My Portion

Posted: March 30, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Josh 13:33
But Moses gave no allotment of land to the tribe of Levi, for the Lord, the God of Israel, had promised that he himself would be their allotment.

When God called Amy and I into full time ministry he did it in a supernatural unquestionable way! That time of our lives was so exciting and we were so full of this passion that was very much like the passion I felt in the moments I first fell in love with my beautiful wife. It was so new, and so exhilarating that it was the first thing we felt when we woke up, and we fell asleep talking about it every night. We were so passionate, and trusted God so much that we were willing to do the work without pay knowing that God would miraculously make a way. Like I said, God supernaturally orchestrated the whole thing and we were able to be put on staff, but our Faith was so elevated we would have done the work anyway. We were just so honored to serve the Kingdom
Well, years later, I can honestly say, not every moment of this journey has been as exciting as those first days. In fact, some weeks have been absolute Hell on earth. This is by far the hardest, and sometimes the most stressful, lonely, terrifying, heart breaking, exhausting, at times unrewarding and thankless job you will ever do. I have been taking advantage of, betrayed, ridiculed, abandoned by some I had given my life for, and hated by those I had loved unconditionally. As a youth pastor I have even been despised, blamed, and accused by parents. On top of all that, financially we have had to believe for miraculous provision time and time again just to live. Wow, what a glowing endorsement! Listen, having said all that, and after all we have gone through, I would still rather be here doing this work than anywhere else in the universe.” How can you possibly feel that way” you might ask.. And trust me I have asked myself the same thing many times. But every time I come to the same conclusion. God is my portion. You see we had to learn early on, and occasionally(meaning every day) have to learn all over again, that doing the work of the ministry can not be done to find some source of fulfillment, or for monitory reward. I get really ticked off when people tell me “I know if I could just be in full-time ministry I will feel fulfilled”. If that’s why you do it you will be sorely disappointed. I am fulfilled as I walk in the will of God, but I am not “entitled” because of my service. Well, maybe I am… I’m entitled to suffer as Jesus did…to be hated and despised and to pick up my cross, and lay down my life. But, as I do lay down my life, as I follow the example of Jesus and serve those God has giving into my care, in return, God has promised to be my reward. When others work to acquire riches, God reveals his face to me, which is far more precious and supplies ALL my needs according to his riches in Glory and gives me all the desires of my heart … As others labour to find fame, God calls me friend and says my name is written in his book and in Jesus has given me his Glory …as others strive and strive for some semblance of peace, I rest in Gods peace which passes understanding…When I am hated, I am loved…When I am abused, I am comforted…when I am abandoned, I am never forsaken…when I’m without, I abound. God almighty,the creator of the universe, the Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings is my portion, and let me tell you, it’s enough.
Lord, whenever I .allow myself to covet or lust after material things, or to feel bitter about the struggles I often find myself in, remind me of the awesome blessing and privilege it is to be a minister in your house. You are my portion and my allotment, and you have given me an eternal inheritance that never fluctuates in value, and will never pass away!

Never separated from the love of God,
Pastor Josh

Am I too Rich?

Posted: March 25, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Matt 19:21
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

What was the problem with this seemingly well rounded young man? He apparently lived a holy life, exemplifying what it meant to be a good Jew. The problem was, in a nut shell, he didn’t need Jesus. He was more than able to provide all he ever needed, or wanted for himself. When we trust in the riches of our hands, whatever form they may be, we don’t need God. That is the very nature of idolatry. I saw this all the time when I lived in India. Whenever there was any kind of call for prayer, people by the hundreds, thousands even, would come out of nowhere to be blessed. These were predominately hindu people, who by it’s very nature, worshipped many various Gods. They were more than happy to except Jesus. The problem is, they just added him to their collection. Whats one more God when you already worship at least 5 or 6. “Well, this has nothing to do with us here in America” you might say. But doesn’t it? How many things do we have in our lives, that fill a need, or take a place that God is supposed to fill. How do we know if something is in the wrong place in our lives? If God asked you to give it up, lay it aside, or put it on hold could you? Could you quit a job, cut off a relationship, give up on a dream, or even a ministry if God says it’s not part of his will or timing for your life? Or how about something as trivial as a T.V. Show or movie, or, God forbid, a CD you love so much. All of these things have the potential to become idols in our lives. Something that takes God’s place in some area ( emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc..) of our lives. When we can fill every empty space, there is no space left for God, and ultimately, we don’t need him. That was the rich young mans problem. not that he had money, but that his money was to important, more important even than being with the Son of God himself. Wow! If Jesus is calling you, and asking you to let go of something, trust me, what he’s offering will be so much more than what he’s asking you to leave behind.

Matt 19:29
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.

Rich in the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Josh

Unstoppable

Posted: March 15, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Is 14:26-27
26 I have a plan for the whole earth, a hand of judgment upon all the nations. 27 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken—who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?”

God has always been in control of history.. It is true that there is a cause and effect reality to many things that occur through out time. It is true that there is judgement for sin. God’s judgment, however, is never separated from his mercy. It is convenient for us to misquote scripture and say that “All things happen for a reason”, implying that God would choose to use our suffering to bring about his perfect will. This is not scriptural nor true! God is a God of order, and will not suspend that order even for the good of his people. But, what is true is that in all things, weather horrible or wonderful, Gods plans still stand, continue to move forward and always come to fruition! He, his love, and his will for the earth, and all of us who inhabit it, is unstoppable! What the bible actually says is this in Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”.
Right now, in whatever trial you find your self in, or, maybe, as you look at the horrific images coming out of Japan, don’t ask “How could God have let this happen”?.. but rather this, “How is God going to use this to bring about his will”?

So thankful for the unstoppable love of God,
Pastor Josh

Romans 8:38
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

3/13/2011 My Utmost For His Highest – For God so Loved that he Gave….

Posted: March 13, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Mar 13 2011 (My Utmost For His Highest)
For God so loved the world that He gave . . . —John 3:16

Salvation does not mean merely deliverance from sin or the experience of personal holiness. The salvation which comes from God means being completely delivered from myself, and being placed into perfect union with Him. When I think of my salvation experience, I think of being delivered from sin and gaining personal holiness. But salvation is so much more! It means that the Spirit of God has brought me into intimate contact with the true Person of God Himself. And as I am caught up into total surrender to God, I become thrilled with something infinitely greater than myself.
To say that we are called to preach holiness or sanctification is to miss the main point. We are called to proclaim Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:2). The fact that He saves from sin and makes us holy is actually part of the effect of His wonderful and total surrender to us.
If we are truly surrendered, we will never be aware of our own efforts to remain surrendered. Our entire life will be consumed with the One to whom we surrender. Beware of talking about surrender if you know nothing about it. In fact, you will never know anything about it until you understand that John 3:16 means that God completely and absolutely gave Himself to us. In our surrender, we must give ourselves to God in the same way He gave Himself for us— totally, unconditionally, and without reservation. The consequences and circumstances resulting from our surrender will never even enter our mind, because our life will be totally consumed with Him.

Oswald Chambers

Compromise and Consequence

Posted: January 29, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Josh 7:10-11
10 But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings.

So much of the time when we find ourselves in trouble, and are crying out to God for help, this is the response he is giving us. How many times have we allowed things in our lives that we knew didn’t belong there, and then found ways to justify them, knowing they were a compromise. Sin allows curses and death into our lives. Not every bad thing that happens to us are our fault, but I’m sure if we really looked, we would find many instances that we can see consequences of compromises. We see later that once they repented, and cut all traces of the compromise from among them, they had immediate and complete victory. The bible says that when we repent, that he is faithful to cleanse us of all un-righteousness. His restoration is immediate! Get up, repent, and go walk in righteousness!!

God, Search me, and see if you find any wicked thing in me!
PJ

Center Field

Posted: January 28, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Josh 8:18
18 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Point the spear in your hand toward Ai, for I will hand the town over to you.” Joshua did as he was commanded.

We thought it was cool when Babe Ruth pointed to center field (well at least our grandparents did), but how cool is this! We can walk mindful and fully aware of Gods will in our lives. He wants us to run boldly into our promised land battles with deliberate persistence! I don’t agree with the ” name it and claim it” line of thought from the “Faith Movement” of the seventies and eighties, but there is a truth to ” calling those things that aren’t as though they are”. To pointing at the city, or the obstacle in our way in defiance and violent persistence. Or to pointing at the promises for our lives, our families, our churches with a stubborn aggressive faith, not settling for anything but all that God has promised us! You can’t win a fight if you go into it believing your going to lose! We already know we win, so point your spear at your Ai and charge! Whooahh!! (that was my intimidating battle cry)

Josh 8:26
For Joshua kept holding out his spear until everyone who had lived in Ai was completely destroyed.

The Kingdom of God suffers violence, and I’m taking it by force,
PJ

Am I Compatible?

Posted: January 27, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Is 7:9
Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria,
and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah.
Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”

God is not a Devine puppeteer, and we the mindless, insignificant puppets. He is our creator and our source of strength and power, but we are made in his image. We have been given a will, and the ability to have faith, and have been given the measure of faith to believe unto salvation. But we need add to, build up, and strengthen our faith to walk in all that God has for us. If we have no faith, we are not compatible with Gods power and anointing. It’s like the three little pigs…you can’t build a house that will stand out of straw. The first little kiss of a breeze will scatter it to the wind. And if you have just enough faith to survive, its like building out of sticks. It might stand for a little while, but the first good storm that blows in will knock it right down. But if we build up our faith (by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God) then we will be strong, and be able to stand and walk in the power and authority of God. God will go before us, and his power will flow in us and through us, but only when we are compatible. Grow in Faith, and walk in power!!

Supernaturally Compatible,
Pastor Josh

Devine Purpose

Posted: January 26, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Matt 1:17
All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

It’s hard to be a skeptic when you see the careful planning God put into bringing about our salvation. I’m not going to pretend to understand the symbolism behind every ” type and shadow”‘, nor do I know the significance of all the numbers and dates and so on and so on….but any idiot (a category that I may very possibly fall in to) can see that so many consistencies can’t possibly be a coincidence. Before man ever fell, God had a carefully laid out plan for restoration. Our God is the greatest strategist ever…OK, that’s kind of an understatement. Think about it though! You really have to have more faith to be a skeptic then a believer. But here’s the really awesome part. The same careful planning that went into salvation, went into our purpose and destiny! Check this out…..

Eph 1:4-5
4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Even before he made the world!!!!! What!!! There are no coincidences in our existence. before the world was even made there was a plan…for me. I was loved, I was wanted, therefore I am loved and I am wanted and I have a purpose and a destiny and a “call” that is eternal and irrevocable! Wow! Meditate on that one as you go through your day. What could the world possibly throw at me that could touch it!

Loved and Chosen,
Pastor Josh

Write the Vision

Posted: January 25, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Habakkuk 2:2 Then the Lord said to me,
“Write my answer plainly on tablets,
so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.

Well, as all of you, my adoring public, know, I have not been to good at staying on top of this blogging thing. I do hope to change that in this coming year. God put it on my heart some time ago to write a yearly devotional for our young people, and have begun to peruse that the last few weeks. Something I have always tried to do is journal every day as I study the word. I heard someone say once that the mind doesn’t remember revelation so as God reveals himself to us through his word and prayer we should always record those things we receive. As I have been reading through my past years journals in preparation for the devotional, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of entries that I have completely forgotten about. Some of them were even revelations that actually changed the course and direction of my life! If I hadn’t written them down, they would now be lost in that one moment of encounter, which though it was an awesome moment, would have little to no lasting effect on the rest of my life. It is these revelations that I will be using to write the book that I hope will be a blessing to those who use it. I have decided to post some of my new daily journal entries here on my blog. I don’t pretend for one moment to assume that God is revealing anything to me that he is not revealing to anyone else that is truly pursuing him with a heart to hear, nor that my thoughts are any more important than anyone else’s….but, this is joshkiefer.com, which means I get to write what I want! Just kidding. I promise I won’t rant and rave about my opinion on this and that, or go off on tirades bashing the government, exposing some new conspiracy theory. Just quick little thoughts about what God’s showing me in his word. Nothing more, nothing less. So, check it out….or don’t. It’s all good.

Peace and Love,
Pastor Josh

Nana’s Committal

Posted: April 9, 2010 in Uncategorized
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This Saturday I had the very sad honor of performing Nana’s graveside committal ceremony. It was the first one I have ever done, and, while very hard for me, I know it will probably not be the last. I wrote a song after my Grandfather Ray died, the last of my grandparents to enter eternity, called “Eventually”. The sad but true conclusion to the song was that though they now walk with God, all grandparents eventually die. After losing mine, Amy’s last grandparent, Nana, stepped into that role, as she did for hundreds of other orphaned grand kids, and became as much my Nana as she was any of her “real” kin. I loved her with all my heart. As I was researching what it meant to properly perform a committal, I kept being reminded that though we were burying her body, we all know the part of her that she imparted into us, will never die. The Bible says that we were created in God’s image, and that like him, we have three parts that make one whole. A spirit( the part that is just like God) a soul( our mind and emotions) and our body. In Nana, we could so easily see the fruits of the Spirit alive and active in her life at every turn. She was the most selfless, kind, compassionate, and forgiving person I have ever known. She also had such a love for God and desire to constantly know him more deeply that she even decided to get filled with the Holy Spirit at the young age of 72. She wanted all of him she could get.She also was so filled with the love and compassion of Christ for the people she knew that she actually raised her brother-in-law from the dead because he hadn’t accepted Jesus yet. Come on!! Can you say that about your Grandma, or for anyone you know? We also knew her soul, because she felt and expressed great emotion for everyone she knew. When she laughed, everyone laughed, and if you didn’t, she would try to figure out why and eventually you would. It was her soul that loved to, not just to be nice, but loved to be with, and play with, and read to, and cook for, and have sleep overs with her grand kids and her great grand kids. She was my son’s best friend. She would play marbles with him everyday after school. It was her soul that has never been the same, since she lost the love of her life in 1995. Those  are just a few of the examples of Nana’s Spirit and Soul that she has imparted into all of us that have changed who we are, and that will never die. But, as I studyed, everything I read informed me that I was suppose to refer to Nana’s body as “just an empty shell”  or an “old worn out garment”. I know there is some truth to that, but as I thought about my Nana, I just couldn’t look at it that way. Though it was  her spirit and soul that made her the loving, kind, compassionate Nana, it was her body that administered that Love to all of us. It was her hands that baked the Texas Sheet Cakes and peanut butter pies, and that touched us and wiped away tears, magically making whatever made us cry seem to not feel so bad anymore. It was her arms that held us, hugged us, picked us up when we fell. Her feet that chased us around the yard or walked beside us on a sunny day. It was her finger that swayed back and forth as it conducted an invisible orchestra every time she heard a song she liked. It was her voice that sang to us, said “love you” every time we hung up the phone, and always had the right thing to say at just the right time. It was that Nana, that Played marbles with a somewhat naughty little boy that she loved so much every day. It was through that vessel that thousands of people were able to touch, feel, hear, see, and know Jesus. That was the part of Nana that we laid to  rest and honored on Saturday morning. We will see her again someday, and rejoice for her new found glory,but we will miss her  so much. Here is the prayer that I prayed as we committed that precious body back to the dust it came from.

Almighty God, we gather beside this grave today to lay to rest the body of our Mother, our Nana and our friend, Marion Frisbie. We do so remembering another grave in another place—the tomb that received the body of our Lord Jesus. As Jesus came from the grave to live again, we know that all who die in Him shall never truly die. Thank you, Father, that Nana has finished the course, that she has kept the faith, and that she now has rest from her labors. As we commit her body to the ground, we do so in perfect trust, remembering Jesus’ victory over death and knowing, that because He lives, so too, shall we. Eternal God, you have shared with us the life of Nana. Before she was ours, she was yours. For all that she has given us to make us what we are, for that of her which lives and grows in each of us, and for her life that in your love will never end, we give you thanks. As now we offer Nana back into your arms, comfort us in our loneliness, strengthen us in our weakness, and give us courage to face the future unafraid. Draw those of us who remain in this life closer to one another, make us faithful to serve one another, and give us to know that peace and joy which is eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. From Dust we came, to dust we return.

I love you Nana,

Josh

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