Month: March 2011

My Portion

March 30, 2011 — 1 Comment

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?

March 25, 2011 — Leave a comment

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

March 15, 2011 — Standard — Leave a comment

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….

March 13, 2011 — Leave a comment

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