Francis Chan...

Challenge video that I pray stirs your heart and mind to the point of reflection and change.  God Bless!

One Thing You Still Lack...

While reading from Luke 18 this morning, there were some words of Christ that jumped off the page to at me.  It was kind of scary.  I hope the same thing happens to you.

Christ is having a conversation with "The Rich Ruler."  They are going back and forth about what someone must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus says, "You know the commandments:  do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother."  The rulers response is surprising to me.  He looks at God in the flesh and says, "All these I have kept from my youth."  Wow!!!  This is a pretty bold statement.  It must have been true because Jesus doesn't challenge his statement.  However, the way that Jesus did response impacted this man (and Derek) to the core of who he was.

One Thing You Still Lack...
Even though he may have kept all the things that Jesus listed there was still one thing that was missing in this man's life and I will go out on a limb and say that it is missing from must of our lives as well.

1. "Sell all that you have."
2. "Distribute to the poor."
3. "Have treasure in heaven."
4. "Come, follow me."

I love, yet hate this response by Christ.  I love it from the perspective that it is the word of God and that it gives us a step by step process of improving our journey with Christ.  I hate it from the perspective that its challenging.  Its hard.  It require a total abandonment of Derek.  Maybe it is just me, but I think there are several people in the American Church who need to take heed to this message by our Lord.

How is this possible?  Great question.  This is the same question that those who heard Christ say it had and the response of Jesus gives us the secret.  Jesus said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."  I hope you will claim this verse as your own today.  I hope you understand what this means.  If we will give it all to God, its possible. 

God Bless!!!

May the Lord...

May the Lord...
-answer you in the day of trouble
-of Jacob protect you
-send you help from the sanctuary
-give you support from Zion
-remember all our offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices
-grant you your heart's desire
-fulfill all your plans

Taken from Psalm 20:1-4 (ESV)

Psalm 11

Lord, I pray that you would allow the words of this psalm to speak to hearts today. 

"I trust in the LORD for protection.  So why do you say to me, "Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!  The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.  They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.  The foundations of law and order have collapsed.  What can the righteous do?"  But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven.  He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.  The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked.  He hates those who love violence.  He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds.  For the righteous LORD love justice.  The virtuous will see his face."

God bless!!!