3 Things You Must Know To Be a Spiritual Ninja!

March 13, 2012 in Devotional, GraceLife with 16 Comments

“Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his thoughts.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

There’s a lot of talk these days about spiritual battle. Paul was clear that even though Satan is a defeated foe, we do battle – not against him directly, but battle for the Truth in our daily life (against speculations and ideas raised up against God, taking every thought captive to Christ!).

Here are three ways you can recognize the work of the devil and choose to abide in Truth, winning battle after battle!

March 12, 2012 in Other Stuff with 0 Comments

Everyone wants to progress along the Path, but few spend the time & energy for the hike.

#ItReallyIsANarrowRoad

What Exactly HAS He Done?

January 21, 2012 in Devotional, GraceLife with 4 Comments

Hebrews 1:3 says,

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

There are three critical questions for us who believe; three necessities of our faith that can be unpacked from this verse:

1. Jesus is the “exact representation” of God’s being. The Greek word for exact representation can be transliterated “CHARAKTER”. It isn’t appearing like God, or acting like God, but an actual conduit of the essence of God. We don’t see what God is like in Christ… we see God Himself. The First Question – Who is Christ to you?

2. As God, Jesus is “sustaining all things by His powerful word”. He did not just create the world, but rather is constantly perfecting and sustaining His creation, and then in turn “provided purification for sins”. Don’t miss the progression… He created and sustained, then redeemed. What He made He’s taken possession of. We strayed and He came after us. We acquired debt and put ourselves into slavery, He paid the debt and brought us into His family. The Second Question – To whom do you belong?

3. Having sustained His creation, then redeemed it, and ultimately “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven,” meaning He is finished with His sustaining, redeeming, creative work. In other words, what Jesus created, He perfected and redeemed, and what He’s redeemed stays redeemed. He sits down with it continually completed. The Third Question – On what do you rely?

So what? What difference does it make for Jesus to be God we can see and know? What difference does it make to us that He created, redeemed, and completed His work for us on the cross? Well, here’s the proverbial punch line:

Whatever you are pursuing, whatever you desire, whatever change you’d like to see in your life, family, finances, or circumstances…

Jesus is better.

In fact, the entire rest of the book of Hebrews is about all the application of Jesus being a better focus for life. ‘Sounds obvious to a seasoned Christ-follower, but don’t miss this…

What God wants for you, Jesus has already paid for.
What God designed and called you to, Jesus has accomplished for you.
What will most fulfill and most deeply satisfy you, Jesus has already made available in abundance.

He’s made it; paid for it; signed, sealed, and delivered it in His perfect (and perfecting!) work on the cross.

What will it look like for you this week to ratchet upward in your focus from God’s promises to the Promiser Himself? What will you do differently if you pursue not His blessings, but the Blesser? How will you choose, even today, to give up even the good you desire for the Best which is Christ?

Spend just a moment today asking Father to show where you might be living for or from secondary things.

Talk to Him – and jot down or share here in the comments – something He speaks to your heart.

The “With-ness” of Christmas

December 23, 2011 in Devotional, GraceLife, Other Stuff with 1 Comment

Here’s a printable version of the Christmas devotional we’re doing with our family this year.

Share your comments here or on the Facebook link (some of you followed…) let us know what else you’d like to see from StoneLife.org

Follow the link for the devotional HERE

Crucified…

November 8, 2011 in Devotional, GraceLife with 2 Comments

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives through me…

…I no longer speak, but Christ speaks from within me.

…I no longer hear, but Christ hears from within me.

…I no longer plan, but Christ plans from within me.

…I no longer earn anything, but Christ has earned everything for me.

…I no longer decide, but Christ decides from within me.

…I no longer lead, but Christ leads from within me.

…I no longer walk and wander, but Christ walks within me.

…I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in this physical flesh, I live by faith (entrusting all things) in Him who loves me (His nature), and gave Himself (by grace) for me.

Father, today live, move and initiate through me even as I choose to live, move, and have my identity solely in You through Christ by Your Spirit within me. Let the spiritual reality of your indwelling Life be the only source from which I draw today, walking in fullness of your grace, finished work, power, provision, freedom, rest, and merit for me… as I by faith let you by grace live through me.

Sweet Expectation!

November 1, 2011 in Other Stuff with 1 Comment

What are you expecting today? What have you been excited for?

A couple of months ago, I asked the barista at Starbucks when Gingerbread Lattes were coming back. My wife and I got to know each other while dating over GB’s many years ago when I’d give her a ride to the airport for her work. I was a young pastor; she traveled to clinics where she provided psychological care for chronic pain patients. I’d stop by her house at 5am, we’d swing by the local Albertson’s that had a coffee shop in it, and we’d steal a few minutes before rushing to the airport. The crazy thing was – much as I’m known for it now – I didn’t even DRINK coffee back then. The GB was my “entry drug” to the caffeinated world… much to her chagrin now, I might add!

So – when I asked a couple of months ago when the seasonal drink would return, it was with a little sentimental excitement as we enjoy them every year as a marker of the season and our lives.

“November first,” was his answer, and I texted the news on to my bride. Last night, she remembered! This morning, I posted it on Facebook. I sit now enjoying a wonderfully sweet, quad-shot, GB, and the thought occurred to me…

“If we anticipate with such joy the return of Gingerbread Latte’s because of it’s history, and significance, and enjoyment past, how much more should we be eagerly anticipating Jesus’ return!”

He’s shown such love and grace toward me. He has been sweet beyond my understanding. He has shown such tender care and patience and power and given such hope and rest and empowerment for His life realized in my weakness. How many hours have I spent with Him late at night talking through what he’s put on my heart or the day’s events? How many times has He shown up in conversation with friends new and old, with family in crisis, and in moments of revelation of His Life for His kids while teaching or studying? Countless joys with Jesus. I don’t always agree with Him, because I don’t know what He knows. I don’t always enjoy what He seems to be up to in our days together, because His goal is often not yet my goal – He’s always working on the our relationship, while I’m often selfishly working through circumstances. He waits, guides, protects, encourages, empowers, and leads me so dearly.

My friends, He is coming back!

What a sweet reunion! What a wonderful return! What an incredible moment it will be when Jesus returns. In moments like this, my heart breaks to see Him. My eyes well up with tears at the thought. Jesus is coming back! Anticipate His return! Enjoy the eager expectation of that sweet reunion! How long, O Lord? When are you coming back?!

“Soon.” is His answer. Tell everyone you know. Get ready! Eagerly wait even as He has so tenderly waited on us for so long! The day is almost HERE! WOO HOO!!!

In the meantime, let His absence make your heart grow fonder. Let your expectation be fixed on Him. And let every day be sweeter as we anticipate His return and enjoy His indwelling presence, having never left us alone!

Last week, Stacia’s car had a warning light pop on. The tire pressure sensor said a tire was low. Saturday morning I ran to the gas station, filled her car with gas, ran it through the car wash, and then pulled up to the air pump. As is often the case, the problem was more than it seemed…
Continue Reading…

This week, a dear friend of the GraceLife community – Mike Wells – finished God’s work and crossed the finish line. Here is one of the later articles he wrote. I thought it timely both because it points to God’s sovereignty in all things, and because it is a powerful testimony of Mike’s life walking and growing in Christ. It will challenge and bless you! Enjoy!

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Flesh vs Spirit

May 20, 2011 by Mike Wells

1 Comment

Galatians 5:15, 17 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”

Often I hear the complaint, “I hate the war against the Spirit. If only I could stay in the Spirit.” These complaints lead to a common teaching in the Church, one that attempts to encourage us to “fight the good fight” and to “look forward to heaven, where this battle no longer takes place” Continue Reading…

Three-Legged Leadership

October 11, 2011 in Church, Leadership with 0 Comments

I was speaking with a ministry leadership team last week, who wanted to begin working with each other and lay leaders with great deliberation. Each of these men is passionate for the cause of their ministry, and wanted to be as effective as possible toward that goal in their respective ministries and as a team.

So, their question: “What is absolutely necessary for effective leadership?”

As we talked, I highlighted principles without which I believe true leadership – for any type of organization, just doesn’t exist.

Here are three, critical legs upon which successful leadership leans heavily:
Continue Reading…

Belated Timeliness

September 21, 2011 in Other Stuff with 2 Comments

I’m late…

I’ve needed to post several blogs for the last three weeks, and look forward to sharing them this week, but I am seriously late getting to ‘em. See if you can relate:

First, I was running behind trying to get the site working (still in progress) before leaving for a trip abroad.

Second, I was running behind trying to get out of the country on said trip, telling myself I would have plenty of wifi access in Spain to post all I hadn’t gotten to yet.

Third, there was no such internet access (or very little) while we were out of the country.

Fourth, since returning a few days ago, I’ve been behind on everything else since I couldn’t get online while traveling!

Now – as I write this, I’m almost caught up on most of the chaos, excited to share some of those things God’s put on my heart… but God has been changing my heart about some of those things….

Isn’t that just like Him? In the midst of my tardiness in all things the last 3 weeks, He’s working out His perfect plan.

Maybe you’re running on empty. Maybe you can’t get to all the must-get-done items on your to-do list. Maybe your “haven’t-dones” outnumber your “checked-off” items for the last few weeks. Let me encourage you – His timing is perfect. His will is YOU, not what you do. He’s planned every step you think you land on by mistake. In fact, you are incapable of screwing up His sovereignty for your life. Even opportunities you miss are redeemed in His plan to show you how to walk more dependently and intimately with Him. He’s totally got this, whatever this might be for you right now.

So, today – even as I’m running to catch up with myself and everyone else, I’m fully persuaded I’m not behind on His plan and work and sufficiency for this… very… moment.

Now – rest. …And check back here at the blog soon!

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