Like-Mindedness

Growing in Our Service to Jesus

It was to the church in Philippi that we find some of the most heart-wrenching words written from a pastor's heart.  Paul the apostle, sitting in a Roman prison, hindered from visiting the church in Philippi himself, jotted a note to the church and wrote, "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus"  (Philippians 2:19-21, NKJV).

When looking for someone to care for the church, as Paul carefully and prayerfully considered those closest to him, only Timothy sought the Lord first alongside of him.  Everyone else he could think of wanted their own things, selfishly.  Isn't that sad?  Nothing halts the joyful progress of the gospel more than those who selfishly serve, not seeking the things which are of Jesus.

As God raises you up to serve in your local congregation (Psalm 75:7), unity and like-mindedness with Jesus and your spiritual leadership is vital.  If not, fruitfulness will be withheld from heaven if you choose to serve with your own agenda, in opposition to the flow of ministry in that particular fellowship, under the careful oversight of your spiritual leadership.

Please be careful here; some people think that like-mindedness means a loss of personal identity or a faltering attempt at conformity.  Others may think they should submit to their leadership even when there is sin present - but that's not it at all.  There is great diversity in every church and the true beauty of His Body is how God works all of our gifts, talents, and personalities together for His higher good.  Additionally, God never encourages submission to sin, especially sin within spiritual leaders.  No, like-mindedness is the sweet fragrance of unity that is shared among men and women whom God has knit together by the love of Jesus.

The word used in the New Testament for like-minded is "phroneo" and depending on the context used, it means to have an understanding, to be wise, to feel and think along similar lines.  Amos the prophet put it this way, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3, NKJV).

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:1-4, NKJV).

Serving Jesus within your local church requires a lot of prayer and seeking out the unique reason God has placed you in His service.  If you choose to do your own thing - your own way - apart from the unity given to us by His Spirit (Ephesians 4:3), it will be a long, hard, and frustrating road of ministry for you and your church's leadership.  However, if your heart resonates with the heart of Jesus, with the heart of your pastor, with the heart of your overseers, and with the heart of your fellow servants, oh what a difference you'll make for the Kingdom of God.  Pray for like-mindedness with your pastors and leaders - that's a prayer God will surely answer!

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me" (John 17:20-23, NKJV).

Open Eyes Will Help You A Lot in Ministry

I'm always blessed when good waiters and waitresses at a restaurant serve me. It's easy to tell the good from the bad by how well they serve without being asked. There is something about the waitress who is attentive to the table's needs: filling the water, keeping the kids' napkin supply coming, keeping the coffee full, and generally being available to serve you well. They are near, always observing, ready to act at a moment's notice.

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together."

John 4:34-36 (NKJV)

Serving in the ministry is very similar. You will be very effective if you attentively open your eyes. One of the best practical things you can do to improve your service is to be very observant, expectantly ready to take care of things that need to be done, without waiting to be asked. As you open your eyes and look around, you'll see all sorts of things that need to be done. Does the trash need to be emptied? Is there trash in the parking lot? Has a wolf in sheep's clothing showed up? Are the chairs crooked? Is there distress on someone's face, joy on another's? Is that a brand new  family to the church and do they need some help? These observations are all promptings for things to be taken care of.

With eyes wide open, Spiritually sensitive to the situation, you'll have more ministry than you can possibly handle, ministry that the Spirit of God will direct you in. As you're observing, put yourself in the shoes of those you're serving and ask yourself: what would help them be most comfortable, ready to receive the Word from the ministry? If you were a new family what would help you? If you were that Jr. High kid, how would you best receive? Put yourself in the place of every kind of person who comes to your church and prayerfully ask God to show you what needs to be done and seek to fulfill that if at all possible. Don't wait to be told to do something, but instead, always be on the look-out, seeking for ways to serve and then do them. You'll be blessed and so will the precious folks put under your Spiritual care.

Blessings

Pastor Ed

Serving Jesus Doesn't Begin At School

Pastoral Reflections to Grow in our Ministry

Serving Jesus doesn’t begin at school. It doesn’t begin with being recognized. It doesn’t start with being asked. It doesn’t start because there is a need. It doesn’t start anywhere but in the depths of your heart and personal relationship with Jesus.  Serving Him is a clear response to the calling of God to rise up and be used mightily, a connection of the heart of God with your heart.  Serving begins and ends with Jesus.  Every minister of any kind or calling needs a true growing servant’s heart.

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

Mark 9:35 (NKJV)

But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Mark 10:42-45 (NKJV)

Because the beginning of any service, especially pastoral service begins with the heart, it’s a seriously personal thing between Jesus and the man serving that cannot be neglected.  While with the lips it’s easy to say all sorts of things, if the heart isn’t right, it will come out soon enough.  True servant-hood can’t be faked, at least for very long. If your heart isn’t right, nothing else will be right either.  That’s when people start to get hurt.  What you do, how you act, the things you say are a reflection of your character, of who you really are inside.  Our character is a reflection of our heart.

If you’re heart is not right, no amount of work, or school, and effort can change it.  Only God can change your heart.  The position of change is always humble readiness and openness.

It’s true: servants of Jesus act, talk, and think like servants.  They serve with the heart of Jesus caring for people as He cared, from the heart.

Disciples Not Consumers

Psalms 61:7 (NKJV) He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!

Even when I don't want to shop, stores are invading my email box with offers and advertisements designed to get me to buy. The pictures are always done in sunny places with happy people. If I just had that shirt. Wow, how happy I'd be. It's all false and fake. There's only one reason they would frame the shot the way they did, using the person they used, the way they did, with the angle they chose: to get me to buy! I notice things like that.

This all-consuming mentality of "consumerism" has invaded the church of Jesus Christ. Rather than prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit, church leaders are more interested in catchy phrases, intelligent marketing ideas, polished plagiarized sermons, and packaged church growth programs to bring more people into their buildings.

Please be careful, friend. We don't want to settle for the emptiness of man's ideas, baptized with Bible verses. We desire the Living God to move in and through us by the power and presence of His Holy Spirit! Away with such worldly nonsense.

Blessings,
Pastor Ed



The Truth in Living Color

Your new radio station is a real blessing to me and my family. I didn't know how exciting the Bible really was until I started listening to all of the teachers you guys have on. Don't stop the good work.

Always A Price To Pay

Galatians 6:7-8 (NKJV) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Things can be so fun and exciting that it's easy to forget that there is always a price to pay.

Take a day in the life of Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut. Don't know who he is? He's a competitive eater who recently won the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest at New York's Coney Island. He won hands down by eating 62 hot dogs in buns in just 10 minutes. He's the champion this year! What a feat! He made national headlines with just 10 minutes of competition.

How much did it cost him to win? Well, the price was free. He didn't have to purchase them. But the nutritional cost was staggering. Ready? That 10 minute binge on 62 hot dogs adds up to:

19,158 calories
1,246 grams of fat
2,170 grams of cholesterol
42,408 grams of sodium

Not too good for his body, that's for sure! What's true in the physical realm is true in the Spiritual realm. There is always a price to pay for our actions. Sometimes it's reaped as a benefit, but other times it's received as a consequence.

Pray for wisdom this week with the decisions that are before you and make those decisions unto Jesus, and Him alone.

By Grace,
Pastor Ed

The Truth in Living Color

I'm always amazed how the Lord works. I'm at a job now where my manager seems to have a pre-conceived notion about my skill-set, and I am constantly being yelled at for not doing things the correct way. I feel like I'm always messing up at everything in this job, and I can never do anything right, and I'm really just not getting the proper training from her that I need. This e-mail really shows me that I need to stop worrying about earthly training, and I should more focus on my spiritual training. I put far too much faith and concern into my job and employers, and I'm always disappointed. I need to learn to let it all go, and at least twice when I'm at work, or when I'm being verbally attacked by her, to just consult the Lord, and let Him handle it. Just like Hezekiah, I just need to show the Lord what's happening, and see how He works. Great message on the Holy Spirit this past Wednesday, by the way. So encouraging!

Good Friends

Leviticus 19:17-18 (NKJV) You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

It's good to be surrounded by friends. Men and women who love us is a great gift from our loving, Heavenly Father. Hanging out together, fellowshipping in the Lord together, enjoying a coffee (at the One Way Café of course, ha ha), and just enjoying the wonderful opportunities God has given us with one another is a blessing.

Sometimes, it's through friends that God brings a message to us that we don't necessarily want to hear. Are you really ready to receive correction or rebuke from your friend?

That's where things get tough and the ball starts rolling down hill, when a person shares something with us that hurts. Because open rebuke is better than concealed love (Proverbs 27:5), the rebukes and exhortations which come our way should be embraced as friends.

I know it's more comfortable for us to ignore a difficult situation or issue, as we hope (and hope) it will get better. But that's not love. Love says, "I care more about you growing and maturing than I care about what you think of me. If you think I'm not a nice guy, that's okay, if what I'm saying will provoke you to love and good works."

Proverbs 27:6 says that the wounds of a friend are faithful. Be open and ready to grow as you may come across difficult words and penetrating insights, sometimes, even from friends.

In Love,
Pastor Ed



The Truth in Living Color

Nothing is more precious than to hear a child praying. Specifically, when my grandsons pray. The last time I visited them in TX, (May and July) hearing my 9 year-old grandson pray and in the midst of his prayer, ask God to get me home safely, was just awesome. It brings tears to my eyes because, of course, I don't want to leave them there. My plan is to move there eventually when I retire...

It will be hard to leave Calvary Chapel Aurora. Thank God for computers! But I always say, what I have planned and what God has planned, may be two totally different things.

Imperfect

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Every now and then, as I'm reading through the Bible, I'm struck by how gracious God is in choosing us to serve Him. I know it's not a new or novel truth, but one that so encourages me.

Jesus didn't call perfect people to do His work. How could He? There aren't any. So Jesus uses people like us, with our many misunderstandings, our mixed motives, our weaknesses and failures; our humanity. Yet, before He uses us there is that transformation by His Spirit. He's constantly changing, shaping, and molding us from the inside out. Day by day, our lives are becoming more and more like Jesus.

Don't lose heart today, friend. God is using you. God is changing you. God is not finished with you. Trust Him!

By Grace,
Pastor Ed



The Truth in Living Color

You know, I think it is awesome that you ask people to respond to you when you send out these e-mails. You might not know it, but I think that might mean a lot to people -- it does to me. So thanks! I can only imagine how many people these e-mails actually go to. I am sure your inbox runneth over.

Reaching Our World

Acts 1:8 (NKJV) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

God's strategy for reaching people with the Good News of Jesus is profoundly simple.

#1 - Saturate Jerusalem.
Our Jerusalem, or home base, is Aurora and the surrounding cities in the Denver Metro area.

#2 - Saturate Judea/Samaria.
Our Judea and Samaria is the state of Colorado, expanding throughout the United States, and to Mexico and Canada on the North American continent.

#3 - Saturate The Earth.
Our 'ends of the earth' are literally every tribe, tongue, and nation on every square inch of this planet.

#4 - Go back to #1 and repeat!

Save yourself thousands of dollars in seminars, books, and such. Start living and sharing the gospel at home. Spread out a little. Pray about going around the world.

By Grace,
Pastor Ed



The Truth in Living Color

I have found that I'm more calm and relaxed when I forgive, and I listen to my sister talk about how she won't forgive our mother for the past. My sister works herself up with down-right hatred. I get along with my mother and she has apologized for the past, but my sister and her family miss out on many family functions, and her grandchildren are missing out on their great-grandmother. This hurts my mother dearly, because my sister won't forgive. Forgiveness is the key, it's easier than not forgiving.

It's Appointed Once

Hebrews 9:27-28 (NKJV) And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, sso Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

David Murdock is spending (wasting) the billions of dollars (yes, billions) he's accumulated over his lifetime on trying to live to the ripe old age of 125. Thus far, he's spent over $500 million building a massive research campus in North Carolina in order to explore his conviction that the key to longer life is a low-fat diet rich in vegetables, fruit, and antioxidants. Though he's quick to try to convince you of his ideas, he doesn't mind if you don't listen. "That's okay," he says. "You'll go before me."

I was a little bummed after reading the article. Here's a guy that is obviously successful and health conscious, trying to squeeze out another 20 years of his life, giving no attention to his spiritual life -- to eternity. Even if he does live to 125 years of age, he will still have lived exactly as many years as God has ordained... and then the judgment.

It's sensible, my friend, to take care of your body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Eating right is simply wise. Exercise, the Bible says, profits a little. Being a bad steward of our bodies is not God's will for our lives.

Remember this today: "Only one life will soon be passed. Only what's done for Jesus will last!"

In His Love,
Pastor Ed


The Truth in Living Color

My dear pastor, I have been praying for a way to talk to one of our children and his wife about problems in their marriage. There is so much they need to see about forgiveness. God has answered my prayer by your eNote message yesterday. God is so good!

The Bride of Christ

Acts 20:29-30 (NKJV) For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

I love the Church of Jesus Christ. I love our church! What a precious gift God has given to us, His Church, this fellowship family. There isn't anything that even comes close to the church on the earth today. There never has been and there never will be.

Some might respond, "Wait a minute Pastor, hold your horses. I was hurt in the church. I was let down by the church. I was left out, not included. I don't love the church. I don't love my church."

Let's be careful not to cloud the glorious truth of God's church with our own feelings, emotions, and opinions. I've been hurt in church, too. As a matter of fact, the deepest wounds I've ever experienced in my entire life have happened to me in God's church, by people who claimed to be following Jesus at the time, and whom I trusted and love dearly.

Pain, sorrow, and heartache are tools in the Master's toolbox to help us trust Him more, and trust man less (James 1). I don't want to focus on the pain that I might have felt, but instead I want to focus on the hope of Heaven, Jesus Christ. I want to be used to be a help in the church, not a hindrance. I want to make a difference for Jesus in His church on the earth.

I invite you to join me.

I love the Church of Jesus Christ. I love our church! What a precious gift God has given to us, His Church, this fellowship family. There isn't anything that even comes close to the church on the earth today. There never has been and there never will be.

By Grace,
Pastor Ed


The Truth in Living Color

Thank you so much, Pastor Ed, for always encouraging us to rise above mediocrity and to turn from sin. It's not always easy, but by the grace of God and an obedient Spirit, we can all go down that "other street."

I really enjoyed this "autobiography...;" it was right on target and it spoke straight to my heart and to my mind. I believe it will join another scripture verse that the Spirit of God often brings to mind: "Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." It's completely clear; it's direct; it's God's command - plain and simple.

Keep bringing on the conviction, God, and you too, Pastor Ed! God bless you and thank you for caring for the flock as you do. You're genuine, the real deal, and that is truly appreciated.

Self-Centeredness on the Rise

Matthew 16:24-25 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

University of Kentucky psychologist Nathan DeWall says young people "love themselves more today than ever before." He says the proof is found in their music. He and his colleagues analyzed the lyrics of Billboard's "Hot 100" songs from the past three decades and found a steady increase in self-centeredness and hostility toward others. The researchers suggest that rampant narcissism may be making it harder for people to connect with one another. I think they're right.

Step number one in following Jesus is the utter denial of self.

Step number one in thriving in our world system is to exalt self and deny everyone else.

The two worldviews cannot co-exist together. It's not possible to both deny ourselves and promote ourselves at the same time.

I wonder what the researchers would find if they analyzed the music that we've been listening to lately?

Blessings,
Pastor Ed


The Truth in Living Color

I love listening to you and all the Calvary Chapel pastors on 89.7! I remember when you first started the radio station I thought, "Do we really need another one?" Man alive - I was so wrong. I love it! And the answer is, "Yes, we do!" Thank you for walking in the vision to provide continual Godly bible teaching without all the politics, health supplements and drama (no disrespect intended).

Fitting In

Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV) "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

There has always been this undercurrent in human beings of needing to and wanting to fit in. It's not fun to be left out, and downright discouraging to be excluded. It looks like the people that seem to be happy are the popular ones, the centers of attention. It's not true of course, everyone has their issues in life, but perceptions can really mess with our heads.

The Church today seems to be so afraid of being left out today that they have placed way too much emphasis on trying to fit into a world and a culture that hates Jesus. Of course the 'hating Jesus' (John 15:18) part is conveniently left out of their marketing plans and business models. (Yes, church leaders have turned to secular business models, too, but that's a different note altogether.) The Church wants to be relevant, cool, and hip. But along they way, she has become empty, shallow, and powerless. It was A.W. Tozer that proposed, "If the Holy Spirit were taken away from the church today, 90% of what they did would continue on unnoticed." That's a powerful indictment upon the human-centered ways of today's church.

Don't buy into it. Human methods will not reap eternal gains. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding, especially if you're a leader in God's most Holy Church!

In Love,
Pastor Ed


The Truth in Living Color

Let me tell you where I was last year. My wife had filed for divorce. We were separated. I thought my life was over, but it turns out that was just the 2x4 I needed to the head to wake up, grow up and get my heart right with God. So I did and within a short period of time, I could see the wounds healing in my life as well as my children; all of our relationships with God were growing stronger. Then, at a Wednesday night service I really felt the Lord speak to me and all he said was "two years." I took that to mean perhaps in two years time my wife and I would get back together. That's not what God had in mind. My wife and I reconciled before the divorce was even final. Now if we fast forward to today it has been about a year, so what happens a year from now? I don't know, but one person in my household has yet to give her life over to Jesus so maybe that's what lies ahead. I simply don't know. But I do know where to place my faith now... unlike a year ago.

Purse Snatchers

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

For those that think the world is getting better and better...
For those who think the basic nature of man is good...
For those who visit Starbucks...

Watch out!

According to 'The Week' magazine, New Yorkers are very good at inventing ways to steal women's purses, especially at local Starbucks restaurants. The article declares, "larceny has become so common in the city's 298 Starbucks outlets that police have set up stings [in the restaurants] to catch thieves. Law-enforcement officers suggest the coffee shop has become so comfortable and familiar a place that it seems like a haven from the city's dangers, when it has actually become a lucrative hunting ground for thieves."

While we really want so much to let our guards down, it's simply not wise. It's not wise in a coffee shop. It's not wise spiritually.

Reading about purse-snatchers sparks that thought of carefulness in our minds. Peter reminded us to continually be on the alert spiritually, remembering that we have an adversary the devil who roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Don't let your guard down, friend. Stay alert. It's good for your spiritual soul.

Blessings,
Pastor Ed


The Truth in Living Color

Wow! Once again, GOD's message is from your mouth to my ear and more importantly, my heart. I've felt quite stirred over the past few weeks and really feel that there is something more I should be doing -- and I am looking forward to paying attention and finding out what and where it is. Thank you so much, Pastor Ed...and thank you, Calvary -- my church family makes a difference. Daily.

Under Attack

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NKJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is under attack today like never before. It's one thing for those in the world to throw rocks at the gospel, but it's not just Jesus haters that are undermining the truth of God's Word. There are many within the "church" that are attempting to re-define, re-write, and re-do the gospel. It's confusing, for sure, and downright destructive. Seriously, what do they think they're doing!?

One popular re-defining movement within the church is known as the "Emerging Church." Reject them. Reject their divisive writings. Reject their undermining of clear biblical teachings, even of Jesus Himself! While those within that group appear to be progressive and hip and cool, so smooth; in reality, they are incredibly regressive and not hip at all. I believe Pastor John MacArthur does a great job of describing their destructive ways:

"If you haven't heard of the Emerging Church, you will. The Emerging Church movement is wildly popular with people who are dissatisfied with orthodox doctrine, dogmatic preaching, and traditional worship. People who are drawn to the Emerging Church generally place high value on ambiguity and mystery. They reject the notion that God's Word is clear, and that anyone can really understand its meaning. That means every doctrine you and I find precious is subject to new interpretation, doubt, and even wholesale rejection. Everything is being questioned and deconstructed. Unlike the noble Bereans who used Scripture to test what they were taught and refine their understanding of the truth, people associated with the Emerging Church regard God's Word as too full of mystery to warrant handling any truth in a definitive way. The result is a movement that thrives on disorganization, lends itself to mysticism, distrusts authority and dislikes preaching, feeds intellectual pride, and recognizes few (if any) doctrinal or moral boundaries."

Don't buy into their nonsense. Run away as fast as you can from their books, churches, and teachings! Stay close to the Word and cling to Jesus. Please! Your spiritual health depends upon it.

In Love,
Pastor Ed


The Truth in Living Color

Pastor Ed,
Good morning, we are hoping that you are okay. We've missed your e-mail messages. We always look forward to read them on Monday and Fridays. Always know that Carmen and I are praying for you, your family and the body of believers that God has given you shepherd for His Glory.

Pray for Your Pastors

2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Here's something to pray for, and into your pastors and teachers, on how they (we) can better handle the word of God and teach it with spiritual authority:

1. Think yourself empty. Survey a passage of Scripture in the proper spirit of unlearnedness. Avoid the proud assumption that you initially know what everything means.


2. Read yourself full. Read widely and regularly.


3. Write yourself clear. Aside from the essential empowering of the Spirit, freedom of delivery in the pulpit depends on careful organization in the study.


4. Pray yourself hot. Without personal prayer and communion with God during the preparation stages, the pulpit will be cold.


5. Be yourself, but don't preach yourself. There is nothing quite so ridiculous as the affected tone and adopted posture of the preacher who wishes he were someone else. Also, a good teacher clears the way, declares the way, and then gets out of the way.

Thank you Alistair Begg for sharing these with us.

Blessings,
Pastor Ed

The Truth in Living Color

Pastor Ed, Wow! This eNote encouraged me and was an answer to a very specific prayer. This morning I was really seeking God about showing me what 'power' really was. Was it something physical, or something like a metaphor? I know it was something I needed to understand, so I prayed with faith, knowing that a prayer like that would be answered. A prayer for wisdom concerning the power of the blood, how to appropriate it, and how to appreciate it. Then God answered my prayer...right to my inbox! Hallelujah! The power in the blood is the power to raise a life from the dead, the power to change a heart, the power to bring a lost person to Jesus! I KNOW that I KNOW, this answer is from God. Thank you for posting.

Something Real

1 Timothy 6:19 (NLT) By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of REAL LIFE.

Are you looking for something powerful, authentic, and real? Yes? So are a lot of people. That's what I was looking for in life before Jesus. I was as lost as lost could be, hopelessly reaching out to anyone and anything to bring me help and hope. I'd buy that book hoping finally that was it. Nope. I'd watch this show. Nope. I'd go with that group. Nope. Eventually, I just settled for being under the influence of some substance, slowing wasting my life one day at a time. The end was always the same. Emptiness and sadness filled my days.

Jesus alone is the answer to an empty life, friends. He is the real deal. There is nothing about Jesus that is fake, phony, or hypocritical. With great emphasis, Jesus declares to be the way, the truth, and the life; the only way to eternal life in the Father.

As you're praying for your friends that don't have a relationship with Jesus in the coming days, remember that only Jesus can solve their life's issues. Only Jesus can save them. He wants to!

In His Grace,
Pastor Ed



The Truth in Living Color
Let me just say ... that given my recent "drastic" life changes, I LOVE THIS ARTICLE! It's true! When God wanted to take me to newer, deeper levels of intimacy with Him, while at the same time, return to my first love ... HE does whatever it takes to get my attention! I am so encouraged by the last line: Don't worry about the fields, God will take care of them ... AMEN!

Lost People Like Being Lost

John 3:19-21 (NKJV) And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

It's a hard truth to swallow. Lost people like to be lost. They know they are lost and don't care. They love their sin. They love their perceived independence. They love their idolatry. They love to persecute and make fun of Christians. The Bible describes them as knowing the truth but willingly suppressing it, 'people who push the truth away from themselves' Romans 1:19b (NLT).

Consider Christopher Hitchens, dying at a rapid pace from stage 4 esophageal cancer. A recent articles describes Hitchens as a proud atheist who doesn't believe in the afterlife; which he says makes the thought of death even more difficult to accept. In the same breath, he strongly concludes that heaven holds no attraction to him in the least. He believes heaven is a much worse choice than his present condition. "You get tapped on the shoulder, but guess what? The party's going on forever; you have to stay. Not only that, but you have to have a good time - the boss says so." He shudders at the thought.

God loves the lost, so much so, that He has sent His Son into their lives, dying for them (which remember -- that used to be us) in our worst condition. Pray for Christopher Hitchens who is as spiritually blind as they come, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness. The good news is God can intervene in a split second. I pray his split second comes soon!

Blessings,
Pastor Ed


The Truth in Living Color
Thank you so much for this, especially the response. I'm going to do the same thing, find a brick, write it down, watch it sink and forget it. God had forgiven me so who is man (including myself) to constantly remind me of past deeds forgiven, then ask me to prove I'm not that person anymore. God's never said prove this or that to me; He just loves me, casts my sins in the sea of forgetfulness and never remembers it.

God's Grace is Amazing

Ephesians 1:2-3 NKJV Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

It's an understatement to say that God's grace is amazing. Our human ability to capture and express that truth seems so limited at times. Whole volumes have been written extolling the grace of God. Songs have been sung, movies made, and sermons preached all conveying the wonderful truth of God's amazing grace.

Yet, even though our human capacities are limited, it's important to be a man or woman extolling and living out the grace of God. Let your life's motto be the grace of God. Let your words be flavored by the grace of God. Let your decisions flow from the grace of God. Jesus has done so much for us. He's given so much. He's loved so much. We don't' deserve it, but we can receive it!

God's Riches At Christ's Expense. It's all Jesus. We are merely responding to His goodness and graciousness.

Steady on in the grace of God, friends. Don't let anyone rip you off from God's grace by trying to minimize it or bring you under some bondage of the Law. No way! (Galatians 1:6)

In His Grace,
Pastor Ed


The Truth in Living Color
I'm also putting into practice the "F's" of dealing with my past...forgetting, forgiving, forsaking. Thank you for those tools. I had one particular event from my past that I had really been dwelling on, and while camping a couple of weeks ago, I took a permanent marker and wrote on a concrete block that I was forgetting, forgiving, and forsaking this event. Then I dropped it to the bottom of the reservoir we were at. When I'm tempted to start to go back to that event and think about it, I remember that concrete block sinking away from me. It is gone! At the bottom of the reservoir of forgetfulness." (No sea was close by.)

Sin Looks Horrible

Psalms 119:32 (NLT) If you will help me, I will run to follow your commands.

Oh boy, another note on sin? Yup.

There is nothing to be afraid of when talking about sin. God so loved this world that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die, and rise again from the dead to forgive us of our sins. God's great deed met man's greatest need: the forgiveness of sins.

Have you ever noticed how horrible our sins look when someone else is committing them? When I'm involved in sin like gossip, or lying, or whatever, I can always find some spiritual reason - some excellent excuse for myself. "Oh, I'm not gossiping, we're just praying with details for the brother." "I'm not lying, I'm just telling you what I think is true." When I'm involved in things, it's okay. But when you're doing it, oh, how ugly it is!

As we see sin in others, it's easy for us to be quick to judge. But if we're the one doing it, it's not really that big of a deal. Grace for me! Yahoo! Judgment for them. Boo! That's just plain wrong and will get you nowhere in the Kingdom of God.

We really need to be careful here friends. Grace is to be extended not only to ourselves, but also to others. Sin is horrible no matter where it is! Let's run away from sin and run toward God in the way of His commandments.

Blessings,
Pastor Ed


Response
This was a powerful testimony, Pastor Ed; thank you so much for forwarding it. I sobbed reading all of this, because I can completely relate and I thank God for opening his eyes to God's truth. Once you see the light, how can one turn back? You are such a bright light there in Colorado. Thank you for all your teachings and honesty and telling it like it is. I still listen to your broadcasts on the web when I can. I know that I was meant to live in CO for the years I did, just so that I would be led to Calvary Chapel Aurora, so that I could be saved. I have taken what I have learned from you and the church there in CO and use them as God leads here on the Central Coast of CA. May others know and discover how truly special that little church is and may they also find Truth within it's walls and beyond.

Fall Back on Him

Psalm 34:8 NKJV Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

There are times in life when we are shaken to the core of who we are, and what we believe. I think of the family who recently received news that cancer had invaded mom's body. I think of the man who watched his wife walk out of his life, with the kids in tow. I think of the man who lost his mom to a ravaging disease, or the folks who were in that tragic car accident, or....

The stories are different, but the results are the same: a shaken and rocked faith! You thought you were so strong. You thought you were doing so well. You saw your relationship with Jesus so solid. Then, it hit you like a ton of bricks.

Please remember this, maybe even jot it down somewhere for when it's necessary: "When confronted with something that we don't understand, always fall back on that which we do understand." Or another way of saying that: "When our world is rocked and crashing down around us, always hold on to the unchanging truths about God."

When we don't fully understand what's going on around us, it's important to maintain a regular steady walk with our Jesus. Even though our hearts are crying out, "Why God?" our hearts are also crying out, "I trust you in this storm God," at the very same time.

We know God is love. That doesn't change. We know God is faithful. That doesn't change. We know God is for us, not against us. That doesn't change. We know that God is good. That doesn't change. God is ever present and will never leave us. That doesn't change.

When you're faced with an earth-shattering, life-altering, future-impacting crisis, fall back on the faithfulness and reliability of your God who loves you!

By Faith,
Pastor Ed


Response
I wanted to give you an update from when I last visited your church. I found a job and am now working for Bank of America! I was extremely specific when I prayed to the Lord for a job, asking for many things to be very clear to me and all were answered and then some! I will pay a visit to you and your church family again this year, and thank you for the prayers.