Letting Your Light Shine or not, part II

Why is it important to let our light shine before others?

1. To eliminate Darkness.

John 8:12 says, “Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

The phrase “light of the world” was common in Jewish culture throughout the Bible. The phrase was used to refer to Adam, many famous rabbis, Israel - the nation, and Jerusalem - the city. So, When Jesus said he was the "light of the world" everyone of that time new what He was saying...He was the light for whom society had been looking!!!

2. To eliminate Stumbling.

John 11:9 reads, "Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? If anyone walks around in the daytime, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world." Enough said! Focus on Jesus, live in His light, and you will not stumble!

3. To establish the Kingdom

Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

We are called to be visible and to live out our FAITH in the public arena. So we are to LIVE OUR FAITH OUT LOUD, TURN IT UP, ADN LET PEOPLE HEAR/SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE.

Letting Your Light Shine or not!

Matt. 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Several years ago Jennifer and I visited her family in Colorado Springs, Colorado which is one of the most beautiful cities in our nation. As we were driving south on I-70 from Denver, I will never forget the first view of the night lights that illuminated The Springs. The many lights created a beautiful, breathe taking illumination. I remember noticing the distinct difference between the night's darkness and the city lights.

As a Christian, we are to be the "Light" of the world and the agent in whom God's light can shine. Honestly, there aught to be a distinct difference between us who are living in the "light" and those who remain in darkness. Our actions, speech, demeanor, and love aught to be different! However, many people and churches have chosen to distinguish their light by covering it up with different things. Here are a few things that will distinguish your light?

o Being Inwardly focused!

§ This is when we focus solely on taking care of the church people, place all of our emphasis on discipleship rather than outreach, and we choose to put our needs before the worlds.

o Being Prideful.

§ Being filled with arrogance is the thought that our lives are better than everyone else's.

§ Pride devalues others.

o Being comfortable.

§ Growing Content with where we are in life.

§ Maybe your church recently hit a record weekend attendance or giving weekend and you are feeling "good" about where you are right now. This can lead to a comfortable place, but is being comfortable winning souls. Has God called us to be comfortable? Is it truly letting our Light Shine Before Others? Let's get (un)comfortable with where we are!!!

Why Vision is Important.

Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish."  Therefore  we can assume that where there is vision there is life!  Vision is life!  Here are two reasons of why I think Vision is vitally important.

1.  Vision Provides Safety.

I have two great friends who are blind and when we have the chance we enjoy going out to eat together.  One thing is for sure though when we do get to go out to dinner.  They aren't driving to the restaurant!!!  Why? Because they don't have the proper vision to make the right decisions to maneuver the vehicle and without that vision their driving would lead to a crash and maybe even death!!!  As I said, they are great people and are awesome Christians and do a lot of good, but they can't see to drive.  However, with my 20/20 vision I can get us to our destination safely.  Get in a church where the leaders have vision!

2.  Vision Provides Security.

I have an uncle who works as a Security Guard at a local prison.  Once, when I visited him there I noticed that there where two guards stationed high in a tower.  This height advantage gave them better vision of the prison grounds and allowed them to see every move the prisoners made.  Their vision provided security not only to the prisoners, but also the surrounding communities.  Churches with the proper vision of Christ can be a safe and secure place to worship!

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." - Psalms 18:2

Vision isn't just important, it's vital for your existence!  

Let ‘em walk

So Steven Furtick over at www.stevenfurtick.com posted a thought tonight about T.D. Jakes' quote that I posted here last week and I thought it would encourage the many pastors and church leaders who read Building People.  Here it is...

Let ‘em walk

I want to expand a little on a concept that I touched on recently.
I heard a 5 minute rant by Bishop T.D. Jakes recently about dealing with people who choose to exit your life.

His bottom line instruction:
If somebody can walk away from you, let them walk.

Our reflexive response is to chase after the people who leave our lives.  I’ve seen pastors approach the verge of nervous break down attempting to convince disgruntled church members to stay.
This rarely works.  If you do convince them to stay, chances are good their attitudes will begin to demolish the interior of your church.
Let them walk.  There’s a better church for them.  Let them bless another ministry.

I’ve seen girls give guys their hearts, their bodies, and irrevocable pieces of their souls trying to keep a guy who’s not even a keeper to begin with.
If he doesn’t see the goodness and the virtue in you, and you have to cross the line of sin to make him stay, let him walk.
Make room for someone better.

Granted, there are exceptions to this rule.  When you’ve sinned against someone, it’s your Biblical responsibility to make it right.  Even when someone has an issue with you, you are obligated to do everything you can to make it right.

But that doesn’t mean that you continue to pursue the relationship to your own detriment, or that you continue to extend unwarranted and unwise trust and access.

There are too many people waiting to be reached for a pastor to agonize over those who don’t want to stay.
You have too much going for you to expend energy trying to convince another person to love you, accept you, believe in you…

If someone can walk away from you, let them walk.  Gracefully, with dignity.
Your destiny is never connected to those who leave.
Build on the foundation that remains.

Insightful Quote

“If someone can walk away from you, let ‘em walk…”

- Bishop T.D. Jakes

ARE YOU SERIOUS, SERIOUSLY!!!

Christmas Ad Campaign Promotes Godless Morality

The American Humanist Association announced a new advertising campaign this week promoting morality without religion that will feature ads on more than 200 Metrobuses in Washington D.C. "Why believe in a god?" the ad reads. "Just be good for goodness' sake." Humanist leaders say they believe it is the first ad campaign of its kind in the United States; it follows plans announced by atheists in London to place bus ads that say "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life," starting in January. The American Family Association calls the ads "stupid," saying that God defines morality, and individuals defining what's good for themselves will result in a "crazy world." The dean of the Liberty University School of Law Matthew Staver, said, "It's the ultimate grinch to say there is no God at a time when millions of people around the world celebrate the birth of Christ. Certainly, they have the right to believe what they want, but this is insulting." Best-selling books by authors such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have fueled interest in "the new atheism"—a more in-your-face argument against God's existence. 

(TAKEN FROM THE CHURCH INTELLIGENCE REPORT)

Great Quote I am pondering...

Where there is slack there's lack, but where there is vision there's provision!!!

What a Man!

Billy Graham turned 90 today!  The first word that came to mind when I read and article about him in The Daily Oklahoman was INTEGRITY!   What one word can you think of to best describe the world's most well known evangelist?  Comment!!!

12 relationships that I value

1.  Larry Boatright - The Orchard Community

2.  Justin Edge - Life Church

3. Hal Santos - Grace Church

4.  Brent Kellogg - Cornerstone Church

5.  Scott Oltmans - Crosspointe Church

6. Kirk Pantkratz - Church of the Harvest

7.  Seth Swindall - Victory Life Church Atoka

8.  Lynn Wheeler

9.  Ron Rhoads

10. Jeremy Dugas - Church of the Harvest - Youth and Design and Video.

11. Elijah Tindall - Evangelist

12.  John Brown - Missionary

12.  My brothers at the UPN

All New People Welcome!!!

I am so pleased to announce that Jennifer and I will be facilitating a new Connection Group entitled "Starting Pointe" for those who are new to Crosspointe Church.  Starting Pointe is a safe place for people to connect and learn of the churches core values and vision.  Starting Pointe will also serve as the pathway for membership for everyone!  

Starting:  September 7, 2008

Time: 5:00 PM

Place: Fellowship Hall

Info:  Child care provided!!!

Great Friends.

This weekend I will be sharing on the subject of "How God Prospers us through Relationships" at Centre Christian Church in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  As I have been preparing for this sermon I realized that I am blessed beyond measure with some amazing friends.  Really I have too many to name but we a have been so blessed the hospitality of John, Stacey, and Sadie Brown while here in Mexico.  Thanks guys!

Take a moment to Thank God for the many awesome relationships that He has granted you. 

If only I ran my church like the airlines...

We finally made it to Mexico yesterday, after 16 hours of hard traveling, to be with our dear friends John, Stacey, and Sadie Brown!!!  You are probably thinking, "why in the world did they drive (with a toddler to Mexico)," well we didn't we actually flew.  We flew from DFW and had a direct flight, but our plane was delayed and left us waiting for more than 7 hours at which point we were very tired and knew that we had a three hour flight and a two hour bus ride ahead of us to reach our final destination of Cuernrvaca.

A Crazy Moment...

As we we approached the plane to board we were met by an airline employee who informed us that we didn't have the proper documentation for our daughter and that we wouldn't be allowed to board the plane!!!   They wisked us over to the desk as they were figuring out whether or not to allow us to board.  In the mean time, two of the airline employees actually got into an argument (screaming match) on whether or not our daughter was allowed onto the plane!  Here is the crazy moment...this was all for not!  After the argument (by this time we were totally stressed and were wondering what in the world) the gentleman looked at us and said, "are you all ready to board?"  WHAT?  REALLY?  "OF COURSE," was our reply and they finally let us board! 

Once things (like our heart rate) settled down and we had a moment to reflect on the day, I leaned over to Jennifer and said, "if we functioned our church like the airlines runs their business we would be left broke and lonely!"  None the less, we made it!!!

An Easter to Die For...

With Easter only four weekends away I thought I would write a few thoughts I have to encourage you to fully surrendering your life to Christ.

Denying Yourself means that you surrender your will to fulfill the purpose(s) that God has set before you! This may involve turning away from your own desires, lusts, and passions to complete the work that God has begun in you.

Taking Up Your Cross which is a full submission to God’s Word. Although in today’s culture a cross symbolizes freedom or life it was much different in the days of Christ. In the days of Christ a cross meant one thing; death! Are you willing to die for His sake?

Following Him 100%. Jesus warned us in Revelations 3 not to be lukewarm in our commitment to Him. He said he had rather us be “cold or HOT!” To be a hot-follower of Christ you must be willing to learn and be corrected by God!

Things I am praying for...

Today, I was praying for our church and I wanted to share a few things that I am praying towards...

There will be a Break Out of God in your life (More to come Sunday).

That our spirits will be renewed.

The church will grow.

That you will have favor and influence in our community

That you are blessed.

The enemy has no hold in your life...You are made free!

My Daily Devo...

My daily devotional really spoke to my heart today and I want to share it with you. It focuses on us, the church, being connected to Christ. I hope that you will make this your daily prayer, "allow me to abide in you." Enjoy!

February 11 - Devotional from Hoekstra...

More on Grace and Spiritual Fruit
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Joh_15:4-5)

Although these verses do not mention grace, they are a classic biblical explanation of grace bringing forth fruit in lives. The language depicts an actual vineyard, where fruit grows on branches that are properly related to a vine. Then, this physical reality is applied figuratively to spiritual fruit developing in our lives, if we are relating correctly to Jesus.

In this teaching, our Lord reminds us that literal branches are not able to produce fruit themselves. "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself." We are spiritual branches, so we will not be able to produce fruit either. "Neither can you, unless you abide in Me." In fact, our potential for manufacturing genuine spiritual fruit is zero. "Without Me you can do nothing." The best we could ever hope to produce would be religious, wax fruit. Such would come from our fleshly attempts to appear godly or effective. People may be fooled by this, but God never will be. Furthermore, people cannot be edified by partaking of such, and God cannot be glorified.

True fruit results from the ongoing development of life. Life is only innate to vines, not branches. For a grape to develop on any grape branch, the life of the vine must flow into, and work within, the branch. So it is with us. "I am the vine, you are the branches." This distinction is vital. We must never forget the difference, if we desire to bear fruit. The life we need for fruitfulness is in Him, not in us.

How do we avail ourselves of that life which is essential for fruit? "Abide in Me, and I in you." We are to look to Jesus for life, counting on Him to live in and through us. Then, His life, working in us, brings forth Christlike fruit. How do we know if we are abiding? If we are willing to depend upon Jesus for spiritual fruit as a grape branch relies upon its vine for grapes, then we are truly abiding in Christ. Such dependency brings valid expectation for great measures of Christlikeness to be developing in and through our lives. "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit."

This is clearly grace at work, as seen in the relational realities of humility and faith. Humility is operating as we acknowledge"without Me you can do nothing." Faith is exercised as we believe" that He who abides in Me . . . bears much fruit."

Frustrations of a Leader.

Here is a list of things that brings frustration to leaders. This list isn't exclusive to the church world but is universal to leaders in all organizations...

1. When a leader on the team doesn't lead.
2. When someone commits to the team and vision and then un-committs.
3. When people agree to a task and then don't follow through.
4. When people kill momentum by talking.
5. When people accept the status-quo.

Simple is...

Easy

Clean

Non hectic

Not complicated

User-friendly

Not elaborate

Inconsequential

Easily understood

Bare

I think you get the point. Is your life, ministry, church simple? If not, you may want to simplify!

Things we can learn from Daniel...

Supplemental Reading - Daniel Chapter 2

Like many of us, Daniel found himself living in a society that was filled with wickedness and self indulgence. This was best displayed when the king built a 90 foot statue of HIMSELF and made a decree that all the people had to bow down to worship or their lives were at stake (Ch. 3). Daniel's friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego found themselves to be the ONLY people who would not bow to worship the idol! Even though this story happened thousands of years ago, Daniel and his friends set an example for us to follow today as they "Stood Up in a Bow Down World!"

Here are a few things that we can learn from the book of Daniel.
1. They refused to give into worldly temptations.
2. They continued to Praise God - even when the world did not get it.
3. They sought God’s insight and wisdom in the situation. Just as Proverbs 2:6 states, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

A Sound Doc!

We had a great weekend here at Evangelistic Temple as I taught the first part of "What does a Healthy Church look like?" I shared my thoughts that a Healthy church must teach a sound doctrine!!! This thought comes from Titus 2:1 where the Apostle Paul encouraged his young, minister apprentices to teach the complete teachings of Christ! I re-ensured our congregants that as we move forward and continue to bring change to the church that we are anchored by the doctrine that Jesus is the center of our (churches) existence. We must keep him first.

Good, sound doctrine begins and ends with Christ. In Revelation 21:6 the scripture supports this thought, "And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." As our church continues to grow into the healthy-church that God has for us - we are more committed than ever to keep Christ the center of our existence! There may be non-essential beliefs that churches and church members disagree on, but we must be in unison on the premise that Christ is Lord of our lives, families, and churches!!!

Kiss a Frog!

As a leader one of the most exciting things that I get to witness is the growth of God’s people. Watching that young, newly saved person grow and flourish into a fully devoted follower of Christ brings much joy and excitement to the church.

I want to encourage you to take a moment today to “Kiss a Frog.” I know that sounds gross! But think about how many princes and princesses that are in your church and community.

Currently their hearts may be tough - like the skin of a frog. They may lash out (with their tongues) at those around them - like a frog that catches flies. And, they may have ‘spiritual’ warts that are causing others to avoid them – like a frog with real warts. Those 'frogs" may be wainting on their princess to "kiss" them. So I ask - have you taken the time to kiss a "frog" lately?

If a leader will take the time to invest into someone else any frog has the potential to change into a beautiful leader in today’s church. Any frog can become a prince or princess if a leader will take the time to invest into their life.

For more about this subject please visit the originator of it at Jeanne Mayo!