Cry of Worship Ministries

Partakers of His Nature

By Brennan Manning from Reflections for Ragamuffins: The relentless tenderness of Jesus challenges us to give up our false faces, our petty conceits, our irritating vanities, our preposterous pretending and become card-carrying members of the messy human community. Jesus calls us to be tender with one another because He is tender. He invites us into …

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God’s Obsession with Virgins, Prostitutes and You

This will be the last devotion posted for a few weeks while my wife and I take a sabbatical from writing to work on our move across the country and prepare for the trip. We hope you will stay signed up to receive posts by email, twitter, and Facebook. If you have a testimony or devotion …

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Me Myself & Grace

“Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.” Francis of Assisi Selfishness is the disease of diseases, a pandemic, the infectious destiny of every human birth and a curse on the earth. We have all tasted of its forbidden fruit. It is rampant, often sly, …

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Pure in Heart

Jesus seemed to enjoy mountains, but we’ll talk about that some other time. One of His first sermons is spoken while He stands on a mountain in front of a large crowd of gatherers. He speaks of being poor in spirit, hungering for righteousness, the meek inheriting the earth, those who need comfort, and more. His points are brief but incredibly …

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Naked Girls

While driving through my hometown the other day I saw quite a line of vehicles waiting in a drive-thru just to the right of the main street. Next thing I know, I see a girl in pink underwear helping customers through the window (facing the street). The sign said the name of the place which I …

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Severely Relevant to YOU: Please Read Urgently

Hypothetical scenario but all too possible: It is 2021 and America has been transformed. You and I as Christians are no longer welcome in the public forum. In fact, preaching the Word of God is illegal under a new Hate Speech Act. We are not authorized to speak against abortion, homosexuality, or even theft. It …

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Let’s Pray

I work as the manager of a cell phone store and was recently setting out new marketing materials. One of the flyers had “I’m a texty beast” in big, bold, red letters. I thought it was ridiculous some of the things we come up with in marketing, like replacing the word sexy with texty in …

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If the Moon Bleeds

Let me not lie, for in my distant dream There is but one my heart deeply thirsts, A never-ending love the only theme; He holds my heart which silently bursts With memories of passion and betrayal. Life’s misleads do creep up on me And often I sigh to loudly to ignore That His will prevails no matter how vast the sea. …

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$ Debt Relief & Financial Peace

The baby steps by Dave Ramsey of Financial Peace University: 1. $1,000 Emergency Fund An emergency fund is for those unexpected events in life that you can’t plan for: the loss of a job, an unexpected pregnancy, a faulty car transmission, and the list goes on and on. It’s not a matter of if these events …

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Partakers of His Nature God’s Obsession with Virgins, Prostitutes and You Me Myself & Grace Pure in Heart Naked Girls Severely Relevant to YOU: Please Read Urgently Let’s Pray If the Moon Bleeds $ Debt Relief & Financial Peace

May 18 2013

God’s Obsession with Virgins, Prostitutes and You

May 18, 2013

God’s Obsession with Virgins, Prostitutes and You:

The Bible isn’t shy about discussing almost any issue. When it comes to virgins and prostitutes it has plenty to say and plenty of historical figures whose stories are important. The reason I title this post as I do is not to be controversial, but to draw attention to the fact that God loves and accepts anyone who puts their faith in His Son, no matter which extreme or somewhere in between you may be. We were all at one time virgins if we are not anymore. We are not all prostitutes, selling our bodies for money. But I dare say many of us, even married, have used our bodies to get what we want – whether in fulfilling personal lusts, or as manipulation. Anyway, you and I may not fall into either category, but the point is God loves us all and Jesus died for each of us.

I think of Rehab, the prostitute who helped hide Joshua’s spys in Jericho and was rewarded with safety and acceptance. I think of Delilah who sold her body indirectly by accepting a bribe to discover the source of Samson’s strength. I think of Gomer the prostitute who married the prophet Hosea. I think of Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus. I think of the woman at the well who met Jesus, had been married to five different men and was seeing another. I think of Mary Magdalene, a prostitute who became a central disciple to Christ. I think of the prostitute who washed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfumes purchased with the money she made by selling sex no doubt. I think of the woman caught in adultery that Jesus refused to stone and released her from her sin and its consequences. I think of the parable of the 10 virgins, five of whom were accepted by the bridegroom because they were prepared. But virgins and prostitutes come in the male gender too!

The Old Testament has a lot of rules concerning sex, marriage, prostitution, divorce, and the treatment of women for the Hebrews. Those rules don’t apply to Christians, because that law was for a time and place before the New Covenant was made through Jesus. Don’t let college professors and atheistic teachers make you think God discriminates against women. He doesn’t. Male and female were both made in God’s image by His own intent. The New Testament is a better example of this. But that really isn’t the point, just something I wanted to mention.

John 3:16 is famous, “For God so loved the world that He have His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” Have you taken time to read verses 17-18? “He did not send His Son into the world to condemn its people, but so that through Him we might be saved…”

Here’s what I’m thinking, friends:

1. God doesn’t love you based on your goodness or badness. ANYONE who puts their faith in Jesus is saved and God accepts them as His own.

2. God can use anyone to accomplish His plan, even virgins and prostitutes. Don’t limit yourself. God wants to use you!

3. God hates sin, but that doesn’t mean He hates you. Just because you are gay doesn’t mean He hates you. Just because you lie doesn’t mean He hates you. Just because you are broken, awkward, addicted, imprisoned, or sad or whatever… doesn’t mean God doesn’t want you! He loves you and wants you to be saved.

4. God’s people shouldn’t discriminate against anyone – virgins or prostitutes (for example). We must love, accept and pray for those people who are in need of God even more than those who have accepted Jesus already. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”

5. God is obsessed with His creation and passionately yearns that you belong to His Kingdom by receiving Jesus – because He wants right relationship with you. He doesn’t want to see your sins’ consequences overcome you. He wants to deliver you and He wants you to know His magnificent love for you – not just as part of the human race, but you individually – because you are you!

This week I hope we all remember these points and are persuaded and reminded to receive and share the reckless, raging fury that they call the love of God – with everyone we come into contact with, speak about, or think about. Whether at home or on the street, in church or in prison, in Taiwan or in Detroit, whether the person beside you is Delilah or Rehab… God’s love is needed. Let’s allow His obsession to capture as many of us as possible into His merciful arms!

- Richie

John 16:27, “No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” – Jesus

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Mar 16 2013

The Power of a Praying Mama

March 16, 2013

This morning I awoke to sunshine, iced tea, and the cries of an almost 4 month old little boy in the bedroom next to mine. Groggily, I rolled out of bed and went to the kitchen to warm up a bottle of milk to fill his little tummy. My husband was bundled up tight under blankets in our bed, softly snoring and as my bare feet padded through our home I was reminded of what a blessed woman I am. Days filled with little fingers and little toes, making dinner for the one I love, vacuuming, sweeping, feeding, holding, cuddling, loving, praying.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

What does it mean to be a woman of prayer? The Lord says to pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17) but what does that really mean?

I believe that prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have to be able to protect, love, nurture, provide, and grow our homes and families. When God sent His Holy Spirit to be present with us He gave us a guide, a teacher, and a friend who listens. Not only that but He cares deeply about the things in your heart. What a blessing it is to be able to give our concerns, worries, fears, joys, pain, laughter, and blessings to the Lord! Personally, the Holy Spirit touches my heart in special ways when I bring before Him the needs of my family and in the process I am taught about the heart of my Father in Heaven.

As a single woman, searching and hoping to someday meet the man of my dreams, I prayed often for direction and guidance. I prayed for this man I had not met, that the Lord would protect him and comfort him and be near to his heart. Now, as a fairly new bride I am learning to continue joyfully praying for this wonderful man, my husband, which the Lord has given me. As my husband leaves for work I should wrap my arms around him and pray for his day, for his protection, for the meetings he has and the people he will encounter. As I do the dishes and clean the bathroom I should be praying with a thankful heart for his job that provides for our wonderful home and the food that we eat. As I dive into God’s word with an open spirit I should be upholding my husband’s faith, future, hopes, dreams, wisdom, reputation, integrity, and relationships in prayer. And as we turn out the lights and tuck in our little boy for the night we whisper prayers of thanksgiving to God for our family and our relationship to each other. Being able to intercede in prayer for your spouse is perhaps one of the most truly valuable gifts you could give to them. You make him a priority in your prayer life and the Lord will bless your relationship more than you could ever imagine!

“Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children.” Lamentations 2:19

Speak blessings over your children and pray for them to accept the Lord, to grow in wisdom and strength, to become men and women of integrity, patience, peace, and virtue. I pray for my little son, Elisha Michael – may the Lord bless you with a measure of faith that is deep, strong, and unfailing. As we raise you with a solid foundation built on faith in God, may your own relationship with the Lord always give you the courage to trust Him no matter what is going on in your life. (Romans 12:3)

I encourage you dear friends to pray for your families and your homes. There is no greater weapon against the devil and his schemes. There is power in speaking the Word of truth and power in speaking your prayers to the Lord.

“I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.” Isaiah 44:3

In His love,

Kathy

(pictures courtesy of Ann Voskamp at www.aholyexperience.com)

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Feb 11 2013

The Quest for Perfection

February 11, 2013

RESPECT. The word leaves a bitter taste on my tongue and I spit it out like too much salt in cookie dough. What should be the spice and glory of a well-seasoned marriage is, instead, only something I can hope to grasp and one day capture. It’s not the receiving of respect that bothers me so much but the mess I make when trying to give it to the one person I love more than life itself. Have you ever felt that way about something? That one thing that you can never seem to get right? How many times have I spent the morning on my knees begging God to refine me and change my heart, to soften me and to become in tune to the needs of my dear husband? And how many times have I thrown it back in his face with another harsh word or disrespectful glare? Trying and grasping and reaching and pushing so hard to achieve perfection. If you’re like me, and I’m guessing some of you are… then you know that this ideal you hold so fast to, is impossible. And yet we keep running to it, focusing on the quest for perfection as if our very life depends on it. Over and over I fall short, and of course I will, for true perfection is found only in the Life and Person and Godliness of our Lord and Savior.

Funny thing is… it’s my imperfections that keep me clinging to the Cross. Huddled at Jesus’ feet awaiting a fresh touch and His peace, I am thankful for my sinfulness, I am thankful for my need of Him. Yes, I am grateful that I screw up over and over again, needing to depend on Him for my life, my eternal future, and for the mercy He so lovingly bestows time and time again. If I dig deep into the pulsing desires of my soul I see that my quest for perfection is not the root of the issue. Neither is disrespecting my husband. There is something in me that has been growing since I was a little girl. Diseased and twisted, I have allowed it to take root in me and its repercussions are swift and deadly: INSECURITY. A word I hate even more than respect. From the little girl on the playground made fun of for being overweight to the young woman in high school who wasn’t so great at math or sports and the college student who disguised herself as unwanted and unloved, I soaked my insecurities in. Like a ball and chain they have followed me around for too many years.

Like any person trying to become perfect, once I found out how insecure I was and that this was hindering me in relationships and confidence and work, I sat down and made a list of what I could do to become secure. Why? Because I couldn’t stand that my insecurities made me imperfect. Why do I beat myself up every time my husband and I have a disagreement and I disrespect him with my attitude and words? Because I can’t stand that my disrespectful nature makes me imperfect.

I am broken.

And that’s ok.

I’m a bit of a mess.

But grace is a pretty awesome gift.

Jesus says, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29

It is not through perfection that we are saved or brought right with God, is it? No, it is because of our weakness, our imperfections, our insecurities, and our failures that we NEED God. My brokenness leads me to the foot of the Cross to remember why Jesus died.

“But God shows His love for us in this that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

We don’t have to be perfect! And because of God’s unending grace, compassion and mercy, we have life everlasting! I hope this is as encouraging to you as it is to me. I’m sure I will still keep trying to be a better wife, mommy, daughter, sister, friend, and child of God, but it’s so good to know that if I don’t get any closer to “perfection” than where I am today, that’s ok. I have full security in my Savior and what He has done for me and for you. He paid the price of our sins and imperfection and insecurities and removed them as far as the east is from the west. That’s good news.

Live free and secure in your brokenness with me!! You are who God has called you to be.

- Kathy

(Pictures courtesy of Ann Voskamp at www.aholyexperience.com)

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Feb 02 2013

With Rapture & Grace

February 2, 2013

Many of us never ‘feel’ close to God. You may be one of those people. I’m here to tell you there is nothing wrong with that. You don’t have to feel close to God to be close to Him or to have faith in Him or to be obedient to Him. You may be closer to the God of the universe than those of us who ‘feel’ like we are. In fact, it’s quite a probability since His Word says, “the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.” But in case you are wondering, you are capable of feeling His presence if you want to, and God wants you to. You are capable of knowing pure rapture and being ravaged by grace. It’s a good thing and it’s not too hard. All it takes is a little brokenness, a little desperation perhaps (absolute desperation works even better), a little humility, a little courage, and a little decision to draw near to Him. Now, drawing near doesn’t mean you will always ‘feel something,’ but feel it or not, you will always experience something.

Zephaniah 3:2, “She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God.”

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines rapture as an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion. So many of us who are in Christ are sincere in our faith but rarely experience the real ecstasy of living in the Secret Place of the Most High as described in Psalm 91. And there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. We live by faith and not by sight, nor by emotion. But God is passionate and He enjoys blessing His children with zaps of enlightenment to the reality and awesome glory of His presence. Some live there with all their senses continually tuned in, like Enoch did and Apostle Paul and even some evangelists of our time. Others of us, others who are also saved, live in this divine presence but are tuned out… our faith carries us on but we may miss out on experiencing the extravagant, manifest glory that we can feel, see, and enjoy. The power of God manifested to our senses through our emotions when our affections are turned to Him can transform the hardened criminal inside of each of us. He can heal the secret self-hatred and loathing that we’ve buried away. He can open prison doors, heal any sickness, move mountains, break down the fortresses of the religious establishment, and quench the thirst of the outcast. God is All-powerful and to draw near to Him is to draw near to the reality of His awesome grandeur, His mighty arm, and His manifest love.

Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

Your salvation doesn’t depend on how you feel. Faith working in our lives doesn’t depend on emotion. Being loved by God doesn’t require an acknowledgement of our need for grace. We are saved by grace through faith when we express our need for Jesus as our Savior and repent of our sins, but that doesn’t require an emotional outburst or a flagrant demonstration. Salvation works from the inside out and should cause radical change visible from the outside, but it’s not done by our own might or according to the standards of our peers. It’s accomplished by the Spirit of the Lord and can take time. Drawing near to Him is a privilege of the saved, something the condemned can never experience. It’s why being saved is so wonderful!! Not because it’s a ticket to stay out of hell, but because of the abundance God wants us to experience freely! Don’t be ashamed if you’ve never had goosebumps during a corporate worship service or if you have never teared at the mention of the name of Jesus or shouted with intensity with praise for the Most High. But friend, this is something you may want to experience, the presence of God is the most magical, fulfilling, sweet, captivating, wonderful place in existence and it can be manifested to you both physically and emotionally if you choose to ‘draw near.’

James 4 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” This scripture doesn’t mean we are to be pitiful, woe-us me vagabonds. God has called us to peace and joy. What James is expressing by the Holy Spirit is that experiencing God is always powerful, whether you feel it or not, and if you make yourself aware of the famishing need for more of Him you will be humbled by a love so fierce that it makes you one with the Creator! Draw near with desperation, a thirst for Him, and tears derived out of your recognition that sin has made you nothing and God is everything… draw near with purity, not wavering in your decision to choose Him… draw near with a respectful fear knowing that if it weren’t for the Savior the glory of God would burn you alive… draw near with boldness and yet draw near aware of your weakness… and He will pick you up in His holy hands, bring your close to His face, kiss you on the lips with the affection of a Father, and say, “Where have you been? I’ve been calling for you son/daughter. Come near. Live with me. If you go through the fire I will be there. If you go through deep waters I will not let you drown. You have made my heart glad this day!”

God wants us all to be saved, but don’t miss out on the ‘more’ that He has for us. Faith can grow when you daily acknowledge the power of God moving through you! You have the power to raise the dead because of He who is greater in you. The Secret Place is the habitation of every believer. Open your eyes, taste and see that the Lord is good, and let it be manifested to your heart. Live with the awareness of the glorious passion God has for you!

Come worship the Light of the world; He is a consuming fire!

- Richie

“Oh God! Have me for your glory!” Smith Wigglesworth

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Dec 08 2012

Are You Sick of Religion?

December 8, 2012

Guest Writer Jennifer Maggio, author of Church & the Single Mom and Overwhelmed.

Are you sick of traditional, ritualistic religion? Are you tired of church-as-usual? What does that mean anyway? I cannot, for the life of me, understand why some Christians are okay just purchasing their fire hazard insurance (you know, the kind that keeps them out of Hell), strapping in, hunkering down, and waiting on Jesus’ return. I mean, seriously?! Aren’t we supposed to be busy about our Father’s business? Looking for the lost? Creating environments for the Holy Spirit to minister to the lives of those around us? I honestly cannot sit through a church service where the Holy Spirit is hindered and squelched for fear someone may do something out of the ordinary.

Maybe church isn’t even supposed to look like it did when you were a boy. Maybe Jesus will be just fine if we don’t sing 2.5 songs from the middle of the hymnal this Sunday. Maybe your denomination isn’t the most accurate to the original Hebrew/Greek translation of the Bible. I was raised in a traditional, small church where raising one’s hands in worship, shouting “amen” or something similar in support of the pastor, or clapping in church were all grossly frowned upon. It wasn’t considered reverent. Imagine my surprise when I visited other churches and saw various forms of worship and service order. Today, I am thoroughly convinced that whether your church chooses to sing from the hymnal, a sheet of paper, or the big screen, the Lord receives it as a fragrant aroma, when done with a pure heart of worship.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17

Here’s a riveting, ground-breaking thought…what if we put aside our preconceived ideas of what church should look like, stop bickering over whether Baptists are more right than Methodists, or whether we should sing 3 or 4 stanzas of “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus,” or whether we should buy pizza or hamburgers with the church fund on family fun night, and truly get free. Let’s step aside and let the Holy Spirit move in lives. Let’s be quiet and still before the altar and truly “hear” the voice of God in our lives. Let’s lock arms with other denominations focused not on what separates us, but rather what unites us — the love of Jesus. Let’s enter into worship this Sunday morning with great expectation that we may actually encounter the King there.

Jennifer Maggio is an award-winning author and speaker who is considered one of the nation’s leading authorities on single parents’ and women’s issues. She is founder of The Life of a Single Mom Ministries and Overwhelmed: The Single Moms Magazine. For more information, visit thelifeofasinglemom.com.

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Oct 16 2012

‘Choosing Joy’ from Kathy

October 16, 2012

Being 39 weeks pregnant with our first little baby, I find myself often blaming my bad attitude, mood swings, and short temper on my raging hormones and the fact that “I don’t feel well.” Perhaps I do have a bit of an excuse, but that’s no reason for me to act out against my ever patient and loving husband. The last thing I want to do is suck him dry and exhaust him by thinking only of myself and keep him on his toes just trying to keep me happy. I was convicted of this the other day when the Lord spoke softly into my heart, “in all things, my daughter, choose joy.” I realized again in that moment that I don’t have to be consumed by my emotions or by the way I feel. Yes, there are times when my body aches and I cry at nearly everything – that is part of being pregnant and being a woman – but in those moments I am striving to remind myself that I can still choose my attitude. I can still choose inner peace and joy amidst chaos and stress. This, I know, will bless my husband and provide security for my family.

I will admit to you, in all honesty, that this is something that is often difficult for me. I tend to indulge my emotions of the moment and ride the feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, sometimes looking for ways to blame others for how I’m feeling. It takes being reminded of Whom I belong to and who I am in Christ, as a beloved daughter, to stop me in my tracks and change my attitude.

“I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, so the Master, GOD, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations.” Isaiah 61:10-11 from The Message

Today, I am choosing joy. I am choosing to be reminded that my strength and purpose and passion come from my joy in the Lord. I am putting Him first and allowing Him to work miraculously in and through me, each day. And I am praying that you, dear friends, will choose to allow Him to mold you and make you more into His likeness; in the fullness of His joy and strength.

In His love,

Kathy Castaldo

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Aug 26 2012

Are God and Art Compatible??

August 26, 2012

Let’s face it… no one can define art. Art as defined by our culture today is the expression of individual interpretation and inspiration. It has little to do with a significant purpose, other than to be left up to personal interpretation- usually. For example, you look at a painting. Perhaps the painter was trying to express something personal about his/her interpretation of the world as they see it, but when you look at it, you might get something completely different than the artist, or all you might see is a beautiful mixture of colors that for some reason bring you joy. For another example, you may have a favorite song. The recording artist or band may have meant a particular theme to be expressed and interpreted by their music and lyrics, but maybe you get something completely different out of it, or you may like it because of a fond memory associated. Art is truly about the individual, not the collective.

So is God. When Jesus died, yes John 3:16 says it was for the world, but it wasn’t so the whole world could be saved by the one sacrifice, it was so that every individual in the world would have the opportunity to accept or reject salvation based on their own personal choice. God is not about the collective, He is about the individual. That is one way God and art are very much alike.

One way they are not alike is that art is left up to personal interpretation while God defines Himself clearly through His Creation, His Word, and His character. God is not meant to be left up to interpretation- not by culture, by civilization, by religion, or by the individual. He has been! But it only leads to misinterpretation, not the truth. God is defined by who He is and not by who we say He is. This is very different from admiring a sculpture that may represent one thing to you, and something entirely different to me.

But for those who are considering if art and God are compatible… let’s look at these three additional points:

1. God is THE Supreme Artist! He paints the sky. He formed you and me. He made the color of our skin and the shape of our noses. He flung the stars in space and tells the sun to rise. He created the rainbow! He envisioned the color red, gave it to the rose, and added its pleasing scent. He shared the color red with the apple and made it delicious in flavor. God is the Creator! He loves art! We are His greatest, most favorite art. He creates all living things. He designed the Oak tree and the Spruce, the Willow and the Redwood. He gave zebras their stripes, lions their manes, and opossums their talent for playing dead. He loves color, and aromas, sound, and shapes, and differences, and talents, and we inherited His creativity! God reveals Himself through His art and though the fall of Eden has wounded Creation, its beauty is all around us.

“God’s eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made.” Romans 1:20

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

2. God has made you and I creative, with unique skills and abilities. He has given us the ability to create art. A few Christians out there ridicule art because the Old Testament said not to make any graven images. They especially believe painting and sculpting Jesus and illustrating the Holy Spirit or God through fictional characters are both blasphemy. I believe they are wrong. God enjoys our art depending on our motive. Idols are not art, but art becomes an idol when more reverence and awe is given to the art rather than the Creator, God. What once was an idol may be art to me. For instance, I enjoy some of the culture and beauty of the artifacts of ancient Egypt. I don’t revere them at all! But I enjoy their beauty. To me they represent the gift of God’s creativity to the human race and how that civilization utilized their resources. However, you won’t find a Buddha sculpture in our home. Why? Because though it is not a temptation for my wife and I to worship it, millions do and I don’t want to give credence to a false god. Blasphemous art might be when we try to define God by our own standards and knowledge instead of fluidly expressing a part of His character that has been revealed to us. These are simply my convictions. But do you see the difference between art and idols, art and blasphemy? One gives glory to God and the other takes glory from God. Let’s use our talents and passions to bring glory to the true Artist and use beauty to direct our attention to Him!

“Not only has the Lord filled him with his Spirit, but he has given him wisdom and made him a skilled craftsman who can create objects of art with gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood.” Exodus 35:31

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

3. Not all art is good for the soul. Have you heard about the crucifix with urine and feces all over it? What about the painting of a girl wrapped in chains, nude, and being fed to wild beasts while the crowd applauds? Or maybe the sculpture of the demon fighting monkey god named Hanuman? Some may even lay claim that a pornographic performance is simply art. Our culture may try to define these as artistic expressions left up to individual interpretation, but my interpretation is that they are degrading and uninspiring. The truth is, whether it is called art or not, and no matter what any person defines as beneficial or not, everything going through our senses should be filtered by the Spirit and the Word of God so as not to pollute ourselves with the world who rejects Christ! Art has power. Art has influence- be it a poem, a book, a movie, a song, a painting, a sculpture, a bouquet, an architecture, a tattoo or anything else. Art has spiritual significance in many cases, where even demons can attach themselves to it. And art has the ability to truly reveal beauty, that kind that originates from God Himself, and His Spirit leaves its mark.

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:14

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Thank you for taking time to read today’s devotion. Please leave comments here on cryofworship.com or on our facebook page. One last scripture I close with…

“They gave up the truth about God for a lie, and they worshiped God’s creation instead of God, who will be praised forever. Amen.” Romans 1:25

Love,

Richie

~~ Some of my favorite artists: Jimmy Abegg, Michael W. Smith, Donna Jackson, Larry Cole, Ben Pearson, Steve Taylor

By the way, if you haven’t signed up to receive our posts by email, do it now! It’s easy and we only send 3 a week, no spam and your information is kept entirely private. Sign up!

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Jun 25 2012

Well Watered Worship – Part 2

June 25, 2012

Luke 7:36-38 – And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

You see, kissing is intimate and that motion launched her to the place of intimate worship with the Lord, that place where the broken can truly be set free, the sick absolutely healed, the hurting restored, yes- that place. That place that the Lord longs for each of us to enter in, to come beyond the outer courts and to enter into the Holy of Holies. No longer knowing Him from a third person perspective, someone the pastor talks about on Sunday, someone we read about at Wednesday night bible study, but coming to the place of truly knowing Him for ourselves. Can I just tell you it is almost impossible to become intimate with a stranger? Until you enter into relationship with them, they are just people in passing, associates, acquaintances, and friends of a friend. But when you enter into an active reciprocal relationship where there is an exchange on both sides you can say you are friends. For someone to be your friend you must know them on a deeper level of relationship and deeper still to be called an intimate friend. He longs for us to move past the acquaintance level to this level from the servant level to the friend level. John 15:15 says, I no longer call you servant but I call you friends, and He wants us to take on our role as friends.

This is what this woman solidified when she kissed His feet, while also backing up her expression of submission, worship and adoration. Do you know you can not kiss a persons feet while standing? You have to kneel down, go low, bow down to kiss their feet. In kissing the Lords feet she begin to barak the Lord – to bow, kneel down and bless God. It also symbolized her trust in the Lord. She had put her trust in Him, she was saying Lord I trust you enough to place my face at your feet and know that you will not step on me, you won’t crush me, and you won’t put your foot on my neck and hold me down! She put her trust in HIM!

Now having worshiped, submitted and kissed him she poured her oil on Him – she anointed His feet – she smeared him, covered him, with her love. She transitioned from the place of worship to the place of praise. The bible declares our praise is a sweet smelling savor, fragrant oil to the Lord. We are very much like that alabaster box, filled with fragrant oil but until we are broken the fragrance cannot be released, until we are poured out the anointing only abides within us! I don’t care how anointed you are if you are not doing anything with it, it is of no use.

As I studied her I prayed “Father help me to be a well watered worshiper. Help me to come to the place despite my sinful and oft times rebellious nature that I can recognize and discern your presence when it enters in. Help me to discern when you have come to sup at my table, to pull me away to place of communion with you. Help me oh Lord to be filled to the brim with my love for you that when I enter into your presence I am overwhelmed by the Awe of you. Help me to humble myself in your sight oh Lord that I can bow down and worship you in spirit and truth, pouring myself out, emptying myself of me that I can be filled with you. Teach me to lay my life down at your feet that I might exchange my will, my glory for yours.”

Guest writer Tony Robinson (TonyR)

I ask you to ask yourself when was the last time you allowed yourself to be so completely and utterly broken in His presence. When was the last time you pushed past the crowd, not caring what others thought of you, said about you or even knew about your past to just fall at His feet and worship.

If we take time to read a little further down (Luke 7:44-50) we also find that if we bow down to Jesus, He will stand up for us! Many came against her that day but Jesus rose to her defense and just as He came to her defense that day, your worship will cause Him to rise to yours.

Today, I invite you all to become well watered worshipers!

Blessings,

TonyR

Well Watered Woman – ministry, blog, events

Scripture Reference: Psalm 2:12, Luke 7:36-38, John 4:23 -24, John 15:15

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Jun 23 2012

Well Watered Worship – Part 1

June 23, 2012

Luke 7:36-38 – And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Guest writer Tony R. from the website wellwateredwoman.com

As I read about this woman I had an epiphany. This woman, simply described by Luke as a sinner was showing forth the epitome of well watered worship.

These verses tell us when “this woman” knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she came bringing with her an alabaster box filled with fragrant oil. As she stood behind the Lord she wept and in the midst of her weeping she got down and began to wash the Lord’s feet with her tears.

As I sat and observed this woman by way of the Word I saw this woman had an understanding that many of us lack. Although Luke describes her as a sinner there was something more to this woman… “this woman” had a heart for the Lord. You see this woman, even in the midst of her sinful condition, had the capacity to discern who was in her midst and to cry out in His presence. She recognized His presence and something about it pulled her in.

It did not matter that she was called a sinner, that those in the house knew who she was, who she had been or what her past was. She had one mission in mind and that was to get to Jesus. I’m not sure how many people were there that night but given what we know in the Word, anytime Jesus showed up a crowd was drawn. Based on that knowledge we can assume it was more than likely a crowd outside the house as well as inside, but still she pressed her way in.

As she entered into His presence she was overwhelmed and moved to weeping.

She didn’t have the cute misty eyed, pat away with pretty pink tissues cry, she CRIED, she WEPT, she was moved to a place of deep weeping. The kind of weeping we find in travail. The tears this woman shed were tears that could only have been pulled from the deepest most innermost parts of her being. She cried tears that were pulled from the core and essence of herself; from the very well of her soul. As her well filled up, it poured out in the purest form of worship: her tears.

In the midst of her brokenness and heart wrenching flow she humbled herself in the sight of the Lord and bowed completely at His feet. She brought herself subject to the Lord and washed his feet with the water from the well of her soul! John 4:23 -24 says: But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Worship in this passage is proskuneo which means to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand; to fawn over or crouch to, to prostrate oneself in homage, to do reverence to, to adore.

This woman, this sinner woman, although she didn’t know or understand the mechanics of it all still worshiped Him and she worshiped Him with all that was in her! As I read this my heart screamed how much more can I offer the Lord? How much more can I press my way through? How much more can I push past the crowd of my thoughts, my activities, my chaos and pain to make my way into His presence where I can pour out to Him and truly worship Him with all that is within me? How much more Lord, how much more?!?

After washing his feet she dried them with her hair. I saw a symbolism in this that I had not seen before. As she worshiped the Lord she laid “her” glory at his feet bringing it subject to HIS glory and covering.

1 Cor. 11:15 says: but if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. Glory in this reference is Doxa – meaning dignity, glory (-ious), honor, praise, worship. She laid her dignity down; she laid her flesh at His feet bringing it subject and into submission to HIM!

One thing you must look at is in that era women did not wear their hair uncovered. In order to wipe his feet with her hair she had to uncover it, she had to loose her hair, she had to let it down and in doing so she had to reveal herself!

She had to remove the covering, meaning she had to become transparent, get real, and become open to the Lord! She had to make her face like flint not caring what anyone thought or said, she had to take off vain glory! As believers we tend to wear masks, we cover up what’s really going on, we don’t like our image to be tarnished, we want to keep up appearances not knowing that all this really does is keep us bound and hinders us from truly engaging in His presence.

His presence; where He longs and beckons us to come. He wants us to come so we can truly be changed, freed, delivered from the anger, depression, disappointments, gossip, slander, envy, jealousy, wrong thoughts that plague the flesh. Freed from the very pain of the past and hurts of the present. He longs for transparent worship!

After drying His feet she kissed them! Having surrendered and submitted her will and glory to the Lord in exchange for His, it was right there at the kiss that she transitioned.

Psalm 2:12 says: Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

The verse Kiss the Son is telling us to worship Him. To Kiss Him is to worship Him, to worship him is to love Him, to love him is to kiss Him – KISS THE SON!!

- Tony Robinson

Well Watered Woman – international ministry for women

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Jun 20 2012

Crazy Love

June 20, 2012

Guest writer Monica Cate resides in Puyallup, WA with her husband Brett.

Have you read Francis Cha n’s book Crazy Love? I’ve been reading it for the past few months, and it is challenging the very foundation of my Christian faith in a really needed, healthy way. One particular chapter sort of sums up the book’s primary message, and I felt moved to share its contents with you.

In a chapter entitled “Profile of the Obsessed,” Chan seeks to give a detailed outline of what someone’s life should look like if he or she is a true follower of Jesus.

1.) “People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure.”

Chan points out that we tend to give to others, but only if we are still living quite comfortably after the “loss” of that money. Most of us don’t embrace the idea of giving so freely that we are forced to rely on God for some of our needs. We try to protect and control what we have, forgetting that everything we have is already God’s.

The “what can we afford to give” question, while practical, isn’t what God asks of us. We should unabashedly and without hesitance give to those in need and allow God to provide for us. It is not our job to save and save our money and try to plan for all contingencies. Our culture tells us otherwise, but Christians have always been called to a different way of thinking!

I am reminded of the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12: 16-21. He stored up all his wealth, intending to live merrily and easily off it for the rest of his life. And what was God’s response? The rich fool’s life is lost: “this is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

2.) “Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.”

We are called to love all people, but most often we choose to only love the loveable: the people who respond in kind or who are naturally sweet and easy to get along with. Or just the obvious people like our family members and friends. Chan says “there has to be more to our faith than friendliness, politeness, and even kindness.”

The greater calling is that we love our enemies: those who say unkind things, who are bitter, foul, and selfish. Loving people like this sets us apart from others. It’s not easy, by any means, but it’s what we are asked to do.

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back… be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36

3.) “People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.”

This is a short, but important attribute of lovers of God. Get your hands dirty. Live a life of passion and ambition for God. Don’t let worry for yourself or others weigh you down unnecessarily. Life is going to bring with it untold sorrows. But with God, not only are all things possible, but life has purpose and meaning and joy! God doesn’t guarantee His followers safety and comfort, but he does guarantee us an abundant life, if we will only give ourselves wholeheartedly to him.

4.) “Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don’t always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth.”

I find that I generally do things that make sense. I am a practical planner and like to have all my ducks in a row. I try to save money responsibly. I do and say things that most other people do and say, and as a result I blend in with this world quite nicely. So when I read this part of Chan’s book, I was convicted to say the least. When did I decide that I could be a Christian and blend in with the world so utterly and completely that no one could distinguish me as such?

Chan describes how, a few years ago, he felt deeply moved to downsize to a much smaller house. He had just returned from Africa and felt that he was not living according to God’s desires. Those around him, even self-professed Christians, counseled him to keep his bigger house, stating that it wasn’t fair to his family, and that it wasn’t a smart idea. He went forward with the downsizing and hasn’t regretted it. In a culture that greatly values bigger and better and prettier things, he was going against the grain.

Being modest with our living situation is just one way we can defy the status quo. There are countless others, such as giving large portions of our money away and relying on God for our needs. Or continually showing love and mercy to unlovable people.

Nearly everything Jesus taught asked His followers to “do life differently.” So differently, in fact, that they stood out to unbelievers like rainbows in a dark, stormy sky. People couldn’t help but notice. Is it any wonder that people became Christians in droves when the early church was living the way Jesus had asked them to?

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” ~ Matthew 7:13-14

Francis Chan highlights several more attributes in Crazy Love, but I’ll let you read them for yourself. It is my prayer that God’s words through Chan will motivate all of us to live for God in such a way that everyone takes notice and wants to know more.

- Monica

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Apr 13 2012

Why God? Why?!

April 13, 2012

Guest Writer Zachary Roberts of Tulsa, OK

Why is God letting this happen to me?
How come God never answers my prayers?
How come I never hear God or sense His presence?

If you found yourself asking these questions…. Let me ask YOU a question….. How much time do you spend WITH God? IN God’s Word? And I’m not talking about just going to church on Sunday mornings and trying hard not to say a few cuss words…. I’m talking about time alone with God.

Probably not enough or ever…. Maybe only when you find it convenient, or only when a really bad situation comes and you have no where else to go…. maybe you’re putting too much focus on worldly things, maybe all you care about and spend your money and energy on is having the hottest and most expensive style of clothing or you have to buy the newest video game system every time the new PlayStation or Xbox comes out. Maybe you are spending too much time in this kingdom instead of His Kingdom.

Your relationship with God should be like the relationship you have with a best friend, your boyfriend or girlfriend, or your significant other.

For example, ladies… If you’re dating a guy and he decides just to call maybe once a week or once a month, only comes to you when he desperately needs you, other than that you never really see him or hear from him, but you see on Facebook that he has all the time in the world to be at every party and respond to all his wall posts…. Are you going to be with that person much longer? Most likely not.

You were created by an AMAZING God, a God that loves you, a God that can heal you, a God that wants you to have an AMAZING life! All He asks from you is to make a sacrifice… A living sacrifice…. And that sacrifice is simply “time”…. that’s it. God wants you to spend time with Him. How do you spend time with God? How do you get closer with God? By reading His Word…. Making it a habit…. I guarantee you, the more time you spend with God, and in God’s presence… The more you will hear God, the more you will FEEL God, and the more LIKE God you will be. In Hosea 6:6, God says, “I’d rather for you to be faithful and know me, than bring sacrifices.” It’s better than I’m sorry or I promise, it says that God WANTS to know us. He wants to be the first thing in your life! Sometimes that just sounds outrageous to your mind and you think, “I have to make a decision NOW!? I need to figure this out.” But in all honesty God has the answer for you in front of your face and you’re missing it because you are too worried about the situation…. God says, lean not on your own understanding, (Proverbs 3:5-6) but only what comes out of the mouth of God… What’s the mouth of God? His Word! His Word when read is authority and becomes power when it’s spoken! Speak God’s Word into your situation and let it be cast into the sea like a mountain that you may walk in victory. Speak God’s Word into your day so that when Satan tries to throw you a curve ball you’ll be ready to stand against it with the Shield of Faith!

A lot of times we get so caught up in our situations, in our daily lives, that we forget to let God work in our lives.

I encourage you to sacrifice time, just 20 minutes a day! To spend it with God…. The amount of time it takes to eat a meal…. And I’m sure most of you spend 3 times that on the computer, watching TV, or talking on the phone. Lock yourself in your room if you have to, turn your phone off, listen to some worship music and JUST TALK TO GOD, He talks back! I promise! You just have to listen! Listen to his Word.

if you or someone you know is going through a rough situation and you would like prayer please email me, prayer@zacharyrobertsphotography.com
or Richie & Kathy at cryofworship@gmail.com

Prayer: God, I thank you! I thank you for being there for me when i wasn’t there for you, I am sorry and I admit that I wasn’t putting you first in EVERY situation! But not anymore, today I make a stand that you come first in my life. God, I thank you now that I hear you first and that it is clear as day!!! That you guide me through every situation in my life! I will NOT lean on my own understanding but only what comes out of the mouth of God. I thank you that I am a new creation in you, all things have passed away and behold all things are new. God, I thank you that greater is He who is in me, than he that is in the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen

- Zachary Roberts

www.zacharyrobertsphotography.com or on facebook here.

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Feb 22 2012

A Well Made Ice Cream Cone

February 22, 2012

THE MERCY OF GOD IS LIKE A WELL MADE ICE-CREAM CONE

by Father Jon Hansen, RedemptoristPreacher.com

The way I make an ice-cream cone is not like they do it at the shop downtown. Sure they make it look pretty; one or two big scoops piled up high and of course they have more flavors then I have at home. But when you start into one of those you get through the ice-cream pretty quick on a hot day and then suddenly it’s nothing but dry cone. They try and fool you by giving you a fancy sugar cone but it just doesn’t do it for me.

When I make an ice-cream cone I start with small bits of ice-cream and I cram it all the way to the bottom. I fill that cone right up and then put a scoop on top; then when I eat into that cone it’s ice-cream right to the bottom, no dry cone for me. By the time I’m just about finished there is warm ice-cream melted from the heat of my hand running out of the bottom of that cone through the napkin and down my arm. That’s how you make an ice-cream cone and that’s how I picture the mercy of God.

Guest Writer: Fr. Jon Hansen, Pastor St. Mary’s Parish, Saskatoon, SK Canada

The Gospel of Luke tells us God’s mercy is given as, “A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.” (Luke 6.38) That’s a good description of abundance, God’s mercy is abundant. The rich symbols of (Catholic) baptism are meant to capture this abundance for our senses. We use a baptism candle that’s decorated and four feet tall. We use a bowl of water that’s big enough to submerge a baby in. We use beautifully scented oils to cover the child with God’s goodness. There is no containing oil once it is out of its bottle, it gets everywhere. The pages of my Baptism ritual are all crinkly from Chrism oil and I’m sure many mother’s go home and wonder how they will get the oil stains out that new baptismal gown. God is just laughing, “You can’t wash out the grace that I will give you.”

God’s mercy is so abundant that it becomes like the air we breathe. Unless we stop and notice our lungs moving in and out we begin to take it for granted. We can spend our lives recklessly and then stop and wonder, “Is God still there, or did I leave God behind?” But there is no leaving God’s mercy behind. The prophets knew this as they begged upon God’s mercy on behalf of the people. I’ve experienced this in counseling with middle aged people who wonder if they still have a chance to turn their life around and all I can do is remind them yes, yes, yes. You can still turn back to God. God’s mercy is abundant.

The reformation theologian (John) Calvin said that human beings are like a pile of manure in the barnyard and that God’s mercy is like snow that covers us like a pure white blanket. It might look nice but underneath it’s still…you know what.

I think God’s mercy is more than this.

I think God’s mercy is more like the perfume the woman used to anoint the feet of Jesus; the smell must have stayed in that room for weeks. I think God’s mercy is like the barrels of water that Jesus turned into wine at the wedding in Cana; did they drink all of it or did they just have a good time trying? I think God’s mercy is like Jesus speaking to the repentant thief on the cross saying, “Of course it’s not too late to turn your life around, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I think God’s mercy is like a well made ice-cream cone, scooped up, pressed down and running over with goodness.

Given the abundance of God’s mercy maybe it wouldn’t hurt if we shared a little bit of it with others. Jesus asks us to forgive, not to judge and not to condemn others. Can we show a little mercy as our heavenly Father is merciful to us?

– Jon Hansen

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Jan 26 2012

Finding Freedom from Fear

January 26, 2012

The other day I was asked this question: “what role does fear play in your life?” As I sat there thinking, it hit me that there is a root of fear in my soul that so often strangles my thoughts and my actions. And the funny thing is that I’ve never seen myself as a fearful person. I have things under control; I’m fulfilling dreams; I’m “succeeding” in life. What do I have to fear?

Guest Writer Sarah Cabrera. She resides in Moscow, Russia.

I’ve been studying scripture in-depth lately with a group of girlfriends, and we’ve been going through a study on the book of Daniel. One of the greatest things about studying scripture is that it brings out the things in us we really didn’t want to confront. As I’ve been studying Daniel, I have realized that not only am I filled with pride, I am filled with fear.

Much of the study is focused on living godly lives of integrity in the midst of a world with a “Babylonian mindset.” The basis of this mindset is in gratifying me, myself, and I. My pride is just that. And too often, even as a Christian, I am willingly and stubbornly set on following culture and what makes me happy. As I read scripture I am convicted of my thoughts and actions and am determined to change. So I have to ask myself, what does it mean to live a consistent life as a Christian, a life where both my private and public self are the same, where my motivations are always Christ-glorifying and not self-gratifying?

Daniel really is a fantastic example of a life of integrity. As a young teenager he was determined to follow the will of the Lord and face the possible ire of the king, rather than to join with the crowd and follow along for safety’s sake. And this was over a simple dietary restriction! Yet this decision in his early years in Babylon shaped the way he approached situations for the rest of his life.

Daniel was not lazy. He was not ho-hum. He did not approach his relationship with God in a “it’ll happen when it happens” way. He was resolved. He had tenacious obedience. Every day in the quiet of his home, he prayed and praised God privately. When the threat of persecution came, he prayed and praised God openly. When the persecution came and he was thrown into a den to be eaten by ravenous lions, he prayed and praised God as he sat all night by the lions whose mouths were held shut by the hand of God.

Consistency and integrity, Anyone?!

This makes me want to shout! This makes me want to tell the world, “This is what my God can do!!”

And this is where the fear comes in. As I am beginning to fall deeper in love with Christ, and as I am daily wanting to follow Him and tell the world about Him, there is this little tug deep in my soul that says, “if you abandon yourself completely to God, you will face persecution and ridicule.” I know this is true because the Bible explicitly says it will happen when we follow him whole-heartedly. But honestly there is a real part of me that is a wimp to pain. And I am a people-pleaser; I don’t want to offend anyone. Other times I just feel I am not up to the task. God will want too much and I don’t have it in me. I want to be safe in my little bubble and not risk my security, my worldly happiness, or even my life.

So I desire one thing—to know God, to follow Christ, and to serve humanity. But my sinful pride and fear stymies me from taking action.

It is when reaching a low point or coming face to face with your issues, that truly amazing things can happen. We have the choice at this point to allow ourselves to continue living in fear or to cry out to God saying, “God, I’ve had enough! I’m tired of living this way. Help me!”

Be encouraged! He will listen to this prayer. In Daniel 10:12 the angel Gabriel says to Daniel, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard.”

When you truly pray for the Lord to take your fear, he will take your burdens upon himself and replace them with his perfect peace and love. 1 John 4: 18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”

And Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” What incredibly encouraging words. The Lord knows we will struggle with fear and his word is chock full of verses to build us up and help us stand strong.

The last couple of weeks I have felt as though Christ has been blowing freedom into me. True freedom can only come when fear and pride have been defeated in us through Christ. It allows God to fully use us to his purpose.

Now does this mean we will never face fear and pride again? By no means. In fact, when you are aware of it in your life and are resolved to be free of it, it is then that the devil puts up his fiercest attack. You may struggle with it even more. That is why it is so important, as the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6: 10-18, to put on the full armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day. It may not be easy to stand in the face of persecution and ridicule, but Christ’s true freedom will help you to soar on wings like eagles, to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint.

Friends, let us resolve today to live without fear, to live consistently with integrity, to seek understanding, and to humble ourselves before God, that we may be vessels ready for his use. Through Christ all things are possible. Praise be to God!

In Christ,

Sarah

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Jan 02 2012

Joy, Joie, Alegría, 기쁨!

January 2, 2012

Job 8:21, “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”

It’s here! 2012 has arrived, at least on our calendar, and what the future holds no one knows. With great faith and hope in the Lord we can all continue to sing and laugh, to wonder at beauty, and dance in the rain because He is our constant joy. I’ve heard it said that Christians can be the most unhappy folks in the world. How strange is that if it is true? Christians have the most reason to be happy and content and glad, excessively even! Let’s look at Job from Scripture for a moment. He had it all- life, health, wealth, family, love, and the favor of God. For a reason none of us fully understand the Lord approved satan’s request to take it all away from him as long as he did not kill him, simply to test if Job’s joy was based on temporary pleasures and fleeting satisfaction or if he truly found his joy in honoring God. So who was right? I’ll let you read it to find out! But without spoiling the plot let me say that Job never lost his joy, though he may have lost emotional comforts, and his feelings never got the best of him. You see, joy is not based on how we feel. Job felt horrific, and he told everyone about it, but he never lost his contentment in God nor did he blame God. I think it came to a threshold however, so God had to do a little lecturing to Job. One of my favorite lines from our Creator is, “I created both you and the hippopatamus!” He reminded Job where joy comes from, and it comes from knowing our Creator. I’m not playing word games here, you can say the same for happiness as you can for joy- happiness should never be based on how we feel. Faith is more than smiling cause you feel like it, singing cause the Bible tells you so, or being kind because we should. Faith gives us an eternal satisfaction, a joy, a happiness of magnificent proportions because it is not based on ourselves, but on God! Only when we base our joy on how we feel, or what’s happening to us, or how the weather is outside, or our life’s comforts do we gamble away the gift of joy that is ours as those who have been brought into the Kingdom of Jesus. Often I think we forget to control our emotions instead of letting our emotions control us. Joy is a gift, it’s part of the salvation package: righteousness, peace, and joy. So this year will you remember that emotions are important, but they are not our guide, our source of reality, or our standard? Will you remember that though we may grumble, though we may have things to be upset or grieve about, and though we constantly stand on the edge of the unknown, we have JOY because God is looking out for us. Even if we lose it all, we never lose it all, because we never lose the love of God and our eternal place in His presence, nothing can compare.

And next time you see a grumpy follower of Jesus poke them in the side, give them a hug, remind them they are loved by the Prince of Peace, and put a smile back on their face if you can. In fact, I dare say that as ambassadors of His we should take joy, excessive happiness even, wherever we go and sprinkle as much as we can before we move on.

I can hear the laughter of heaven now as they sing praises to our God, let’s join in!

Richie

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV)

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May 13 2013

The 12 Disciples (Judas)

May 13, 2013

And now we come to Judas Iscariot, the accountant for Jesus’ ministry. Generation after generation remembers him as the traitor who betrayed Jesus, and he has come to represent turncoats and traitors throughout history. But we must remember, this man was one of the 12 who followed Jesus, preached the Gospel during the 3 years of the ministry of Jesus, and worked miracles in His name. We make this assumption based on Scriptures that tell us many times about Jesus sending out the 12 to preach and heal the sick and cast out demons – and Judas was one of them.

He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver that we assume was motivated by greed and disappointment. Others believe he was driven by politics. Either way, he was used both by God (and Satan though unintentionally) to accomplish the work of Calvary. He returned the silver after feeling deep remorse for his betrayal. But the guilt led him to suicide. After all this time with the Savior, I guess Judas didn’t realize mercy was there for him too. I believe Satan pursued him strongly and drove him to hang himself. Suicide at all, let alone by hanging, is a sad and desperate attempt to escape the pain and loneliness of life and punish yourself for your sins. It could also be an extravagant way to gain attention because one craves it so bad and feels they don’t get any. I had a friend named Becky who hung herself in her barn at the same time I was texting her to come to church with me. It reminds me that people all over the world experience the same or similar kind of torture from the enemy and we as Jesus’ disciples MUST befriend the lonely, show mercy, and share the Good News that salvation and redemption is for us all. Judas could have been redeemed, and what a testimony it would have been – the devil had to make sure that didn’t happen.

While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:47

Another good lesson from this disciple is that loyalty to Christ on the outside – appearances and talking the talk – mean nothing if the heart isn’t in the right place. Judas stole from the offerings to Jesus’ ministry and bulked when the prostitute washed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and ointment. He may have been giving lip service to Jesus when he followed and obeyed Him, but we don’t really know. Maybe Judas meant to be a loyal disciple, but he was weakened by sinful greeds that he couldn’t overcome. Either way, hypocrisy is an open door for the enemy to use us. It doesn’t mean we have to be perfect. We should acknowledge our sinfulness at all times, reminding us that we are saved by Jesus and now He is our righteousness. No sin or temptation is too great for Him to overcome in us.

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders…So Judas threw the money into the temple saying, “I have betrayed innocent blood,” and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 27:4-6

It’s never too late to come to God for forgiveness. Returning the silver and trying to plead to the authorities to let Christ go was honorable, but it fell short. What he needed to do was confess his sin and receive the unconditional love of God that was there for him, even him – the man who betrayed our Lord, the King of kings and Lamb of God.

A man named Mathias was chosen to become the 12th Apostle replacing Judas Iscariot. You know, you may think it strange, but my heart hurts for Judas. He must have been so conflicted, and then felt so much self-hatred and condemnation. These two prayers I pray: that I may be a faithful disciple and never be replaceable, and that my heart would break for the Judas’s of the world so I can share God’s love with them. After all, aren’t we all a Judas in some way?

Thank you Lord, for the forgiveness of sins.

- Richie

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” John 13:5-17

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May 11 2013

The 12 Disciples (Simon)

May 11, 2013

Simon, often known as Simon the Zealot or Simon the Canaanite, is only mentioned in the Bible when the names of the first 12 disciples/apostles are listed together.

Matthew 10:2-4, “These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”

Though so little is known of Simon we can in no way overlook him and consider him unimportant. There is much to learn from this mysterious man. After all, to be one of the 12 is a great honor and only Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus so we known Simon had to have been a faithful follower. According to history he became a missionary to Egypt and the larger surrounding area. He was martyred in Persia for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This isn’t in the Bible, but most historians believe the reason Simon is called the Zealot is because he was formerly part of the political organization at the time that was against the Romans and against paying taxes to the Roman Empire and Caesar. They were called the Zealot party and stood against tyranny. The fact that Jesus chose both Simon (an anti-tax, anti-Roman activist) and Matthew (a tax-collector employed by the Roman Empire) to be among his closest friends and to be apostles of the Church is incredibly inspiring. It shows me that Jesus doesn’t play politics and doesn’t call us based on our earthly loyalties. He doesn’t care if we’re Republican, Libertarian, Conservative, Environmentalist, Liberal, Socialist or Democrat. He doesn’t care if we’re from the United States, Great Britain, or Iran. He’s not about parties, platforms, campaigns, and slogans. Sure, I believe Jesus cares about us in this life and wants us to live with the freedom to worship Him without persecution from the government. I believe Jesus is strongly Pro-life and HATES abortion. I believe Jesus says that marriage is between a man and a woman. I believe Jesus wants us to care for the poor. But I don’t believe He came to die on a cross because of these issues. He came so we could be born again, into His likeness, and receive the salvation of God – the righteousness we needed in order to become one with God as we were created to be.

Those who know me, especially Facebook friends, know that I tend to be passionate regarding certain causes and elections in American politics. I’m also proud to have British and Italian heritage in my ancestry. I celebrate and participate and advocate. But I’m reminded by Thomas, that though I love America, I love Jesus more and my center, the foundation of who I am and what I stand for, must be to share the gospel of Jesus Christ which I have experienced myself in testimony of Him. AND my service to others must be unbiased as Christ’s love for all of us is also unbiased and without prejudice.

I must be honest. I am not as vocal as I once was. I don’t walk the city streets and alleys looking for people to share the Gospel with. I don’t ask the waiter if his faith is in Jesus and I don’t ask my coworker if she knows she is going to heaven. The Lord uses us each differently and some are more vocal than others. But I pray often that God would bring people across my path that I can share the Good News of Jesus with them through my words, my life, or simply the anointing that I ask to walk in. I am often vocal of my fight to keep America one nation under God that values individual liberty and Biblical morality. I am proud of my Christian American heritage and the leaders who founded my country. You may be proud of your national heritage and traditions wherever you live. But I purpose to be even more proud and vocal about the salvation Jesus died to give us all!

Some of us may be famous disciples someday like Peter and John. Some of us may go down in history with a stigma like Doubting Thomas or Judas the Betrayer. But others of us won’t go down in history at all. We’ll be remembered by close family and friends, but no books will be written about us. Yet, we’ll still be His disciples. We will be rejoicing in heaven with the angels and the ‘saints of old’ as we love on our Savior and the God of all universes.

History tells us Simon may have been a brother of Jesus and someone who wanted to bring down the Roman tyranny. Others believe the translation for ‘Zealot’ simply means Simon was zealous about the Law of Moses and obeying Jewish law. We are fairly sure he died a martyr while preaching in Africa. And we know Catholics revere him as Saint. But none of this really matters, does it? What matters is Jesus said to Simon, “Follow me” and at some point Simon said, “I will follow.”

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20

So no matter what your earthly passions are, no matter where your earthly citizenship and loyalties lie, no matter what cause or crusade you identify yourself with and support… let us each remember Jesus is all that matters in the end. If we belong to Him, we are citizens of the heavenly kingdom. Let’s not tear one another down as we shout from different sides of the aisle on any issue. Let’s share the Good News: JESUS SAVES!

- Richie

P.S. Just because we may disagree on an issue doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Just because I call something sin and you don’t doesn’t mean we are against one another. Just because I am a sinner doesn’t mean I’m not righteous in Christ. Jesus disagrees with our sin, but He still loves and accepts us just the way we are. Don’t let a political issue, a moral issue, or even a theological difference separate you from the man who died for you. Without Jesus the consequences of sin which is eternal separation from God – hell, whatever it looks like – are unbridled. But if we choose to follow Jesus the consequences are removed entirely and heaven - eternity as the immortals in the presence of God like we were first created to be - is ours. How silly it would be to think God doesn’t love you because you’re gay or because you were divorced or because you are into social justice. Regardless if we’re members of the NRA or PETA, or if we don’t even vote… Jesus wants us all!

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May 08 2013

The 12 Disciples (Thomas)

May 8, 2013

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29

You know him as Doubting Thomas, Jesus knew him as friend. He was one of the twelve disciples that Jesus called to Himself. Often, I find myself in the same shoes as Thomas. I find myself saying under my breath, “Lord if you would just… then I…” But look what Jesus did for him. Christ didn’t scold Thomas or call him a doubting fool. He had mercy and told him, ‘Here I am, do whatever you need to do to believe.’ The resurrected Jesus whom Thomas along with all the disciples except John deserted during the crucifixion stood before him and loved him.

Our blessed Rabbi calls us to come and follow Him with faith in Him which by grace brings salvation. Yet, our faith isn’t based on nothing. He gave us evidence including the Word, the Spirit, and the conscience within that hungers for union with our Creator. He says that even by looking at nature we should see the mystery of God and be inspired to come to Him. The world thinks we’re crazy for believing in Jesus as the Son of God and the only way of salvation. Many think we’re crazy for believing in God at all! But those doubters have been given the opportunity to ‘touch the wounds of Christ’ in order to believe (figuratively speaking). We have been given goodness and miracles of life that point to divine Intelligence. Yet Jesus said blessed are those who have not seen and still believe. What does that mean? I really believe it means that those who come to Jesus without asking for proof, who simply and humbly come in faith alone, which includes a vulnerability, risking all intelligence, logic, and self-worth, to place their trust in Him without asking to ‘see His wounds,’ these are blessed for their measure of faith is firm. This same concept can apply to any situation, not just salvation. When we pray, we ask in faith. When we worship, we sing in faith. When we serve, we serve in faith. We live by faith because we follow Jesus whom by faith we believe provides, heals, loves, and saves us.

But faith isn’t the only thing Thomas teaches me about. Another thing strongly stands out to me when I study this disciple.

In John 11 we read the story of Lazarus, Jesus’ friend who died. He must have been a good friend because Jesus wept over him. Jesus knew the sadness of those around, of friends and family. He is a compassionate Savior. But Jesus waited another two days before going to Judea to visit the tomb where the mourning was taking place. The disciples knew the Jews wanted to kill Jesus by this time and if He went to visit the tomb of Lazarus they might capture Him there. But look in verse 16 what Thomas says boldly and faithfully, “Come and let us go with Jesus, that we may die with Him.”

I’m not sure what Thomas was thinking. It almost sounds like he was giving up. ‘We can’t escape this. Lazarus was our friend and we must go. But the Jews will be ready to kill Jesus. Let’s all die together.’ But I don’t know if that is what Thomas was thinking. He may have been thinking, ‘The time has come and I will boldly die along side my Lord!’ Either way, the fact that Thomas voiced in leadership that they should all go and mourn though they may die shows me that though he was often trapped by his own logic and need for proof Thomas loved the Lord with all his heart. He was ready to die in that moment, not running from faith, but choosing to follow the Lord boldly. What a surprise when they go and instead of facing death, witness the resurrection of their friend for the glory of God!

When we studied Philip we read in John 14:3-10 that he asked Jesus to show them the Father that they may believe. In the verses before this Thomas asked a similar question.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

Thomas wasn’t alone in his search for answers. He learned that logic and proof weren’t the way to the Father. Jesus is the Way, the only way, and He is also the evidence of a loving God as we learn in John 3:16-18.

Thomas, a man with a twin, a man with doubts and hang-ups, a man who preached the Gospel of Christ all the way to India and died a martyr, a man who literally touched the holes of the Son of God after His resurrection, is a man who answered the Call.

Jesus loves us and has called us to be His followers. I will follow. I will lay aside all logic, doubt, questions, and fears and I will answer His Call. Who could resist?!

- Richie

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May 06 2013

The 12 Disciples (Matthew)

May 6, 2013

Did you know Luke and Mark who wrote their gospels of Jesus were not among the first 12 disciples? Just a cool reminder that even outside the circle of the 12 many became passionate, faithful disciples of our Messiah, witnessed Him, and testified of His divine Sonship. I am one. Are you?

We’ve studied Peter, Andrew, James & John, Philip, Bartholomew, James son of Alphaeus, and Jude so far. Let’s talk about Matthew, the tax collector turned Jesus fanatic who helped turned the world upside down by spreading the good news of Jesus.

Matthew, also known as Levi, was a greedy, corrupt tax collector in Capernaum, but Jesus came and changed his life forever. From what we know, Matthew (Mathias) never looked back.

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:9-13

WOOH! What a great scene. I’m sorry but it excites me every time I read it. The story reminds me that Jesus loves ragamuffins like me – scalawags, sinners, tax collectors, whores, drunkards, outcasts, misfits (whatever you want to call us). A sinner like Matthew became a disciple of Jesus Christ who had dinner at his house and chose him to write the enduring book of Matthew to account for Jesus’ life and the salvation He brings. And what a party it must have been during this dinner!

One of the key elements of this passage to me is when Jesus says, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. Figure out what this means.’ I’ve written about this sentence before using the Old Testament reference. But again I just want to emphasize this reminder. Jesus gives mercy to sinners who admit they need Him. He doesn’t measure them up by sacrifice, He measures them up by how much MERCY they confess to need. AND HE GIVES THEM MERCY WITHOUT END. So when you’re measuring yourself up by how much work you are doing for the Kingdom, your busy lifestyle, how much money you give, what sacrifices you make for Him… try to recollect that Jesus isn’t impressed. He wants you. And yes, we should obey and do what we need to, but it doesn’t impress Him. Simply being His is what He wants from us. Resting in Him is where we find the same kind of mercy that Matthew and these other dinner guests found. Jesus isn’t judging you. He’s accepting you and He wants to be your dinner guest.

Matthew witnessed many miracles during the life of Jesus, including the Resurrection. He was also present with Peter and the others in the Upper Room where they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Another thing to remember about Matt, is that Jews hated tax collectors. Although he was reformed, I guarantee the Jews often questioned why he was preaching to them and I’m sure they thought it was scandalous that Jesus would choose such a sinner to be a faithful follower. But it just goes to show that it doesn’t matter who we are, what matters is that we follow Him and are filled with His Spirit – if we do this, we will be used to change the world.

Historians believe Matthew was martyred though we don’t have a good account of how or when it happened. Either way, Matthew is another one of my favorites. And I hope you’ll remember along with me that Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

- Richie

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May 04 2013

The 12 Disciples (Jude)

May 4, 2013

Jude, originally known as Thaedus but also known as Judas, was another of the first 12 disciples of Jesus and vital to the growing of the Body of Christ. He was called to be an Apostle of the Church, appointed by Jesus to carry on the ministry of the Kingdom of God as a missionary. He is the author of the Book of Jude in the Bible which is a short epistle in which Jude warns believers to avoid false teachers who twist the gospel for their own purposes, and he calls us to staunchly defend the Christian faith during persecution.

Jude might have been a brother or son of James, son of Alphaeus. According to history, he was martyred with an ax along with Simon the Zealot, another of the 12 disciples. They ministered together mostly in what is now known as Syria.

There’s a lot to learn from Jude in his short epistle. But I want to focus on something a little different for a moment. I love my Catholic brothers and sisters, but praying to so-called ‘Saints’ instead of directly to our Father in the name of Jesus is blasphemous. I don’t say that to offend you, I say that to warn you. We direct our prayers to God the Father, not to any man or woman including any saint or Mary, the mother of Jesus. Whether we are Catholic or Protestant, if we have made Jesus our Lord and turn to Him as Savior, we are one Body, the Church. I know that Catholicism usually calls Jude the Saint of lost causes. Jesus is Savior to all who believe and Jude was simply one of those who believed and was called to be one of the first disciples among us. We must not pray to or worship anyone but the one true God to whom we have access through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Now, in verses 17-19 Jude tells us, “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”

I don’t know you about you, but this scripture really applies to where I live! I think especially in America right now, but as well as the rest of the world, people are turning from scripture and turning toward self-fulfillment: whatever makes you happy, whatever you ‘feel’ is right for you, be whoever you are, and don’t worry about what others say is right and wrong. We hear these things all the time in our culture and throughout our media. And sure enough, these people are dividing us. Look at the issue of homosexuality and gay marriage… that’s a great example of people turning away from what God says is right and causing division among Believers, saying things like, “Oh but Jesus told you to love everyone. We have the right to love the same gender.” Church, we must stand in oneness with one another and the Lord, not in unity which is conformity, but in oneness. We must not be divided on what the Spirit teaches us through the Word. Already, there are hundreds of denominations and variations of Christianity, but there are also issues like homosexuality that divide us politically and often divide us spiritually. Even if we believe differently, we can stand as one declaring Jesus as Lord and the only way of salvation – that is what matters above all.

“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 1:22-23

What a great exhortation… be merciful. Don’t sit by and watch as others live separated from their Creator and then spend eternity in hell. Have compassion. Hate the sinful nature, but love every person. Preach against the sin that is offensive to God, but love the person. Show them that Jesus is the Savior and He can be their righteousness! Show them the joy of salvation.

Below I will post the entire chapter because it’s worth reading right now while you read this post. But one more thing I’d like to highlight is the doxology in verse 24. “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy!” To Him who is able to keep us from stumbling and present us without fault… yes, what an amazing, fulfilling joy! All glory to Jesus Christ who presents us blameless because we have trusted in Him!!

- Richie

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,

To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude)

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May 01 2013

The 12 Disciples (James, son of Alphaeus)

May 1, 2013

We have reviewed James the son of Zebedee and brother of John, but there’s another James among the first 12 disciples of Jesus- James the son of Alphaeus. Another James, the brother of Jesus wrote the Book of James in Scripture.

James, son of Alphaeus, also known as James the less because of how little is written of him is listed in every account of the twelve disciples in the Bible.

“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelvethat they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter),James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” Mark 3:13-19

According to history James preached all the way to southern Egypt and there was crucified because he would not deny Jesus as the Messiah. You might expect me to write about humility and how being one of the 12 and yet so little known would show us that Jesus accepts us all, no matter our personalities, and no matter how little or how much recognition we receive on earth. And that’s a good message. James, the brother of Jesus, said that if we humble ourselves then God will lift us up in due time and that if we draw near to Him then He will draw near to us. It’s true, humility is a wonderful characteristic that is very Christ-like and holy. But I’m not being led in the direction to write about humility.

I want to write about discipleship. James, son of Alphaeus, reminds me that following Jesus is about being a disciple, not about praise and glamor. It’s not a matter of how many you preach to or how much money you give to the poor. Being a disciple of Jesus is about the heart. Have you given your heart to Jesus? In other words, have you not just declared Him as Lord, but have you also given yourself to Him? You see, discipleship is teaching, training, and maturing someone as a pupil, an epigone, and a friend even. Jesus discipled these 12 men by being their friend, teaching them, and living life as an example to them. Even though the life of James and his ministry is obscure, we know Jesus chose him and he followed. He was a friend of Jesus, a testimony and a student.

Am I a friend of Jesus? Yes. I am a friend of His even when I don’t ‘feel’ like it. I am a disciple of Jesus because I have made Him Lord over me. I belong to Him. I am His student and His adopted brother.

I could absolutely do more as one of His disciples to learn and mature in His likeness… and I aim to. I can study the Word of God more. I can worship more and I can share the Gospel more. I can learn more from Christian mentors and Christian friends who teach me about Jesus and the character of God. But doing more doesn’t make me a greater disciple. The sign of sincerity and maturity is surrender, not work. I must fully surrender every night to the glory of God as a friend of Jesus, my Savior.

“Whether you realize it or not, you have a sphere of influence that you impact on a regular basis. Rise up & be the influence they need.” Andrew Wommack

As well, I think about how important it is to disciple others, that’s the whole point of Matthew 18:19-20 where Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” I don’t want disciples of my own, but I need to have friends and people close to me that I can teach whether with words or through my living. I must point them to Jesus and help them mature as His disciples, to show them how to ‘crucify’ the flesh (deny our sinful wants) and obey the Spirit (who is our Teacher.) No matter who you are, you also have the calling and ability to disciple others for the glory of our Jesus.

‘Lord, I don’t ask that you make me a greater or even a better disciple. I’m just so glad I am yours. If it be your will, send me others who I can minister to by being an example to them and helping them mature in you. In all I do, I pray you are glorified. You are my friend, my Savior, and my Lord; my life, along with my heart, belongs to you.”

- Richie

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Apr 29 2013

The 12 Disciples (Bartholomew)

April 29, 2013

The disciple I am studying today is named Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew. He experienced an interesting first encounter with Jesus. When another disciple, Philip, asked him to come and meet Jesus, Nathanael was skeptical, but he followed along anyway. As Philip introduced him to Jesus, the Lord declared, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” Immediately Nathanael wanted to know, “How do you know me?” Jesus responded, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Shocked and surprised Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” This is when he made the decision to become a loyal follower of Christ. He put aside his prejudice against Nazarenes and declared Jesus as Lord! Read the whole story here:

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that. ”He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1:43-51

WOW! What a great introduction! Nathanael wasn’t just skeptical at first. He was also prejudice. Yet Jesus saw Him under a tree so far away that it was impossible for any normal human eyes to see. Plus, Jesus declared that Nathanael had no deceit in him. ‘Lord, find no deceit in me! You’ve washed me clean!’

Something else that stands out in this encounter is Jesus’ words about the angels of God. He must of known Nathanael would remain a faithful follower in order to predict the experience of seeing angels. When Jesus calls you, it’s a big deal. I want him to find me faithful and without deceit and declare to me that greater things will I see. But wait… He does find me faithful! He has removed all deceit through His own righteousness in me! And He has promised I would see greater things! Look it up if you don’t believe me.

“And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:9

There’s not much else in the Bible about Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, except that he witnessed the resurrected Jesus on the Sea of Galilee and also the Ascension of Jesus after His resurrection. We know only one disciple betrayed Jesus and left Him, and that was not Nathanael. He served the Lord and preached the Gospel for many years until he was martyred for his ministry. He had been witnessing to the king of Armenia according to history and the king declared Jesus as Lord. This outraged the king’s brother who either beheaded Nathanael or flayed and crucified him upside down.

I hope I won’t care if people write much about me when I’m gone. I pray that I care more about what I do with my life now as ministry to others and that I also preach the Gospel of Jesus, the only way of salvation.

- Richie

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Apr 27 2013

The 12 Disciples (Philip)

April 27, 2013

Luke 6:13-16, “When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Philip was a Galilean from Bethsaida. He received a personal call from the Lord: “The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 1:43) Philip might not get as much attention as some of the other disciples and perhaps you’ve never even heard of him, but he was a faithful follower and a great evangelist. Not longer after choosing to follow Jesus, Philip found Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45)

Philip didn’t write any books in the Bible, but I do learn a lot from him as we study each of the first twelve disciples of Jesus!

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” John 6:5-7

Jesus loves you, but that doesn’t mean He cannot test you. He tested Philip when they were confronted with what could have been a serious situation. Philip depended on his own realistic perspective, his own wisdom and logic, instead of responding to the ‘problem’ with faith and having a ‘miracle’ perspective. I often find myself in similar situations, facing decisions or sickness or financial difficulty and responding with realistic wisdom instead of faith in Jesus- but I’m growing.

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. ”Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 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. John 14:8-12

Again, Philip starts to depend on his own wisdom to understand the Father. How simple would it be if we could only see God? But Jesus tells Philip to trust Him, to let go of his need to see and understand. Jesus calls us all to understand by faith with our hearts even when our minds don’t comprehend.

In those verses Jesus also makes an alarming announcement: “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater…” This applies to all His disciples, not just the first 12. It means we should being doing the work of the Father now through the power of the Holy Spirit. Miracles should follow us. These miracles should include healings, provision, prophecy, deliverance, bringing others into the Kingdom… and who knows, maybe God wants you to walk on water or turn it into wine! Are we listening? Or are we limiting ourselves because we know ourselves and limiting ourselves to human wisdom? Instead, we should know the Father, be dependent on the indwelling Christ and live and move in His power accomplishing His will and manifesting His Kingdom! These miracles will often come about by us simply being obedient and using our gifts for His glory.

We don’t know exactly how Philip died in the end, but we know he was martyred for his faith, ministry, and testimony in Jesus. Some historians believe he was beheaded. Others believe he was being crucified upside down with Bartholomew when his preaching turned the crowd and they decided to let them go. Philip, still hanging on an upside down cross, decided to stay for the glory of Christ. Either way, Phil died a man who loved His Lord. That’s exactly how I want to die.

- Richie

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Apr 24 2013

The 12 Disciples (John)

April 24, 2013

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-22)

IMMEDIATELY, THEY LEFT. Oh, to be as quick to obedience as these fine gentlemen! John, the brother of James and son of Zebedee, was a Hebrew fisherman and another of the 12 men who left it all to follow the Messiah. He’s known as John of Patmos, the Beloved Disciple, John the Apostle, John the Revelator, and John the Evangelist. According to history he outlived all the other disciples and was the only one who died of old age instead of martyrdom, excluding Judas Iscariot who died by suicide.

John is one of the frequent writers of the New Testament authoring The Gospel of John, three Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. He wrote what is perhaps the most famous Bible verse of all time: John 3:16. John and his brother James were cousins to Jesus. It was a different John, John the Baptist, who leaped in his mother’s belly when Jesus leaped in Mary’s belly upon meeting. But John the Beloved was Jesus’ best friend in many ways. He was with Peter and James when they saw Jesus resurrecting Jarius’ daughter, the Transfiguration, and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He and Peter ran to the empty tomb upon Mary’s exclamation that it was empty.

So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20:2)

Often Jesus referred to James and John as ‘Sons of Thunder,’ probably because of their intense passion. John was a disciple of John the Baptist and rushed home to tell James about Jesus because he witnessed the baptism of Christ. Soon after, they both became disciples of Jesus. I think if I had a favorite disciple it would be John. I want to be like him in some ways not just because he was the one who rested his head on Jesus’ chest at the Passover, but because of his steadfast love. John not only loved Jesus dearly, but took care of Mary on Jesus’ behalf after the Crucifixion. John also loved the Church, the Body of Christ. He had a passion for bringing people together to love one another and care for one another as worship to our Savior and obedience to God our Father. He along with Peter in particular were pillars of the Church according to the Apostle Paul and were miracle-workers for the glory of Christ.

John outlived his brother James by nearly 50 years, but he didn’t escape persecution. John was often pursued, imprisoned, and abused. The authorities attempted to murder him a few times including throwing him in a pot of boiling oil. He was even exiled for his faith to the island of Patmos where Jesus visited him and John experienced the revelations recorded in the last book of the Bible.

The older John got the more he seemed to value God as Love and the importance of loving others as Jesus loves us. It really is perhaps his most enduring legacy, even more than the miracle healings and the miraculous escapes from death. In 1 John 4:8 he wrote, “Whoever does not love others, does not love God because God is love.” 1 John is one of my favorite books of the Bible; I learn from this disciple so many things. But more than anything he forces me to recognize God as True Love, not just the inventor of it, and John directs me to be like Jesus – loving and serving others more than myself. It starts at home, in my private life. It can be easy to prefer others on a website or at work or even in public, and especially in ministry. But the true proof of a love like Jesus starts with those closest to me.

Forgive me, Kathy Rose, when I’m not loving as I should and want to be.

Jesus, thank you for loving me and continuing to make me into your image. I am not John the Beloved, but I am one of your beloved disciples. Like John, you saved me by grace through faith and made me a saint through your own righteousness.

- Richie

1 John 2:1-11

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for Godis truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

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