Category: Bible study

God is Moving

Posted by Shawn on November 8, 2010

God is moving and we are trying to keep up! When God moves in an area and you are one of His servants, be ready. Be ready to run and see all He does.

I believe God has put me into similar shoes as those of Gideon. Everything that I am involved with is greater than I am yet God has called me to do these things. The awesome part is, like Gideon, I really don’t do anything substantial I just have to obey Him and follow His lead. God goes before and conquers the enemies. We go not as a huge army, but small, not just with swords, but with the unconventional weapon of love, not with fear, but with His word and knowing God has a plan and the ability to make His plan happen. We get to see the impossible, the unbelievable and we, as His children get to have the benefits of living in His family. I love serving a living God!

As Jesus says in John 4:37-38

³⁷For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ ³⁸I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

You see, we don’t have to be the ones sowing to be part of the reaping and sometimes when we sow, we do not always see the harvest. We get to play a part of God’s plan of salvation in lives either way.

All of this to bring up a recent celebration in heaven. A man named Jeremiah and his wife came to church last Wednesday. Jeremiah was sick and towards the end of service Lewis asked him and his wife to come up and we prayed for him. He was healed physically and then both him and his wife gave their lives to the Lord. I am not even sure what I did exactly. All I know is when Lewis explained the news to another he mentioned something I did, however, since it was in Spanish I don’t know what it was that I did.

Like Gideon, if I just keep obeying God it will be obvious who is doing the work. God doesn’t stay still, He keeps on moving.

Keep praying for your brothers and sisters here in Villa Paraiso in the Dominican Republic.

What is Normal?

Posted by Shawn on October 22, 2010

It is funny how we can grow up in a culture and not realize that there are other ways of doing things. We don’t think twice when we get in a car and only get in if there are enough seats to sit in. We expect and even demand personal space especially when traveling. We do things the way we were taught by our parents or schools. Sometimes we don’t even know why we do things the way we do.

For an example, here in the Dominican Republic there seems to always be room for one more.

17 in a 9 passenger van

We have been transporting a family and some of their neighbors from another village to our church in Villa Paraiso. They will pile in and if I think I am picking up a family of 5 I always end up with a full load. In the picture above you can’t even see the 2 kids behind the back seat or one (or 2) hiding behind me and the 2 in the front passenger seat.

All this to say – Why are we doing what we do in our Spiritual walk?

I have found myself over the last few years questioning everything we do. Why do you pray with your eyes closed? Why do we go to church? Why do we say what we say (as in our christian vocabulary)? AND Does it really say that in the Bible?

I believe we should question. Not question God, but question our beliefs. Question what man has taught you! Why do we do what we do? Is it because of tradition? And if so, is that tradition harmful to your walk? Does your beliefs keep you from fully trusting God?

So driving in the USA and having laws saying to have a seat belt on every person is not bad, it does not bring harm, in fact it may save your life. But believing God is always waiting for you to fail and thus you cannot enter heaven, like many of the religions seem to teach in between the lines, that can keep you from really trusting Him. God, our loving father who sent His own son Jesus to die on the cross for your sins, and that was while you were still a sinner deserving death, is not waiting for you to fail, but is waiting for YOU to come to Him.

So next time you see something done differently and are thinking it is wrong, try questioning why you do it the way you do.

Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.”

Comforts of the Cross

Posted by Shawn on October 11, 2010

Being uncomfortable or the lack of all the comforts you take for granted on a daily basis is the starting point of what I am about to write. The comforts we have all grown accustomed to and we expect without even thinking about it. The same comforts that if one is lacking we are in shock and can’t believe someone hasn’t fixed or replaced that comfort. As an American I know many of our comforts that we expect, those cushions that are soft, the toilets that are clean, the car that starts and stops, the faucet that runs water hot or cold on our command. These are the things that we have grown to expect even to the point of demanding, yet so many in this world have not even experienced many of our standard comforts.

Now look at the cross. Jesus said to: “take up his cross and follow me” *(Matt 16:24) What did He mean?

When I think of the cross, I think of the complete opposite of comforts. There is no comfort with the whippings Jesus received before, the mental anguish of how he was treated, disdained and mocked. The thorns pushed into His head, the pushing, the prodding, the lack of energy and strength as blood already was being lost. Then the cross, the hard wood pushed into His already torn flesh, the nails piercing, the pain of holding Himself up with a nail through His feet and His hands as He was probably alternating His weight from one to the other. Christ had no comfort on the cross, no air conditioning, no pampering, no rest, nothing. He gave up all His comfort for us!

I am realizing how little I understood the notion of Christ’s suffering, how much He gave up for us. Could you imagine the comfort Our Lord has in heaven? His comfort is so much more than ours and He gave that up. He lived as a human with all the human frailty we all have, yet was God, creator, perfect and Holy. His humanly body was able to be beaten, feel pain and bleed to death. He left all His comfort. Who am I to say I cannot do something for Him because of how uncomfortable I might be. How thankful I am for every little comfort I enjoy each day.

So next time you feel uncomfortable and are thinking that this can’t be God’s will, remember what comforts He gave up for you and praise Him.

Where is my faith

Posted by Shawn on October 7, 2010

I was doing a little pondering today while driving back from Puerto Plata to Sosua. It was about 3 years ago that Jessica and I first met up with Jim and Debra here in the Dominican Republic and they took us to a few places to show us around the area, not knowing then some of the things God had planned for us. It was during that visit that God was putting in me the vision of working with Jim and Debra in the Sosua area, yet before that trip we did not know anyone in this part of the country, however, we did know a few in Jarabacoa and in Santo Domingo.

What struck me today was my lack of faith. I keep finding myself questioning what I am doing here. We are spending time looking for the house to live in as we try to get started working in Villa Paraiso (Paradise Village.) God was showing me and reminding me of all the things He has done already – from putting it on my heart to move here in 2003, meeting the Tunnicliffes, seeing God take us across the country and to fly here with a number of things timed that we could never have seen beforehand. God was reminding me that trusting in Him has always come to the result of what only faith could see. The visions He gives to us sometimes seem impossible and that is why I believe He does just that. How does our faith grow without the impossibilities to get beyond? If we could see how it would work out it would not take faith.

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. God puts in us the vision and the faith of that vision. I know that over the last few years it has been challenging to even explain to other believers what God has called us to. And it took even more faith when it did not happen in our timing to continue to tell people what we were going to do. I can’t imagine what Abraham went through when he kept on getting older and not yet seeing the fulfillment of the promise of a son. To believe and hope for something he knew was improbable and was only becoming impossible. God uses the impossible to show us who He is. Thank goodness we have no say in who God is!

Be encouraged my brothers and sisters, God is not finished with us. He will continue to work out miracles as we look to Him. His ways are not our ways (thank goodness) and He has a plan with all the details already perfectly worked out. I challenge you to be stretched and that thing He has been prompting you with, trust Him. Accept that it is impossible for you and not for God. Let God grow your faith and take the first step in what He is asking you to do. Be blessed by allowing Him to take reign in your life and know that a perfect Father in heaven loves you and wants you as His devoted child.

Living in Paradise

Posted by Shawn on September 8, 2010

We have been in the Dominican Republic for a whole 3 days now and are experiencing all that paradise has to offer! This morning’s power outage and water outage topped off the night of thunder and lightning and heavy rain. Since we have been here I have joked about being in paradise. The warm weather is great and the green is beautiful, but compared to what God has in an unfallen world, there isn’t anything here to call paradise.

If we are hung up in this world searching for the place of peace, retirement, relaxation in the tropics with no cares, we are only fooling ourselves. This world is in a fallen state. It is deteriorating and corroding (come here if you want to see corrosion.) If you are a child of God, I don’t believe you will ever find peace in this world. You will never find a place you can fully relax and enjoy. I believe God will have you stirred to do. To do things He planned for you long before you were born. Things that bring Him glory and you the fulfillment of following your King and Saviour. The rest we as Christians will experience is a rest in Him no matter what we are physically being challenged with. Our peace is from Him through events that no earthly peace can exist. Our paradise is not found here on the earth, but with Him!

Take courage my brothers and sisters, God does not overburden us. He allows us to find rest, strength, energy and peace while serving Him. Take your burdens to the cross and carry His burdens because they are light.

May our Lord and Savior grant you His peace today.

Jesus washes my feet

Posted by Shawn on March 30, 2010

Being clean and pure as a Christian is a daily challenge. I know that each day I fail somewhere in my walk, my actions, my thoughts… something is imperfect. I will feel unworthy or unclean especially knowing that I know that Jesus died on a cross for my sins. I feel I am hanging him up there personally each day. I use to wonder how I will make it to the end this way and not be blotted out.

The Lord revealed something to me by bringing up this verse in my memory and what it means for us who believe and follow him.

John 13 ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

⁸“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

⁹“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

¹⁰Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean,

Now go back and read that part of verse 10 again.

Peter wanting to be a part with Jesus did not refuse, but didn’t understand what Jesus was doing. I know the main part of the message we are taught about is His service, He served and we should serve each other as He gave an example of, but that isn’t the point I am getting to. Daily washing or forgiveness! How blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven!

If you believe in Him and have received his forgiveness you are clean, BUT we will need our feet cleaned because we are still walking in this world were we get our feet dirty. Each day we get in contact with the world and sin, and each day we need to be cleaned of that. Come to Jesus who will wash your feet because you are already clean!

What a wonderful Lord we serve!

Find me in His blessings

Posted by Shawn on February 12, 2010

Sometimes people have deep theological discussions about God’s blessings, can we earn them, can we get them, do we miss them, etc…

To me many of God’s blessings are like a welcome rain in the barren desert, if you stay in a shelter you will miss out on the life giving waters poured out so freely. If you were in need of the life giving water would you not run out and abandon all else to quench the thirst?

I don’t limit God’s ways of blessing us, but sometimes I think we can miss out on the obvious. First off we are blessed solely by the salvation that Jesus paid for by His blood, this blessing alone is enough, but why limit God in our lives? So get out of the sin that keeps you from the blessing, so often we miss out when we are unwilling to walk away from something that does not bless but only keeps us from communing with our Heavenly Father who loves us.

Quite often those who are suffering from depression, can find relief by letting go of the chains of sin that bind. I think most Christians who have walked with the Lord for some time could attest to this in their own lives. Something had kept them down and was held onto at the cost of peace and joy. Repent and enjoy your merciful Father, bask in the rays of His glory! Find yourself running out into the rains of His blessings and thirst no more! Read Psalms and see how David dealt with the turmoil of sin and the joy of repentance. See the walk of the apostles as they walked in the spirit and enjoyed the power of God being shown through their lives.

False Gospel and Itching Ears

Posted by Shawn on September 1, 2009

In America today, we have lost sight of the true Gospel of Christ. We as a nation have either left God out of our lives or try to make God into our image. Paul wrote to Timothy about this in 2 Timothy 4:

¹ I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ 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; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (These verses from Biblegateway.com)

Paul warns Timothy about what will be coming in verse 3. People will not endure sound doctrine. Why? Because it will be hard to accept, we don’t like feeling pain or guilt or displeasure, we want to feel good and not have to admit we are wrong. We want to hear things that make us feel good about ourselves.

I try not to judge even the pastors on TV, but as a follower of Christ we do have to call out those who are wrong – especially if they are doing it in Christ’s name or representing Christ. First if they are also a follower of Christ they should be corrected and set back on the right path, you will find Paul does this on a few occasions once even with Peter who walked with Jesus before Paul ever knew the truth. Secondly, if they are not of Christ we need to proclaim that they are not teaching the true gospel.

One example I have recently ran into was with seeing some of Joel Olsteens show. Not much, but what I did hear him say was true, but I never watched a whole program or sermon. One day I came across a video of him where he had a verse referenced on the screens for his church to read along with and the video was stating it wasn’t even correctly shown, so I even looked up the verse and found that it was re-written to support his sermon that “God helps those who help themselves.” My first thought was “did anyone there even notice or do they not open up a Bible???!!!”

Many mega-churches with TV broadcasting seem to have very similar teachings. They teach about wealth building, self-promotion, and a God who does not judge. How many people are going to church because it makes them feel good? Why do people even bother going if they don’t want to hear the truth? Those who can stand before thousands and proclaim their fables as God’s truth obviously do not believe in God. How could you believe in God who judges and purposely mis-quote His book? I challenge Joel to read the Bible and teach the truth.

Their Glory is in their shame

Posted by Shawn on August 5, 2009

What? Shame and glory in the same sentence? Yes and this is from God’s word.

What does this mean? Let’s read a couple of verses from Philippians 3:

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

If you have been seeing the news, watching rock stars, movie stars, politicians and the general population to some degree you will see that people are proud of their sins. The sin is what their whole life is about. They march for their sin, try to pass laws to benefit their sin, complain about the medical issues caused by the sin, and basically glory in their sin.

The sin in our lives should be the shame, not the glory!

It is so sad to me to see those who live for a sin. What will the end be? Their sin will be all they had in life and when they meet the Lord that sin will be the ultimate shame for them. No longer will they glory in that sin. Our God has so much more for us even while we are living here on earth. We can experience joy, peace, love, hope and more while living for Him.

What should we do then? Not too much further in the next passage of scripture we read this:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

We should focus on the Lord and all that He has. Basically I read those verses as a description of God through Christ Jesus.

Be blessed.