Another week almost in the book. It has been a good week....a productive week.
Week began with me speaking at the recovery meeting at Covenant Christian Church.
Good group of folks who have come together and created a family.
Nine were saved last Monday night. That alone was reason to give a bunch of "Hoo-Ha's" for Jesus.
We have our Saturday meeting tomorrow night here at Rapha.
Looking forward to seeing what God is going to do when we gather.
Sunday night, I'm speaking at North Glencoe's Celebrate Recovery. I already have the stirrings of a message and I really think that God is going to do something out of the ordinary. Of course it could be said that anything God wants to do is always out of the ordinary. In my book, He created ordinary so He could act outside of it.
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Let's take a look at I John 1:1-3.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life----
the life was manifested and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us----that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
John is laying out the groundwork or understanding that the message he is sharing is not just a bunch of flowery, theological gibberish meant to make you feel good. John is saying, "You need to understand that we have been smack dab in the middle of a relationship with this Jesus we are telling you about." Their information isn't second hand or made up or strictly conjecture. It is the truth of the interaction between Jesus and His disciples.
The things I write in this blog are written with the same thought.
I am not into theological wrangling or trying to be some kind of "word-smith."
I am simply writing from what I know and have experienced with Jesus.
The times and situations where divine interjection has directed me in the ways that I should go.
Times where the provision of God came in such a way that it left no doubt as to what had happened.
I write to you because I have found the value of laying aside all of Michael Bynum and taking up the mandate and cross of Christ and chase after Him.
It doesn't always look pretty and I mess it up from time to time....
But there is always Jesus, forgiving me, saying, "Come on...let's try it again."
I try not to write from someone elses story or words. I try to simply share the ups and downs of my own personal journey (not that I'm special...far be it) and the way Jesus has always been there, whether I have made good decisions or bad ones.
I pray that the GREENE STREET LETTERS would be a source of hope and encouragement for you to find this relationship with Jesus. That you would be open for a moment and simply consider the truth of God for your own personal life.
I don't think you will regret it.
God on you....
mb
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wowzers!
I Thessalonians 5:28 (Message Bible)
The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!
Paul's closing remarks (paraphrased) in the book of I Thessalonians. More than cute words. More than an intellectual exercise. More than religious jargon. This is life.
Grace of Jesus Be with us.
Grace?
Defined by James Ryles as The empowering presence of God in me that enables me to be who God has created me to be and do what God has called me to do.
Grace.
IT is the POWER that we've been looking for in the 12 Steps. Who is the empowering presence of God in me? The Holy Spirit. It is the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit, changing me, restoring me, renewing me. In other words, God has me as a work in progress.
The Holy Spirit is removing the power of my sin nature through my salvation. The Holy Spirit is removing the penalty of sin through the shed blood of Jesus imputed to me through that Salvation. The Holy Spirit is removing the presence of sin through the forgiveness given to my by heavenly Father.
All a work of Grace.
In II Thessalonians, Paul closes out that particular letter with the words, "The incredible grace of our Master, Jesus Christ, be with all of you!" Paul recognizes that the grace of God is something not to be taken lightly. That grace exhibits qualities and attributes that are far above our human condition. In fact the intervention and injection of God's grace into a life brings change on an unprecedented level. As the big book of A.A. says....."God does for me what I could not do for myself."
II Timothy 3:22 closes with the words, "God be with you. Grace be with you." There must be something to this grace for it to be mentioned over and over.
Grace is the work of God in my life that changes me.
It changes the way I view myself.
Grace changes the way I make decisions.
Grace keeps my attention away from my own selfishness and focuses me on what God desires me to do.
Grace is the gift that allows me to stand on the foundation of Jesus Christ, so that no matter what the world may throw my way, I will not be swayed or moved away from Him.
Grace.....
Don't leave home without it.
God on you.....
mb
The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!
Paul's closing remarks (paraphrased) in the book of I Thessalonians. More than cute words. More than an intellectual exercise. More than religious jargon. This is life.
Grace of Jesus Be with us.
Grace?
Defined by James Ryles as The empowering presence of God in me that enables me to be who God has created me to be and do what God has called me to do.
Grace.
IT is the POWER that we've been looking for in the 12 Steps. Who is the empowering presence of God in me? The Holy Spirit. It is the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit, changing me, restoring me, renewing me. In other words, God has me as a work in progress.
The Holy Spirit is removing the power of my sin nature through my salvation. The Holy Spirit is removing the penalty of sin through the shed blood of Jesus imputed to me through that Salvation. The Holy Spirit is removing the presence of sin through the forgiveness given to my by heavenly Father.
All a work of Grace.
In II Thessalonians, Paul closes out that particular letter with the words, "The incredible grace of our Master, Jesus Christ, be with all of you!" Paul recognizes that the grace of God is something not to be taken lightly. That grace exhibits qualities and attributes that are far above our human condition. In fact the intervention and injection of God's grace into a life brings change on an unprecedented level. As the big book of A.A. says....."God does for me what I could not do for myself."
II Timothy 3:22 closes with the words, "God be with you. Grace be with you." There must be something to this grace for it to be mentioned over and over.
Grace is the work of God in my life that changes me.
It changes the way I view myself.
Grace changes the way I make decisions.
Grace keeps my attention away from my own selfishness and focuses me on what God desires me to do.
Grace is the gift that allows me to stand on the foundation of Jesus Christ, so that no matter what the world may throw my way, I will not be swayed or moved away from Him.
Grace.....
Don't leave home without it.
God on you.....
mb
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Step # 10 Of The 12 Steps
Step # 10
We continue to take a personal inventory, and when we are wrong, promptly admit it.
Proverbs 10:17
He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray.
Even after we've trusted Christ and are freed from eternal condemnation, we still sin. We miss the mark; we make mistakes; we turn from God's ways. What happens at that point? Should we then feel guilty about what we've done?
Scripture indicates that God intends for us to feel something when we sin, and we don't stop feeling that something just because we accept Christ. God doesn't intend that jut because we accept Christ, we can go on sinning without our sins ever bothering us.
Here's what happens:
When we sin, the Holy Spirit urges us to confess those sins. We confess sin by admitting ourselves guilty of what we are accused of. This comes through conviction (the act of convincing a person of error --Websters). The Holy Spirit works in our lives to get us to agree with God about the wrong we've done. Our sense that something is wrong occurs because the Holy Spirit is convicting us of sin.
God wants us to feel a godly sorrow, or grief for our sins. He does not want us to experience guilt that eats away at us. Once we confess our sin, repent, and accept Christ's forgiveness, we may continue to have regret and remorse, but we can be assured that Christ has forgiven us completely. Forgiveness enables us to overcome the fear of condemnation.
John 8:31-32 reads: Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, and You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 8:36 - Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Learning how to live and walk daily in this new relationship with have with Jesus frees us from the harmful, toxic emotions that the world wants to put on us. Emotions such as guilt and shame are not a part of the Kingdom of God. They are replaced with conviction which leads to repentance and forgiveness. I'll take the Kingdom! I'll take this new life with Jesus.
God on you today...............
mb
We continue to take a personal inventory, and when we are wrong, promptly admit it.
Proverbs 10:17
He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray.
Even after we've trusted Christ and are freed from eternal condemnation, we still sin. We miss the mark; we make mistakes; we turn from God's ways. What happens at that point? Should we then feel guilty about what we've done?
Scripture indicates that God intends for us to feel something when we sin, and we don't stop feeling that something just because we accept Christ. God doesn't intend that jut because we accept Christ, we can go on sinning without our sins ever bothering us.
Here's what happens:
When we sin, the Holy Spirit urges us to confess those sins. We confess sin by admitting ourselves guilty of what we are accused of. This comes through conviction (the act of convincing a person of error --Websters). The Holy Spirit works in our lives to get us to agree with God about the wrong we've done. Our sense that something is wrong occurs because the Holy Spirit is convicting us of sin.
God wants us to feel a godly sorrow, or grief for our sins. He does not want us to experience guilt that eats away at us. Once we confess our sin, repent, and accept Christ's forgiveness, we may continue to have regret and remorse, but we can be assured that Christ has forgiven us completely. Forgiveness enables us to overcome the fear of condemnation.
John 8:31-32 reads: Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, and You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 8:36 - Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Learning how to live and walk daily in this new relationship with have with Jesus frees us from the harmful, toxic emotions that the world wants to put on us. Emotions such as guilt and shame are not a part of the Kingdom of God. They are replaced with conviction which leads to repentance and forgiveness. I'll take the Kingdom! I'll take this new life with Jesus.
God on you today...............
mb
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
That's The Godly Way!
Learning to live a new way.
Laying down old patterns of sinful behavior to embrace a new way of getting through the day.
Being changed by the renewing of our minds by the Holy Spirit of God at work in us.
Learning that I do not have to rely on my own selfish ways or efforts to make it through this day.
Trusting God.
Not trusting myself.
Trusting God that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.
Leaning on that truth rather than the old way of doing business with the world.
I no longer have to hustle.
I no longer have to scam or con.
I no longer have to walk around constantly planning and looking for people I can put a touch on.
I like what it says in Job 22
Submit to God and be at peace with him. In this way prosperity will come to you.
We read the word "prosperity" and the dollar signs go off in our heads. Life is more than material possessions. Scripture says that we should prosper as our soul prospers. Prosperity comes in our growth as a believer.
Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart.
It's more than hearing the word of God. It is putting into practice what you've heard. When I lay up the words of God in my heart, I am filling myself up with the good things of God. If I am filling myself up, then something has to be removed to make room. What would that be? Hmmmmmm....would it be all the garbage the world and Satan has offered to me that I accepted? I think so. I'm getting rid of all the stinky stuff and replacing it with the light and truth of God.
If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored. If you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you.
Here again we have the great trade off. The riches that we've accumulated from our sinful nature are nothing compared to the riches that God desires to give us. I mean come on....you read scripture about heaven and the streets of gold. Gates made from huge pearls. Every precious stone you could think of. Now if the building materials of heaven are these things we think are important, it just goes to show you that God views them as materials...like brick, mortar, stone, wood, etc.....In other words, God himself is the treasure not the things he has created. Dude...we are going to be walking on gold. But the true treasure will be seated on a throne and we will get the opportunity to worship him. That will be cool x 10.
Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.
The true peace....
The true desire of our heart will be to delight ourselves in God.
This one on one time of relationship when we come into the presence of God will cause all else that we thought to be important to simply disappear. It's like the words of the song......Turn your eyes upon Jesus...look full in that wonderful face...and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
I can't wait till I see and experience the reality of what I believe here on this side of eternity.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
God on you.....
mb
Laying down old patterns of sinful behavior to embrace a new way of getting through the day.
Being changed by the renewing of our minds by the Holy Spirit of God at work in us.
Learning that I do not have to rely on my own selfish ways or efforts to make it through this day.
Trusting God.
Not trusting myself.
Trusting God that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.
Leaning on that truth rather than the old way of doing business with the world.
I no longer have to hustle.
I no longer have to scam or con.
I no longer have to walk around constantly planning and looking for people I can put a touch on.
I like what it says in Job 22
Submit to God and be at peace with him. In this way prosperity will come to you.
We read the word "prosperity" and the dollar signs go off in our heads. Life is more than material possessions. Scripture says that we should prosper as our soul prospers. Prosperity comes in our growth as a believer.
Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart.
It's more than hearing the word of God. It is putting into practice what you've heard. When I lay up the words of God in my heart, I am filling myself up with the good things of God. If I am filling myself up, then something has to be removed to make room. What would that be? Hmmmmmm....would it be all the garbage the world and Satan has offered to me that I accepted? I think so. I'm getting rid of all the stinky stuff and replacing it with the light and truth of God.
If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored. If you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you.
Here again we have the great trade off. The riches that we've accumulated from our sinful nature are nothing compared to the riches that God desires to give us. I mean come on....you read scripture about heaven and the streets of gold. Gates made from huge pearls. Every precious stone you could think of. Now if the building materials of heaven are these things we think are important, it just goes to show you that God views them as materials...like brick, mortar, stone, wood, etc.....In other words, God himself is the treasure not the things he has created. Dude...we are going to be walking on gold. But the true treasure will be seated on a throne and we will get the opportunity to worship him. That will be cool x 10.
Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.
The true peace....
The true desire of our heart will be to delight ourselves in God.
This one on one time of relationship when we come into the presence of God will cause all else that we thought to be important to simply disappear. It's like the words of the song......Turn your eyes upon Jesus...look full in that wonderful face...and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
I can't wait till I see and experience the reality of what I believe here on this side of eternity.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
God on you.....
mb
Monday, October 3, 2011
Message From October 1, 2011 meeting
New message downloaded in pod cast section of this blog.
Seth Barber shares on the difference between "believing in God" and "believing God."
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Seth Barber shares on the difference between "believing in God" and "believing God."
mb
Message For The Day
I'm suppose to speak tonight at Covenant Christian Church for their recovery meeting. Andrea and all the folks at Covenant have such a heart for people trapped by addiction. They have been wonderful friends to Rapha over the years, providing special events for those who come through our program.
God has used Covenant in a mighty way to impact lives for the Kingdom of God.
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I have been parked in Ephesians chapter 1 over the past few days and feel like God is leading me to use this tonight in my message.
V.18 reads: I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.
It really is about that moment of truth that must come to every life when God opens up understanding to their current state of existence. The moment when someone sees the extent of destruction their choices have brought about. No escaping the evidence or the truth of what addiction has done. At the same time, there is also the revelation that there is a better way. A way to hope and a future. Anything has to be better than the lifestyle of being an addict. Sometimes a person lives for so long in an addictive lifestyle they cannot, or will not, break free of the thought "I am what I am...I cannot change...I am hopeless." To me this is the worst possible place a person could be found in. Truly with this mindset, it takes the power and love of God to break through such lies as this.
That is why prayer is such an important part of this battle with addiction. If you have friends or family out there still trapped, begin to pray specifically for them. Pray that God would break the hardness of their heart and their inability to hear the truth. Pray that the presence of God would defeat and remove all obstacles placed on them by the enemy to keep them from hearing the truth. Then ask God to speak to their heart so that truth can overcome the damage done by the lies of addiction. It truly is about breaking the conforming personality of the individual so they can be renewed and transformed by God.
It is a battle and we do not need to shrink back in fear. We need to understand that God has given us the spirit of a sound mind and love, not fear and timidity. Ask others to join you in prayer for friends and family. You don't win the battle by praying against the darkness, you win the battle by bringing light into darkness. That is our intention.
God on you.....
mb
God has used Covenant in a mighty way to impact lives for the Kingdom of God.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have been parked in Ephesians chapter 1 over the past few days and feel like God is leading me to use this tonight in my message.
V.18 reads: I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.
It really is about that moment of truth that must come to every life when God opens up understanding to their current state of existence. The moment when someone sees the extent of destruction their choices have brought about. No escaping the evidence or the truth of what addiction has done. At the same time, there is also the revelation that there is a better way. A way to hope and a future. Anything has to be better than the lifestyle of being an addict. Sometimes a person lives for so long in an addictive lifestyle they cannot, or will not, break free of the thought "I am what I am...I cannot change...I am hopeless." To me this is the worst possible place a person could be found in. Truly with this mindset, it takes the power and love of God to break through such lies as this.
That is why prayer is such an important part of this battle with addiction. If you have friends or family out there still trapped, begin to pray specifically for them. Pray that God would break the hardness of their heart and their inability to hear the truth. Pray that the presence of God would defeat and remove all obstacles placed on them by the enemy to keep them from hearing the truth. Then ask God to speak to their heart so that truth can overcome the damage done by the lies of addiction. It truly is about breaking the conforming personality of the individual so they can be renewed and transformed by God.
It is a battle and we do not need to shrink back in fear. We need to understand that God has given us the spirit of a sound mind and love, not fear and timidity. Ask others to join you in prayer for friends and family. You don't win the battle by praying against the darkness, you win the battle by bringing light into darkness. That is our intention.
God on you.....
mb
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Did You See Jesus Today?
Sheep or goats?
Which group will be put in?
Are we "navel gazing" so intent on our own needs and wants that we don't see the needs around us.
The ones who are hungry....
The ones who are sick....
The ones in prison......
Do we throw them the crumbs while we feast on the best?
Do we satisfy our spiritual curiosity by telling them, "Jesus loves you" all the while casting them aside so we don't have to deal with them?
Worse yet, do we simply ignore them on the way to church?
Surrounded by all the trappings of religion do we use our Sunday morning services to salve our souls into believing that we had done our duty to the Kingdom?
May it never be!
God on all of us........
mb
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