Modern Day Apostle

Monday was an incredible day for me.  I met the most Godly man I have ever known.  He is 71 years old and one of the Fathers of the underground Church movement in China.  As I sat and listened to him for over 2 hours it was as though I was listening to a continuation of the book of Acts.  His stories of imprisonment and persecution were gut wrenching.  His stories of the miraculous peace and deliverance of the Holy Spirit were amazing!  It put a longing and desire deep inside me to experience Him in this same way, even if it means suffering and persecution.

It reminded me of the the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10; "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings..."

The Lord's Spirit is prompting me in two distinct ways these days:

1.  I feel that He is calling me to be a part of reaching the unreached in hard, out of the way places with the gospel.  To take the road less traveled with the love of Christ.

2.  I feel a strong direction to fully understand the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life, ministry and future.

It seems as though these two are inseparable. Please pray with and for me as we run after all the Father had in store for us just around the corner!

How's Your Heart?

"Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love..."   (Joel 2:13)

Just a vivid reminder today that the Lord is not interested in our outward appearance, but rather the condition of our hearts!  Lets be open and transparent with the Father today as we run after His heart!  He has great things in store for us just around the bend!

My Desire

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"  (Psalm 42:1-2)

This has become the desire of my heart. To rise up early and meet with the living God of the universe!  It is here that we find true purpose and meaning in each new day! My prayer is that each of us readjust our lives and schedules to consitantly spend alone time with Him.  This is the source of a life with meaning and purpose!  He is waiting for you.

What a way to start the day!!!

I got up early every morning in Nicaragua around 5 am and settled in with my Bible, my journal and a hot cup of Nicaraguan coffee under the Rancho out by the ocean.  I spent about 2 hours just reading, writing, listening and talking with my heavenly Father.  The time went by so quickly and was so precious to me.  The Spirit of God spoke so loud and clear to me each new day as I set aside the time to hear from Him.  (And yes those are my feet!)  Remember the Bible says "Beautiful are the feet of those who carry the gospel." 

Most of us as believers in Christ live way to busy, way to safe and way to self- sufficient to ever hear from the Spirit of God.  We seldom experience His power and presence because we have arranged our lives to the place where we are never desperate enough for Him to show up.  What a shame!  I want to challenge us all to rearrange our lives in such a way that we hear fresh and new from God's Spirit each new day!

The Road Less Traveled!

This recent trip to Nicaragua was full of Firsts for me.  Sand Boarding a Volcano, Boogie Boarding huge waves in the Pacific Ocean and a River Boat ride up a Crocodile infested estuary.  But none of these will ever match our rugged trips to a remote mountain village where we had the blessed opportunity of sharing the Gospel of Christ for the very first time with many of its residents!

It began at a newly discovered elementary school that was tucked away under some huge spreading trees on a remote dirt road that led up to the Volcano.  There were 44 Students and 3 teachers of which only 2 had ever heard of Jesus Christ. 

From there we simply prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to guide us as we drove out stopping only where we felt the Spirit's prompting.  Cold calling from house to house in the Jungles of Nicaragua is a little uncertain at times.  We found each family kind and open to talk to the "Chelles"  or white people.   You see hundreds drive by every week on there way to the Volcano, but by their testimonies nobody ever stops.

What a blessing to see many of these whole families give their lives to Christ!  One young boy was overjoyed by receiving a baseball glove.  He said it was the dream of his life to own one, but thought it would be impossible.  With God all things are possible!  Praise His name!  (notice the camo hat we left him as well!)

I have the desire now more than ever to carry the Gospel where no man has gone with it before!

Are You Kidding Me?

I just had one of the Coolest experiences of my lifetime!  Our group hiked to the top of an active volcano called Cerro Negro (the Black Hill).  We hiked up along the rim and from the peak could see for miles.  On one side, you could look down and see the smoke and smell the sulfer.  On the other side was a steep 1900 foot decline of fine ground lava sand. 

We got our instructions form our guide Anry, put on our gear, grabbed our boards, held on tight to the ropes and yelled all the way to the bottom in about 45 seconds!  It was an adrenaline rush I wont soon forget!  Keeping it real!

Cerro Negro

This has been an incredible week for me in Nicaragua! God is speaking deeply into my life through His written word and precious Holy Spirit.  Internet access is extremely limited, so my entries are few.  Two highlights of the first few days were Sand Boarding down a huge, active Volcano called Cerro Negro followed by leading many to Christ in some very remote villages which have never received the gospel before! Many of the people had never even heard the name Jesus!  This has been a dream of my life.  To go with the gospel to places where no man has ever carried it before. Wow, God is so good!  Keep on praying for me over these next few days.  I hope to check in with you live at Northstar Sunday via Skype.  Hope to see you then! 

Blessings,

Scott

Going Home

Today was such a sweet blessing in my life. I was invited to go back to my home Church and preach.  This is a place that is very dear to my heart!  This is the place where I came to know Christ, was baptized at age 14, preached my first sermon and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry.  These are precious believers who first believed in me and poured into my life from childhood.  It was such an honor to stand in this pulpit and preach the word of the Lord.  It felt really good to be able to give a little something back to those who have given so much to me!

The Lord showed Himself faithful.  The worship was powerful, just like always.  The body was so positive and affirming.  The Holy Spirit moved in a such a strong way.  It was good to be in the house of the Lord!

True Believers

 Acts Chapter 5:13-14 grabbed me.  "No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.  Nevertheless, more men and women beleived in the Lord and were added to their number."

The Spirit of God was moving in such powerful ways in the New Testament Church, casual believers didnt even consider joining them.  At the same time, the Lord kept drawing in and adding TRUE believers to their number every day.

Wouldnt it be incredible if the Spirit of God moved so powerfully at Northstar each week that only those with a sincere heart for God felt at home.  Lets join hearts and pray that the Holy Spirit draws us to such a place!

Manna?

I must surely be in part of the Promised Land, these taste just like Manna!  They are food fit for a Krispy King!  You should try one soon.  It's vacation, we can pick the disciplined food regiment back up next week.  Just remember, all things are good in moderation!

The Wrong Question

For many years now I, along with many others in my life, have been seeking for more of the Holy Spirit.  I have sought a fresh touch, a deeper experience with Him.  This week as I started slowly digesting the book of Acts the Lord revealed to me that we have been asking the wrong question.

I have been asked "How can I get more of the Holy Spirit?"  I have asked that question myself.  I now believe that the real question should be "How much of me does the Holy Spirit have?"  I am convinced that all of the Holy Spirit you will ever get, you get the day you trust Christ as the Savior of your life.  At that moment you are "baptized with" or "filled with" the Spirit of God. 

Since the Holy Spirit is a person, we get Him in full.  All of Him.  All He has to offer is ours in Christ.  He cannot give us more or less of Himself.  So lets stop asking for more of Him and start giving Him all of us! 

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has comes on you.  And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth."  ( Acts 1:8)

Walking In His Ways

This morning as I was prayer walking on the beach and listening to a message on Missions from David Platt on my ipod  touch, I found my self following the path of least resistance.  The soft sand was difficult to walk on at times and so I began to follow the fresh tire tracks in the sand left behind by the beach patrol the night before.

It was so much easier to walk there on the firmly packed sand.  It was in that time that I began to pray to the Spirit of God and ask that He would begin to teach me to see His path in my life that clearly.  My desire is to keep in step with the Spirit and never stray from His best for me!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."     (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Thank you Father for the sweet promises of your word!

Spiritual CPR

In Jeremiah 33:3 God gives us an incredible formula for new life.  I like to call it Spiritual CPR!  "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."  It's a Three fold process.  Check this out.

1.  C ommand-  "call to me"
2.  P romise-  "I will answer you"
3.  R evelation- "tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

So, the next time you are tired, weary or spiritually dry, give this a try.  Take God at His word and see if He doesn't come through for you just like He has me so many times before!

The Greatest Gift!

Today as I was reviewing some of the key things the Lord has said to me over the past week in Jeremiah, the old became new, the familiar became fresh in me.  In Chapter 29:12-14 God says; "Then you will call upon ME and come and pray to ME, and I will listen to you.  You will seek ME and find ME when you seek ME with all your heart.  I will be found by you declares the Lord."

Did you see it like I did today through fresh eyes and a new heart?  God says when you seek me, you will get me!  The Lord revealed to me that it is not about a new job or healing or money or things...  It's Him!  It is the greatest gift He could offer us; Himself!  When we take the time and break away from all the distractions of the world and seek Him out with all we have, He rewards us with His presence.  What more could we possibly ask for? 

I pray that we would be a people who consistently seek Him out with all our hearts.  Why don't you join me this week in an intense search for the Creator of the Universe.  It might just blow you away when He reveals Himself to you like never before!

The Mole Hole!

While in New York, I bought an unlimited ride Metro Card and rode the Subway all over the city.  Now, I am usually very good with direction.  It seems as though God has put a built in compass in my mind.  I seldom get lost or turned around, but all that goes away when you put me under ground!

The Subway was always dark, loud, crowded and smelly!  There are so many stations, numbers, exits, twists and turns that I got disoriented almost every time.  Often times I was forced to make quick decisions with the rush of the crowd.  I would surface up out of the terminal, eyes squinting in the sunlight like a mole coming up out of his hole on a bright summer day.  Then I would immediately start looking for road signs at the closest intersection to try and regain my bearings. 

I soon discovered that the way to success was a detailed Subway map, watching all the passing signs and listening closely to the Conductors directions.  This three fold combination proved almost foil proof.  This is a close parallel to the walk of Faith.  Life can get real confusing at times.  We can be thrust into the darkness so quickly.  There are lots of unexpected twists and turns along the way. Therefore, it is so important that we closely follow the Lord in uncertain times.  God's word is our road map.  The Psalmist states; "Your word is a light unto my path and a lamp unto my feet."  The Holy Spirit helps us to clearly discern the "signs" or unusual circumstances of life. But, the most important key is to learn how to consistently hear the voice of the Father along the journey. He is the conductor who desires to keep us headed in the right direction.  Jesus says it best in John 10:27; "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."  I am learning to distinguish His voice better every day!

Stop & Go

Every morning while in New York I got up early and walked the streets before all the chaos began.  I walked for my physical training and I prayed, looked and listened for my spiritual training.  Since I was walking for time and not distance, I had no real destination in mind.  Therefore, I quickly discovered a method for my madness.  In order to keep on moving and keep my heart rate up (and not die in the streets of New York), I simply started following the pedestrian lights wherever they might lead me.

  You see at every intersection in Manhattan there are cross walk lights, thousands of them!  So as I approached an intersection, I made my choice as where to turn by simply following the little white walking man and not the dreaded red hand.  After a short while, it became so easy.  I didn't even have to think about it anymore.  I mentally checked out and simply and quickly followed the little white man all over the city. 

It wasn't until the third day that the Lord impressed these words on my heart; "This is the way I want it to be with me."  In that moment my mind turned to Isaiah 30:21 that says "whether you turn to the right hand or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it."  I immediately prayed,  "This is what I want Lord.  I want to get to the place in my life where it is simply my nature to look and listen for you at every intersection of my life and quickly obey and follow you at every turn!"  I pray today, that there will come a time when I don't even have to think about it anymore.  Stop, Go, Right, Left, Yes, No... You give the command Lord and consider it done!