A new week has begun and I am glad to be home from North Carolina safely. I hope each of you is doing great in your fast. Remember, the most important thing is giving the Lord opportunity to speak to you by spending more time in the Word and more time in prayer. As we focus our hearts solely on Him, He will work in our lives and in our church powerfully.
Iv'e been thinking about the passage in Acts 2 today where it describes the new believers after the 3000 had been added to the Kingdom. In verses 42-47 it describes the new believer's lives and how they interacted with one another. It was a whole new way of life for the new converts, all of their priorities changed and they became a life transformed, transformational community.
It all begins with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to change their life. As they were ushered into the Kingdom, you see the difference that came about in their lifestyle - devoted to teaching, daily met, gave as anyone had need, gladness, simplicity of hearts - there was a depth of relationship there only God could bring that many times is missing from church today. The Greek word for this type of fellowship among believers is koininia. It is a group of believers sharing the life of Christ with one another on a deep and abiding level.
I want you to notice one other thing, however. Their koininia was turned outward. The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved. They were outwardly focused, desiring everyone to get in on what God was doing.
Many times as believers we like the idea of koininia, but we want it with just our friends and we attempt to build great relationships and tight bonds. If the outward element is missing, however, we will never get there.
Contributors
- bradmarchman
- I am the husband of a wonderful wife Casey and the father of three beautiful children, Brady, Griffin, and Mary Beth. I am the pastor of Lawrence Drive Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia and I hope this blog can provide some joy and encouragement for you.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Day #9
A new week has begun and I am glad to be home from North Carolina safely. I hope each of you is doing great in your fast. Remember, the most important thing is giving the Lord opportunity to speak to you by spending more time in the Word and more time in prayer. As we focus our hearts solely on Him, He will work in our lives and in our church powerfully.
Iv'e been thinking about the passage in Acts 2 today where it describes the new believers after the 3000 had been added to the Kingdom. In verses 42-47 it describes the new believer's lives and how they interacted with one another. It was a whole new way of life for the new converts, all of their priorities changed and they became a life transformed, transformational community.
It all begins with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to change their life. As they were ushered into the Kingdom, you see the difference that came about in their lifestyle - devoted to teaching, daily met, gave as anyone had need, gladness, simplicity of hearts - there was a depth of relationship there only God could bring that many times is missing from church today. The Greek word for this type of fellowship among believers is koininia. It is a group of believers sharing the life of Christ with one another on a deep and abiding level.
I want you to notice one other thing, however. Their koininia was turned outward. The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved. They were outwardly focused, desiring everyone to get in on what God was doing.
Many times as believers we like the idea of koininia, but we want it with just our friends and we attempt to build great relationships and tight bonds. If the outward element is missing, however, we will never get there.
Iv'e been thinking about the passage in Acts 2 today where it describes the new believers after the 3000 had been added to the Kingdom. In verses 42-47 it describes the new believer's lives and how they interacted with one another. It was a whole new way of life for the new converts, all of their priorities changed and they became a life transformed, transformational community.
It all begins with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to change their life. As they were ushered into the Kingdom, you see the difference that came about in their lifestyle - devoted to teaching, daily met, gave as anyone had need, gladness, simplicity of hearts - there was a depth of relationship there only God could bring that many times is missing from church today. The Greek word for this type of fellowship among believers is koininia. It is a group of believers sharing the life of Christ with one another on a deep and abiding level.
I want you to notice one other thing, however. Their koininia was turned outward. The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved. They were outwardly focused, desiring everyone to get in on what God was doing.
Many times as believers we like the idea of koininia, but we want it with just our friends and we attempt to build great relationships and tight bonds. If the outward element is missing, however, we will never get there.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Day #6
Well, we have almost made it a week. I am excited about the Lord's work and want to encourage all of you, at whatever level you are fasting to be strong! I am currently in North Carolina at school for the weekend. It seems to be a little more difficult away from home to stick with the fast, but I find the more I focus on the Lord, the less I think about food. I am so blessed to be His child. I want to draw nearer to Him day by day. I don't want to waste a day where I was not moving closer to my Lord and Savior.
I was reading in Matthew 7 again today and I was struck with how strongly Jesus deals with religiosity in this passage. If you remember, religiosity is one of the strongholds we are praying against over these 21 Days. Its the idea of having some form of religion, but having no living relationship with Jesus Christ. It's trusting in my works to save me or my church attendance record or my good moral upbringing. Religiosity leads to legalism which leads to ostracizing those not like you which leads to hate and hostility.
Religious people many times have logs in their eyes. I believe that log is their high view of their own works, their religion, their pride. They are experts on pointing out specks in the eyes of others. They love to put others down for their shortcomings. Their blinded by their log of pride to the reality of their situation.
The cure for religiosity is humbled brokenness before the Father. Seeking Him wholeheartedly and not trusting in anything we have done or think we can do to obtain His favor. We must lay ourselves out before Him so that He can save us and transform us.
Brad
I was reading in Matthew 7 again today and I was struck with how strongly Jesus deals with religiosity in this passage. If you remember, religiosity is one of the strongholds we are praying against over these 21 Days. Its the idea of having some form of religion, but having no living relationship with Jesus Christ. It's trusting in my works to save me or my church attendance record or my good moral upbringing. Religiosity leads to legalism which leads to ostracizing those not like you which leads to hate and hostility.
Religious people many times have logs in their eyes. I believe that log is their high view of their own works, their religion, their pride. They are experts on pointing out specks in the eyes of others. They love to put others down for their shortcomings. Their blinded by their log of pride to the reality of their situation.
The cure for religiosity is humbled brokenness before the Father. Seeking Him wholeheartedly and not trusting in anything we have done or think we can do to obtain His favor. We must lay ourselves out before Him so that He can save us and transform us.
Brad
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Day 4
Good morning all. It is day #4 of our 21 day fast and by far the best I have felt. I hope all is going well for each one of you that are participating in the fast. I am glad to beback blogging and excited about what God will bring through this time with Him. I am praying that God will hone our hearts to such a degree that we will be able to hear the Spirit working clearly and precisely. That through this fast, God will cut out all of the noisy worldly distractions so we are free to hear Him.
Over the past two days the Lord has been bringing the passage in Luke 9 to my attention. In that passage (verses 57-62) Jesus has some strong words about following Him. If you are going to follow Him, you must cut away from worldly things. As I struggled with caffeine headaches over these couple of days, the Lord was showing me that when something is entrenched it is hard to get removed. Spiritually speaking, when ideas and thoughts and worldly things get entrenched in our mind and heart and lifestyle they are not easily taken out. It takes complete abandonment to Him.
Throughout this process of prayer and fasting, I would encourage you to make abandonment to Him your ultimate goal. Ask Him to show you thoughts, attitudes, actions, and beliefs that are not truly from Him and allow the Holy Spirit to change your mindset and how you view this life to bring it into conformity with His.
If we are not willing to get to a place of abandonment and let go of notions that are not from Him, we will never experience Him in power.
Please post and share with me how things are going for you or email me and let me know how I can pray. The Lord is already working and I am looking forward to more as we move forward.
God Bless You.
Brad
Over the past two days the Lord has been bringing the passage in Luke 9 to my attention. In that passage (verses 57-62) Jesus has some strong words about following Him. If you are going to follow Him, you must cut away from worldly things. As I struggled with caffeine headaches over these couple of days, the Lord was showing me that when something is entrenched it is hard to get removed. Spiritually speaking, when ideas and thoughts and worldly things get entrenched in our mind and heart and lifestyle they are not easily taken out. It takes complete abandonment to Him.
Throughout this process of prayer and fasting, I would encourage you to make abandonment to Him your ultimate goal. Ask Him to show you thoughts, attitudes, actions, and beliefs that are not truly from Him and allow the Holy Spirit to change your mindset and how you view this life to bring it into conformity with His.
If we are not willing to get to a place of abandonment and let go of notions that are not from Him, we will never experience Him in power.
Please post and share with me how things are going for you or email me and let me know how I can pray. The Lord is already working and I am looking forward to more as we move forward.
God Bless You.
Brad
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
I apologize for being a day late and a dollar short with the blog.
Monday - John 13:12-17, Jude 1-7; Job 21:1-21; Daniel 7-8
Tuesday - John 13:18-30; Jude 8-16; Job 21:22-34; Daniel 9
Wednesday - John 13:31-38; Jude 17-25; Job 22; Daniel 10-12
Thursday - Sunday is for catch up or review or more reflection on the passages already read. Have a great week.
Brad
Monday - John 13:12-17, Jude 1-7; Job 21:1-21; Daniel 7-8
Tuesday - John 13:18-30; Jude 8-16; Job 21:22-34; Daniel 9
Wednesday - John 13:31-38; Jude 17-25; Job 22; Daniel 10-12
Thursday - Sunday is for catch up or review or more reflection on the passages already read. Have a great week.
Brad
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Happy Wednesday! Almost one week to Thanksgiving Day. I hope you are thankful for the blessings you have received.
I hope the Lord is speaking to you through His Word. What is He saying to you? I would love for you to share with me how the Lord has been working.
As I was reading in John this week, I was reading about Mary and Martha talking to Jesus after Lazarus had died. In John 11:38 - 40, Martha is telling Jesus that it is hopeless. They can't move the stone because Lazarus already stinks.(v 39) It is amazing Jesus' response. "Didn't I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"
What a powerful thought that in the face of difficult times, God is getting ready to reveal His glory. I believe, I am trusting Him to move in the midst of difficult situations to show His glory. Are you believing? Are you ready to see the glory of God in your life? I hope that is your great desire.
Random thought of the day: It doesn't matter so much who you are when everyone is around if you don't live well when no one is.
I hope the Lord is speaking to you through His Word. What is He saying to you? I would love for you to share with me how the Lord has been working.
As I was reading in John this week, I was reading about Mary and Martha talking to Jesus after Lazarus had died. In John 11:38 - 40, Martha is telling Jesus that it is hopeless. They can't move the stone because Lazarus already stinks.(v 39) It is amazing Jesus' response. "Didn't I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"
What a powerful thought that in the face of difficult times, God is getting ready to reveal His glory. I believe, I am trusting Him to move in the midst of difficult situations to show His glory. Are you believing? Are you ready to see the glory of God in your life? I hope that is your great desire.
Random thought of the day: It doesn't matter so much who you are when everyone is around if you don't live well when no one is.
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