After reading “Seeking God’s Will“, a visitor asked, “What about being led by the Spirit?. I consider her question and talked via LinkedIn. It became clear. I need to share about
abiding in Christ. It’s a key to being led by the Holy Spirit. Continue reading
One day, I came across a curious conversation on Facebook. My niece was telling of an interesting encounter. What happened? My niece was on a train and there was a man preaching God. Sounds harmless, right?
There is just one thing. The man is wearing a Superman costume and preaching God. It seems the man thought he was Superman.
Over the years, the Holy Spirit has show me, some very fascinating scenes in my mind. They have ranged from sailing vessel at sea, fortresses, television personalities and colorful dragons. Yes, you read correctly.
A couple of years ago, I was praying and the Holy Spirit showed me, an incredible scene. I would call it, a vision because I was awake. I’m not sure of the appropriate term. I would love to see what you make of it. I do have an idea and will share it. Yet, I’d love to get your responses. Continue reading
As a kid, I loved to watch the various Godzilla movies. I can still recall watching the original film, on television. Godzilla would walk through Tokyo and cause widespread destruction. What do you expect from an oversize lizard.
This was one character, I wouldn’t want to see angry. If angered, Tokyo would often be on the receiving end. Godzilla was especially known for spewing out a fiery radioactive breath. Continue reading
Recently, I began volunteering at Community Reformed Church of Whiting, NJ. They run a food pantry, a clothe closet and a hot meal, during the week. It appears that they mainly serve my area. It’s a pleasure to help this church in meeting the needs of those struggling in Whiting.
I have heard how God can use a donkey, to teach someone a lesson. How about a wayward cart? Continue reading
The other day, a friend told of a curious dream. My friend is playing checkers and his opponent is not a chimpanzee. Who was he playing? The opponent is God, the Father. My friend was sitting there and waited. After some time passed, my friend asked, “Are you going to move?”
“It’s your move,” came the reply. Continue reading
The other day, I was reading “FIRST-PERSON: Is it true Jesus never addressed same-sex marriage?” by Daniel Akin. It was nicely written and done in a friendly tone that is best used in debate. It is similar to how Jesus spoke to the Pharisees when confronting them or the Sadducee. There is a time and a place for this tactic. When done in the right spirit, it can be effective.
However, there is just one problem. Daniel wasn’t writing to share the good news of Jesus Christ or else it would have been done differently. When reading how Jesus spoke to those perishing because of sins, it was never in a tone of condemnation. Continue reading
Would you expect a person with a severe hearing loss to lead others in a musical setting? It would be challenging but not impossible. How about a hearing impaired man, with no musical or singing talent, lead others in prayer? How about doing this while people are singing and playing instruments? Here is what I’m talking about.
A funny thing happened on Thursday, February 23. I regularly take part in a House of Prayer started by Shore Vineyard Church. We call it, S-HOP or Shore House Of Prayer. What is Shore House of Prayer? It is a physical place where one can come and pray or receive prayer. Unlike a traditional church service, this is a place to go, at any time or day. Continue reading
After writing “Where Is Your Hope“, a good friend asked “Are we not to contend for the healing miracles?” I never said that we should not pray for supernatural healings and expect them. It would be foolish for me, to believe or claim otherwise.
For, Jesus does say things like:
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [John 15:7]
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. [Mark 11:24]
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. [John 14:12-14]
We are even told be bold and persistent in our prayers to the Father:
5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? [Luke 18:5-8]
What then? Do I suddenly change my original point and not place my hope in Jesus, but in what he does? I don’t think so. I am still to keep my eyes on who God, the Father is. I am still to focus on who Jesus is.
My hope is in who Jesus is and not in what he can do for me. Did you catch that last part of the sentence? Our relationship with God is to be based on who He is and not what he can do for us. According to Scripture, Jesus has also called us, to be one with Him and the Father:
24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. [John 17:24]
Suppose you have a friend, who never spends time in getting to know you. The friend seems to only call when he wants something of you. Would this not be considered a shallow friendship? It would make for a hollow friendship. The same principle applies with God.
The more we come to know God, the Father; it is the freer we are to ask. The more we come to know God’s character; the more confidence we have in approaching the “throne of grace”. Here is why:
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. [Hebrews 4:15-16]
How can I know that Jesus can sympathize with me? It is by taking the time to know Jesus. If I never take time to know Jesus then how can I know what to ask. God, the Father will not answer prayers that are opposed to his characters.
This morning, I came across an article on Fox News web site. It’s called ”
Denver’s Religious Communities Rally Around Tim Tebow As He Pulls Off Another ‘Miracle’ Win.” I found it enjoyable to see Christians, Muslims and Jews openly liking this man’s openness about his faith in God.
As I normally don’t watch NFL football, I was puzzled by the alleged uproar. “What is with the uproar?” I asked. A simple check on the Internet reveals something shocking. Tim Tebow openly acknowledges God by thanking Him for successful touchdowns, praying before or after a game and saying “God Bless you in interview.
In other words, Tim Tebow was simply glorifying God. Even more, Tim is not afraid to do it, in a public setting. I doubt that he’s even thinks about. Tim simply praises God and doesn’t care who’s watching. May we all have such boldness!
Is it biblical to ask for such a thing? Let’s put it this way, Peter says this to the ruling council in Acts 4:18-22:
18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
We’re not to let the fear of man intimidate us, from sharing Jesus and sharing the “Good News”. Peter and John were quite bold in showing the love of Christ. What did they do? In Jesus’ name, they healed a man born lame. When asked about it, Peter and John gave glory to God, through His Son, Jesus.
This is why I’m glad to see Tim being upfront in thanking God and giving Jesus, the glory for both good games and bad.
While searching out the matter of Tim Tebow and his bold demonstration of faith, I came across a blog run by NBC Sport. The article is called “Aaron Rodgers on Tim Tebow“. From what I could see, it seems Aaron was claiming St. Francis, as a role model and cited an alleged quote from the venerable saint:
Here is a shocker, for you. The above quote is false. As I write this post, I felt prompted to do a fact check. According to American Catholic’s “Ask a Franciscan: Great Sayings“, the supposed quote is false. It appears to be a derivative of an actual statement. Here is a partial quote from the this site:
In Chapter XVII of his Rule of 1221, Francis told the friars not to preach unless they had received the proper permission to do so. Then he added, “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.”
St. Francis not only did make such a quote; Francis was afraid to preach the Gospel, himself. Did he not approach the leaders of Muslim nations with the Gospel? He most certainly did. Francis firmly believed the Gospel needed to be preached to all. It was to be doen through our words and our actions.
Take a look at this Wikipedia entry on St. Francis. It seems Aaron Rodgers is modeling the wrong man! As for Tim Tebow, he has this in common with Francis. Both men are true follower of Jesus and have been bold in demonstrating their faith.
What about us? It is not wrong to ask God, the Father to grant boldness, to His children. This is precisely what the early church did in Acts 4:23-31:
23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, 25 who by the Holy Spirit, throughthe mouth of our father David Your servant, said,
‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE,
AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?
26 ‘THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND,
AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER
AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’27 For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.