Leaving Laodicea

One of the most theologically packed words spoken by our Lord is found in John 10:27-30 where He says:"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one."In these few words of Jesus we find the doctrines of grace, election, the state of the lost, the effectual call, salvation, regeneration, sanctification, eternal life, eternal security, the perseverance of the saints and the trinity.  It's a literal treasure trove of truth given as a gift to each of us.Want to know more about this gift?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 10:22-30 and the importance of meditation.

As Believers living in the Laodicean church age, we tend to re-define terms that make us feel uncomfortable.  For example, when Jesus says, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), we redefine His command to say, "Study about how others go into all the world in your annual Missions Conference and rationalize to yourself you are obeying His command by looking at African artifacts and watching a missionary slide show during your Sunday evening service."  But that's not what Jesus said at all, is it?We also re-define what the word "revival" means because we, as the church, are pretty much clueless as to what a true, Spirit-born revival actually looks like.  We look to follow those who tell us about revival but have never experienced revival themselves.  It's like the "blind leading the blind" (Luke 6:39).Do you want to be different?  Do you want to learn from those who lived in a constant state of revival?  Me too.  Then keep listening.The following is a study on How Not to Find Revival from Revelation 2 and 3.

As Believers living in the Laodicean church age, we tend to re-define terms that make us feel uncomfortable.  For example, when Jesus says, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), we redefine His command to say, "Study about how others go into all the world in your annual Missions Conference and rationalize to yourself you are obeying His command by looking at African artifacts and watching a missionary slide show during your Sunday evening service."  But that's not what Jesus said at all, is it?We also re-define what the word "revival" means because we, as the church, are pretty much clueless as to what a true, Spirit-born revival actually looks like.  We look to follow those who tell us about revival but have never experienced revival themselves.  It's like the "blind leading the blind" (Luke 6:39).Do you want to be different?  Do you want to learn from those who lived in a constant state of revival?  Me too.  Then keep listening.The following is a study on How Not to Find Revival from Revelation 2 and 3.

When Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) what does He mean?  What makes a shepherd of the sheep, maybe even a faithful shepherd, a good shepherd?  What characteristics or innate virtue qualifies them to be a Good Shepherd?The answer is simple:  Jesus said, "the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep" (John 10:11).  In fact, this specific attribute is repeated four times in 8 verses just to emphasize this very fact (John 10:11, 15, 17, 18).And Jesus goes one step further.  He says in John 10:17:  "Therefore My Father loves Me, (why) because I lay down My life that I may take it again."Don't be caught sleeping— these statements by the Lord are deeply profound and life-changing.  Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 10:11-21.

When Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) what does He mean?  What makes a shepherd of the sheep, maybe even a faithful shepherd, a good shepherd?  What characteristics or innate virtue qualifies them to be a Good Shepherd?The answer is simple:  Jesus said, "the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep" (John 10:11).  In fact, this specific attribute is repeated four times in 8 verses just to emphasize this very fact (John 10:11, 15, 17, 18).And Jesus goes one step further.  He says in John 10:17:  "Therefore My Father loves Me, (why) because I lay down My life that I may take it again."Don't be caught sleeping— these statements by the Lord are deeply profound and life-changing.  Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 10:11-21.

Our experience may indicate otherwise, but the default setting for the Christian can be found in John 10:10 where Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  Did you get that?  Jesus came to give us life and to give it to us abundantly.  This is the standard, the default setting in our spiritual life.Is that what you're experiencing in your life with Christ?  If so, praise Him.  If not, why?  Keep listening and you'll discover how to reset and restore your spiritual life back to the default, factory setting.The following is a study on the Hindrances to Revival from Revelation 2:1-11.

Our experience may indicate otherwise, but the default setting for the Christian can be found in John 10:10 where Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  Did you get that?  Jesus came to give us life and to give it to us abundantly.  This is the standard, the default setting in our spiritual life.Is that what you're experiencing in your life with Christ?  If so, praise Him.  If not, why?  Keep listening and you'll discover how to reset and restore your spiritual life back to the default, factory setting.The following is a study on the Hindrances to Revival from Revelation 2:1-11.

As 2014 draws slowly to a close, I am once again reminded of our greatest need as individual Christians and as the church:  Revival!  "And what is revival?" you ask.  According to the Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions, revival is: "the work of the Holy Spirit in restoring the people of God to a more spiritual life, witness, and work— by prayer and the Word after repentance."Leonard Ravenhill said, "Revival is when God gets so sick and tired of being misrepresented that He shows Himself.”  And Vance Havner summed it all up when he said, "Revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again."Do you need to fall in love with Jesus all over again?  I sure do.  Come join with me and together let's ask our Great God for revival.The following is a study on Our Need for Revival.

As 2014 draws slowly to a close, I am once again reminded of our greatest need as individual Christians and as the church:  Revival!  "And what is revival?" you ask.  According to the Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions, revival is: "the work of the Holy Spirit in restoring the people of God to a more spiritual life, witness, and work— by prayer and the Word after repentance."Leonard Ravenhill said, "Revival is when God gets so sick and tired of being misrepresented that He shows Himself.”  And Vance Havner summed it all up when he said, "Revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again."Do you need to fall in love with Jesus all over again?  I sure do.  Come join with me and together let's ask our Great God for revival.The following is a study on Our Need for Revival.

What happens when God decides to interrupt your life?  What happens when He offers to change your plans or to rearrange your priorities?  Do we joyfully embrace His divine interruptions or do we gripe and complain and run in the opposite direction?When God offers us an interruption He always gives us a choice.  We can joyfully accept His gift or reject the blessing.  The choice is always ours.Enoch, Noah, David, Zacharias, Peter and Andrew, James and John, Paul, Joseph and Mary— they all had their lives interrupted by God.  Do you want Him to do the same to you?  If so, keep listening.The following is a study on God's Divine Interruptions.