Just Between You, Me, & God 4/23/2012

So who is qualified to serve the Lord? Like any other profession, there are schools and universities that offer courses and degrees in Philosophy, church organization and leadership, evangelism, and church planting. Those are all great and they supply a wealth of knowledge that is important in holding to the truths of organizing, efficiently running, and leading a church from the pulpit. But what about the rest of us, who is qualified to serve the Lord? Actually; none of us. We all fall short of the Glory of the Lord, even the most seasoned of Pastors, because we are all sinners. The great Apostle Paul even struggled in Romans 7:18-19, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do---this I keep on doing.” The truth is that all of us, as believers, are called to serve the Lord. The fact that we are not qualified only brings Glory to God when we serve. In his book “The Apostles, Becoming Unified Through Diversity”, Gene Getz takes a look at the 12 Disciples that Jesus picked to learn and carry on the Gospel message after He was gone. In the introduction he looks at Jesus’ choices from the eyes of an imaginary management consulting firm. “To: Jesus, Son of Joseph, Woodcrafter’s Carpenter Shop, Nazareth 35922, E-mail: Jesuscarpenter.com. From: Jordan Management Consultants, Jerusalem 26544, E-mail: JMC.org. Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for management positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant. It is the staff’s opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education, and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, sons of Zebedee, place personal interests above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel it our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James, the son of Alphaeus, and particularly Simon the Zealot have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale. Thaddaeus is definitely sensitive, but he wants to make everyone happy. One of the candidates, however show great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.” It’s not what you can do; it’s what God can do through you. Your application has been turned in and approved and God is just waiting for you to get started. Accept His call and get started today. Not sure what you can do? Ask your pastor, he’s been waiting for you. God bless you for all you do for the Kingdom, Pastor Dean.

Pastor Dean Hanssen is the Outreach & Ministries Pastor for LHF.

Just Between You, Me, and God 4/2/2012

I’m sure you’ve all heard that “denial is not just a river in Egypt.” To deny something is basically saying one thing, when deep down inside we believe or know something else. For instance, I know that I’m not bald. I’ve got just as much hair as I always have. It’s just repositioned itself on the side of my head instead of the top. Denial causes us to avoid things or put them off. That can be real serious when it starts to ruin your health, your marriage, or other relationships. The Apostle Peter had a very strong personality and often became the unelected spokesman for the other Disciples. He was very protective of Jesus and spoke of how he would lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus however, knows our hearts, our frail human nature, and He knew that as strong and as loyal as Peter thought he was, he would still deny knowing Christ if he felt endangered or cornered. Mark recalls the story in Mark 14:27-31, “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’”… Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today – yes, tonight- before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.” Of course we know that Jesus’ prediction was true and at three different occasions Peter had the opportunity to stand up for Jesus and yet he denied knowing Him each time. How could he do that, how could he not admit that he was a follower of Jesus? Let’s ask some experts on the subject of denying Christ. Self, why do you deny Christ? Who me? I wouldn’t deny Christ, I would die for Him. Sound familiar, the river of denial is rising. When we know what Jesus has taught and commanded us to do, in the way we live our lives, in the way we treat others, in the way we are to worship and study His word, and we do the opposite or accept the way of the world instead, then we are denying Jesus. The laws of God have not changed and will not change. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman. Living together is not marriage. You shall not murder and that includes the taking of innocent lives through abortion. You cannot serve two Gods; you will love one and hate the other. Step out of your denial today and choose Jesus. Have a blessed Holy Week and a Happy Easter, Pastor Dean.