Where Is the Church?

Where Is the Church?

It seems to me that more people who claim to be Christ-followers in this world are caught up in doing church over being church. But church isn't a place. It isn't a set of rituals. It isn't the performance abilities of teachers or musicians. Church is the life of Jesus on display through his people – with Jesus functioning as head and all his people as various parts of his body in the world.

Jerry Cook tells a story about Richard Halverson that illustrates the contrast between "doing" and "being" as the people who confess Christ.

Dr. Halverson was chaplain of the United States Senate for several years. He would occasionally visit the seminary where Cook was a student. After one of those visits to speak to students, he joined a group of them for coffee and made himself available for informal conversation.

"Dr. Halverson," began one of the seminarians, "where is your church?" The student was asking about the street location of the Presbyterian Church Halverson served, but he got a deeper and more insightful answer.

"Well, its three o'clock in Washington, D.C. The church I pastor is all over the city right now. It's driving buses, serving meals in restaurants, sitting in board meetings, having discussions in the Pentagon, deliberating in Congress." He proceeded with a long list of roles and responsibilities where his church was functioning that day. "And periodically we get together at a building on Fourth Street," he added, "but we don't spend a lot of our time there."

The pastor-chaplain was not naive with his answer. He was brilliant. And he had the clear intent to challenge a young would-be pastor to raise his sights above the Sunday event of church as an assembly. Or even church as programs and budgets and organization. The church was never intended to be isolated from the world but to penetrate it as salt does food. Jesus wants his people to be "in the world" but not "of the world" - functioning as light to dark places.

Where will you be today? In meetings? On the phone? Calling on clients? Teaching algebra? Cleaning house? Delivering product? Delivering speeches? Delivering babies? Wherever you will be and whatever you are doing there, you will be part of the spread-out, scattered-over-the-world church. Your role is to be a stand-in for Jesus to make the world a better, less-threatening place.

"Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father" (Colossians 3:17 NLT).

Rubel Shelly

Closing the Door on Your Past

Closing the Door on Your Past

When I was a kid, "Nautilus" was Captain Nemo's submarine in a Jules Verne novel. I knew that because Walt Disney put it on TV. Then "Nautilus" became the name of an early nuclear submarine launched by the United States. But I just recently saw a nautilus when we were at Ocean City, New Jersey. No, it wasn't a submarine. It was the original nautilus - the little sea creature with the fascinating shell. We actually saw a lot of nautilus shells in little shops. We bought one for our living room. It's real smooth on the outside with stripes on it, and it's bigger than my hand. To me, the nautilus shell is shaped sort of like a big, shiny human ear, or maybe like an unborn child in the womb, if you can picture that. The original inhabitant is gone, but his fascinating shell-house remains. When you cut a nautilus shell in half, it reveals the life story of the one-time inhabitant. At the center is this circular chamber with a wall around it. That was the original home of a little bitty nautilus. There are circular chambers all the way to the outer edge of the shell, and each chamber is a little larger than the previous one. That little sea creature kept outgrowing his shell, so he left it behind and moved on to the next chamber - and chapter - of his life.

We've got a lesson to learn from that little sea creature. He knows how to close the door on the old chapters of his life and move on to a whole new chapter. For someone listening today, some of those old chapters still define a lot of who you are today - the past hurts, the past failures, the past mistakes, the past sins. Don't you wish you could do what that nautilus does and just build a wall that closes the door on the old you and enables you to grow into the new, improved you? The bad news is you can't. The good news is Jesus can. He's been doing it for people for 2,000 years. He's done it for me. He can do it for you.

It's the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:17, our word for today from the Word of God. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Something miraculous happens when you go from being "outside of Christ" to "inside Christ". The guilt of the old is erased, and you no longer have to be defined by the darkness of the past. He makes possible a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning.

That's why God says to us in Isaiah 43: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? ... I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions ... and remembers your sins no more." What an awesome possibility! The blotting out of every sin of your past! No religion can do that for you because no religion can pay the spiritual death penalty for your sin. It took nothing less than the brutal death of Jesus Christ on the cross for you. You did the sinning but Jesus did the dying so He could build a wall between you and the darkness of your past and move you into a life that revolves around Him - a forgiven life. A life lined up with the purpose for which you were created.

But you have to be "in Christ" for that miracle to happen. Not in church, but in Christ. You can be in Christianity and still not be in Christ. What brings you into belonging to Jesus? You enter in by a step of life-changing faith. You admit the sin of your life to Jesus, you let Him know you don't want to live this way anymore, and then you tell Him, "Jesus, I'm pinning all my hopes on your death for me on the cross and your resurrection from the dead. My life is in your hands from this day on." You do that with all your heart, and you will be "in Christ" - and you will be His "new creation."

I wish I could sit down with you and personally explain more fully just how you begin this life-changing relationship with Jesus. I can't do that, but I can send you the little booklet I wrote about it called Yours For Life. If you want it, I'll get it to you right away. Just ask for it at our website – www.yoursforlife.net – or call us toll free at 877-741-1200.

The Bible says "the old is gone; the new has come!" You're on the edge of that miracle right now. Let today be the day of your new beginning!

Ron Hutchcraft

Conversation between GOD and Me

Conversation between GOD and Me

God: Hello. Did you call me?

Me: Called you? No. Who is this?

God: This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.

Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

God: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Me: Don't know. But I can’t find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

Me: I understand. But I still can't figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this internet era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

God: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: Why are we then constantly unhappy?

God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.

God: Pain is inevitable able, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God: Yes. In every term, experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can’t we be free from problems?

God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading.

God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

God: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?

God: When they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me?" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I can’t get the answer.

God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

God: There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat.

God: Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that took our breath away!

[Shared by Sis. Shalini Rachel Paul]

I am Forgiven

I am Forgiven

Isaiah 43:25 - I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (KJV)

I've known, truly known, God's gracious forgiveness all my Christian life. I've experienced beautiful times of repentance and the Lord's merciful lifting of burdens of known sins. I've literally lost count of all the forgiveness I've prayed for and received. I've been washed, cleansed, and freed from besetting sins and temptations, immeasurably.

There has been no doubt in my mind that Jesus died on Calvary, suffering a terrible death, to set believers free, and that He took upon Himself everyone's iniquities, in fact, the sins of the whole world. And so, I knew to bring all of my emotions into the light of God's Word.

Colossians 1:13-14 - For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (NASB)

But -- in my case, a very big but -- I found all too often the guilt and the remembrance of past forgiven sins would return when least expected. This returning, oppressive guilt would plague and torment me as if I had never received forgiveness at all -- even though I knew by God's Word, as well as by the faith and belief in my heart, that I was forgiven.

Micah 7:19 - He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (KJV)

My nagging prayer became, "Why, oh why, Lord, does the guilt and remembering keep returning, when I know that You have not only chosen to forgive, but also chosen not to remember, even to throw my sins into the depths of the sea?" After so long, a few years ago, I opened up enough to receive God's answer, and this truly works for me, now.

God had chosen to forgive and not to remember my sins, but had I? Obviously not! I hadn't chosen this as a deliberate act, as God had. Therefore, I hadn't asked the Lord to help me to choose to forgive myself or to help me choose to forget my sins. We hear it so often, don't we? "It's there for the asking, but you did not ask," and/or "You ask amiss."

Our loving, merciful Lord has taught me that He can heal tormenting memories and oppressive guilt, when we learn to choose what He chooses for us.

I knew it then in my heart, but I know it now by experience: as His beloved, we need to live in the full power of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, thus making pointless no part of the agony of His suffering. If God Almighty chooses to blot out the sins we have repented of, and to cast our sins into the depth of the sea, remembering them no more, we can surely learn to forgive ourselves.

We can live in the full freedom of God's forgiving grace. We can and should declare fearlessly at any time, to anyone doubting -- including ourselves -- that "I am forgiven."

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your great and wonderful sacrifice on the cross. May we always remember that true repentance and Your forgiveness free us from all guilt, so that we may live more fully the abundant life You sacrificed Yourself to give us. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen and Amen!

Rosemary Renninson

Perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God

Perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

Today we find very little teaching of holiness and even less in the performance of it. It seems average Christians are satisfied with their spiritual life as is, without any desire to be all God wants them to be or any effort to "grow in grace" as Peter exhorts all to do (2 Peter 3:18).

Holiness is not some pious attitude that causes us to be isolated from the world or clothed with some self-righteous display that is of no affect to anyone. We see too much of this and it is dishonoring to God. Holiness is simply the displacement of self and the enthronement of God in His rightful place. When He is on the throne of our heart, God is all and self is nothing.

How does this take place? Paul said there must be a renewing of our mind. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). The mind of Christ was first and foremost obedient and in humble submission to the will of the Father. Everything else was subservient to this. This should be our starting point. There is no place for pride, self-sufficiency or arrogance if humility before God is to characterize our life. Humility before God is the very essence of holiness and God's blessing in our life.

As Christ embraces our life with the reality of an intimate personal relationship, we will seek to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. We will not take pride in the things we put off that are displeasing to God. We will humbly seek to "put on Christ" and be clothed with His virtues. Jesus said, "Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29). Humility is one of the highest graces and one of the hardest to attain. Jesus said, "He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. I am among you as he that serves" (Luke 22:26-27). Oh, that we might have a servant's heart and seek to magnify the Lord in every phase of our life. This will be the fruit of a humble heart and a contrite spirit that is in submission to His lordship.

We must "cleanse ourselves of filthiness of the flesh and spirit." Standing in awe of God must precede, not follow, the purification of our hearts. It is when we embrace a tenderness of conscience and a watchfulness of mind that our hearts are open in reverential awe of who God is. The searchlight of God shines on the wretchedness of our life in the light of His holy righteous being. We desire to put off the filthiness of the flesh and sins, which arise from the body -- uncleanness, intemperance, lust, laziness, irresponsibility, and the like. Then there are sins of the mind -- pride, envy, malice, revenge, deceit, and others that quench the Spirit. These must be cleansed, subdued, and put to death if we are to "perfect holiness in the fear of God."

"Holiness" is preceded by the fear of God and the image of God implanted in our soul. This is a positive renovation of the whole man by the power of the Holy Spirit. The fear of God is reverential awe of all that God is. "For unto us is given exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we may be partakers of the divine image" (2 Peter 1:4). These promises are of no avail unless we appropriate them, treasure them in our mind, plead them before God in prayer, and trust in the One who has given them to us! God will renew our minds and implant His holiness in our life to the praise of His glory. May this be the desire of our hearts and the joy of our life!

Ed Powell

[Shared by Dinesh Pandian]

The Language they Speak

The Language they Speak

My life was profoundly affected by the example of five American missionaries who died trying to get the Gospel to a Stone Age tribe in Ecuador who had never heard the name of Jesus. They were actually murdered by the tribe that was then known as the Aucas. Amazingly, the wife of one of those missionaries and the sister of another actually went to the tribe that had killed their loved ones to tell them about Jesus. Today, some of the murderers of the missionaries are the pastors of the Auca, or Waorani, church. It's an amazing story.

I had the unforgettable privilege a few years ago of going to the Ecuadorian jungle to tape a radio program about what happened there. And I met Mincaye, one of the killers, one of the pastors. I learned that those missionary women had difficulty translating the Bible into the native language because this tribe had no word for, actually no concept of, "forgive." But the message somehow had gotten through to Mincaye. Here's what he said: "What we did to those missionaries was a terrible thing. But one day soon I will see them in heaven because Jesus has washed our hearts."

A spiritual rescuer had come to people to whom the word "forgive" meant nothing. But God's messenger to them did what effective missionaries have always done. She found a way to say it in words the people could understand. We can do no less for the spiritually dying people around us.

Obviously, the need to translate Christ's message is hard to miss in a foreign setting where there is a clearly different linguistic language. But the need to translate the Jesus-story is easy to miss when our neighbors and friends speak the same linguistic language we do, but a different cultural language. The words of our Christian "tribe" simply have no meaning, or the wrong meaning, to the lost "tribe" right next to us. Many lost people assigned to us by God have no better understanding of "born again," or "saved," or "accepting Christ" than Mincaye had of "forgive."

In our word for today from the Word of God, we discover one big reason thousands of people from all over the world came to Jesus in the first outreach ever held by the Christian Church. It was Jerusalem, it was Pentecost, and according to Acts 2:6, "Each one heard them (that is the apostles) speaking in his own language."

Now that was a special miracle from God, but it underscores that people must hear Christ's message in a language they can understand, which our church language - which I call Christianese - is not. Maybe you've been transmitting the Good News about Jesus and getting little or no response. Could it be that they're stumbling over your vocabulary? You can't just transmit the Good News; you have to translate it into everyday, non-religious words.

In Jesus' parable of the four soils, three of which produced little or no good harvest, we see the major difference between those three soils and the soil that produced great fruit. In each case, Jesus explains that "this is the man who hears the word." But where there was a great harvest, Jesus said, "This is the man who hears the word and understands it" (Matthew 13:23).

This is life-or-death information we have to deliver. We cannot afford to have our lost family and friends miss it because we said it in words they don't understand. It's time to move beyond the comfort of our Christianeze to communicate the message people cannot afford to miss. The words we use can be decisive for each of us in our personal rescue mission for Jesus.

You're God's missionary where you are. If you make the effort to translate the Good News into the language of the person who needs it, you can be part of a life-giving miracle!

Ron Hutchcraft

Aaron's Rod

Aaron's Rod

Numbers 17:8 - And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. (KJV)

Several years ago, I started a newsletter as an encouragement for individuals with disabilities and their families. My title, "Aaron's Rod", was inspired by the story in Numbers 17. I included in my newsletter this mission statement: "Inspiring children of God with disabilities to blossom using the gifts God has given them." When I think of Aaron's rod, the first idea that comes to mind is fruitfulness: using the talents that God has given us for His purpose and glory.

The story of Aaron's rod began with a dispute among the leaders of Israel regarding the ministry of Moses and Aaron. In response to their complaints, God instructed Moses to collect their staffs, each bearing the name of one of the twelve tribes. The staffs were kept overnight in the tabernacle. The next day, Moses found that Aaron's rod had not only budded and blossomed but had produced almonds! It was the rod that miraculously produced fruit that confirmed God's choice of Moses and Aaron. God is able to use anyone who is willing to serve Him with a humble heart.

I read an interesting story in a Bible study guide about a mother who began reading and personalizing Scripture for her two mentally-challenged children. Before she knew it, these Scriptures were already having a tremendous effect in the lives of others. Having a similar experience, I see God's Word making a remarkable difference in the life of my autistic son.

God appointed each of us with a variety of ministries, according to His will. As the body of Christ, we must be careful, however, to serve Him with humility and to work together, respecting the unique individual gifts of our fellow believers. The apostle Paul makes this principle clear: "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord." (1 Corinthians 12:4-5 KJV)

Let us each examine our lives. Are we producing fruit that will bring honour and glory to Christ? Despite our various backgrounds or disadvantages, the budded rod is a symbol of God's power to enable us to bear fruit for Him that will last forever.

Prayer: Father, help us to serve You with humility, allowing Your Spirit to work through us, that we may blossom and be productive using the special abilities and gifts You have given uniquely to each of us. Amen.

Lori Ciccanti