This week we began a new discussion series called "Chasing the Goose".
I've been planning a series on the book of Acts for a long time, and I finally got inspired by another pastors book and study material called - "Chasing the Goose."
Mark Batterson's study focus more on the power of the Holy Spirit over all of history. I took some of his concepts and added them to what I was already preparing on Acts.
What I think comes out of all of this is a very exciting and personallyn challenging series on really following God's Spirit on a crazy adventure... a "wild goose chase " at times!
Some of what I'll be sharing these next few weeks comes from a personal challenge my directors gave to me late 2008. Bill and Rachel asked me to,"study more what it means to be spirit-led, and lead us that way." It's not that we haven't been Spirit-led at Journey or in my personal life... we have. But as I've seen and as can be illustrated, we've caged the Holy Spirit. We've tamed down, the unpredictable power and movement of God in our lives and churches. I hate that and I do want let the Spirit escape and move wildly and freely again. What this looks like... I honestly have no idea, only that there will be more supernatural surprises in store for all of us. Plus, more and more people will want to know God.
As we jump into this study of how the early church was birthed and exploded on the scene I am struck with a interesting battle presenting Acts chapter 1. Jesus has lived, died, rose, ministerd forv 40 days after the resurrection, commmissioned the disciples to "Go make more disciples". Then he says WAIT! Go to Jerusalem, do nothing... wait for my gift of the Holy Spirit to be your power source.
I hate the tension.... really I do between GO and WAIT!
I hate it because I have lived and served in Christian enviroments where waiting is all that we do. We wait and wait for everything to be perfect, predictable and safe.
There are so many people waiting for God to do something.. they are missing out on what God is doing... because it's to radical, costly or unsure.
I am all for waiting, praying, seeking God's will and leading...but not at the expense of never going. Throughout the scriptures many great things happened as men and women boldly stepped out in faith, followed the Spirits leading and God was honored.
The tension between Go and WAIT is tough... because is the God of creation and creativity and does all do things the same. So how do you when to Go and when to Wait?
I hope over the next few weeks we all learn how "Chasing after the goose" will help us answer that question. This is not about just the BIG SUPERNATURAL type events God does. This is about learning to personally follow God's Spirit, be a witness where he calls us to go and go boldly. I invite you to join me on exploring the book of Acts, seeing where God leds and sharing your thoughts and idea here on this blog.
Where are you today.... waiting.... or going?
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This week we explore the CAGE OF ME.
This may seem like a strange to start with, but let's be honest... most of us struggle with control issues in our lives. That is we want to be in control. And that includes being in control of how is allowed to wort our not work in our lives.
As believers, followers of Jesus Christ as our Savior and King, we hear and understand that we each have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. That is, with each of us is the Holy Spirit. But rather than seeing, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and direct us... we keep locked up caged within us. The Spirit never allowed to take flight and sour. Which then makes us all that we can be for God.
No we'd rather maintain control and keep, me, myself and the Holy Spirit under control.
What a sad state we live in as spiritual beings, if we don't release the Spirit within us and fly. No wonder that we're frustrated with our faith, and angry when we feel the church isn't meeting my needs or growing me enough. The challenge is to stop trying to be so dare controlling, and open up. Allow the Spirit to guide and direct you. Get over yourself... Let God have control.
I promise that you will grow. And it will be fun, because it would be a classroom assignment... it will be a wild adventure.
The more I open up my own cage, am less controlling... the more I grow and see and experience amazing things with God.
This week we looked the "Cage of fear". Fear is a limitor so often. Fear can grab us and hold us, just when we should be advancing for God.
Fears are often irrational or based on the unknown, the what ifs of life.
God can not really work in our lives, if we are afraid to do anything for him that involves risk.
The Holy Spirit was given to us so that the amazing could still happen and be seen in our lives. What a shame that fear stops us from being bold in our faith. It is that boldness of faith, that often releases the very Spirit of God that draws others too Him
This week I shared a story of how a friend of mine, unknowingly healed in a man in Aldi's store. A woman say it and so amazed that she asked for pray right there in the store. Rather than let fear cage the Holy Spirit that had just healed the older man. My friend, along with the lady, raised the hands and began to pray in the store! Nothing was going to cage the Holy Spirit that day... not even fear.
Oh how I long for more days like that in all of our lives. Come Holy Spirit come. Give us boldness to point others to Christ, through many sighs, wonders and miracles.
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