Todd visits Romans 12:1-2 [post53]

Let's look at Romans 12:1-2 today:


In v.1 when he mentions that our bodies should be a living and holy sacrifice, I'm scratching my head. So let’s break it down. In this sentence there are two things noted about our bodies as a sacrifice:


1) Living – When he says living, he isn’t just talking about us being alive and drawing breath as men. He’s referring to being alive in Him. If we look at 1 Corinthians 3:16, we see that we are a temple of God, and the Spirit dwells in us. We are living because the Spirit is alive in us.
2) Holy – To be holy is to be sanctified. We are sanctified only through our faith in Jesus and the power of His blood.
Notice that both of these things require Him, and cannot be achieved on our own. So how do we “present” ourselves as a sacrifice, acceptable unto God? By submitting ourselves to Him. That is worship, right? It’s giving ourselves into complete submission with all reverence and servitude to Someone greater.


In v.2, he gives some good guidance here. Do not be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of your mind. Again, we have two things of significance:


1) Not conformed to the world – We are not to be like the world. The world is the sin that we were born into. However, we tend to want to fit into that, because it’s what we know. It’s so often very comfortable and feeds our flesh. But in Romans 8:29, we see that we were predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. And as Jesus said, you can’t serve two masters…
2) That leads us to the transforming part. Remember that little thing about denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily? That’s where this comes from. In the laying down of our old selves, the denial of our flesh and earthly minds, we can take on the mind of Christ. We can become more like Him, which is the ultimate goal. Remember, Jesus said that we are to be perfect like our God who is perfect. That only comes through our denial of ourselves and submitting to Him. In this process, transformation is taking place. Our minds are being renewed to its original state, prior to sin.


If we can do this, we are living instruments of worship.

-Todd Bagley

Editor's Note: Todd teaches a 4pm Sundays Worship and In-Depth Bible Study at Gadsden Vineyard. Come on by and sit in.

The Beginning of the Vineyard Movement [post 52]

Kenn Guliksen is an amazing church planter. He would go to a beach and start an oil painting of the scene. Before long he would be having many conversations about his painting. He would mention that he was doing a beach bible study and people would start coming. Once he had four different bible studies going he would start a beach worship service. A church would form and he would go paint somewhere else and do it again.


Each time he reworked how the church plant functioned he would change the name of the church. Kenn was in the process of doing this and felt lead to start one in Hollywood. He asked the LORD for a new name and was led to  Isaiah 27:2-3: 

2 In that day, "A vineyard of wine, sing of it!
3 "I, the LORD, am its keeper ; I water it every moment. So that no one will damage it, I guard it night and day. NASB

Kenn and Joanie Guliksen

Back in the early 1990s John Wimber was interacting with a group of Christians in the Kansas City area that moved in prophecy. They had all agreed that the Vineyard movement was about intimacy and compassion. Looking back I would agree with them. That's always been at the heart of the movement. We are only a part of the universal body of Christ but Intimacy and Compassion is a big part of our spiritual DNA.

- Jim Bentley

A Sample of Todd Bagley's Teaching from Colossians 3:22-24 [post 51]

About a year ago, I had the idea to put all of the Sunday afternoon teaching on here. I posted once, and that was it. Turns out there wasn't grace for it. So, here I am a year later with a new idea. I'm gonna post some of my thoughts on different scriptures. I've been doing this via e-mail for quite some time, and it's been pretty good, so let's see how it goes. I'll start with Colossians 3:22-24.


What we see here is an issue of servitude. This is a simple concept that we have tainted with generations of well meaning but selfish and worldly ambitions. Most of my life I was told if I worked hard, I could make something of myself. That I could be whatever I wanted to be. And there’s the problem. The real measure of success is not what we can make of ourselves, but that we can become who we were made to be. Let’s look:


v. 22 – A) Obey your masters on earth. I think, all jokes aside, we would all agree that we are not slaves to anyone on earth. But the idea is the same for those of us who work for someone else. Paul calls us to obey. But he goes on to explain how and more importantly why.


B) Notice he says not with external service as pleases men. Obedience simply means to follow orders. So we can do that. But the why do we do it? Not because we want to please the one who asked us, but because we want to please and glorify the One we serve, being God


v. 23 – A) Whatever you do. I’ll stop there for a moment. Notice that he doesn’t point out. He says whatever, meaning regardless of what is you do. Now this is originally directed at slaves, but as most of us are bound to a job for financial purposes, you can get the same point. It doesn’t matter what different careers or skill sets or pay scales we think of, work is work.


B) Do it heartily, or, from the heart. This tells me that when we have been assigned a task or taken on a chore, we should apply ourselves with intent on excellence. “But what if I’m not getting paid enough for the work that’s being asked?” “What if the task at hand isn’t fun or exciting?” “It ain’t fair!” All of these expressions I have thought or said at some point or another. Fact is it doesn’t matter. I have to remember that we don’t serve our employers or our clients or whatever. We work for them, but we serve God. When we work for someone, we have made an agreement to do a job for a wage. We can leave at anytime, and they too can let us go at anytime. So why do I say all that? Let’s continue…


C) As for the Lord rather than for men. This is where it gets tricky. First of all, as a service unto God, all of our lives should be dedicated to pleasing Him. Moaning, groaning, whining and complaining doesn’t get us there right? It doesn’t give Him glory when we grumble or throw a tantrum. What does give Him glory is a job done well regardless of circumstances, done with honor and dignity. He is glorified when we do well, if the work was done in servitude to Him. Now here’s the twist. We can still do a job well and excel in what we do, and fail at servitude. The part about serving God rather than men – men doesn’t just mean the folks we work for, it includes us too. Often times we set our minds to achieve or accomplish, but is selfish ambition. It is us trying to find gratification or fulfillment in the work of our own hands. This is a dangerous thing, because that leads to pride. Or sometimes we feel that if we work hard enough, we’ll get noticed and find favor with men, hence advancing ourselves. Again, not a good way of thinking because we are placing our hopes in the hands of men, and not God. So what then? Let’s continue…


v. 24 – A) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Wow. And here we were thinking that a bonus or a good 401k was significant. By inheritance, he speaks of eternal life! What more is there than forever with the Father? There is nothing on this earth, regardless of how good it may appear, that can compare with that. The right now always seems better than the later on, but we must remember to stay focused. Because as he concludes v.24, it is the Lord Christ whom we serve.


I confess that this is one that I need to work on. I give each one of you permission to call me out if you hear me grumbling or slacking, and ask me “who do you serve?” I would hope that our attitudes and self application reflects the will of God and is pleasing to Him, and nothing else.

-Todd Bagley

Better Is One Day In Your House... [post 50]

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.  - Psalm 84:10 ESV

The Gate of Heaven - Pamela Simpson's Message [post 49]

Pamela Simpson spoke Sunday August 8th. It was a great message. It's over in the Sermon Player. Her speaking gift is stronger than ever.

Interview with Bobby Sparks, Masterlogger [post 48]

Using a Nano Gen5 we got to interview Bobby Sparks at The Waffle House. Look under our Blogs section to visit Bobby's Spiritual Journey Blog Site.

The True KING [post 47]

I spoke from I Samuel 12 today. I was thinking about how the true KING doesn't need to flex His KINGly muscles. He doesn't get involved with expressing his personal glory like the kings of the earth. No gold statutes, no bridges, no roads, no buildings named for him. Little human men look around and say He's not there as if they think that would do anything. They shoot their words up into the air but never notice their words have fallen to the ground and are lying all around them like so many dead flies. The true KING goes on about His chosen business. Such otherly greatness and mystery.


The Holy Spirit came today while we worshipped through song. There was power and passion that became an awesome stillness like distant heat lightning. It felt like flashes with no sound. Just stillness. A deep stillness. Then someone erupted in praise and thanksgiving. A screaming single voice proclaiming His greatness.


It was electric.

- Jim Bentley

La Liberte' de L'Interieur (Freedom Within) [post 46]

This is a short little film that I think you will like. Enjoy!

http://bcove.me/1ommso8g

- submitted by Clay

Michael Bynum On Worship Leading [post 45]

Michael Bynum long time Vineyard pastor, worship leader and song writer talks about worship leading.

Hope & Despair - From Adoption Revolution [post 44]

From http://louxfamilyblog.com:

“Hope and despair are not opposites. They are cut from the very same cloth, made from the very same material, shaped from the very same circumstances. Most of all, every life finds itself forced to choose one from the other, one day at a time, one circumstance after another. The only difference between the two is that despair shapes an attitude of mind; hope creates a quality of soul. Despair colors the way we look at things, makes us suspicious of the future, makes us negative about the present. Hope, on the other hand, takes life on its own terms, knows that whatever happens God lives in it, and expects that, whatever its twists and turns, it will ultimately yield its good to those who live it well. When tragedy strikes, when trouble comes, when life disappoints us, we stand at the crossroads beween hope and despair, torn and hurting. Despair cements us in the present; hope sends us dancing around dark corners trusting in a tomorrow we cannot see. Despair says that there is no place to go but here. Hope says that God is waiting for us someplace else. Begin again.”

The Loux Family Blog
Living out an "Adoption Revolution" fueled by night and day prayer

Thanks to Laura Catoe for the above quote.

Michael Bynum In Person [post 43]

Michael Bynum as interviewed at the Waffle House:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbentley/4501434356/

Grouting completed! [post 42]

The fine work of Tim and Phillip Nesbitt, tile contractors.

- Jim Bentley

Greater Reality [post 41]

It seems to me that God is awakening people all over the world to the greater reality of the spirit realm. This realm is all around us. It is outside of the laws of time and space - yet somehow it is intermingled with our existence here on planet earth. Jesus spent a lot of time working with his disciples, trying to point their vision higher than their natural circumstances and surroundings. While speaking with Nicodemus about the subject of being 'born again' he asked him this question:


"I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" John 3:12


I am convinced that all of our circumstances are perfectly designed by God to teach us about this greater realm of the Spirit. Take for example the instance where the disciples were in the boat with Jesus when suddenly a great storm came upon them. The disciples were scared for their life while Jesus was enjoying his daily siesta. When they wake him - he rebukes them and then he speaks to the storm and tells it to be still. "Where is your faith?", He asks them.


Here is my point. We are all seen in a much different way in the Spirit than we realize. We have an identity in heaven with a lot of authority that has been given to us. The problem is, all of our lives we have been taught a much different reality in the natural realm. We think we are subject to all of the laws and politics of the natural realm. But Jesus consistently defied them at every given opportunity - even beating death and walking on water and through walls. I believe that he was trying to point us to the greater reality of the spirit realm. When we come into our true identity as not only children of God but as joint-heirs with Jesus we realize that we have the same authority that Jesus had. Also, we realize that no matter what our circumstances look like - that we are never alone and God is always with us and for us. (Not to mention all of the angels that surround us!) All things truly are possible with God and things that once appeared impossible suddenly become fun challenges that we go after with glee.


Our tribulations are really opportunities to learn to trust God and rest in His perfect love. Let your circumstances become opportunities to fix your eyes on heaven. You will never be the same!


"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." James 1:2

- A. J. Nichols

More from Donald Miller, [post 40]

My friend who owns the coffee shops told us... "Nobody that he knows who is successful gambles; rather they work hard, they accept the facts of reality, they enjoy life as it is." "But the facts of reality stink," I told him. "Reality is like a fine wine," he told me. "It will not appeal to children." - Donald Miller -  from "Searching... for God Knows What"

- Bruce Cornutt

Blue Like Jazz [post 39]

Blue Like Jazz Quote:
“For me, the beginning of sharing my faith with people began by throwing out Christianity and embracing Christian spirituality, a nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced but not explained. Christianity, unlike Christian spirituality, was not a term that excited me. And I could not in good conscious tell a friend about a faith that didn’t excite me. I couldn’t share something I wasn’t experiencing. And I wasn’t experiencing Christianity. It didn’t do anything for me at all. It felt like math, like a system of rights and wrongs and political beliefs, but it wasn’t mysterious; it wasn’t God reaching of heaven to do wonderful things in my life. And if I would have shared Christianity with somebody, it would have felt mostly like I was trying to get somebody to agree with me rather than meet God. I could no longer share anything about Christianity, but I loved talking about Jesus and the spirituality that goes along with a relationship with Him.” – Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz, 2003


I started reading Blue Like Jazz back in 2007. I laid it down somewhere with a pencil still inside. Bruce told me the other day that he was reading it and that the middle to the end of the book was really good. I started back and he was so right. It was good, for me, to be reading right now. Don reminds me of trying to explain Christianity the Religion and Christianity the Relationship. I heard an Italian writer the other day explain that the word Religion means to have a bond to something. I have a bond with our heavenly Father, Jesus the Son of God/Son of Man, and the Holy Spirit. It feels real, is real. Any bond I have with Christianity comes about because of my bond (relationship) with the Trinity (Father, Son and Spirit).


I hate that Good Friday was necessary to get a Resurrection Sunday. But since we can't have one without the other we say, "Bless your holy Name and what a profound expression of LOVE from our one and only LORD. PRAISE BE TO GOD."

- Jim Bentley