“Christ’s Tapestry” - Pt 4 on His Church

“The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't, the parts we see and the parts we don't. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. You are Christ's body—that's who you are! You must never forget this.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27, The Message) The church is truly the “body of Christ” - a living organism, not an organization. Just like our physical bodies are made up of different parts such as hands, legs, ears and eyes, so is the body of Christ made up of different parts (believers). Each part is vitally essential to the proper functioning and growth of the body. Let’s take for example your pinky finger – with one hand holding the other hand’s pinky, try closing your fist tightly …. OUCH! Amazing that this small member of our hand provides the greater percentage of the strength produced from a clinched fist, and to do so without it leaves us little strength/power and as you likely noted, in pain! Each of us – although made in the very image of our Creator (Genesis 1:26) – has been created and fashioned by God with a unique difference. Each believer is given at least one spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit to use for the glory of Christ and the edification of His body. Listen to God’s Word elaborate on the beauty of the different parts which make up His body, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good … All these (spiritual gifts) are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11) His Word teaches us that each person has divine importance in the body of Christ and we, as fellow members of His body, need to acknowledge this importance as God does - equally (playing ‘favorites’ is a sin; “…don’t show favoritism!” James 2:1-4). From the layman who quietly prays for every member of his/her church family to the pastor who God has been called to shepherd a local flock – God manifests Himself different through every believer, yet in His eyes we are equal in our value and worth! For some, this Biblical truth may serve as a sobering call to humility as perhaps we have ‘ranked’ (whether directly or indirectly) the value of others by their titles / position. Is there various levels of responsibility for believers – emphatically Yes! James 3:1 teaches that those called to teach (preach) God’s Word will be “judged more strictly than others” (CEV) because of their area of responsibility, yet their value to the body is equally as important as every other member. Yet God holds each of us responsible for using whatever spiritual gift He has chosen to give us. Chris TieGreen in his devotional, Wonder of the Cross, writes, “Only heaven will reveal how many churches have failed because somebody who was planted in the church to play the role of an encourager, neglected their role, considering it too small or unimportant and walked away. This is true of many different roles that God has given to individuals. (Spiritual) roles that have not been fulfilled.” So today, let us be challenged to step back and examine the ‘spiritual mosaic’ of the church family where God has placed each of us for the current season of our life journey. Do we see the ‘divine beauty’ of the differences of God’s people which He has grafted into that local body of His? Do we see Him granted permission to weave these many differences (egs. age, race, family issues, life experiences, vocation, finances, health, etc.) through the sharing of life’s journey together into the beautiful and divine tapestry to which He calls “His Body?” Understand that no matter where He chooses to divinely place you and me, we ALL can be honored to be a part of God’s “family quilt” (His Church) which He is creating for His use & His glory! …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led video is by a Worship Team from Cairnhill Methodist Church in Singapore and so beautifully reflects the 'mosaic' of God's Church throughout all the world. The praise & worship song can be viewed by clicking on the song title, "I Will Build My Church" G3!

“Rock Solid Foundations” - Pt 3 on His Church

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) In the divine construction process of God’s House (His Temple / His Church), we must understand that doing it God’s way takes time – patience – skill – discernment – obedience - sacrifice - and dedication/commitment! The Great Architect allows no short cuts nor second-hand labor/materials to be used. Early in the construction period of tall skyscrapers before they are built, a great deal of time is spent digging deep into the earth to attach pylons which serve to stabilize the foundation upon which the full weight of the structure will rest. Similarly, believers must dig deep into God’s Word and attach the pylons of our faith (i.e. critical support beams) to the one true foundation - the Rock – Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior which promises to be eternally secure, immovable and which cannot/will never be destroyed. Matthew 7:24-27 shows us with great clarity the difference between building a house with a foundation made of Rock (Jesus Christ) or with Sand (the World). To the untrained spiritual eye, these two houses appear equal during fair weather times. However, when the winds of adversity begin to blow and the storm clouds gather along the horizon of our lives – and they most assuredly will for all of us – the strength of their foundation will be tested and revealed. God calls those who choose to anchor their house of faith (life) upon the Rock “wise” (verse 24) for He promises that they will surely weather any storm that arises – not that we won’t have a couple of window panes cracked and lose a few shingles, but we will be standing secure after the storm passes (verse 25). Sadly, more and more folks today seem to be falling for the enemy’s “con job” in offering them all types of cheap, improper building materials (i.e. unscriptural principles/beliefs) to use in constructing their foundation of faith. “Sandy” materials (verse 26) like New Age beliefs, Secular Humanism, the Occult, human works, good deeds, religion and traditions, personal effort & achievements, and idolatry (e.g. money, fame, status/image, careers, etc.) fill the aisles in the local “Me Depot” stores. Builders Beware! As has been prophesied for thousands of years, many powerful “spiritual-based” storms are rising today against the very faith foundation upon which our families, our churches and even our own nation were built. Unless our foundation is firmly built upon the Rock of Jesus Christ, God’s Word declares that our “houses of faith” will collapse in response to being improperly built (failing to follow building plans/codes given to us by the Master Builder in His Word). If we have chosen to use the cheap, imitation materials (i.e. Sand) offered to us by the world, Christ says that we will have been “foolish” (verses 26- 27) for our houses of faith will surely fall/collapse, and great will be our collapse/fall. That being stated, the Spiritual Building Inspector is today making an assessment of the condition of your faith foundation – will He find you to be “wise builder” or “foolish builder?” The building materials you choose to use will answer that question … so choose wisely! …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led video is by CCM artist Crystal Lewis and can be viewed by clicking on the on the praise & worship song title, "Christ the Solid Rock" - G3 for sharing His power-filled words thru CCM & Praise!

“Living Stones” - Pt 2 on His Church

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house (‘temple’ NLT) to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5) The term “living stones” in today’s text refers to genuine believers who have a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ. Peter is teaching us that every believer – every spiritual (living) stone - is being shaped and made ready for use in the divine construction of God’s house – His Holy Temple – the Body of Christ. Like natural stones, every spiritual stone has a unique shape (no two are exactly the same) and every stone has jagged and irregular edges from our creation (i.e. from having been born into sin) which leaves us unusable for any type of spiritual construction if left in that condition. Like a river stone that has been made smooth over the constant flow of water across its surface, God has crafted a plan to immerse every spiritual stone into the continuous flow of the “living waters of our Lord Jesus Christ”(John 7:38) through the daily washing in His Word (John 1:1, Ephesians 5:26). If we as His living stones will choose to stay in this constant flow of His living waters, then the once rugged, jagged surface of our souls will be divinely transformed into smooth, “living stones” for the Great Architect’s (‘God’ Hebrews 11:10) specific use / placement (1 Corinthians 12:4-14, 24-27) into His House which He is building. The Apostle Paul echoes this same construction imagery when he decries that, "God’s temple (i.e. God’s building) is holy, and you (i.e. Christians) are God’s building!" (1 Corinthians 3:9, NLT). Paul again shares in Ephesians 2:20-21, “Together, we are His house … the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.” (excerpted, NLT) Did you catch that last statement that says we are each “carefully joined together in Him” … the life of every believer is in the hands of the Master Stonemason who is in charge of “chiseling each living stone (molding-fashioning it)” into just the right shape to be inserted in just the right place in His temple/house. How honoring and humbling to know that the Great Architect/Builder of all Life (Hebrews 3:4) has personally chosen to divinely join each of us as living stones into His Spiritual House (“the family of God” Ephesians 2:19)! So each day, choose to spend time immersed deeply into the flowing waters of His Word because as we have been reminded in today’s devotion, we as “living stones” are His royal building materials which He is handcrafting / chiseling for placement in His Eternal House (His family) … and that makes each of us – PRICELESS / INDESPENSABLE! …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led CCM video is one of our family's favorite CCM artists, 4HIM and can be viewed by clicking on the on the praise & worship song title, "Chisel Meets the Stone" - G3 for sharing His power-filled words thru CCM & Praise!

“Ekkle-WHO?” - Pt 1 on His Church

“Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her…” (Ephesians 5:25, NLT) So many of us talk about ‘going to church’ like it was just another activity in life. But many of us don’t really stop to ponder more deeply what exactly that term means. “CHURCH” … it is more than a building or a place where perhaps many grew up attending with their family. Church is a place of God's presence where two or three have come together in Jesus' name (Matthew 18:20). It is a community of folks from various backgrounds, races, economic levels and experiences that are drawn together through the power of the Holy Spirit to journey through this life together. This local community was called an “ekklesia” (pronounced ek-klay-see'-ah) in the New Testament days – this term comes from the Greek word which means “assembly” or literally “called out ones.” The term “ekklesia” is made up of the two Greek words, EK—“out of,” and KALEO—“shall be called.” Thus, it is an assembly of Christians called out to become a unique spiritual family. Acts 2:42-47 shows us a deeper insight as to what this ekklesia is to be about, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer… all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had…They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.” (excerpted) This ekklesia is to be a family in whom we share all aspects of life together. This ‘called out assembly of believers’ is also to be God’s primary means for taking the Gospel into all the world (Matthew 28:19-20) and with this charge comes His divine protection, “Upon this rock I will build My church (ekklesia); and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”(Matthew 16:18) To be a part of such a local assembly, an ekklesia, is God’s deepest desire for every believer for we were NEVER meant to journey alone through this quest called life. Theologically, this all sounds so neat and good and it is … but it sometimes gets messed up is when we add REAL PEOPLE with REAP PROBLEMS to His REAL CHURCH! You see, no church is perfect for every church is made up of sinners (Romans 3:23), some who have been truly redeemed /forgiven by Christ and some who sadly are Christian ‘in name only’ (i.e. do not have a true relationship with Christ). In every church there is the issue of responsive obedience / disobedience to His Word which every church family member faces…and as Dr. Henry Blackaby shares in his study Experiencing God, one’s obedience / disobediences affects not only themselves, but those around them as well. That all being said, His Church (His ekklesia) is a living, spiritual organism - not an organization – through which His Spirit spiritually lives and breathes and works. As we journey through this subject of Church / Ekklesia over the next few days, I pray that God will share with us insights to help us all better understand His desire and our need to be in community together with fellow believers. Despite the many lies and attacks which Satan spews out against His Church; despite the times we all have experienced hurt and disappointments by those who claim to be true members of His church; despite the imperfections of those who attend church every week – including each of ourselves … we ALL still need to be spiritually grafted into a local ekklesia because we were created to be a part of His family. As with any family, God’s family demands love, grace, forgiveness and much patience because as I shared recently in a WOTD devotion, we are all divine works of art that are being molded and shaped into the very image of our Creator, the Great Potter. And whether we like it or not, He often chooses to mold/shape our spiritual lives in full public view of a special family which He has divinely created so that we need not go through this spiritual transformation alone - that being His Church! …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led CCM video is by David Crowder Band and can be viewed by clicking on the on the praise & worship song title, "How He Loves Us" - G3 for sharing His power-filled words thru CCM & Praise!

“Got Treasure?“

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all‐surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) Last Spring our family attended a funeral of a Christian friend and member of our church family who had gone home to be with Jesus. As we waited in the viewing line to share words of solace and hope with his family, our little Aaron Joseph, our son who was 3½ years old at the time, looked attentively at the gentleman lying still in the casket. On the way home, Traci and I were sharing with AJ and his sister, Bethany Hope, that this Christian man’s spirit was now with Jesus in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1‐8). Aaron Joseph interjected amidst the discussion, “That man...in the ’treasure box’ ...he’s now Jesus’ treasure!” WOW! Our toddler son literally astonished my wife and I with the theological accuracy and Biblical perspective of his observation of death! Indeed we are each God’s loving, hand‐made treasure! Talk about being humbled by your children ... what a simple blessing of God’s truth as seen the eyes of a small child. Jesus tells us in His Holy Word, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14, NLT) The simplicity of a child’s perspective is what so many often lose as we journey through this life. We complicate the Gospel and it’s power to transform lives and save souls by adding “religiosity” to our daily faith … following man‐made traditions / rules in lieu of living out the commandments from God (Mark 7:8‐9)! We must remember that as God’s people, we are to called to live supernatural lives and to share “His treasure placed inside these jars of clay (i.e. our bodies).” Have you found this kingdom treasure which is “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us?” (Ephesians 3:20) That treasure is a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ which is accompanied by His daily power which enables us to journey with Him through this life on our way to eternity in Heaven. Matthew 6:21 declares, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (HCSB) Despite all the troubling headlines today, we can all have His PEACE in knowing that God’s richest treasure has been made available to ALL who would receive “His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!” (Philippians 4:19) ...Got TRUE treasure? If not, please drop us a note and we will be glad to share with you how you too can receive this wonderful treasure from heaven! …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led CCM video is by Tree 63 and can be viewed by clicking on the on the praise & worship song title, "Treasure" (one of my favs' @ Journey 2427) - G3 for sharing His power-filled words thru CCM & Praise!

“To Obey or Disobey?“

Jesus speaking to Peter and Andrew—“‘Come, follow Me...and I will make you fishers of men. At once (‘immediately’ NKJV) they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:19-20) Obedience in the faith life of a Christian is simply obeying God—it is promptly heeding His Word and His Holy Spirit in daily fashion. Note closely in today’s text that Peter and Andrew did not negotiate with Jesus’ call to service regarding when they would leave their jobs, nor did they seem to receive a detailed plan of where Jesus would take them and what challenges would beset them. They simply, by faith and trust in the Lord, left their nets in haste to become “fishers of men.” Dr. Charles Stanley once shared that “true obedience to God means doing what God says, when He says, how He says, as long as He says, until what He says is accomplished.” True obedience is always costly to you and those around you. Sadly, many believers today seem unwilling (not unable) to pay the cost/price to follow God’s will fully and completely! Unless we are willing to surrender our all to Him, we will never experience the fullness of His Will in our lives. Dr. Stanley shares that “being fully and completely obedient to God promises to help us become the person He wants us to be, to do the work He desires (calls) you to do, to bear the fruit He enables you to bear and to receive all the blessings He has prepared for you to receive.” Often that divine portrait of our lives is sometimes “radically” different than the portrait we may have in our own mind. God really knows best the plans He has for us…“plans to prosper (us) and not to harm (us), plans to give (you and I) HOPE and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) As we continue life’s journey into 2010, I encourage you to take inventory of the blessings which God has placed in your life - to appreciate afresh the opportunities of Kingdom service which abound all around each of us and to hunger and thirst for His righteousness (Matthew 5:6) in a world today championing unrighteousness in nearly every facet of society. As Dr. Henry Blackaby shares in Experiencing God, “You cannot stay where you are and go with God in obedience to His will.” Peter and Andrew, without reservation or hesitation, chose NOT to stay where they were and decided to obediently follow Jesus’ call ... and 2,000+ years later we are still sharing their testimony! What will folks be sharing about YOUR testimony 2,000 months from now should the Lord tarry in His return? …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led CCM video is by Jeremy Camp and can be viewed by clicking on the song title, "Give Me Jesus" - G3 for sharing His power-filled words thru CCM & Praise!

"Homesick Yet?"

“Always be ready (‘keep watch’ NIV), because you don't know the day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42, NCV) “The morning paper is reading like a scroll—Like the headlines from 2000 years ago—Everywhere I look I see the signs—My heart’s telling me it’s almost time ….(Chorus) Don’t it make you want to go home—Run through those gates and fall in Jesus’ arms—And all the cares of this world will be gone—Don’t it make you , Don’t it make you want to go home” echo the words of the Contemporary Christian group Newsong as they sing one of their songs from their “Sheltering Tree” CD. What a powerful and evangelistic reminder of God’s truth that this world is not our final home for we who have an abiding love relationship with Jesus Christ! As I prepare these daily devotions, and the LifeWalk messages each week for our church, Journey 2427, I am simply astounded by the continuing spiritual decline of faith and morality in today’s culture. Daily headlines report on parents who brutally murder their children, of women who kill their unborn children upon the “altar of choice,” of the growing number of companies who endorse and promote the homosexual lifestyle, of students shooting students in our schools, of governments who speak of a ‘one world order’ and a ‘universal monetary system,’ of increasing violence and sexual filth in television programs and in the movies and even now too in many commercials ... so much ‘sad news and negative trends’ can truly be overwhelming at times. Yet these headlines clearly affirm that we are living in the “perilous times” which must arise in the Last Days before the Lord returns as prophesied in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. So the most important question facing each of us is simply this—where is your heart today? Matthew 6:21 declares: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We are to be encouraged by the truth of God’s promises that better days are ahead …. not here on earth, but certainly in Heaven for those who have trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ reminded His disciples of this promised place called Heaven that is already being prepared for all of God’s family – “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." (John 14:1-4) We must remember—as Christians, we are all on a transforming journey through this life which God Himself has uniquely designed for each of us to prepare us for our final destination – the Promised Land of Heaven! Last week I was away 2-days at a Spiritual Leaders Conference. As much as I was blessed by this truly anointed conference, there was nothing like at its close to jump into my truck and begin my journey HOME to my family back in Concord. Although enjoying many blessings on the way home – a unique sunset filled with an array of colors, phone chats with some dear friends, anointed CCM on the radio (HIS Radio & KLOVE) – my heart was focused toward my journey’s final destination – to be home with my family. As I pulled into my driveway, Traci and the kids had just arrived home and I was warmly greeted with many hugs and loving shouts of “Daddy’s home, Daddy’s home.” The question the Lord ask you thru today’s WOTD is this – have you made HEAVEN your FINAL DESTINATION and if so, are YOU truly HOMESICK for Heaven? A wonderful celebration in Heaven awaits each of our arrival – but until then, let’s commit to enjoy the journey as we allow Him to prepare us for our eternal home Him and His family! …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led CCM video is by Newsong and can be viewed by clicking on the song title, "Don't It Make You Want To Go Home" - G3 for sharing His power-filled words thru CCM & Praise!

"Watch Where You Walk"

“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.” (Proverbs 4:25, NLT) Have you ever been walking down the mall or perhaps across a parking lot and suddenly trip/stumble on an “invisible brick?” Usually more embarrassing than it is harmful, it still reminds us that we need to pay closer attention to where we walk. In our spiritual walk, there are no such things as “invisible bricks” for God has lovingly given us, through His Word, the light of His righteousness that guides us as we journey along the path of life (Psalms 119:105). Sadly, a growing number of believers are choosing to use their own light sources rather than God’s—reaching for our pocket penlights in lieu of God’s spotlight? We simply think that we can live an effective life by getting “a little bit of light” (i.e. God’s Word) into our hearts and minds on Sunday mornings, and maybe an extra amount in a Bible study or Wednesday evening service. The truth is this—if we are not feeding upon the Word of God daily, then we are walking in darkness and heading out into immediate danger! John 12:35 decries, “The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.” Psalms 82:5 states that those who choose to walk in darkness do not know or understand the things happening around them! When you read/hear the ever-changing headlines of today, you can’t help but see the advance of darkness upon today’s culture here in America and throughout the world! And the primary reason for this advance is because many believers—regardless of the excuses —are choosing not to set aside time with God as a priority each day; and the result is a growing number of believers with spiritual lamps that flicker weak rays of light in lieu of projecting radiant beams of God’s righteousness. This negligence allows God’s light, His countenance of holiness in our hearts, to dim and the seas of darkness to encroach upon the shores of our life and our surrounding mission field (family, work place, neighborhood, etc.; Matthew 5:15) Romans 1:20 declares that we are “men (& women) without excuse.” Most of us would like to hide behind the excuse that we are simply so busy and don’t have the necessary time and that God understands and will look the other way (i.e. grant us a “free pass”) on this area of disobedience in our life. But the truth is that disobedience to God’s Word is always SIN, and God can never, and will never, overlook SIN. The reason so much of our culture today is being overrun by darkness is because the light bearers (i.e. God’s people) have hidden their light (lamp) under a bushel (i.e. the bushel of disobedience) and the result is individuals, families and even governments are stumbling in their sinful ways/choices. Proverbs 4:19 reminds us that “the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Listen for a moment – simply stop whatever you are doing and be still … just listen (Psalms 46:10) - do you hear the Lord’s Spirit calling you to “come aside and spend some time with Me” each day? Listen closely to the inviting words of Jesus spoken in Mark 2:13, “Come along with Me." But heed closely this warning—"Do not merely listen to (or read) the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (apply it through daily obedience; James 1:22)!” So look around this morning – are you walking straight ahead with Jesus in a path enlightened by His Living Word, or are you stumbling along in the darkness on a path of self-directed ways? He is lovingly calling out to you and me … “Come, journey with Me!” …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led CCM video is by Phillips, Craig & Dean and can be viewed by clicking on the song title, "Come, Now Is The Time To Worship" - G3 for sharing His power-filled words thru CCM & Praise!

"Inherent Power"

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.“ (Acts 1:8) When Alfred Nobel discovered an explosive element that was stronger than anything the world had known at the time, he asked a friend and Greek scholar for a word that conveyed the meaning of explosive power. The Greek word he gave him was dunamis, and Nobel named his invention "dynamite." The Greek word dunamis is the very same word that Jesus used when He told His disciples, "…You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" in today’s scripture text. Now many preachers have stopped right there and left the text to read, "You shall receive explosive, dynamite power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." However, a closer examination of the Greek work dunamis is needed to ensure we understand the full meaning of this chosen Greek word. The English word “dynamite” does come from this same Greek word – but that connection is a little bit misleading. Dynamite-power is sudden, destructive and quickly over! A deeper look into the Greek meaning of the word dunamis reveals that it also means “inherent power” – this is the power that is inherent (innate) with who God is & the power which He makes available to all of us as His believers! You see, the original Greek context places the emphasis on the “power to be” rather than just the “power to do.” As I shared about two years ago with our Journey 2427 family, one of my favorite verses – and the founding verse of my evangelistic ministry, Christian Impact Ministries – is James 1:22 which declares, “be doers of the Word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (NKJV) As simple as the following observation appears, it was truly profound in my life journey – “before we do for Christ, we must first be in Christ!” For many believers who have a true servants heart to serve (“do, do, do for Christ”), we so often serve at the costly expense of simply “being in Christ” … in other words, many lose their personal time with Christ because they give it away in ministry time with others – and James 1:22 affirms that this is out of God’s Biblical order which says we must honor “being” before our “doing” for His kingdom. For some, they can misread this to justify their selfish lifestyle which is often devoid of ministry service and filled with the attitudes and actions of the world. But for those whose hearts are truly bent on following Jesus, this timeless truth can change our hearts and our lives and release in and through us a “power” in our witness that is unabashedly and undeniably from the living Lord (Acts 1:8) – and that is exactly the type of witnesses which He has called us each “to be” for Him before a watching world! … Selah!
Today's Spirit-led CCM video is by Phillips, Craig & Dean and can be viewed by clicking on the song title, "Crucified with Christ" - G3 for sharing His power-filled words thru CCM & Praise!

"Spiritual Albedo"

“We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…” (2 Corinthians 3:18, HCSB) We had the wonderful blessing over the weekend to have received 4 inches of glistening snow. On Sunday afternoon, we again ventured outside with our kids to enjoy the ‘rare treasure’ of a measurable snow. The skies were deep blue and the strength of the sun pierced through that winter sky to create a bright, white radiance off of the snow-covered ground. As I spent time in the Lord’s Word this morning, one of my devotions pointed out this same observation, “I don’t think there’s anything much brighter than the sunlight reflecting off the snow on a winter morning. It’s probably the closest we can get on earth to experiencing the kind of brightness that emanates from Christ.” That reflectivity of the sun’s light off of the snow in science terms is called “albedo.” It actually comes from the latin word which means “whiteness.” In Revelation 1:14, the heavenly vision describing Christ which was given to the Apostle John reads, “His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow.” The word translated ‘white’ in this scripture is the same term used to describe Jesus’ appearance in the transfiguration (Matthew 17:2). Such brilliance found in white light is a picture of the purity and holiness of Christ – so much so that we have to cover our eyes, much like I had too as that bright sun reflected off of the fresh white snow in our lawn. Just as an objects albedo rating determines its level of reflectivity of the light it receives, I believe we as Christians have a similar “spiritual albedo” rating – that is, the measurable degree to which we reflect the light we receive from Christ (John 8:12) from our lives. The Apostle Paul speaks of this ‘spiritual albedo’ principle in 1 Corinthians 11:7 where he writes, “Man is made in God’s image and reflects God’s glory.” (NLT) When snow becomes dirty/polluted, its albedo rating drops. Similarly, when we allow sin to go unconfessed and unaddressed in our lives, our ‘spiritual albedo’ rating quickly drops (i.e. the degree to which our lives reflect the radiance and holiness of Jesus Christ). So whenever we sin (and we all do!; Romans 3:23), know the quickest way to raise our 'spiritual albedo' is to confess our sins (1 John 1:9) and trust afresh in God's promise to "cleanse us from all unrighteousness" which leaves us as "white as snow" (Psalms 51:7, Isaiah 1:18) - reflecting once again the brilliant glory of Jesus Christ! So as we enjoy the beauty of a fresh fallen snow, may we be ever mindful of our “spiritual albedo” and may our lives reflect the brilliance of God’s perfect love, unending grace and holiness! …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led video is from the Maranatha singers and can be viewed on the title, "White As Snow" - G3 for His cleansing power through His shed blood at Calvary!