There is a thief on the loose.
God, please don’t send us a revival.
It’s a fact. Millions of Christians all over the United States are having to carry on their relationship with God without the benefit of their local church. The ability to go to a building and be surrounded with other like minded people has been stripped away quite unceremoniously. No cushioned seats, upbeat music, flashing lights, fog machines and positive non confrontational sermons. It’s just the basic christian and his or her Bible. Sure there are online services, complete with all of the familiar accouterments. However, the average view time online is less then three minutes. So what of it?
I believe the spiritual rubber has met the proverbial road.
Jesus Himself enjoyed large crowds that followed Him from place to place. Each person getting what they needed from the activity. When he confronted them with a few basic facts, they all totally abandoned Him as recorded in John 6:66. Many of these disciples were willing to trade one religion for another, but missed the point when asked to enter a relationship.
The current situation is a precarious one. There are many people dying around the world and around the corner. I am not an old man, but I have never imagined a time where Americans would not be allowed out of their homes or to go to work. A time when the largest economy in the entire world would be shut off almost completely. In times as extraordinary as these it is natural to ask questions. What is God in His sovereignty meaning to tell us through these events. Some are asking for a revival of religion in America. I am beginning to believe that dependence on religion is what led us to this point. God in His amazing grace is giving His children an opportunity to draw closer to Himself and enjoy the fellowship and protection that a relationship with Him can bring. No flashing lights, professional sound system, dynamic speaker, multi-million dollar facility. Just you and Him, alone, in your living room.
What will we do with God, without the normal religious distractions?
We might be able to get away with faking it with our Pastor, our church friends, but it’s impossible to fake it with God. This moment is a complete confrontation. God is confronting His disciples. Stripping away every scent of religion, what will you do now? I believe God is advocating for a revival of relationship and not religion.
Saul was a Hebrew of Hebrews. In Philippians chapter 4:4, he lets the church know that he was supremely qualified in the flesh. If anyone could play the religion game it was Saul. But he, now named Paul, looking back, considered it all garbage, without any real power. He had gained relationship and now religion seemed like utter garbage to him!
God, I pray for revival in this country and the world. Not a revival of religion, but a revival of relationship. Make yourself so real to your church that it is as if you are physically walking among us. Help us to see that religion is powerless but relationship is where we can know you in the power of the resurrection. (Philippians 3:10)
Please don’t send us a revival of religion. Send us a revival of power, of relationship.
Send Comments to the Author : Paul@CTFellowship.com
Corona Virus, Is this the end?
Let me start off by saying, the title is totally tongue in cheek! I do not believe that the Corona virus will cause the end of civilization. However, if you watch the news or judge by the run on hand sanitizer and toilet paper, I might just be in the minority. While I do not believe that Covid-19 will bring the fall of man, I do believe that events like this are designed as a signal that the church age is coming to a close. Jesus predicted that these types of events would happen in greater numbers as His return was approaching.
Luke Chapter 21 : 10-16
10 Then Jesus told them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and [deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13 This will be a time and an opportunity for you to testify [about Me]. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.
For those of us that believe the words of Jesus, events like this Corona virus serve as a reminder. A reminder that we ought to be living for God with a whole heart and telling others about Jesus. His return is very near. Its interesting that the amplified Bible translates vs 14 they way that it does. I would believe that when the terrible sights begin to occur, you had better have your mind made up or you will be frozen in fear.
Do not be afraid when we see these events. Jesus told us these things would happen and promised to always be with us. But in your moments of weakness, remember this passage and make up your mind that He is who He says He is.
Psalm Chapter 91: 5-9
You will not be afraid of the terror of night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Nor of the destruction (sudden death) that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand,
but danger will not come near you.
You will only [be a spectator as you] look on with your eyes
And witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as you watch safely from the shelter of the Most High].
Because you have made the Lord, [who is] my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
If you have never made the Lord your refuge and dwelling place do it today! There is no safer place to live then under Gods protection.
Paul
Class Two – John the Baptist, the first miracle and Jesus disrupts the temple.
Our second lesson in the book of John was completely action packed. We took a look at the forerunner of Jesus, John the baptist. He was an incredible example of someone who understood his calling and was able to stay on message even in the face of intense scrutiny. Every time the religious leaders demanded to know who he was, he responded by stating his message, “clear the way of the Lord”. He was a man that understood his purpose and did not waiver or deviate from it.
“FILL THOSE JARS WITH WATER!”
Next, we were then transported to Cana to a wedding of a friend of Jesus. He performed his first miracle at the request of his mother Mary. We see that this miracle was of abundance and excellence. It was an act of kindness to cover the embarrassment of friends on their wedding day.
Jesus disrupted the temple as only the Messiah could do. With consuming zeal he cleared out the the merchants and restored order in His fathers house while everyone stood silent. His proclamation of truth divided the crowd in two groups. Those that think they understand and resist and those that admit their confusion ant draw closer.
Our prayer should be to become people of deeper conviction and to be even more dedicated to the purpose of God in our lives. I pray that our second lesson was a blessing to you and I am looking forward to our next time together. We are learning so much about the nature our savior through His interactions with the individuals He came in contact with. Remember that John is writing the signs to produce belief so that we may have life. Until next week!
Our first class is underway!
This past Monday night February 11th we published the first lesson of the course, The Book of John. What a great time we had! We gave some background on the book of John as well as the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. After this brief introduction to the book, we dove in and began to discuss the first eighteen verses.
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God”
John is letting us know that Jesus is the Son of God! He is the creator of all things and that he sustains everything that He made. John will emphasize the signs that Jesus did in order that we might believe, so that we may have life through His name. The key terms of the book of John are:
SIGNS, BELIEVE, LIFE
To as many as received Him, to them he gave the power to become the Sons of God. We have been born in the flesh, but because of Jesus we are now born not of the will of man but in the Spirit, of the will of God. I am so glad that I am not only a friend of God, but that I am a son of God. I am His son and He is my father. That is why Jesus instructed us to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven”. Isn’t that amazing? Jesus full of grace and truth has made a way for us to be in this heavenly family. John made certain that there would be no room for doubt. Jesus was God in the flesh, applying His super to our natural so that we might believe and in believing have life in His name.
I am looking forward to next Monday night when we will be together again, diving into the the remainder of chapter one and chapter two. Please do not miss it!
The Book Of John
In a few short days CTF will begin it’s first class the Book Of John. What a great place to begin a new adventure in studying God’s Word. As I study to lead this class I am so impressed with the fact that every time Jesus came into contact with individuals He always left them better off than when He found them! Amen!
- The miracle of the water into wine at a friends wedding (2:1-11)
- Healing the royal official’s son (4:46-54)
- Healing of the infirmed man at the Pool of Bethesda (5:1-17)
- The woman at the well (4:1-32)
- Feeding the multitude (6:1-14)
- Healing the blind man (9:1-41)
- Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:17 – 45)
The good news is that just like the people above, when we come into contact with Jesus He changes our situation for the better as well! He is always working on our behalf and we just don’t come into contact with Him, we are in relationship with Him. John’s theme for his writing is “That you might believe” (20:31) It is my prayer that you will join with us and study this book and the we all might believe in a greater way.