Merida Mexico - 2014

Well, we finalized the student list for our Mission Trip to Merida Mexico through North Point Ministries' GlobalX team...I am excited to lead with my good friend Daniel Harper. We will take about 35 or so students (and about 10 leaders) to Merida for seven days on July 12, 2014; if it is anything like the last two years, it is gonna be intense; incredible relationships forged, lives changed and completed construction work for a local church or school. I can't wait to see what our Lord has in store for our team. More info to come...our first meeting with students and parents is in January. If you think about it, pray for our team!

A day of inspiration

Today has been been a somewhat "inspirational" day...I completed two poems and posted one to the website titled "Forgiveness"; the second poem titled "Little Girl" illustrates the struggles between a dad and daughter in that transition period of little girl to young lady (and yes I'm in the early days of that one thus the inspiration). "Forgiveness" is a poem of grace and highlights some key themes around the concept of forgiveness and at the very end, what I see as a common misunderstanding around confession (or 1 John 1:9 which I hope to blog more specifically about later). I hope you enjoy the poems! Have a great week!

 

Blameless

Do you ever feel like you are in trouble with God? You messed up yet again and feel just awful. Well, the apostle Paul gives us some good news...you are blameless!

1Cor. 1:8 who [Jesus] will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Confirm", from the NAS Greek Dictionary, means

950. βεβαιόω bebaioo; from 949; to confirm, secure: —confirm(2), confirmed(3), established(1), establishes(1), strengthened(1).

Can you believe it? I hope you do, it's true! You are secured and established by God "in Christ" as BLAMELESS, all the way to the end, when all is fulfilled "in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ". That means right now, tomorrow, all the way through standing in front of God after your death, He calls you "blameless". What is "blameless"?

410. ἀνέγκλητος anegkletos; from 1 (as a neg. pref.) and 1458; not to be called to account, unreprovable: —above reproach(2), beyond reproach(2), blameless(1). - NAS Greek Dictionary

I love that...you are unreprovable, above and beyond reproach; you are blameless as far as God is concerned (and His opinion matters the most). You may still make some bad choices, say the wrong thing, or any number of "mistakes" or "sin" and even experience the human consequences of those decisions...that's just life as a human being. In the midst of all that mess, where do you and God stand? I will tell you, it's one word, "blameless". Jesus took all your blame at the cross and gave you His righteousness, holiness and so much more. Every bad thought, action or desire you had, have or will ever have in the future was nailed to the cross and taken care of...you are "blameless"! Do you get it? Will you believe it? You have been radically changed from the inside out...you are a brand new creation who is blameless for now and forever more.

The next verse confirms an incredible truth we must internalize...

1Cor. 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God is faithful...you are BLAMELESS and are called to enjoy an intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ right now. Enjoy it!

Some might say this is nothing more than a "license to sin". No, it's scripture and, as I've said for many years, "a license to live"! No need to feel sorry for yourself and wallow in self defeat and self condemnation...you are blameless. Don't stop or delay your journey in Christ just because you blew it..keep moving, or as I put it, "Fail, Forward, Faster". God is on your side...He is urging you forward to know Him better, He is NOT condemning or judging you (that was taken care of at the cross). When you feel condemned, that's not God...so what do you do? That's easy...by faith, simply thank God that through the cross He has made you "blameless"! Now go, be free and enjoy your day!

Sanctified - Past Tense

1Cor. 1:2 ¶ To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours (NAS95).

I love this verse...if you have accepted Christ you are "in Christ" and in Him you have been sanctified, past tense! Sanctified, in the NAS Greek dictionary, means:

37. ἁγιάζω hagiazo; from 40; to make holy, consecrate, sanctify: —hallowed(2), keep holy(1), sanctified(16), sanctifies(2), sanctify(7).

God made YOU holy "in Christ"; in fact, you are identified as a "saint" in this and other scriptures. In fact, all those who call on the name of the Lord are made holy and identified as saints...pretty cool.

Are you trying to work on your sanctification? Well, don't...your sanctification is a done deal! If you want something to work on, work on accepting what God has already done inside you as a believer. I know, I know...you don't always "look" and "feel" sanctified. I totally understand. The fact is you are sanctified...as you start believing that truth you may actually begin to look and feel the part.

I stink at blogging but will try again...

Obviously, if you look at my blog history, I am a terrible blogger. I am giving it a go again and who knows, I might actually create more than a couple posts this year! No promises!

Mike and I just started another Freedom From Addictive Behaviors Advanced webinar on August 1; we started these back in October 2008 and have been very happy with the response. There is still time to register if you would like to attend. Each week you will hear Mike Quarles teach and Mike and I answer questions...it's really a fun time and best of all, you don't have to leave your home to attend! Join us on Thursday evenings.

Well, next post may be a little bit on 1Corinthians 1...been chewing on that for a while now. Very cool stuff. We will see!