Well, it took us 31 weeks (of actual study – was longer with breaks etc) but we made it through Zondervan’s The Story. I have to admit, I went into the study last year expecting not to get much out of it, but boy was I surprised. Read the rest of this entry »

This is the final post of 3 as we examine James 4:8-10 and look at steps to the “all in” lifestyle

3. It’s important to know your place in relationship to the God of the Universe and let Him lift you up – don’t you do the lifting.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. – James 4:10

An “all in” lifestyle will only work with someone who has been humbled by a full understanding of who God is, what He has done for us, and an awareness of our own imperfections.

Someone who has taken the first two steps seriously will be in a good position to be used by God as He lifts them up. God can only use those who know their place. That they are not the center of the universe but are a tool that God has created to work with to reach a world that desperately needs to be in relationship with Him.

It’s not just awareness of this fact. It also requires a choice by this person to do what God is calling them to do. They have the option to say “yes” or “no”.

A truly humbled person will understand that God has a bigger vision than we can see (Jer. 29:11) and that everything He does will work out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Faith and trust are key to a humbled person working at their full potential for God.

The “All In” Lifestyle is one of full commitment to the God of the Universe and his plan for redemption. It means responding quickly to times of sin and brokenness and getting back on track with God in humility. It is when we are at that point that God can begin to open doors for us and begin to move mightily in our lives.

We need to make a choice to live an “All In” lifestyle or not… Read Jesus words about this in Revelation 3:15-16

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Not making a choice to follow God with everything or to not follow God with everything basically makes Jesus sick. The word “spit you out of my mouth” actually means “to Vomit”

By riding the fence – keeping one foot in each world, if you will… you make Jesus puke…

Are you stuck on the fence? Are you neither hot nor cold, are you luke warm? Stop making Jesus vomit and make a decision and go ALL IN.

Well, it’s early on a Saturday morning and I am sitting here reflecting on the last 24 hours of my life. Why? You might ask… Well yesterday I have a friend in a Bible study challenge me to look at every day, after it’s over, and look for how God’s hand had moved in my life that day.

He suggested doing it every evening before bed. Well, those who know me…know our crazy lifestyle and how tired I get. Evening does not work for me because sleep hits me before my head hits the pillow. So since God sees fit to wake me up early every morning (I don’t set an alarm clock), I figured He must want me to utilize that time better. So here we go…

As I look over all that happen yesterday, one encounter I had definitely has the hand of God all over it. Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to pick up a new friend from the airport. He flew into Grand Rapids from Dallas, TX and was speaking in Jackson, MI this weekend. The funny thing is that we had never met before face to face. We had talked via linkedin, email, and phone, but God finally saw fit to connect the two of us together in person. His name is Blake Porter (Visit His Ministry Website).

So when Blake finally got into town yesterday (after airport issues cause delays for him), I picked him up from the airport and we went to a local starbucks and hung out for just over an hour. I was amazed at Blake’s energy and passion for God and his ministry as he shared his story of how he came to be doing what he’s doing. The whole encounter was incredibly refreshing, exciting, and inspiring for me as I look to follow God completely like Blake has been doing for years.

As l reflect back on the conversation we had over tea at Starbucks, I was struck with the question that is now the title of this post… Am I “all in” like Blake is – completely trusting God and passionately pursuing my calling with everything in me or am I only “half in” – not fulling putting my faith in the God of the universe, who may be calling me to so much more – am I caught up in the worries of this life?

I think wherever we are in our walk with God there is always room to improve. The question is am I/are you taking the steps we need to take to improve? Are you coasting through life comfortable and content with the security you have built up or do you feel a sense that there is something more God is calling you too?

If it’s the latter, then you just need to take a baby step forward and God will begin to lead you.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8a, NIV

If you have chosen to remain “comfortable,” in the life you’ve built, I would argue that you are not being as effective in your calling as you might think. If you are not experiencing some challenge to your faith or life, then you have to ask the question “Are you a threat to the enemy?” Is Satan leaving you alone because he does not feel that you are a danger to his efforts to defeat God?

God calls us to storm the gates of Hell, to be on the front lines of the battle making a difference for His kingdom – are you doing that if you’re solely focused on your comfort and what you need? If you’re not a threat to the enemy, you’re not effective in God’s calling for your life.

What ever God has uniquely designed you to do – are you doing it with all that is in you? Trust me, if you jump in and make that kind of 100% commitment to Him that he calls us to then He will be there for you in ways you can’t even begin to imagine…

Where are you in your life… Are you “comfortable” and “safe” or are you living life on the edge of faith, opening new doors of opportunity for God to move through you and impact lives for eternity?

It’s Your Choice…

Over the last year, I have been in a study of the book of Revelation. I know this is a controversial topic to post about, but I  feel I need to share my thoughts on this because we are living in unprecedented times. I believe that if we don’t understand what is coming and how to discern the Truth from deception we are in trouble.

With the chaos that is happening all over the world, we see a growing evil.

I challenge you to know God, don’t take my word for it…research what is truly going on in this world. You will begin to see a pattern that suggest at a minimum we are experience the “birth pains” that Jesus talked about in Matthew 24. And it’s not just starting, it is increasing in intensity quickly.

The whole idea of labor in the birth process is that it starts slowly and as the birth gets closer the pains increase in frequency and intensity. That is exactly what is going on now…It started with Greece and the Chaos there, then a while later Tunisia, than a couple weeks later Egypt, and most recently Libya. Now we are looking at chaos breaking out in several other countries in the mid-east and even in some states here in the US.

We need to be aware of what is going on and how we can be prepared to discern the Truth of God’s word from the deception of the evil that is growing.

This morning I was listening to Glenn Beck. Please don’t get hung up on that. Whatever you think about Glenn Beck, he has an important message that is similar to the one I feel God is calling me to. Please continue reading…

On the heels of listening to a sound clip by  Louis Farrakhan, he said the following, “There is a great evil growing on this planet…We are on the eve of terrible things and great, great things…” – Glenn Beck

In the sound clip, Farrakhan told a large crowd that “God is causing the revolutions” He is saying that the current chaos in our world is being caused by God.

God is not a God of chaos but of order and love, do you know God well enough to refute the deception that these sort of people are putting out  there?

“Jesus stood for something… but he was about peace and love…I’m convinced many of our brothers and sisters will lose their soul…” – Glenn Beck

Don’t fall prey to the hate that the evil out there espouses. Do what God is calling you to do. Make sure you know what you believe and what you know is Truth.

“Have no fear and stand where the Lord tells you to stand…You will see the power and the hand of God…make sure you are on the right side.” – Glenn Beck

“My cry is this, know where you stand, know what time it is…know who  you are, know what is true…” – Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck ended his first segment with a challenge that I pass on to you who read this today…

“The chips are on the table…the question is, ‘Are you all in?’”

This morning at 10:05am a dear man of God left our temporary earthly home for a better place. Elton Piersma, my wife’s grandfather, lived a life committed to following what God called him to do. I personally have always admired Grandpa’s respect and honor for God and God’s Word. While my wife and I feel a deep sense of loss, we also rejoice in the fact that Grandpa is now with his Heavenly father, a place he has longed for… for many years.

I also truly admire Grandpa Piersma for the way he lived his life as a pastor and friend to many. He taught from a place of wisdom that few can say they have and yet was humble and caring to everyone, no matter what. I look to his joy filled life and pray that someday I can have the joy, peace, and steadfastness in faith that he displayed right up to the end of his time here on earth.

I won’t soon forget the conversation we had just a few days ago. His joy-filled, peaceful voice sharing wisdom and thankful to God for all that he has experienced. This morning he passed away in his sleep with family by his side.

My life has truly been blessed through knowing Grandpa Piersma and I can honestly say that he has greatly impacted who I am because of who he was, how he lived, and how God has used him over the years.

Grandpa we look forward to the day when we can see you again, in Heaven, and worship again our Glorious Risen Savior but this time in His presence…

We love and miss you already!

Dear God, thank you for the times we have shared with Grandpa Piersma and the hope of more in the future as we gather again in Heaven – Our permanent Home…

As I sit here in the national fellowship of raceway ministries annual conference, the director Roger Marsh is talking about the theme of the conference. But it’s the type of theme that could be and needs to be applied to the Body of Christ. Together We Stronger…

Unity is key if we are going to make a global impact for the Body of Christ. God can use us as individuals but how much more effective we are when we work as a team. God created each of us with unique gifts and talents. If we are not all doing our part as a team, then our effectiveness overall is not at the level God intended.

Are you doing your part? Is the team lacking because you are not where God designed for you to be? Remember Together We Stronger…