The Harvest is Plentiful
We have entered a time in the church year that I look forward to all year long. We have everything back in gear, and it is crazy once again. The summer “break” was nice, but I really like the hubbub we have again on Wednesday nights. With all the children in Kingdom Kids Choirs, wall to wall Awana Kids, Adult Bible Study, One Mission University, Jr. High and Sr. High Youth worship, and of course my favorite, Worship Choir and Orchestra, the Mission Point Campus is buzzing. I don’t know about you, but I tend to get so wrapped up in what is happening on campus that I forget there are so many people off the campus who are still looking for a touch from Jesus. We have it great here! Unlike those who don’t know Jesus, we have the opportunity to come mid-week for a time of worship, fellowship, and fun. I am not saying that this is bad, but what I am saying is that we need to remember what Jesus said concerning this. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Luke 10:2).” As I said in worship on Sunday, it is easy to come into this place and not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, but it is a different story many times when we go out of this place.
Did Jesus promise us that when we go out into the world that it was going to be easy? Absolutely not! In fact, Jesus said just the opposite. “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3).” Sounds like fun, right? Obedience is not always the easy way. Just ask my kids about that one. Sometimes being obedient to my commands is not always going to be the easy thing, but it is always going to be the right thing. The benefit far outshines the sacrifice. We see that in John 10, when after being sent out “among wolves”, the seventy-two came back with joy because they were obedient to what Jesus told them to do. Lives were changed and the demons were being defeated. What are we afraid of? We know from scripture that we will be victorious over the evil one, so why do we cower in fear to share the truth of Jesus? Could it be that when we are obedient, Satan becomes nervous? All we have to do is look around and see where God is working and we will see that the foundations of hell are being challenged. Knowing this, we should not be surprised that we are fearful. Satan will use anything he can to stop our obedience and God’s agenda. Jesus goes on to tell the disciples that their real joy should come in knowing that their “names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).” Once we realize that we have been rescued from an eternity in hell, we will want to share that truth with others.
Restore to me the joy of my salvation
and grant to me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways
and sinners will turn back to you.
Psalm 51:12-13
Praising God for my Salvation!
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
THE FAMILY OF GOD
The Family of God
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God—
I’ve been washed in the fountain,
Cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod;
For I’m part of the family, the family of God.
In Mark 2:1-5, Jesus heals a paralytic of his spiritual and physical needs. If we just look at the surface of this story, we may only see the miracle that took place; but, there is so much more. The story begins with Jesus coming back into Capernaum. When the people heard that Jesus was at home they came in large numbers. Jesus most likely made his home at Peter’s house when in Capernaum. This response to Jesus was the same response He got earlier in Mark 1:32-33, 37, when He healed a number of sick and demon possessed people. In fact, there were so many people at the house that they quickly ran out of room. When everyone arrived, Jesus began to preach the Word to them. At the same time, a group of friends came to the house bringing one of their paralytic friends. Not much is said about this man’s condition, but because his friends had to carry him, we can assume that he could not walk on his own. Upon their arrival at the house, they realized they were faced with a problem. There was no way they were going to get their friend in the house in the traditional way. They decided to go on the rooftop and lower him through the roof. A typical house in the Middle East had a flat roof that was accessible by an outside staircase. The roof was often made of a thick layer of clay, supported by mats of branches across wooden beams. This was obviously not an easy task for the paralyzed man’s friends, but they cared enough for him that they were willing to go the extra mile. After getting through the roof, they lowered their friend down to Jesus. The next line in scripture is crucial. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’ (Mark 2:5).” It was not only the faith of the one in need, but also the faith of those who brought him, that moved Jesus to heal him.
I sit here today with a very grateful heart. Grateful for the blessings God has bestowed upon my family and me; grateful for the concern God has for me. For God’s love and His faithfulness and for the privilege to call Him friend and Lord, I am also grateful. But, what I am most grateful for right now is the family of God. Being a part of God’s family brings with it countless blessings. I could go on and on and tell you story after story of how the faith of my friends has brought healing to my life. I can also tell you how I have seen the family of God help one another through very difficult days. Right now in our lives and the life of our church, we need the family of God more than ever. Without that support system, which God set up and ordained, we would be drifting alone in this world. It is in good times and bad times that we need one another. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who had called you out of darkness into His wonderful light! (I Peter 2:9)”
Your brother in Christ,
Aaron Hodges
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God—
I’ve been washed in the fountain,
Cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod;
For I’m part of the family, the family of God.
In Mark 2:1-5, Jesus heals a paralytic of his spiritual and physical needs. If we just look at the surface of this story, we may only see the miracle that took place; but, there is so much more. The story begins with Jesus coming back into Capernaum. When the people heard that Jesus was at home they came in large numbers. Jesus most likely made his home at Peter’s house when in Capernaum. This response to Jesus was the same response He got earlier in Mark 1:32-33, 37, when He healed a number of sick and demon possessed people. In fact, there were so many people at the house that they quickly ran out of room. When everyone arrived, Jesus began to preach the Word to them. At the same time, a group of friends came to the house bringing one of their paralytic friends. Not much is said about this man’s condition, but because his friends had to carry him, we can assume that he could not walk on his own. Upon their arrival at the house, they realized they were faced with a problem. There was no way they were going to get their friend in the house in the traditional way. They decided to go on the rooftop and lower him through the roof. A typical house in the Middle East had a flat roof that was accessible by an outside staircase. The roof was often made of a thick layer of clay, supported by mats of branches across wooden beams. This was obviously not an easy task for the paralyzed man’s friends, but they cared enough for him that they were willing to go the extra mile. After getting through the roof, they lowered their friend down to Jesus. The next line in scripture is crucial. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’ (Mark 2:5).” It was not only the faith of the one in need, but also the faith of those who brought him, that moved Jesus to heal him.
I sit here today with a very grateful heart. Grateful for the blessings God has bestowed upon my family and me; grateful for the concern God has for me. For God’s love and His faithfulness and for the privilege to call Him friend and Lord, I am also grateful. But, what I am most grateful for right now is the family of God. Being a part of God’s family brings with it countless blessings. I could go on and on and tell you story after story of how the faith of my friends has brought healing to my life. I can also tell you how I have seen the family of God help one another through very difficult days. Right now in our lives and the life of our church, we need the family of God more than ever. Without that support system, which God set up and ordained, we would be drifting alone in this world. It is in good times and bad times that we need one another. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who had called you out of darkness into His wonderful light! (I Peter 2:9)”
Your brother in Christ,
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
HOLY SPIRIT, SPEAK
Holy Spirit, Speak
I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is, it’s okay.
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what you would say.
What a busy life, we live. This morning, I got up early, made lunch for the boys, made breakfast for the girls, helped clean up the kitchen, dressed the girls, cleaned myself up, helped with laundry, delivered the consignment sale items, got my Racetrac cup filled, read my Bible, went through my emails, looked through the mail, and then sat down to write this article. Whew! I’m already tired. With all that activity, how was I to hear what God was trying to tell me for the day? As I sit here and take the time to let the Holy Spirit speak to me, a wave of emotions fills my soul. These are emotions that I do not fully understand. Thoughts of time lost, thoughts of physical separation, thoughts of mistakes, and thoughts of a relationship with Christ that needs to deepen. It seems that when I get so busy and then all of a sudden slow down, the Holy Spirit tries to communicate with me in a way, that most of the time, is convicting. Funny thing is that many of these times overwhelm me so much that I simply want to get busy again. So where do I go from here?
In John 1:1, Jesus is described as the Word, the expression of God in the flesh with skin and bones—“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Our life with Christ is not simply about a book; it’s not simply a relationship with a God we cannot see. It is about a person; it’s a relationship with Jesus Christ. Relationships take time. We get so busy in our life that we tend to pass over the time and effort it takes to grow in our relationship with Christ. Paul put it like this “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:8-11).” That is the relationship we should strive for. A relationship with Christ takes time, effort, and sacrifice. But, it brings so much JOY! Are you ready for that kind of challenge? All to Jesus, I surrender!
Holy Spirit, Speak!
Aaron Hodges
I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is, it’s okay.
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what you would say.
What a busy life, we live. This morning, I got up early, made lunch for the boys, made breakfast for the girls, helped clean up the kitchen, dressed the girls, cleaned myself up, helped with laundry, delivered the consignment sale items, got my Racetrac cup filled, read my Bible, went through my emails, looked through the mail, and then sat down to write this article. Whew! I’m already tired. With all that activity, how was I to hear what God was trying to tell me for the day? As I sit here and take the time to let the Holy Spirit speak to me, a wave of emotions fills my soul. These are emotions that I do not fully understand. Thoughts of time lost, thoughts of physical separation, thoughts of mistakes, and thoughts of a relationship with Christ that needs to deepen. It seems that when I get so busy and then all of a sudden slow down, the Holy Spirit tries to communicate with me in a way, that most of the time, is convicting. Funny thing is that many of these times overwhelm me so much that I simply want to get busy again. So where do I go from here?
In John 1:1, Jesus is described as the Word, the expression of God in the flesh with skin and bones—“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Our life with Christ is not simply about a book; it’s not simply a relationship with a God we cannot see. It is about a person; it’s a relationship with Jesus Christ. Relationships take time. We get so busy in our life that we tend to pass over the time and effort it takes to grow in our relationship with Christ. Paul put it like this “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:8-11).” That is the relationship we should strive for. A relationship with Christ takes time, effort, and sacrifice. But, it brings so much JOY! Are you ready for that kind of challenge? All to Jesus, I surrender!
Holy Spirit, Speak!
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
GIANTS...THEY DIE!
GIANTS…THEY DIE!
“Giants, you die!
The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Giants, they die!
Just walk around your Jericho wall.
Now we come in Your name, and we stand on Your Word.
What is loosed in the heavens will be loosed on earth.
Let God arise; giants die!”
You know the story. Saul is rejected as King in Israel, David is anointed King in Israel, David serves King Saul, David kills Goliath, and then Saul resents David. In one sentence, I summarized chapters 15-18 of 1 Samuel. There is so much in these passages that we could study, but we are going to focus on the most well known chapter, that being chapter 17. We find the Israelites in a battle with the Philistines. On one side of the mountain are the Philistines, and on the other side are the Israelites with a valley between them. Then enters the champion of the Philistines, Goliath, measuring an incredible 9 feet 9 inches in height. He stood between the armies in full armor, yelling jeers at the Israelites. In verse 11, we find Saul and all of Israel “dismayed and greatly afraid.” I don’t blame them; I would have been scared out of my mind too. Saul and Israel had proven themselves to be greatly concerned about outward appearances (10:23, 24; 15:30) and able to be influenced by the fear of men (12:12; 15:24). It is only natural that Goliath would be their worst nightmare come true. In human terms, Goliath was invincible. However, David counted on the Lord being with Him and making the difference. “You come at me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (17:45).” David goes on to explain that the battle is the Lord’s and that it will be the Lord who gives them the victory. David then slays Goliath and the Israelites are victorious against the Philistines.
What giants are you facing today? What strikes dismay and fear in your life? So often, we are just like the Israelite army when we face our giants. We stand there looking at the problem and see all the things that are impossible with the situation, and we just want to run. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We have on our side the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the one who has conquered the grave itself. Why do we stand there afraid of our problems?
We as a church are seeing God do some amazing things, while at the same time we have giants that are trying to stop what God is doing. We can either cower down to the giants, or we can stand in the name of Jesus and tell those giants to die.
Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . .
but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:2, 15).
With God on our side,
Aaron Hodges
“Giants, you die!
The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Giants, they die!
Just walk around your Jericho wall.
Now we come in Your name, and we stand on Your Word.
What is loosed in the heavens will be loosed on earth.
Let God arise; giants die!”
You know the story. Saul is rejected as King in Israel, David is anointed King in Israel, David serves King Saul, David kills Goliath, and then Saul resents David. In one sentence, I summarized chapters 15-18 of 1 Samuel. There is so much in these passages that we could study, but we are going to focus on the most well known chapter, that being chapter 17. We find the Israelites in a battle with the Philistines. On one side of the mountain are the Philistines, and on the other side are the Israelites with a valley between them. Then enters the champion of the Philistines, Goliath, measuring an incredible 9 feet 9 inches in height. He stood between the armies in full armor, yelling jeers at the Israelites. In verse 11, we find Saul and all of Israel “dismayed and greatly afraid.” I don’t blame them; I would have been scared out of my mind too. Saul and Israel had proven themselves to be greatly concerned about outward appearances (10:23, 24; 15:30) and able to be influenced by the fear of men (12:12; 15:24). It is only natural that Goliath would be their worst nightmare come true. In human terms, Goliath was invincible. However, David counted on the Lord being with Him and making the difference. “You come at me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (17:45).” David goes on to explain that the battle is the Lord’s and that it will be the Lord who gives them the victory. David then slays Goliath and the Israelites are victorious against the Philistines.
What giants are you facing today? What strikes dismay and fear in your life? So often, we are just like the Israelite army when we face our giants. We stand there looking at the problem and see all the things that are impossible with the situation, and we just want to run. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We have on our side the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the one who has conquered the grave itself. Why do we stand there afraid of our problems?
We as a church are seeing God do some amazing things, while at the same time we have giants that are trying to stop what God is doing. We can either cower down to the giants, or we can stand in the name of Jesus and tell those giants to die.
Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . .
but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:2, 15).
With God on our side,
Aaron Hodges
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)