How Much Is Too Much? The X Factor Devotional - Day Thirty Seven - March 2, 2010

“She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.”
Mark 14:3b

 The story of the Bethany anointing is one of the few stories of Jesus’ life that is contained in all four of the gospels.  So impressive was this event that it was indelibly written upon the disciples’ hearts so they never, ever forgot this act of devotion.  Mark uses it as a prelude to the passion events.  It contrasts the hatred and rejection Jesus was receiving at the hands of the rulers and the people.  This act of worship and devotion stood out as an act of love that the Lord deserved from all, but was only given by a few.

May this deed be received as a call to worship for us today.  May this deed make us ask ourselves the question, “How much is too much?”  This woman’s act set a standard of sacrifice, which none can better, but all can match.  That alabaster bottle was worth a year’s wages.  Plus, it was to be saved for the most important occasion of one’s life.  What is the most extravagant thing you have done for the Lord?  What can we learn from this Scripture?

• Real love is always extravagant.
• Extravagant love is always criticized.
• Jesus always comes to the defense of and blesses those who are criticized for being extravagant in their devotion toward Him.

Prayer Focus: Pray the people connected to our church will love Jesus so much they will be extravagant with their giving of their time, talents, and treasures.  Oh Yeah… and pray that the extravagance starts with you.  Can you do that?  What does that look like for you and/or your family?

God is Bigger Than the Boogey Man... The X Factor Devotional - Day Two - January 12, 2010

“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Acts 4:31

Who knows the full extent of what God has in store for our church (The X Factor)?  Only God does!  But He longs to reveal more and more of His plan to us as we act in faith and see He is greater than all.

Acts chapter 4 describes the bold ministry of Peter and John, and the price they paid for proclaiming the Message.  Because they would not keep quiet about their Lord... because they were convinced their silence would carry eternal consequences... because their faith was in the One whose Name is above all others... they didn’t give up or give in.  Even though the authorities demanded they cease to teach about Jesus or even to speak His name, they refused and were seriously persecuted.

When Peter and John were released that day, they returned to their fellow Christians and joined them in praying to the God who is greater.  All the believers recognized the risks they were taking, but in the larger context, the threats didn’t matter.  As a result, their prayer was not filled with expressions of anxiety; instead, it overflowed with the promises of Scripture.  Their emotions and thoughts were anchored in the reality of who God is.  No one pretended the circumstances were pleasant, but everyone confessed two essential truths —God is sovereign and He is forever the Creator.

The same God these first century disciples devoted their lives to, that same Sovereign Lord and Creator, is our God.  And when we pray to Him, we are confessing confidence in the One who is greatest.  In response to our prayer, He can change the hearts of our enemies.  He can create a thirst for Jesus in the hearts of those who once rejected the Gospel.  He can create circumstances to override our prevailing circumstances.  And He can do all this because He is greater than all.

Prayer Focus: We face mountainous challenges at Impact.  How do we respond with the spiritual vision to see He, as the God who is greater, can cast those mountains into the sea or reduce them to a level path?  Pray about a “mountain” you are facing, and pray also about the “mountain” we face in our important The X Factor spiritual journey.  Let’s believe together that God can make a mole hill out of all our mountains… because He can!

Buddhist Influence - HUGE

It is truly amazing to me how much influence the Buddhist religion has on influencing the rest of the world. The inseperable hold it has on much of the world is fascinating and sad. Families are being disowned, beaten up, and otherwise discarded once they choose to follow Christ. There is NO grace. There is NO openness. There is NO tolerance.

I have to admit - I love their devotion. It's a shame that Christians can't somehow embrace this type of devotion to our Lord. Yes - we should couple it with grace and love and patience. But the inseperable embrace of Jesus seems to be missing in America.

It would appear that if we have much of any type of hindrance, inconvenience or difficulty - our faith is the first to go. People love Jesus when He serves them well. People embrace Jesus when He provides them salvation, peace, joy, hope and prosperity to their otherwise discouraged life. People love Jesus when He's providing something.   

I'd like to see Americans embrace Jesus and Christianity with an inseperable abandonment. The old has gone and the new has come. Embrace the new, people. With Christ - everything won't be alright. Everything will be as it is supposed to be. And that may involve hardship, difficulty, and suffering. So what?

Why Oakland Raiders Fans Would Make A Great Church – pt 9

Devotion

To sum up this 9-part series, Raiders fans would make a great church because of their devotion. Seriously! What other group of people do you know that are so passionate about a team that is… well… let’s just say, less than stellar in their performance… winning, on average, less than 4 of 16 games for the past FIVE YEARS?

From the pre-game party to the last whistle of regulation. From their hatred of the enemy to the Raider Nation pride… these fans are unswervingly devoted. Don’t get me wrong, when the Raiders play like crap, these fans let them know. But they would never veer from their unyielding devotion. NEVER! You don’t have to worry about ‘losing them’ to some other team. That’s just not an option. Once a Raider, always a Raider.

My first experience with Raider devotion led me out of Sacramento at 2:00pm for the Monday night festivities. We got back at midnight… and that included leaving the game a little early (they got killed). That’s 10 hours of investment. TEN HOURS! It takes devotion to leave work early, load up all the gear we had (including a grill, table, 4 chairs, cornhole, a 36” flat panel TV, Direct TV Satellite dish, generator, and cooler of drinks, tri-tip and brauts), and shell out money for gas, propane and food.

DEVOTION IS COSTLY! And Raiders fans don’t care. Why? Cause it’s worth it. To be a part of the team. To be a part of something bigger than they are. To be a part of Raider Nation. It’s not for the weak of heart. It’s the real deal.

THAT is what believers should take from this blog. Devotion is costly. It’s not for the weak of heart. Being a part of God’s “nation” (kingdom) is worth it. It is a privilege to sacrifice our time and treasure for the cause. To be a part of something MUCH bigger than we are. And our team wins… guaranteed. May those of us in the church, followers of Christ, be more like Raiders fans. The church would be more effective, more powerful, and a lot more fun!