Wednesday, May 28, 2008

From Glory to Glory

Paul prayed, "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16, KJV). What are the riches of His glory? I would not presume to answer this question completely, but I believe the Great Apostle is referring, at least in part, to the riches and abundance we receive when we are in God's presence and we are experiencing His wonderful anointing in our lives. One of those riches is that we are strengthened with might by His Spirit deep within.

David wrote, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11, KJV). Fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore are some of the riches that come from God's glory in our lives. On Sunday evening my wife, Peggy, and I attended the Lakeland Revival where we experienced the riches of God's glory in a most intense and delightful way. It truly was a little bit of Heaven on Earth for both of us.

Now I understand a little bit more about Heaven and how wonderful it will be to spend all eternity in God's presence, praising and adoring the Most Holy One who is worthy of our worship. I thank God that He is changing me; He is not finished with me yet. Indeed, "From glory to glory He's changing me, changing me, changing me--His likeness and image to perfect in me--the love of God shown to the world."

May God fill you with His glory and may you truly understand that God has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, as Paul wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3, KJV). Ny friend, it is a fait accompli in your life.

I pray that His glory will cover you today, as you learn to walk in His glorious presence.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Praying God's Word

Paul writes, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, KJV). God imparts faith to our hearts when we read the Bible, and as we learn to personalize the Bible and pray its truths, our faith begins to grow. This method of prayer enables us to take hold of the promises of God, embrace them, and walk upon the firm foundation they provide for us.

When I was in the U.S. Army, I began memorizing key verses and passages from the Bible through a study program provided by the Navigators. Memorizing the Word is very important for every believer for many reasons, not the least of which is that doing so will keep us from sin. The Psalmist writes, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Ps. 119:11, KJV).

There are several questions that we should ask ourselves in order to personalize the Scriptures. With each passage we should ask ourselves:

1. Is there any error here for me to avoid?
2. Is there any command for me to obey?
3. Is there any promise for me to claim?
4. What does this passage teach me about Jesus Christ?
5. Is there any example for me to follow?

As we ask ourselves these questions, we are driven to find answers and apply the truths of the Bible to our lives. The next step, then, in praying God's Word is to speak His truths back to Him in faith and confidence, as the Apostle John teaches: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15, KJV).

In these two verses we find an important key to answered prayer: when we pray according to God's will, we know that He hears us, and we know if He hears us, He will answer us! Isn't this a wonderful promise from the Word of God? One remaining question we need to ask ourselves regards how to know that we are praying according to God's will. God reveals His will to us in several ways, not the least of which is through His Word. Therefore, when we pray His Word, we pray His will, and we receive the petitions we ask of Him!

Let me conclude by reviewing the benefits we receive from praying God's Word:

1. Our faith grows.
2. God hears our prayers.
3. God answers our prayers.

Start praying God's Word and see what happens!

Monday, May 19, 2008

The Power of Love or the Love of Power?

During the era known as the Charismatic Renewal it was my privilege to have fellowship with several men and women who were on fire for God. One of these friends was Jamie Buckingham, who wrote Daughter of Destiny and Run Baby Run, among several other titles. I think Jamie would be thrilled to know that Run Baby Run, the life story of street-gang leader, Nicky Cruz, will become a motion picture next year.

I met Jamie at a Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International Convention at the Washington (DC) Hilton in 1968. Ms Kathryn Kuhlman was featured at that convention, along with Harold Hill, Merlin Carothers, and several other speakers. It was at this meeting that Dan Malachuk (the publisher of the newly founded Logos International Fellowship) brought Nicky Cruz and Jamie Buckingham together. (Jamie was a Southern Baptist pastor at the time and John and Elizabeth Sherrill, the authors of The Cross and the Switchblade, in which Nicky was featured, had recommended Jamie to Dan as a good writer.) The result, as many know, was the blockbuster title Run Baby Run.

It's really hard to believe, but forty years have passed since that momentous occasion! Thinking of Jamie reminds me of something Jamie said to a committee at Logos International. He said, "What's more imporant--the love of power or the power of love?" He went on to say that we need to see people through rather than to see through people. These expressions reveal that Jamie was a master of words, but they also give a clue about the depth of his spirituality. Everyone who knew him partook of the love of God that flowed from him and surrounded him. I am thankful that I knew this great man of God.

What's more important to you--the love of power or the power of love?

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Who Is the Most Controversial Person in Christian Circles Today?

This is an intriguing question: who is the most controversial person in Christian circles today? Certainly many men and women have held this distinction through the centuries of the Church's existence.

As regards the present time, there might be several candidates for this position. Without mentioning specific names, we could cite ministers who are getting divorced, ministers who believe in female angels, ministers who are alcoholics, ministers who are greedy, and ministers who engage in immoral behaviors of all sorts. Any names come to mind?

In recent years there have been several controversies surrounding certain key figures in Christianity, including certain televangelists who fell into disrepute due to their behaviors.

Certainly the Rev. Mr. Jeremiah Wright would be considered a controversial figure today, wouldn't he? Bear in mind, though, that the word "controversial" is not always a negative term. People can be right and still controversial. Certainly, Jesus and Paul were controversial figures, and so were people like Martin Luther, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, and Joan of Arc.

I'd love to know who you think is the most controversial figure in Christian circles today and why your feel he or she deserves that distinction.