The Power of God's Word

Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. Matthew 22:29

The Sadducees had a problem hearing Jesus talking about a resurrection when they did not believe that a resurrection was possible. Jesus pretty much answers, when the word of God is absent in our lives we not know the power of God. Whenever I have found it difficult to believe in a dream, believe in myself, believe what God can do in my life and through my life I can always look back and find the reason why, and it's usually because I have neglected or have not disciplined myself in my devotion time with God. In physics, power (symbol: P) is the rate at which work is performed or energy is transmitted, or the amount of energy required or expended for a given unit of time. The equation for power looks like this:

Spiritually speaking, Time spent in the Word=Power. I've been raised in church and have probably read the bible through and through many times already, but that does not mean I do not need it daily. I need God's word, I need it present, I need it active and I need it working in my life constantly. There's no question we all go through times of drought or a slump if you will, and during those times it's hard to hear God and hard to see hope, those are the times for greater pursuit. Some things are only found with great pursuit. I wonder how much I've missed or have delayed when my pursuit struggled in my devotional life? To know the power of God, to know the power that God has given you, time spent in the word is needed.

Lord your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee. I want to know your power Lord lead me through your word!

To Fire on all cylinders = RISK (Follow up to "it" a few weeks ago)

Yesterday we had one of our best services and concluded by far the best series yet. For four weeks were challenged by "30 Days to Live", the question "How would you live your life if you knew you had only 30 days left" has changed my life and no question a lot of other people as well. I will never look at Psalm 39:4 the same again "Lord remind me how brief how my time on earth will be."

We set out a mark with this series and that was to push envelope little by little as the series unfolded over 4 weeks and that we did. Every week the atmosphere changed by scenery, props, people, media and yesterday the team blew it up with a whole new delivery approach. Instead of ending the message with a drama we started the message with the dance/live music/narration/and video all at the same time. Since Troy and Santos were involved in the series I had them help with the finally by recapping and introducing the sermon. All in all, there were many twists and turns in making yesterdays conclusion a success and the team executed with precision and professionalism which revealed their value for God's word and heart to touch lives. If one word could sum up yesterdays team victory I would have to say R-I-S-K. We fired on all cylinders yesterday because everyone had the same goal and everyone went out to make a play. This is part of "it". This is what makes a church "sticky." When everyone innovates, when everyone gives their best, and when everyone takes a risk. And the beauty is the end result lives are transformed, homes are changed, marriages are restored, peoples dreams are birthed. My my my...WE are getting "it"

Fresh DIrection

I wrote about Vision the other day and wanted to follow up with a supporting post. Part of my 30 Days to live challenge has been to have dynamic daily devotions with the Lord for the next 30 days. Let me emphasize Dynamic. Everyday, I've been on a hunt for something new, something that I have not seen before and something that I have yet to experience at the feet of the Master. There's nothing like fresh direction in your life. My senses in life and for life have been awakened. Ever go for drive and not know where we you are going, it get's frustrating, it get's tiring and it's easy to just turn around and never reach your destination. In life we are on a journey and in that journey fresh direction is needed not weekly, but daily. Daily I've purposed myself for fresh direction from God because I'm on a journey, life is short and I don't want to make a turn when I'm not supposed to turn, I don't want any big detours, I want to hit my mark, I need to hit my mark. I need fresh direction. What does my life look like in 60, 90 days, in a year if every day I have fresh direction from God?

X > 2 = 1

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19

Do you remember the greater than and less than signs when first beginning math in school? The above math statement obviously does not make sense in the math world, if X is greater then 2 then it can't equal 1, but this is the concept that society moves by today. The more you have, the bigger it is, the more it cost the greater you are. Jesus' words today tell a completely different story in today's verse, Jesus say's if you want to be great then you must become less. Becoming great in the kingdom of God is being great at humility, meekness, mercy, peace, justice and the bible say's for all those who become great in those things they will be called great.

Becoming great for God requires less of me. Less of my reactions, less of my emotions, less of my ways, thoughts, defense, less of me. But why? Jesus say's because you are the light and you are salt of the earth. We are surrounded by "temporary greatness" all day, every day. Eternal greatness shines like a city on a hill and all who see and experience it's light realize something genuine, something unique, something that may be missing in their lives. We are called to be great in what the world would consider less, but in the end it's what really counts, it's what's missing in the world and it's what makes the biggest impact. What is it that I need to become less in to become greater in the kingdom?

Lord my desire is to influence lives and challenge hearts to a relationship with you. Let every encounter, every person that I come into contact leave your impression rather then my own.

What fuels your Vision?

The Wheel of fortune is being aired from Hawaii this week and I have had the opportunity to catch it twice by accident. As the camera panned out from the crowd and showed all these people I could feel the beginnings of a smile across my face, and my mind begin to wander and dream, my heart begin to stir and beat with intensity. I realized at that very moment my Vision was being fueled. I have a vision not for an island, but for a people, for a city, for a region, for the world. My vision is ridiculously huge, it's so big that I can't accomplish on my own, it's so big that it often buckles my knees, it makes me want to hide. The Vision that God has given me can only be accomplished with his help. Let me ask you, what fuels your vision. It seems silly that a game show would fuel my Vision but it did, why because for a moment, for just seconds , I could see plainly, I could see with the eyes of God, I could see what will be. As big as the Vision of God is in our lives, we need to be able to have these moments of plain sight because Vision is mysterious, it's not sticky, it takes a beating at times but it's there, it's always there. Think of a car, the bigger it is the more fuel it consumes. Vision doesn't just show up, it takes time, it has to grow and you do as well so you need fuel for the journey. Fuel that motivates, fuel that encourages, fuel that sparks creativity and the heart of God. What fuels your vision? What brings that smile to your face when you think about the real you? What stirs your heart, what takes your mind and breath away? Do you have fuel today? When is the last time you filled up? When is the last time you saw in HD God's dream for your life?

Spread the news!

News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Matthew 4:24

News spreads fast now a days. It doesn't take long for a chain e-mail to circulate, or a news article or what was watched late at night in the news. The scripture say's that news spread about Jesus not just in His home but "as far" as Syria and people from all over begin to bring all who were sick to Jesus. Before the internet, before newspapers, and TV, Jesus was the highlight of the world then and guess what He is still the most important news today.

And the bible say's... He healed them all... Powerful words. Jesus didn't miss a beat, he wasn't too busy, he wasn't to preoccupied with an agenda, Jesus Healed them all. We live in a world today that is dying, people are sick from a hurt, sick in their hearts, sick in their minds, sick emotionally, mentally, physically but most of all they are sick spiritually. Jesus wants to heal today as much as he did in the scripture above. Where does healing begin? By spreading the news, spread the news that there is a hope, spread the news that there is peace, spread the news that Jesus is here today to heal the land, the people, the hearts, the homes of every single person who calls out. Spread the news today in a simple email, spread the news with an act of generosity, spread the news with an act of God's love. He's here, he walks with us, He walks in us, He wants to work through you today, would you spread the news of Jesus today...Now...don't wait, every single act, every single moment is precious, it's vital even more vital then we think. Spread the news of Jesus!

Lord, help me to risk today what I was afraid to risk yesterday, help me to step out and reach who I haven't reached, help me to slow down and to see all you desire to touch today. -amen

Getting back to basics

My mind is running like crazy this morning, so this may be one of several posts today. While driving to work today I thought to myself, I need to get back to basics, get back to what counts this coming Holiday; relationships, appreciation, laughter, plenty of picture taking and creating moments we will live twice. Then I came across this article on CNN's site, it reaffirmed what I was feeling this morning. Here's the article. What are your plans this year for the holidays, maybe you shop less and spend more on quality time. Maybe you spend less and create more by creating a gift. Whatever it is, I think it's long overdue...we need to get back to the basics, what truly counts.

When the going get's tough

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 10:12

How was Paul able to say that when he was weak he was actually strong? In weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties Paul was able to feel strong.

There's a tremendous strain on our nation right now, many things are uncertain, every week we are hearing layoffs and great hardships. Seems like every time I'm driving I'm seeing more and more homeless people. People who appear recently homeless at that. Yesterday I received a call from my boss regarding the talks about lay offs at our company. This morning as I came into work people are walking on egg shells. There's a sadness and stillness in the office like the eye in the middle of the storm. Based on the reaction of people before anything has taken place it's evident what people have placed their trust in. I'm not trying to minimize the magnitude of what it means to lose a job, but when you are squeezed, when you are really stretched who you really are is revealed. What's been revealed is people have depended on jobs, on money, on things, to provide happiness and now that America is seeing this great hardship the happiness is gone. Isn't that what happiness is built on happenings? When those things that make us happy are taken away what do we have left? Paul said I have joy, I have delight, I have pleasure in hard times because whether it was going good or it was bad I have always built my life on what lasts and that is Christ. We need God, we need an authentic, and genuine touch of the Master on our nation. Now is the time to live for Christ, now is the time to bring hope to a hurting world, now is the time to love and give radically.

Questions to think about?

What is revealed when your stretched?
Have you built yourself on an eternal perspective or on earthly preferences?

Lord your word say's If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. We need a healing in our land, so I seek and pray and turn to you. Let us hear from heaven, not from a podcast, not from someone else's devotional or story but let us hear directly from you today, Revelation, Signs, wonders, Miracles...

30 Days to Live Challenge

How would you live your life if you knew you only had 30 days to live? This question has turned into a challenge in my life and it's a challenge that I've passed onto our church. For the next 30 days I have vowed the following:

• Dynamic Devotions with God
  
• Don't sweat small things
  
• Laugh as much as possible
• Keep in perspective the power of small things (acts of kindness, generosity, words)
  
• Do what I used to do, do what I know counts, and live what will outlive me

Taking the challenge? I would love to hear about it. Drop an e-mail on what you would change for 30days; 30days@cwcmilpitas.com

"If 21 days can become a lifestyle, 30 days could birth a legacy"

Encouragers will find themselves surrounded by encouragers

"...I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you.
I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds." 2 Corinthians 7:3-4

Paul was an incredible encourager, in fact look at his words "fight the good fight" , "finish the race", "take heart". Looking at this verse, I find that people who encourage others will find themselves surrounded by encouragers. The word encourage in the greek means to admonish, to hold one to his duty, to disciple. To put encouragement in a picture it's those people standing on the sidelines holding the cup of water during a marathon.

Even Paul who gave tremendous encouragement, needed encouragement, because life is a marathon not a sprint. Looking at this chapter the DNA of encouragement can be found. 1) An open heart: a heart that respects, a heart that is willing, a heart that see's potential in others, transparecy, humble. 2) Building words; Paul said I take great pride, I have great confidence in you, I would live or die with you 3) Ability to confront; authentic confrontation holds another to their duty, what they are capable of, it produces a champion, it's getting others to win before yourself. Do you have an encourager in your life, someone you have heart to heart talks with, someone who you build with your word and they build you, someone who allows you to confront them and will confront you when needed. Encouragers will find themselves surrounded by encouragers.

Lord please continue to birth encouragement in and around my life. Lord I pray that you would continue to build a culture of encouragement in my home, in our team and in our church. Great vision requires great strength, strength that can only come from You and through the people you have placed in my life. -amen

Glad To Be Back Home

Flew back last night from a quick trip to Boston. The place I stood at was in the middle of scariest forest that I've ever seen. Care to see, here's a link . Anyway I'm just glad to be home, glad to be with my family. Just wanted to provide a quick update because I haven't posted since Monday. Until the next episode... I'm outta here.

A Weekend To Remember

CWC's World Changers Conference went great. The highlight of the evening was watching my Pastor pour into Pastors and churches representing our network. I felt Pastor Dan's message was in perfect timing and it truly challenged me to leave everything on the field because the Hand of the Lord is upon us in everything we do in His name. Practically speaking PDan used one verse and that one verse I will never look the same at again. The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. Ezekiel 37:1

We had a great time in service yesterday. New Faces both in San Jose and Milpitas. There is an incredible amount of momentum right now in both campuses. I want to finish strong. Right now I'm putting some numbers in my head by Christmas that are enormous but I'm running with it because I believe God will do it.

My family and I are so priveleged to work with such incredible people next to us. Thank You everyone for your hard work, your hearts, and for just being you. Get ready...the time is come, what you have been praying for is here, Break Down the Walls, see your family saved, see what you have wept over come into fruition... see that the Hand of the Lord is Upon you, Upon us and He will do a great Work! Get ready to Change the World!

Innovation

Recently CNN did something in the news arena that no other news company has yet to do. An interview took place on Live National TV, with the use of a hologram image. The person that was beamed over to the news studio was some hundreds of miles away surrounded in a green tent, and 35 HD cameras. The construction of the tent alone took approximately 3weeks to build, not to mention the money and manpower. Talk about innovation.

Innovation is a word that I have heard a lot lately. I heard "innovation" when I went to Disneyland some weeks ago. I'm hearing innovation a lot in the Christian arena in regards to ministry. Ever hear someone say "I've never seen it that way", that's innovation. How about "that was ahead of it's time" you got it innovation. Innovation catapults, it makes things better, it propels, it sends the average into extreme. Perfect example the Bike. The bike has been around for hundreds of years but innovators have taken what has been around for many years and turned it into a world of humongous dirt ramps, twists and turns 40 feet in the air known as BMX. The challenge that I've had lately is to not do Ministry the same but to innovate, to dream the message into a dynamic and powerful presentation of God's love and hope. We changed around one little thing last week and the atmosphere changed completely at church. What small thing can you change that could make things better. I loved this quote that I read "Great innovations not only come out of difficulty, but they're often created because of it." Feeling like things need to change it's time to innovate. Feeling like things could be better it's time to innovate. You've heard this saying "The message is the same it's the methods that change", perfect example of innovation.

Why we vote on Tuesdays?

I was watching channel 5 news last night and they did a short on "Why we vote on Tuesdays" "Back in the day" a Tuesday voting day, would allow people to travel from far away places to vote, but the main reason was because voting on Tuesday would not allow the most important day of the week to get interrupted, Sunday. Sunday was a day for going to church and nothing else would replace it. Our country was founded on the word of God, it was founded on values from the Word. In fact at one time our judicial system required Judges to attend Bible based classes. Our value was the word but that has changed throughout the years in this great nation.

America has valued tolerance vs. the standards of the Word and as a result teen pregnancies, drug addiction, rape, violent crimes, suicides, etc. have all increased.

We have valued gain and wealth vs. giving and serving and as a result we see more and more homeless every year while America is stricken with a credit crisis.

Why are values important? Our values today will determine our future tomorrow. Jesus said in Matthew 6 "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." I want my values to match what God values. I want my heart to be where God's heart is. Voting on Tuesday is a reminder for me of what this country was founded on, it's a reminder of what we need to get back to and that's God and His word. I will uphold the word of God today with my vote.

Monday Morning blurb...

1. Had our first round table journaling session on Sunday...Wow better then a triple shot of Peet's
2. May have a new series out of the round table (Organic Living, or Going Green)
3. Pre-Service meeting is growing, the team is getting bigger.
4. The worship team tore it up yesterday. "I have a new favorite song" LOL
5. Troy continues to push the envelope in worship, No LIMITS!
   
6. Amanda keep taking us to that place in worship... where nothing is rehearsed.
   
7. I love making eye contact with my wife on stage, seeing her smile...priceless
8. Great Video Santz, "It's good to celebrate victories early"
9. 30 Day's to live, it's going to push us over the edge, I can tell already.
10. What does our church look like by January if we keep the same momentum?
    

Glimpses of Gold

S) But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
Job 23:10

O) Somehow in the middle of Job's trial. In the middle of both Job's discouragement and frustration and even his complaint, Job still finds glimpses of Gold, glimpses that he will be as gold.

A) In our lives we need glimpses of gold. Just one glimpse of who God is, just one glimpse of who you are in God. A glimpse of Gold will provide you with hope just at the right time. How do we find gold? Job 23:11 "I have stayed on God's path, Job 23:12 I have treasured His word" The hope we need, the heart we need, the courage, the peace, all of it is found at the feet of the master and treasuring his Word. Look for the daily glimpses of gold. Have you ever missed something on the ground like some money? I have it's easy when your not looking for it. If your looking for daily nuggets of God's word and strength you will be sure to find them.

P) Thank you God for this journaling session today. Thank you for the word that you used from others as well to speak encouragement into my life. Help me to find gold today!