This past Sunday I shared with our congregation the marks of the mission. Things that should be evident in a believer's life if they are growing in Christ. These are marks we are laying out for our people, but they are probably good marks for any Christ follower.
Here they are:
1. A growing desire to be with Jesus.
2. A growing desire to honor Him with my words, actions, thoughts, and attitudes
3. A growing desire to meet others needs.
4. A growing desire to bring others to Him.
Could you examine your life and use these as marks to see where you are in your walk? Many times as believers we live our lives with no way to know whether we are going in the right direction or not. Let me hear from you about the effectiveness of these and any ideas you might have for more.
Brad

Saw this video this morning and it resonated in my heart. Thought I would share it with you.
Brad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGMG_PVaJoI

If you read about Jesus' life, you see time and time again where He hammered the most religious people of His day. In Luke 14, Jesus heals a man of a certain disease on the Sabbath. According to their rules, healing on the Sabbath was work, and work was against the rules, and so healing was against the rules. Jesus made the statement that if they had a son or ox fall into a well they were not going to leave him in there would they? Of course you would immediately pull them out. How dumb would it be to not have healed this man of his disease just because it was on the Sabbath. The leaders had become so rule bound, they could not do what was right! Their rules and religion had replaced a relationship with God.
I'm reading a book called The Present Future. In the book the author says, "the North American church is not spiritual enough to reach our culture." He goes on to talk about having a missional spirituality, which requires that God's people be captured by His heart for people, that our hearts be broken for what breaks His, that we rejoice in what brings Him joy.
How many of us "church folk", of which I am one, know truly what those things are?
Erwin Mcmanus tells of a breakthrough moment in His ministry where for a period of time he began to pray for God to allow him to see people the way God sees them. He goes on to say that as he prayed this prayer, he began to weep for people he would see on the street and in other places. God was giving him a picture of how He feels about the hurting and the disconnected. Will we ask God to turn our hearts in such a way that we will share His thoughts, feelings and desires?
Brad

In Luke 13:18-21 Jesus gives two parables about what the kingdom of God is like. If you read the Gospels, you know Jesus' mission is to usher in the kingdom of God here on this earth. He calls people to Himself and into the kingdom. If we know Him, we are a part of the kingdom of God and ambassadors in His kingdom.
Jesus' parable in this verse speaks about the kingdom being like a mustard seed that is planted and grows into a big tree. He also speaks of it as leaven that a woman needs into the flour. In both, Jesus is representing the expanding nature of the kingdom. The tiny seed expanded into the great tree. The leaven worked its way throughout the entire dough and causes it to rise. The natural tendency of the kingdom of God is to expand through God's work done through His servants.
How are you being used now to be a conduit for the expansion of the kingdom? Are we representing Christ and the kingdom in a way that it will expand or by not giving it much thought, are we hindering the kingdom's growth?
As I think about these questions for me I think about how difficult and messy life can be. People are hurting and hardened and hungry for genuineness. We are very good with Christian quips and phrases and cheap words that we think will allow us to be a witness, but we never get into the fray where people are hurting and lost and needy and dying. Jesus lived with the people hurting the most. He walked among those in the muck and the mire of life and He offered them new life, He offered them he kingdom. Are we willing to go beyond the cute and pithy sayings, the email chains, and the cute bumper stickers to offer the Kingdom to those who need it most? How could you be used to expand the kingdom?
To be used to expand it, you must be living in the kingdom daily. When I'm not experiencing the kingdom, its hard to lead someone to follow
Brad

I finished last post by encouraging us to think about His lovingkindness in our own life. He has shown it to me in many ways throughout my life. He allowed me to be saved at an early age as a part of a godly family. He called me into the ministry. He has given me a beautiful, awesome wife to share life with and three great children to love and care for. He has given me great friendships wherever I have been - growing up, at school in Atlanta, at seminary in Ft. Worth, my first ministry position in West Monroe, La., and now back in Macon. He has allowed me to see Him move in powerful ways at different points in my life, that some never get the opportunity to see. I could go on and on.
I read today that to whom much has been given, much is required. I have been given much, and it drives me to be faithful to Him. In I Timothy 6:20 Paul exhorted Timothy to "guard what has been entrusted to you." He has entrusted me with the Good News and entrusted me with the task of taking it to the world. His lovingkindness drives me onward. I hate when I fail Him. I only want to praise Him with my life and work.
God Bless You
Brad

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of Lords, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. To Him who alone does great wonders, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. To Him who made the heavens with skill, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. To Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. To Him who made the great lights, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. The sun to rule by day, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. The moon and stars to rule by night, for His lovingkindness is everlasting."
Aren't you thankful that His lovingkindness towards us is everlasting? Read the rest of Psalm 136 and be reminded even more of His provision for us. Then, think about the ways He has demonstrated His lovingkindness to you and anticipate the day when we will experience it in all its fullness. Awesome!
Have a great day!
Brad

Psalm 130 has spoken to my heart in a powerful way over the last few days. The Psalmist is calling out from a pit of despair. Can anyone relate to that today? He is understanding his own sinfulness. In verse 3 he says, "If you Lord should mark our iniquities, who could stand?" The answer he assumes is No one. No one could stand if God was to hold our iniquities against us. But God is a forgiving God, he says in verse 4. So he waits and waits expectantly for His God. Verse 7 wraps it up magnificently - "O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption." Abundant redemption, what a great two words. If not for His lovingkindness, who could stand? Without abundant redemption, we all would be hopeless.
Since this is true, as one who continually experiences His abundant redemption, how can I walk with any pride or arrogance in my heart? Knowing my state, shouldn't I walk in humility towards others who struggle and offer God's lovingkindness to them.
Lord, thank you for your undeserved redemption. Help me to share with others how they can experience it also.
Brad