1st November, 2008
Performance Issues
As I pondered about life and the Church in America today I came to some deep areas in my heart. These areas began to engulf me with spiritual realities the deeply moved me. The word “performance” shouted out in the silence of my heart! I began to grasp spiritually what this meant!
The Church in America has been acting, literally performing instead of worshiping! Actually making sure that the services were planned well, and the right singers would be on the platform. The pastor/teacher would orate the Word properly, memorizing the message so it was perfect before it was spoken. Everyone dressing so nicely with the best of clothes. Performing as though there would one day be a Church Emmy show. Witnessing all this with the Christian television shows asking for millions and looking smug and putting only the “best” Christian “superstars” to perform. I really began to be deeply stirred even more as I realized that I and others had been drawn into this atmosphere of Christian “performing arts” thinking we were pleasing God.
I do not believe we or I, if you will, was pleasing anyone but the flesh. As I witness so much self-centered attitudes try to promote themselves and their leadership today, I also realize that God desires us to be promoting Him and nothing more. Living out purpose and destiny not fleshly desires to be noticed and lifted up by men.
Also, not to sound to radical, I felt the Lord give me a real freedom from the status quo, the care to be noticed and accepted. The status quo can really be a magnet to the flesh and a manipulative performance to embrace the heart with falsehood.
I really believe God desires unity in His family! Unity meaning that His children look to Him for planned purpose and destiny! Trusting only in Him and His Word of love and grace. There is freedom when you just obey God and love people. I have never really been a unity guy, I always thought that it was sort of “trendy”, however, I was wrong. Performance issues make you think and even pray in a way that you miss the target.
My prayer now is centered on Him not “I” and trusting in Him not anyone else. The Father desires to set His Church free from performance issues so she can fulfill the truth of purpose. Thank God, that Jesus never performed but lived out who He was on this earth. Never trying to please men, but only His Father.
Best
Dennis
Posted at 9:24 pm | Comment (0)
1st September, 2008
Seasons of Change
Here we are at the brink of change again. New developments in Church Administration across the nation and through out the world. Political fires have been lit with all the conventions recently and Americans are on hold till she gets a new leader. The COG is also on hold as the newness of the Excutive Committee tenders itself across world. Just what happens in this “quiet” time?
It seems natural to me that this time is used to adjust and prepare for what God is planning to do with this nation and with the COG. With this being a “season” it is also to the utmost importance that prayer continues in the vain of purity and integrity. Praying for leaders to adjust and hear from God. I know that through this blog I am referring to both secular and religious seasons but in 2008 they are running consecutively with extremely needed change.
Looking into the latter part of Fall the impression to be hoped for is one of unity and deep sincerity in bringing to the Church the needed affirmations and visions for ministry. Also, in the forefront of the political race is a desire for trust and truth. That is exactly what I am writing about in this blog post.
My prayer is that the COG will again trust and hear truth that will bring renewal of relations and restoration of the vision to reach the harvest. Jointly with all ministries amply pursuing Him daily for direction.
The last thing we need is to fall again into a season of words and promises that never come into fruition or tangible application. We are in the season of “quiet” right now. So, let us listen for the voice that will speak comfort and refreshing to our hearts.
Best
Dennis
Posted at 9:36 pm | Comment (0)
20th August, 2008
How Big Is Your World?
Today I was pondering a thought: The crisis of so many never seeing what God has for them. Wow, I thought, people can really have the world if they would just trust God in all that He has promised.
Then it struck me: People see the world only through what they can comprehend as a sizable goal. In other words, a city may be what they can reach, but a world awaits a faithful vision. The world is a large as you make it. Your world my be just your backyard or your place of employment. However, the world is as much a part of your ministry as you are part of it!
Look over the fence, break out of the box, stomp tradition that imprisons your vision. Run the race to win! Win the race that you run! Look beyond the horizon, see past your tomorrow and embrace your hope.
Best
Dennis
Posted at 9:50 pm | Comment (1)
1st August, 2008
Moving Into Your Inheritance
There is so much to say about Kingdom blessings and inheritance. The fact of the matter is this: We have an inheritance that is stored up in heaven for us. Faith is the “hinge” that keeps us moving into that inheritance. Living by the Word of God and moving forward into what God has promised you can only be the “hinge pin” tha holds the promise before you. Being restored into the incorruptible and becoming brand “new” is really exciting stuff. Here is a “key” for you to open the door for your days ahead to be blessed: Pray, believe, trust, and acknowledge only what is the Word and not the negative resourcefulness of the enemy. Listen deep in your spirit for the direction of the Lord and move into your inheritance with joy and your heart full of glory.
Best
Dennis
Posted at 8:26 pm | Comment (1)
13th June, 2008
Living Above Your Circumstances
The ‘new” millennium is nearly eight years old and time keeps marching by as though there is an end in site. The different experiences that each one faces daily have become extenuated by the fast paced lifestyles that are emerging. The cost of living is at its highest ever and change is all around us. The one and most valuable part of life has not changed and that is the Word of God. His Word has been the bulwark of stability and the foundation of all truth throughout the ages. Throughout His Word we read testimony after testimony of men and women alike who had circumstances that were unbearable. As these circumstances grew worse, the Word of the Lord became the delivering power in each life. Weapons that were formed against them could not prosper. Words that were spoken to tear down characters were stopped by the power of the Word of God.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn… Isaiah 54:17
Problems occur at the worst possible moment of time, when you least expect them, they enter into your life like a flood!
But the Word of the Lord declares that…When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19
Everyone should be living their life above their circumstances and with the knowledge that God will deliver them out of all their trouble. The Lord will never allow you to be crushed and He will always make a way for you to escape your troubles.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Cor. 10:13
Each individual that truly will commit to the will of the Lord and pray can be and will always be able to confess that they are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus and that they are over-comers by the Blood of the Lamb.
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
Being an over-comer means that you must trust in and rely on the Lord and His love for your life. You must love the Lord with all your heart! Live above your circumstances and live a life that is full of joy and be confident He will complete the work.
Best
Dennis
Scriptures used in this blog post are from The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Posted at 9:14 pm | Comment (0)
3rd June, 2008
Hope That Lasts
Each day people bustle around looking for something or someone to share their life with. Often in the midst of their busy agenda they sense a lack of hope! Hope has a real uniqueness about its terminology and its results.
Hope is defined as:
(1) Desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment
(2) Someone or something on which hopes are centered.
Hope, in the Bible is the anticipation of a favorable future under God’s direction. It should never seem that hope does not exist or is intangible to a Christian. Faith, Hope, and Love are the three basic characteristics of a Christian. “And now abide faith, hope, love,…” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV). When difficulties come and it seems that there is not answer, hope is the answer. Hope is the anchor of the believer’s soul. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,” (Hebrews 6:19, NKJV).
Hope brings us into the presence of the Almighty God. The testimony of hope needs to be shared with all. Again and again this hope, which belongs to the family of God, should be exemplified and magnified through the believer’s life. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” (1 Peter 3:15, NKJV) The Lord will never let you down! He will always deliver and save His children. God is faithful toward all that call unto Him. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, NKJV) The hope a Christian has is unique and one that draws the soul to an ultimate trust in the Lord. Those that do not know the Lord do not have the same hope. “that at that time you were without Christ,…having no hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12, NKJV) Your hope is an everlasting hope, one that is good and prepares your steps each day. Walk in faith and hope, loving the life God has purposed for you to live. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV) Share this hope and joy of knowing Him who has promised you eternal life. Look around throughout each day and find someone to share your hope with. In you is the hope that others, who do not know Jesus, need. Jesus is in you and so is that hope which shouts “Glory”! “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27, NKJV)
Think of it this way hope is the glue, nails, and screws for the bridge of faith you are upon. This bridge of faith held together by hope leads to a timeless relationship with God. “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13, NKJV)
Best
Dennis
Scriptures used in this blog post are from The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Posted at 9:58 pm | Comment (1)
30th May, 2008
Being Real In Life
Walking in the newness of the Spirit is certainly the formula for living “real”. The Word declares that if we are going to have a spiritual life we need to walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25) Just walking in the Spirit is quite different than walking with the Spirit! Both are needed to complete the empowerment for a holy lifestyle. So many people attend groups and churches with the attitude of walking with the Spirit. Walking with the Spirit is necessary and really important in keeping in step with your purpose in life. When one walks “in” the Spirit there is a “bound” relationship that expresses trust and reliance. So to be spiritual there must be a relationship that trusts what the Spirit is declaring into the heart. This area of trust or portion of trust embraces “faith” and holds on the the “hope” that is set before each individual. It is really unique to be in relationship with the Holy Spirit! Jesus placed His whole declaration in John 14-16 on the promise of the coming Holy Spirit. The necessity expressed of the importance of His presence on this earth was never negated by any words or prayers of Jesus of Nazareth. He consistently impressed upon His disciples the “need” and the “source” of communication that the Holy Spirit would represent to them. That is why the importance of walking “in” the Spirit cannot be set aside or placed as frivolous in the hearts of mankind. Even the love that represents who we are and designates in whom we represent is placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) Keep in step with Him but also more importantly walk in Him so your “life” can be the “real” thing!
Best
Dennis
Posted at 11:36 pm | Comment (0)
12th April, 2008
Managing Your Own Soul
Could you imagine that if you were the manager of your own soul what you might do with life? I know that if I managed mine, life would become the most confused and difficult adventure I could ever be part of. Having the Holy Spirit manage my life is a real joy and pleasure. The journey has purpose and when reflected against what isd promised it really is quite exciting. Moving as directed by the Spirit has its advantages compared to moving as directed by emotions and a flawed perception of what is ahead. The Israelites moved by the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Certainly their conditions were harsh and often times deserved for their lack of trust and also the apparent lack of gratitude for what the Lord had done for them. We can find our own way or we can be managed by Him in all our ways. We can be thankful for what He has done and for what He has promised! We should never be like those wandering in the desert, complaining and never satisfied with the provision of the day. This journey that we are on is really serious yet, at the same time it full of spiritual stimulation, joy and peace. Keeping in touch with the Lord and following Him as He moves keeps us in tune with His plan and His remarkable wisdom in each circumstance. Even when the times come where you must see by the “eyes” of faith you are truly aware of His presence and promises. The full embrace of His love can only bring the deepest sense of purpose and comfort. Learn from the wanderers and stay focused on where He is going to go next. He will manage the path and the method.
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 1:08 am | Comment (0)
21st March, 2008
From Behind The Lens
Stepping out from behind the lens can engender a feeling of real vulnerability! You then can allow others to see you as you are and not seeing you through the lenses of your eyes. I hope and pray that as the Church comes forth in an emergent state that those involved in a “grassroots” movement of decentralization will be able to be real to those that they interact with. Trust is so important in times where one becomes vulnerable to the sight of others.Jesus stated to the Philip:”…Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know Me yet, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father… ” (John 14:9, AMP). If individuals are going to stay behind the lens and see or be seen as they want too, then the outcome or creativity of the movement becomes politically correct and not significant to the purpose of change. Jesus was who He was. He said what He meant and meant what He said. I hope that everyone can emerge from behind their own personal lens and join in some dialogue about what they really believe. There is an open door to dialogue being opened to you, take advantage and share your heart.
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
All scriptures used in this blog article are The Amplified Bible, containing the Amplified Old Testament and the Amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 10:28 pm | Comment (1)
19th March, 2008
Change - Do We Really Want it?
I have read thousands of pages, gone to more seminars than I would like to admit and listened to some of the most popular preachers and teachers in world speak on the subject: Church Growth. I have even had a private meeting with David Yonggi Cho! I absolutely know that we need change in the Church for this postmodern era that we live in. When one studies the history of the Church it is easy to see that change came about right at the time when it was most needed. This is one of those times! Yes, one of those “God wants this done now times!” (my quote not anyone else’s.)
Some want to defend her at the present state. Some want to just leave her and try to adjust to the secular world (good luck!). Some desire to dialogue about what can be done. Dialogue is a good thing. There is power in words and words can bring change. I know that some of you reading this blog may feel that you cannot trust who you may be in dialogue with. There is a serious problem in the Church when trust is an issue. That is a true gauge or measure, if you will, to point to the fact that change is necessary. We do not need clichés to keep this boat floating and we do not need weighty statements of promise with no action either.
At this point we need dialogue and that dialogue to be prayerful and sincere. With the exit strategy going on in America I really get grrrish, (I like that better than bullish or bearish), about sticking up for what was! What was is not working so let us move into what is or at least what will. Yes, we need change and we need it now.
I wonder if men and women who have decision making privileges really know what their strengths are. Being voted into a position does not tell me that you know who you are or what you may be able to do! What it tells me is that you can really politic well. What makes me want to follow a leader in Church growth is when that leader lives in the present, reaches back to pull from history, values, so when he sees into the future he knows where he is leading us! Go over to missionalcog.com and view the Engage21 videos. Read the comments and get involved! We are in a period of our Church that certainly needs attention and plausible change.
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 10:41 pm | Comments (4)