​What was it like for Jesus the day before he would have entered into our world?

I can only imagine.

For 33 years in our time, He would remove Himself from the perfectness of Heaven.
33 years of a life sentence ending with a brutal execution.
He would live in obscurity for the first 30 years of his life and then deal with the nagging of religious leaders for three.
He would take on the pain and frustration of being human.
He would become flesh and blood and move into the neighborhood. (John 1:14)
He would invest in a group of disciples and they in turn would change the world.
He would GIVE UP EVERYTHING so we could have Him.

If John 13 is any indication of what he would have done before He came to earth, His complete love would be evident. It gives us a glimpse of heaven.

“Jesus knew that His hour had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” (13:1)

Love.

Can you imaging getting to hang out physically with the guys you created? God knew them well before he called them because He created them and they chose to follow. A tight bond created with the creator.

Can you imagine the “giddyness” with just the thought of going back to His true country heaven? Although the days ahead would be painful, his eyes always were focused on why He was here.

John 13:5-20 knowing He was about to leave this world and return to perfect, He served. He washed feet.
He could have done anything! But he chose to wash the disciples ugly, disgusting, dirty feet.

Another incredible picture of His complete love for us in that “while we were still sinners Christ died for us”.
And all of this as a way to set an example of what we are to do.

Love and serve.

The good news is there will be a day where we will leave this world too.
​
I can’t wait!

​“Don’t judge me!”

A statement made when we want to continue to crawl in the muck and mire of sin.

Forget the damage it’s creating to you and around you. Nobody should be able to tell us what to do.
Nathan “judged” David.

I think David in the end was very grateful that Nathan “judged” David.

It prevented a greater tailspin that was bound to happen if a godly friend had not stepped in and cared too much.
Background: David, a man after God’s heart, committed adultery and murder.

In 2 Samuel 12, Nathan confronts Nathan. If you will notice, THE LORD sent Nathan to David (12:1)

A few lessons:

1. Our sin invites consequences and trouble.
Because we are sorry we think we forfeit the consequences. David’s sin resulted in strife for his remaining days among his household.
2. Our secret sin will eventually be found out.

Even with this, the Lord knows. Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place watching the evil and good. He hears every whisper, every faint cry, every praise, every cry, everything.”
This is great news and excruciating news. He hears me. He sees me. In my greatest valleys, he hears my cry.
It’s frightening in that he also sees my sin. He becomes an unwilling participant IF Christ lives in me.
Just as God knew in the garden with Adam and Eve, God knew David’s sin. Again, the Lord sent Nathan.

3. God sends friends.
God sent Nathan. The person who you despise for rebuking your sin could be very well sent by God.
God loves you so much that He sends his ambassadors not just to share the Gospel, but to also bind up wounds and tend to those else who have strayed.
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:6‬ ‭AMP‬‬
4. There’s judging and then there’s judging.

There are people who always seem to have a critical spirit and they are bent on pointing out the splinter in your eye when they have a tree protruding from their life. These are people to steer clear of.

Then there are others that God sends to keep you from more self harm.

Notice Nathan’s rebuke: it was centered on who the Lord is and what the Lord expects of His servants. It was the word of the Lord that convinced David, not the force of Nathan’s character or rhetoric.

Paul speaks of our responsibility.

"For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]? God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside [the faith].
REMOVE THE WICKED ONE FROM AMONG YOU [expel him from your church].”

The way we rebuke our brothers and sisters is of upmost importance.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:1‬ ‭

Our goal: restoration not condemnation.

5. The ultimate goal of spiritual intervention: God’s glory.
Yes, it is about you but it’s not really about you.
“Because by this deed you have given a great opportunity to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme Him, the sin that is born to you shall certainly die.” 2 Samuel 12:14
When we sin, it gives room for others to blaspheme God. Gods glory will be upheld.

6. Our wandering begins when we take the word of God lightly.
“Why have you despise the Word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight?you have despised me”. 2 Samuel 12:9,10
Woe to you and me when His Word becomes a pastime. David’s road to sin didn’t start at the act of adultery. It started when He took lightly the Word of God.

‭7. God forgives.
David’s sin passed.
​Psalm 51 reveals the deeper conversation that gives us a model of what true repentance looks like.

Today, I think about who God has brought to be our House Church Shepherds and elders. I AM SO GRATEFUL!

Don Lovy, Jacob Henson, Tom Mefford

Brad and Julie Burgess, Chris and Geneva Guthrie, Jacob and Adrienne Henson, Steven and Christine Taff and Sarah and I also serve as a shepherd.

I am grateful for these men and couples. In addition to these, we have a host of other servant leaders.

In Numbers, after the fiasco with the “rabble”, the Lord told Moses to gather 70 elders.
“Then I will come down and speak with you there and I will take away some of the Spirit who is upon you and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not have to bear it alone.” (Numbers 11:17)

There are four of us elders and there are 10 of us House Church Shepherds currently.
He gave the body leadership to help bear the hurts and burdens of the people. I am so grateful for them.

This past Thursday we gathered, are a meal and we listened as each house church shepherd shared burdens and victories. What a glorious time. Then we prayed. I have never been more excited to see what God is doing.

A few lessons from Numbers:
1. One man can’t carry the burdens of the church. It’s unhealthy and unbiblical. God saw it was too much and brought help.
(See my post earlier about PTCD-Post Traumatic Church Syndrome)

2. Pastors aren’t the only ones who have the Holy Spirit living in them!
God took some of His Spirit and put Him on them! This is what happened in Acts. He put Him on them! WOW!!!!
What would it look like if we recognized and believed that the Holy Spirit lives in ALL believers. The return of Christ would be here, but we live in a way that has no power. The power of the Holy Spirit sits dormant.
Wake up! All the power you need is in you!!

2. We see Ephesians 4:11-12 played out here and with Moses father in law Jethro, the role of the lead missionary/pastor-to equip. They are not meant to do it all.

3. We need strong, godly men to serve as elders. We as pastors need these “Aaron and Hurs” to help bear the burden, help remain doctrinally sound, help give biblical wisdom and help stay on course. Men, this is a worthy cause!

4. Pray for your pastors and elders. The weight that is put on these ordinary humans is a privilege and hardship, but worth it.
Don’t put unfair expectations on these men. Don’t put them on a pedestal. Don’t compare them with the latest, greatest Celebrity preacher!
Let them lead in their strength and their gifting. Don’t make them someone they are not.

Shoutout to my church:
My gift is missionary/evangelist (Ephesians 4:11,12). I can teach, but it’s not my main gift.
When we started Church Inside Out, one of the foundational scriptures was Ephesians 4:11-12 “And He himself appointed some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and some as teachers to fully equip and perfect the saints for works of service, to build up the body of Christ.”

Our aim was to help people find their gift and utilize their gift. In this, I have been able to recognize those with the gift of teaching and allow then to teach. I still get to teach, but those who have that gift, we empower.

I get to lead out of my strength (missionary/evangelist) and empower others where my weakness lies. They recognize my strength and let me lead.

It’s a beautiful thing happening and I am grateful for my church.

Who do you need to pray for from your church as you think about who God has called to lead?
​
Men, are you pursuing Jesus not to make a name for yourself, but to be used for His purpose?

“I am just not getting fed.”

I’ve heard this and so have many pastors.

“Pastor, we are going to head somewhere else where we can get fed.”

Join the club.

The “I am not getting fed club”originated in Numbers when “rabble among the Israelites who followed from Egypt had greedy desires and the Israelites wept again and said, ‘Who will give us something to eat?” Numbers 11:4

A couple of lessons to determine if you are a rabble:
1. Unfortunately, there will always be rabble in our churches who have greedy desires. Just don’t be among them.
Listen to God, not man.

2. Not being fed stems from selfishness and a desire to be a consumer. They were greedy. It was all about their needs and their comfort. You have heard this before....
—I need something more in a kids/youth ministry. It’s not flashy enough or cool enough
—I don’t like the music
—the preaching is too long or too short or the pastor can’t relate to me
—you mean you want me to serve?
Rabble have a “Poor Me” attitude rather than a “Pour Me” attitude.

3. Rabble want to go back to the good ‘ole days (v. 5). “We remember the fish we ate freely and without cost....”.
They look at past victories and want to relish is those victories rather than chasing new opportunity to advance the Gospel.
They say, “we’ve never done it that way before!”
(We can no longer operate in the good ‘ole days unless you want your church to die!)

4. Rabble aren’t willing to sacrifice. They are looking for free stuff and just want to consume. They don’t want to give, they just want to take.
They aren’t willing to serve anywhere in the church. The only time they show up is to occupy a seat.

5. They can’t see the spiritual food in front of their face. “There is nothing at all to be seen but this manna.” (V. 6)
They can’t see the investment in them from those pouring into them. They really don’t want to make disciples, they want to make complainers.

6. Rabble sound wise but are fools. They are false teachers and instigators. They are instigators of dissatisfaction and make discomfort an excuse to agitate rebellion.

7. These rabble in Numbers weren’t all in. They pretended they were, but all indications pointed to just wanting the benefits.

8. Post traumatic church syndrome is real and most pastors have it.
Moses endured it but it came at a great cost. He wanted to die, “So if this is the way you are going to deal with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in your sight.
Most pastors have been at the end of this rabble and has taken an emotional toll that creates real pain.

Pastors are human too. Pastors are fleeing the ministry in droves not because of the ministry but because of rabble.

Monday’s are the days most pastors think about quitting because of foolish arguments or statements from Rabbles.

Would you do me a favor and examine your heart and ask if you have been a rabble?

If you find yourself being a rabble, STOP IT, confess and repent to God. Then, go to your pastor and seek His forgiveness.

The lack of advancement of the Gospel is not due to the laws of Washington. The lack of advancement is RABBLES. You keep our eyes (pastors) off the goal. You keep the Gospel from moving forward.

Another word for rabble? REBEL.

If you know of a rabble, go to them and lovingly confront these false teachers and instigators.

“I am just not getting fed” excuse needs to stop. If you aren’t spending time in the Word yourself, there is no sermon or ministry that can help you.
​
Just be grateful that the fire of the Lord does not consume you. (Numbers 11:1)
#mobilemissionsnetwork
#churchinsideout

​A long lost spiritual discipline: WAITING and LISTENING.
Our Amazon culture has created a right now frenzy. We want everything right now. Waiting creates tension.
In Numbers 9, there were certain men who were unclean because they touched a dead mans body and they could not observe Passover on the appointed day, so they can to Moses and Aaron to get their wisdom.”
“Why are we being restrained from presenting the Lords offering at its appointed time among the Israelites?”
Check out their response:
“”Wait, and I will listen to what the Lord will command concerning you.”
Moses and Aaron did two things:
1. They waited.
2. They listened.
AND
God answered!
How many of us would have given a quick response/answer. I know I would have. I would have said what I thought was best.
The ability to wait on the Lord stems from being confident and focused on who God is and in what God is doing. It means confidence in God’s person: confidence in His wisdom, love, timing, understanding of our situation and that of the world. It means knowing and trusting in God’s principles, promises, purposes, and power.
As a pastor, there is a lot of waiting. Waiting to make weighty decisions that will affect the whole body. Most want a quick, microwave decision.
But oh how many times has my quick decision derailed God’s process.
In my experience, the waiting has happened through being in the Word and prayer seeking (listening) the Lord for his answer.
Quick decisions without inquiring of the Lord could lead to long term consequences (like wandering in the wilderness).
Inquiring of the Lord and waiting may seem to prolong the issue, but can melt the obstacles and get to the destination quicker.
In our waiting, it’s not just doing nothing. It’s actively waiting through reading His Word and praying.
God will shine a light on the path you are to go. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
How many times do we see that David waited in the book of psalms?
A few examples: Psalm 27, Psalm 33, Psalm 130.
When we wait on the Lord, you have the backing of the creator of the universe.
Think about a doctors note. You have the backing of a doctor to let someone know of your ailment.
God’s note (His Word) gives you the backing to walk forward.
What sounds better? “I think” or “God said”.
Side note: if you say God said, “we must be very careful that we don’t use His name in vain and stick a decision on him that he didn’t make.
Can you back the decision truly from a God’s Word?
Also, don’t allow pressure from people to make you make a quick decision. (There will be times you have to make a decision on a timeline, but in this fast and seek)
Back to Moses and Aaron...
Numbers 9:9, “The Lord spoke to Moses”.....
He told them what to do next.
God still speaks today.
Let me say that again, “God still speaks today!”
In Psalm 127, David gives us insight into how to wait and listen:
1. Abide (4,5)
2. Praise (6,7)
3. Seek (8)
4. Trust (9,10)
5. Learn (11, 12)
6. Believe (13)
7. Wait and Expect (14)
So, we see thought this we don’t just twiddle our thumbs in the waiting, but our minds and hearts are active in seeking.
“Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, Wait for and confidently expect the Lord.” Psalm 127:14
May we develop the art of waiting and listening on the Lord.

​Scaredy Cat Christians.....

Behind every conspiracy theory, every vaccination and every decision coming down from Washington we think is the mark of the beast.

(I don’t disagree that there is terrible legislation happening in our country)

We try and try guessing who the AntiChrist is and what the mark of the beast is going to be.
Give me a vaccine, a tattoo of the mark—these don’t determine my eternity! The Holy Spirit when we were saved (and if we were saved) “were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit as OWNED and PROTECTED by God!” Ephesians 1:13
(Many Christians need to read that again!)

We waste our time playing Bible trivia while friends and neighbors are destined for Hell.
If you are not pursuing Christ and obeying Him, you are the anti-Christ.

““Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:30‬ ‭

“For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:18-19‬

You are working against His plan and purpose.

So what if something is handed down? Does it affect my faith in Christ! Heck no!
I focus my eyes greater on the cross and His resurrection and my eternal home.

We as believers need to stop being fearful.

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set
Me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can mere
Man do to me? The Lord is on my side, He is among those who help me; therefore I will look (in triumph) on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” Psalm 118:5-9

Are you fearful?

My wise words of wisdom :”Stop it”

Now, there are legitimately those fearful. There are legitimate concerns about decisions being made but we can’t be fearful about every single thing.

But then there are those that are Christian fearmongers-everything that pops up is the end of the world and we need to boycott! (Remember Disney? Yikes!)

Many believers proclaim what they are against more than who lives in them!

If you are legitimately fearful:
1. Turn off the tv and talk radio.
2. Open your Bible. Start with Psalm 118:5-9.
3. Confess your fears.
4. Want to hear God speak? Read the Bible out loud .
5. Marinate on the Word. Don’t just eat a crumb of the word and post it on social media. Eat the bread-His Word daily!
6. Remind yourself—the God who created the heavens and there earth is on your side!
7. Look in triumph on those people and situations against you. Look in the other side of the situation.
8. Take refuge in God—this comes through spending time with Him. The amount of time we spend in the Word/prayer vs time in social media amd news determines a lot who our refuge is!

Read the rest of Psalm 118-so Good and stop being a scaredy cat!
​
If we want to change the direction of our country: MAKE DISCIPLES and RUN FOR OFFICE

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
Psalm 119:103

The Word...the very words of God.

To think that the Creator of the universe left us with His Word.  Why would I not want that?  Why would I not want to read word for word?

I remember when Sarah and I were dating.  I was living Edmond and she was living in Mounds, OK.  This was before cell phones and texting and internet.  Each week, we would write letters to one another and mail them off.  I remember when I would receive one of her letters, I would smell the letter to see if there was a hint of of her perfume (that's what we did back then).  I would read the letter and then I would re-read the letter, and then I would re-read the letter.  Later that day or the next, I would re-read it.  It was fuel for my day knowing that there was someone that adored me just as much as I adored her.  I would wait anxiously each week for her letter to arrive.

Man, what if I responded to God's Word in a similar fashion.  As a reminder, He is the groom and I am His bride.  He has given me a letter not just weekly but minute by minute and day by day.  It speaks of His love for me.  It speaks encouragement to me.  It reprimands when necessary.  My Groom has written a letter to Me.  Your Groom has written a letter to You.

May we read, re-read, and re-read the very words of our Groom to us in 2021.  I guarantee that your life will be changed.  You will be reminded that there is a Groom that awaits at the altar preparing for eternity.  Until then, He has left us with His very breath to show us to be the "lamp to my feet and the light to my path."  

What do I recommend?

1.  Read the Bible daily.  Some are ready for trying to read the Bible in a year plan.  Others are not.  Start where you are.  Don't compare yourself.  You are not more spiritual if you read through the whole Bible in a year vs reading daily Scripture.  The Lord will speak regardless and it will not return void.

2.  What plan should I use?

• There are so many plans out there, but a good start is YouVersion.  Check out "the Bible Project" as a starter.  Each book includes videos specifically designed to enhance your understanding.  They have partial Bible plans and biblical study plans as well.
• Consider just reading through the New Testament.
• Take your time and find what will work for you
• I am going to go through Live Dead Joy by Dick Brogden again this year.  It gives a devotional, three passages of Scripture and an unreached people group to pray for.  For those not ready to read the whole Bible through in a year, choose one of the three passages of Scripture.  I do have some copies on hand and have more ordered for $15 or you can go to livedead.org to order.  You can also get on Amazon through Kindle for $4.99
• Missionary God, Missionary Bible by Dick Brogden.  Another one I will tackle.  This is a one year, missions-centered, chronological reading of the Bible.  This is in bite size chunks in reading the Bible.  You can get on Amazon through Kindle for $4.99.
• The Journible.  Go through one book for the whole year and hand write your own copy of the Scriptures.  In Deuteronomy 17, Moses is leaving final instructions concerning the future of Israel. As a prophet of God, Moses foretells of when Israel will place a king over the nation (v. 14). In verse 18, the king is commanded to not simply acquire a copy of the law (the entire book of Deuteronomy) from the “scroll publishing house,” but to hand write his own copy of the law. Thirty-four hundred years later, educators are “discovering” that students that physically write out their notes by hand have a much greater retention rate than simply hearing or visually reading the information. Apparently, God knew this to be true of the kings of Israel also. From such understanding came the conception of this series of books.

3.  Other advice

• Go through your plan with other people.  If you are a part of Church Inside Out, get with your House Church and determine a plan and walk together in that plan.
• Don't get discouraged if you miss a day.
• Journal.  Write out what God says to you.  You will be amazed during the course of the year your growth.  Simply write out what you are learning and write down as the Holy Spirit reveals.  Write out your prayer requests daily as well.  
• Set aside the same time each day.  Establish a routine.  They say it takes 21 days to establish a habit.  If this is your first time in establishing a habit of reading the Bible,  your flesh will find every reason not to, but stick with it and make yourself read.
• You aren't going to always feel like reading your Bible, but again remember that these are the very words of your Groom.
• It won't be every day during that particular moment that you will "get something" from the Word.  But in time, the Word will not return void and the Word planted in your heart will grow.  
• You are meeting with a person, the Holy Spirit!  This is not a check the box duty.  You are dining with the King of Kings as you allow the Word to speak to your heart.
• Apart from reading and listening to the Word, you cannot grow as a believer.  Dig in and you will notice the fruits of the Spirit spring from your life.

I guarantee You will notice a difference in a year and I believe others will notice a difference, but the main thing is you get to hear from Jesus, our groom, who is preparing a place for us as believers for all eternity.  This love letter has been gifted to us while on this earth.  Very soon, we won't read the Word, we will SEE the Word and until then His presence is with us!

Our Groom is Coming Soon!

Let's Go!
Mike

*Below is my theme song for 2021