The Character of Joy

Posted on January 1, 2012 by

Sermon Church of the Foothills 010112 

(Psalm 32:7-9; 34:1-8; Proverbs 15:13; John 15:11; 17:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Thess. 5:18; 1 Peter 4:13- 19; Hebrews 10:34; 12:2; James 1:1-4)!  

Happy New Year! Wow it is now 2012, the year of mystery, mystique and intrigue, if you follow the Hollywood apocalyptic movies, the often mistranslated Mayan calendar or the prophets of baloney this will be it, the end of days run to the hills in fear. Fortunately for us, if you read the Bible and have a saving faith, no problem. In fact…before I get into the topic of ‘joy,’ allow me to give you some ‘joy rising,’ that word ‘apocalyptic’ in the Greek, in the context of Scripture actuary means “discourser of events,” and that is what it literally and truly means that God and His plan is unfolding we can have joy victory, hope, grace, and that He is indeed in control when we are in Him. The foreboding definition of doom and gloom was brought to us by the false teachers of the 19th century and Hollywood, just read Revelation and you will see, joy to Christians, God is at work and Christ will return….no need to fear…  Now for more Joy…  

Read Galatians 5:22-23; James 1:2-4 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

Q: Is ‘Joy’ as a Character working in you?  

Q: Are you a grouchy person when you get up in the morning? If so, it may be a lack of joy or at least an understanding of joy… 

ILL:  

The optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty.  The project manager sees the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.  The scientist sees the glass needs more examining, as a guess based on a visual cue is inaccurate, so mark the glass at the bottom of the meniscus of the content, pour the content into a bigger glass; fill the empty glass with fresh content up to the mark; add the original content back in; if the combined content overflows the lip, the glass was more than half full; if it doesn’t reach the top, the glass was more than half empty; if it neither overflows nor fails to reach the top then it was either half-full or half-empty. 

And of course, the opportunist sees the glass and just drinks its contents and walks away… Ever notice that when your cup of happiness is full, somebody always jogs your elbow?  

Which one has more joy? The optimist or pessimist? Perhaps it is the opportunist. I guess an argument can be made for all…it really comes down to a matter of …perspective.  

So do you have joy? First off we need to define it, as most people even Christians may not truly know what it means. 

What is Joy? Most think that Joy is happiness, in actuality it is a ‘perspective.’ It is about our focus on Christ as Lord; this is a declaration,like an explorer declaring a newly discovered land for the Queen and planting the flag. In Christianity, its meaning isto declare our situation for Christ as happy and fulfilling, even when it may not be so. It is to change our mindset and focus. It is realizing the sovereignty of God and that He is indeed in control, even when life seems to be turned upside down and inside out! 

Rejoice means that we can rejoice in Jesus’ sacrifice and death, be glad for the joy of our salvation, and express gratitude for whom and what He is and has done. And the Disciple’s joy did erupt for the risen Lord. Jesus doesn’t just replace our sorrow with joy; He transforms it. The world’s joy is very temporary while ours is forever (Psalm 16:11; 80:1-7, 17-19; 118:24; Isa. 64:1-9; 1 Cor. 1:23-30; 2:2)! 

What Joy does? Joy will allow us to enjoy our relationship with Christ, His creation, others, and our circumstances with an expression of delight and real, authentic happiness from and with harmony with God and others, Regardless of our circumstances.  

Joy helps us understand God’s perspective and gives us the confidence and patience to endure, to go and grow through anything. Joy is not happiness, because we may not be content and pleased with it; rather, joy is hope. It is our real hope. It is not a meager wish; rather, it is the unshakable confidence of our future in Christ. Our pleasure comes from knowing He is in charge and caring for us, He is still working in us and our situation even when we can’t make sense of it.  

How is Joy applied? We are called to ‘Consider,’ this means to Count it joy, knowing that the glass is not even half full, it is empty and still declare our situation as happy and fulfilling. Thus, Joy helps us change our mindset and focus from what we see to Christ, so we are not consumed with anger or bitterness or other unhelpful and destructive emotions that lead to destructive actions and broken relationships. Joy help keep our focus on God’s love, care and sovereignty and realize that He is in control, His Hand is upon us, upon you, so we can just Him, we can allow His Fruit and plan to unfold, even when life seems to be too tough, or even worthless or that I am useless. Because you indeed have Hope!  

So do you have Joy? Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of joy from God’s Word and perspective the ask yourself:  

1. How do I exhibit joy in my daily life?

2. What can I do to develop a more joyful attitude?

3. What blocks joy from working and being exhibited in me?

4. How can I make joy function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainly and stress? 

A key trick, well not a trick so to speak but a mindset, is to realize that Joy is the byproduct of our trust and obedience in Christ that comes from our growing effectual faith. 

What happens when I refuse to take joy as my character and mindset? Well this is not good….we will have… Besides anger and bitterness, which are not as fun as one may think, we will also be hanging out with Distress, Sorrow, Despair and Regret, by the wayare the opposites of Joy and God’s call and plan!  

Despair limits us like a ball and chain from growth and the enjoyment of life because we become too consumed with our circumstances. Not counting it joy means we engage Regret, and then we will have lost control of our attitude and response. Consumed with hurt so all we can do is hurt others. Distress cuts us off from relationships, learning, experiences and God. Not adding joy in our life leads to a life well wasted, a life of depression that cuts us off from seeing hope and purpose and what life and eternity are all about! 

C.S. Lewis has this insight, Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Joy in the O.T., was an expression of excitement that was experienced with personal triumph, or celebrating a good harvest or military victory. Often feasting, the offering of sacrifices or blessings and dancing were tied with joy (Deut 12:12; 1 Sam 18:6; Ps 31:7; 96: 11; Isa. 56:7; 60:15; 61:3 ff; Joel 1:16;). In the NT, Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, Fruit of the Spirit means the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us. It is associated with receiving or the telling of God’s redemptive love. It also is associated with the enjoyment of life such as eating, drinking, feasting and even suffering (Matt 5:11-12; Luke 12:19; Acts 7:41; Gal 5:22; 1 Peter 1:6).  

Joy helps us see that life and purpose is all about who God is, and not who I am (Psalm 15; 101; 2 Thess. 1:12; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1). Joy is indispensable for sharing love, it is being confident in our faith. It is not just what you know; it is Who you know. He is Christ. Your love of Jesus is the picture other people need to see so they can better see Him (Joshua 1:8-9; 2 Cor. 1:24)!  

When we know we have the Good News, we will know Jesus, not just as a Savior, but as LORD (Luke 6:46)! He is to be all things to us. Is He Lord of your life, too? Joy helps us understand God’s perspective and gives us the confidence and patience to endure anything! This realization impacts and fuels us to endure the toughness of life and to proclaim Jesus to others. Because we are confident in His power and impact, we will live in Him and show Christ to others. I know that in my life, my effectiveness is directly correlated to my walk and my prayer life. How much I trust and obey becomes the power that helps me get through life when it seems dark and foreboding, and Joy will be our prime help too.  

        We need to realize that we have no control over what happens to us at times, whether it be trials, suffering, setbacks, injury, sickness, or death of a loved one. We only have control of our attitude and response. We are called to choose to declare our situation joy!  

        We cannot change our circumstances; however, we can accept them by learning and growing from them (Isa. 26:3). It does no good to complain, to fret, or to be angry or bitter, as these things do neither others nor us any good. When has bitterness ever really helped out in that situation? When has depression gave you the gumption to learn from it and move on. When has complaining motivated positively? All that complaining just escalates the situation and blinds us to our ability to be better and not bitter!  

        Real, authentic, Christian maturity will grow as a result of our problems. They will strengthen us and make us better, stronger, and able to get over things faster and get on with our lives. Then, we will be able to be of better use to God and to others.  

Men have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not. Perhaps it would be easier to describe where joy cannot be found: 

Not in Unbelief — Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: “I wish I had never been born.”

Not in Pleasure — Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote: “The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone.”

Not in Money — Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”

Not in Position and Fame — Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: “Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.”

Not in Military Glory — Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, “There are no more worlds to conquer.” 

Where then is real joy found? — the answer is simple, in Christ alone.

(The Bible Friend, Turning Point, May, 1993.)

         Joy recognizes that Christ will lift us up in His time; it sees the hope to come because He is the Hope, and takes delight in the moment even in times of harshness. It must be declared and seen even when it is not visible. The joy we are to have is His. It must carry us through all of our experiences and situations. It must rule our character and response, it must set the tone of how we engage and respond to others, whether it is prosperity or adversity, whether we are in the oval office or living in the streets.  

        Joy is not happiness, because we may not be content and pleased with it; rather, joy is hope; it is our hope. It is not a meager wish, rather the unshakable confidence in our future in Christ.  

        Our pleasure comes from knowing Christ is LORD and is in charge and caring for us (Psalm 34:1-8; 1 Thess. 5:18)! So we can look at whatever situation we face and say this is good, this will better me, or this will help me. I may not understand it, but I can trust God; He is there and He will carry me through it!  

    Believe me I know this is a though task, I have not been immune to harsh troubles and setbacks, I know them intimately, but I know more my LORD!I hope you do too, if not seek someone out sooner than later, this church is here for you! 

        We are called to declare our situation, whatever it may be, as joy! Because, it is not a question of if we have problems but when, as we all will face them. We will face problems; they are inevitable, unavoidable, and unpredictable, and no one is immune! How we deal with them is what echoes into eternity, how we handle lives harshness is crucial for our contentment and faith and our modeling of Christ to others. There is no escape living in our corporeal bodies and in a sinful world (Gal. 3:26; Col. 3:1-4)! 

        For us to survive suffering and grow in maturity, we must have a real, authentic faith. Our eyes must be on Christ as well as our trust and faith. God must have us in Him, all of us—every aspect (Phil. 3)! Why do we need to allow ourselves to surrender to Him? We cannot deal with them effectively without Christ as Lord! He gives us the attitude of joy and the ability to persevere! This attitude of joy is also a key attribute for an athlete in order to excel on the field as well as for a Christian to grow in the Lord. What will you do? Surrender to Him or live unto yourself (Job 14:1; Psalm 34:14; John 3:30; 2 Cor. 4:7-12; Gal. 2:20-21; 1 Peter 4:12)?  

        The key is for us to look to Christ, not to our situation, and declare our circumstances as joy. We are to be content and satisfied, to face them, and then learn and grow from them. This does not mean to give up and do nothing; it means to refocus our energies into productivity and faith—not questions and bitterness.  

It is to have our convictions and fulfillment in Christ, not circumstances. So, when something very difficult comes upon us, we will have the great comfort that God is in control and will not allow us to carry more than we can tolerate. Our joy and purpose in life is Christ, and our relationship in Him! Will you allow yourself to become less, and Him to become more (John 3:30)? If not, what is in the way?  

        Joy helps us understand God’s perspective and gives us the confidence and patience to endure anything!  

Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was a popular English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix… my wife correctly describes as ‘jazzy.’ 

Winehouse’s battles with substance abuse were the subject of much media attention. In various interviews, she admitted to having problems with self-harm, depression and eating disorders, she had it all literally, fame, wealth, talent, all that the world could ever offer, yet she was, sadly so, sad, not joyful about her circumstances and the result ended her promising life way too early.  

Perhaps we can be remember that the world does not supply what we need, so we need to refocus on Christ. Remember to place Joy in all aspects of our life and expectations. If you are having problems take a serious look at despair and where it will get you, because there can be no delight without joy! You can have no true confidence without joy. What we suffer through, what we go through, what we give up is in no comparison to what we gain! Christianity and suffering is the ultimate in delayed gratification! 

Have a most blessed New Year and remember Christ’s hand is upon you, receive Him, live for Him and be grateful so joy and the rest of the Fruits flow into you and through you and out of you….  

Let us pray… 

The End…  

  • Here are positive examples from Scripture (Ex.14: 1-21; 1 Sam. 1:19; 2:10; Luke 10:17-21; 15:22-32; Acts 16:19-34) 
  • Here is are negative examples from Scripture (Ruth 1:19-21; Job 3:1-19; John 11:17-44) 

© 2002, 2005, 2012 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.com

 

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The Meaning of Advent

Posted on November 10, 2011 by

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

“Advent” simply means coming as in Christ is coming, and for us now He has arrived.

This is referring to His birth in history and in humanity. It meant the welcoming or the arrival of a special king and for us; it is our King of kings. This is what the Old Testament prophecies foretold concerning Jesus’ Incarnation, the Word made flesh for our hope and Atonement that brought us our deliverance. Advent represents our expectation, anticipation, and preparation for who Christ is and what He has done for us. He arrived into the world as a human being, being fully God and fully man. He came to identify as one of us, as the Son of Man, as a baby born in a manger. He came for us, He came for you and He comes into our lives and into our hearts. He is coming again in great power and glory to bring His Kingdom into fruition. 

The Advent Wreath

And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:12-13).

Traditionally, during the Christmas season we have an “Advent Wreath” in our Churches, and this is remarkably celebrated in all Denominations, including Orthodox, Catholic, liturgical, Mainline and Evangelical. The Advent Wreath is a venerable tradition that cuts across denominational and theological boundaries. It dates to the beginning of the 19th century inEurope. This Advent Wreath is arranged with 4 or 5 Advent candles, 3 or 4 of which are in a circle, along with one in the center, all on a base of evergreens each has a powerful message for us about our Lord. This has prevailing imagery we should not take for granted or consider just another holiday decoration.

  • The Wreath: The wreath itself means “victory” as Christ’s victory over sin so He can save us. The Advent Wreath has 4 or 5 candles that are arranged in a circle symbolizing Christ’s eternity, as a circle has no beginning and has no end, it is a symbol for God, Who is eternal and thus without beginning or end. The evergreens mean He is “ever with us,” they are usually pine branches or holly that are used as a base that represents anticipation, newness, renewal and His everlastingness. The red berries of the holly represent the shedding of Christ’s blood.
  • The Candles: The Advent candles mean the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His Son. This refers to the significance that Christ is the Light of the world. When they are lit, the illumination is to symbolize the Christ of eternity and His coming as the “Light of the World” and our worship and honor of His most precious gift of His Grace and mercy. These candles also have a color theme too, purple, blue, pink or rose and while. The first two or three are purple meaning royalty and this is also the color of suffering and the darkness of sin, connecting Jesus’ birth and crucifixion and His triumph over sin. Blue means sky and life, pink means joy, and white means purity.

Each candle has a special meaning: 

  • The first candle (purple) “CANDLE OF HOPE” means His promise and hope. We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises He made to us. Our hope comes from God. (Romans 15:12-13)
  • The second candle (purple) “CANDLE OF PREPARATION” means His light and preparation. Preparation means to ‘get ready’. “Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD!” (Luke 3:4-6) (Some traditions combine the first two)
  • The third candle (pink or rose) “CANDLE OF JOY” means the angels sang a message of JOY! (Luke 2:7-15)
  • The fourth candle (purple or blue) “CANDLE OF LOVE” symbolizes Christ love. God sent His only Son to earth to save us, because He loves us! (John 3:16-17) (some traditions omit this one)
  • The fifth candle (white) “CHRIST CANDLE” symbolizes the incarnation, the heart and reason of the season, God giving light to the world. Its location is in the center as Christ’s light is central and radiant. This reminds us that Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! (in wreaths that have 4 candles, it is in the circle among the rest of the candles)
  • Each candle is lighted during the worship services each week in progression until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day when the last candle is lit. (some denominations and traditions have different color schemes and some only four candles) Each week the new unlit candle for that week is lighted, and then the previous candles are re-lighted. A family is sent up to do the lighting as a passage is read, a carol sang and or a prayer said. The four weeks are a period of waiting also signifying the four centuries of waiting between the last prophet Malachi and the birth of Jesus. All five candles should continue to be lighted in worship services through Epiphany on January 6 (epiphany means “to show,” is the climax of the Christmas Season and the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” It is observed to denote the coming of the wise men bringing gifts and their worship to Christ).

Advent Verses 

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him– the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD– (Isaiah 11:2)

Typical Liturgical Lectionary Verses (Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Episcopal and many Evangelical Churches too):

Week 1: Isaiah 11:1-10 and/or Isaiah 7:10-14; 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-5 and/or Jeremiah 33:14-16;

Week 2: Psalm 25:1-10 and/or Psalm 27:1-7,18-19 and/or Micah 5:2 and/or Matthew 2:1-12

Week 3: I Thessalonians 3:9-13 and/or Romans 15:4-13 and/or Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38

Week 4: Matthew 3:1-12 and/or Luke 21:25-36 and/or Luke 2:8-20;

Also:

The Annunciations of Jesus (Luke1:26-38 and Matthew1:18-25) and Mary’s visit toElizabeth(Luke1:39-56) can be read every Advent Sunday and then the following passages just prior to the Advent wreath lighting ceremony:

First Advent Sunday: Annunciation to Zachariah: Luke 1:5-25.

Second Sunday of Advent: Annunciation to Mary: Luke 1:26-38.

Third Sunday of Advent: Mary’s visit toElizabeth; The Birth of John the Baptist: Luke 1:39-66.

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Zachariah’s prophecy: Luke 1:67-80.

Christmas Day: The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 2:1-20.

Typical Evangelical Verses: 

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

Additional Scripture verses to be personally read during Advent:

FOUR WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

SUNDAY: Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2
MONDAY: Matthew 1:18-24 and Luke 1:26-33
TUESDAY: Luke 2:1-5
WEDNESDAY: Luke 2:6-7
THURSDAY: Luke 2:8-9
FRIDAY: Luke 2:10-12
SATURDAY: Luke 2:13-14

THREE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

SUNDAY: Luke 2:15-16
MONDAY: Luke 2:17-18
TUESDAY: Luke 2:19
WEDNESDAY: Luke 2:20
THURSDAY: Luke 2:21
FRIDAY: Matthew 2:1-2
SATURDAY: Matthew 2:3-6

TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

SUNDAY: Matthew 2:7-8
MONDAY: Matthew 2:9
TUESDAY: Matthew 2:10-11
WEDNESDAY: Matthew 2:12-15
THURSDAY: Galatians 4:4-5
FRIDAY: Ephesians 2:8-9
SATURDAY: 1 John 4:7-16

ONE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS (You may or may not have a full week before Christmas Day.)

SUNDAY: Ephesians 2:12-22
MONDAY: John 7:37-38, and 14:6
TUESDAY: Matthew 28:19-20
WEDNESDAY: John 8:12
THURSDAY: John 9:4-5 and Matthew 5:14-16
FRIDAY: Psalm 98:1-6
SATURDAY: John 1:1-3, 14 and Romans 6:23

CHRISTMAS DAY

Psalm 100, Revelation 3:20-21

 His birth was for his death; his death was for our birth! (John1:29 and John 3:1-8)

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. Show me your paths and teach me to follow;
guide me by your truth and instruct me. (Psalm 25)

 “Make sure you are bringing the Bible into your Church this Christmas Season!” 

© 1989 , R.J. Kejcir, Into Thy Word www.intothyword.org

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Love is a Spiritual Fruit

Posted on October 25, 2011 by

          Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 

Love confirms the authenticity of Jesus! Love confirms the authenticity of Jesus’ followers! The Question for us all is, how is love displayed in you? How can it be more so? 

God, through His Word, is pronouncing to us that the effects and results of love will live far beyond the moments of our life. When we pass on into eternity, and our frail, mortal bodies are laid into the grave to rot, what we have done on this earth, and who we were, will still echo to all those whom we have touched. Such deeds of love will never rot. When real, authentic love is in our lives, it is endowed with an eternal quality, because God is empowering that love. 

So, we need to take this seriously, and with confidence, to allow love to flow into us from Christ, and, in return, flow out from us to those around us.

God’s love is the ultimate power for the Christian. Character, and the love that infuses it, will be the only thing we produce that we will take with us into Heaven, the only thing that matters. Love has power that transcends human logic and emotions. So, while we remain here on this earth, let us perform our life with love! Allow your relationships to be built on love instead of the pride and spite we so often dish out.   

If you are thinking, wait, I might get hurt. or, I have been rejected after I spent so much of my time and energies on so-and-so. Well, take to heart this valuable point; you did not waste your time. Giving love and time to others even when we do not get anything back or even if we get hate thrown back at us, is never a waste of time. Emulating and fostering real love is never a waste, because we followed Him!

Love is not about our circumstances; it is about Christ working in us. Remember, God has born your hurt, too!  

Love is a spiritual fruit that is built from real, godly character and commitment. It is the fiber of our moral center that stretches throughout our being, embracing and holding together our relationships when it is sealed as a choice and commitment, not just a feeling. Love will synergistically combine with the other characters of our Lord that flow from the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This fruit will promote our ability to relate and grow in all of our relationships, to better others as well as ourselves.  

Most people assume that love is the most important thing in a marriage, or the most important reason to get married!  You will frequently hear people on TV, in the movies, out in the streets of life and even in the church saying, I do not need to work on love and relationships, it will just happen. And, if not, it was not meant to be, and I can get out of it if it does not work out. How sad that philosophy is! But, when you carefully examine love as seen in the Bible and not as seen on TV, you will find that love is a choice.

Love is a choice to have it and work on it. Love is a choice over our desires and over and against any feeling or aspiration of what we may want it to be or mean.  

Love is a choice that also happens in a seemingly magical and metaphysical way, as poets have tried to explain it throughout the millennia. But, is that it? As we discovered in the last chapter, the Bible tells us that love is more than a feeling; it has segments and characters to it. Love is also a choice, a decision that must be perused and worked on.  In our human mind, we may see it as magical, as if it “just happened,” but, without pursuing its true meaning and character, it will dispel and waste away. So, when we do receive that spark of love that we cannot explain, in order to keep that magic, that romance, that spark going, we are required to do something about it. If we do not work on it, the spark that was once there will vanish as quickly and as suddenly as it came. It will fade into the night, leaving us in the darkness of the jungle of relationships, lost and confused. We keep that flame from blowing out by our understanding and modeling of the character of love. So, as it becomes contagious and spreads, it flames and excites, burns and grows, so the winds of the ups and downs of a relationship will not blow it out!  

We do not necessarily fall in love as the love songs and movies proclaim, because, you may well fall out of it, faster than you fell in it! If you never choose to make it a commitment, with love, you will never have it, or, if you do, you will not keep it! Love is a verb; it requires action that is implied for being a verb, action to do something with it. What are you doing with it? Are the precepts of 1 Corinthians 13 being put into action with your friends, family, acquaintances, and your spouse? If not, what is in the way of that verb action?  

If you ask most couples who are thinking about marriage, or who are already engaged, why they are getting married, they usually will say: “Why, we’re in love.” It has been through studying the Word, plus, over twenty years of pastoral counseling experience, that has prompted me to question the validity of this motive. Yes, love is essential and powerful! However, if that is all you have, you will end up with nothing! The number one mistake people make when they date is to look just for love. The number one mistake married couples make is thinking that their love is all they need. This puts their brains “on hold” from everything else. Yes, love is putting the precepts of 1 Corinthians 13 into action, but most people, including Christians, do not even know what real love is! So, the precepts they are using in the place of love, thinking it is love, are fuzzies at best or just a feeling or desire that mimics love. Choosing a life partner should never be based on love alone. A marriage cannot last on love alone. This may sound like crazy talk, but think it through. Have you ever seen a relationship work with just love? No, not for movie or TV stars who have everything going for them, not for the singers who sing about it, and not even for the Beatles! Because, they do not know what love is, so they cannot really put it into practice.  

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21 

Have you ever known someone to get married to a person they did not love (other than Anna Nichole Smith, the model born in1967 who marred the billionaire oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II, born 1904; married June 27, 1994; he was many decades her senior and he died a few months after the wedding, or Britney Spears’ two day marriage)? Most, if not all, people who get married, do it for love; yet, according to most statistical evidence, fifty percent will divorce in less than five years. So, what happened to the love? If love is all we need, should it not have worked out? Why did it not work? Because, there never was real love, they misunderstood what love is, they had nothing but love, or they had some real love, but did not work on it, so it dissipated. Perhaps, they let that spark of love flame out in neglect, so that there was a huge vacuum in their relationship! Love should not be the horse in front of the cart. Love alone cannot influence a relationship. Love needs to be a result, not a cause, for getting married. Love is the result of a good marriage, not the fuel to make it. Love is an attitude that is followed by action; when this does not happen, love will sit and go nowhere.  

Just think this through: how much would your marriage, your family relationships, friends, or people at school or at the office improve if you were practicing these love truths—even if they were not!

The world says that love must flow two ways, but God says otherwise. Yes, it is better when both parties in a relationship are practicing the elements of 1 Corinthians 13, but we are called to love even when others do not!  

We are to be fueled and empowered by love through all situations. And the incredible news from His Word is that love is already deep within us. All we have to do is learn to let it come up to the surface as a fountain of living water (John 7:38) so it infuses us and touches others. God does not just command us to love; He has fashioned us to Love! We already can do it, we already have it at our disposal and He keeps giving love to us abundantly. He designed us to commune and to communicate, so when we fail at it, we fail because we are not working on or in it.  

Christian love is the turning of our backs to self-concerns, and facing forward to our relationships with family, friends, and neighbors.

It is the surrender of our will to His. Because, if love does not take us beyond our self-interests, then what we have is lust, and not love! Then, as the passage says, we are just noise that has no reason or purpose. Out of true love, God the Father gave us His Son, and the Son gave us His life as a replacement for ours. The Son sent the Spirit to save us, and we should be literally overwhelmed—consumed with extreme joy and gratitude by what God has done for us. Then, that can turn and spill onto others around us. If not, then read Romans 1:21!  

They key to all of this? Be willing to apply love and respect the other person and stay committed to these precepts!

Ephesians 5:33 states, However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. God’s Word gives us the plan; we have to be willing (the hard part) and capable (what we already have at our means) to carry it out. Love and respect traverses genders and crosses lives and must cross yours by His Cross to others too!  

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5 

We can either say God your will be done or He will say I will let your will be done and then we live with the consequences! Real, spiritual improvement comes from surrendering our will—not opposing or imposing upon His will. 

© 2000, 2010, R.J. Krejcir    w/c 2005

 

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God’s love must be our model for life!

Posted on October 25, 2011 by

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 

The Greatest of these is love! 1 Corinthians 13:13 

Love confirms the authenticity of Jesus! Love confirms the authenticity of Jesus’ followers! The Question for us all is, how is love displayed in you? How can it be more so? 

The love that Christ has for us is demonstrated by His ultimate sacrifice. All He asks of us is to receive Him and His love so we can play it forward to others, to show His love by our display of love so we succeed at His will. His love is what causes us to know Him and His love working in and out of us causes us to make Him known to others even more so. We were sinners; now because of His love we are His people united to Him, reconciled to God, and filled with the Spirit. Now, this love becomes the process of ours and others continued blessings. All it takes is our dedication to Christ, so we can respond by faith, worship, and spiritual formation to carry on His love. This is what the Christian life is all about—growing in Christ. It is the our life-long process of discipleship and spiritual growth that builds our faith and knowledge in Him so we can take a hold of His love and produces even more of it back to Him and onto others. This helps us with our assurance, maturity, character, and spiritual formation. We become changed because we have received Christ and we can keep loving. If not, there is something fundamentally wrong in our Christian operating system, because love helps us sees more hope and reassurance of faith (Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 5; Heb. 10: 26-39; 12:14; 2 Pet. 1: 5-11).  

“Love one another.” This means sacrificial, unselfish, determined love; the change is from “neighbor” to “one another” to make sure the theme is community. Love confirms the genuineness of Jesus and us as followers! This is also a template on the importance and value of friendships (Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27; John 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; Rom. 12:10; 13:8; 14:13; 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:9; 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11, 3:22; 4:8; 23; 4:7, 11-12; 2 John 1: 5)!

“Love is/Charity”. The Greek word is Agape, which means “self giving” and “sacrificial,” that is more concerned with others than self. It was used in Classic Greek literature to refer to someone who was generously favored by a god. It conveys the idea of a person giving all his or her love, or favor, to someone else rather than to self. It is a love that is not earned; in contrast, it is relational and given freely. It also refers to parents giving all of their love to their child. In the New Testament, agape love was used to make a similar point, as God gives to each of us all of His love. It is a love that is bestowed without expectations of a response from the other. Agape love is also the most common word used both as a noun and a verb in the New Testament. The greatest example of agape love is what our Lord Jesus Christ did when He died for our sins. Consequently, God’s agape love gave us His forbearance and rescue from the punishment that we deserved. Rather than receiving what we should have, we received His favor without earning it. The word Charity, used in the KJV and other translations, is a poor word rendering and does not reflect the sacrificial nature of the Greek word (Deut. 6:5; Joshua 24:14 -15; Isa. 44:9-20; Mark 12:28-31; John 3:16; 21:16; Matt. 22:34-40; John 3:16; 13:1, 34-35; 14:1; 15:9; Rom. 1:31; 5:8-10; 8; 12:10; 13:11-14; 1 Cor. 7:32-35; 13; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5 Gal. 5:5; Eph. 2:4-7; Phil. 2:2; Col. 1:1-6; 3:5, 12-14; , 12-14; 1 Thess. 1:3; 2:8; 3:6; 12; 4:9-10; 5:8-13; 2 Tim. 3:3; Heb. 10:24; 1 John 4:7-12). 

When we love one another, we prove and exhibit Christ! We become His display case, His product demonstrators.

This is our “mark,” the prime characteristic that makes us friendly and connectable to others, and how we are to be known-by what Christ does with us and calls us to. We are to love one another-period! No strings attached! This is the mold for the form that we use to display God’s love to the world (John 13:34-35; 15:13-17; Gal. 5:22; 1 John 2:10; 3:14-16)!  

A love that is great means that we have a love from God that in turn must be our pattern and plan for all we are and do.

If love is to be great in us, as it is by what Christ has given us, it must take us beyond our self-interests. If not, all that remained in us would be lust or envy and not real love! Then, as the passage starts off with, all we are would be just an annoying noise that had no reason or purpose. Love is the greatest because out of true love, God the Father gave us His Son, and the Son gave us His life as a replacement for ours. The Son sent the Spirit to us, and we should be literally overwhelmed and consumed with extreme joy and gratitude by what God has done for us. Then in turn, we can pass this love on to others. 

Love also comes about by our trust in Christ that should show up as gratitude and a life well lived out. We can easily do this when we see what He has for us and then we can trust in what lies ahead for us. And of course, what awaits us in the eternity of Heaven is more than a carrot on a stick. We need to realize that what we have is incredible and what we will have is absolutely beyond words! Astonishing! This helps us see that hope fuels our joy because of what He has done and what He has for us to come. 

God is kind to us and Love fuels our assurance that He will continue to be so; then, we can be kind to others.

When God is patient with us, then we are patient with others and so forth. It is really simple; the perplexing problem is why are we not doing a better job at this in our homes and churches as well as our schools and workplaces and the place where we are in life? We have to be Christ’s faithful servants in order to help further the Kingdom and glorify Christ our Lord! Because His great love is in us, we see His wonders at work; then, we can display His love through our lives. Love is the call He has given to us! Further, we are not alone in this; we have His Holy Spirit to enable and empower us! So, what is stopping us? 

The proof of Love is not what we say about it; it is how we live it out, with faith, love, and because we are all linked and interconnected.

Living obedience and gratitude must pour from the true believer for love to be displayed so to outlive and out love the world to show the world the sacrificial love of our Lord. Love confirms the authenticity of Jesus! Love confirms the authenticity of Jesus’ followers (Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27; John 13:31-35; 15:12-13, 17; 1 Cor. 13:3; Rom. 12:10; 13:8; 14:13; 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:9; 2 Thess. 1:3; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11, 3:22; 4:8; 23; 4:7, 11-12; 2 John 1: 5)! 

When love is practiced, our relationships are certain to succeed. When we practice love, we are both trusting and obeying our Lord, doing His prime will.

We can take to heart that the love we give will never be defeated, no matter how poorly people treat us in return, or, only appear to be playing their part. When we give love and it is not returned, the hurt and rejection we receive is not in vain. We may feel hurt, confused, and not understand what has happened or why we did not succeed. But, in God’s eyes, we did succeed. Our time of giving love did not go to waste!  We all, at some time, will experience love for someone who does not return it to us; perhaps you were even the one who did not return it to someone else. There are a multitude of reasons for that. Maybe the love was not meant to be; perhaps he/she was the wrong person for you. Maybe you got your signals crossed, or maybe you were too afraid to take the chance. Maybe the fear of being rejected consumed you, so, you are alone now. Your hurt has become your identity, while love and relationships go unmet and undone. If this is your life, remember: Love is never offered in vain. Your hurt has not been borne alone! 

If you love the Lord, then you will trust and obey Him, because real love is evidenced by gratitude and obedience, and because there is no other way!

You will follow His precepts and commands with full faith and due diligence. This is a necessity for life because the world does not know God or His ways and He must be displayed in you for others to see as He was presented by Christ for all to see. People will not even look for real truth or the real God, so they must see Him and His love in you. 

1.      Why is real, authentic Love the greatest thing we could ever have or do? Why is this important? What have you done with this truth?

 2.     How does understanding love help you deal with personal relationship problems?

 3.     How and why does Love confirm the authenticity of Jesus? How and why does Love confirm the authenticity of Jesus’ followers? How is this displayed in you? How can it be more so?

 4.     Take a look at each of the aspects of Love in this 1 Corinthians 13 passage; now, replace the word “love” with “Jesus!” For example…Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind…; what does this do for you? How does this give you a glimpse into His character? How does this motivate you to be His vibrant display?

 © 2000, 2010, R.J. Krejcir    

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What gets in the way of our Growth in Christ?

Posted on October 25, 2011 by

What gets in the way of a successful church that glorifies our LORD?  

          The problem, as I have been hinting at for most of my thirty years in ministry, is weak faith and prideful Christians—shallowness, selfishness, and haughtiness are the biggest obstacles to the Church and to the Kingdom because they distract the people we are called to reach and called to care for! Our pride will stagnate the Church, suffocate its growth, and destroy, inside and out. Too many of us are so wrapped up in our own needs, hurts, desires, and wants that we fail to see our Lord or respond to His call.  We hide in our pride or become lazy and feeble.  Our churches, instead of stables of majestic stallions, are empty stables with dried excrement and old hay; the horses are starved and loose, the saddles are hard and cracked. We have to get our acts together, clean up our messes, and fix our stable; we must repair, oil, and mount our saddles, caring for our horses of faith by feeding and crafting our relationship to Christ. 

We need a call out for the radical, cross-cultural steps of trusting and committing to Christ; we must follow through with our Christian faith. 

This call to radical discipleship is not simply a matter of overcoming liberal politics or the growing hostility many of us face in our secular community.  We do need to do that; more so, we must overcome our own church culture filled with empty trends and prideful leaders, puffed up with empty platitudes and nonsense.  We must surrender our will and plans to His Lordship; we must be radical for Christ.  We need to give up ourselves, our desires, look away from trends; instead, we must seek to learn and grow in Him, to be the people He called us to be.  Only then will we see our society change for the better.  It is a matter of serving selflessly and not wondering what the church will give you.  It is a matter of being a giver, not a taker; it is a matter of setting aside complaints and boldly go forth to do as Jesus Christ has gifted and called to do. 

We can stop our own dysfunction and turn ourselves and our churches around!  

All Jesus asks of us is to receive Him and His love so that we can pay it forward to others, to show His love by our displays of love so we might do His will. Jesus’ love is the sap that flows; it is what causes us to know Him and to have His love working in and out of us. It causes us to make Him known to others even more diligently. We were sinners; now, because of His love, we are His people–united in Him, reconciled to God, and filled with the Spirit. This love becomes the process of continued blessings for us and for others.  All it takes is our dedication to Christ, so that we might respond by faith, worship, and spiritual formation to carry on His love. Growing in Christ is what the Christian life is all about. It is the life-long process of discipleship and spiritual growth that builds our faith and knowledge in Him, so that we can take hold of His love and produce more, giving it back to Him and unto others. This helps us with our assurance, maturity, character, and spiritual formation.

We become changed, because we have received Christ; we can keep on loving. If this is not so, there is something fundamentally wrong in our Christian operating system; love helps us to have more hope and reassurance of faith.

Why is this radical? Because few do it, and more fight against it, even those who say they are His (Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 5; Heb. 10: 26-39; 12:14; 2 Pet. 1: 5-11).  

Because God is our dwelling place, we are dependent on Him for both life and salvation; to think otherwise is foolish.  This is a prime fulfillment of a promise of God from the Old Testament, and it refers to those who are already saved. This is a call to synergy to stand for and abide, to be unwavering and sure of the supremacy of Christ that gives and builds our lives and intimacy in Him. The purpose is that we have a binding and effectual relationship with Christ that transcends our comprehension; we have a relationship with God that we do not deserve by means we cannot fully understand.  What we have in Christ; He gives totally to us (Ex. 25:8; 29:45; Lev. 26:11-12; Ezek. 37:27-28; 43:9; Psalm 96:10; Isa. 42:9; 48:6; 51:15-16; 65:17-25; 66:22; John 2:21; 6:54-56; 8:31; 14:1-23; 15:1-8; Rom. 8:24-25; 1 Cor. 2:9; 4:5; 15:35-57; Gal. 2:20-21; Eph. 1:3-14; Col. 1:23; 3:18-4-1; Heb. 2:7; 3:6-19; 1 John 2:19-24; Rev. 7:9; 21:1-8; 22:3-5, 12). 

Take the Initiative in your Growth in Christ!  

Keep in mind this very important point in all that you are and do: Christ takes the initiative in your relationship. He comes to us by first loving us; then, we are free to exercise our free will and are enabled to know and receive Him. If He did not choose us, we would not have the desire, will, or ability to receive Him; this is by His work on the cross. In Jesus’ time, a committed learner would seek out a rabbi to teach him; here, Jesus picks us to learn and, then  teach.

Did you know that as growing and mature Christians, we belong exclusively to Christ (Eph. 1:4-11; John 2:23; 14:13)? 

God is sovereign but does not violate our right of decision; He first enables us for salvation–something we can’t do by ourselves. In the Hebrews context, joy and servant mean to change our mindsets and focus from self to Christ, realizing the sovereignty of God and that He is in control, even when life may say otherwise!  At some point in our spiritual development, we have to comprehend the magnitude of who Christ is and who we are in and to Him. 

We have to reach a point and say, I, body and soul, completely and totally belong to Christ as His pupil and His property!  He is my LORD and Master, and there is no better place for me to be! 

How do I make this work? Go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. “Go” is an aspect of our “Great Commission”; “fruit” is what characterizes our Christian service and points others to Christ. When we indentify ourselves in Christ, we will obey, and we will be effective in loving and strengthening each other for His service–something so few of us actually do!  A proper witness to Christ will be identified by the distinction between good and false teaching and/or good versus bad love, Fruit, character, and/or a good or a failing church (Psalm 66:18; Matt. 22:1-14; 25:1-13; 28:19; Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:13; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:15-16; 1 John 4:1-6; Rev. 1: 2; 2:20; 6:9; 22:9). 

What does real Christian growth that grows a church look like?  

What this Hebrews chapter 11 tells us–over and over–by one simple phrase is this: by faith! Christian living is about our lives being centered in Christ and trusting Him for our provision and purpose, yet not waiting around, doing nothing. The radical discipleship aspect is for us to mount up and to do it, taking His call and precepts and following, embracing, and exercising them unto ourselves, to others around us, and most of all, back to God so He is glorified.  It is being trusting and obeying, so that we are faithful, fruitful, and impacting–being real and authentic with our faith. This should not be difficult or unusual.  

Real discipleship is what makes real church growth; it is just the exercise of our faith without concern to circumstances.  Real faith calls us to action, not to complacency or foolishness. 

Real, effectual faith is our conviction of trust and confidence that we do not merely believe ( for even the demons do that), but that we have assurance beyond doubt. It is the object of our faith that is paramount, and that is Jesus Christ. He is the substance that gives us hope. We do not have blind faith because what we seek and place first is evidenced and supported.  As Christians, we do not have fables and myths; we have reality. The evidence is the reality of history, archeology, and personal, life-changing testimonies of countless people, as evidenced in this passage, throughout history, and today; we can be centered in Jesus Christ. Even science points to a Creator who is perfect in character, possessing the fullness all the Omni attributes–Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence… We can; yes, we can live our lives by faith!  

Yes, we can! In addition, God is not only righteousness—He is personal and involved in our lives, and He calls us to be righteous in our thinking and living so we can take His lead and live a life that is all about trusting and obeying God. This does not mean perfection; it means we strive to do our best for His glory.  Yes, we can; with our eyes and ears, we can see and feel His presence just as we can see what the wind does even when we do not see the wind itself. God leaves a visible wake that ripples through all times and peoples, which we can ride on by faith for our betterment and His glory.  What He has for us is better than what we think we want (Psalm 119:142119:151; John 6:64 ; 7:5; Rom. 1:16-17; 5:1-11; 8; 10: 14-17; Gal. 3:1-14; Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:5 ; 2:18; James 2:14-26; 2 Pet. 1:16; Jude 3).  

A real Christian, by definition, is a follower; a Disciple is learner of Christ.  If we truly love, obey, follow, and learn from our Lord and Savior, we are not radical; we are simply doing as we are called and empowered to do.

Yes, we live in a world that hates and fights against us. As Christians, we are living behind enemy lines in where we live and work, but it should not be so in our own faith community. However, to make matters worse, the Church has become hostile, for the most part, to real effectual faith, and the practice of love and fruit is rare; to be a real Christian is to be radical, and to make other real Christians, we must embrace radical discipleship!  Change your mindsets and actions as to how you will follow, with confidence, to comply with Christ, so that the change is transmitted to your church and to your neighbors and world.  Be the change; be the example of extreme, radical discipleship to yourself, to your church, and to your community–all to glorify our Lord!  

With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.  Micah 6:6-10

 

© R.J. Krejcir

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Devotionals from websites and for email

Posted on April 28, 2011 by

 Looking to have devotionals, Bible verses, or other inspirational content sent straight to your inbox? 

These are from us and our sister ministries and friends… 

http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=56867 

http://sites.silaspartners.com/CC_Content_Page/0,,PTID34418_CHID200523_CIID,00.html

http://www.biblestudynotes.org/directory 

http://www.biblegateway.com/newsletters/ 

http://www.myutmost.org/

 http://utmost.org/# 

http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/

 

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How to Build a Devotional Life

Posted on April 28, 2011 by

I am speaking at CMTA, Christian Ministries Training Association, this weekend, April 29th my 20th year…used to be ‘Youth Ministry’ in the 80’s, then ‘How to study the Bible’ in the 90’s, then Pastors in the 0’s, wow, this time a different subject,

How to Build a Devotional Life Sat the 30th of April  

8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. room 205 

Do you feel your life in the Word is dull and cold? Do you strive to grow deeper in the faith but find yourself confused and frustrated? Then come and find out how to draw nearer into the heart of God, building a life of impacting faith, purpose and distinction!

http://www.cmtaconvention.org/workshops-tracks-adults.htm 

Here are the handouts: 

FocusingonChrist.pdf 

http://60132.inspyred.com/images/Focusing%20on%20Christ.pdf 

HowtohaveaDevotionalTime.pdf 

http://60132.inspyred.com/images/How%20to%20have%20a%20Devotional%20Time.pdf 

DevotionsImportant.pdf 

http://60132.inspyred.com/images/DevotionsImportant.pdf 

Also I am leading the TECHNOLOGY / COMMUNICATIONS track, lots of great speakers a must event to attend!  

http://www.cmtaconvention.org/workshops-tracks-technology.htm 

And do not forget to visit the Into Thy Word booth there too!  

…if there is anything you need for your church or Christian life, we will have it at CMTA!

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How to Deal with Anger!

Posted on February 16, 2011 by

Some of you asked for this, it is a chapter from my book “Field Guide to Healthy Relationships”:  

How to Deal with Anger 

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2  

The problems we face in life will often lay the groundwork for how we mature and deal with life. In the midst of these will be our response to our circumstances which can either erupt into anger or be smoothed over by love. It is all about how we choose to deal with problems. Thus, we need to be aware that problems are coming toward us right now. We are either in a problem, going though more than one problem, getting out of a problem just to be headed into another one. We have a choice of how to handle it and that choice will either benefit us and those around us, or tear everyone around us apart, leaving us helplessly hurt and destitute. The choice is ours; we can either be a destroyer or a builder!  

 How to Deal with Anger.pdf 

http://70030.inspyred.com/images/How%20to%20Deal%20with%20Anger.pdf

 

  

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The Pastor’s Prayer Approach

Posted on February 8, 2011 by

Here is a plan for prayer for a pastor. When I have made this a priority my ministry has flourished; when I forget or place it on the back burner, I am stressed and inefficient and ineffective! We must see prayer as the real, hard work of our ministry that unleashes the power of God in us and through us unto others. We must take a “three-prong” attack position to guard and activate the pastor. 

  • Prayer Attack 1: The pastor’s daily prayer and devotional life must be rich and growing.

We must make prayer a priority. Rearrange schedules, make the time, have others you trust keep you accountable, do what it takes to be in prayer and do so with joy, gratitude, and sincerity. Embrace and apply the other disciplines of the Christian faith and life such as fasting and mediation. Yes, there are dry spells, but the effort must be there as well as the passion. Our communication with our Lord Jesus Christ is based on the giving of everything and ourselves, because we see that he has first done so to us. We serve Him. He is our Lord, and we need to live, work, and respond accordingly. So, if the pastor is writing a sermon, he or she must pray before doing the research and writing, during the writing, and even while giving it. And this template applies to all we say and do.  

  • Prayer Attack 2: Establish lay prayer teams. Their primary task is to keep the pastor in prayer on a continual daily basis and meet at least once a week as a team. Again, not popcorn prayers but surrendered, deep pursuits before our holy God.
  • Attack 3: Have teams pray for specific ministries in which the pastor is involved, as we already discussed. I encourage you to have different prayer teams so not just the same people are doing it and perhaps becoming burned out.  

We are facing a war, all out attacks, conflicts, and the spread of malicious diseases coming to outflank us, many from our own church. We will lose because we are too busy fighting the good fight. Do not allow the church to put so many demands on you that you can not do what is important. Sit down with your elders and key people and explain to them what is most important in a powerful ministry and that you need their help to do it. Teach them that prayer is the highest call and duty and you need their prayers and partnership to make this work. If we are too busy or feel it is not important or are embarrassed, then Satan and manipulative people with skewed agendas will run you over and out. We must have the upper hand and the higher ground for a strong defense and offense. And, that means to be in His Word, be guided by the Holy Spirit, and be in effectual and continual prayer. We need to have vitality in our ministry and not aridness. What we need is Christ; what Christ wants is us. 

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

 Prayer is something you do not take breaks from, as you do not take breaks from oxygen, food, and water. Prayer is our lifeline and nutrient center in which we can grow and flourish. If we become thoughtless and careless with our prayer life, we will be careless and thoughtless to those around us. Our spiritual priorities are our life priorities. Do not neglect your prayer just as our Lord does not neglect us. And, make sure your communication with Him is two-way; be a listener too. Let us go before His presence, with the aspects we talked about, with confidence and the authority He gives us. Then, we can be the people of His work and will, and with gratitude and praise.  

Never leave your house to be in God’s house without feeding your soul!  

Remember: Amen is not the end or the close of a prayer; it rather means “so be it,” that we apply it to our life and not just say it. Amen is not an end to what we do and say, but our beginning to apply God’s truth to our lives with vigilance.  

“Real ministry is made in the closet of prayer.” E. M. Bounds 

(c) Rev. R.J. Krejcir Ph.D. 1987, 1998, 2007 excerpt from the upcoming book ‘Pew Sitting’ www.intothyword.org

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“Pray More!”

Posted on February 8, 2011 by

Do you feel vital for ministry? If not, what is in the way, or what are you not doing?  

            As a church growth consultant, the first words I hear out of people’s mouths when I come to a church are “what can we do to grow?” or How do I solve this particular problem or conflict?” I always reply, “Pray more!” Then, I almost always see a disappointed look, as if they were looking for something more propound and meaningful to come from me. But, there is nothing more profound or meaningful than prayer (outside our salvation in Christ of course)! There is nothing more significant or momentous a pastor or church can do on their part than to be more centered on Christ. And, we do this best when we are in communication with Him, so we can be healthy and growing. Prayer is the ultimate change agent God uses to impact us with His Spirit and Truth! Then, we can be impacting upon others with synergy.  

I was praying with another pastor over my meal in a restaurant a few years ago when another fellow pastor come up to us and said he felt it was out of place for us to do that. I felt puzzled and asked him what he meant; “he could not have meant prayer,” I thought. Then he went on to say how he felt insecure to pray for his meal in restaurants or any public place, so he does not, even with church members. He went on to say that he feels prayer is a private matter and should never be forced or exhibited. I asked him (as my fettuccini started to get cold) what he meant by “forced.” He replied, “By our example.” “You mean by saying grace?” I asked. I then rewarded his retort, saying, you are telling me as a pastor we should not ever pray in public? He said, “Yes!” “Wow,” I said. “I feel for you!” After a few moments of awkward silence I asked, “How is your church doing?” “Not so well.” he said. “Why?” I asked. “I can’t get people to serve on committees or give financially, and the attendance has been dropping.” He went on to say, “there are few people to draw from and most do not feel it is their role to participate in leadership of volunteering.” I then asked him how he models prayer to his congregation. He replied, “I feel, as I have said, that prayer is a private matter. Again, we have prayers in the service and a part of our liturgy, but that is all that is needed or done.” I looked at my cold fettuccini and asked him if he felt there was a correlation between his personal and his church’s prayer life and the spiritual activity in his church.” He said he was not sure and did not think this could be so. A few years later he was retired, and that church was closed. I will never forget my cold fettuccini—I mean the apathy of that pastor thinking prayer was inappropriate or not needed! 

That conversation started my venture into researching prayer trends for a former seminary professor of mine as well as my research for Into Thy Word and the Fuller Institute, then the Schaeffer Institute and my personal practice of prayer. I was seeking how prayer can impact churches. This then launched several books on that subject that I did the principle research for. After nearly 20 years since that first research was performed, I now realize even more that prayer in churches is one of the most crucial avenues for a healthy church to grow and be happy, productive, and give glory to Christ.

As prayer, hospitality, and solid Bible teaching are the three legs that hold up the church and give it the strong starting point and room for the Spirit to work and the Word to be proclaimed. This enables real effectual church growth; the people will feel at home and then be fed and then the community will be reached! Christ’s call for His Church!  

But, even with all the books, research, and movements on prayer—especially here in Pasadena, California, the hub of it all—I am amazed how little prayer is a part of American churches today. This saddens me greatly! This has even been a problem in my church. After prayer had been a very vital factor at the church in which I serve, it seemed to take a break or a backseat for a few years, only to resurface after several crises in the last two years. Now that prayer is back in vogue and in reality, I have seen significant health return to a church that was headed for failure. Prayer and its practice turned my church around. But, the sad fact is we should have never have let prayer become a second thought. It should always been first, front and centered, so we would be centered on Christ as LORD! 

Prayer is the big aspect that is missing from the pastor’s arsenal. Prayer is lacking in a big way from the hearts, minds, and studies of our nation’s pastors! Many think prayer is neither important nor a part of their job description. Many churches may want a praying pastor, but they add so much onto his plate, there is no room for it. Thus, we must realize and put into practice that prayer is the first line of defense and first responsibility of the pastor! Too many pastors feel they will lose their intellectual respect in the eyes of their peers and community if they are known as men of prayer! So what! We should not give attention to what others who are not spiritually mature think as long as our integrity and devotions and love for them are intact! Our peers and community are not the ones we are to worship, honor, or serve, and they certainly are not the ones who will judge us or hold us accountable! Remember Augustine’s call of “self watch.” This is being aware of what distracts and motivates us that do not come from God as well as what is best for us. Knowing our weaknesses will help us be on guard and then convey to people we trust to keep us accountable. This is essential. This will keep us from making mistakes and will keep the focus on the right track–God’s track. 

Our effectiveness as a pastor and the foundation that holds us up is prayer. The ministry starts and rests on the spiritual condition of the leaders, their devotion to Christ, and what flows from that devotion. For ministry to be blessed and effective, we must be in healthy relationships with our Lord and with one another in communication and accountability. We must not be independent to ourselves, but dependent on our Lord Jesus Christ and to one another. Christianity is not a solo sport or a spectator sport; it is a team, a community party where we are together as one body and one force for one Kingdom! 

If our schedule is too busy for prayer, how can we—especially pastors—be effective for His service? Remember, we cannot do the work of our Lord unless we are the people of our Lord. Our focus and concern must start with our spiritual condition—with our relationship with Christ. Before we can effectively minister to others, we must be growing. To begin to grow, we must fall on our knees. If this is not true of you and you are a pastor, quit and find yourself another job! Get right with God and then come back if called to do so. 

The pastor cannot have an effective ministry unless prayer is the focal point! We cannot meet the approval of God without prayer! How can we receive His blessings when we leave God out of the loop? If we never bother with God ourselves, then how can we serve Him and lead others in His direction? 

How we relate with others is a reflection of our relationship with God, regardless of if we are a leader, a new Christian, or a pew sitter. So, if we have a poor relationship with God, then our human, interpersonal relations will be diminished as well as shallow. When our relationship with our Lord is growing and built on prayer, then our relationships with one another will flourish too. This is a must for the Christian, essential for the leader, and extremely imperative for the pastor. Without this view of prayer, the Christian will be ineffective in his walk and castrated from being effectively used to further the Kingdom because God is out of the picture. Yes, He is sovereign, but throughout history God uses all kinds of people from all walks of life. To be our best, which we are called to do, and be of best use, which is imperative to the leader, we must be in prayer! Sovereignty is never an excuse to sit and do nothing, thinking God is in charge, and if He wills, it will be done. This is the ultimate slap in the face of our Lord, and is, in fact, denying His sovereignty, because we are denying our part in His call and plan! 

“Real ministry is made in the closet of prayer.” E. M. Bounds 

(c) Rev. R.J. Krejcir Ph.D. 1987, 1998, 2007 excerpt from the upcoming book ‘Pew Sitting’ www.intothyword.org

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