Add to your faith

Romans 12:3 lets us know that each one of us has been given a measure of faith. 2 Peter 1:5 instructs us to add to our faith and then lists seven things we should add to our faith.

So, what are you doing with your faith?

Christ wants to abide in us, but we must abide in Him. The miracle of the incarnation is not just a nugget of truth to rejoice in. We must also allow Christ to live in us and through us.

So, let me ask again, what are adding to your faith?

Here's what we are supposed to do with our faith, according to 2 Peter 1:5-7...

1) Virtue

Virtue means, "moral excellence." Are you allowing the Holy Spirit in you to make you more like Himself? Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit?

The moral fabric of our society is unraveling before our eyes. We need more Christians who will add virtue to their faith, standing up and standing out and being morally pure and excellent!

2) Knowledge

Knowledge means, "knowing; (the act)." The world thinks that knowledge is power, but the truth is that applied knowledge is power. Are you acting on the knowledge you are adding to your life?

The Bible is replete with the principle of hearing and doing the Word of God. You can't truly "do" until you've "heard" but don't just be a "hearer" only. ACT upon the knowledge you add to your faith and virtue!

3) Temperance

Temperance means, "self-control." Isn't it interesting how close the following words are: disciple and discipline?

Living a self-controlled life is possible through Christ. Remember, you can do all things through Him - He gives you the strength to overcome!

4) Patience

Patience means, "endurance." I'm glad you can dance, but can you walk? Can you endure when others give up? Can you persevere in spite of problems?

Add some endurance to your faith and proclaim to God, "I will never leave You or forsake You." We love that God will endure with us, but will we endure with Him?

5) Godliness

Godliness means, "holiness." God declares, "Be holy for I am holy!" Holiness is possible in this Christian walk, but notice, it's something you must add!

Holiness begins in the heart, but also shows up on the outside - how you speak, how you dress, where you go, what you do, etc. Are you adding holiness to your faith?

6) Brotherly kindness

Brotherly kindness means, "fraternal affection." Do you love your brother and sister in Christ? Do you love those who are of like precious faith?

Sometimes loving others is difficult, especially if they've hurt us. But just as Christ loved us, we are to love others. Remember, Jesus loved even Judas who would later betray Him.

7) Love

The word love here is translated from the Greek word AGAPE which means "unconditional love." By His strength, you can add unconditional love to your faith. The question is, are you?

Here's something that's really cool - if you add to all these things to your faith, you will continue to grow and be more effective in God's kingdom. But those who fail to add to their faith are blinded and have forgotten where God brought them from!

None of us want to fall, and the 2 Peter 1:11 explains that if we diligently add to our faith and continue striving, we will never fall! WOW! What a promise!

So, let me ask one more time, what are you adding to your faith?

I can't add these things for you.

Your parents can't add them for you.

Your sibling can't add them for you.

Your spouse can't add them for you.

You have to take the initiative to add these things for yourself!

Dig into God's word. Study it. Live it. Believe it. Apply it. Pray it. Speak it. Share it.

Take an inventory today of your spiritual man - what do you need to add? What area of your spiritual life requires some diligence today?

Church is What you Make it

Maybe you've heard phrases like, "Life is what you make of it." This statement implies that a person can make the best of even bad situations or chaotic circumstances. Certainly, there are plenty of real life stories of people who have gone from "rags to riches" to accomplish great things in history. There are people who made the decision not to allow their handicap or demographic or other barriers to hold them back. In that same spirit, I want to challenge you that church is what you make it.

Jesus goes into the temple and finds that it's purpose has been perverted. He begins to turn over the money-changer's tables, and makes a whip beating these charlatans out of the temple. He declares that His house should be called a house of prayer, but they had made it a den of thieves. What sticks out to me from this passage is the phrase, "you have made it", which is where I draw my conclusion that church is what you make it.

So, what can you do to "make" church better? Or do you wait for someone else to pull the weight?

What do you put in to the celebration? Or do you hope someone else will do all the worship?

Is your giving chintzy or sacrificial?

These questions demand an honest answer. Why? Because some Christians can make claims that church is boring and that they are unfulfilled. But these same Christians are not doing anything to make a difference themselves.

The story is told of a dad and his son. They had made an old shoe box into their "fishing fund" and would add money periodically to the "bank in a box." One day, they decided to go fishing and dad opened the box but became frustrated that there wasn't more money inside. The son wisely stated, "If you had put more in, you would have got more out."

So, let me ask again, what are you doing to "make" church better?

Are you a thermometer that only records the temperature?

Or are you a thermostat that changes the temperature?

Church is what you make it. Put more time, talent, and treasure into the church. Be the first in the prayer room. Give liberally and sacrificially in the offering. Be the first to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Live for God daily - 24/7/365. Invite friends to join you at church. Shout "AMEN!" when the preacher delivers the word of God.

There are three types of people in the church:

1) Those who make things happen.

2) Those who watch things happen.

3) Those who wonder, "What's happening?"

Which one will you be?

Discover Your Ministry

What are you doing to "discover your ministry?" If you've discovered it, then what are you doing to fulfill it? The so-called Paretto Principle (also called the 20/80 Rule) is not how the church should function. The Paretto Principle teaches that 20% of the people do, give, etc. 80% of the work, money, etc. But in the church, we should ALL be involved. We should practice the "Godly Principle" instead!

So, I ask again, "What are you doing to discover your ministry?" And if you've discovered it, then what are you doing to fulfill it daily?

Ezra served during hardship, captivity, and struggle. If you think you've had enemies come against you and your ministry, I suggest reading the book of Ezra. Trust me; you're not alone. As I read through Ezra again last night, I thought of my friends who've been delayed in their building programs and noticed that Ezra watched his work come to a halt for two years because of enemies who lied to the king about him and his comrades. These enemies wrote scathing accusations and even bribed people to testify falsely against Ezra and the Jews. WOW! And you thought you were the only one going through something!?

But something else caught my attention while reading through Ezra last night. While I was impressed with the way God turned the heart of a pagan king to help the people of God, I was more impressed with something Ezra did.

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. (Ezra 7:10 ESV)

1) Make up your mind!

In Scripture, the heart and mind are often interchangeable. In Ezra 7:10, the "heart" indicates the whole being. In other words, Ezra gave his all. He didn't hold anything back. For him, it was all or nothing!

Have you given your whole being to God? Have you set yourself up for success? Are you only giving God a portion of yourself? With all due respect to the National Guard, God is not looking for weekend warriors - God wants daily disciples!

Put your heart into what you're doing! Give it your best shot. Aim high and don't give up until you accomplish what God has destined for you to do and become.

2) Study God's Word!

Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the Lord! Paul admonished Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

Are you studying the Word of God on your own time or do you depend solely upon what is taught from the pulpit? The Bereans (Acts 17) received the preached and taught word with an open and ready mind, however, they told Paul and Silas they were going to go home and study it out for themselves.

This was not a slap in the face of Paul or Silas. Rather, it was a testimony to their passion to want to know the Word of God personally.

Consider this: do you know the book (Bible) or do you know the Author (God)? Most people have a Bible. In fact, many have multiple Bibles. Some Christians have read there Bible's through in a year. But do you really know the Author and Finisher of your faith?

3) Just do it!

Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, AND TO DO IT! The very reason he studied it was to obey and fulfill it. There is a difference between hearing and understanding. There is a difference between reading it and doing it.

Obedience to the Word of God is not an option for the true believer - it's a mandate! I believe if you were to sum up the whole Bible in one word, it would be obedience. WHY? Because by one man's disobedience sin entered the world. That was the 1st Adam in the garden. But, but one man's obedience (Jesus Christ), many are made righteous.

Too many approach the Word of God like they do the buffet line at the restaurant - you can't pick and choose what you want or don't want. And if the Bible says it, you don't need a personal conviction about it - JUST DO IT!

4) Teach others!

Once Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord and to do it himself, he then taught others. You cannot lead where you have not been. You cannot teach what you do not know. You cannot compel others to do what you have not done. And if you are not willing to do it, how can you teach others to do it?

Great joy is reserved for those who have set there heart to study the Word and have done it. That joy comes from teaching it to others and watching them set their hearts to study also.

Dads: are you diligently teaching your children the Word of God? Are you modeling Godly behaviors and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit? Strong men build strong families and strong families build strong churches!

Moms: are you diligently teaching your children the Word of God? Are you modeling Godly behaviors and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit? Your role as the help-meet to your husband serves to strengthen the bond of love in the home.

And in closing:

Would the musicians please come? The altars are about to be opened...

If you go back to Ezra, you'll find that the verse before our text states that the "good hand of the Lord was upon him." I believe the hand of the Lord was upon Ezra because of what he did in verse 10.

Do you want the hand of the Lord upon you? I do.

Then let's join together as a unified army of believers setting our whole being to studying the Word of God, and obeying it, and teaching others also!

Five Words!

Have you ever spoken with someone who talked just to hear themselves talk? Have you listened to someone explain something and you're more confused about it after hearing them than you were before they "explained" it? Have you ever thought or said to someone, "Can you explain that in English so I can understand?"

Paul addressed the Church of Corinth in two different letters. In the first one he sent them, God inspired Paul to write about their overzealous use of the gifts of the Spirit. They were coming together and people were speaking in other tongues so much that it brought confusion and we know God is not the author of confusion. God does operate through the gift of tongues and interpretation, yet God also inspires Paul to say something profound to the Corinthians. It bears relevance for us today also, since we are all a part of the same body of Christ!

I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:18-19 NKJV)

I decided to take Paul up on his challenge. Could I find "five words" within Scripture that would speak volumes? I think I have found some instances where "five words" are enough! Follow along with me and let's examine them together...

1) Lord, teach us to pray!

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1 ESV)

2) Give thanks in all circumstances!

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)

3) You must be born again!

Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:7 NKJV)

4) I will build my Church!

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 ESV)

5) And we beheld His glory!

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NKJV)

6) The Lord is my Shepherd!

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1 NKJV)

Maybe you can find other Scriptures where "five words" stand off the page to you and speak life to your soul. These that I've discovered encourage me and here's why...

I want to learn to pray like Jesus prayed! I don't want to pray like the Pharisees who boast of themselves and their works. Neither to I want to pray like those who speak vain repetitions thinking that many words will save me.

I must learn to give thanks in all circumstances; even when I don't understand what it is I'm going through. God's will is for me to learn to give thanks and when I am thankful even in the midst of trials and tests, I become a living testimony to those around me.

I MUST be born again! I must take on His nature! I must be filled with His Spirit! I am not a "self-made" anything; I need Him. And I need Him daily! Being now born again, I must now also walk in the Spirit!

One plants and another waters, but God gives the increase. Except the Lord build the house, the laborers work in vain. He will build His church. I just need to do what I'm called to do. In fact, If I will do what I can, God will do what I cannot.

I can't answer for you, but I want to behold His glory. I want to see the manifestation of His Spirit. I want to see the demonstration of His Spirit and power. Like Moses, I pray, "Lord show me your glory!" And that's another "five words" I will speak with my understanding!

And finally, no matter what I'm going through; no matter what I'm facing; THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD! He loves me. He leads me. He protects me. He provides for me. He is all I need!

PS... why the picture of the mailboxes? First, because there are five of them. Second, because "you've got mail." Be blessed today in Jesus Christ my friends and fellow laborers.

Is Prayer a Priority?

Is prayer a priority in your daily life?

Is it something you do to fill time and space?

Do you pray to just give God your list of requests?

Is prayer mundane and methodical for you? Do you find your mind meandering while you pray?

Could it be that you're not following the Biblical model for prayer?

Jews have always been praying people. It is easy to believe then, that the disciples were men who knew how to pray. However, Luke 11:1 records that the disciples witnessed Jesus praying in a "certain place" and asked Him to teach them to pray.

I believe they were beholding Jesus praying in a "certain place" in the Spirit, not a geographical location. They no doubt felt the power of the Spirit as He prayed and wanted to pray like that.

Jesus responds by telling them to rehearse the "Lord's Prayer". NOT! The words Jesus gave serve as a model for praying, not a set of rehearsed phrases to be repeated over and over. Here's Jesus' model for prayer:

1) Our Father who is in heaven...

Start your praying correctly! The first thing you need to do is acknowledge the He is your Father! As you begin to worship Him, you will realize that He is above all, through all, and in you all! Think about that for a minute: while you're waiting to give God your prayer request's, He's already ABOVE THEM! He reigns supreme! He is sovereign! He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent! WOW! What a God!

2) Hallowed be your name...

You haven't asked for anything yet, but now you began to praise and worship that name that is higher than anything and everything! Again, consider this - at the name of Jesus, every knee bows and every tongues confesses that He is Lord! Your problem, your request, your situation, and your circumstance are no match for the power of the name of Jesus Christ!

3) Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...

Notice, you still ain't asked for anything personal yet! I wonder what would happen if we would approach prayer asking God what His requests are instead of just always bringing Him ours! It would appear that the third installment of your prayer is His request. Ask God to fulfill His plan and purpose in you and through you. What our world needs is a whole lot of heaven on earth! Society is going to hell in a hand-basket, but we who are called to be salt and light can make a difference!

4) Give us this day our daily bread...

God will not lead you to a day that He doesn't provide bread for you! David declared, "I've never seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread!" Has it occurred to you that NOTHING ever occurs to God? He is ordering your steps and His grace is sufficient for you! He has ordered this day for a purpose! This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! When you get to this part, began to pray, "Lord give me what I need to face this day for You are MORE THAN ENOUGH for me!"

5) And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors...

I haven't seen a place yet where we are bringing a bunch of requests to Him. Now, I know the Bible also says to "make your requests known unto the Lord" and believe that there is nothing wrong with doing just that. However, I think we need a paradigm shift. Why don't we start praying like Jesus was praying and let Him take care of our list of requests!

Oh, and don't forget to ask for forgiveness, but note the way we receive it - "AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS" God will not forgive us, unless we are forgiving others!

6) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil...

Lord, You know that I am weak BUT YOU ARE STRONG! You lead me and I follow. If that means I must go into a wilderness to be tempted of the devil, then so be it. But, Lord, also help me not to fall in to the same trap of sin I was delivered from. You are able to keep me from falling and I trust in You!

7) For yours is the kingdom, and power, and glory FOREVER, AMEN!

What a way to end your prayer with the Master! Do I really need to commentate on this part? OK, I will. You started your prayer with praise and worship, now end it with the same!

Make time to pray! And pray in a "certain place" like Jesus did.

I'll see you in the "prayer room"...