Ordering Your Private World…Selfish or Necessary?

“I have heard some say that MacDonald’s book, “Ordering Your Private World,” is a “self-help” book that many could do without. Well, after reading through the book a 2nd time after about 10 years of being in ministry I would confidently DISAGREE. Gordon MacDonald is not proposing “self-help” technique for the Christian life. Rather, MacDonald is only pointing out the need for the rare and focused inner strength that Paul the apostle prays for in Ephesians. Paul says, “…I pray that your inner man is strenghtened…” In effect the Christian has to realize the spiritual administration needed to walk in this world. I for one desperately need for example a genuine Sabbath day of rest. Different from Sundays because I am in full time ministry. I need time set aside for reflection, prayer, planning, reading, sleep, and no pressure to be anywhere for anyone except me and God himself. Jesus modeled this lifestyle of frequently getting away and I would whole heartedly encourage moms, dads, pastors, teachers, business owners, and the like to do the same. Enjoy the read – but realize that it will call you to pay more attention to the condition of your inner world of peace in Christ.”

Freedom…

Well…yesterday was election day. What a great day it is for history in the making. Consider freedom. I got out of bed this morning in my own home and drank my own coffee from my own choice of coffee machine. Then I was able to choose what news to watch before I moved through my day. I was free to choose what route to drive to work. Once I arrived at my place of service and commitment, I enjoyed the freedom to study Christian History with others who are free to have higher education. I have the freedom to choose what I do, where I go, and how long I remain in any course of action on any given day. I have the freedom to teach my children a belief system that upholds what is loving, and honorable, and right. I have the joy of choosing to vote for men and women who I believe will best serve principles laid down by a loving Creator. I am free because it is God who made me free. I live free because God blessed me with a country that is free. I say let freedom ring, and ring, and loudly ring until the whole world hears that we are all free to choose, to live, to breathe without fear, and to stand up for principle, beliefs, and righteousness. May today be a reality for you and your family that you are free. God bless our great country as we fight for our freedom. God bless our country as we stand in the midst of opposition. God bless our country as we stand for the value of individual people living in this great land. May we never take for granted that God has set us free.

The most difficult forgiveness of all…

Paul the apostle says in 2 Timothy 4:16-17;

“At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth.”

If you have ever felt like you have been deserted by someone you know what Paul felt like. But has everyone deserted you? Think about it. Yes, those who seem to be with you through ministry in the long run may be the very ones who leave you. So be honest they become not so nice people. They are “deserters.” They are the ones who gave lip service to God and to you as a brother or sister in Christ. Then, they for some reason become jerks, even in the ministry. So what is Paul’s response. He says, “…may it not be counted against them.” Paul was forgiving them for the desertion. And the motivation or ability to forgive those jerks for leaving him was the very fact that, “…the Lord stood with me,…” 

Because the Lord stands with you, everyone can desert you and in the end you are still doing well. The Lord is with you in ministry. Every time you obey Him through fulfilling His word, He is really with you. Some may not remain in service with you. Some people may not befriend you. Some people may forsake the gathering of church fellowship after years of attending, but the Lord is with you.

True discipleship is that which produces a person who is knowing Jesus. And sometimes to know Jesus and the fellowship of his suffering is to experience total desertion.

Have you been deserted at work? Have you been deserted by your spouse? Have you been deserted by your kids? Or how about you have been deserted from the very ones who stood with you in ministry? Take heart in the Lord, Child of God. God is with you. The Lord is with you. His Holy Spirit will remind you of His presence and faithfulness toward you.

A Biblical Response to the Government “Bail Out”…

Well the week has been quite active and thought provoking for many. I’ll will simply share with you some scriptures that came to mind as the bill in the House was passed this past Friday afternoon. 

I am personally of the opinion that the “bail out” or the “Trouble Asset Rescue Plan of 2008″ is a bad idea. Don’t misunderstand, I do think something needs to be done. However, the quickness of a decision for such a burden that will be exacted from the american people is unjust to say the least and shows a drastic irresponsibility of financial stewardship.

The following may help you as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ to focus your mind on what is now important for the Christian. We need to respond to the current financial crisis in such a way that we are individually learning how to give godly stewardship to the money that God has blessed us with.

FIRST, take a look at Nehemiah chapter 5.

There are principles here in the chapter along with Nehemiah’s response that I believe we can learn from. Note a few things. The people were being taken advantage of in order that the King might receive more tax dollars. In fact the people where having to mortgage their properties, and even borrow money due to the fact that the financial tax burden was just simply overwhelming. So what did the Christian prophet do?

1. Nehemiah was angry. God began to use Nehemiah and stir him up because what was being done was unjust. As Christians we need to remember that it is our responsibility to be involved in the voting process of our country and to influence government with biblical principles. Not to legislate morality; which can’t be done, but to demand that our country remain Christian in its governing principles. It is okay to be angry when something is unjust. It is fact that from the scriptures God uses godly men and women to change a country for the people.

2. Nehemiah counseled in his own mind regarding the situation. In other words he took a look at the situation and made some godly conclusions about what needed to be said. Folks you need to read the scriptures and find out just how much the bible is truly speaking to the current issues of our country and our world. To be apathetic as some and not see God’s heart of the current issues is just irresponsible on our part. Make some conclusions about these things and take a stand.

3. Nehemiah contented with the nobles and leaders who were doing this unjust thing of exacting from the people ungodly amounts of money. God uses men and women who believe in Him and walk with Him to go up against a worldly people. God will use us, if we will be available, in order to tell our government “this thing you are doing is not good.” So speak up, they will listen.

4. Nehemiah stayed on those nobles to return to the people what was necessary to survive the famine. And he stayed on them to make sure the promise of doing so would be fulfilled. These promises that politicians make about various issues of money. We have an opportunity to stay on them and make sure they come through with what they say they are going to do. If we don’t get involved they will spend the money how they see fit. Once it is done, you have no say so in the matter.

No matter how you look at this bail out the same principles from Nehemiah’s situation should apply. However, due to the voting structure of our country once the vote is in from those who represent us we all must submit and pay the tax that is due. (Romans 13). The bail out for your family could equal up to $2300.00 per person. That is some kind of debt that you did not sign up for. Your government just signed you up to pay for other people’s irresponsible decisions.

So I just want to influence your thinking if I may, and let you know from a scriptural point of view, God is not for this bail out. It is not of His character. He does not do things like this to people. 

What do we learn from Nehemiah? Well, God is a God of Justice. Some may get rich in our government as all their “extras” line their pockets, however, make no mistake, God does not look kindly on anyone who might have the motive of ripping off his people or hard working, responsible families of our country. 

Check back in the coming days, I will write more about some other scriptures on the issue. May the Lord bless you as you individually give good stewardship to the wealth that only HE has given you the power to produce.

Coming home…

Dear Calvary Chapel Family,

 

We miss you even though it has been just a few days. I wanted to write you tonight and let you know that we love you and are hopeful and looking forward to getting back with you at church and among our fellowship with one another.

 

We are all thankful that God has seemed to show great mercy to all of Louisiana in terms of the overall storm damage. Prayer has touched the heart of God for New Orleans once more.

 

As we return and find debris, damage, and in some cases major issues with our properties please know that we will do what ever it takes to help you and assist you with needs that may come up.

 

If you get to your properties before I do please let us know by email as soon as possible the status of your situation so that we might be able to assist you in any way. We will do all we can for you and your family.

 

Christi and the kids and I will be returning to the Mandeville area Wednesday morning. Once we check our home in Mandeville I will check the status of the Church location and then as I am able each of your homes. I will try as much as possible to let you know what the conditions are; this way as you come home you have some comfort as to what you may find.

 

I will leave you with the words from the Old Testament

 

Numbers 6:24-26

“May the Lord bless you and protect you, 

the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you, 

the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” 

 

With all our love, your pastor,

 

Kevin Cox

CC New Orleans

Www.calvarynola.org

grace@calvarynola.org

504-858-8288

480-296-6468

Down the street from our home in Mandeville…unbelievable

Gustav hits Mandeville North of New Orleans

This video gives an example of the damage down the street from our home in Mandeville which is north of New Orleans 27 miles. The lights are out as of Monday night, Sept. 1st and the trees are down with sustained wind damage to much of the area. Looks like we have some clean up to do. We pray that the house is fine and not damaged. We want to thank all of you who have been praying for us.

Pastor Kevin Cox

Hurricane Gustov Storm Surge at the Mandeville Lake Side North of New Orleans

 

Hurricane Storm surge down the street from Pastor Kevin

Caught this photo of the storm surge near my house at 12:32pm this afternoon. Thank the Lord it is 6 feet high instead of 15 feet high. My home is a mile and a half north of this area on a hill. Hopefully there will be no flooded streets.

A word about hurricane anxiety…PEACE Philippians 4:6

Some thoughts that may be helpful. As this hurricane season peaks and continues and we see a threatening storm like GUSTOV, I sense the Lord saying “peace.”

Phillippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Anxiety has been described as pilling up possible negative thoughts and fears all into one day when they have not even happened yet. Interesting when we watch the weather channel that is exactly what happens to our brains. We sense the inevitable storm coming, think through decisions that need to be made, and watch the path shift and move from one possibility to the next. Then we begin to think through possible circumstances and the overwhelming, heart pounding feelings continue even before our circumstances change. 

So, prepare, yes you must have a plan and be responsible to your family and what is necessary to get through the coming storm. However, know that God’s peace keeps each of us even, stable, and calm. If we rest in the Lord, whom, “even the winds and seas obey”, we find clarity as to our part in the midst of the storm. If we panic we find ourselves trying to over compensate and do all things to avoid the impending winds which are coming.

So, as the storm approaches, make your requests to the Lord, He will be faithful to take care of you. He will provide for His people safe refuge and provision. Oh, how we have learned from the past that He is indeed the one who steers the storms and brings all difficulty to the place of bringing glory to Him. 

Stay safe, enjoy your family if you must evacuate, be thankful for life, and we will see you when you come home. May the peace of the Lord guard your heart and mind, bringing rest to your soul.

Pastor Kevin Cox

Calvary Chapel of New Orleans

John Study – ch. 1a

“Read John 1:1-5, 14.

Discuss the meaning of the “word”, focusing on communication.

How does one get to know another person?  People get to know one another through communication.  And that involves words of some kind.

Therefore Jesus is God’s speech to us; through him we get to know God.  Look at John 14:8-11 and Hebrews 1:1-3.”

~ Charles Grisham – Pastor / Teacher / Mentor

Justification vs. Transformation

 

As I continue to study through the book of Galatians with our church fellowship on Thursday nights my mind turns to a balanced understanding of being changed in Christ. Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” In keeping with the Apostle Paul’s context his whole argument centers around people not falling under legalism. Think about this, to live in the Spirit is to be positionally “in” Christ. He has given you life in Him. The death of Jesus upon the cross has completed a new life in Christ. Paul mentioned in Galatians 2:20 “…it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Our life in Christ is done, finished! This never changes when you struggle with various issues of the flesh (read all of Galatians ch. 5). Now “…let us also walk by the Spirit.” Here is where the “rubber hits the road” per se. My life in the practical everyday experience is a process of experiencing the reality of what Christ has accomplished positionally. I don’t feel saved all the time and yet through fellowship in the Word and submitting to His character dwelling within me I am being transformed into the image of Christ. That is, on a practical level. So, let’s be practical. How does that change life here and now. Well, As I know the love of Christ, I can love others in the same way. Easier said than done, but the idea is to choose to put aside my flesh, “…enmities, strife, jealousy…” etc. and love; which is the fruit of His Spirit. On a personal note it is amazing how selfish we can be. Through a given day we continually are challenge with the notion of living for “me, myself, and I.” So look around at those people whom you are next too, those you care about, and those you don’t even know, and ask the question; Q: What can I do in a given situation that is loving? You will, on a practical level manifest the very person and work of Christ. Live and walk, its an exciting balance.