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Here are two great aspects of spiritual growth - transformation and reproduction  It’s about moving from something we’re not to something we should be, and then being "fruitful". 

Paul tells us: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2

In Romans 8:29 he says we’re supposed to be “conformed to the image of God’s son.” “Conformed.”  In Romans 12, he says we’re supposed to be “transformed.” To be transformed is to have our form changed. Trans means “change.” To be conformed is to have our form changed with another. “Con” means “with.” The goal of our growth is to be changed to “conform” to the shape of God’s son—to think and act like Jesus. Then we need to tell people!

Jesus tells us: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. - John 15:5–8

Jesus calls reproducing other believers “bearing fruit.” And he says we can only bear fruit if we remain in him. This means, if we spend time with him by reading what he’s written to us (the Bible), listening to him, and talking with him through prayer.

God gets glory when we bear fruit. Let's grow, be changed, and go share the Good News of Jesus with the world around us. Amen?  

Me Oriented

Sometimes people’s reaction to the same news that makes us so happy can be just the opposite. This happens in the case of the older brother of the prodigal son. The Father wants his youngest to be reconciled with the whole community – especially within the family. It doesn’t turn out that way.

We hear his reaction in The Parable of the Older Son in Luke 15:25-31: ²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Did you notice that the father “went out and pleaded with him” to join in this happy occasion? The brother was so “Me” oriented that he could not see past his own needs and greed. Sadly, this still exists today. Instead of focusing on ourselves so much – what would happen if we focused on those who are lost and need to be restored to God through Jesus?

I hope we’d have revival. 

Back and Forth

Psalm 133:1 says: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! “When brothers live together in unity,” is also call “community”. King David, the writer of this psalm, is speaking much more about living together in a tight, communal relationship than simply keeping peace and not arguing or having discord. 

This is God's desire for His church! It is not about just going to church, but about becoming the church. We need take a genuine interest in the lives of others.  We must care, share, and pray for each other every day.

My Christian journey has taken me to foreign countries, from Ohio to the east coast, and from Jersey to the heartland of Indiana. In all my travels, I have come to realize that it's not about location. It's about the God's church.

Be the church - live in unity - put a smile on God's face. It takes work and focus, but it’s really worth it.

Amen?

Change Happens

It is good news that God never changes but change needs to be part of a Christ follower’s make-up. We have a great example of it in Jonah 3:1-3; Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. God had told Jonah the same thing earlier but because of his disobedience he had to spend 3 days in the belly of a big fish. God did not change His mind about what He wanted Jonah to do. Jonah had to change his direction.

After his ordeal inside a fish, Jonah decides to be obedient. I love this quote, “God loves you just the way you are, but refuses to leave you that way.” We’re a lot like Jonah – even if we don’t want to admit it. The good news is that we don’t have to be thrown in the ocean and swallowed by a big fish! 

You have probably seen this list before: "The Seven Steps to Church Stagnation":

1. We've never done it that way before. 2. We're not ready for that.

3. We are doing all right without trying that. 4. We tried it once before.

5. We don't have money for that. 6. That's not our job.

7. Something like that can't work.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done remember Jonah was totally disobedient. Do you know what the difference between change in the world and in the church? It’s we’re not a democracy but a Theocracy! We must follow God's Word on all matters.

It doesn’t matter where you’ve been. Jonah had been thrown into the sea and swallowed by a fish! Deal with the change – You can get mad, run, or be scared but embrace it make it your own. It doesn’t matter who you are - No matter your background -No matter how you look -No matter how you smell. God has a plan for your life, don’t bother running (away, to your comfort zone, old habits, gossiping/tearing down) (it won’t help)

Let’s start acting more like Jesus in love, obedience, and faithfulness. Let’s embrace the great Planner and Creator & do things His way! 

Life or Death

Today marks the two year anniversary of my Dad's death. I miss him every day, but he taught me we can learn from all of life's experiences - the good and the bad. We should use these times of learning, and the Bible to help us do our best from the beginning to the end. You see, life is about growing! Death happens when you stop, John tells us in 1 John 2:12–14, "I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.  I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.  I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one."

Here are 3 signs on how you tell if someone is spiritually dying on the inside:

1. They stop learning. They stop coming to church and small group. They are not allowing themselves to go deeper in God’s Word or exposing themselves to teaching through reading, sermons, etc..

2. They stop maturing. Their character isn’t growing in Christ or becoming more patient, thoughtful, or helpful.

3. They stop caring about leading others to Christ, social injustice, hurting, morality, and dying people.

In John’s definition for spiritual life, God’s children are those who have received Jesus. They’ve had their sins forgiven by receiving Christ and they know God. Spiritual young men are strong because they are regularly reading God’s word, and they are involved in the cause of Christ, advancing his kingdom and thereby “overcome the evil one.” This is part of spiritual growth - growing in faith, obedience, and maturity.

Don’t die spiritually- keep growing!

With You

It seems like we've spent this winter bracing ourselves for the next snow or ice event. We all experience storms in life. Today let's look at a storm in the Bible found in Matthew 8:23-27.

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

The disciples had taken their eyes off Christ and were fearing for their lives. Jesus was at peace and deep in sleep when they woke Him. They acted like Jesus wasn't aware what was going on, and they needed to explain it tp Him. He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” When we realize who Christ is and His promise to watch over us then our fears, anxieties, and worries fade away. He brings peace in to our presence. Pray for His peace through the storms in your life, and have faith. Have faith - don't fear - Jesus is in the boat! 

First Sin

Sin was not God’s original plan.  Sin came about because man was granted free will. It is a life or death issue. Read Genesis 4:1-7.

Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.  In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.  And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,  but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

This is the first time the word sin is mentioned in the Bible. 

What happened next?

Sin won, and Cain killed Abel. We are told to do what is right and allow God to rule in our lives. Take your temptations to Jesus. He will see you through.

Amen?

Jesus Is Life

Today let’s answer six critical questions about sin using God's Word as our guide.

1. Who has sin?

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - Romans 3:23

2. Is sin real? 

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. - Psalm 51:5

3. How does sin operate in our lives?

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. - Ephesians 2:1-3

Where does “But God” come in to play here? (Romans 5:8)

4. What is the cost of sin?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23.

We have a choice“two deaths or two births”.

5. “Now what?” 

 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, has made us alive in Christ. - Ephesians 2:4

It's a choice of life in Christ or death in sin.

6. How great is God’s love for you?

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. - John 3:16

Stay Ahead

Kodak is an iconic American company just like Kleenex and Coke. For nearly 100 years it was synonymous with photography. In 1975 Kodak invented digital photography, but they decided that the old technology of using film cameras was good enough. They were making lots of money. Why change? In 2012 the Eastman Kodak company filed for bankruptcy and subsequently closed their doors for business. They let the competition take their ideas and they never caught up.

This is a great lesson in that sometimes we must stop something while it is successful before the old model declines and dies. We need to begin what God wants us to do before something stops working.

Wisdom from Proverbs 19:21 tells us, Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

I (or we’ve) never done it that way before are the dying words of many people and churches. God is always doing a new thing! Are you following His plan, or just following your routine?

Be wise and be about God’s ways, plans, and purposes always. Amen?

Don't Stop

A couple years ago I received a teaching from Max Lucado called, Pray First, Pray Most. It was a great reminder on how to take on the "Goliaths" in our lives, but also how to trust God in all things in your life. the study was based out of Acts 12. Peter was imprisoned, the church was praying, and an angel came and delivered him from harm. There are great take-aways from this story.

One is that passionate prayers move the heart of God. Jacob prayed such a prayer in Genesis 32. He was on his face one moment and in God's face the next! That's passion!

In Acts 12, Peter was asleep - resting in the knowledge God would save him. There was a prayer meeting going on at the church, but had trouble believing their prayers could be answered.

We’ve all been there. Satan makes it his mission to interrupt our prayers.

Do you know what happens when a church prays without ceasing? Satan trembles because God shows up!

Let's pray. Pray first. Pray most. Prayer brings guaranteed results. God still hears prayers, and He's listening now. The only question is, "Are we praying?"

I hope I get an Amen on that!

Prayer Promise

Jesus said, “If you believe” to His disciples concerning prayer. What is involved with believing when it comes to prayer? Let’s take a look at that story and the promise that Jesus gives to all Christ followers.

 ¹⁸ Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹ Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. ²⁰ When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

²¹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” - Matthew 21:18-22 

The prayer promise is dependents on having faith and not doubting. If we obey then nothing is impossible!

What parts of your life do you need to turn (in faith and no doubts) to God in prayer with?

Winning

Every day I see people battling giants of all kinds; money problems, health issues, emotional, mental, and spiritual warfare. Here is some good news - God can win every struggle! It’s hard to believe when you are going through hardships, but the giants that we battle are designed to bring and keep us closer to God. Don’t ever go into battle thinking of the glory it will bring you or that you’re able fight the battle under our own strength. No, this is a call to stand up to the giants in your life and be faithful to God as we battle with His direction and power.

As David ran toward the giant Goliath in battle he declared, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you (giants and enemies) into our hands." - 1 Samuel 17:47

Remember: greater is He that is in you, believer, than anything the world can throw at you. Amen?

Turn in Prayer

Jesus instructs us how to pray - Ask, Seek, Knock in Matthew 7:7-12.

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

How does asking, seeking, and knocking, according to Jesus’ prayer instructions, look in your life? Maybe we “have not” because “ask not” according to His plan.

Verse 12 is the basis for what we know as the “Golden Rule”. It starts with, “So in everything”. I guess that means we need to apply it to every part of our life. Let’s start today.

Prayer Lesson

In response to Luke 11:1 “Lord teach us to pray” comes Matthew 6:9-13 as a model and guide for our own prayer life. It is a prayer to show us:

God’s Glory – What do the words “hallowed”, “your kingdom come”, and “Thy will” mean to you? 

For Our Good – We see God's Provision (11), Pardon (12), and Protection (13)

The foundation for all true prayer comes from the first two words: “Our Father” without Him you cannot have an effective prayer life. You must be born again!

No wonder His children are invited to come before Him with confidence – Hebrews 4:16, Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Today follow Jesus' model prayer. He did say to do it, In this manner pray... – and don’t stop. Turn to God in prayer.

Spend time praying like Jesus did - today and every day!

Love Jesus

Today let's look at four components that we must use in our Christian walk, and incorporate in our lives to have success:

God’s Word

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:31-32

Our Unity

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. -Matthew 12:25

Our Obedience

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. -John 14:15 

Our Love

Jesus said, By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:35

On this Valentine's day don't forget to tell Jesus how much you love Him. Be wise use God's instruction Book and grow in your love for Christ. 

Amen?

Moral Code

To gain wisdom one must follow an accurate moral code.

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. - Proverbs 4:18-19

The "path of the righteous" is that well-lit road that God illuminates with His Word and guides us with His Spirit. As we journey down the road the sun (and Son) will get brighter and brighter as we become more obedient to His will and ways.

In contrast "the path of the wicked" is in deep darkness that never brightens. In this darkness sin, evil, pain, and deception will thrive. 

The not so funny thing about the dark is that the more we expose ourselves to it – the more we adjust to it until it’s too late. With the sun, it may take some getting used too at first, but then we can bask in its warmth and light. Light and Dark are symbolic with good/evil and heaven/hell. Choose the Son – He’ll bring life giving light and wisdom in your life.

We can find an accurate moral code by using God’s Word.

A good place to start is the Ten Commandments.

1.     No other Gods

2.     No idols

3.     Not use God’s Name in vane

4.     Remember the Sabbath

5.     Honor parents

6.     Do not murder

7.     Do not commit adultery

8.     Do Not Steal

9.     Do not Lie

10. Do not covet

Once we’ve done business with God on these we’ll be able to accept more guidance through His Word and Spirit. Amen?

Marriage

I’m really enjoying the Answers in Genesis class we have on Wednesdays. We’ve recently been studying marriage the way God intended it to be. Biblical marriage is one man married to one woman for life. This comes from the pattern set by God’s creation of Eve from Adam’s side (Genesis 2) and the words of Christ regarding the allowance for divorce because of the hardness of the people’s hearts.

1 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. 2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” - Mark 10:1–9

God’s plan of one man and one woman joined as one – let no one separate.

It’s a great plan. Amen?

Glory Applied

Believers have an obligation in sharing God’s glory.

Psalm 79:9 - Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.

Sharing Christ is a lifestyle not an event. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 - ³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³² Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— ³³ even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Salvation comes to those who experience and believe in the saving power of Jesus Christ – God’s glory.

Think about how best to apply this turn to God’s glory this week – and then do it. Amen?

Reflected Glory

Jesus declares God’s glory for us in Luke 4:18 - "The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

We need to rejoice in the fact that God’s glory does not change.

Psalm 19:1 - The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

James 1:17 - ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Today, be a reflection of God’s glory in all you do.

God's Glory

Do you have a vertical focus on God and His glory? Consider the truth in 2 Chronicles 20:6, "The LORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” God calls His children to turn away from sin and toward Him.

Deuteronomy 8:11-14 - ¹¹Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. ¹²Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, ¹³and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, ¹⁴then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Deuteronomy 8:19 - ¹⁹If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.

Turn towards God’s glory – let Him illuminate your life.

No Regrets

I was reminded of this true story at a Men’s Conference recently, but everyone can learn from it. William Whiting Borden, the heir of the Borden dairy estate, received a trip around the world as a gift from his parents after his High School graduation. Borden, a Christian, traveled through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe and felt a growing burden for lost people. He wrote home and informed his parents that he was going to give his life in preparation for the mission field. And after making that decision, William Borden wrote two words in the back of his Bible: "No reserves."



He enrolled in Yale. William started a  Prayer and Bible study group there which grew to over 1000 participants by his senior year. He was gifted and his zeal for the Lord was evident. Upon graduation in 1909, Borden turned down over 50 high-paying job offers. He was determined to fulfill the call that God had placed upon his life. He wrote two more words in his Bible: "No retreat."



After graduating from Princeton Seminary, he went to Egypt to study Arabic, so he could minister to the Muslims. He contracted spinal meningitis and died at the age of 25.  Shortly before his death he added these words to the back of his Bible: "No regrets."



Paul said, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well”.… Philippines 3:13-15



Borden's life summed up this Scripture: No reserves. No retreat. No regrets. What is your life saying?