I am a huge fan of J.I. Packer, he in my opinion is one of the greatest theologians that has blessed our generation. He is a sage that has much wisdom to pass on. His book "Knowing God" is a foundational study in Christian theology that must be read by all Christians. Mark Driscoll another influential man that I respect for his deep understanding of the heart of Jesus, and our calling as Christian leaders spent some time with J.I. Packer. Mark Driscoll asked J.I Packer which theological issues he would commend young Christian leaders to study in order to be prepared for the next fifty years. Here is the link check it out:http://theresurgence.com/node/1091
What do you think?
Friday, August 8, 2008
When God Moves
The last few days I have been sitting in the midst of the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. A great conference on empowering leaders to be effective in their calling. God has done something in my heart the last two days that I haven't felt in a long time. It wasn't the leadership principles that moved me, not the big name speakers, or lofty ideas of spirituality, but the pictures of God moving in the midst of brokenness and injustice in our world. God using broken, humble people to be his light bearers to a world that desperately needs him. In the eyes of these people I saw life, and satisfaction that honestly has escaped me lately. I feel like I have been living some cheap imitation. I have strove so long to be about God's work and seeing youth fall in love with Jesus, that ministry has stolen my compassion for the things that really matter to him. Something has happened in my heart, a holy discontent with the life that I have lived the last year. I have fallen victim to sacrificing for my comfort and not for my savior. I have failed to understand what true love looks like. When we see God moving in the lives of this world, in his people, there is something that happens, He begins to move in stagnant hearts that have lost passion and significance and meaning in life. Our culture is desperate for significance and meaning. I am convinced that the only life of significance and meaning is found in a love relationship with God. But our definition of love needs to change.
Ephesians 5:1-25:1 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son. That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
Love is sacrifice! I ask myself this question: If God sacrificed his life to show his love for me, can I sacrifice my life to show my love to him? This is the true call of a disciple of Christ. To sacrafice your life to take on His life.
I am deeply convicted by this. I have failed to sacrifice for so many people in my life that I claim to love, most importantly God. As a pastor I have found that I have sacrificed many things to follow my God givin calling. But there is one thing that I have failed to sacrifice that has broken my heart and truly kept me from experiencing the life Jesus died for me to live. Comfort! I like being comfortable, and I base my decisions on what will keep me in a comfortable zone. I was reminded of this fact:
"Jesus did not come to make us safe, He came to make us brave"
So often we strive for comfort and safety in our American bubble. In fact we pride ourselves on how safe our communities, and country is. Yet I have realized that when we strive after safeness in the Christian life, we miss the adventure that Jesus is calling us to experience. In the process when we choose safeness we fail to experience God and fail to be a part of what he is doing in this world that brings signifiance and meaning to life that can not be found anywhere else.
God is moving in the dangerous places of our world, in the situations that could cost your life, your possessions, your dreams, your loves ones. But if we love God, we would consider all this worth sacrificing to be a part of his work at redeeming this world and experiencing him.
My prayer is this: Lord may this holy discontent that I feel never leave my life. Move in my heart to be broken for the things that break your heart. Allow me to humbly serve you in your movements. May I never choose safeness and comfort over the calling you have given me. I love you and am willing to sacrifice anything to show my love and gratitude to you.
Ephesians 5:1-25:1 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son. That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
Love is sacrifice! I ask myself this question: If God sacrificed his life to show his love for me, can I sacrifice my life to show my love to him? This is the true call of a disciple of Christ. To sacrafice your life to take on His life.
I am deeply convicted by this. I have failed to sacrifice for so many people in my life that I claim to love, most importantly God. As a pastor I have found that I have sacrificed many things to follow my God givin calling. But there is one thing that I have failed to sacrifice that has broken my heart and truly kept me from experiencing the life Jesus died for me to live. Comfort! I like being comfortable, and I base my decisions on what will keep me in a comfortable zone. I was reminded of this fact:
"Jesus did not come to make us safe, He came to make us brave"
So often we strive for comfort and safety in our American bubble. In fact we pride ourselves on how safe our communities, and country is. Yet I have realized that when we strive after safeness in the Christian life, we miss the adventure that Jesus is calling us to experience. In the process when we choose safeness we fail to experience God and fail to be a part of what he is doing in this world that brings signifiance and meaning to life that can not be found anywhere else.
God is moving in the dangerous places of our world, in the situations that could cost your life, your possessions, your dreams, your loves ones. But if we love God, we would consider all this worth sacrificing to be a part of his work at redeeming this world and experiencing him.
My prayer is this: Lord may this holy discontent that I feel never leave my life. Move in my heart to be broken for the things that break your heart. Allow me to humbly serve you in your movements. May I never choose safeness and comfort over the calling you have given me. I love you and am willing to sacrifice anything to show my love and gratitude to you.
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