The greatest hope on earth…

…and beyond!             JESUS CHRIST

The day you heard the Gospel and responded by following Jesus – you didn’t respond to a moment in time or to a person presenting the message.  But rather the power of the Holy Spirit working through the surrendered life of another person.  Paul states,

I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God’s Spirit and God’s power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God’s power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else. (1 Corinthians 2:3-5, The Message).

Now that you know Jesus – what steps do you take to share the hope you have been given?  Is it easy for you to share with others?  Do you fear having a conversation with someone else about your life in Jesus?  What are you relying on when you teach or lead your small group?  Do you rely on the Holy Spirit or do you rely on something you have taught in the past or some other experience you have had?

…as you give your explanation make sure that you are relying on the Holy Spirit. Rely on the certainty of God’s redemptive power, and He will create His own life in people.

Once you are rooted in reality, nothing can shake you. If your faith is in experiences, anything that happens is likely to upset that faith. But nothing can ever change God or the reality of redemption. Base your faith on that, and you are as eternally secure as God Himself. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, December 3).

Filed under: Discipleship, Evangelism, Faith, Holy Spirit, Hope, Missions, Oswald Chambers

Blocking out the noise in silence…

Catalyst… I was there!

Catalyst… It’s still bugging me!

Catalyst…        

I can either run to the Truth and embrace it… or I can run from it.  From all indications there is no running from it.  Total surrender is the only acceptable response.  God is on every street corner.  He is in the midst of every conversation since those two powerful days.  God was there before I got there.  He was waiting.  God was in the invitation for me to go.  God is here with me today.  God is.

This is not about Catalyst.

I have read several blogs from some who have attended Catalyst.  I hear their response.  I hear how God has dealt with them. But I still struggle.  I still cry.  I still sit here looking through my notes.  What is it I can’t let go of?  Why is it God will not let go of me?  (Not that I want Him to).  But He is always there – He is always here.  No matter where I go in my thoughts he is there. 

He was there December 1983.  He changed my life set me a part for Himself.  To lift Him up!  To tell His gospel story.   

I have the house to myself this morning.  I have sat here in silence.  Just sitting.  I dare not go outside and do anything as I have had bronchitis for the past week.  So, I sit… just listening to the silence.  When was the last time you sat in total silence?  Literally the only thing I can hear is the refrigerator and THAT is about to drive me nuts!  God is here. 

This is not about me…

In the silence, I have prayed for friends.  Friends who are sick.  Friends who are serving the Lord at this very moment.  Friends who are surrounded by fear.  Friends who are full of hope and encouragement.  Friends who God is reaching through me.  God has been doing some things I didn’t even know about until day before yesterday…. WOW!  But today – I’ve just sat here.  And so has God.  It took me a bit to notice He was here.  Oh - I was listening for Him but I had some things to deal with in this silence.  In this moment He is here.  He is there with you too.  It could be today or It could be tomorrow but He is there.  Kind of freaky – I know.  But it’s His love.

Is it noisy where you sit? 

Although I have been sitting here in this silence my mind has been filled with the noise that distracts me so much.  Now that I am here… now that He is here… I just want to stay here in this silence.  I have found a bit of peace.  The noise is gone (even the motor of the refrigerator is silent).

It’s all about God… His Son – Jesus…

Have you told anyone lately?  Is the Holy Spirit working through you today?  Or is there too much noise?  You know He will work through you even through all of the noise… don’t let the noise trick you to think otherwise.  Your life is His… let Him use you today… there’s another life waiting for the Truth.  They are looking for it.  They are on the street corner.  They are in the grocery store checkout line.  They are at your work.  They may even be in your church.  They are where you are.  Be abandoned to Him.  Run… go and tell what He has done for you.  Don’t let the moment pass you by.  It’s not about Catalyst… it’s not about me… It’s all about Jesus.  It’s about setting the captive free. 

The world is looking for a revelation
We’re always under their investigation
They look at us to hear we got to say
They can’t see Jesus when we stand in the way
They don’t need no more elevated speeches
We’re keeping Jesus just beyond their reaches
Can’t see the forest for all of the trees
They won’t see Jesus till we fall on our knees

(From, “Lift Him Up”, Petra – Bob Hartman, 1983).

Silence Broken

Kara just broke the silence with a very strange txt message:  “John McCain is at the Cartersville Airport until 1PM” I had to turn on FOX News and break the silence to find out for sure.  It was a scheme of the devil… to get me out into the cool breezy weather.   John McCain is in Albuquerque today!!  Which is ironic  – as I would love to be living in Albuquerque once again!!  Thanks for the diversion Kara.

Filed under: Catalyst, Evangelism, Faith, Fear, Focus, Friends, Future, Prayer, Random Thoughts, Silence, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Warfare, Surrender, Trusting God

Rock and Roll Stops the Traffic…

…at Keller Williams in Cartersville.

I had the pleasure of meeting many of the fine Real Estate Agents at Keller Williams Realty Northwest.  Dean and Amy Cochran are agents I have had the great pleasure of working with out of this office in the past.  I don’t know another husband and wife team that works harder for their clients.

Even Adam is the band that stopped the traffic just off of Tennessee Street.

Even Adam have been playing together for a little over a year now.  Their first concert was played at the Church at Woodland opening up for Casting Pearls now known as Vota.  Even Adam has done ministry as well with Oakleaf Church, Paulding County YDC, and other local churches.  Even Adam is always excited to play for the building up of the body of Christ.  I will have a video of them up soon so check back to see and hear the sound.

More photos from today…

Joel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dean.

   

 

 

Brad.

Filed under: Cartersville, Evangelism, Even Adam, Friends, Missions, Music, Real Estate, U2