If you fall seventy times a day, rise seventy times and return to God so that you will not fall too often.
Johannes Tauler (1300–1361)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Key Maker is the Key Man/Woman.
In the Matrix Movies the heroes are young, strong, fast, quick thinking, talented, fighters. But as they battle to save the world, each other and their own lives, they constantly find their movement limited by locked doors, walls and other barriers. They find that they cannot reach their destinies. At times they find themselves imprisoned, trapped, going in circles, and vulnerable as their enemy controls their movement.
Strength, talent, beauty, and speed are not enough.
But then they meet the Key Maker. He is the complete opposite to them. He is old, frail, vulnerable, slow, and at times confused. His life is lived out in a small room. Life seems to have passed him by, somewhat like a person in a nursing home, who is trapped in their small room.
However the Key Maker has a key to every situation, every door, every blocked path. Even when there is no door he creates one. He also locks doors. When the Key Maker is on the move the Young heroes can barely keep up, as they move towards their destinies. The Key Maker is the key man.
Jesus gave His followers keys: He said “ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 (NIV). This verse should be read with Isaiah 22:22(NLT)in mind. “I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.”
The person using the keys Jesus gives, has the highest position in the kingdom of God. They open doors so others can reach their destinies.
What are the keys Jesus gives? How do we get them? How do we use them? “Take hold of My words; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.” Proverbs 4:13 (NLT)
Deuteronomy 30:20 “You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” The keys are given and used as one enters a close relationship with God.
I see “Key” People, running, opening doors and forming doors where there is none. I see people following them, reaching their destinies.
Strength, talent, beauty, and speed are not enough.
But then they meet the Key Maker. He is the complete opposite to them. He is old, frail, vulnerable, slow, and at times confused. His life is lived out in a small room. Life seems to have passed him by, somewhat like a person in a nursing home, who is trapped in their small room.
However the Key Maker has a key to every situation, every door, every blocked path. Even when there is no door he creates one. He also locks doors. When the Key Maker is on the move the Young heroes can barely keep up, as they move towards their destinies. The Key Maker is the key man.
Jesus gave His followers keys: He said “ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 (NIV). This verse should be read with Isaiah 22:22(NLT)in mind. “I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.”
The person using the keys Jesus gives, has the highest position in the kingdom of God. They open doors so others can reach their destinies.
What are the keys Jesus gives? How do we get them? How do we use them? “Take hold of My words; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.” Proverbs 4:13 (NLT)
Deuteronomy 30:20 “You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” The keys are given and used as one enters a close relationship with God.
I see “Key” People, running, opening doors and forming doors where there is none. I see people following them, reaching their destinies.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Enthusiastic Experience
Today I watched on TV an Australian native animal Conservationist and Park Owner select staff for his Educational Presentations. The applicants came with impressive science qualifications. However when presented with scenarios and real life animals, each one folded under the pressure. They obviously had biological knowledge, but their lack of real experience with animal life showed through as well. The Park Owner was looking for enthusiastic experience, not mere head knowledge.
If we Christians are going to impact others for Jesus Christ we will not do it presenting only head knowledge. Church services must overflow with experiences of God. Wendy Backlund wrote on the “Ignited Hope” blog the following: “To grow into maturity, we must know God the Father more intimately. Our highest call is to not teach about God but to reveal Him. Unless we experience and soak up His presence our relationship becomes cerebral rather than actual. We know about it, but we can't live in it.” (Wendy Backlund http://www.ignitedhope.com/)
If Church for you this Sunday was mere head knowledge, I pray that through intimacy with God this week you will bring the experience of God into the Service next week. People who come to Church have made a step towards meeting God. Even if you are not a worship leader, your experience will change lives.
Bob Lipsys, Australia.
If we Christians are going to impact others for Jesus Christ we will not do it presenting only head knowledge. Church services must overflow with experiences of God. Wendy Backlund wrote on the “Ignited Hope” blog the following: “To grow into maturity, we must know God the Father more intimately. Our highest call is to not teach about God but to reveal Him. Unless we experience and soak up His presence our relationship becomes cerebral rather than actual. We know about it, but we can't live in it.” (Wendy Backlund http://www.ignitedhope.com/)
If Church for you this Sunday was mere head knowledge, I pray that through intimacy with God this week you will bring the experience of God into the Service next week. People who come to Church have made a step towards meeting God. Even if you are not a worship leader, your experience will change lives.
Bob Lipsys, Australia.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Healing
The message of Easter is not that Jesus was put on the cross, but that He was put on the cross for you. He was whipped for you. He died for you. And today He lives so that you can experience God’s love to the fullest.
The Bible states: But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)
The Message Bible puts it this way: But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. Isaiah 53:5 (MSG)
“Through His bruises we get healed.” This is Good News. Through His suffering the Lord Jesus gained our healing. If you are sick. If you have cancer. If you are in hospital. If you have arthritis. If you have been injured or disabled. There is healing, already bought and paid for. And it was bought for you.
Bill Johnson writes: “How can God choose not to heal someone when He already purchased their healing? Was His blood enough for all sin, or just certain sins? Were the stripes He bore only for certain illnesses, or certain seasons of time? When He bore stripes in His body He made a payment for our miracle. He already decided to heal. You can't decide not to buy something after you've already bought it. There are no deficiencies on His end - neither the covenant is deficient, nor His compassion or promises. “
In Jesus name receive the healing that Jesus purchased for you. Thank you Lord Jesus!
Bob Lipsys, Australia
The Bible states: But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)
The Message Bible puts it this way: But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. Isaiah 53:5 (MSG)
“Through His bruises we get healed.” This is Good News. Through His suffering the Lord Jesus gained our healing. If you are sick. If you have cancer. If you are in hospital. If you have arthritis. If you have been injured or disabled. There is healing, already bought and paid for. And it was bought for you.
Bill Johnson writes: “How can God choose not to heal someone when He already purchased their healing? Was His blood enough for all sin, or just certain sins? Were the stripes He bore only for certain illnesses, or certain seasons of time? When He bore stripes in His body He made a payment for our miracle. He already decided to heal. You can't decide not to buy something after you've already bought it. There are no deficiencies on His end - neither the covenant is deficient, nor His compassion or promises. “
In Jesus name receive the healing that Jesus purchased for you. Thank you Lord Jesus!
Bob Lipsys, Australia
Sunday, April 3, 2011
When your atmosphere is poisoned by negativity.
What is surrounding you at present? What atmosphere are you living in?
Someone just like you once wrote: “I have heard the many reports and rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror” Psalm 31:13 (NLT).
David is surrounded by negativity, bad news, threats to his person and his life. It terrorizes him.
Rather than remaining in that negativity, and rather than accepting the reports and the so called facts of the situation, he calls on God for a good future. He prays: “ But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, “You are my God! My future is in your hands.” Psalm 31:14-15 (NLT)
God is God. God is in charge. Not his enemies. Not the facts or reports. God is God. The Lord is David’s God.
This faith in God changes the atmosphere around David. Terror is replaced with “Songs of Victory.” And the implication is that God is singing these songs.
“For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude: The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:7-8 (NLT)
What is it like when God sings? God sings your future…..
Lord, open the ears of all who put their trust in you. Let them hear you sing.
In Psalm 32:10 David describes it as being surrounded by unfailing love. “...unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.” Your future is good in God.
Bob Lipsys, Australia
Someone just like you once wrote: “I have heard the many reports and rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror” Psalm 31:13 (NLT).
David is surrounded by negativity, bad news, threats to his person and his life. It terrorizes him.
Rather than remaining in that negativity, and rather than accepting the reports and the so called facts of the situation, he calls on God for a good future. He prays: “ But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, “You are my God! My future is in your hands.” Psalm 31:14-15 (NLT)
God is God. God is in charge. Not his enemies. Not the facts or reports. God is God. The Lord is David’s God.
This faith in God changes the atmosphere around David. Terror is replaced with “Songs of Victory.” And the implication is that God is singing these songs.
“For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude: The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:7-8 (NLT)
What is it like when God sings? God sings your future…..
Lord, open the ears of all who put their trust in you. Let them hear you sing.
In Psalm 32:10 David describes it as being surrounded by unfailing love. “...unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.” Your future is good in God.
Bob Lipsys, Australia
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