Comments for blog.midcities.org http://midcities.org/blog reaching - growing - sending Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:03:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on August 2 – Paul on Trial by ray scott http://midcities.org/blog/?p=43&cpage=1#comment-96 ray scott Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:03:10 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=43#comment-96 Time this morning will not allow me to write the "acts" of the last few weeks. Living according to God's will puts a man (or woman) in a position of constant communication with Jesus. Standing by my side as Adviser in all circumstances I find myself completely in need of His counsel. I use to think of asking only when I didn't know what to do. Consequently, I walked off into stupidity way too often (not as often now TG). Others may think it absurd to ask God before making decisions that seem to be "no brainers" however I remember King David asking God "should he go up?" every time he went into battle. Even though God had promised David that he was already the conqueror, David still made sure he was doing the right thing. I believe that I and Chance Anderson are of the seed of Joshua or Caleb or Peter. We are ready to fight for the Kingdom! The Sword of the Spirit is with us! Speaking for myself I am engaged in the battle for the lives of the children of God. My soul wants to take matters into it's own hands as did Peter in the garden but Jesus insists on doing the fighting for me so I will strive to do His will (good pleasure) and PRAY for the Kingdom. Time this morning will not allow me to write the “acts” of the last few weeks. Living according to God’s will puts a man (or woman) in a position of constant communication with Jesus. Standing by my side as Adviser in all circumstances I find myself completely in need of His counsel. I use to think of asking only when I didn’t know what to do. Consequently, I walked off into stupidity way too often (not as often now TG). Others may think it absurd to ask God before making decisions that seem to be “no brainers” however I remember King David asking God “should he go up?” every time he went into battle. Even though God had promised David that he was already the conqueror, David still made sure he was doing the right thing.
I believe that I and Chance Anderson are of the seed of Joshua or Caleb or Peter. We are ready to fight for the Kingdom! The Sword of the Spirit is with us! Speaking for myself I am engaged in the battle for the lives of the children of God. My soul wants to take matters into it’s own hands as did Peter in the garden but Jesus insists on doing the fighting for me so I will strive to do His will (good pleasure) and PRAY for the Kingdom.

]]> Comment on August 2 – Paul on Trial by Chance & Tanya Anderson http://midcities.org/blog/?p=43&cpage=1#comment-92 Chance & Tanya Anderson Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:35:38 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=43#comment-92 I am not sure if anyone is even reading these anymore, but I wanted to post what God has been speaking to me as we finish up our time in Acts. Recently God has been challenging me, and showing me a great lie I used to believe. I used to think that Peter, Paul, John, James, and the rest had the closest walk with God that anyone could ever have. That they were the pinnacle, the top. That all of us could never expect to walk with God like they did. God has been showing me what a terrible lie this is. I believe that every believer is called to a closer, deeper, more powerful walk with God than they had. I do not believe that God gave us the Bible to merely show us some great history; "Hey look at what great things happened years ago". I believe God gave us these stories to say something more like; "Hey, this was great what happened back then, but I want to do even more through believers today, I want to show Myself even more powerful today than I did then". In Hebrews 12:1-2 it tells us that there is a great cloud of witnesses around us. All the apostles are there, John Wesley, Smith Wigglesworth, DL Moody, all the great men and women of God are there. And I believe every single one of them is telling us to "Go harder, go farther, go deeper. Take what we have done and go so far beyond it that it leaves us in the dust." Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:12 that the Kingdom of Heaven advances forcefully and forceful men lay hold of it. Another translation says that violent men lay hold of it. I don't know about you, but all of these things challenge me. There was a quote that DL Moody, the great evangalist, heard early in his walk with God. "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man who is fully committed to Him". This challenged him to want to be that man. So my challenge and question to you who are reading this is: Are you a violent, forceful man or woman of God? Are you willing to forcefully lay hold of the Kingdom of God? Do not take this challenge lightly. This is not for those who believe that our walk with God begins and ends with Sunday morning. Accepting this challenge will radically alter your life. You will never be the same. This challenge is for those who want to be sold out to God, who have seen what God can do on a Sunday morning and want to see what He can do with a Monday, a Tuesday, a Wednesday, and so on. For those of you brave enough and bold enough to accept the challenge, I welcome you. I too am on that path, and although most days I feel like I am in such deep waters that I can't even begin to see the surface, I would not trade it for anything. I am so excited to see what God will begin to do when forceful men and women begin to lay hold of the Kingdom of God with both hands and declare that we want everything He has for us!!! Let's take the challenge that God has placed before us, and exhaust it for all it is worth. God bless you guys!! We love you all!! Chance & Tanya I am not sure if anyone is even reading these anymore, but I wanted to post what God has been speaking to me as we finish up our time in Acts. Recently God has been challenging me, and showing me a great lie I used to believe. I used to think that Peter, Paul, John, James, and the rest had the closest walk with God that anyone could ever have. That they were the pinnacle, the top. That all of us could never expect to walk with God like they did. God has been showing me what a terrible lie this is. I believe that every believer is called to a closer, deeper, more powerful walk with God than they had. I do not believe that God gave us the Bible to merely show us some great history; “Hey look at what great things happened years ago”. I believe God gave us these stories to say something more like; “Hey, this was great what happened back then, but I want to do even more through believers today, I want to show Myself even more powerful today than I did then”.
In Hebrews 12:1-2 it tells us that there is a great cloud of witnesses around us. All the apostles are there, John Wesley, Smith Wigglesworth, DL Moody, all the great men and women of God are there. And I believe every single one of them is telling us to “Go harder, go farther, go deeper. Take what we have done and go so far beyond it that it leaves us in the dust.”
Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:12 that the Kingdom of Heaven advances forcefully and forceful men lay hold of it. Another translation says that violent men lay hold of it. I don’t know about you, but all of these things challenge me. There was a quote that DL Moody, the great evangalist, heard early in his walk with God. “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man who is fully committed to Him”. This challenged him to want to be that man.

So my challenge and question to you who are reading this is:

Are you a violent, forceful man or woman of God? Are you willing to forcefully lay hold of the Kingdom of God?

Do not take this challenge lightly. This is not for those who believe that our walk with God begins and ends with Sunday morning. Accepting this challenge will radically alter your life. You will never be the same. This challenge is for those who want to be sold out to God, who have seen what God can do on a Sunday morning and want to see what He can do with a Monday, a Tuesday, a Wednesday, and so on. For those of you brave enough and bold enough to accept the challenge, I welcome you. I too am on that path, and although most days I feel like I am in such deep waters that I can’t even begin to see the surface, I would not trade it for anything. I am so excited to see what God will begin to do when forceful men and women begin to lay hold of the Kingdom of God with both hands and declare that we want everything He has for us!!! Let’s take the challenge that God has placed before us, and exhaust it for all it is worth.

God bless you guys!! We love you all!!

Chance & Tanya

]]> Comment on August 2 – Paul on Trial by Rhonda Espinoza http://midcities.org/blog/?p=43&cpage=1#comment-82 Rhonda Espinoza Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:04:31 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=43#comment-82 What a blessing to again be reminded that ALL of our trials are subject to the amazing redeeming hand of God. None of our pain or disappointment has to be in vain or without reason if we will seek His face and allow Him to "recycle" our circumstances. He will truly give us "beauty for ashes". What a blessing to again be reminded that ALL of our trials are subject to the amazing redeeming hand of God. None of our pain or disappointment has to be in vain or without reason if we will seek His face and allow Him to “recycle” our circumstances. He will truly give us “beauty for ashes”.

]]> Comment on July 19 – After the Road to Damascus by Stephanie Green http://midcities.org/blog/?p=34&cpage=1#comment-63 Stephanie Green Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:14:14 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=34#comment-63 You make a good point when you say that even mature Christians need an Ananias now and then. Since I'm not that far along in my journey I hadn't really considered that fact. How awesome is our God that He provides for those needs-- even if we don't realize it at the time?! Traci, I think we have much in common. Fear and worry have ruled my life for much too long. When I went on this most recent mission trip to Austin to serve the church planting team there I spent a lot of prayer time asking for the Spirit to flow thru me and give me courage and strength. I set a goal that weekend to just begin sharing my story and the gospel at every opportunity until it's just no longer an awkward, fearful experience. I know if I listen, God will provide me with people and situations to reach that goal. I know I'm never alone and that He will give me power and courage and wisdom. It is good to know that we can take anything to God--fear, questions, requests, praise. I think that even though He already knows all, he still likes to hear us speak to him. I never cease to be amazed by the continual blessings he bestows on me and my children! Stephanie You make a good point when you say that even mature Christians need an Ananias now and then. Since I’m not that far along in my journey I hadn’t really considered that fact. How awesome is our God that He provides for those needs– even if we don’t realize it at the time?!

Traci, I think we have much in common. Fear and worry have ruled my life for much too long. When I went on this most recent mission trip to Austin to serve the church planting team there I spent a lot of prayer time asking for the Spirit to flow thru me and give me courage and strength. I set a goal that weekend to just begin sharing my story and the gospel at every opportunity until it’s just no longer an awkward, fearful experience. I know if I listen, God will provide me with people and situations to reach that goal. I know I’m never alone and that He will give me power and courage and wisdom.

It is good to know that we can take anything to God–fear, questions, requests, praise. I think that even though He already knows all, he still likes to hear us speak to him.

I never cease to be amazed by the continual blessings he bestows on me and my children!

Stephanie

]]> Comment on July 19 – After the Road to Damascus by Traci Rosal http://midcities.org/blog/?p=34&cpage=1#comment-62 Traci Rosal Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:30:08 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=34#comment-62 One thing I remember Pastor Steve Murrell saying is that even if you have only read one more chapter of the Bible than someone else, you have something to teach them. That has stayed in my mind over the years as I struggle with feeling inadequate in speaking into someone's life. I always think that there is someone more equipped, someone wiser, someone more charismatic, etc. Pick an insecure feeling, I have had them all. So now I tell the voice inside my head to shut up and ask the Holy Spirit to make His voice heard in my spirit. I agree with HollyAnn -- no matter how far along we are in our walk with the Lord, we need people pouring into us! I also love that God is big enough to take my arguments and questions. Ananias did not, after all, just jump up and run to Straight Street. He made sure the Lord knew what Paul had been doing (another thing I do, as if God doesn't already know). Thank You Lord for letting me question and argue! Thank You also for grace and for rewarding me when I trust You. One thing I remember Pastor Steve Murrell saying is that even if you have only read one more chapter of the Bible than someone else, you have something to teach them. That has stayed in my mind over the years as I struggle with feeling inadequate in speaking into someone’s life. I always think that there is someone more equipped, someone wiser, someone more charismatic, etc. Pick an insecure feeling, I have had them all. So now I tell the voice inside my head to shut up and ask the Holy Spirit to make His voice heard in my spirit.

I agree with HollyAnn — no matter how far along we are in our walk with the Lord, we need people pouring into us!

I also love that God is big enough to take my arguments and questions. Ananias did not, after all, just jump up and run to Straight Street. He made sure the Lord knew what Paul had been doing (another thing I do, as if God doesn’t already know). Thank You Lord for letting me question and argue! Thank You also for grace and for rewarding me when I trust You.

]]> Comment on July 19 – After the Road to Damascus by Ray Scott http://midcities.org/blog/?p=34&cpage=1#comment-61 Ray Scott Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:23:59 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=34#comment-61 An untold but not forgotten Ananias story happened in January 2003. I highly doubt that Elizabeth Espinoza has any memory at all of my first visit to Mid-Cities. I was about as broken hearted as a man could have been. Serena, Jacob and I were in the observatory about to leave when Elizabeth walked straight up to us, looked me in the eyes, and said "I wish I had a grandfather like you". I was so stunned that I don't think I even said thank you. Yet I have never forgotten that moment. I thank the Holy Spirit for encouraging Elizabeth to do something so simple and yet so instrumental in the building up of my courage to stay in church. Thank you Elizabeth Espinoza for being an obedient servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. An untold but not forgotten Ananias story happened in January 2003. I highly doubt that Elizabeth Espinoza has any memory at all of my first visit to Mid-Cities. I was about as broken hearted as a man could have been. Serena, Jacob and I were in the observatory about to leave when Elizabeth walked straight up to us, looked me in the eyes, and said “I wish I had a grandfather like you”. I was so stunned that I don’t think I even said thank you. Yet I have never forgotten that moment. I thank the Holy Spirit for encouraging Elizabeth to do something so simple and yet so instrumental in the building up of my courage to stay in church. Thank you Elizabeth Espinoza for being an obedient servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

]]> Comment on July 19 – After the Road to Damascus by HollyAnn http://midcities.org/blog/?p=34&cpage=1#comment-60 HollyAnn Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:15:14 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=34#comment-60 The story of Ananias and Saul has become one of my favorites in the past few months for many reasons. What Pastor Daniel said yesterday is one of them! I have had Ananias's in my life and they have been a crucial part of my spiritual growth. I have also been an Ananias in other's lives. Like Stephanie said, it means you have to be willing to pour into someone's life...its messy, but its worth it! The only thing I would add to the message is that new christians are not the only ones who need an Ananias! I have been walking in relationship with God for many years, but I still need an Ananias as I discover new things about God and uncover truths that rock the "traditions" that I was raised in. Even old Christians need an Ananias in their lives...someone who is further down the road than them! Lovin this journey through Acts! HollyAnn Petree The story of Ananias and Saul has become one of my favorites in the past few months for many reasons. What Pastor Daniel said yesterday is one of them! I have had Ananias’s in my life and they have been a crucial part of my spiritual growth. I have also been an Ananias in other’s lives. Like Stephanie said, it means you have to be willing to pour into someone’s life…its messy, but its worth it!

The only thing I would add to the message is that new christians are not the only ones who need an Ananias! I have been walking in relationship with God for many years, but I still need an Ananias as I discover new things about God and uncover truths that rock the “traditions” that I was raised in. Even old Christians need an Ananias in their lives…someone who is further down the road than them!

Lovin this journey through Acts!
HollyAnn Petree

]]> Comment on July 12 – Mathias: Faithful, Obscure, and Rewarded by Liz Chaffin http://midcities.org/blog/?p=29&cpage=1#comment-58 Liz Chaffin Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:50:13 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=29#comment-58 I've been reading the Word for a number of years and have never thought about Pastor Daniel's thoughts on Matthias! MAN, can I learn a LOT from him! Oh how I pray that the Holy Spirit will rule over my flesh and allow me the grace and humility to live my life in faithfulness, obscurity and rewarded. I hate how my flesh fights to be noticed and revels in being honored. I think most people enjoy both but I pray my heart learns the rythm of the Spirit as I press through life by HIS power. May HE be raised up and less of me be on display. Oh Lord, use this life as a conduit of YOUR love, mercy and grace. May I be Your hands, feet and mouth piece in my home, work and life. Standing on the promises..... I’ve been reading the Word for a number of years and have never thought about Pastor Daniel’s thoughts on Matthias! MAN, can I learn a LOT from him! Oh how I pray that the Holy Spirit will rule over my flesh and allow me the grace and humility to live my life in faithfulness, obscurity and rewarded. I hate how my flesh fights to be noticed and revels in being honored. I think most people enjoy both but I pray my heart learns the rythm of the Spirit as I press through life by HIS power. May HE be raised up and less of me be on display. Oh Lord, use this life as a conduit of YOUR love, mercy and grace. May I be Your hands, feet and mouth piece in my home, work and life.
Standing on the promises…..

]]> Comment on July 12 – Mathias: Faithful, Obscure, and Rewarded by Kala Hardy http://midcities.org/blog/?p=29&cpage=1#comment-57 Kala Hardy Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:17:54 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=29#comment-57 I loved what Pastor Daniel said about kids being a blessing and a responsibility. My husband and I know full well what a blessing they are. It took us many years to have a child...and we now have a wonderful baby boy. The responsibility is very rewarding. They do add a large element of responsibility....but even the responsibility is great! Thanks for the lesson, it was well received by our family. I loved what Pastor Daniel said about kids being a blessing and a responsibility. My husband and I know full well what a blessing they are. It took us many years to have a child…and we now have a wonderful baby boy. The responsibility is very rewarding. They do add a large element of responsibility….but even the responsibility is great! Thanks for the lesson, it was well received by our family.

]]> Comment on An Update from Pastor Daniel by HollyAnn http://midcities.org/blog/?p=27&cpage=1#comment-56 HollyAnn Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:34:45 +0000 http://midcities.org/blog/?p=27#comment-56 Every day, God shows me new mysteries in Acts! What a journey! It always amazes me when I read verses that I have read probably hundreds of times; jump out at me with new meaning and application! This has been so true through the book of Acts. There are many things that God has shown me, but the two biggest things for where I am in my life right now are the power of God is real and the Apostles spoke "boldly" despite fierce opposition. As I read about the numerous miracles that are recorded in Acts, I get a strong sense that God wants to show those same miracles today. He is looking for a group of people who want to see His glory manifested and are willing to believe in modern day miracles! I want to be in that group! I am ready to see His glory in a new and wonderful way to encourage me in the things He is calling me to. But I also love that He shows the characters of Acts as real people! I love Acts 9 where God calls to Ananias and Ananias is so familiar with His voice that he responds, "Here I am, Lord." But then after receiving instructions from his Lord, he immediately says in my paraphrase, "Are you crazy, Lord? Have you heard what this man does to Christians? You obviously don't know the whole story, Lord! You obviously don't understand what you are asking me to do." I love that God used REAL people! People who even when they KNOW they are hearing the voice of the Lord, they question because of what could happen to them when they follow that voice. This makes me feel so much better about my own conversations with God. Then just a few verses later, after calling Saul, soon to be Paul, a chosen instrument of God, God tells Ananias, "I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake." God never promised this life would be easy for even His "chosen instruments", He just promises He will give us everything we need to live it! And tells us in Acts 5:29 that we must obey Him and not man...that means even when the persecution and accusations come. Then there is the word "boldly". It is used 6 times in Acts. I have noticed that usely after it is used, there is a stoning. I don't know what encouragement that brings, but somehow it does bring comfort in my current circumstances. God has put me in a position right now where I am speaking for an oppressed people group in Liberia. It has brought me before audiences such as US and Liberian Congressmen as well as Liberian government officials all the way up to the Vice President and President. God continues to call me to be bold with these government officials. Many people question my boldness because often times, it is followed by a stoning (the stones in my case are words and actions of other people....especially fellow Christians). Acts has been such an encouragement to me to hear God's voice and speak His words regardless of the opinion of the general public of my actions. Acts is reminding me that God's opinion of me is all that matters. I should seek wise counsel and surround myself with a few close Godly men and women who can speak hard truth into my life, and beyond that, them the opinion of others should not be my main concern. This has been a hard truth and lesson to learn....still learning it! Through these truths, I faced one of the toughest weeks in my life as far as walking in my calling, full of peace and confident in the actions I took and words I spoke! I was able to cast all the "stones" throw at me back at God and asking Him to take them, He did! He carried my load to make my burden lighter! So that is a really wordy say of saying, Acts is literally changing my life! I am so enjoying it and getting to discuss it with my Mid-Cities family! Every day, God shows me new mysteries in Acts! What a journey! It always amazes me when I read verses that I have read probably hundreds of times; jump out at me with new meaning and application! This has been so true through the book of Acts.

There are many things that God has shown me, but the two biggest things for where I am in my life right now are the power of God is real and the Apostles spoke “boldly” despite fierce opposition.

As I read about the numerous miracles that are recorded in Acts, I get a strong sense that God wants to show those same miracles today. He is looking for a group of people who want to see His glory manifested and are willing to believe in modern day miracles! I want to be in that group! I am ready to see His glory in a new and wonderful way to encourage me in the things He is calling me to. But I also love that He shows the characters of Acts as real people! I love Acts 9 where God calls to Ananias and Ananias is so familiar with His voice that he responds, “Here I am, Lord.” But then after receiving instructions from his Lord, he immediately says in my paraphrase, “Are you crazy, Lord? Have you heard what this man does to Christians? You obviously don’t know the whole story, Lord! You obviously don’t understand what you are asking me to do.” I love that God used REAL people! People who even when they KNOW they are hearing the voice of the Lord, they question because of what could happen to them when they follow that voice. This makes me feel so much better about my own conversations with God.

Then just a few verses later, after calling Saul, soon to be Paul, a chosen instrument of God, God tells Ananias, “I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” God never promised this life would be easy for even His “chosen instruments”, He just promises He will give us everything we need to live it! And tells us in Acts 5:29 that we must obey Him and not man…that means even when the persecution and accusations come.

Then there is the word “boldly”. It is used 6 times in Acts. I have noticed that usely after it is used, there is a stoning. I don’t know what encouragement that brings, but somehow it does bring comfort in my current circumstances. God has put me in a position right now where I am speaking for an oppressed people group in Liberia. It has brought me before audiences such as US and Liberian Congressmen as well as Liberian government officials all the way up to the Vice President and President. God continues to call me to be bold with these government officials. Many people question my boldness because often times, it is followed by a stoning (the stones in my case are words and actions of other people….especially fellow Christians). Acts has been such an encouragement to me to hear God’s voice and speak His words regardless of the opinion of the general public of my actions. Acts is reminding me that God’s opinion of me is all that matters. I should seek wise counsel and surround myself with a few close Godly men and women who can speak hard truth into my life, and beyond that, them the opinion of others should not be my main concern. This has been a hard truth and lesson to learn….still learning it!

Through these truths, I faced one of the toughest weeks in my life as far as walking in my calling, full of peace and confident in the actions I took and words I spoke! I was able to cast all the “stones” throw at me back at God and asking Him to take them, He did! He carried my load to make my burden lighter!

So that is a really wordy say of saying, Acts is literally changing my life! I am so enjoying
it and getting to discuss it with my Mid-Cities family!

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