ESV)

Jesus teaches His followers that they are the solution.

They are to use what He gives them in time, talent and treasure, however little it may seem, to take care of needy people.

This is the life of the Christ follower.

What would happen in our world if the 2+ billion Christians became Christ followers?

This, I believe, is the solution and I choose to receive my hope from Jesus, the Blessed Hope.

The best is yet to come!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

    -- 1 John 4:11

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

We can trust God in prayer.  He listens and consumes us with His grace as we release to Him all of our anxieties.

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

~ Psalm 17:6, NLT

Online Prayer.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge cloud of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

~ Hebrews 12:1, NLT

Keep pressing toward the finish line!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him...Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.

~ Hebrews 10:22-25, NLT

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Some believe that Christ favors one group of people over another or one country over another.  Here in America, people always say God Bless America.  I love my country and I want God to bless where I live, but what about the rest of the world? Christ is for the entire world!

During the days of Christ and His early followers, the Jews did not like the Samaritans.  The hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans had lasted a thousand years.  It began when the 12 tribes of Israel broke up in the 10th Century BC.  Ten tribes made Samaria their capital and the remaining 2 tribes made Jerusalem their capital.  In the 7th Century BC, Samaria was captured by Assyria, thousands of people were deported and their land was re-populated with foreigners.  The Samaritans intermarried with those of other races.  They had lost their racial purity and that for the Jews was an unforgiveable crime.  In the 6th century BC, the Jews refused the help of the Samaritans in rebuilding their temple.  In the 4th century BC, the Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim.  This really upset the Jews.   

But, Christ came into our world and specifically reached out to the Samaritans (John 4).  In the paragraph of Scripture found in Acts 8:4-8, we find that the early Christ followers are discovering that Christ is for all the world and we see them reaching out to the Samaritans just as Christ had done.

Note in Acts 8:4-8 what Christ followers brought to these people:

• The message of the love of God in Jesus Christ
• Health Care
• Joy

As we follow Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to use us in continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus, we will discover that Christ is for the entire world.  We will put faith before country and develop a worldview that includes all of God’s children no matter where they live.  May God bless the world!

Know that you are loved,

 

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what He requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 6:8, NLT

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

   Whoever pursues godliness and unfailing love will find life, godliness, and honor. ~ Proverbs 21:21, NLT 

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:16 NIV) 

Please always remember that as you associate and minister to people of low position, you are following Christ and ministering as unto Him.  Christ taught us that through His words and actions.  Afterall, look at who He hung with.

So how and in what ways do you associate with people of low position?

I look forward to hearing about some positive Christ-like ways.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

(Romans 12:11 NIV)  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

There are some days that I feel more zealous and seem to have more fervor than other days, but I’m finding ways in my spiritual walk to keep the zeal and fervor as I follow Jesus.  Let me list some of them:

• Encouraging others
• Talking to God about every thing
• Recognizing God’s presence in all of His creation
• Reading the Bible
• Befriending non followers of Christ in a non threatening way and loving them just as they are
• Fellowshipping with followers of Christ who have zeal and fervor for Jesus
• Standing for faith and justice no matter what it costs me

What helps you keep the zeal and fervor? 

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Some think holy ground is found in a church building, at an altar, a certain location, and piece of land or country.  We need to understand where to find holy ground.

In Acts chapter 7, Stephen is giving a defense in response to the religionist of His day trying desperately to hang on to the status quo.  They feel threatened that Jesus and His followers were going to bring change to their religious institution.  Instead of embracing the change that God is bringing, they resort to lies and spreading fear.  Stephen takes a stand for faith and justice.

In the first paragraph of chapter 7, Stephen refers to Abraham.  In the second paragraph, he paints them a picture of Joseph.  Next in Acts 7:17-43, Stephen talks about Moses.  The religionists had just accused Stephen of wanting to change the customs that Moses delivered to them (Acts 6:14).

In these paragraphs of Scripture, Stephen traced the life and the ministry of Moses through three periods of Moses’ life.  Each period lasted 40 years.

• The Egyptian period – This is the first 40 years where Moses is saved from death, delivered to the Egyptian palace and educated.  During this period, Moses never lost sight of his Hebrew connection which led him to take a stand for Justice.
• The Midianite period – Moses own people rejected his stand for justice this led him from the palace to the backside of the desert to tend sheep.  It was in this period that Moses was molded and shaped to enter into his destiny in God’s timing.  It was there that Moses found holy ground. 
• The Wilderness period – In God’s timing, after 400 years of slavery, Moses was used to deliver his people from captivity.  This led him into a wilderness experience along with his people.  He was allowed to get a glimpse of the promise land, but was not allowed to enter in, yet by faith, he held onto the promise that his people would.

The lesson to learn from the experiences of Moses is that God is everywhere.  He is with us through all periods of our life.  He is with us through the good times and the bad times constantly molding and shaping us to enter into our destiny.  Some will refuse to ever change with us and some will reject us because of our stand for faith and justice, but God will be with us.  He will never reject us or forsake us. 

We also see that holy ground is not found in a building, in a certain location, among a particular group of people or associated with any land.  Moses found holy ground on the back side of the desert tending sheep.  Moses learned that the holy place is wherever God may be and that God is always with us.  Stephen’s audience had not learned this valuable truth.   

Holy ground is where God is and God is everywhere we go.  May we learn it, believe it and always trust in it.

 

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

I can sum the believers ministry model up in one word.  Are you ready?  JESUS!  Jesus is our model of ministry.  Through the life that He lived here on earth, including His actions and His teachings, He showed us how to minister.  But it doesn't stop there.  Not only did He show us by example, but He empowered us to continue His ministry.  When He was reglorified and sat back down with the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower every believer to continue His ministry here on earth.  He has commissioned us and He has empowered us.  All we have to do is follow Jesus.

Jesus is our model and we are called to follow Him.  God has called you to follow Jesus.  God's Word says "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)  Please know that God did not call you out of darkness and into His light for you to just coast through this journey living for yourself.  No, you have been bought with a price.  You have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.  He has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light to follow Him and continue His ministry in the power and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus is the example.  God's Word says "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)  Beloved, we are called out of darkness and into His marvelous light to follow Him.  What did He do?  What did He say?  Where did He go?  Who did He touch?  He's the example and we keep our eyes fixed on Him.  Not the church.  Not on man.  We keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Jesus attended church every week, but the majority of His ministry took place within cities and communities.  God's Word says "He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom." (Luke 4:16 NIV)  So you see, it was Jesus' "custom" to attend church, but let me ask you a question.  Where did he do the bulk of His ministry?  It was not within the walls of the church.  He did not allow His time to be taken up by church programs and activities.  You see, that is not His intent for the church.  His intent for the church is for it to be a living organism that ministers at the point of need.

Jesus impacted cities and communities by touching people at their point of need.  Jesus went outside the walls of the church to do the bulk of His ministry.  It was in cities and communities that He fulfilled these words that He stood up and read out of Isaiah one day in church: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19 NIV)

Read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and notice how and where Jesus ministered.  He touched people at their point of need and impacted entire cities and communities.

We need cities and communities to be impacted for Jesus in our day.  There are a lot of church buildings across this land.  I'm afraid that the majority of churches have focused within the walls instead of outside the walls.  We must examine ourselves to see if we have become inward focused instead of outward focused.  To make a difference in our day, we must be as Jesus.  We must be outward focused.  Instead of programs and events designed to get people in our buildings, we need to equip and encourage people to minister in cities and communities as Jesus did.  Constantly remind yourself that it's not about us.  It's not about us at all.  It's all about Jesus.  It's all about lifting Him up.  It's all about making a difference in our day by simply following Him and ministering as He did at the point of need.

The ministry model for Loving God Fellowship is very simple.  It's not complex at all.  It's just simply people touching people at the point of need, just as Jesus showed us and commissioned us.  We are not going to focus on programs and events designed to get people into a building.  We are going to focus on making a difference in cities and communities in our day through people touching people.

Each year in March, the college basketball tournament is played.  It's called "March Madness".  It's a great lesson in teamwork.  These teams are made up of very talented individuals, but as individuals they can not accomplish what they can as a team.  They make goals each year as a team.  They work toward those goals as a team.  They will win or lose as a team.

Jesus taught us all about teamwork.  He built a team when He came to earth.  He picked people we would not have picked.  He picked twelve ordinary, common folk to follow Him.  They believed in Jesus enough to drop the nets, get out of the boat and follow Him.  When He went back to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower His team to fulfill the one goal that was given them.  The goal is to continue His ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit; to make a difference in cities and communities in their day.

Beloved, Jesus has called you out of darkness into His light.  He has picked you to be on His team.  He has put the Holy Spirit in you, not only to give you resurrection life, but also to empower you to minister at the point of need.  He's the example.  He's the model.  We just keep our eyes fixed on Him as we follow Him on this wonderful journey from earth to glory.  No matter how hard it gets as you continue His ministry, remember that you are on the winning team. 

Jesus left us with this final instruction prior to Him ascending to heaven - "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)

Continue the ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit until He comes!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

In Acts chapter 7, Stephen is giving a defense in response to the religionist of His day rejecting change and trying desperately to hang on to the status quo.  They feel threatened that Jesus and His followers were going to bring change to their religious institution.  Instead of embracing the change that God is bringing, they resort to lies.  Stephen takes a stand for faith and justice.

In the first paragraph of chapter 7, Stephen refers to Abraham.  In the second paragraph (Acts 7:9-16), he paints them a picture of Joseph.

Joseph was mistreated by people, but he became a very successful instrument of God that was used to save many from famine.  Instead of becoming sour and bitter from his mistreatment by some, Joseph accepted the change that came his way and allowed God to mold and shape him through it.

• God was with Joseph.  His own family treated him poorly and his brothers sold him as a slave into Egypt, but God was with Him.  
• God rescued Joseph.
• God gave Joseph favor and wisdom.
• God brought Joseph through all afflictions and put him in a position to help others.

This paragraph of Scripture teaches us much and is very relevant to us in our day.  Not everyone will treat you right, but God always will.  He will take what people mean for bad and turn it around for good.  If you allow Him, God will bring you through all afflictions and put you in a position so that you can help others. 

Always take a stand for faith and justice.  It’s the right thing to do.  Allow change to shape you.  Let God do the rest.  He will use you to help many people.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Do you know someone that is suffering today?

I encourage you to click on the "E-mail this" link below and send this encouragement to them.  May God bless you and them.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Fear is a powerful deterrent to progress.  Fear left unchecked will overpower hope.  Some people use fear as a tactic to get their own way, promote their own ideology, or to keep the status quo.  Do you know those that use this tactic?  I have met many.  I have seen this tactic used by unlikely sources such as teachers, bosses, pastors, religious leaders and politicians. 

It’s important to understand that fear is not from God.  God will never use fear, but Satan will.  The ultimate source of fear is always evil and if one succumbs to it, they can become a slave to it.  The Apostle Paul wrote “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.”  -- Romans 8:15-16

Hope is of God and hope never deters progress.  In fact it is hope that drives progress and brings peace. 

Hope is the strongest driving force for a people. Hope which brings about change, which produces new realities, is what opens man's road to freedom. Once hope has taken hold, courage must unite with wisdom. That is the only way of avoiding violence, the only way of maintaining the calm one needs to respond peacefully to offenses. - Oscar Arias Sanchez, excerpted from his 1987 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.

I refuse to be a person that uses fear as a tactic or do anything that will propagate fear.  If I do, I will be an instrument used by evil and not an instrument used by God.  No, I prefer to be a person of hope. 

It’s a choice we must all make. 

Which do you choose?  Fear or hope?

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Today as I was watching Meet the Press on NBC, I learned some startling statistics.  There are now 50 million people without any health insurance in America and 18,000 people died last year from lack of treatment because of no health insurance.  America spends more on health care than any other nation, but yet we have one of the highest mortality rates. 

Health-Care reform has been causing much debate around America as the leadership of this nation seeks solutions.  I'm glad that it is finally being talked about again because something needs to be done to provide all people with adequate health care.  I don't know what the solution is, but I do know that it is not a political issue.  It is a moral issue.  It is not right that some have the means for the best of health care while others have no means to obtain it at all.

When God started the New Testament Church, His heart was that the church take care of the social needs of people (Acts 6).   In our day, the church has placed financial emphasis on buildings and activities within those buildings and for the most part has stepped out of the business of taking care of the needs of people.  God's heart is for people and if the church will not take care of their social needs, God will use government to do so.  Always remember that Christ died for people and not for buildings, programs and events.

After the early church solved the dispute concerning equal social provision for its people, Stephen is accused by the religionist of that day because they felt that Christ followers were trying to change the status quo.  Check out this paragraph of Scripture:

(Acts 6:8-15 NLT)  Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. [9] But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. [10] None of them was able to stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which Stephen spoke. [11] So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God." [12] Naturally, this roused the crowds, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. [13] The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the Temple and against the law of Moses. [14] We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us." [15] At this point everyone in the council stared at Stephen because his face became as bright as an angel's.

In particular, notice in verse 14 that the religionist's resistance was against change.  They were happy with the status quo and didn't want anyone to change their customs.  Because of this, they stirred others up against Stephen and even promoted lies.  But notice that verse 15 signifies that God's hand was upon Stephen and his continuation of Jesus' point of need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.

All of Acts chapter seven gives us a record of Stephen's defense.  Through his words he begins to point the religionist to their history and how that God used people who embraced change and not fear.  Check out the first paragraph of Stephen's defense:

(Acts 7:1-8 NLT)  Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?" [2] This was Stephen's reply: "Brothers and honorable fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he moved to Haran. [3] God told him, 'Leave your native land and your relatives, and come to the land that I will show you.' [4] So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live. [5] But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole country would belong to Abraham and his descendants--though he had no children yet. [6] But God also told him that his descendants would live in a foreign country where they would be mistreated as slaves for four hundred years. [7] 'But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,' God told him, 'and in the end they will come out and worship me in this place.' [8] God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision at that time. And so Isaac, Abraham's son, was circumcised when he was eight days old. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob was the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Jewish nation.

Change is inevitable.  We can either embrace it or fear it.  Great people of the Bible always embraced the change that God was trying to bring. 

Abraham of the Bible embraced change in three ways:

1. He obeyed God.  The person of God obeys God even when they have no idea what the consequences may be.
2. He was a person of faith.  The person of God believes that God's promises are true.  They may not know where they are going, but they know that under God's guidance, the best is yet to come.
3. He was a person of hope.  The person of God may never see all of God's promises fulfilled in their lifetime, but they never doubt that they will come to pass in God's timing.

Christ desires to change us as we follow Him.  He will give us His mind and His heart.  He will change the way we think.  He will change the way we feel towards others and how we treat them.  If we embrace the changes He desires in us, we will become Christ like over time.  If we fear the changes He desires to bring in us, we will stay the same - religious, but not Christ like.

I encourage you to embrace change today and not fear.  Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and continue His point of need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.  And always take a stand for justice.

I pray for those in leadership positions in America.  I pray for both Republicans and Democrats realizing that God is neither, but He does use government to take care of the social needs of people when the church steps out and is financially distracted from the mission of Christ by facilities, programs and events.  I pray that the leadership of America will provide a health care solution that will take care of all people equally.  It's the right thing to do.

You will find some helpful information on Health-Care Reform at these links provided by the great people at Sojourners:

Health-Care Reform:  Check the Facts

A Truth-Telling Ministry by People of Faith by Jim Wallis

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

 

We have been enjoying going out in the backyard at night this week and watching the Perseid meteor showers.  Amazing!

It has reminded me of just how big God is and how spectacular is His creation, but yet out of everything, He favors us and takes care of us.  

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? - Psalm 8:3-4

Know that you are loved,

 

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

There is a Gatorade ad that says “You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face.”  What do you think of when you read that?  I think about how we all have choices to make and our present, as wells as our future, will be impacted by the choices we make now.  I can envision a runner that is running a race.  It’s hot and most of it is uphill.  They are drenched in sweat and their heart is racing.  Will they make it to the finish line?  To do so will require pushing the body beyond what they thought in their mind was possible for them to do.  It won’t be easy.  It will mean perseverance.  Will they finish or will they quit?  The choice is theirs and theirs alone.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

There are a lot of people that are always willing to use the resources available to them to help others.  I'm sure that you know some.  I know that I have people in my life that, if I would call upon them for help, they would help in every way possible.  I thank God for them.  These people are gifts of God’s grace that He places in our life to reflect Him.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

From time to time we all need encouragement.  I try to keep as many people as I can encouraged and uplifted throughout the week because we all are called to be encouragers ( Hebrews 10:24-25 ).  When we are fulfilling that purpose, there is a joy that is unspeakable that comes to us.

It’s great to be encouraged by others and we all need that in exponential measure, but we can also help keep ourselves encouraged.  Let me give you a formula for doing that and you can practice it and prove the equation in your life if you are not already doing so. 

Encouragement = Rejoicing + Patience + Praying.

The basis for this formula is given to us in God’s Word.

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ~ Romans 12:12, NLT

Our confident hope is in Jesus Christ, the One we follow. 

When trouble comes our way, we know that it is just for a season and as we follow Him, He will get us through because He has overcome the world and its troubles.

Praying is the privilege that we are given by God that allows us to talk to Him about everything we are going through.  It’s where we release our life to Him and leave our present and our future in His hands knowing that He is in total control and is directing our steps.

Always remember that Encouragement = Rejoicing + Patience + Praying.  It’s an equation that we all can live by and be blessed!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org 

My son Austin and I have been real busy the last couple of years replacing the non-edible landscaping in our backyard with edible landscaping.  We have a really small backyard.  I can mow it with four trips of the lawnmower back and forth, but there is a lot of landscaping around the entire perimeter of the back yard.  Now we have blueberry bushes, blackberry bushes, strawberries, a four way pear tree, a 5 way apple tree and I’ve grown tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, cabbage, bell peppers, pumpkins and cauliflower right in my landscape.  This summer we are enjoying the fruit of our labor.

Our labor was pretty intense.  We dug up trees and bushes that had been established for years.  We did it all by hand.  Some only had surface roots and were easy to get out.  Others had roots that went deep.  We would dig and dig and the roots kept going and going.  Some trees we had to spend a few days working on because the roots went so deep.  There were some that we dug down three to four feet and the roots kept going so we had to cut them off to get the tree out.

We learned a lot about roots.  The deeper they go, the harder it is to move the plant.  For those that grow deep spiritual roots in Jesus, they are hard to move when the storms of life hit with ever increasing winds of adversity.  They are determined to stand strong in the midst of it all and it’s their roots that are grounded in Jesus that enables and empowers them when it would seem they should be toppling over.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.~ Colossians 2:7, NLT

Let your roots grow deep in Him friend.  Read the Scriptures, pray, deny yourself, follow Him and continue His point of need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Let your roots grow deep in Him.  Nothing will move you.  

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

 I read a great book several years ago on the subject of change titled “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson ( Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life ).  I highly recommend it because everything around us is in constant change and that oftentimes can bring much anxiety to our lives because it is our nature to resist change. 

When it comes to relationships, we find out how rapidly people can change.  Our ideas, beliefs, personalities, moods, knowledge and intelligence can be in constant change.  Who can we look to for stability?  There is only one person that I know that never changes.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:8, NLT

As we look to Him and as we follow Him, we will find the stability we need in an environment that is in constant change and we will feel the anxiety that comes with change dissipate.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, Loving God Fellowship