Restoration

When God restores one's life, He does a thorough job.  We live in a culture that is unaccustomed to expecting thoroughness in any given task.  We tragically anticipate people to be sloppy, lazy, "un-attentive" to detail, or incompetent - a sad commentary on our culture.  It is even more troublesome when this kind of "lukewarmness" becomes pervasive in the Church.  But God is different as He "brings to completion the good work He begins in you and I (Phil 1)."

This past weekend we studied together the theme of restoration in the Minor Prophet Amos.  God concludes his message to the Northern Kingdom with a message of hope and restoration.  One of our points of emphasis was the thoroughness of God's restoring work.  We identified three implications within this point:

1. Begins with acknowledging one's need for restoration

2. It is a process

3. Celebrate each stage

Let me focus on #1.

I am praying today for those of you who feel embarrassed about being at Step One.  Perhaps you have been in and around the "Church" for years; however, you know more than you do.  Church is simply one component of your social network as you have lost a vision of the daily, transforming work of Jesus in your life. 

The reviving work of the Spirit begins with acknowledging one's need for restoration.  There is so much spiritual pride and arrogance in the Church.  The enemy of our souls uses this to deceive us into apathy and complacency.  But one, transparent moment of significant outcry to God can bring those walls tumbling down.  Show me a person sincerely acknowledging the need for restoration, and I will show you a city on the verge of a new spiritual awakening.  It begins in each one of our hearts.

Safe space is incredibly important for this type of confession.  If you are hesitant due to the circle of people in your life, you need to get a new circle.  The litmus test for any relationship is the ability to admit failures without fear of rejection or mockery.  May God create in us at Commonwealth Chapel an environment of safety for confession so that God's restoring work may begin in all of us.

Rob     

Restoration Story!

Check out the video below of Mark Barrett's baptism and story of God's restoring work in his life!

Rob

Amos - "But the Lord took me..."

Amos speaks these words to Amaziah in 7:15.  The verb "to take" here is the rich, Hebrew word, laqeck, which has a powerful history of usage in the Hebrew Scriptures (cite Genesis 2 "God took the rib;" Exodus 7 "Moses took the staff;" or Proverbs 22 & 24 "to take in instruction").  It has to do with transformation, the unexplainable, and/or life-altering instruction.

All of us need a moment when we can honestly declare as Amos did:  "But the Lord took me...."  To "be taken" in this way is too experience a kind of spiritual transaction that calibrates us to the heart of God.  When this occurs the following paradigm shifts can not be stopped:

1. Prayer becomes more about opportunity than obligation.

2. Scripture becomes more about inspiration than indoctrination.

3. Obedience becomes more about natural response than forced requirement.

4. Witness becomes more about conversation than confrontation.

5. Giving becomes more about generosity than guilt.

6. Serving becomes more about Calling than coercion.

7. Worship becomes more about passion than performance.

You will be "taken" by something.  The world and all its counterfeits are poised to deceive another heart.  But will you hear the Call of God today?  God whispers His intent into the hearts of all people.  He wants to "take" you.

Rob

 

Reject: Reflecting on Last Night

I am sitting in the quietness of my study this morning thinking about last night (Saturday night Worship).  I believe God's Spirit was working in a lot of hearts.  I know my heart was being stirred.  Specifically, I was asking God to give me consistent boldness in the face of rejection.  It's easy to be bold while I am preaching or sitting in my study.  But I want to be bold in the world where it counts!  Oh God, help me to know when to speak or listen, correct or encourage, pray or preach, and prophesy or admonish. 

I am off now for some morning coffee and to get my heart prepared for this morning at the National.  I am praying for a fresh sense of God's anointing.  How is God stirring your heart this morning with regard to rejection?

Rob

Seeking this Week

I have been reflecting a lot this week on the continual dimension of seeking that I taught on last weekend.  Every day presents an entire new opportunity to seek the Lord.  His mercies are truly new every morning!

Here are some additional thoughts:

1.  The "tug" of our sinful nature gradually decreases and the "pull" of the Spirit of the Lord increases as we seek Him continually.  "Chip away" at it daily.

2.  There is no such thing as a small victory.  Every moment of being more than a conqueror in Christ is big and should be celebrated.  Do not let anyone convince you differently.

3.  Our seeking is intended to be adventurous with surprises around every corner.  Life in Christ is never boring.  It can be dangerous at times.  It is often challenging and not for the light of heart.  But seeking does not equal boredom.  Seek the Lord with zeal today in whatever context you find yourself.  Pray for someone.  Share your faith verbally.  Help someone.  I guarantee "boredom" will not be a part of your reality.

4.  Decide today to Seek.  Quit waiting for some magical moment to catapult you into passionate living for Jesus.  Make it an act of your Will.  

Seek the Lord.  Seek the Good.  Don't seek idols, faith gone astray, or material things.  These will pass away.  Recognize the continual, mysterious, and holistic dimensions of seeking.

Would love to hear from you.  How are you seeking this week?

Rob

Seek Amos 5

I am starting this blog so we can be in dialogue about the sermon from the previous week.  I want to be able to post comments about how I am personally applying the message to my life.  I would also love to hear from you regarding comments, questions, etc....  I am going out of town right now.  Will write some more later this week.

Rob

Welcome to The Echo

This blog will be a outlet for reflections and conversation coming out of the community life of Commonwealth Chapel. Check back here often and feel free to join the conversation by posting comments and tweeting posts.