Even If...

The following lyric is taken from Brit Nicole's debut album (a Christian singer):

You are strong enough to take my dreams.  Come and give them wings.  Lord with You, there's nothing I cannot do (from Set the World on Fire).

A year or so later, Miss Nicole released an amazingly heartfelt and deeply personal song on her followup album:

Even if my dreams have died, and even if I don't survive, I'll still worship You with all my life (from Have Your Way). 

 I've been a fan of this singer for quite some time, yet the correlation between these two songs never hit me until the past several months (I was actually walking along the beach with my iPod!).  Obviously, it seems as if something major has happened - or perhaps not happened - from the exciting and hopeful declaration of the first song and the broken yet peaceful resolve of the second.

Probably just like me, you can truly relate to this sequence, to these emotions, to this struggle.  I share this song with you for your encouragement.  It is a fantastic reminder of the response God desires of me always, whether in times of great "success" or in the loneliness of the "valley."

Soon enough, I'll join you again to share with you my own "even if" story...I'll be looking forward to it.

Danger at Every Turn (Session #4)

It's hard to believe, but our time has drawn to a close - at least for this current series!  I have been so challenged as I've studied these things that are so near and dear to my heart.  Greater yet, my marriage has been strengthened as my wife and I have been seeking to "put to practice" many of these principles.  I leave you all with the encouragement of the Apostle Paul, specifically applied towards our home lives:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before (Phil. 3:13).

Let's grow together again soon, okay?

In Him,
Justin

Along the Journey - Session #3

Good morning friends!  Though it's been a little late this week getting this sermon uploaded, it is finally done.

I must admit, this lesson, above others, is far more difficult to teach on in terms of marriage, personally speaking.  So many already have loaded ideas, many of them due to adverse, difficult and ungodly experiences in their past.  My intent in this study is to share the freeing truth of God's Word, revealing the hallowed place of the wife within the marriage relationship.  If you have any questions or if you are uncertain about anything I'm saying, please talk to me.  I'm more than happy to clarify myself and help out wherever possible.

Once again, let's try to get some good discussion going, shall we?

Justin



For access to the .PDF handouts, follow this link to the streaming site and click on .PDF:
 http://sermon.net/goingbeneathitall/sermonid/2785946

Taking the First Step (Session #2)

How are you doing today?  I'm so thankful that you've chosen to spend some more time with me, learning together God's plans and provisions for building our home, first and foremost through our marriages.

As you listen this week, be reminded that I have been and am praying for you!  The matters of your heart and how you live your life are so valuable, precious and important to God particularly in this most intimate of relationship - whether you are not married though preparing for the future possibility, a newly wed, have many years of "service" under your belt or have been through a terribly painful divorce - God has truth for us in each of these situations and circumstances.

If you have any questions or just need some encouragement, please don't hesitate to talk to me.

Without further pomp and circumstance, let's get to growing:

http://sermon.net/goingbeneathitall/sermonid/2778274

P.S. How accessible are the PDF links for the handouts?  Should I find a better delivery method or medium to get these out?  Let me know.  Thanks.

The Ultimate Love Story

REVIEW: Gen. 3:8; 2 Cor. 4:16; Acts 17:28

READ:  Think of the most romantic movie you’ve ever watched or book you’ve ever read.  Ladies, you may be swooning at this very minute just thinking of the passionate, heroic valor of the man of your dreams fighting to win the favor of your heart!  Men, you may be smiling silently as you imagine rescuing the beautiful heroine from danger, inviting her to join your side in adventurous living.  These love stories contain passion, pursuit, and great perseverance.  Would you be surprised to discover that God’s Word, the Bible, in its most basic terms is a love story of such epic proportions?

In eternity past, God, a holy trinity, was in fellowship and communion within Himself (John 1:1-2).  As such, He chose out a special group of people, the Body of Christ, to share in a special relationship with Himself “in love” (Eph. 1:4).  He also determined the “fellowship of [this] mystery” before the world was ever formed (Eph. 3:9).  In the timeline of Scripture, before any physical act is recorded or completed, God has established both the nature of this Book and all the history that is soon to be set in motion.  It is rooted, focuses upon and emanates from love and relationship!   

From this point forward, we discover the creation of Adam and Eve as we’ve already briefly considered. The annals of history then chronicle the love story of God seeking another chosen out people, the Nation of Israel and the rise and fall of their relationship.  God’s passion and pursuit of them is relentless, ultimately sending them the fulfillment of His many promises – Jesus Christ.  Due to Israel’s rejection of such a gift, God, in great pain and despair, temporarily set aside the “apple of His eye”, allowing His original desire for love and relationship to be fulfilled through the Body of Christ. 

It is here we stand today.  Col. 1:27-28 reveals furthermore that the riches of this same mystery are also expressed in deep and intimate relationship with Christ.  So much more is to be said the passionate pursuit of God towards His children, particularly in the Age of Grace.  Yet, for our purposes here, it is only as we recognize and open our hearts and minds to a vibrant, dynamic, passionate and intimately personal relationship with Jesus Christ, that the true source and fuel for finding and living out our own “love story” with our spouse can come to pass.   

Far too many of our marriages lack passion because we’ve never encountered the passion of Jesus Christ for His Church (Rom. 5; Eph. 1).  We lack intimacy for our hearts have not truly entered into rich communion with our Savior as God has intended, desired and afforded us through Christ. 

REFLECT:

·       How has my walk with God been lately?  Am I making full use of all I’ve been given and all that has been made available to me in Christ Jesus?

·       What does my marriage look like when I am walking in intimacy with God?  When I’m not? 

RESPOND:

·       Though intimacy with God is a deeply personal endeavor, we can always encourage our spouse in their relationship with their God.  Most definitely we can always help our spouse and improve our relationship as we ourselves seek Him more and more.  Today, secure extra time out of your busy schedule to spend with your Savior.  Become better acquainted, personally speaking, with the desires of His heart.

Finding Your Way Home (Session #1)

I am so excited about all the Lord has been doing lately!  Indeed, Almighty God has been working both in my heart and my wife's heart throughout these past weeks.  This being said, I am equally excited to share with you many of the truths God has been using to awaken our hearts and marriage.  

Truly, our home is a work in progress.  Over the next month, I desire to share with you "the tip of the iceberg" that God has been teaching us over the years and most recently.  I hope and pray that you are challenged and encouraged.  

To access this series, click on the link below: 

Finding Your Way Home (Session #1)

You can also find these materials at anytime from the blog by clicking on the "Streaming Media" tab beneath this blog's heading.  On each of these sermons, you are free to download, link and distribute as much as you'd like - in fact, please do - let's spread His wonderful truth to as many as will hear!   Also, be sure to download the notes in PDF format to help you grow and to also share with others.  

Throughout the week, following each sermon, check back for more devotionals to help encourage us in this pursuit.  I'll be praying for you until we meet again!

In His Love, 

Justin

P.S.

If you have any technical difficulties, just let me know and I'll do my best to help you out.  

What's in a greeting?

“Paul, and Silas, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:1

First Things First

The Church “of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth” (1 Tim. 3:15) is settled firmly in both God the Father and Jesus Christ.  Flowing from this place of deep security and confidence, we therefore have been extended grace and peace, once again, from both God the Father and Jesus Christ.   Both of these proclamations respond to the very core of many of the deepest questions our hearts ponder:

• “Am I going to be ok?”
• “Will I ever make it through this?”
• “Are you angry with me, God?”

“Peace, my child” He speaks to us.

• “Am I worth anything?”
• “How could God ever truly love me – I mean ALL of me?”

“Grace, my son.”  Such gentle words, often overlooked, bear a powerful message in our hearts and lives.

Though not the purpose of our brief time together here, we must, however, first recognize the powerful, transformative meaning in the message of these two words.  Our current investigation then will explore a different angle of this verse while building on the foundation of these precious truths. 

How many times do I have to tell you?!

Regarding personal matters, particularly in how I view myself, I often have a difficult time accepting genuine compliments and affirmations from others.  My wife’s praise of me falls upon highly defensed ears.  I have been known to retort, “You have to say that; you’re my wife!”    As I get to know others, I recognize this is quite common and familiar territory for us all.  These messages, such as grace and peace, speak the truth to the fearful, lie-ridden insecurities we bare upon our burdened backs.  We need them, yet we bristle against them.

At times, it may become a little easier to accept and believe these affirmations when we hear them repeatedly.  Our receptivity soars, however, as these encouragements are repeatedly given to us by multiple sources – parents, siblings, friends – brothers and sisters in the Lord. 

Pay Attention

With this in mind, reread our key verse above.  How many sources are offering this wonderful, affirming message of grace and peace?  Count again.  I bet you there are more than you think!

Five.  Yes, that’s right:  The Father, Jesus Christ and their vessels, our fellow brethren – Paul, Silas and Timothy.  This should grab our attention – “LISTEN UP!  This is important.  In fact, this is essential!”  The message of God’s grace and peace in your life takes such priority in God’s agenda that He literally bombards us with it – that is, if we’re receptive to it. 

Bringing It Home

Certainly the grace and peace of “the living God” actively unleashed in our lives will dramatically alter the dynamics of our home, yet I find further encouragement and challenge in this verse.  

Just as critical as these truths have been to your heart, so many have yet to hear them, much less accept them, believe them and let them rule in their heart of hearts!  Just as Paul, Silas and Timothy played a part in your growth, we too have an opportunity to join their efforts, being His vessels of grace and peace. 

Most importantly, I ask you:  How are you being a vessel and messenger of God’s grace in your home?   Remember, we are presently considering a simple salutation – a greeting.  How do I greet those in my family?  Does a peaceful, grace-filled demeanor emanate from me?  Furthermore, am I allowing Jesus Christ to live through me?

Of course the entire world needs the crucial message of salvation offered through the Cross of Christ, to which Paul commissions us as ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:18, 20).  Our testimony, living in His peace and grace, provides a great tool in the mighty hand of God in proclaiming this message to all.  However, at the same time, God throughout all of Scripture in all dispensations places great burden and emphasis on these things first being taught, lived out and experienced in the home first!

He asks husbands to love their wives just as He has loved us through Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:25-28).  While we are commanded elsewhere to walk in love towards those that are “without”, God has worthily placed a great impetus upon the relationships within the most intimate of relationships, the home.  Husbands.  Wives.  Brothers. Sisters.  Parents.  Children.

Let’s Get to Meddling

The next time you walk in the door – mind you, it has been a very long day and a bad one at that – may the God of all Victory impress upon your heart the urgent necessity of being truly immersed in His grace and peace so that you may in turn offer it to your family. 

Dad’s, I know it would be fantastic to retreat into your Man Cave and to completely disengage from the world, ignoring your wife’s burdened and frustrated heart (or at very least placing it on the back burner).  I know it would be easy to dismiss your little girl’s panic-like attack regarding the sudden and mysterious “theft” of her favorite lip gloss (I mean, seriously, haven’t you bought her like 20 of those things?!).  It’s painfully too simple and quick of a fix to push away the boys, telling them to go wrestle with one another, rather than to engage them and invest your energy into them.  

Let me push your buttons a little further.  I’ll be direct:  Next time you walk into your home, may it be as a vessel – a minister – of God’s grace and peace, just as Paul, Silas and Timothy were.   In the manner of their example, may you begin with something so simple as a genuine, heartfelt greeting.  Don’t stop there.  The light never stops emanating from the beacon of a lighthouse.  God assuredly gives us plenty of fuel that our light may never stop shining in our home, leading and directing the hearts of our wives and children. 

So, I ask you, “What’s in your greeting?”  


Taken from A Treasury for the Home