Blog Archives

"He said.”

2/26/2016

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Heb 13:5-6

We are warned: keep our life free from the love of money, and be content with what we have. Then we can stand and declare with confidence, “He said, He is my helper and therefore I will not be afraid.”

However, we must be free from the love of worldly security and be content in our current situation. Money can be seductive. It promises comfort, peace, security, control, or anything we believe will make us content. But it excludes the One who provides all comfort and peace.

Being content in Him means we do not carry the worries of tomorrow or about what we have or don’t have. It frees us from the fear, the anxiety and the distractions of the world.
These exhortations are backed by the incredible declaration, “He said!”

These are magnificent words of peace, a declaration of an incredible and powerful commitment. “I will never leave you. I will never forsake you.” These are words we stand on. They are the solid ground of God’s promise.
“I will never…” Not once, not for a moment, under no circumstance, not ever!
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Mark 13:31

These promises cannot be broken or shaken. Our faith should soar at these words as we proclaim with full confidence, “He said!”

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Noise

2/23/2016

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We are surrounded by noise. It has become so familiar that we notice its absence more than its presence and become uncomfortable without it.
Quiet solitude has become unnatural. We isolate from one another with the latest gadgets that distract us with the sights and sounds of the world.
We do not like silence, or being disconnected, but we find intimacy even more difficult.
The silence that carries God’s voice has become unfamiliar and uncomfortable. We have learned to live in noise and chaos and have lost the deep sense of peace that comes from quiet fellowship.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
He taps on our doors and waits. His knock is not a startling bang.
There is no urgency, only a gentle knock. Will we hear Him? And if we do, will we answer?
We must listen for it.
In the midst of all activity, we listen for the tap, the sound of an expected guest.
He expects us to expect Him. If we are distracted by the cares and noise of the day, we will not tune our ears for his gentle tap and voice.
He is calling us through the door.
What is our door?
Is it business?
Is it pleasure?
Is it sorrow?
Is it the noise of the world?
Is it our daily worries?
What deafens us?

When we hear, do we answer?
The opening of the door will change things for us. We must now let go of our cares and spend time in fellowship with Him.
He will not open the door; we must do that, but once He enters, He is Lord and will demand our full attention.
We will eat together. There will be no time or place for the noise of the world.

Today do not close your ears to the gentle tap and quiet voice at the door. He comes not with fanfare to overwhelm us, but with a desire to rest in our company… and have us rest in His.

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Markers

2/13/2016

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Who you are in Christ is a crucial part of your identity. However, what others see in you is vital.

Simply saying, “I am a Christian,” or, “I love Jesus,” or, “I go to church!” does not say much about your identity. What others see in you is the critical marker.

Can the world see who you have been with?
Here is a marker:
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Act 4:13

Who you truly are in Christ Jesus is always evident by the life you live.
There is a life style that speaks louder than words.
Do you:
Rejoice always,
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus? 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Paul exhorts Timothy to:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-6

These are the words of a mentor encouraging a protégé who is under great pressure. Paul uses the situation to encourage Timothy to become mature in character and action.

Maturity is always a choice, but no one matures without pressure.
Pressure comes with the unpleasant circumstances you will face.
They are the acid tests that always reveal who you are and whom you trust.
They are excellent measuring tools for checking your identity in Christ.

How do you respond when a crisis arises?
How like Jesus are you in your reactions or responses?
Is there a striking likeness of Jesus Christ in you?
Are you a living biography of Christ Jesus, written out in your words and actions?

As a Christian, your assurance of Christ demonstrates your faith, not only by words, but by your actions. Let kindness, hope and love not only be your banner, but your way of life.
Imitate Jesus in his holiness.
Was he patient? So learn to endure.
And in the highest imitation of Jesus, forgive your enemies.

Live so that the world cannot help but say, “He/she has been with Jesus."

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Treasures

2/5/2016

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A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

What do you have in the storeroom of your heart?

Our words and actions will reveal what we give worth to.
These are the things we are passionate about and talk about when we are with friends or colleagues. What we deem worthwhile comes out; whether good or bad, it comes out. Our words reflect those things we treasure, those things we value, and present to the world.

What is your passion? What treasures do you carry in your heart?

If the things you treasure in your heart have precedence over the things of the kingdom, you have made room for that which is not of God.

Consider this. This weekend, an event of mammoth proportions will be watched all over the world. Great preparations are made for an event that celebrates fitness, agility, violence and strength.
In a moment men will become heroes or losers, legends and household names, subject to adoration or revilement by countless people who will live vicariously through the momentary exploits of others.
The event, however grandiose, has no tangible kingdom significance.

Yet, it is something that is anticipated in the hearts of great multitudes; it is something they treasure. It is an event covered in prayer, hope and great anticipation. A moment of unbridled expression of emotions ranging from deep joy, total frustration, hatred, adoration, rapture or depression.
How did this capture our hearts to such a depth that we cannot imagine missing it?

Where did the church miss the greatest event in the history of humanity and allow it turn to into a duty rather than passion? We have turned the greatest event in the history of humanity to a something that is mostly lifeless and mundane. What happened?

I can’t imagine ever seeing a time when scalpers will be outside the church selling tickets for a Holy Spirit event.

Enjoy the day.
But never forget the greatest confrontation of all, the day when Jesus the Christ, confronted and defeated sin and death in an afternoon and changed the world forever. That we can celebrate for eternity.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21

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Thinking Out Loud

These are short meditations on some of the thoughts and ideas we receive as we read, study or ponder the things of God.
They are short blogs meant to cause us to think, explore, meditate or simply delight in the things of the Lord.

Author

In a counseling career spanning over 30 years, author and teacher Martin Frankena has shared the life-changing power of Christ’s redemption with individuals and churches in America, Canada, South America, and Europe. Martin's heart is to further the Lord’s mandate of releasing people into freedom from bondages to experience greater wholeness and fulfillment in life. A major focus of the ministry is healing from generational issues.

Thinking out loud

"He said.”

Noise

Markers

Treasures

Thinking Out Loud

These are short meditations on some of the thoughts and ideas we receive as we read, study or ponder the things of God.
They are short blogs meant to cause us to think, explore, meditate or simply delight in the things of the Lord.

Author

Archives

Categories

Thinking out loud

"He said.”

Noise

Markers

Treasures

Thinking Out LoudThese are short meditations on some of the thoughts and ideas we receive as we read, study or ponder the things of God.They are short blogs meant to cause us to think, explore, meditate or simply delight in the things of the Lord.Author

Archives

Categories

Thinking Out Loud

These are short meditations on some of the thoughts and ideas we receive as we read, study or ponder the things of God.
They are short blogs meant to cause us to think, explore, meditate or simply delight in the things of the Lord.

Author