Fellowship

Written By: Kirk Peterson

Lately God has really put on my heart about fellowship.  How can we live in fellowship with God in this earthly body?

God has showed me that everything He has revealed to us and taught us all comes down to this: God wants to live with His people.  Since the beginning of creation until the end of time, that is what it is all about. 

We all have this sense of belonging that is rooted inside of us.  We all want to have friends.  We all want to have family.  I believe that sense of belonging points us all to the eternal truth that our creator, God Almighty, wants nothing more than to live in fellowship with each and every one of us. 

I was speaking with a friend recently about when I have great fellowship in my life.  I described to him what fellowship looks like for me.  A group of my friends or family, laughing and sharing life together--and there is food, somehow there is always food around during great fellowship.

9Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. 10There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. 11And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence! (Exodus 24:9-11 NLT)

So I have begun to seek how I can live in fellowship with God.  In this earthly body how can I have fellowship with the One who dwells inside, who has come and made His home in me.

Getting your heart right

The original sin that caused the fall of man was all about pride.  The desire of self.  God has showed me His heart is one of humility.  When you study and hear about the life of Jesus, one of the greatest things I see in the way He lived is His humble heart. 

When I look back to the moment I was saved, I remember how I kept pushing and pushing against believing in Jesus.  I was rebelling against the word of God.  I knew that I had it all figured out.  I knew how the world worked and I didn’t need God.  Then, all at once I was convicted of my sin.  My pride was broken.  Shattered by the truth, the word of God.  In that moment of weakness, the mighty savior of the world came and knocked at my door.  Like the sun breaking free of the clouds, His promise of salvation came washing over me and filled me with hope.  And finally in that moment I let go…I closed my eyes, bowed down my head and surrendered to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Recently a friend and brother in Christ wrote this prayer.  I think that the words are not only beautiful but speak to the point that I’m trying to make about getting our heart right to fellowship with God:

“I pray that God will work in your heart and your eyes will be opened to the truth of God.

You matter so much to God.  The one who spoke the sun ablaze and walked the waves and conquered the grave came just to save you.

May the deep love of Christ reach your heart and draw you into His Kingdom.”

Genuine prayer

There is something special about one-on-one time. 

I’m reminded of this great “date night” I had with my wife.  We went out to a nice restaurant and ate a good meal together.  Just me and her.  After dinner, we went outside and tried to figure out what to do.  Heidi suggested we take a walkabout.  First, we came to a neighborhood park and started climbing and jumping all around--being kids again together. I had my cell phone with me and started taking slow motion video of our antics…it was hilarious!  We laughed together and had fun.  Then we continued on our journey and came to a church.  The architecture was reminiscent to the great cathedrals of the middle ages.  It had these two giant lanterns in front that we took pictures in front of.  Our conversation hovered around God and spiritual things.  Finally we came to a park, out in the middle of nowhere was this beautiful place.  Swans and ducks were swimming in the pond and we got to see some of God’s beauty.

All throughout God’s word He teaches us about prayer.  Jesus spoke of what genuine prayer looks like:

5“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

7“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (Matthew 6:5-7 NLT)

So when we pray, may we all pray with authenticity.  Share your heart with God and see how your relationship grows with the Lord of Life.

Bible

Another great way God has showed me how to fellowship with Him is reading His Bible.  When you think about when you read and study the Bible, what is going on?  It is you and God. God’s truth that lives inside the Bible cuts through joint and morrow exposing us before God.  The Bible transforms the way we think, renewing our mind and our soul.  It brings your mind, your body and your soul to the right place before Almighty God. 

2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT)

12For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)

So when we read His Bible, may his Holy Spirit speak truth to us.  May we fellowship with God in spirit and truth.  May we laugh together, may we cry together, may we grow and learn from Him, and may we live life together as we read His holy Bible.

Fellowship with other believers

I was speaking with one of my friends about how we can fellowship with God.  We had been talking about what God has shown us recently. We shared about our struggles and our victories with Christ.  Then, God’s Holy Spirit convicted me of this truth…when two of God’s family come together and share about God, we are not only in fellowship with each other but God is there with us.  God says that as followers of Jesus we all are part of One Church.  One great fellowship of God’s people that will not only come together in this life, but will be together in the next life--forever!

The Believers Form a Community

42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. (Acts 2:42 NLT)

So may we come together in peace as one people.  May we come together and speak of the things of God and find unity and brotherly affection for each other.

Family

If you know me then you probably know how important family is to me.  It is a value that my Dad instilled in me growing up and one I carry with me now.  After God, my family is the most important thing to me.  The awesome truth of God is this: as believers in Jesus, we all are part of God’s family.  No family is perfect in this life, but as believers we all have a perfect family of God in the next life to come.  No matter your story of family, God promises us a family to call our own in this life with all believers and a great family in the life to come...

17He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

19So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:17-22 NLT)

So let us walk with confidence in this life with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  As part of God’s great family! 

May the deep love of Christ reach your heart and draw you into His Kingdom.

See “No Man is an Island” by Tenth Avenue North here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlw3jG2pE8w

In Christ & Christ In Us

Written By: Kirk Peterson

AWAKENING

I have been telling a lot of people lately about how God is moving throughout His Kingdom.  I picture His Spirit hovering over the waters like in the beginning, weaving throughout the world touching the hearts of all of his people--telling them to LISTEN! 

I believe an awakening is happening in the Church right now, and this is what I believe God is telling His people--being saved is only the first part of the story of what it means to follow Christ.  The celebration of being saved is one of the greatest miracles I’ve seen in this world and what a joy it is to see people come back to God!  But I believe God has more for his children in the life we live here on earth…

The question that God has laid on my heart is this: “Why is it so hard for Christians to live the life God wants for us?” 

KEY TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

I prayed to God and asked Him to show me the answer.  He led me to study the book of Romans and I wrote about it in my last blog “Fight to Follow.”  But it wasn’t until I heard the sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley “The Key to the Christian Life” that God showed me the answer to my question.  I really can’t say it any better than Dr. Stanley, so I strongly encourage each of you reading this to watch his sermon and not only read his sermon notes--but study it like I did!  For I believe this truth is imperative for all Christians.

Sermon Notes: http://www.intouch.org/Content/50431/SN100822.pdf

Sermon: http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/this-week-on-tv

(I don’t know how long the sermon will be up, so take the opportunity my friends!)

20My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NLT)

OPEN YOUR EYES

"I'm a good person, for the most part I do the right thing, and if there is a heaven I'm sure I will get in?"

The world tells us that we all are good people, and that is true. But here is where the truth of what the world tells you stops short! Each and every one of us has evil inside as well. So, why is what the world telling you so dangerous?

It doesn't take very long when you study human history to see what kind of evil lies in the hearts of man.

When you only focus on the good, not accepting the bad, this way of thinking gives power to the enemy of your soul. The worlds way of thinking teaches us that we don't need anyone else, for if we all are good, then there is nothing to be saved from.

But the reality of the human condition is such that when you are truthful about yourself, and reflect on what is really on the inside, your eyes will begin to see and your mind will begin to understand that we ALL NEED TO BE RESCUED!  Jesus saves.

FAITH IS TRUST

5For we live by believing and not by seeing. (2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT)

Do you remember that trust game we all played as a kid? Where one person would close their eyes, give themselves a hug, and trust that the other people behind them would catch them when they fall.

In the same way, Faith in God is trust. The simple truth is God wants a relationship with us. Just like any other relationship in life, the one with God Almighty takes time to develop as we learn to trust Him.

All the great relationships in life have to have trust and I am confident, though we cannot see God, that if you trust Him--it can be the greatest relationship you will ever have!

LIVING BY THE SPIRIT

So how do we live more like Christ?

LIVING THE “NEW LIFE” IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN DO ON OUR OWN STRENGTH, POWER & KNOWLEDGE.  ONLY BY SURRENDERING YOUR LIFE TO JESUS, LETTING HIM LEAD YOUR LIFE, TOGETHER CAN YOU LIVE THE LIFE GOD WANTS FOR YOU.

That is what living by the Spirit means to me. Not that we will not have struggles, heartache, or make mistakes but rather living life in fellowship with our God living inside of us, that is life at its very best! For living In Christ and Christ in us--WE ARE NEVER ALONE!

(Paraphrased from Dr. Stanley’s sermon, “The Key to the Christian Life”)

PARALLELS FROM CHILDHOOD TO OUR CHRISTIAN WALK

My 5 year old son Brody just started kindergarten this week.  It is a very interesting time for a parent.  You have poured out so much to help them grow and now you are sending them out into the world.  You are trusting that they will find their way on the bus, that their teacher and faculty will take good care of them at school, and you are hoping that they will thrive in their new environment.  It is bittersweet, because you are sad at losing the time that you have together, yet at the same time you are excited for them to grow and learn about life.

I looked over to my boy and said, “Brody, I’m so excited for you to start kindergarten son!  You get to have all new experiences with school, you can learn & meet some new friends.  You love to learn and you did so well with preschool, I think you going to thrive in school and I’m very happy for you.”

Brody was excited, smiling and jumping about.  “What does thrive mean daddy?”

I replied, “Thrive means that you are going to live life well.  You are going to grow up and learn some new things.  Dad is sad that I won’t get to spend as much time with you, but I’m happier for you because I think it is going to be a great experience for you.”

Flash forward to our car ride home from his first kindergarten orientation night.

“You got to get a little taste of what kindergarten is going to be like Brody.  It is not all going to be fun and adventure.  Sometimes you will get bored, but school is a great place where you can learn something. So, since you are already going to be there you might as well try to learn something...right?”

CLOSING

I pray that you can take to heart the words written here.  To me, taking something to heart means you pick it up and take it with you in your life--you live it out.  Think on what it means to have fellowship with our God who lives inside & through all of those who are saved. Give up living your life for yourself and start letting Jesus Christ lead your life. 

God tells us in his word that He will never leave us or abandon us.  Jesus said that those who are His can never loose salvation.  Be encouraged my friends, for now is a great time for all of Gods kingdom. God is good! 

[Jesus praying to God the Father] 13“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

20“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. (John 17:13-21 NLT)

See Mercy Me’s “Greater” video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXI0B4iMLuU

Fight to Follow

Written By: Kirk Peterson

Have you ever sat in the security of your home as you heard a thunderstorm outside?  Some storms are close to your shelter, and some storms are so severe that you can’t help but be anxious by its force and power.  My mind always journeys to thinking about the power of God in those times.  Last night during one of those storms, I pulled up the weather app and watched the storm in radar loop for a while.  Being able to zoom in and out of the world, seeing the weather change and shape in random patterns, made me realize that the weather--indeed the entire earth is alive!  God’s creation is truly something marvelous to behold.

God is Alive

Have you noticed how God is moving throughout His kingdom with the idea of all of us listening to His teachings more and really putting our faith into action in our lives?

Let us as Christians start to walk the walk of what it means to try our best to live like Christ!

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30 NLT)

I believe God is calling His people RIGHT NOW to take His teachings to heart. Every one of us has evil desires when viewed by the standards of God, being saved does not change that! 

But, our God has shown me that when I am willing to sacrifice and choose not to sin, that the life on the other side is something worth fighting for.

The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. (Romans 13:12-13 NLT)

Hope

I define hope as not losing out to despair, but instead being inspired in your very spirit at the promise of a greater tomorrow. 

My great hope is in the thought of Heaven.  Living a life without sorrow, or pain, or sin.  God’s glory is something I can’t even comprehend, but the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit gives us a taste of things to come.  What great hope there is my friends in Christ Jesus and God’s eternal Kingdom of Heaven!

Choice

If you imagine putting both your palms out in front of you, on the left and on the right you have a choice. The life on the left secures your identity and self-worth in performance, status & accomplishments. The life on the right secures your identity and self-worth in God the Father, Son & Spirit.

One life tends to produce fruit that is focused on self, drowning in the storms of life, and hardship. While the other life tends to produce fruit of selflessness, weathering the storms of life, and a life of easy burdens.

You have a choice on the kind of life you can have for yourself...so choose wisely my friends!

Sin is a Weed

Have you ever pulled weeds?

Sin is the weed of your heart. Choking out the good growth, always deceiving those that the plant is good.

Go to God and pray for forgiveness. Call on His great hand to triumphantly pull the sin from the soil of your spirit and cultivate a new heart to produce in you a blessed harvest of right living!

Saved by Grace through Faith not Deeds

God has challenged me to put on the new life His Spirit breathed into me when I was saved.  He convicted me to give my best effort at living the way His Son Jesus taught and demonstrated in how to live. 

The only person who can live the perfect life is Christ Jesus.  Though I will fail each and every day, the Holy Spirit inside moves me to try again each and every day to live out my faith with actions, deeds, thoughts, with my body and enduring the temptations of my evil desires—to live in such a way that when I look to heaven above, my eternal Father might be happy with me.  I pray for God to keep my spirit strong and to not lose out to despair, for Christ has already bought my way into heaven with His sacrifice at the cross.  I am secure in Christ! 

Though the way of Christian life can be hard and challenging, the life God has for us in His Bible is the greatest way we can live until the glory of the Day of Salvation comes.  That great day when the redeemed will live in eternal glory with God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit!

21So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sin’s Power Is Broken

1Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? (Romans 5:21-6:1 NLT)

Simple Instructions

Paul gives us simple instructions on how to live a life like Christ.  I pray that God will help me take it to heart. Love.

8Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. (Romans 13:8-10 NLT)

May the peace of Christ guide us all into a brighter tomorrow!  Thank God that He is greater, may He be a shield and a fortress to our beloved land and a bright light to shine in the hearts of all His people.  Amen!

See Hillsong United’s song “Love is War” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1HODe7lqY

Rescue

Written By: Kirk Peterson

Shaper of Reality

When God touches your life, it is truly something to take notice of!  God’s hand has shaped my reality, not in vision or dreams, but in the physical world three times in my life.  Each time has come after I humbled myself before Him in prayer and cried out to my Lord in Heaven. 

Though God is invisible--God has sent His angels into the world, God’s Spirit has come upon prophets to fulfill His purpose, God Himself has become flesh as His son Jesus and since the Pentecost the Holy Spirit has created a home in believers of Jesus in the world of man--God is everywhere…but, the LORD chooses to remain invisible most of the time.  I believe this is to strengthen the faith of those who choose to believe, for how much greater is the faith of those who believe yet do not see?

Temptation

15Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (Psalm 50:15, NLT)

Video games has been one my greatest temptations—a trap the enemy of my soul chooses to use against me over and over again throughout my life.  God in His great wisdom has already showed me that I need to give them up forever!  He has given me sign after sign that I need to trust Him and let them go…My life is so much more rich spending quality time with those closest to me, living life with people instead of by myself in some digital video game creation.

Here is my first real story of how God shaped my reality after I humbled myself to Him in prayer:

Recently I had started back dabbling with video games.  I knew from the first time I did it, that I was doing something wrong.  I literally was hiding in the dark downstairs in my home as I played.  The Spirit convicted me that I was doing something wrong, but I went my own way anyway disobeying what God was telling me.

The first night I played for like four hours, then the second night I played for about six hours—falling further and further back into my addiction.  Finally after the second night of playing, knowing that I was going to be exhausted the next morning, realizing the time and energy that video games was stealing from my wife and 2 small children, and for the fact that the Spirt wouldn’t let go…I prayed.  I prayed to God for strength with my addiction and for help because I couldn’t do this alone. 

I looked in the mirror and stared at myself.  My gaze started to fall as I told myself that I just needed to trust God on this one and as I looked back into the mirror, staring at my face, my only thought was “Trust Me, Just Trust Me.”  I don’t know if I have ever had God actually talk to me, but speaking with others about when they feel the LORD speak, it sounds and feels a lot like this.  In fact, my mother in law says when the LORD speaks to you, she has found it tends to be very short and to the point.  Which is consistent with what the Bible teaches us in the holy word of God.

I went over to the iPad, found the video game app and held down the button to delete the game.  The software asked me, “Are you sure you want to delete this item?” and I hesitated, just for a second and then I let go and pressed the delete button.

LISTEN UP MY FRIENDS--Here is the “WOW” moment folks!  This is when the invisible God of my faith came into the world of His creation and shaped my life before me. 

At the exact moment I deleted the game and surrendered, the notification tone I had set for my cell phone went off in the distance.  My brother in law had a new song he was going to be releasing, “Heaven Help Me Now” and I had set those exact lyrics as the notification sound.

So as the sound found its way to me, coming from off in the distance “Heaven Help Me Now”--the moment shot straight through me and into my heart.  The fear of God was present as I was processing what happened.  After the shock had time to settle, a smile came over my face for it is not every day that the LORD of heaven’s armies touches you in your life in the real world!

Loosing & Binding

"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18, NIV)

The closest man I have ever meet to God was getting ready to tell me something.  As he was sharing with me, the hairs on my arms started rising and the Holy Spirit inside was pulling at me.  Almost like my heartbeat, the Spirit was beating in my chest “truth, truth, truth.”  This is what he told me…

“There are dark spirits from the enemy in the world that can attach themselves to people.  As a child of God, by His power not our own, we can bind the enemy!  God is greater and they have to submit to their LORD.  By the power of God you can pray that in the great name of Jesus Christ that the enemy is bound and cast out!  As he was sharing, he acted like one of those spirits, bringing his hands together, bound by some force, lowering his head and kneeling down to the ground before the One who is greater Jesus Christ.”

I had never heard something like that before?  The Spirit was telling me what he said was truth, and my knowledge of the Bible told me that what he said was consistent with what God has told His people.  All throughout the Bible, dark spirits had come upon people and needed to be cast out.  Jesus and his disciples cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

So here is my last story of God showing me a miracle in the real world:

Every one of us sin and fall short of God’s glorious standard. 

I believe someone close to me has had a spirit of anger on them most of their life.  My wife and I were praying together for people in our life who do not know God and for their salvation.  She was there with me and can testify to the truth of what God did. 

As my prayer came to this person who is very close to me, the Spirit filled my words and lifted up my prayer.  I prayed with strong conviction, “Father God I know that there is a spirit of anger on this person.  You tell us in your word that who can enter the house of a strong man like satan and tie him up, but someone who is even greater.  I pray now God, in the great name of Jesus Christ to bind the enemy!  Jesus, I know that you are greater and as a child of God I cry out to you now to destroy this darkness.  May your glorious light shine so brightly that the enemy’s darkness is cast out!”

LISTEN NOW: here is one of the greatest God moments in my life folks, where my LORD showed Himself to be real and true, shaping my reality in the REAL WORLD!

At the EXACT moment I ended my prayer (this is not something I’m just adding to the story to make it better) but the exact moment I ended my prayer, “Ring, Ring” the phone rang.  It was the land line to the house of the person I was staying in.  I opened my eyes from praying and thought, “That is the land line, who would be calling at this hour (it was 11:09pm)? It has to be some telemarketer calling on that phone line…”  So the phone continued to ring, two-three-four times then my wife said, “I wonder what that means?” The moment she said that, the Spirit quickened my heart and I knew it was God.  My friend told me to always listen to the Spirit when He tells you something so, I immediately got up and went over to pick up the telephone.  Guess who it was on the other line?

The person I was praying about to bind the spirit was on the other line!  They said that the garage door was open to the other person’s house we were staying at.  We were spending the night at a house that was literally the next house over and the 2 houses were not more than 10 feet apart.  Adrenaline was pumping throughout my entire body, I was shaking and the fear of God was present!  My mouth was agape as I looked over to my wife in awe with the phone to my ear.  I could barely function for a second as I was taking in the moment.  

This person was an atheist.  I had promised to not share my faith with them as they told me it was offensive to them.  I had done the very best that I could in not sharing this part of myself with them and would have never shared my faith, but when God touches your life like this…who could not talk about it?

So, being convicted by the Spirit and the miracle that God revealed to me, I began to tell the other person on the phone what just happened.  I made sure to allow plenty of space in the conversation to make sure that they were willing to let me proceed and they did.

I told them the entire story.  They said that a neighbor had texted them that the garage door was open and that is why they called. 

“You have a mind of logic.  I have a mind of faith.  Forget about my faith for a moment, how does your logical mind explain what just happened”, I asked?

“It was just a coincidence. A set of random events that coincided”, this person said.

“Even if it was a coincidence, can you imagine the incredible probability of all of these events coinciding exactly?  You would have better odds winning the lottery twice”, I said back.

“If you are asking me to believe in fairy tales, well I’m not”, they replied.

Epilogue:

The next day we had a heated conversation.  This persons words were strong and there was anger present, but not quite like it was…The words they were saying were so dark and filthy, that only the enemy could have been a part of them.  This person went as far as blaspheming God and said things I do not wish to repeat.

I am at peace.  God allowed this miracle in this person’s life for a reason.  I left them with this thought, “Last night a miracle happened.  God answered my prayer and cast out that spirit.  My faith in this is absolute.  I believe the garage door symbolized the door being open in you for the spirit and now the door was closed (my wife had brought that one up after the fact). From now on, there will be something different about your anger, and I believe that is what your faith will grow from.”

The final part of the story was back when the phone was ringing, the person’s house we were spending the night at actually went to pick up the phone after the first ring.  They fumbled with the phone out of a deep sleep and lost it behind their bed.  For you see, the phone call was not meant for them, but was meant for me to pick up!

God the Holy Spirit breathes new life into those that surrender their life to God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ.  This new life not only becomes a wellspring of hope for those who believe here on earth, blessing us with a rich and satisfying life--the living water of God's spirit also breaths new eternal life into our body, sealing in believers God's promise of heaven.

See Danny Gokey’s “Hope In Front of Me” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KIhYZQ_ovw

Challenged

Written By: Kirk Peterson

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17-18 NLT)

As I was reading the book of James, and what a great book it is, when I came upon this passage the Holy Spirit convicted me strongly.  As I read these words, it was like my body was getting fed and I pulled more and more of God’s word into my mouth.  The truth of God’s word shot straight through my heart and as I looked up, my thoughts from the Spirit told me that God wanted to challenge me to live my life this way. 

If you broke down the Christian life, most of what the Bible teaches can be found in these verses.  Though I am broken and would fail at living life like this, we all are called as Christians to try to live a righteous life!

Peace Loving:  What does it mean to be “PEACE LOVING?”  

In the midst of storms or conflict, sometimes the most difficult thing to find is peace.  The peace that God brings, is a peace beyond human understanding.  God’s word in Philippians 4:6-7 says to not worry, but PRAY instead.  I encourage you to go to God the Father and God the Son now, and pray for His peace…Ask what you need and thank Him for all that He has given.  The peace of Jesus Christ will be a guardian to your heart (emotions) and your mind (consciousness).

Gentle: One of the greatest things I’m drawn to in my wife Heidi is her gentleness. The love she shows for others feels like the softest silk linens on a big comfy bed after a hard day of work. 

Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:11-12 if we are children of God, to run from all evil. We are to fight the good fight for TRUE FAITH. Paul calls us to PURSUE faith, love, perseverance and gentleness; holding tightly to the eternal life God has called us to.

How can you be gentle with those in your life today?

Yielding to Others:  Life is not about you, life is about God & others.

I have never seen God grow my character more than when I’m humbled.  The two greatest REVELATIONS God has ever shown came when I was at my weakest.  Paul tells us in Philippians 2 that we are to have the attitude of Christ.  So what does the attitude of Christ look like?  As Christians we are called to be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.

Who can you YIELD to today in your own life?  Take an interest in this person, caring more for them than yourself, and see what happens...

Mercy: Though we all sin every day and fall short of God’s glory, our great God of Mercy shows us “kindness and good will, joined with a desire to help us.”   (Blue Letter Bible Lexicon for Greek word eleos- compassion/mercy)

God calls us to show mercy to our fellow man, because of the mercy that we are shown by Him.  Have you ever had someone show you mercy when you know you did not deserve it?  How did being shown mercy make you feel?

Perhaps there is some bitterness or lingering hurt that is in need of forgiveness that has been plaguing your heart?  Won’t you show someone mercy in your life...?  Ask God in prayer how you can find the compassion in your own soul to show goodwill and help those that need mercy today!

Fruit of Good Deeds:  Baring fruit does not mean you are the only one who does good deeds, who else in your life have you inspired or lead to do good deeds in the world? 

God tells us in Matthew 6, that we are not to boast of our good deeds as the hypocrites do, but rather keep our good deeds private, and our Father in heaven who sees everything will reward us.  One of the guys from my bible study group does a tremendous amount of work for the Kingdom.  Only by his sharing of questions from the study, do you begin to uncover all that he and his family do for God in the world.  I asked him about it one time, and he said that he doesn’t like to talk about it…what a great way to honor God and bring Glory to His name!

Will you ask God in prayer how you can use your own gifts that He has given you to make an impact for His Kingdom by doing good deeds today?

No Favoritism:  Love Equally Encouraging Unity.

One of the greatest pieces of wisdom I've received in studying the Old Testament, is seeing how DESTRUCTIVE showing favoritism can be to a family.  Over and over again we see in God's word how damaging showing favorites can be, tearing families apart and helping to create DIVISION where there is supposed to be UNITY. 

I try my hardest to not show favoritism between my two boys.  I also make it a point if I compliment one son, to turn and compliment the other as well.  Just last night as I was playing water guns with my two young boys, I had promised my oldest son Brody that he could have a turn.  Cole, my youngest boy, came over just as I was finishing filling them up and I said, “Maybe we could let Cole go first Brody?”  I could see how much I hurt Brody on his face as he turned away from me with tears in his eyes.  Brody really is a patient soul, and shows a tremendous amount of restraint and wisdom for one so young, so I knew that I made a mistake…

In Genesis 37, we see how Joseph was loved the most by his father Jacob, and how his brothers were so jealous because of Jacob’s favoritism, that they wanted to kill Joseph and couldn't even show him a kind word.

We also see with Joseph, how his amazing FAITH under some pretty incredible circumstances brought restoration back to his family and rescue from destruction because of Joseph’s close walk with the Lord.

How can you NOT show favoritism to those that you are closest to in your own life, but instead give an EQUAL share of your heart?

Sincere:  the word hypocrite comes from the Greek word “hypokrisis” (the acting of a stage player).  When you think of an actor/actress, their words and actions are fake--simply there to put on a show.  Humans by nature are hypocrites as we often say one thing then do the complete opposite.

My bible study said that “hypocrisy is shattered on Jesus, for he knows our heart.”  When God looks at each of us, he sees into our very core our SOUL.  When you look in the mirror, you see your reflection staring back at you, but that is only the outside of you.  God sees into the very center of us, the seat of our: feelings, convictions, desires and knows our heart.

God calls us to be SINCERE.  To be honest to the world, not putting on a FAKE persona to look good in the eyes of man, but rather truthful about our thoughts and feelings.  Weather we are showing love and joy or making mistakes and sinning, being sincere means transparency…even when it hurts.

Peacemakers: Our world is full of conflict. When the burdens of our world way heavy on your heart and you begin to feel pressure, what does stress cause you to CULTIVATE--conflict or peace?

I love that word cultivate, for God calls us to spread peace in our world like a farmer cultivating his crop. Cultivating means to prepare and use land for crops. Jesus taught us about the different kinds of soil that our heart can be, and I ask you now: “Are you cultivating the soil of your heart to be a peacemaker in the world?” How can you prepare the soil of your heart to encourage peace in your life? The greatest peace that man can have is from God, for His peace surpasses all understanding. So, by cultivating a close relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father, the peace of God will come upon you. The best way I have found in my own life to do that is:

SPEAK – Pray to God

LISTEN – Read the Bible

DO – Put your faith into action with deeds

FELLOWSHIP - come together with other believers

Sometimes my temper gets the best of me. Many times when I fail to endure the struggles in life and let my anger get the best of me, I raise my voice. God has given me a loud Norwegian voice and I can bellow out my blowhole with the best of them, but at its worst, my voice can threaten and scare my kids...

How can you cultivate peace in your world today?

Harvest of Righteousness: What does it mean to be righteous? The blue letter bible defines righteousness from the Greek word as “a condition acceptable to God.”

Since the fall of man into sin, God’s greatest creation man has not lived the way that we were originally designed. The knowledge of Good & Evil invaded our thoughts when Adam & Eve ate from the apple and through our fall, mankind’s’ righteous life was brought to death.

God in His great mercy and undeserved kindness (grace) has given us the way of redemption, offering us salvation through faith in His son Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite Christian evangelists recently talked about our “spiritual tank.” He said we can put a drop of gas in our tank by ourselves but it will only last for a short time. He went on to explain how it is impossible to live the Christian life on our own, for it is only by drawing on God’s power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside of believers, that walking a truly righteous life is even possible.

In James 3:18, God calls us to be peacemakers. We are to be ‘peace farmers’ planting seeds of peace in the soil of those around us, where there can be a great harvest of righteous life that is pleasing to God.

How can you plant seeds of peace to those around you today?

God the Holy Spirit breathes new life into those that surrender their life to God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ.  This new life not only becomes a wellspring of hope for those who believe here on earth, blessing us with a rich and satisfying life--the living water of God's spirit also breaths new eternal life into our body, sealing in believers God's promise of heaven.

See Jeremy Camp’s “Come Alive” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZuTTWkxm4w