I had the great privilege of sharing a message at the New Covenant Church of God in Roseland, LA today.

I spoke about the story of the house built upon a rock (in Luke 6:47,48). Building a life (our house) on a solid foundation is the object of the story which actually begins with verse 20 – where Jesus gave the plan for building. Here is a summary of the message…

Starting in Luke 6:20, we read that Jesus preached a message of hope to some of the poorest people in Judea and the surrounding area. The content of that message is often called “the Beatitudes.” In it, Jesus told those poor, hungry & hurting people that they were BLESSED (v.20)! It hardly seems appropriate but it is true.

However, they were not blessed BECAUSE they were poor or hurting. Instead they were blessed because they possessed the Kingdom of God. In other words, they were God’s Children. And, regardless of our present circumstances, God’s children are truly blessed.

Jesus also pronounced a woe to those who were rich. Again, the problem was not that they had too many material resources. It was because they did not recognize that God is the source and owner of all the resources. Also, they took comfort/consolation from their riches – rather than seek such comfort from God.

Then, Jesus really upset the “apple cart” for the Pharisees then and now: He told everyone that they were to love their enemies (v.27). We are to do good to those who hate us; bless those who curse us; pray for those who mistreat us; and, when someone slaps our face, we are to offer the other cheek. He continued (v.29) that when someone steals from us, we are not to try to recover it.

Jesus spoke the “Golden Rule” (v.31) as justification for all of this. Read the rest of this entry »

Wesley Weatherford posted this today and it caused me to think about the need for INTENTIONALITY in restoration of our fallen comrades in ministry…

When Paul wrote “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.” (Galatians 6:1 MSG) he was making it OUR RESPONSIBILITY to restore those who fall among us.

In too many cases, we have failed to live up to OUR RESPONSIBILITY in restoration.  We are accomplished speakers, singers, worshipers, givers, but we are not as good at restoration.  In the NASB, the verse translates… “considering yourself, lest you also be tempted…” and in so many cases, we don’t consider what we would need and then act upon that.

What are the things needed for restoration?  What can we do? Obviously, many are posting on this subject about love, forgiveness and acceptance. What does that mean and how does it translate in real-life terms? Read the rest of this entry »