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“I was wondering how we get things going?”

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The room was filled with young bible college students.  They were assembled for their weekly chapel service.  It was 1972 and the “Charismatic Renewal” was in full gear.  The president of the college felt he needed to address the excesses and errors of the so-called revival.

He gave detailed instructions on how to handle public services that would assure anything from getting out of control.  As the president stressed over and over again the danger of “just letting the spirit move,” one of the students lifted his hand.  He allowed the student to speak. The young man humbly stood and shyly spoke,

President [Smith], I am so thankful you’ve taken the time to instruct us in this area.  And I think I can speak for all of us in that we would never want to be a part of any errors or excesses. But…but…

He paused.  The President, who was flattered by the student’s comments, said, “It’s alright son.  Go ahead.  What is it?”

Well sir, I appreciate you telling us how to stop things before they get out of hand.  But what I was wondering is if you could tell us how to get things going in the first place?

That’s still a legitimate question.  Not, how do we put a lid on things, but how do we stimulate and release a move of God’s Spirit?  How do we stir up God’s people in way that when we are assembled something happens?

The necessity of knowing God’s Word cannot be stressed enough. It is the infallible, inherent, and inspired Word of God. Unfortunately, in a majority of American churches there is such a huge emphasis placed on the studying, teaching, and preaching of the Bible, there’s no time or want for allowing and experiencing a move of the Holy Spirit.

No one would argue that the idea that the Holy Spirit is living inside every Believer.  No one would even argue with the fact that the Holy Spirit is still at work. But anything that moves into the supernatural, the miraculous, or God forbid the spontaneous, is totally off-limits.

We have a church culture in American evangelicalism that is afraid of anything “too spiritual.”  We’ve honed the art of church down to songs that everybody likes and preaching that isn’t too long.  Experts, who know exactly what to do and how to do it, are in charge of the weekly gatherings.

But listen to the way Paul talked,

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1–5) 

Weakness?  Fear?  Trembling? Paul was an expert in theology, but when it came to ministry he was completely unconfident in his own abilities, and completely dependent on the Holy Spirit.  And wherever he went the Holy Spirit moved in the lives of people. 

That’s how you get things going!

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He Was Laying In The Gutter

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It was difficult to find him.  The place we were looking was dark and not the safest place for two gringos.  

My friend and I were looking for a homeless Hispanic man who we had met early. He had accepted our invitation to our church’s Spanish service happening later that evening.  We offered to pick him up and give him a ride.

We were at the location he told us to meet him at, but he wasn’t there.  We were just about to leave when we spotted what look like someone laying in the gutter.  It was him.

He was drunk, but smiled and said, “Gracias, amigos. Gracias!”  We were able to help him into the car.  And that night he gave his life to Christ.  We could see the change on his face.  His eyes were filled with tears as he told us in broken English, “Jesus has took my sins and thrown them in the ocean!”

That night he was arrested and deported.  We never saw him again.

About 200 miles south of the Mexican border in Baja, there’s a little seaside fishing town named Vicente Guerrero.  In the middle of this town there is a huge tree with dozens of benches around it.  

It’s a church.  

Every Sunday those benches fill with people. There are no worship teams, no children’s ministries or youth programs, no ushers, no greeters.  Just hundreds of people listening to a man named “Hermano Alfredo” preach.  And he preaches the same sermon every week.  In fact, he only knows one verse, and has it memorized


He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)

Brother Alfredo is stuck with this one verse, not by choice, but because he can’t read.  However, he’s content because he knows the power of this verse.  He’s watched God use it to bring hundred’s of people to Christ.  

And it was this verse that God used to capture Brother Alfredo’s heart.  He’ll never forget the night when he’d first heard it, because his life was changed forever.  

He’s probably forgot the two gringos who had pulled him out of a ditch that night and brought him to church, but the gringos won’t.

Center Church

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Our church is called Escondido Christian Center.  For short we call it, the Center Church.  I like that.  Being a center for people to gather.  Being a center for ministry.  Being a center for God’s work to be accomplished.  

The Center also implies balance. I especially like that.

Staying balanced is very important to me.  I try to achieve it in all areas of my life.  And when it comes to my responsibility of leading a ministry I feel it is imperative. There are so many pendulum swings that can occur. Staying balanced between the Word and the Spirit is key.

This is why I am so proud to be a part of the Foursquare Church.

The vision, the inception, even the name “Foursquare” was, and is, totally about balance.  It flows from an insight that the Holy Spirit gave the founder, Aimee Semple McPherson, in July 1922, while she was leading revival meetings in Oakland, CA.  Here’s what she wrote…

In Luke 5:18 and Mark 2:3 we read of a man who was sick of the palsy.  Four men let the man down into the midst of the assembled multitude where Jesus was. Four cords were used in lowering him to the place where he might feel the touch of the Masters hands. 

These four cords might be likened unto Salvation, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Coming of the Lord.

(1) These cords are strong enough to support the life of person.
(2) We need all four of them if we are ever to lower this suffering and needy world to the humble and blessed place of mercy at the Masters feet.
(3) If we cut or drop one of these cords, we are likely to spill the man off.
(4) All four should be used together, and the man may be lowered with perfect safety and surety.

In letting down the poor old world into the presence of Jesus, every rope should be kept even; that is, the Gospel should be preached foursquare.

Preach salvation only and, though you are reaching the unconverted, the Christian will be starving for deeper truths whereon he must feed to grow in grace.

Over-emphasize the baptism with the Holy Ghost, slack up on the other cords, and, in spite of yourself, you will spill the sick man.

Preach nothing but divine healing, devote the major part of your time to ministering to the physical instead of the spiritual needs of man, and you are in danger of tilting him off; for his bed has become unbalanced.

Preach nothing but the pre-millenial coming of the Lord Jesus, and a laying aside of all work of evangelism must one go forth before we meet Him and again the balance is lost. Occupy till He comes and the conversion of the sinner is lost sight of, and before you know it, the man is slipping perilously near the edge in that direction. 

The four cords must be equally divided. The weight upon each must be equally distributed. If not, the people will become discouraged or fall off. Then, instead of having a blessing, you have a wreck on your hands. Lord, help us to have poise, and equilibrium, and to preach a well-balanced Foursquare Gospel.

To be Foursquare means facing an issue directly, preaching the truth in an unflinching way. It means that we shall never be lopsided.

I pray the Lord will never allow us to become “lopsided” in any area, except in our love for Him!

You’re Getting Shorter?

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Sometimes growth seems to take forever: learning a new language…getting your first driver’s license…breaking old habits…saving enough money to buy your first house.

Sometimes growth seems to go by in a nanosecond: those extra inches added to the waistline…the cost of living…another birthday…my granddaughter’s already walking!

Marks on the wall were a high priority for Kathie and me with our four children.  We would regularly check their growth and celebrate each little increment upward.  It seems like yesterday our kids were standing as tall as possible with their backs against the wall. We would carefully make a mark, then let them turn around to see it, and then celebrate their growth.


“Look, you’ve grown almost a half an inch!”

Imagine how weird would it have been if after carefully making the mark, Kathie and I shook our heads as our kids turned around, and said,


“Sorry honey, you’ve actually gotten shorter.”

When it comes to spiritual growth there are times when great strides are made.  We are bounding forward in our understanding and applying of God’s word.  We can’t get enough time in worship and fellowship.  We are getting stronger in all areas.

But then there are times when our spiritual growth can not only slow down, but stop, and then actually start to go backwards.  We aren’t reading God’s word, in fact we have forgotten what it says.  Our passion for worship and fellowship is now put into other things.  We are getting weaker in all areas. 

Spiritual growth happens with the help and power of the Holy Spirit. 


But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

For Christians, this kind of growth essential, but it’s not automatic. It can be hindered. Instead of progressing and moving forward, there can be “backsliding.” Listen to this…


…you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:11–14) 

By reason of use

It’s possible for someone to be “dull of hearing” become like baby who can only drink milk.  But it’s also possible for someone “to have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Becoming “skilled” in the word, and having a hunger for the meat of the word.  

There’s a wall in heaven with marks on it, dates on it, and your name on it.  Jesus is looking at it with you.  Where’s the last mark?

There’s A Reason It Says, “Poisonous”

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Duke was one of the best dogs we’d ever had.  He was a German Shepherd who had won our family’s heart.  We got Duke as a puppy and watched him grow up with our kids.

One day Duke started acting strange.  He was drooling excessively and shaking.  We attended to him quickly and were about to take him to the Vet, when suddenly he heaved over and died.

We were completely blindsided.  We didn’t know what had happened to Duke.  We began searching for clues.  We found some harmless looking little pieces of a green wax-like substance on the patio.  Then more by the fence.  Then more on the other side of the fence.

Duke had eaten rat poison from the neighbor’s backyard.

I’ll never forget my 9 year old son’s shoulders shaking as he wept while he and I wrapped up Duke in a blanket, dug a hole, and buried him.

This is a brutal way for me to relate something to you.  I don’t like reliving it.  But it’s very important that you hear this.  Obviously if you love your pets, you need to keep them away from poison.  

But there’s a poison that can kill you, and yours

One of the greatest strategies of Satan is to subvert truth.  It’s what he did in Eden.  It’s what he did in the beginning days of the Church.  And it’s what he’s still doing right now.

Like rat poison, Satan introduces little thoughts in our minds that, left alone, begin to take us off track from what God has said in His Word.  These thoughts lead to ideas, which lead to conversations, which lead to error. Deadly error.
Paul warned Timothy about this…

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:15–18, NKJV)

Profane and idle babblings seem innocuous enough, but they spread like cancer, and can ultimately derail someone’s faith—poisoning the very thing that allowed them to know God in the first place.  Killing the trust and understanding of God’s Word.

There’s a reason it says, “poisonous” on a box of rat poison.  We’re to stay clear of it…it’s dangerous!  And there’s a reason we’re to stay clear of anything that would cause us to stray from the God’s truth…it’s deadly!

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It Does Matter

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One of the greatest examples of Christian love in the twentieth century was without a doubt Mother Theresa.  Born in Macedonia, to Albanian parents, she felt a call to ministry at the age of 12, and six years later joined the Sisters of Loreto as a missionary. 

In 1948 Mother Teresa, in what she described as “the call within the call,” left the convent to go live among the poor in Calcutta, India.  She helped found a new community called the Missionaries of Charity.  When interviewed about what the mission of this new organization was, Mother Theresa astounded the interviewer by answering, 

“To care for the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.”

Later in her life, after years of such incredible impact that made her name a household word, Mother Theresa revealed a significant insight when she said, 

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

It’s small things

Jesus said “Anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name does it unto to me.”  In saying this Jesus shows that it is not just the big things that we do which count, but also the small things.  Jesus does not forget the small gestures of kindness and love, giving a cup of water, an act of acceptance, a kind word, a smile, taking time to bake someone a cake or write a card, sitting with someone who is unwell, so many little things which in themselves may not seem much, but which make a difference and which God notices. 

The prophet Zechariah wrote,  


Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. (Zechariah 4:10)

It tends to be the big gestures that get recognized and celebrated, but God says “Do not despise the small things.”  Just as a house is built from lots of small bricks, so the small things we do matter, because they build into something much bigger.

Things that we do unto the Lord are never wasted. They always make a difference.  No act of kindness is too small. The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple that over time can turn into a tidal wave affecting the lives of many.

It wasn’t a small thing when…

When the boy gave the five loaves and two fish.  Even though they were so small compared with the great need of the 5,000 men that had to be fed. His lunch paled in comparison to the need, but in the hands of the Lord it was blessed and was made it more than enough.

When Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with the costly oil of spikenard.  It seemed like a frivolous and wasteful thing to do in the eyes of Judas Iscariot, but it was making provision for Jesus’ burial. This simple act became an example of the kind of worshipper the Lord is seeking.

When the widow trusted God to provide for her after she put all of her living into the offering.  Although her gift was the smallest gift that day, the faith that it took to give it, the Lord regarded it as the biggest.

When Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the son of the Living God.”  Although is was a small statement, it gives us the answer for the most important question all of us must answer, “Who do you say Jesus is?”

It does matter!

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Unexploded Bombs

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In England during the Blitz of WWII, there were special British military units that would diffuse unexploded bombs (“UXBs”). Their efforts and bravery were greatly appreciated. 

The men of these units were not highly trained experts in the field of explosives, nor did they have the latest Bond-style gadgetry. These men learned over time various techniques and procedures for disarming and destroying the UXBs.  But the Nazis repeatedly confronted them with more cunning and deadlier technological advances for aerial bomb fusing.

There are still unexploded bombs

They still find UXBs from WWII. They are old and rusty, and often buried in the ground.  Because of the decay they look harmless, but on the contrary they are very dangerous.

 
These old bombs are very difficult to diffuse.  Gaining access to the bomb is challenging.  The wiring is usually corroded making disconnecting the triggering mechanism next to impossible.

You might have an unexploded bomb 

The writer of Hebrews wrote,


Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. (Hebrews 12:15. NKJV)

There are things that have hurt you or offended you, which left on their own, have the insidious capacity to not only make you bitter, but to cause trouble. And this is one of the most deceptive weapons of the enemy.

Like an old unexploded bomb sitting in the ground, all rusty and almost unnoticeable, so is the root of bitterness.  And the longer it sits, the more dangerous it becomes and the more difficult to disarm.  What makes it even trickier is the devil will keep re-wiring the device of your bitterness with new and deadlier components.

The technique

You don’t have to be an expert.  In the same way the UXB units learned techniques for disarming bombs, you can learn how to disarm the explosive bomb of bitterness.  And Jesus Christ has already given you an incredible lesson.

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
(Colossians 3:13, NLT)

Forgive as you have been forgiven. This will keep any root from taking hold, and it will keep everyone one around you safe…which they will greatly appreciate and benefit from.

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A VIP Pass

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Our lives are constantly confronted by things that limit and restrain us: “Do Not Touch”,  “Do Not Enter”,  “Authorized Personal Only”. You go to a museum only to have ropes keep you a “safe” distance from all the exhibits. You go to a concert and only those with VIP Backstage Passes hanging around their necks are allowed to get anywhere near the band. 

Whether the purpose is to keep us out of danger, to protect something that’s valuable, or to give access only to important people, our lives are filled with yellow tape that we are not allowed to cross. 

In the Temple at the time of Jesus, there was a room inside called the Holy of Holies. This was the place where God’s presence dwelt, and where no average person was allowed in. There was a veil, or curtain, made out of a thick tapestry that kept people out. 

Only the High Priest, who was handpicked by God, was allowed to pass through the curtain into the presence of God, and that was only once a year on the Day of Atonement, and only after many thorough cleansing rituals. If anyone else but the High Priest tried to enter the Holy of Holies, they would die.

This curtain was like a huge “Do Not Enter” sign hanging in the temple. It was a great divider that hid God from man. But the very moment Jesus breathed his last breath on the cross, Matthew records that this curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The tearing of the curtain displays how perfect the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was, and what it did for us. 

No longer do we have a “Do Not Enter” sign keeping us back from God.  Jesus ripped it down in His death, opening the door wide open for us to have free and complete access to God Himself. It is as if Jesus gave us His VIP pass, granting us His status so that we might experience the blessed relationship that He has with the Father. 

Because of this we can approach God with confidence, giving thanks to Jesus for opening up the way that we might know and enjoy the Father, and experience His fellowship like we were never able to before. Remember this as you come to the Lord in prayer today. The curtain is torn, so you have complete access to bring your heart before the Lord.

Prayers Don’t Expire

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Several years ago I was playing golf with a couple of young men I didn’t know.  We were paired together by the course starter. After introducing ourselves to one another, we eventually asked what each other did for work.  They told me they were in the Navy.  

I’ll never forget the way they looked at me when I told him I was a pastor. “No swearing or drinking today!” one of them said.  Then the other asked, “Did my mom send you?”  We laughed.

But that’s not the most memorable moment from that day.

As the round went on, they begin telling me where they were from.  I could sense they were homesick.  But one of them, whose name was Gary, told me that his mom would be happy to hear he was hanging out with a pastor.  He said it kind of kidding around in front of his friend.  

But a few moments later, out of range from his friend he said, “Seriously man.  Every time I talk to her she wants to know if I’m going to church.”

With that I could feel the Holy Spirit pressing on my heart. “Gary, are you a Christian?”  With that simple question, this strong young sailor’s eyes filled with tears. His head hung down and his voice cracked as he shrugged his shoulders and said, “I dunno.”

I put my hand on his shoulder and led him in prayer. Gary made Jesus the Lord of His life right there on the 4th tee box with his friends wide-eyed watching the whole thing.

But that’s still not the most memorable moment of that day.

Throughout the rest of our round Gary told me about his life.  How his mom had recently gotten her life together, and how he was actually raised by his grandma. He told me how his grandmother would take him to church, and how when he was about 16 he quit going and rebelled.  He told me about joining the Navy to get away.  And then fighting back the tears, he told me that his grandma had died last year, and how he wished he could tell her what had just happened to him.

Then the most memorable moment of that day happened.

While listening to Gary, the Holy Spirit made it clear to me that my encounter with him, his brokenness and willingness to pray were all the result of his grandmother’s prayers.  I told him what I was sensing.  He seemed appreciative.  But I have never ever forgotten this.

The Bible tells us, “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person, avails much.” (James 5:16).  The Bible also tells us that our prayers are so valuable to God that he keeps them in a bowl in heaven (Rev. 5:8).  In other words, prayer is not only powerful, it never expires.  There are many things happening in our lives that are a result of other’s prayers, both living and dead. Some day I’ll get a chance to thank a grandma for her prayers over her grandson Gary, but more importantly, so will Gary!

A Splinter of Hope

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Boating is a great recreational pursuit for many people.  Some like fast boats.  Some like sailboats.  Some like fishing boats.  Some like huge seagoing ships.  And they will all argue why their boat is better than the others.

But one thing they all agree on is a dislike for foul weather.  

There are many new technical advances that afford ships more safety in stormy conditions.  Yet even seasoned old salts grimace at the prospect of storms, knowing they can generate huge seas that threaten to capsize their vessels.  

The Apostle Paul was on a ship crossing the Mediterranean Sea en route to Rome.  It was the wrong time of the year to be out in those waters and Paul knew it.  He urged the captain to hold port until it was safe.  But the captain and his crew decided to push on.  

It was a bad decision.

A vicious seasonal storm called Euroclydon blew so fiercely that ship literally started to come apart.  Even after throwing everything overboard to lighten the load, the ship was still in peril.  They gave up all hope of being saved.

But in the middle of the night an angel appeared to Paul and told him not to be afraid.  He assured Paul that although the ship was doomed, not one life would be lost.  Paul told this to the 276 people onboard the ship, and they were all encouraged.

As soundings determined they were getting close to land, they dropped four anchors to slow the ship down.  When land was sighted they let the anchors go.

Another bad decision.

Now the ship sped uncontrollably for shore, only to run aground on the rocks of a reef.  Waves begin to break the stern apart.  The captain commanded everyone to abandon ship.  Those who knew how to swim started paddling, while others held onto boards and other parts of the ship.  But where told…

They all escaped safely to land. (Acts 27:44)

When you’re jumping from a ship that’s sinking, and you don’t know how to swim, the only hope you have is that there is something, or someone to hold onto. Hope will cause you to keep grabbing.  Hope will cause you to hold on whatever there is, even if it’s just a splinter.

But we have so much more.


…we are those who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, is both sure and steadfast, and which enters the behind the veil into the presence of God. (Hebrews 6:18,19)

No matter how bad things have gotten, or how dark, or how long it’s been going on, there’s still hope.  We can lay hold of God Himself.  And what’s even more encouraging is that God lays hold of us in a way that secures our very lives at the deepest level…and He’ll never let go!