Fearless

Self-Made Jesus

2012-02-29T07:15:00.002-06:00

Last night I got a question regarding the Ten Commandments from a student. “What is the difference between the first and second commandment?” After reading Exodus 20 this morning, I was a little intrigued to see the extent to which God went to state these two commandments as separate directives.

The first commandment reads,

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

The second commandment states,

“ ⁴Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

⁵Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

⁶And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.“

So what is the difference? Why does God emphatically state that “making a carved image” to be so great a wickedness that He will “visit the iniquities of the fathers upon children to the third and fourth generation” for the violation of this command? Why does he take the time to state that His nature is one of a “jealous God, “and also categorize the criminals against this command as those who “hate” Him.

Does God feel threatened by the little Buddha statues posted in Chines restaurants? Having been born in a country with tens of thousands of idols, I can see the folly of idol worship and how it can easily become an ensnaring ritual to those who have a culture set on seeing an image of the gods they worship. But how does this command find relevance in our culture. I have heard some allude to our cultural idols being those of materialistic trophies, but that still doesn’t seem to justify the response or retribution God states for the offenders.

I think the answer lies in Moses’ later explanation of this command in Deuteronomy 4. I don’t think that God is so concerned with the actual images, but rather the doorway this opens of false liberty to imagine and create God into a manageable theology. Most idol worshippers will tell you that the idol is merely a representation of the god that they believe holds the power that they reverence. The physical idol isn’t the big offense, no it is the imagination or perception that the idol represents that defiantly rivals the place God desires to hold in our thinking. Even in Christian circles, phrases of subtle idol worship are evident. Statements like, “The God I worship isn’t like that. He’s a loving God who wouldn’t allow…” The delusion of customizing God to one who fulfills our personal expectations or needs is where the command is directed. When we make God to be only a small degree similar to our imagined perception of what we need or want we are robbing ourselves and others of the full perception of His greatness. When the personality of God gets watered down to avoid offending someone, it is no different than pulling out a hammer and chisel to carve out an idol. Sure the name may be the same. We may all call Him Jesus, but under the preliminary identification, many have a man-made, need-based god who has custom fit their life.

So what is the test of verifying that we are worshipping the right Jesus and not one we have constructed with the tools of our imagination? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob speaks. He directly talks to His people. God speaks to his children directly and powerfully. If you’ve been walking this Christian walk and can only identify one or two times where God has spoken to you, you may want to question which God You are following. Are you following a perception of Jesus that has been made by your traditions and other people’s description of Him? Are you following a “good” Jesus who says nice things and can offend no one? His call was direct and demanding. “Follow me.” It wasn’t “follow me in the way that you feel like I want you to live.” When we follow our idea of who God may be, we immediately neglect the revealed will of God that comes through daily interaction with Him.

Following Jesus is a matter of daily hearing His voice. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. His ideas far out of our imaginable ability. His ways are far above our manageable way of life. Following Jesus will always pull you out of your very nature into His. Who are you really following?

Thugs & Scandalous Women

2012-02-29T07:13:00.002-06:00

"Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you."

This comment made by Jesus to the religious minds of his day revealed a devastating truth. When I begin to validate my righteousness or qualifications to be in relationship with Him on my ability to keep His word, act well, or even look godly, there goes another thug or scandalous woman right past me into the kingdom of Heaven.

It’s so easy to judge in our hearts other peoples qualifications or lack of integrity in their walk with Jesus, but in doing so we are missing the whole point of salvation by grace. Those who are broken in lifestyles of depravity are, according to Jesus, more eligible to see and enter into His kingdom. Those whom “good Christians” for the most part despise, God says, hold the simple key of realizing their depraved nature and relying fully up on him.

Grace has an all-demanding qualification. To enter into the power and benefit of His kingdom, we have to disarm our mind of self-promoting ideas and fall fully on His love. Rather than lifting ourselves up by false comparisons to “less godly” people or touting our years of service to Jesus as some sort of qualification for others to respect, we must pull our perception to the reality that we daily must fall on His grace for living. This heart attitude always leads to thankfulness rather than self-exaltation.

The heart that daily sees and draws on Jesus’ love will find it easy to love anyone. The moment we start making a qualification process in our thoughts for those whom we will show love to, we must realize that we are allowing pride to cut off the power of God’s love that desires to work through us.

If you say you want to see the supernatural power of God work through you, what you truly must pursue is to allow the supernatural love of God to work through you. Loving the not-so-lovable, the ones who hurt you, the ones who have little to offer and a great ability receive unconditional love; they are the ones to whom God will demonstrate His power to. Can he do it through you?

Money Problems

2012-02-29T07:12:00.002-06:00

Ok. So I know this will probably step on a few toes. Emotions may be agitated and I may lose a few points in on your favorite friends chart. However, I'm gonna say it...

It was about three or four weeks ago in our cell group when I heard myself make this statement- "Most of us manage more money on a monthly basis then the majority of small business around the world." My point was that at our level of wealth in middle class America not only yields to us a comfortable lifestyle, but it also affords us an unrecognized responsibility to use our wealth to propel the gospel throughout the world.

Let me paint the full picture. I am now 32 years old. I live in a nice house, with my beautiful wife and three wonderful kids. We, like most families, aren't overflowing with financial abundance, but we are not hurting by any means. We have two vehicles, a great income, and really are doing good in a comparative sense.

But there is this slight problem. It is not enough. Having all that we have doesn't fully satisfy the passion that we were feel is our destiny. It is like I have this God-inspired desire to see lives changed. It goes beyond a mere whim of emotions. It is a sense this urgency that I feel every time I set foot outside of the United States. I don't say much about this issue because I may be written off as too critical or judgmental, but I am going to share my heart.

Every time I visit places like South India, or go to the jungles of Iquitos, Peru, or to the desert of Maradi, Niger, a compassion comes out of me. From the depth of my spirit I cannot resist this calling. It is a calling to lay down every inhibition in following Jesus, to fully sacrifice many of my sacred luxuries in life to bring the Gospel to more people. It is a vision greater than my ability to fulfill. The call to bring the gospel to the broken places of the world puts a demand on my shoulders to sacrifice more. How much more? Well, more than I feel I can afford at times. Now, before you dismiss this as just another request for money for a mission, hear me out.

I really don't need your money, but what I do need is for Christians like you and me to take a true look at the cost of following the directives that Jesus gave to us. The American idea of entitlement has not only crippled us as a culture but it has shortened the reach of evangelism around the world. The reasoning that claims God's provision for our personal needs before the needs of the kingdom has destroyed many devout believers at the foundational level of their faith. So many in the church struggle financially and as a result, they never live outside of their personal desires or images of success.

I hesitate to say that when I am in the US and I have conversations with friends about their new two or three thousand dollar toy or their recent luxurious vacation, this button gets pushed inside of me. I begin to calculate the number of kids that could have been supported, pastors that could have been fed, or resources that could have been brought to an unreached area of the world. This is not a condemnation, but I have to say that the level of wealth that most of us enjoy far greater than the extent of the gospel that it propels. There is a serious lie that we have been living.

Am I saying people shouldn't have good things? No, I am saying that many have lost sight of the passage that says "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you." The point I am making is that the building of God's kingdom or the reaching of the lost is not really a priority in our belief system and therefore of little importance in our financial allotment.

Some resort to the idea that as long as they are giving their 10% to a church, well then God is under a great, divine obligation to pour out over them all the riches of heaven. Even with the exaggeration of this principle in American pulpits, statistics say that less than 15 to 20% of regular church attending Christians actually tithe. Would it amaze you to know that if 50% of Christians in the American church simply gave their 10%, as it is clearly shown in the scriptures, we would have no financial needs in the American church? No fundraisers for missions, for youth camps, for special projects. None of that. The problem goes back to the belief that God has blessed us for our own benefit and not for His greater work. It stems from the belief that reaching the lost is one of many spiritualized goals in the Christian life. Reaching the lost is the Christian life. Jesus didn’t instruct his disciples to go and have a good life, surround yourself with people who love you, share your core values, and build up a reservoir of wealth to sustain a comfortable lifestyle. No, He said go. Go into all the world and make disciples. We’ve short-changed God. He has given us eternal life and we have responded with an emotional commitment to be better people while fully neglecting His greater call to go and make disciples. We have mutated the Christian faith to deformed, self-glorifying, psychological state of happiness. The gospel is a life altering, death defying risk that should put your heart, mind and emotions on the brink of sole dependence on the Living God while fully dying to self. You won’t hear that from the pulpits of most churches.

I am not angry. Just a little frustrated. I look into the eyes of these orphan kids and in the back of my mind I calculate what greater sacrifice can I make to put a practical gospel into their hands. Then I go back to the US and I am at a loss for words an I plead with “God-loving” believers to give into a vision greater than themselves. Can I dare say, "how about you sell that extra vehicle, or skip a vacation, or maybe take a chunk out of your savings account and do something eternal with it." It seems like it is too much to ask when I imply that believers should make a financial sacrifice to reach a community, or build a church, or feed a family for a year. I humbly say this having made these kinds of sacrifices. It makes me nauseous t think that most churches in my community have spent ten times more this year on a “building project” than on reaching the lost. Somehow we can justify buying a lighting system, that may invoke a small pump of serotonin in someone’s mind during a climatic point of worship, over feeding literally dozens of children or transforming the welfare of a whole village. Doesn’t that make you sick? I’ve got to bring it down to a practical level. Who in their right mind commits to following Jesus with more fervor because their church feels more like a Starbucks when they walk into it? Maybe we are not so concerned with a commitment to following Jesus as we are a commitment to just being happy.

Is it too much to think that maybe believers should step out in a level of financial sacrifice that literally would necessitate that God move on their behalf? When was the last time you believed God for finances that were for a greater purpose rather than just up-sizing your current way of life. Is that too much? I am reminded of the scripture in 1 Corinthians 9 that says "He give seed to the sower..." This passage directly addresses what the financial perspective of the believer should be. Some may say well, if I had more I'd give more. The truth is unless you make sacrifices out of what you have, you will never have enough to give. If you cant give a dollar when you have ten dollars, I promise you, you will not give ten percent of what you have when you hold a million.

Someone once asked me, "Why do you take so many people across the world, why not just send money?" Because it is about more than money. People truly need to see and experience the message the commandment Jesus spoke..."Go into all the world and preach the gospel." When people come to places like India and see the poverty and climate of a godless culture it gives a true view of what the gospel truly can do. Once your heart is filled with His compassion, money becomes no object.

How far will it go? I have at times thought of selling my house, downsizing and taking my money and planting churches across Niger, Africa. I have sold vehicles, equipment, and emptied savings accounts in the past to get the gospel to other countries. I am not saying that to brag, but I believe that if we are serious about taking the gospel to the ends of the earth, we'd better shut our mouth and start doing something other than reading or watching heart warming clips of someone else's work.

Go. Tell the world. Go. Make a difference. I promise there is no way you can sacrifice your life, time, or finances for the gospel's sake and find that it will lead you away from the calling of God's will on your life. No one will stand before Jesus in His glory and say, "Man I really gave too much time and money to get the gospel out to the nations, I am sorry." No, I think the contrary will be the reality. So many talk of sacrifice, so few experience the joys of its practice.

Why not take the crazy step out of the boat and do something to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. My little boy Judah (4 years old) currently is saving every penny he gets to fund a water well project through Gospel for Asia. He made it a priority over saving money for a much desired Spider-man umbrella. In his little mind he figured out the true value of people over things. The truth is that when Jesus and his disciples left this earth they didn't leave behind houses, lands, fortunes, or a secure life for the next generation. There was nothing balanced about their lifestyle. They counted the cost. They laid it all on the line day after day and delivered to us a Gospel that changed the world not only in their lifetime but for ages to come.

When I go home to my Savior, my kids may not inherit millions, but they will have a possession in them that will change the face of nations. One last thought. Often in the ministry, I am approached by eager young believers with questions that surround the idea of how to get closer to God, or how to strengthen their spiritual life. The common response would be to say things like, “Well, you should read this book,” or “spend some time in prayer” or “meditate on this passage in the Bible.” I think I am going to change my response to, “What you need to do is make a budget and set your goal from this day forward to give as much as possibly can to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. Find a vibrant ministry that will take you to another nation and connect you with orphans, widows, and the poor so you can take the vast wealth that you have and transfer it into riches in Heaven. Do you really want to be spiritual? Then this is what James 1:27 says ” Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

The Feelings

2012-02-29T07:10:00.000-06:00

It’s a cyclical trap that the mind can play on us. I am referring to the well-promoted emotional euphoria we at times pursue in our relationship with God. At first it is usually a genuine response. We encounter God and the Divine clashes with our human frame and we are left in an emotional jolt of feelings and thoughts, and as a result walk away with an experience that is “life changing.” But in the light of these events, let me say that feelings are always a byproduct of our pursuit of finding and encountering Jesus.

However, the manipulation of the human mind always attempts to replicate an emotional memory by patterning our behavior to a previous “good experience.” Sometimes with great repetition we push to re-experience the presence of God, and at times leave the present work of God in our lives to reminisce in the past of what we once felt. The pattern or behavior of “drawing near to the Presence of God” cannot be formulated, because at the point that we create a formula, we quickly begin to idolize the formula and forget the God we are pursuing. There is a fallacy in formatting an approach to God, it enables us to be a less transparent in hopes that God will in some way just comply with our methodology of approaching Him rather than deal with us on an intimate level of truth.

Here is where the trap is sprung. So many believers would say that they don’t feel God at some event, or church and that is the basis for their criticism, but feelings are the worst of all factors which we should base our decisions. We must have a basis for decisions that transcends our emotional make up. History can account for horrendous blows to the name of Jesus because some individual “felt” that God was saying something to them. If you can’t feel God, then that is an indication that feelings are not reliable. They are only subservient to the actions we implement. It’s a simple cause and effect principle.

So what then should be the standard that we align our spiritual growth against? This is where the voice of the apostles, prophets and pastors come into play. What was the last commandment of Christ to his disciples? “Go and make Disciples…” We can only evaluate our growth in Christ when we submit ourselves to other men and women of God who can discipline us in our walk with Jesus. The church is not a man-made organization. God put in place the prophets, pastors, apostles, and teachers for the building of the body of Christ. There is a stability in submitting yourself to the wisdom that God has given to men of God. True leaders in the faith look to make more leaders. Life produces life.

Secondly the word of God is a stabilizing factor in the life of the believer. We must have a continual input of godly teaching, bible study and discussion of the word to open our minds to the reality that God has created for us.

Teachers

2012-02-29T07:05:00.000-06:00

Matthew 9:35-38

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."

There is a pattern here in the way Jesus performed his miraculous ministry. He taught first, and then healed the sick. In fact In all but two instances in the four gospels this theme emerges. Jesus taught about the kingdom, and then he healed the sick.

Is it plausible to say that for people to enter into the fullness of who they are in Christ and acquire the authority they have over sickness and disease they must first believe correctly? How can they believe the truth if they don’t hear it? Even in the scope of salvation, belief is a foundational principle in following Jesus, what we believe will manifest life or death in our daily life.

For most it is not a matter of heresy that keeps them out of enjoying the supernatural blessings of God, no it is because the "traditions of men" or religious ways of thinking that disrupt the divine nature within them. If we believe incorrectly, then the enemy has a place to work though out thinking. He uses our own power of speech and meditation to work against the Divine nature in us.

I'd like to think that this is a new and cunning way that the enemy has devised to keep the children of God captive to sickness, poverty, disease, or any other oppression, but it isn't. From the day of the fall the enemy's only way of oppression has been to plant into our thinking a doubt concerning the virtue or goodness of God.

The truth is that whatever we begin to establish as the truth in our heart, in regards to the nature of God and his love for us, from that place of belief our reality begins to form. For example let’s say I believe that sickness is Gods way to “teach me a lesson” or draw me into greater spiritual truth.” Then I open a door for sickness in my life. Every time I get a little cough I will begin an introspective search of condemnation. Yet the truth is that God dealt with sickness once and for all on the cross. You know what Jesus did the most while on the earth? Sure he walked on water, fed masses of people, but by far his number one act was to heal the sick. So if I don’t believe it is God’s passion to heal my body, then I believe a lie. That lie at its core is attacking the nature of God. Ironically this resembles mans original sin.

So what is the remedy for this problem? Jesus unfolds it here and also in every account of His healing acts. First he taught the people about the Kingdom of God. Only two instance out of every healing recorded in the gospels indicate that Jesus did not teach before he healed. The first was outside of a city called Nain. There was a dead young man being carried out by his mother and friends. Jesus was moved with compassion and he raised the dead boy to life. The second was the man at the pool of Bethesda. Scripture indicates that after the man was healed Jesus specifically told him that his sickness was due to sin, or a way of past thinking ( I wish I had time to go into that point). After Jesus confrontation with him, the language indicates that the man went to the Pharisees and told them that it was Jesus that told him to pick up his bed on the Sabbath day. This in turn caused more persecution for Jesus. Why do I say all that? Because it is clear that when Jesus healed he healed and imparted truth so people could walk in the new life.

So back to the passage in Matt 9

The scripture says Jesus was “moved with compassion” for the multitudes because they were “weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd.” Now think about that, he is talking about the multitude that was following him. The masses just witnessed him heal all the sick and diseased and yet Jesus indicates o his disciples that a demonstration of power is not enough to lead these “sheep having no shepherd.” What does Jesus indicate to his disciples that his desire is for the masses? In verse 37 He says the laborers are few and the harvest or reaping is great. That word laborers literally translates as “teachers.”

What is the point Jesus is making? Teachers of correct truth are the greatest key to leading people into places of wholeness. It is false believing that has to come first before failure in life is a reality. Coincidentally Paul states that in the last days men will turn from sound doctrine or teaching. So what is the right and wrong “teaching”?

This is my point… If we sit under the principles of the moral law and build our life in the keeping of the law for the maintaining of our salvation, health, wealth, or any other life facet, we will intrinsically reach the frustration point of not being able to keep the law or seeing the outworking of keeping the law which is bondage to the sin nature. When the law is absent so is the propensity to sin, but since the law was introduced, then sin was made alive and we received the judgment of its work which is death.

However if we sit under the teaching or hearing of God’s grace, we can receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness by which we can reign in life.

Here is the litmus test. The preaching of the law always leads to behavior modification in hopes to achieve a higher place of approval from God. The doctrine of grace reveals that we are made righteous by one, Jesus Christ, and through his redemptive work on the cross we have been broken from the curse of sin and death. His work was not only for our salvation but for our healing, wealth, and completeness.

What message are you listening to? Who is teaching you?

Safety Net

2012-02-29T07:00:00.003-06:00

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

*to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing.

As much as I’d like to say that there is a shortcut to growing in my relationship with Jesus, the pattern set in this passage is simple. When I consistently open my heart to be changed by the teaching of the “apostles” in the faith, this allows the Holy Spirit to address who I am and change me into who He has created me to be. The Holy Spirit is more interested in who I am than what I can do for Him. It is character not charisma that sustains us an effective conduit for God’s love. Acts of God’s miraculous power are only symptomatic of a heart that is fully committed to His passion.

“Doctrine” in this passage literally means “teachings.” When I put my ears and heart under the teachings of men or women of, I humbly position myself under God’s chosen method of heart and mind transformation. As in any career, the best way to learn is by seeing and sitting under those who have successfully lived out the same passion. Jesus has given us His “gifts” of apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists to empower us to do His kingdom work. (Ephesians 4:11).

The belief that a lifestyle of following Jesus can be maintained without the direct counsel and partnership of others is a belief that empowers pride. When I move under the pretense of independence, motives will be clouded with pride and self-preservation. These pitfalls are easily avoided when I humbly choose to learn from God-appointed leadership in my life. Running from a place of submission to God-given authority will only open doors of self-destruction. Some may say, “I can hear God’s voice for myself.” That may be very true, but to have no guiding voice of wisdom will eventually lead to hearing God’s voice through the bias of things that will only benefit self. We were created for community.

How can I find godly leadership to partner in community with? The church! Rather than looking to find overqualified theologians in the faith, look for those who love you enough to say “you’re wrong.” If no one can correct you, then you have classified yourself in the category of what the book of Proverbs calls “a fool.” As G.K. Chesterton says, “it is the madman who ‘believes in himself’.” The rational, logical person will question their actions and motives. The man of wisdom will search out the voice of others to correct and guide his decisions. (Proverbs 1:5)

Prideful & Poor

2012-02-29T06:59:00.003-06:00

This morning I had the chance to meet with my college crew and make a visit to a small park in downtown Beaumont. My friend Andrew and his small group have had a consistent ministry of going to this specific park to minister to the homeless and needy. We arrived with about 30 of our students and friends to the park and began to unload the clothes and food that we had prepared. As we began setting up tables a few men and women began congregating around the gifts we brought. Our prayer and purpose for the day was simply to show Jesus' love to as many who would come with a need for help.

The autumn wind gently rained down leaves around us as the Holy Spirit began to prepare our hearts for a time of beautiful ministry. We served up some thanksgiving meal favorites and helped curious browsers package up bags of clothes, gifts, and to-go boxes of food. Strolling around the park a few hours into our event, I watched students ministering in small circles with the "needy" who came out. It was beautiful to listen to the compassion of the Holy Spirit gracefully speaking through each one. Tears flowed down the dirty faces of mothers and little children as warm hugs and prayers were freely given to all one who came. To my surprise only a few responded with a tone of ingratitude or harshness. Somehow sincere love is irresistible and healing when it is welcome.

As I was praying with a number of men I found myself trying to hold back tears. My heart was moved not by the needs that I had heard, but because of the simple desperation of each heart. This truly put into perspective the words of Jesus. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God." (Matt 5:3) These broken lives were indeed looking for a Savior in every sense of that word. They needed the evident power of God to touch them in the small window of time that we were with them. They needed Jesus and He did not fail to show His love and presence through us.

Somehow, I think, the gospel and its' power is truly evident to those who are humble enough to see their desperation and see only Jesus as the solution. It's no wonder to me that the love of wealth and its luxuries seem to be the root cause of an impotent Christian life. Show me someone who is profoundly void of God's manifest power, and I can show you someone who has trophies of big toys and bank accounts. This isn't a blanket condemnation on the rich, rather an observation on the correlation that I commonly discover to be true. People who aggressively or even passively pursue their idea of a good life somehow never live out the eternal life that resides within them.

The poor are not those who are destitute and below the average financial status. Those who are truly poor are the ones who live pridefully bankrupt of the Divine nature that Jesus calls us to demonstrate in our lives daily. You can be rich with church vocabulary and have your heart surplus with religious traditions, but when the pressure and testing of life demands you give an account of Christ nature in you, you will probably find your character in a deficit which no bank or government can bail out. Unless you daily draw on His account of life-changing grace, you cannot mimic the power that is intended to sustain His children. I am inclined to believe that Jesus’ statements against the wealthy and the rich were well targeted in light of the subtle idolatry that it affords to the prideful and poor.

Matthew 6:19-20

“Do not lay up treasures on earth for yourselves, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”

Symptoms

2012-02-29T06:51:00.004-06:00

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life:

But perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

It is by far the easiest form of deception that we fall into. It is so easy to see ourselves outside of the true reality that we are in. I know you can probably think of a few examples of those who live in a false view of themselves. Sometimes kindness or hesitation allows us to keep silent when we see a stark contrast in the lives of others between what they think they are and truth. But what about your life? What about my life? What litmus test do we use to gauge our hearts? How do I keep my world in the place of reality rather than a prideful place of false perception?

Proverbs unfolds in this passage that our words are the revealers of our spirit's condition. Our conversation, whether intentional or not, pull back the curtain of mystery concerning our spirits' maturity. How and what we speak about at home, on the job, or in a restaurant constantly indicate the wholeness or brokenness of our spirit. As we hear wholesome comments from our lips, they indicate life-giving power inside of us. Wholesome here is defined by the standard of God's perception (see verse 3).

When there is breach in our spirit, it is reflected in our perverse or "crooked" way of talking. Don't let the word perverse only imply sexually immoral speech in this passage. It means discussion that perverts the way God has created for us to live. When we lack the wholeness or healing which the Holy Spirit has revealed in His Word for us, we tend to justify our criticism of others. Our speech will betray a "breach" in our spirit. Literally that means "a breaking or fracture, crushing, a breaking of a dream." When we speak reflecting past failures, hurts, or offenses, it is our hearts way of flashing a message to us that we need healing. We need healing from the tree of life. How? Allow the Holy Spirit to show you His power and ability to forgive, to restore and bring wholeness into you heart.

Watch the dash board of your spirit's condition today by listening to your conversation. Allow the Holy Spirit to uncover heart issues through your words and then address the broken places.

Also see James 3:2

To the Death

2012-02-29T06:42:00.001-06:00

“And they did not consider their lives precious and thus come to love them, to the extent of death” [1]

Revelations 12:10-11

There is no other strategy that the early church had in proclaiming the gospel other than demonstrating the power of God with their message. It is a trap to become masters of intellectual techniques in reaching the lost that are predominantly void of supernatural power. Strategies that lean heavily on intellectual persuasion seem to empower us with pride and produce academic students rather than disciples of Jesus.

As my friend Chan Mason says, “if we as Jesus’ disciples aren’t living out the life that Jesus lived, then something is wrong.” Somehow we have attributed the Christian life to merely be a life void of sinful behavior. That’s like saying a good marriage is one that is void of promiscuous behavior.

Overcoming the sin nature is the part of our relationship that Jesus already accomplished. The signs that follow the life of the believer are not only signs of internal peace, high moral character, and content living. No, Jesus said “these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18

How did we ever get so far away from this kind of lifestyle? Is it possible that we have equated intellectual knowledge with experiential truth? Knowing the truth of the gospel only takes a mere reading of a book or hearing of a good message, but to live out the same truth takes revelation. Revelation comes only from hearing and obeying the Holy Spirit.

Many times we receive revelation from God’s word, through a message, a reading, or conversation. We hear and agree and then do feel like the revelation has become a reality in our life by our mere agreement. However, the key way to make that revelation manifest is to seek out immediate ways to apply it to the matters of our own heart.

What will this do? It will cause our heart to be affected. Our human nature will be crucified to the cross of Christ’s standard. The sacrifice of our obedience, will produce a revelation in our heart.

For example, let’s say the Holy Spirit speaks to you about forgiveness. You may agree and smile at the idea of forgiving people, but take it a step further. Ask Him to unveil areas of un-forgiveness in your own heart. As He does (this is where revelation painfully takes root in your heart) look to Him for the power to obey His word. Then by continually forgiving those who have hurt you, you will enter into a living revelation of the love of the Father. There is a significant death to self here. We die to our idea of what is fair or just and soley trust Him to reveal His nature to us. The principle applies to many areas of our heart such as pride, envy, or strife. We can stop at agreement or move to a place of practicing what we agree with.

We must lay our life down continually to the death. There is no greater place of life than in this kind of death. Death to self.

[1] Wuest, K. S. (1997). The New Testament : An expanded translation (Re 12:10–11). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

Our recent trip to Niger

2012-02-28T17:04:00.000-06:00

Preaching in the Villages

Never have I seen so many miracles on a single mission trip than during this past mission. Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support that made our work in Niger a possibility.

This was my fifth year to lead a team into the city of Maradi. The relationships that we have built with our close friends and missionaries in Maradi truly enabled the work of the Holy Spirit in each village. To read about each of our outreaches, you can check out "My Notes" on my Facebook page, but let me highlight a few miracles for you.

Beginning in November of 2011 our team began preparing for this mission by reading two books by Bill Johnson that focused on reaching the lost with the healing power of God. The Holy Spirit led us to believe Him for miracles and salvations. In years past we have primarily ministered to local Nigerien pastors and to the Bible school students. However, this year our focus was on village outreaches.

Many were healed of their sicknesses

Beginning on Saturday, February 5th, we took our evangelism team, made up of local pastors, worship leaders, musicians, and translators, into various villages. Usually centered on a main road, our team and band of conga players rhythmically sang out familiar songs of worship in the Housa language. As the music swelled in volume villagers would quickly gather around us to hear what we had to say. Children would dance and curious women and teens would be among the first to join us. Muslim leaders and fathers would slowly follow behind to observe us from a distance.

We presented the gospel with personal stories and scriptures to show Jesus as the only way to salvation, healing, and deliverance. In every outreach, villagers responded to the call for salvation. It was beautiful to see the Holy Spirit draw hearts to Jesus through our simple message of His salvation.

Standing in the village street, I remember pointing to the commonly seen mud-brick houses and telling how Jesus took me from a similar community and culture to be His disciple. Many times tears would well up in my eyes as I took the hands

Blind Eyes were opened

of many children, mothers, and fathers to pray.

We also invited the sick and afflicted to come forward for healing. The Holy Spirit would then faithfully demonstrate His love and power. Blind eyes opened, pains disappeared from legs, backs, and hips. Deaf ears were opened, and the lame walked!

In the first village we visited, Kandawara, the tribal chief came forward to be healed. He had little to no vision in his left eye. So we laid our hands on him and commanded the blindness to go. In moments a smile stretched across his face as Jesus restored his sight. With joy the chief then committed his life to following Jesus. Jesus still heals blind eyes!

Children experienced the touch of Jesus

As our outreach was closing in our second village of Gangara, a mother approached me with her two year old boy in her arms. She told us that her little boy was unable to walk. After placing my hands around his thin legs and speaking against the work of the enemy in his body, I asked the mother to place her son on the ground. The boy only stood, clinging to her leg. I asked her if he could do that before and she nodded yes. Then I knelt down and touched his legs again. As I spoke, his legs jolted in response. Then taking him by the hands, Rebecca, my translator, walked the little child across the sand. Looking up, I saw the mother filled with joy as tears streamed down her face. She said he had never walked like that before! Praise our healing God!

In the last village we visited (Karoussa), many came forward to be healed, to the point that I remember praying with two or three people at a time. As each group prayed with me asking Jesus to be Lord of their lives, they were immediately healed! Cripple arms stretched out, the lame walked, and blind eyes opened. It was GLORIOUS!

Thank you for your prayers and support that has made this past trip a great event of healing and salvation in the lives of many.

Looking forward, we have began planning our next mission into China this coming May. Please keep us in prayer as God opens doors before us to go and make disciples around the world and on the campus of Lamar University.

Deliverance was brought to the captive

Stephen Samuel

2011-12-10T12:26:00.000-06:00

December 2011

Dear Friends,

Our growing family

We would like to wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! May Jesus greatly bless you and your family. In the year to come, we pray God will reveal to you His great love and mightily use you touch your community. As you read this month's newsletter, know that because of your prayers and financial support we are able to witness the many great things that are written here. Thank you so much for your friendship and prayers that have strengthened our hands in the ministry this year.

This fall semester God has rained down His miraculous power through our students at Lamar University. We began holding regular prayer meetings on campus and since then we have seen the working of the Holy Spirit in powerful ways. We have witnessed demons cast out, deaf ears opened, students walking out of wheelchairs, eyes healed, bones mended, and many have committed their hearts to fully following Jesus. God has stirred the vision of our students to seek His face for a campus of 14,500 students.

Student Outreach in downtown Beaumont, TX

In January 2012 we will launch a new leadership training class to equip our student leaders in hosting small groups on campus. Because discipleship is a vital key in developing every believers' walk, we know the

Lord has given us great grace to train and mentor students. Through effective discipleship, we aim to reach the thousands of lost students on the campus of Lamar. Currently we have 20 small groups that meet on a weekly basis in addition to our weekly Thursday night service. In the fall semester of 2012, we will start a one year internship program that will enable graduates to continue the work of the ministry on campus. The fires of revival are being ignited in the hearts of our students and we are eager to see the Lord do mighty things!

Maradi, Niger in 2012

Ministry in Maradi, Niger

In February I will be leading another team to Maradi, Niger in North Africa. We are scheduled to host the annual pastor's conference this year and also speak at various evangelistic, city-wide services. Although Maradi is a predominantly Muslim city, we are believing for open doors of ministry. We are praying to see lives changed by the healing power of Jesus. As we bring the message of healing to the many sick and afflicted, please pray with us for dynamic miracles. As the sick are healed, the hearts of the lost are opened wide to salvation!

China 2012

This coming May I have an incredible opportunity to go into China. Moving under the threats of the communist government, our team will be journeying through the mountains to bring the gospel to the Miguba and Baima people. Our goal is to find the exact location of these tribes and build a means of communication to present Jesus to them. Please pray for our safety and doors of opportunity. As a part of the trip we hope to smuggle in Bibles in the Mandarin language to supply local pastors and leaders with God's word!

On a side note, I have begun studying the Mandarin language with the aid of two of our Chinese students at Lamar. Lord willing, I will have a good hold on the language by our departure date!

As you may know, Jenilee and I are soon expecting another baby boy! Shiloh Samuel will arrive in March of 2012. The Lord has truly blessed us and granted us His grace as we move forward into His calling for our ministry and family. Thanks so much for your prayers and financial support.

Sincerely,

Stephen Samuel

August 2011 Update

2011-08-16T12:15:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

Bringing support to our Pastors in Niger

It has been a few months since our last update, much has been happening with the ministry around the world and I want to thank you for your continued support. Jenilee and I greatly appreciate your prayers as we look forward to all the Lord will do in the months to come. As you take the time to read this update, please keep us and the missionaries we support in prayer.

Team in Iquitos, Peru

As I write this update my friend and missions partner, Carl Wagner, is leading a team in the city of Iquitos. He and ten other team members are working with our missionary Adam Bostic to build a children's ministry site. They also will be ministering each evening with local pastors in various villages. Please keep them in prayer. Your faithful support enabled us to support the building project they are constructing now.

China- Our Bibles and support got in!

With much prayer and precaution our team ventured into the eastern side of China to bring in Mandarin Bibles this past July. After facing some interrogation in the Beijing airport, the Bibles and funding to build the ministry in China were safely delivered. Praise Jesus! Thanks for your support in bringing the gospel to some of the most unreached people groups in China.

Aiding Pastors in Maradi, Niger

Our completed orphanage building in Madurai, India

A few weeks ago I got an urgent request for help from our missionaries in Maradi, Niger. They are in the middle of a famine and were in need of funds to feed pastors and respective churches throughout the Maradi region. We were able to meet the need with $1200.00. We look forward to returning to Maradi in February to continue in the work of reaching the city and building the work of the church.

Orphanage building in Madurai, India

As you know, at the close of last year we began work on adding a second floor to one of our orphanages in the

city of Madurai, India. The work has been completed and now we have doubled the capacity of children that we can house.

As you can see the new construction is going to be a great home for many needy children. Thanks for your help in funding this project. Our prayer is to soon open a third orphanage in the years to come.

Ministry at Lamar University- Beaumont, Texas

Years ago, the Lord led me and a few students at Lamar University to start a small weekly Bible study. Our mission was simple. We desired to see Jesus transform lives on the campus of Lamar University. Having graduated from Lamar in 2002, the Lord led me to pour into this ministry to college students. Our small group slowly grew and now God has brought a number of churches and leaders together behind His vision of reaching the lost. Our campus ministry took on the name "Release" and now reaches hundreds of students each week. Free Life Missions actively supports the work God is doing at Lamar University. Because of your prayers and support we are seeing the Lord touch and transform the lives of students from many nations and throughout the US. In addition to our weekly services, Release will kick off the Fall semester with 24 cell groups on campus to disciple and mentor students in their walk with Jesus.

Thanks for being a part of all the Lord is doing thorough our lives. Your financial support truly enables us to continue the work of the ministry here on the home front and around the world. You prayers and support are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Stephen Samuel