THE GREAT SHAKING COMMENCES!
A while back, I started a self-discussion to challenge myself regarding my values relative to possessions. As an advocate for community transformation through Jesus Christ, I am challenged by the purpose and value of labor. Basically, “for whom do I labor and to what end?” When I consider all the dynamic upheaval occurring in our nation and worldwide, it can be earth shaking! It is if nature is in rebellion, exercising the most violent characteristics of its supernatural laws. Volcanic eruptions, floods, oil gushing forth from the core of the earth, tornados striking without sufficient warning, are all direct confrontations with humanity. In those violent upheavals, we are helpless. All our possessions born of technology fail utterly. The secondary affects of these disasters tax our economic resources as we throw money at the violence. We learn quickly that no amount of money will stop the oil gushing, the erupting volcanoes, or the deflect hurricanes in the opposite direction. Literally, the flame of nature’s violence consumes our economies.
In days and years ahead, our possession will be “shaken” and remain not. However, what concern is that of mine as a Christian? I am a part of another, greater supernatural dynamic, I am God’s man. The blessings and assurances of such a state shall not be “shaken” by earthly circumstances. My confidence is not in this nation or in this world. As Charles Spurgeon writes, “Our country is Immanuel’s land, our hope is above the sky, and therefore, calm as the summer's ocean; we will see the wreck of everything earthborn, and yet rejoice in the God of our salvation.”
What do I want? I want the love of Jesus Christ! Read and discover for yourself.
"We have many things in our possession at the present moment which can be shaken, and it ill becomes a Christian man to set much store by them, for there is nothing stable beneath these rolling skies; change is written upon all things. Yet, we have certain "things which cannot be shaken," and I invite you this evening to think of them, that if the things which can be shaken should all be taken away, you may derive real comfort from the things that cannot be shaken, which will remain. Whatever your losses have been, or may be, you enjoy present salvation. You are standing at the foot of His cross, trusting alone in the merit of Jesus' precious blood, and no rise or fall of the markets can interfere with your salvation in Him; no breaking of banks, no failures and bankruptcies can touch that. Then you are a child of God this evening. God is your Father. No change of circumstances can ever rob you of that. Although by losses brought to poverty, and stripped bare, you can say, "He is my Father still. In my Father's house are many mansions; therefore will I not be troubled." You have another permanent blessing, namely, the love of Jesus Christ. He who is God and Man loves you with all the strength of His affectionate nature--nothing can affect that. The fig tree may not blossom, and the flocks may cease from the field, it matters not to the man who can sing, "My Beloved is mine, and I am His." Our best portion and richest heritage we cannot lose. Whatever troubles come, let us play the man; let us show that we are not such little children as to be cast down by what may happen in this poor fleeting state of time. Our country is Immanuel's land, our hope is above the sky, and therefore, calm as the summer's ocean; we will see the wreck of everything earthborn, and yet rejoice in the God of our salvation."
To often the Church is confused in its loyalties concerning nations. In our very own nation, we equate patriotism with Christendom. We do so with a sense that there is a “redeeming quality” to this great possession, the United States of America. This is so contrary to the gospel message that the Kingdom of God is at hand. We know that all things in this world and on this earth will pass away to make way for the new heaven and earth. I beseech you to consider the following verses:
Rev 20:11 “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.”
2 Peter 3:13 “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
Isa 66:22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD…”
To hunger for community transformation is to be desperate for the new heavens and new earth. I advocate for community spiritual revival not to restore the old religious and political systems, but to call people to enter the Kingdom of God through the narrow gate. A great “shaking” is commencing, will your possessions remain?
by Grace Alone!
Pastor Steve Perez
In days and years ahead, our possession will be “shaken” and remain not. However, what concern is that of mine as a Christian? I am a part of another, greater supernatural dynamic, I am God’s man. The blessings and assurances of such a state shall not be “shaken” by earthly circumstances. My confidence is not in this nation or in this world. As Charles Spurgeon writes, “Our country is Immanuel’s land, our hope is above the sky, and therefore, calm as the summer's ocean; we will see the wreck of everything earthborn, and yet rejoice in the God of our salvation.”
What do I want? I want the love of Jesus Christ! Read and discover for yourself.
"THAT THOSE THINGS WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN MAY REMAIN."
Hebrews 12:27
Charles Spurgeon
"We have many things in our possession at the present moment which can be shaken, and it ill becomes a Christian man to set much store by them, for there is nothing stable beneath these rolling skies; change is written upon all things. Yet, we have certain "things which cannot be shaken," and I invite you this evening to think of them, that if the things which can be shaken should all be taken away, you may derive real comfort from the things that cannot be shaken, which will remain. Whatever your losses have been, or may be, you enjoy present salvation. You are standing at the foot of His cross, trusting alone in the merit of Jesus' precious blood, and no rise or fall of the markets can interfere with your salvation in Him; no breaking of banks, no failures and bankruptcies can touch that. Then you are a child of God this evening. God is your Father. No change of circumstances can ever rob you of that. Although by losses brought to poverty, and stripped bare, you can say, "He is my Father still. In my Father's house are many mansions; therefore will I not be troubled." You have another permanent blessing, namely, the love of Jesus Christ. He who is God and Man loves you with all the strength of His affectionate nature--nothing can affect that. The fig tree may not blossom, and the flocks may cease from the field, it matters not to the man who can sing, "My Beloved is mine, and I am His." Our best portion and richest heritage we cannot lose. Whatever troubles come, let us play the man; let us show that we are not such little children as to be cast down by what may happen in this poor fleeting state of time. Our country is Immanuel's land, our hope is above the sky, and therefore, calm as the summer's ocean; we will see the wreck of everything earthborn, and yet rejoice in the God of our salvation."
To often the Church is confused in its loyalties concerning nations. In our very own nation, we equate patriotism with Christendom. We do so with a sense that there is a “redeeming quality” to this great possession, the United States of America. This is so contrary to the gospel message that the Kingdom of God is at hand. We know that all things in this world and on this earth will pass away to make way for the new heaven and earth. I beseech you to consider the following verses:
Rev 20:11 “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.”
2 Peter 3:13 “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
Isa 66:22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD…”
To hunger for community transformation is to be desperate for the new heavens and new earth. I advocate for community spiritual revival not to restore the old religious and political systems, but to call people to enter the Kingdom of God through the narrow gate. A great “shaking” is commencing, will your possessions remain?
by Grace Alone!
Pastor Steve Perez
Here is a very good description about the state of the church in our country at this time. I will not say very much except that it always pushes me out of my comfort zone to hear these men and their colleagues talk about Christians in such honest and loving terms.
ReplyDelete"Evil and Modernity"
http://www.rzim.org/resources/listen/justthinking.aspx?archive=1&page=1
If you have trouble go to www.rzim.org/resources/listen/justthinking. Click on "Archives" and scroll through to "Evil and Modernity" beginning on 6/14/2010(the discussion is in 4 parts).
Enjoy and be edified!