Is Jesus Really Enough?

Today as I sit in my office, I reflect on the tremendous blessings God has bestowed my way.  Just this week a gracious donor blessed RUSH Ministries with a new van and a 24 foot box truck...WOW!  As I stand in awe of this blessing from such an amazing donor, I have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.  Now, you might be saying, "Marc, just consider it at face value...there is no bigger (or spiritual) picture!"  To which I respond..."there always is!"  

You see, when difficulties come and we find ourselves fighting or disagreeing with a person, we are quick to quote Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  We want to believe this passage as face value! We want to appropriate  any trouble we are experiencing to being an attack from the the enemy.  And be that as it may, why are we not as quick to appropriate the blessings in the same manner?

The Bible says in James 1:17,"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."   Look at the first words again..."EVERY GOOD GIFT..."  Everything that is good comes from God!  It is God that motivates the giver...but make no mistake about it, God is the true giver of any 'good gift'.  Therefore, for me, as I thank this donor for this gift, I must be quick to thank God, who has blessed this giver to give and furthermore, prompted his heart to give!

In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul prayed three times for the Lord to "remove the thorn in his flesh" and instead of removing it, Jesus responded with perhaps the most profound words ever spoken by our Savior.  Jesus said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9).   This in an incredibly important verse, as we see one of the most powerful men of God to ever walk the earth, the Apostle Paul, deal with a specific need.  He is praying a fervent prayer for God to deliver him of some ailment in his life that is preventing him from being all he wants to be in ministry.  One would assume this to be a plausible request by the writer of nearly 2/3 of the New Testament.  But in spite of his persistent prayers (3 times), Jesus responds with a contrary verdict...NO!  Yet, instead, Jesus gave him the greatest gift of all...He brings into full view HIS all-sufficeint GRACE!

I love the way Paul responded to Jesus' answer of 'grace'..."Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."  I think my response might have looked more like, "are you kidding me Lord?  I am doing everything I can to serve you!  I have given up my friends, my lifestyle, my goals, etc., etc.!"  BUT the great Apostle simply accepted the grace of God and His sufficiency! Can you do that today?  Is Jesus really enough? OR do you need stuff to determine your joy?  Nehemiah said, "And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Neh. 8:10) 

Now...back to the donor and his gracious gift to RUSH Ministries.  I am blown away every time a person or business invests in the vision to reach the unchurched students around the world with the precious Gospel message.  It is incredibly humbling to have someone say, "The Lord told me to give or do this or that!   However, I have to stay focused on the all-sufficient grace of the Lord Jesus!  He is the real giver of all things...prompting men and women to serve, give, pray, and love in HIS stead.  

 No matter what you are going through...good or bad, joyful or tearful, easy or a struggle, you must acknowledge the sufficient grace of Jesus.  Nothing...and I do mean nothing, can happen without God allowing it to occur in your life.  He is sovereign and in total control of everything!  The question is not why?  The response should be "what"?  "What do you want me to do with the good or difficult situation you are allowing to come into my life"?  
Today Lord Jesus, I shout from the rooftops "YOUR GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR MY EVERY NEED"! 

What about you?  Is He enough or do you need more?

Resting in HIS sufficiency,

Marc

Let the redeemed say “So”!

I once heard an “old-time” preacher bring a message entitled “Let the redeemed of the Lord say ‘So’”.  The theme of the message was how bad things happen to good people, to which he responded, “SO”!

Now, let me first say submit to you, this precious man of God took a giant leap of liberty with this passage found in Psalm 107:2.  To say he was “reading into” this passage is putting it lightly.  But if you allow me a little liberty, I want to use this man’s message to make a point!

The Passage reads, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;”  This verse is only a part of the whole thought which should read in context of verses 1-3, 6, which reads:

“1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.  2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;  3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.” 6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.”

Therefore, the “So” is simply restating the fact the “…He is good and His mercy endures forever.”  To which I say a hearty, AMEN!

However, much like the flow of the old-time preacher’s sermon, I sometimes feel like just shouting out “So”!!!!  Do you ever feel that way?  You just want to tell Satan, “look dude…you have thrown your very best at me this week, but I want to remind you that I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; you can’t touch me! You can't harm me!  You are a defeated foe and your days are numbered.  You have launched an all-out attack to which I say… “SO”!!!!!!

I know it seems a little dangerous to taunt satan (not a typo, I never capitalize his name!), the prince of the power of the air. But let me remind you…The Apostle Paul did just that!  Looking to his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul explained in detail the hurt, turmoil, etc. that both he and they would endure, and had endured. 

In 2 Cor. 4:8-16 he states “8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted , but not forsaken ; cast down , but not destroyed ; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death works in us, but life in you. 13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken ; we also believe , and therefore speak ; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. “

Now, if Paul would have stopped right there in verse 16, his point would have been clear. But the Apostle Paul who, himself had be persecuted, shipwrecked, bitten by a serpent, stoned, beaten, imprisoned, and would ultimately be martyred by beheading,  says something profound in the next verse.

Paul concludes this thought…”17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

What???  Did I just hear him right? Did he say,“light afflictions”! Why did Paul say this?  Having studied the life of the Apostle Paul, I believe this was a strategic step of faith to shout both in that day and through the corridors of time, “SO”!  He was saying, “satan, you threw your best at me, but the power that lives in me, is greater that the power you have!  Therefore, with all your efforts, satan, I an Apostle of Jesus Christ say to you, “SO”!

The thought of this truth is as equally profound in application.  You see, when we give merit to the enemy’s impact on our life, we tend to diminish the impact Christ has in us.  I will admit there is a fine line here toward becoming cynical concerning trials, but the safeguard is to realize how trials enter into a child of God’s life in the first place. 

The book of Job tells us of a cosmic struggle that continues over our soul.  Job 1 speaks of the angels going before the Lord and satan also ( v6).  In verse 8 it was God who initiated the attack on Job asking satan “hast thou considered my servant Job…?”  Of course satan had considered him, but since he was such an upright man, who feared the Lord, he could not touch Job.  In fact, satan recognized the “hedge of protection about him…” (v10).   Without getting into the entirety of the storyline, we see God lowering that hedge “so that” satan could attack Job (killing his children, destroying his homes, livestock, and all Job had).

The result of Job’s initial actions were much like Paul’s statement of “light affliction”.  In verse 20 Job “arose, an rent his mantle, and shaved his head(a sign of mourning and prayer), and fell down upon the ground and worshipped .”   And the BIG punch comes in verse 21 as Job says “I came naked into this world, and that’s how I am going out”, as if to say “SO”!

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say ‘SO’!”  Sure, we need to shout of His mercy and love that endures throughout the ages, from everlasting to everlasting.  But, don’t you just think that every now and again, a BIG, LOUD, and CONFIDENT “SOOOOOO” will do us all some good?

If you are a child of God reading this, your sin-stained soul has been made clean; you have been made whole; the old has become new; and you are redeemed, literally placed in a position of acceptance by Almighty God! 

When difficulty comes…and it will, roll down the window of your car, open the back door of your home, or stand up right in the middle of your workplace, and tell satan “SO!”

 James 4:7b says "resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  He won't go far, but he will flee nonetheless!  Today, choose to believe the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you and refute the lies of satan with truth...His name is Jesus!

 I am “SOOOOO” blessed!

Marc

Fasting and Feasting is NOT an oxymoron!

I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks since I began our corporate fast.  A couple of the aspects of this fast to not watch TV, and to finish writing my book.  So, I have spent most of my time praying and writing to complete my book by January the 28th.  But I had to put my immediate thoughts to paper before there are gone forever(kind of like that sock lost in the dryer!).

Though I have fasted before, I have never done the full food fast for 21 days.  Now despite the private aspects of fasting, I feel God has prompted me to share this with you.  Fasting consists of setting aside time you would normally eat a meal and replace it with prayer or some other pursuit of God.  What I have found though, is that after 8 days, I have been FEASTING during this fast! It reminiscent of a full belly, after my wife's chicken and dumplings, only now its full in my soul, and not my belly.  I feel that God is pouring HIS newness into my very spirit.

I am also feasting on HIS glory in everything I see.   Everywhere I turn, I see God. I see HIS providential hand at work in ways I haven't noticed before.  Interestingly, it has taken me slowing down to see these things.  In fact, much of my day-to-day activity deals with food!  I had no idea how much time I spent "preparing to eat".   Let me explain.  Most people probably take an hour or so for lunch break and about the same for dinner.  Breakfast is a different story.  In our busy lifestyle, most of us usually do the whole "breakfast on the run" or just grab a large cup of Java to kick-start our day.  But God showed me how much time I spend talking about food, or going to this restaurant, or meeting for lunch, or complaining with the "I am starving...what's for dinner" comment (to which I tell my kids, "you are NOT going to starve!).

Here's my point.  As a pastor, a husband, a father and the many other hats I wear in a given day, God has told me to "redeem the time" or "to make the most of the right now" all for HIS glory!  In the last week or so, since I have not built my day around what or when I eat, I am feasting on the glory of God.

 It hit me this morning before church, just how relentless God was when He pursued me.  I was minding my own business and was totally oblivious to HIS love for me.  Why does HE love me so much?  Why does HE love you so much?  The short answer is we are the most important thing on this planet to God!  We have the fingerprint of God on our heart.  We have a copy of HIS precious Word which hold the answers to all of life's questions.  We are already situated in heavenly places. We are joint heirs with Christ, and though He does not need us to tell HIS story, He uses us!

HIS glory is seen at every turn.  Can you see it?  Fasting or bringing your flesh into subjection to the spirit, means that you can feast on the often overlooked glory of God!  He is worthy!  Please don't miss it!

Feasting on HIM!
Marc

Show Me a Sign!

Since the dawn of mankind, people have desired to see "proof" in order to believe anything.  With God, nothing is different.  Today, many still search for "evidence" of the Noah's Ark, the Holy Grail, the Cross, etc., etc.  Why do men seek this "proof"?  In the easiest of terms...because everyone wants that irrefutable evidence to truly believe and maybe then everyone else will too!

However, in the economy of God, it is clear that faith is the means by which we believe.  The Hebrews writer states "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (emphasis mine).  Interestingly, God's Holy, inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:16) teaches irrefutably that we are to believe when we cannot see evidence.  The Apostle Paul teaches in Ephesians "For by grace are you saved through faith..." (this is the same faith whereby no evidence is seen).  Think about it, if you are saved, you were born again, by place full confidence in something you cannot see, touch, smell, or feel; yet you believe!  Talk about supernatural!

Then, how are we to know? How can I tell if I am in HIM and HE in me?  Before I answer that, let me address one issue as it pertains to "signs and wonders", more often referred to as "gift signs".  The Jews  "...require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified." (1 Cor. 1:22-23)  The Apostle Paul deals with this exhaustively in his first letter to the church at Corinth, who desperately wanted an outward sign to reflect their new inner relationship.  In 1 Cor. 12 the great Apostle expounds on the gifts for 30 verses, an then in verse 31 he says something often overlooked..." But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” The answer to what this "more excellent way" refers to what is found in the next chapter (remember, when the Bible was originally written, there were not chapter and verse breaks. This was added later for better understanding and application). 

In 1 Cor. 13 the Apostle Paul outlines the supremacy of Love to the gifts as "a more excellent way".  But if that weren't enough Jesus HIMSELF states unequivocally in John's Gospel, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."  The key to this passage is the "By this...all men with know...” "This" refers to loving people the way Jesus has loved you and me!  WOW!  Can it be so simple? In fact, it is. 

To know Him, is to love HIM, and to love HIM is to pursue the same love HE has for you (Phil. 2:5).  In fact, to really get down to the brass tacks of "proof" of Christ in you, is found in your ability to bear fruit.  The Apostle Paul writing to the Church in Galatia says "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance...” The "evidence" of being a good fruit is to bear other seed-bearing fruit of the same kind.  The greatest "proof" in your life that you are in Jesus and He in you, is your ability to bear like fruit!  Think about this...Jesus could have instructed us to "do" anything as evidence of being in HIM.  Yet, He chose love! 

Do you love people?  I don't mean the ones who love you?  That's is simple and is so easy to do, the Bible says even the non-believers do that (Matt. 46-47).  Love the unlovable...better yet, love the ones who cannot love you back!  That is real proof of Jesus living in you.

Therefore, the greatest "proof", "sign", "wonder", etc., is to "love others, even as I (Jesus) has loved you".  The evidence of such is found in fruit bearing...birthing, if you will, others into a personal, loving relationship with Jesus Christ!  Have you led someone else to Jesus this week?  Last month?  Last year?  Ever!?  Share Jesus today and love the way He loves you!

Here's Your Sign,

Marc