It has been an extended period of time since my last blog post. During that time the Lord has been impressing, actually reimpressing, some things on my heart.
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is nothing of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), so that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdoor into people's lives and make your way in with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
Serving Those Who Serve Others
Monday, November 7, 2016
A Man of One Book
It has been an extended period of time since my last blog post. During that time the Lord has been impressing, actually reimpressing, some things on my heart.
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is nothing of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), so that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdrop into people's lives and make your way in with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is nothing of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), so that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdrop into people's lives and make your way in with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
A Man of One Book
It has been an extended period of time since my last blog post. During that time the Lord has been impressing, actually reimpressing, some things on my heart.
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is noting of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20). So that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It. Is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdrop intopeople's lives and make your way with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is noting of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20). So that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It. Is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdrop intopeople's lives and make your way with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
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