Steve Simms's Blog, page 81

The Bible Barney radiated encouragement.

The Bible “Barney” was such an encouragement to people that the early Christians gave him the nickname, “Son of Encouragement.” His secret was full surrender to “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, which means ‘son of encouragement,’ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostle’s feet.” –Acts 4:36–37.)

Yielding to the presence of “Christ in you” empowers Christians to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” It enables Christians to sincerely “weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice,” so that they can experience ekklesia, the Spirit-led town hall meeting that Jesus is building.

Positional power, however, seeks to maintain institutional interests. Its focus is on organizational control and protocol, not on encouraging individuals to live their “Christ in you” life now — in the present moments of today.

Where are the sons of encouragement who will bring hope to a culture that is wallowing in meaninglessness and despair? The more a society spins the truth the faster it spirals down the axis of confusion. Who will reach beyond the hopelessness and point us to the light of truth?

We need to learn from the tale of two trees. People who build their life on “the tree of the knowledge of good evil” begin to doubt, deny, and defy God. People who build their life on “the tree of life” actually rely on and depend on the risen Jesus and His word throughout the day and are supernaturally encouraged and empowered to embrace and spread hope, no matter what happens. They become the “sons of encouragement” — the Bible Barney.

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." src="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-37334" />Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

My favorite word is Greek to me.

Daily writing promptWhat’s your favorite word?View all responses

Although I don’t speak Greek, my favorite book was written in Greek, so I have learned several Greek words that help me understand it better. One of those words is ekklesia. It’s definitely one of my favorite words.

Although ekklesia literally means called out ones. it was also the proper name of the town hall meeting in ancient Greek cities. Any citizen could speak up in the ekklesia and share what was on his heart. From time to time, it was called to assemble together by a herald.

It’s interesting to note that when Jesus Christ proclaimed what He was going to build on earth he is quoted as saying: “I will build My ekklesia.” I call that word “the lost word of the Bible” because in almost all English Bibles it was replaced (instead of translated) by the word church.

Church refers to a building, an organization, or a religious meeting controlled from the front by one man. Ekklesia, however, refers to an open, participatory town hall meeting. Jesus’ ekklesia isn’t led or controlled by one man, but by the risen Jesus, Himself, who is the literal and active Head and Director of the gathering. He calls it together and He personally leads it.

I love the word ekklesia because it describes what Jesus wants to do with His people. He wants to gather us together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But we are seldom willing to be assembled, led, and directed by the living Jesus. We prefer a human hierarchy and a rigidly controlled religious organization instead.

I was fortunate to experience ekklesia (a Christ-led town hall meeting) on my college campus. There I saw Jesus, Himself (Christ in you, the hope of glory) actively working in and directing a gathering of college students. Through the years I have gone beyond church to seek out and cultivate Christ-led town hall meetings. Every time I participate in one, I experience Jesus as present, alive, active, and working in and through the people gathered together in His name.

If you would like to know more about ekklesia ckick here. It will take you to information about a book I wrote that will give you pratical ways you can cultivate ekklesia in your life.

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." src="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-37328" />Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Humans are “awed-able”

Christ followers are invited to live in the awe of God. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we are able to daily partake of the tree of life and be in awe of God’s mercy toward us.

Open, humble hearts experience overwhelming awe as they become “partakes of the divine nature” by ever tasting and feasting on the tree of life. But trusting in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil produces human pride. “Knowledge puffs up while love builds up.”

Twenty-first century Christianity trains people to be knowledge dependent — “always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” First century Christianity trained people to live in awe of God by continually keeping their heart open to and their will surrendered to the presence of the living, resurrected Jesus. Let’s return to the awe of early Christianity. (Open your heart and search for: The Joy Of Early Christianity.)

Christianity accurately diagnoses the condition of humanity as having fallen from the likeness of God into the corruption of self-focused desires, feelings and thoughts. It has the answer for the meaninglessness that millions feel. Meaninglessness is monotonous but millions have found magnificent meaning thru meeting the Messiah — the risen Jesus!

Christians, you don’t need to remember things about God with your mind. You need to surrender to the remembrance of God’s Spirit Preaching shouldn’t train people to be preacher-dependent. It should train them to be Spirit-led.

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." src="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-37320" />Photo by Nikson Photography on Pexels.com

The red flag of pride

Daily writing promptWhat personality trait in people raises a red flag with you?View all responses

Human pride is a red flag. It’s a warning of danger. Beware of pride. A wise person said: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” The more our ego goes up, the more our safety and security goes down.

Pride is a facade. It’s an attempt to cover up our fear and insecurity. It causes us to pretend to be what we are not — to fake it and falsely hope that by make-believe we will one day make it.

The red flag of pride warns us we have abandoned humility and honesty about our inner pain and struggles and are instead trusting in and justifying our own desires, feelings, thoughts, and opinions. When walking in pride we are torpedoing truth and rushing full speed ahead into deception.

As human beings, we’re all tempted to hide what’s really going on in our heart behind the screen of pride. It’s frightening to step beyond that ego-screen and into the light of honesty and humility where we can see who we really are and, in our brokenness, and disfunction, discover that there is hope for healing for us all. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." src="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-37313" />Photo by Ravi Kant on Pexels.com

A Spirit-led week (isn’t weak)

Daily writing promptDescribe your ideal week.View all responses

My ideal week is to be Spirit-led. It is to go where Jesus prompts me to go and to do what He prompts me to do. I’ve never achieved such a perfect week but that’s always my goal.

I have discovered that the closer I get to that goal, the more I am filled with peace, joy, hope, and awe. When I pay attention to Christ’s inner promptings and obey them in my daily life, I’m always amazed at the marvelous things He does inside me and through me.

When I ignore His prompting (“quench the Spirit”), my life reverts back to human disfunction. So, I’ve trained myself to quickly ask for Christ’s forgiveness in order that I can obey the next inner nudging. I’ve found that the more attentive and obedient I am to His promptings, the more I become aware of them.

Following the leadings of “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” is such an incredible way to live. I want to spend the rest of my life getting better at it!

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." src="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-37308" />Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

God sees thru the disguise of your lies!

God sees through the lies of your disguise. Lies, regardless of their size, are deceptive. Deception deploys darkness and destroys our ability to discern and walk in truth.

As Christ-followers we need to be careful that we don’t deny the truth about ourselves and our behaviors, but rather embrace it and humbly cry out like Paul, “O wretched man that I am.” Attempting to spin the truth about ourselves in order to appear meritorious kills our ability to humbly surrender to and live in God’s grace. (Instead of my spin, my one plea should be that Christ’s blood was shed for me.)

Peter lied and denied Jesus three times. Then he wept. He didn’t deceive and manipulate to cover up the truth of his sin of lying. He didn’t try to justify or minimize his lying. The humiliating truth about Peter denying Jesus was part of his reputation and is still known to the entire body of Christ.

Because Peter repented and walked in the light of humility, brokenness, and honesty, the gift of the word of knowledge was able to work in him and reveal to him the lie of Ananias and Sapphira. When confronted with the truth they didn’t weep and admit their joint lie. Instead, they held on to it and it took them to their graves.

Even the smallest lie is a Spirit-quencher that causes a breech between us and God’s life-giving light. Dare to ask God to remind you of your lies (big and small) and when He brings them to your mind, quickly admit them, weep with sorrow, and receive God’s undeserved forgiveness, healing, and restoration. If you’ve lied to another person (or spined the truth in your favor) be courageous and humbly approach them. Tell them the whole truth and ask for their forgiveness. Then the death-grip of your guilty lies will be washed away by the rejuvenating Spirit of God.

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." src="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-37303" />Photo by Klaus Nielsen on Pexels.com

Giving the glory to the One who gives the ability

Daily writing promptName the professional athletes you respect the most and why.View all responses

Professional football players have a saying: “NFL means Not For Long.” They realize that their football career will be a short and a small part of their life. Many of them realize that they need to use their fame and platform for more than personal bragging rights.

The professional athletes I respect the most are the ones who give the glory to the One who gave them the ability — the ones who want the honor to go to God instead of to themselves. When someone makes it to the top in their profession, it’s easy for them to bask in the prominence, rewards, and wealth that comes to them and to let their pride lead the way. Some people, however, become deeply aware that all they have accomplished and received is a gift from the One who gave them life, health and talent. Those are the ones who use their platform to point people to Jesus.

I admire people who admire and honor God, not just in their public persona but in the way they live their life. The people who do that from their heart would rather that I focus on the Jesus who they love than on them and their name.

Physical life is for a limited time only” — “Not For Long.” There are no permanent residents on earth, and we are all forced to retire from life. Where will you go when you go? God’s not looking for your ability, but for your surrendered response to His ability and your willingness to be ever led by His Spirit. (See Romans 8:14.)

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." src="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-37297" />Photo by Terrance Barksdale on Pexels.com

I want the presence and power of Jesus, not a pulpit and a platform

A pulpit controlled and dominated by one man silences the rest of the body of Christ. When ordinary Christ-followers are prompted by God’s Spirit to speak, the preacher in the pulpit too often says, “Zip it!” Words from the pulpit too often take the “two-edged sword” of the Bible and dull it.

When a pulpit on a platform became the norm for Christian meetings, gatherings of the body of Christ shifted from being Spirit-led and instead became preacher led. No Christian should ever be a passive mental puppet to a pastor in a pulpit. Pulpit talks train Christians to be audience members who sit but don’t always listen and rarely remember (much less do) what they did hear.

The ancient Greek ekklesia gave the platform to the people and let anyone present speak. That’s what Jesus said He will build.

One man preaching in a pulpit is not a safeguard against deception. Search the Scriptures for yourself with an open heart.

When the pulpit and the platform are open to the people, Jesus can speak through whoever He wants to. When the pulpit and the platform are off limits to the people, the pastor has a monopoly.

As I was walking this morning after writing this, I saw two trees — a small, dead tree on the left and a huge, flourishing tree. In an instant I felt that I was being shown an image that shows the difference between man-run church and Christ’s ekklesia (Spirit-led town hall meeting).

Relaxing inside

Daily writing promptHow do you relax?View all responses

It’s hard to relax when living in the Western culture that keeps us mentally weary and emotionally burdened. Resting the body seems to have little or no impact on the worries of the mind and the anxieties of the heart. I find that I need far more than physical relaxation.

My goal is to relax on the inside — to protect my mind and my heart from thoughts, feelings, desires, words, and images that try to harass me. Over the years, I’ve learned how to effectively resist and drive out the inner torment that continually tries to trouble me and steal my inner peace. I’ve trained my mind and my heart to focus on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy and to avoid what isn’t.

Years ago, I discovered an amazing Presence within me that comforts and strengthens me and guides me to amazing inner rest and relaxation. The Bible calls that Presence, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Jesus said: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I’ve found that statement to be so true! When I keep my heart open and attentive to the risen Jesus Christ, peace and relaxation flood my soul. Every day I work to set my affections on Jesus — to listen to and obey Him and to rest in the awe of how He works in and around me.

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." src="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-37280" />Photo by Ayub Rahman on Pexels.com

Can prayer be Spirit-led and Bible-based?

Too often today our prayers are more based on our own desires and sentimentalism than they are aligned with Scripture and burning with the passionate fire of the Holy Spirit. Because we aren’t continually opening our heart to Scripture and surrendering to the moment-by-moment promptings of the Holy Spirit, we are easily led into false concepts of who God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) really is — the eternal and uncreated Creator of all that exists.

The first Christ-followers prayed to the God who (and identified God as the One who) “made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” They poured out their heart to the God who is the Creator of all that is. They wouldn’t settle for a lesser god, a god that was just one of multitudes of gods. The definition of who God is (and who Jesus is) mattered greatly to them. They stayed boldly consistent with and aligned with the teachings of the Scriptures and with the presence and reality of the Holy Spirit’s conviction and leadership.

God didn’t respond to their prayers with sentimentalism and religious entertainment. Instead, He poured out earthshaking, life-transforming power that is documented throughout the book of Acts and in the rest of the of the New Testament.

Heart-flows from God’s Spirit are much more powerful than mental rows of religious information. Grow with the flow of God’s Spirit. It’s not wise for Christians to make idols out of Christian leaders (or political leaders).

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." src="https://stevesimms.files.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-37275" style="width:625px;height:auto" />Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com