I'm All In

Almost every night, I wake up in the middle of the night. It's the Lord, at least I hope it's the Lord, and we talk. Usually it's around 3:15-3:30am. I don't know why He wakes me at this time, but He does... so we talk.

A couple of nights ago I was awakened at 12:30am. I was like...12:30...really Jesus? It's 12:30! But it is Jesus, after all, so I said ok and we begin to talk.

Here's how way this conversation went.

I stayed under the covers and He began to reveal to me all the ways He has worked in my life over the last 35 years to bring me to where I am today. This took about an hour and a half. He was showing me this and showing me that. How what I thought were just circumstances was really Him leading. There were so many. I could see His hand all over my life. All those experiences...all those teaching moments, all the people He led me to.

It was so humbling. It's hard for me to even write about it without shedding tears. In fact, I can't.

I asked myself over and over again, "Why would Jesus have such involvement in my life? Wouldn't He just loving me be good enough?"

Then I think back to my youth...when I pledged to Jesus my life and said He could do with it anything He wanted. He has taken me up on it. And despite all of my stupid mistakes, sin, and dumb choices, He has been faithful.

I feel right now, I am at the threshold of something really important. Something He has been preparing me for throughout my entire life.

As I was pondering all these things Tuesday evening I realized something very painful. I still don't trust Jesus with everything.

Even though I can see His hand working even through the darkest hours of my life, I still don't trust Him completely. Even though I have been placed in a wonderful church by Jesus for this very hour, I still keep my options open. Even though He has replaced the years the locust have eaten, I still hold back.

It's utter foolishness on my part really. To hold something back from Jesus just isn't rational. I am the only one who loses. To hold back even a little bit is to deprive myself from seeing all He has for me. And not just for me, but my family and all I might influence because of His work through me.

I want to say...in writing...and with all my heart, I'm all in. From this day forward till I see you face to face, Jesus...I'm all in.

I need a tissue.

RP

A Christmas Message With a Twist

"The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12 NLT

I love the way Jesus comes into the world. It's so shows us who He is.

Unassuming.

Humble.

Wrapped in strips of cloth...just like the tomb. He left is earthly body the same way He entered.

I know me. If were king of all creation and had to descend like Jesus did, there would have been much pomp and fanfare in my birth. The whole world would know "I had arrived." But not Jesus.

What does that tell us about Himself? About God?

Jesus is the exact representation of God. Jesus said, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father!" and "I and the Father are one."

So what is Jesus telling us about Himself as He chose the manger over His throne?

Total humility. He completely stepped down from heaven and became exactly like the least of us in total surrender to the will of His Father...who is our Father by the way.

We see this over and over in the life of Jesus. This total humility and lack of pretense.

Standing in line, like everyone else, waiting to be baptized... Reclining at tables with friends... Hanging out with sinners and prostitutes...

The only time you ever see Jesus barging into a scene was at the Temple when the religious were making it difficult for people to get to God.

Think about the resurrection. Jesus had just risen from the dead. He had just crushed Satan's head and won the battle of all battles. And what does Jesus do? He just kinda sonders up the the two on the road to Emmaus and joins in on the conversation. They didn't even know it was Him until they saw His nail pierced hands as He served them bread.

I love it!

Jesus is so humble.

And He is still humble toward us.

He has no hoops to jump through to get to Him.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is just as approachable as that little baby wrapped in strips of cloth laying in a manger. The difference is He is now ascended to heaven. But not as a God who cannot be touched, but as a friend knocking on the door wanting to have dinner. Rev. 3:20

RP

A Special Invitation

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." Revelation 3:20 NLT

Oh, how I love this verse.

This invitation from Jesus.

Come. Dine. Sit down with me and be my friend.

There are few things in life I relish more than sitting down with a friend or friends and having a meal together. The conversation is so pleasant and the fellowship so real.

I remember as a child, my dad and mom had a constant stream of students over to our house...

for meals, popcorn, games, or just plain fellowship.

Oh, the fun we had.

The smell of popcorn and the sound of laughter would fill the air and Pepsi would flow like wine. (sorry, a little family joke there)

Those memories are priceless and the friends gathered eternal.

I sure had a great childhood.

But this verse is also so heartbreaking.

Jesus is standing at the door knocking.

Not loudly...

Not beating down door the door...

A gentle knock. Just loud enough we know He is there.

And the heartbreaker is this...Jesus was speaking to Christians.

He was writing this to a church. Laodicia.

Jesus.

Writing to a church.

To believers.

Asking to be let in.

Why does Jesus need to standing outside of His own church asking to come in? Even worse, why does He need to be knocking at the door of a believer? I'm afraid the answer is quite obvious. He's not already on the inside. He's waiting to be invited in.

All the stuff we have going on seems like Jesus...

Oh, the heartbreak.

He promises a great time.

Wonderful intimate fellowship.

And memories that will last all eternity.

But alas, ever the gentleman, He knocks.

And waits.

I think we kinda like Jesus out there... on the other side of the door. Maybe we're afraid of what He might say or ask. It's much safer to keep Him at a distance. After all, religion is easier than relationship. Religion is distant. Relationship is close and intimate. It requires trust and honesty. And exposure of the real me.

And Jesus knocks...

I would that all my days be spent in fellowship with Jesus as though we were friends dining at our favorite restaurant.

That is His invitation. I think I'll open the door.

RP

Jesus' Greatest Attribute

For some time now, I have been in pursuit of the real, authentic Jesus. The one I read about in the Bible.

I've tried to put my own notions aside and rediscover this incredible man.

I've compiled a list of some of my discoveries as I've tried to read the Bible a new way.

See, when you read an email, book, or newspaper, sometimes you miss the flavor of an incident or conversation. Without all the context, you can easily miss a grin, a playful jab, or a subtle undertone.

I've started listening to really great book by John Eldridge called Beautiful Outlaw. So far, as I listen, his book so captures the Jesus I have discovered myself when I remove the religious haze that so clouds the real Jesus.

Here are some of the characteristics of Jesus that make me love him so much;

Funny,

Fierce,

Playful,

Compassionate,

Understanding,

Unassuming,

Humble,

Imaginative,

Driven,

Intentional,

Cunning,

Patient,

Kind,

Wise,

Huggable,

Approachable,

Non-manipulative,

Creative,

Unintimidated,

Brave,

Powerful,

People Lover,

Passionate,

and most of all...very human.

But my favorite characteristic of Jesus; Knowable.

Jesus came to be one of us so he could know us and we could know him...intimately.

Not a Deity on some far away throne, but God with us.

Emmanuel. In every sense of the word.

Our church culture has put Jesus in a box called religion and has put him on such a high pedestal, no one can reach him.

That's not Jesus.

Jesus was and is totally approachable and knowable.

"We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. John 1:1-2

As we approach Christmas this year, embrace the humanity of Jesus. He walked, sweat, was dirty at times, smelly at times, got tired and hungry, shared laughter, pulled pranks, got angry (at the religious), cried, was moved... He felt every emotion as we do.

Yes, he is fully God, but he is also fully us.

RP

If Jesus Could Choose Me, Would He?

I remember in my formative years the trauma of picking teams. Somebody would be in charge of picking captains and the captains would gaze through the crowd of possible choices and carefully craft their team with one and only one ambition in mind. Win baby!

If you were one of the first picked, all was cool. If you were in the middle, you could at least find strength in the fact there were others worse than you. And as the crowd dwindled, the remaining choices were assessed on who would do the least harm.

First it was school, then on to Prime Time!

Church camp.

Tribe drafting at Sharon Bluff Bible Camp was the all important event on the first morning of the week and it was absolutely critical to one's self esteem... for years to come, I might add. Each of us, to this very day, remember with exacting clarity where we fell on judgement day.

I remember as a junior camper looking in awe as the 'big boys' were picked first. Wow! To be one of those lucky guys. I also remember the pain of being picked toward the bottom and the ache in my soul for the last one picked.

It was my senior year of camp. John McCrory had first selection. The boys and girls were lined and John had first choice. Who was going to be 'el numero uno'? Who was going to be considered the best choice to win the all important Sharon Bluff Camp tribe title? John made his choice. Randy Payne!

The crowd roared in excitement. And John etched his name in stone as my all time favorite tribe leader. (Actually John was that before the pick, he just iced it then.)

That was only time I can ever recall being chosen first.

For anything.

Now, I'm not a horrible athlete, but I'm certainly not elite. I was never great at Bible drills like Lyman, Tim or Becky, but I could hold my own. I guess John saw something in me that made him choose me first. It was a glorious moment, to be sure.

As I entered the work force, however, something was different. I discovered I could work circles around anyone around me and thus I found my way to earn big points.

Staying late.

Performing well.

Accepting responsibilities.

And that's the way it's been for me.

I work. And I work hard.

I have earned many accolades in my work.

But the problem is, I brought that 'work' into my relationship with Jesus.

I figured Jesus wouldn't choose me or want me on his team strictly on my own merit. I knew the real me and all my disgraceful acts. I needed an edge. Something that would get his attention so he would notice that I was worth the risk. Alas, I fell back on my old favorite and began working really hard for Jesus.

It's what I know. So it will work with him too, right? If I play guitar really well, or give to someone in need, or give way more than 10%, or say all the right words in church or...

It was a charade. The harder I worked, the more I felt I had to do.

It was so crippling.

It's what our enemy wants. He wants us consumed with doing for Jesus instead of being with Jesus. You know... that whole Martha thing.

But, this is not new. People for a long time have tried to find God through works. They even asked Jesus about it.

Then they asked him, What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this; to believe the one he has sent." John 6:28-29 NIV

Jesus made me uniquely and loves me uniquely. And his greatest desire for me is to be his friend. He delights in me for me. And no amount of good deeds has any effect on his love for me. What he requires is my faith. He does the rest.

"Draw close to God and God will draw close to you" James 4

RP

The Crazy Generosity of Jesus

Jesus was hanging out with some friends at a wedding party. And I do mean party. During the party, probably around midnight, the party hit a snag. No more wine.

Mary comes over to Jesus and explains the problem. Jesus' response was one of love yet with a touch of correction.

"Dear woman, that's not our problem. My time has not yet come."

I love His mother's response.

"Do whatever He tells you."

Apparently she had already seen Jesus do some crazy stuff. She already knew He could perform miracles. Why else would she say "Do whatever He tells you"?

And you can just hear the pride in her voice.

Oh how she loved her son.

So, Jesus being the generous person He is, began showing His incredible generosity.

Sitting close by were some jars used for ceremonial washing.

Did you get that? Ceremonial washing.

These were nearly sacred in the eyes of the Jews.

Watch what Jesus does with this 'sacred' items.

"Fill each with water."

They did.

"Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies."

They did.

Apparently Jesus knew a little something about making wine.

The MC said it was fantastic!

Let's give this story a little more understanding.

There were 6 jars each holding 20-30 gallons each.

So that's 120 to 180 gallons.

Now a bit more math.

A bottle of wine has about 25 ounces.

A gallon has 128 ounces. That's about 5 bottles per gallon.

So that's between 600 and 900 bottles of Premium Grade A hooch.

The party must have went on all night.

Think what you want, I'm just reading the facts.

And the fact is Jesus is wildly generous. Over-the-top so.

Let's recall an early encounter Jesus had with Simon (Peter), James and John.

Jesus was preaching and the crowds were so into it, and pressing Him so closely, He had to get into a boat to have a little elbow room. It was Simon's boat.

After Jesus was finished speaking he asked Simon how the fishing was.

"Lousy!"

"Ok. Let's go a little deeper and we'll catch some fish" (John 2)

I'm sure Simon was a little incredulous.

He was the resident authority.

After all, he was the fisherman and the only thing he knew about Jesus was He that gave a great speech. But Simon did as Jesus requested, if nothing else to prove a point.

And what happened? More fish than they'd seen in their lives!

Generous.

And what about the five loaves and two fishes?

All ate until stuffed... twelve baskets left over.

Generous.

And the times Jesus was exhausted, but He saw the crowds and had great compassion on them and healed and healed and healed....
Generous.

And after the resurrection when the boys were out fishing all night and caught nothing. Again.

Jesus told them the 'try the other side'.

153 LARGE fish.

Generous.

That's how they knew it was Jesus. His over-the-top generosity. It was His trademark.

The Bible tells us Jesus lived His life only doing what He saw His Father do and that Jesus is the exact representation of God.

If Jesus was crazy generous, what does that say about His Father...

And His Father is our Father.

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 NIV

RP

A Customer of Church?

So, I was in Walmart the other day buying some salad dressing for a salad my wife packed in my lunch.

When I got up to check out I was immediately annoyed by some lady talking on her cell phone during check-out.

You know the types... you see 'em all the time.

Talking on their cell phones while driving...

ordering fast food...

at the grocery store...

The cashier said nothing to her, that is, while she was standing there. As soon as she was out of range she described in no uncertain terms how rude she was.

I, of course, agreed and piled on.

I said, "Yeah, in our society we worship the customer so the retailer won't say anything to 'those' kind of people."

See, businesses won't risk the potential loss of revenue by drawing lines in the sand when it comes to appropriate etiquette. They are so afraid the 'competition' will get the money instead.

Sound familiar?

After kinda mulling that whole event over in my mind, I came to a realization.

The American church treats people like customers rather than treat them like lost souls in desperate need of a Savior.

That's not the way it's supposed to work. Like my friend Tim York said after floating this realization past him. "We look at what we can get 'out' of them rather than what we can 'offer' them.

Think about how we have everything set up.

We want a great worship experience...

Cool decor with great atmosphere....

Awesome video and powerpoint...

Flow...

A warm greeting...

Programs, visions, strategies...

All for what? A bigger church.

To what end? uhmmmm I'm afraid to answer that one.

And where does it get us?

People leave one church, for whatever reason, in search of another like shopping for a new pair of shoes.

Paul said this.

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 NIV

Ouch!

Makes me want to weep and repent in shame.

Of course I want to be "...all things to all men so that by all means some might be saved".

But where do we draw the lines?

I mean, c'mon. Enough already.

Jesus said "If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me."

Where is Jesus in all this?

Did I leave Him behind like his mom and dad did in Jerusalem thinking He was in our company?

Programs are great and all but they are just programs without the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sermons are just lectures without the power of the Holy Spirit.

Worship is just noise without the power of the Holy Spirit.

Elders are just leaders without the power of the Holy Spirit.

I need to decide who it is I'm serving...and to what end.

Do I seek to please Christ or do I try to please a 'consumer Christian'?

I know what I want.

I want to be a Spirit driven leader who desires to please Christ first.

Everything else will follow.

Priorities.

RP

More Than Saved

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

I was listening to one of my favorite radio talkers the other day and Franklin Graham was being interviewed. The host asked Franklin a question and Franklin responded by giving a cool, but unrelated answer.

Franklin started talking about how we are all sinners and that Jesus came and died on a cross, rose again, so we could be saved from our sins and have eternal life if we put our trust in Him.

I don't disagree with anything he said. (except he left out baptism)

But a little later as I reflected back, I thought "That seemed so simplistic. Jesus didn't die on the cross just to save us from our sins...He did so much more than that."

If we are in Christ, we are a new creation.

That word creation is a really awesome word. It means to make something out of nothing.

Only God can create.

When we are creative, we are not making something out of nothing. There is paint, canvas, brushes, pencils, a computer, paper...

We at least have something to work with.

But not God. When He creates, He has nothing to work with.

We were 'dead in our transgressions'.

Dead. Get it? Dead!

But we are made alive in Christ.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions" Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV

In Christ, we are not merely saved. Oh no! We are new creations. We are God's prized workmanship.

We are the crown of His creation. We have become His sons and daughters.

So then, if we are all those things, why do we act as though we don't matter to Him?

Like He has better things to do than listen to me. Or my sin is too great for Him to love me. Or I are not worthy of His love. Or I've done too many bad things to be used by God. Or...

C'mon already.

We are His new creation.

We are His flesh and blood.

His DNA is stamped into our spirit just like our DNA is stamped into our own children.

That is why we can call Him 'Abba Father'. He truly is our Father. He created us out of nothing and placed His Spirit in us to prove we are His.

What an amazing revelation.

I don't want to believe the lie that God doesn't care.

That lie comes from Satan... and he's just jealous.

We have what he always wanted and will never attain.

A place at the right hand of God.

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus," Ephesians 2:6 NIV

Amen and amen.

RP

Jesus and His Huge Truck

I am a follower of Jesus.

I want to always be a follower of Jesus.

But sometimes, I feel like Jesus is driving a really big truck down a very narrow, hilly road. He's not even going the speed limit and I'm struggling to keep my patience as I keep sliding out of my lane to see what's down the road.

I hang my head out the widow hollering for Him to speed up.

I get no response.

I sometimes honk my horn and yell

"Can you go a little faster here? Time's a wasting!"

He just waves and smiles.

He's absolutely in no hurry.

It's like He's got all day.

Well I don't.

I have only a little bit of time.

I need to get on with this 'plan' He has for my life. Why is He driving so slow? Why is this taking so long to get there?

He's driving this big, huge truck and I can't see around it. Why doesn't He let me lead? Or at least drive. He can be 'co-pilot'.

A couple of times, I've had the idea to take a short cut 'cause I thought I knew where we were going. When I got there I waited and waited and waited...

I thought He'd be cool with my resourcefulness.

I though He would be impressed with my initiative.

I thought when He finally got there He'd say "Wow dude! You sure saved a lot of time. I wish I had thought of that!"

But He never showed.

He was still going down His road.

And it was a long ways from mine.

So then I had to get from where I was, back to the road He was on.

It shouldn't be hard...

He goes so slow...

Wow! It took like 20 years.

When I finally caught back up with Him, He was still smiling and singing.

Drives me crazy.

He knows exactly where He's going.

And He's never in a hurry.

When I ask if I can at least have a hint as to where we are going, He just smiles and says "Follow. And don't miss opportunities as we drive."

Opportunities?

What opportunities?

Then I see that guy holding a sign.

It says something about 'Will work for food.'

Oh.

That's why He drives so slow.

He wants to takes His time so we have the time to serve others as we go. If I'm doing 70 down the interstate, I get there really fast but all I've done is drive. No one was helped.

I didn't help change a flat tire.

I didn't help an overheating car.

I didn't help that family with stranded on the side of the road.

You know the one.

They have all those kids.

The hood is up but no one is stopping to help.

Ok Jesus.

You lead. I'll follow.

I will enjoy the scenery and do my best to give a cold drink of water to someone who is thirsty, and food for someone hungry, and clothes for someone without...

I'm sorry for my impatience.

You are the Man!

RP

Walking In The Power of the Spirit

“When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. He will say to them, ‘Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!" Deuteronomy 20:1-4 NLT

God promised to be with His people everywhere.

Even in battle.

No, especially in battle.

So after the Exodus.

After the Law is given.

After all the exploits God has shown to reveal His power.

It's showtime.

The 12 spies are sent to check out the promised land.

They come back with a split verdict.

Joshua and Caleb are stoked.

Excited at what will be theirs.

The ten? Well, not so much.

Afraid. They were afraid.

And fear spreads faster than the plague.

The people join in the fear and planned on stoning

Moses and Aaron. Even finding new leaders that will take them back to Egypt.

Egypt? Really?

You really want to go back to slavery and lack

when right in front of you is prosperity like you've never imagined?

So, how does God feel about all this?

He is hacked!

God is really angry.

Wipe 'em all out kind of angry.

God is angry because His people doubted His power.

And rightly so.

He parted the Red Sea for crying out loud!

The people saw the walls of water as they walked through, standing straight up as though in attention. They saw the Sea come back together to destroy Pharaoh's army.

They felt the mountain shake with just His presence.

Manna.

Quail.

Water from the rock.

How much more evidence did they need?

Why would they be afraid?

But alas, I look in the mirror and I'm astonished at my own lack of faith in His power.

Jesus said to the man with the demon possessed boy in Mark 9.

"What do you mean, 'If I can'? Anything is possible if a person believes."

Somewhere along the line I've been duped into thinking God doesn't do miracles today. That He doesn't do things like He used to. That was only a sign for the early church. Really?

Has God had a power outage?

Has He been exposed to kryptonite and somehow lost strength?

That's absurd! Of course He has the same power He's always had.

Maybe I'm the one with the problem.

I justify my lack of belief by hiding behind that famous phrase 'If the Lord wills'. Yes, it's always 'if the Lord wills'. But the Lord wills I walk in the power of His Spirit.

Why would Jesus tell His disciples "it is best for you if I go away, because if I don't the Counselor won't come"? John 16:7

See? That's the problem.

I've treated the Holy Spirit as a though He were that guy who sits next to the principal's office giving me sage advise on where to go from here.

I'm afraid I've deeply hindered the power of the Holy Spirit working in my life at the risk of being 'charismatic'.

Here's what I know.

With man nothing is possible,

but with God all things are possible.

Paul told Timothy

"For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity,

but of power, love and self-discipline" 2Timothy 1:7

And again,

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 NLT

I insult God's power when I walk as though He limits it today.

When I ask and don't really believe.

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. ”

I'm afraid I've gone through my life with faith smaller even than a mustard seed.

And mustard seed is really small.

How small has my faith been?

Today, I choose to believe I walk in power.

Not my power. Oh no. Never!

The power that is at work within me.

Today, I say, "Holy Spirit I choose to live with your power working in me and through me...whatever that means."

Oh, and by the way.

We are at war.

God is with us!

RP

Saved By the Good Things We Do?

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesian 2:8-9 NLT

I was watching a TV show the other day.

It was a show where Barry McGuire, the Jesus Movement musician from the 60's, was being interviewed.

Since I love that music, even today,

I was watching with interest.

It was going great.

Barry was funny and energetic.

Then he said something that horrified me.

Yes. Horrified.

"God has given us a blueprint for happiness and it's the 10 commandments".

"What?

No way Barry. You've got it all wrong!!!"

I yelled, as though he could hear me.

"No! No! No!

The 10 commandments are a blueprint for condemnation!"

Followers of Jesus.

Please read and understand.

Jesus fulfilled the law on the cross.

We are no longer under law.

We are under grace. Romans 6:14

We don't live under performance salvation any longer.

That was the old way.

And it only brought condemnation and death.

Read the next verse. Verse 10.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works..."

We are saved to do good works.

We don't do good works to be saved.

"I'll show you my faith by what I do." says James.

Let's take a fresh look at this.

Moses came down from the mountain after

receiving the law and 3,000 people died.

The law is the tree of 'Knowledge of Good and Evil'.

When you partake of it, you die.

Jesus came down from the mountain after fulfilling the law

and 3,000 people were brought to life.

Jesus is the 'Tree of Life'.

When you partake of Him, you live.

Please, please, remember.

The veil was torn from top to bottom so that through Jesus, we have direct access to the Throne of God.

We really need to stop trying to sew the veil back together.

We cannot be saved by works.

We cannot be saved by the law or by anything written under the Old Testament.

If we could, Jesus died for nothing.

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:21 NIV

Jesus wants you and I to know, He is the way, the truth and the life. And no one gets to the Father accept through Him.

Period.

Your good works are NOT the exception.

Our minds need to change from works 'to be saved'

to works 'because I'm saved'.

I have experienced a radical change in my life

since I let Jesus be my Savior.

I quit trying to earn what I already have.

The burden is lifted.

Jesus is the performance that I believe in.

I'm free to love, give and share.

RP

Too Hard for Jesus?

In Mark chapter 9:14 we find Jesus, Peter, James and John

coming off a mountain-top experience.

The Transfiguration.

The three had just been given a glimpse of who Jesus really is.

The other nine were down below arguing

with the religious leaders. Again.

When the crowds saw Jesus they ran to Him.

People still do that when we exalt Jesus.

Jesus asked. "What are you arguing about?"

He knew what was going on even though He wasn't physically there.

His disciples went curiously quiet.

Finally someone spoke up.

“Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk.¹⁸ And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

After ripping His disciples, He turns to the family and asks them a question.

“How long has this been happening?”

Their reply;

“Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

Jesus had just come off the mountain and already this is His third encounter with faithlessness.

1) The Religious Leaders (we expect that from them).

2) His own disciples (they're still learning).

3. The family of the demon possessed boy.

There is so much great stuff in this story.

But let's remember something really important.

Please notice this:

Notice how Jesus was not intimidated by the situation.

Notice how He wasn't concerned that His own disciples were in over their heads.

I don't see Jesus quaking in His sandals

over this spirit that refused to obey the disciples.

I don't see Him huddling with the 12 putting a strategy together based on the latest and greatest research study.

I don't see Him pacing or even the least bit concerned.

Jesus walks in and takes complete control of the situation.

He wasn't in over His head.

Never has been.

Never will be.

The only thing that has ever left Jesus stumped is lack of belief.

Friends, whatever we face,

our God is not left stumped over what to do.

Trust in Jesus in all situations.

Even the seemingly impossible.

Even if you've tried your very best.

Walk in the confidence of Jesus.

With God, nothing is impossible.

RP

I Wish I Believed God...More

God told Eve:

"you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die."

Satan told Eve:

“You will not certainly die, for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Eve was convinced by Satan that the Lord
did not really intend to keep His promise.

Or maybe she misunderstood God.

Or maybe God was trying to keep a secret from her.
(that would drive most women over the edge)

Bottom line...
She didn't believe God when He made a promise.

But before I get too sanctimonious,
a couple of things in her defense.

1) She had no history with God to know His promises never fail.
2) She had no concept of death...she had never seen it.

Had she known all she knew 5 minutes after... 5 minutes before,
I'm not so sure she would have made the same choice.

This was also the first time she had been lied to.

Nevertheless, she listened, believed and all of
human history changed in one fateful bite.

Let's move to today.

We have the Bible and some 5,000 years
of history to prove He means what He says.

God's promises can be trusted.

He told Noah it was going to rain...It did.

He told Abram he was going to have more
kids than he could count...And he did.

He told Joshua, canaan was theirs...And it was.

He told David, the Messiah was going to come
from his lineage...And He did.

You get the point.
Many promises...All fulfilled.

Jesus also gave us some promises.

Promises like...

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
and all these things will be added unto you."

or...

"You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

or...

"Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you."

or...

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. "

We have history to show that God's promises always come through.

We are not like Adam and Eve.
We can see a legacy of fulfillment.

You know what's sad?
What's really sad?

Sometimes I still don't believe.
And I suffer great set backs and limit my success
because of my unbelief.

I have no excuse really.
I see God coming through time and time again.

Yet, I still want control.
I still want to call the shots.

In the words of Dean Trune
"I want to be comfortable."

Crazy, huh?

So, even when I read and memorize great verses like-

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more
than I can ask or imagine according to His power at
work within us."

I shrink back.
And my faith leaves me wishing I had more.

Shame really.
Satan still lies. And sometimes I still believe him.
He tells me God's promises are not for me.
He tells me I'm not worthy. Or God's not listening.

I willingly exchange the truth of God for a lie.
Sound familiar?

But today...

Today I resolve to be more like Peter, Andrew, James, John
and the rest, who gave up everything for the sake of the call.

So that when I read verse like this, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ."
I've already grabbed my coat and am out the door.
Pursuing.

Bottom line...
Believing what He says.

RP

How Can God Love Me?

God's loves is like a perfect oven.

If you set the temperature at say 500 degrees,

no matter where you measure the temp, it's always

the same. 500 degrees.

Never hotter. Never cooler.

His love is perfect.

He can't love anymore. He can't love any less.

It's just as it is. Perfect.

That's why He loves us as much as He loves Jesus. Jn 17:23

He knows no degrees to love.

His love is complete.

And He loves everyone the same.

Perfectly.

He doesn't love you any less because of your past.

And He won't love you anymore if you never, never, ever sin

even one more time in your entire life.

His love is not based on your performance.

It is based on His character.

And His character is love.

He does not love you any less because of sin.

And He does not love you more because of Christ.

He demonstrates His love through Christ.

He loves you because He created you.

And to show His love for you, He did the impossible.

God opened heaven and promised eternal life

to every believer in Jesus.

Remember the 'Tree of Life' in the Garden.

God protected it after our fall.

He put a mighty angel in front of it to guard it.

Now, through Jesus, we can eat of that fruit.

We have the promise of eternal life from a tree.

Calvary's.

That's how He demonstrates His perfect love for us.

Know He loves you, not based on your merit.

It's based on His character.

He loves you totally and completely.

Perfectly.

It's who He is.

That's the Good News we are to go and share.

God loves us so completely, that He sent Jesus.

RP

God Loves Abundance

Ever notice how much the Lord loves abundance?

Do you ever look at the stars?

He didn't just make a few... He made gazillions.

And He named every one of them.

Ever notice trees?

Now that it's almost Fall, you'll really begin to notice them.

And when your out raking leaves,

notice the abundance He puts on every tree.

How about our bodies?

He didn't just make us out of a few cells,

He uses trillions.

How about the angels of heaven?

"Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. Rev. 5:11 NLT

He didn't just make a few angels,

He's made millions and millions.

Yes, my friends, the Lord loves abundance.

Even after He made everything, He wanted more.

"Be fruitful and multiply"...not add.

Jesus reflects that desire for abundance.

After He fed the 5,000.

After everyone had their fill.

12 basketfuls left over.

Not just enough.

Not just scraps.

12 basketfuls.

hhhmmmmmmm.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. ” Luke 5:38

Your Savior is not stingy with anything.

Especially His grace.

Your salvation is not hanging by a thread.

His sacrifice was more than enough.

His grace is far greater than your sin. Than my sin.

One drop of His blood was great enough

to atone the entire universe.

And yet He poured it out for us in abundance.

Look around you.

See His abundance.

It's everywhere!

Remember His love for you and

how abundant His grace is for you.

There's no shortage.

There's infinitely more than enough!

Praise be to Jesus and His amazing, abundant grace.

RP

Yes, Please. I'll Have Some of That, Thank You.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Ever notice how much Jesus talks about life?

"I am the way, the truth and the life".

"I have come that they may have life and life more abundantly."

Even under the former covenant God said

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life,... Deut. 30:19

God made the earth teeming with life.

And then He wanted even more!

"Be fruitful and multiply"...

God loves life!

And Jesus is the way to an abundant life.

"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." Jn 10:10

Notice the contrast.

Satan and his ways are death. Destruction. Lack.

Jesus and His ways are rich and satisfying.

Jesus did not come here to give us a life of sackcloth and ashes.

He came to give us life and life to the fullest.

He gives meaning to your life and will richly bless you.

Uh oh.....

Randy's gone to health and wealth.

I knew it!

Ok.

Question.

Who brings poverty, starvation and lack?

God?

God doesn't bring poverty.

God doesn't bring starvation.

God doesn't bring lack.

Those come from the evil one.

God brings life.

And through His Son, Jesus, we have the promise

of a life full of blessing.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Eph 3:6

'the promise of blessing'.

ummmmm.

Yes, thank you.

I'll have some of that please.

RP