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God once ate with prostitutes, thieves, and drunks. How foolish! Not anymore… http://t.co/nwtKd86Y — Kevin_D_53 (@Kevin_D_53)

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The one thing about the end times that is very clear in the Word is that only the Father knows when Jesus will come again.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. (Mk 13:32-33)

We can discern the signs and look with expectation toward that day, but only a fool will try to say this is the day or that is the day.

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.” (Mk 13:21-23)

The same account is included almost word for word in 3 of 4 Gospels, so it is important, (Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21), but we are not to focus on those things, or look at them with fear … in fact we are told to rejoice. Many have come before and many more will come, trying to deceive the elect. If we know the Word, and spend time with the Lord in prayer and worship we will not be deceived. Let us watch, wait, be ready, and in the the meantime preach the Kingdom and make disciples of all nations. As Paul said in 1 Thess 5:2-6:

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do,but let us watch and be sober.

As the Bereans did, know the signs of the times, and search the Word to prove all things … Be Blessed, and be ready.

Blogging Through Bonhoeffer: Part II « Reimagining Church

A great post by Frank Viola. I highly recommend following this series. I particularly like Bonhoeffer’s description of the church: “Christ existing as community.” If we all took that to heart, it would change the world!

Blogging Through Bonhoeffer: Part II « Reimagining Church.

Keeping Christ at the Center of Our Sermons | Christian Standard

One of the best postings I have seen in a while… enough said.

Keeping Christ at the Center of Our Sermons | Christian Standard.

The Purple & Gold Blog

Hey, A guy’s gotta brag on his kids now and then!

Snowshoeing for a World-Class Coach

YouTube – Voter Responsibilities

Election day is Tuesday. If so how will you choose? Party line? Pocketbook? Voting is not only a right, it’s a responsibility, as it is to choose people of solid and upright moral character. This video by David Barton is one of the best short discourses on why and how we should vote I have seen.

YouTube – Voter Responsibilities.

UK Proposes All Paychecks Go to the State First – CNBC

Well, I suppose it was just a matter of time until someone proposed this. Basically, you send, (or rather your employer sends), all your money to the government, and then they will give you your share after they take out yours.

You trust your government to be watching out for all your interests right ????? After all those bureaucrats and politicians are always careful to make sure they do the best thing for you … it’s not like they are looking for ways to line their pockets or anything ….

I don’t think I am alone when the hair on the back of my neck stands up at the thought of this….

UK Proposes All Paychecks Go to the State First – CNBC.

God Says, “I Do Not Remember”

Francis Frangipane shares a great reminder of the never ending mercy and loving kindness of the Lord. How many times we fall short of His perfect will because we fail to understand this basic truth? How many times have we considered ourselves, or others, disqualified because we did not trust in His forgiveness. Oh, we all know the scriptures, most of us can quote them by heart, but few of us have made them heart truth.

When we truly understand forgiveness, and the price our Lord paid to obtain that forgiveness for us, we will turn this world on it’s ear. Until then I pray that He would give each of us fresh revelation of this essential truth.

“For the Lord is good;His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:5

God Says, “I Do Not Remember”.

House Church: Skip the sermon, worship at home

An interesting article. This is a growing trend, and to be honest, on we are a part of. My wife and I currently participate in several home church gatherings on a regular basis. Every one is unique, and each one is a blessing. I would be VERY surprised to see us back in a traditional church setting on a regular basis. It’s just not a good fit (for us anyway) anymore.

House Church: Skip the sermon, worship at home (OneNewsNow.com).

Performance or Passion?

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“Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:21-24

One does not have to look far these days to find a church that “has it together.” The worship team flows smoothly, flawless and professional in all they do. The choir can likewise be counted upon to provide beautiful, soaring harmonies guaranteed to lift the spirit. The AV department is professional and solid, providing clean sound and video, PowerPoint slides and lighting effects on cue. The pastor is smooth and polished, an accomplished presenter delivering a message sure to encourage and inspire. It all “clicks” flowing together in a service that lifts everyone, sending them forth ready to face the week ahead. God is glorified and pleased … or is He?

What is it that really pleases God? Is it a slick, professional service, or a sold out heart? Is it His will we be encouraged, lifted up, and recharged to withstand the week ahead, or would He rather we leave equipped, challenged, and released like an arrow to it’s mark to do damage to the enemy? Does He desire us entertained, or transformed? Does He desire we encourage and inspire, or preach the Kingdom?

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17

By now, you likely guessed where I am going. Some may not like this, but God is not seeking a professional performance, but heartfelt worship. He would rather have a barely competent musician truly worshiping Him out of heart consumed with love and desire for Him than a whole team of top flight professionals focused on a great performance. He would rather see an unpolished speaker willing to follow the Spirit and speak whatever He puts in his mouth than a great orator delivering a preplanned speech. Or better yet, a series of “regular” people speaking what he gave each of them to share, coming as they are, broken, vulnerable, trembling, undone … real.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7

Throughout the Bible we see God choosing not the skilled, nor the mighty, but the small, the weak, the vulnerable, but above all the humble and obedient. Jacob, the sneak, instead of Esau the man’s man. Gideon, hiding in the wine press, Moses, the stutterer, David, small, no account, adulterer, murderer, liar, man after God’s heart. Paul, murderer, Peter, Andrew and John, rough fishermen. Matthew, tax collector, cheat, swindler.

Even Jesus when He came to earth did not come as a king, but as a common man, worse yet, as the illegitimate child of a tradesman in a backwater town.

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” John 1:46

They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” John 7:52

There was nothing physically that drew others to Him, we are told that He was, at best, well … ordinary.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8

What then drew others to Him and set the world on its ear? The anointing and authority He carried as He followed the Spirit and allowed the Holy Spirit to guide Him in all He said and did. But wait you say, “Jesus said He did only what He saw the Father do in heaven.” You are right, and I questioned that as well. When I did I heard, “Who do you think showed me what the Father was doing?”  Then I saw this verse in my spirit:

And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. ^I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:32-34

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That, my friend, is just what He desires for each of us. That we be consumed with desire for the Lover of Our Souls. That we follow His Holy Spirit in all that we say and do, that we worship Him, not professionally, but in Spirit and Truth. Let me be clear. I am not saying we should not give our best, rather that our best needs to be in its proper place. Let us follow the Spirit in all things, walking in truth as He reveals, so that like Jesus we may turn the world on its ear.

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

Selah

KHD 7/11/10