Jesus

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

Glorified

March 30, 2010 — Leave a comment

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

This year I have been consumed with this scripture. I’ll be the first to admit that last year was HARD.. I mean really hard. At times I felt like I’d lost more ground then I had taken. One step forward, two steps back. I know it was a season of shaking and testing in the body, and I was not exempt from that process. I kept being reminded “think it not strange when you fall into diverse trials”. In the end I came to the conclusion that no matter what, I was going forward, I didn’t have it in me to quit. But, sometimes when we’re in that place we tend to settle into this kind of comfortable mediocrity. You know what I mean..”I’m nothing, but God loves me the way I am”, or “I might fail, but God will still accept me”. OK, that is absolutely true. Nothing we will ever do will change how God feels about us. We didn’t earn it, and we can’t un-earn it. But this scripture says that those whom he calls he not only justifies, but he “Glorifies”! We justify our imperfection by saying “it’s not me, it’s Christ in me that matters”, but the scripture says “Christ in me, the HOPE OF GLORY”! It is Christ in us, but we are not just ugly imperfect puppets that get to be possessed by Jesus! It says that he was the fist born of many, and that we are being transformed into the image of the son, not possessed by the son. Listen, I know that I am not perfect, and probably will never be, but I refuse to settle for mediocrity. I know he loves me as I am, but he can make me more than what I am! I am not just a sinner saved by grace, but a new creation being metamorphisized (I just made that word up) into the image of Christ! I’m not talking about becoming “works” minded about my salvation, I’m talking about “putting on the new man”, the one that looks just like Jesus. He actually even prayed that for us himself over 2000 years ago.

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:20-23)

Wow! He didn’t say “just let them know you love them”. He said” the same glory you have given me, I give to them“. Yes we are loved, unconditionally, unequivocally loved by God almighty. We will never earn it, but we can honor it by becoming just like him.

Lord, make me more than just a man. Make me just like you.

Ever changing from Glory to Glory,

Pastor Josh