I once had someone close to me say something to the effect of "You've just become obsessed with this God stuff". Taking them somewhat off guard I just replied "Thank You".
I think those of you that actually take the time to read my ramblings probably agree with me that being obsessed with God is a goal, it's a desire of my heart, to a Christian it's in no way a cut down or offense. I want to be so consumed with Him that He's what I think of when I first wake up and when I lay down to sleep and thousands of times throughout the day. I want Him to be who I live for.
The Bible says to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. In other words love God with every portion of yourself, natural, physical, spiritual, be completely consumed with Him.
Most of you probably already know my testimony. I was selfish, I lived my life for me, and one night laying in my bed drunk the Lord spoke to me. When God speaks in the way He spoke to me that night there is no doubt who is speaking to you. He spoke with such authority, power, understanding, and truth that nothing of this earth could have forged that voice, that moment. It was God. He spoke directly to me and He spoke scripture, He recited Deut. 30:19 where He urges His people to choose life. He says "I lay before you life and death".
That night I had an encounter with the living God and after that encounter I had a better understanding of who God was. Everyday that I spend time with the Lord I learn more about who He is. Every time He speaks to me I get to know Him better. Whenever I open up the word and I read Truth, I learn more about who He is. When you spend time with God you gain knowledge of who God is.
Previous to the night that God supernaturally intervened in my life I thought I knew who God was. I had met with Him before. I had prayed, I had read the Word, I had worshiped, but I allowed the world to snatch the truth from me, just like in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:18-23). I once had been zealous for God, but it faded. Check this scripture out:
Romans 10:2,3
For I bear them witness they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. v3 For not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to righteousness of God.
It's possible to have a zeal for God without a knowledge of God. This type of zeal will eventually fade.
We need to be consistently and constantly filled and growing in knowledge of who God is. Daily time spent with Him is vital and imperative to the growth of a Christian.
There is always more to learn about who God is, He is so infinitely vast that everyday for the rest of eternity we can continue to grow in knowledge of Him and His character.
I am broken for those who are zealous, but lack in knowledge of God. Jesus said many will come to me and say Lord Lord, and I will say depart from me I never knew you (Matthew 7:23)
These people thought they had a relationship with God, they thought they had made it, but in reality they were far from the heart of our Lord. They hadn't really grown in knowledge of who He is, they didn't really have a relationship with Him, and He obviously had no relationship with them.
I can say that I know who (picking a random celebrity here) Tyler Perry is (I love his movies!). I can read a bio on him, do some research, maybe even write him a letter, but do I really know him? and more importantly does he know me?
In order to really know someone, you must be in relationship with them. You must spend time with them. Knowing God is important. Searching Him, speaking to Him, asking Him questions, being in a relationship with Him. Search out His heart, find out who He is, and let Him inside of you too. Pour out your heart, speak to Him, your hurts, desires, joys, cares, concerns. Be in relationship with Him.
I daily grow in love for God. The more I learn of Him, the more I love Him. I have yet to find a characteristic of God that doesn't just capture my heart more. I've yet to find something that will cause me to complain about God. He is true, real, just, loving, merciful, forgiving, understanding, a disciplinarian, a God who cares for His children. He is the one true God.
My prayer is that the body of Christ will become zealous to know God.
In Psalms 27:4 David cries out "One thing that I desire to dwell in the courts of the Lord forever more". David was in relationship with God and He never wanted to leave His presence. Our God is an appealing God, He is desirable.
I pray that you will love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. I pray that you would be obsessed with Him and that He would reveal more of Himself to you. Be determined to know your Father. Search for Him, seek Him out, ASK HIM QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO HE IS (He answers).
Don't come to the end of your life to realize I had a zeal for a God I never knew. Don't be one of those that Jesus looks at and says "I never knew you". Don't be a lukewarm Christian that once had an experience with the living God, but then settled into the comfortable without ever giving Him everything you have.
I pray my life will be spent searching out who He is. I want to know Him intimately and deeply.
Be Blessed my friends,
J. Tate
*One question for those who wonder like me! Check out Mark 14:51-52! Who do you think this guy is?
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Fearless
This is a message that has been growing in my heart and I was so blessed to be able to preach it in Rwanda and then again at Cornerstone youth last Sunday night.
I've noticed that fear has become an "issue" in the body of Christ and there really is absolutely no excuse for it. Today I'm just going to walk you through the notes of my message and my recent passion to see Christians, fearless. I'm going to do my best to give you the "readers digest" version and make this just a short read, so obviously I'm going to have to condense the message and just give you the big points.
First and foremost an often quoted verse "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7)
If God has not given us a spirit of fear then we must conclude that ALL fear (not including fear of God, which I"ll get to later) must not be from God, but rather from the enemy. I know that I have no desire to have any spirit surrounding me that is not the Spirit of God. So that verse is very straight forward a spirit of fear is not from God and so we should not be living in fear. If you'd like another reference for that point then go check out Romans 8:14-15.
I believe that we have began to make light of fear. Often times fear is something we joke about, we tease about, or we just don't really see the enemy's role in fear. More often than not we just see it as something natural that we have to deal with. Everyone fears. That is a direct lie from the enemy because if you are a child of God you have been set free from fear. I'll go ahead and tell on myself because I'm definitely not above this struggle. I like to tease Maegan because Maegan USED TO (praise God) fear lizards. It was always a joke to me, i laughed and made fun of her and never saw the harm in it, until one day God gave me the revelation that He hasn't given us a spirit of fear! So, I laugh about Maegan having a spirit of fear from the enemy? Not so funny anymore.
Please go read Mark 4:37-41.
This is the well known story of the disciples in the boat and Jesus calming the storm. There are 2 major points to be made out of this passage, but I won't go into my usual detail and instead just go straight to the points.
First in verse 40. Jesus asks "why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith".
The very first point is that fear is in direct correlation with faith. Fear is simply put a lack of faith. When you fear you're showing you lack of faith that God is who He says He is, He's done what He says He's done, and you can do what HE says you can do. There are tons of examples I can give for this, but like I've said I want to keep it as short as possible so if you'd like to ask some questions on this point I'd love to talk about it with you.
Second in verse 41. "and they became very much afraid". Ok notice in verse 40 they were already afraid of the storm. Jesus calmed the storm and then it says "they became very much afraid". Explain to me how after the situation they were afraid of was resolved they then became very much afraid.
The answer is they went from a fear of a circumstance into fear of God. Notice their comment in vs. 41 "Who then is this that even the wind and sea obey Him?" They were no longer afraid of the circumstances, but of the Creator.
Another reference for this is in Isaiah 8:12,13
This is an important correlation to make. Fear is lack of faith in God, but it is possible to take fear of anything else and turn it into fear of God.
I think it is really important to state what fear of God is, so study that learn it and realize it. Moses tells us in Exodus 20:20 that fear of God will cause us to not sin and Romans 14:23 tells us that anything not done in faith is sin. So there is a great correlation between faith and fear of God and fear of other things. So take some personal time to study that.
I'll wrap this last part up quickly.
Before the day of Pentecost Jesus was always known as the only begotten son, after the day of Pentecost He is never called that again, but rather the firstborn son.
Why?
When you were sealed with the Holy Spirit you were adopted into the Kingdom of God. Jesus says in John 17:23 that with the same love that God loved Jesus, He loves believers.
So we can take comfort that we have a Daddy God that loves us, provides for us, and protects us just like He did Jesus.
Notice Jesus never feared. He knew who His Father was.
In life or in death He fulfilled the will of His father. Jesus said no one took His life from Him, He gave it up willingly. So Jesus had victory in life and in death.
I want to end with Romans 8:31
What can we say then? If God is for us than who can be against us?
God hasn't given us a spirit of fear and we are adopted as sons and daughters into His kingdom, therefore there is nothing we can fear. No circumstance, animal, person, nothing shall we fear.
As Psalms 23:4 says "I fear NO eveil; thou art with me".
For some more reiteration of how we should not be living in fear read Psalms 91.
I wish I could take everything I have to say on fear and it only take about 5 minutes to read, but unfortunately it's just not how it is. This is probably already longer than most people will read so, for those of you who made it all the way to the bottom, I hope this has blessed you just as this message has me. I hope you will put it into practice and stand firm. If you want to know more that i have to say on the subject, shoot me and email or text.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
I've noticed that fear has become an "issue" in the body of Christ and there really is absolutely no excuse for it. Today I'm just going to walk you through the notes of my message and my recent passion to see Christians, fearless. I'm going to do my best to give you the "readers digest" version and make this just a short read, so obviously I'm going to have to condense the message and just give you the big points.
First and foremost an often quoted verse "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7)
If God has not given us a spirit of fear then we must conclude that ALL fear (not including fear of God, which I"ll get to later) must not be from God, but rather from the enemy. I know that I have no desire to have any spirit surrounding me that is not the Spirit of God. So that verse is very straight forward a spirit of fear is not from God and so we should not be living in fear. If you'd like another reference for that point then go check out Romans 8:14-15.
I believe that we have began to make light of fear. Often times fear is something we joke about, we tease about, or we just don't really see the enemy's role in fear. More often than not we just see it as something natural that we have to deal with. Everyone fears. That is a direct lie from the enemy because if you are a child of God you have been set free from fear. I'll go ahead and tell on myself because I'm definitely not above this struggle. I like to tease Maegan because Maegan USED TO (praise God) fear lizards. It was always a joke to me, i laughed and made fun of her and never saw the harm in it, until one day God gave me the revelation that He hasn't given us a spirit of fear! So, I laugh about Maegan having a spirit of fear from the enemy? Not so funny anymore.
Please go read Mark 4:37-41.
This is the well known story of the disciples in the boat and Jesus calming the storm. There are 2 major points to be made out of this passage, but I won't go into my usual detail and instead just go straight to the points.
First in verse 40. Jesus asks "why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith".
The very first point is that fear is in direct correlation with faith. Fear is simply put a lack of faith. When you fear you're showing you lack of faith that God is who He says He is, He's done what He says He's done, and you can do what HE says you can do. There are tons of examples I can give for this, but like I've said I want to keep it as short as possible so if you'd like to ask some questions on this point I'd love to talk about it with you.
Second in verse 41. "and they became very much afraid". Ok notice in verse 40 they were already afraid of the storm. Jesus calmed the storm and then it says "they became very much afraid". Explain to me how after the situation they were afraid of was resolved they then became very much afraid.
The answer is they went from a fear of a circumstance into fear of God. Notice their comment in vs. 41 "Who then is this that even the wind and sea obey Him?" They were no longer afraid of the circumstances, but of the Creator.
Another reference for this is in Isaiah 8:12,13
This is an important correlation to make. Fear is lack of faith in God, but it is possible to take fear of anything else and turn it into fear of God.
I think it is really important to state what fear of God is, so study that learn it and realize it. Moses tells us in Exodus 20:20 that fear of God will cause us to not sin and Romans 14:23 tells us that anything not done in faith is sin. So there is a great correlation between faith and fear of God and fear of other things. So take some personal time to study that.
I'll wrap this last part up quickly.
Before the day of Pentecost Jesus was always known as the only begotten son, after the day of Pentecost He is never called that again, but rather the firstborn son.
Why?
When you were sealed with the Holy Spirit you were adopted into the Kingdom of God. Jesus says in John 17:23 that with the same love that God loved Jesus, He loves believers.
So we can take comfort that we have a Daddy God that loves us, provides for us, and protects us just like He did Jesus.
Notice Jesus never feared. He knew who His Father was.
In life or in death He fulfilled the will of His father. Jesus said no one took His life from Him, He gave it up willingly. So Jesus had victory in life and in death.
I want to end with Romans 8:31
What can we say then? If God is for us than who can be against us?
God hasn't given us a spirit of fear and we are adopted as sons and daughters into His kingdom, therefore there is nothing we can fear. No circumstance, animal, person, nothing shall we fear.
As Psalms 23:4 says "I fear NO eveil; thou art with me".
For some more reiteration of how we should not be living in fear read Psalms 91.
I wish I could take everything I have to say on fear and it only take about 5 minutes to read, but unfortunately it's just not how it is. This is probably already longer than most people will read so, for those of you who made it all the way to the bottom, I hope this has blessed you just as this message has me. I hope you will put it into practice and stand firm. If you want to know more that i have to say on the subject, shoot me and email or text.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Time
Well it has been a while since I've been able to write consistently in my own blog.
After graduating I moved back to Liberty and spent one month at home. Then I spent three months in Botswana. One month back home led to one month in Rwanda.
Now I'm home. I have a pile of things in my closet that I have yet to unpack from my move from Lubbock, I have a few things still in a bag from Botswana, and found a bag yesterday that I still hadn't unpacked from Rwanda. Needless to say I'm still in transition.
I am taking a job as a coach with the school district I grew up in and have been very busy with camps, workouts, and trying to get things situated for this upcoming school year.
I'll be moving out of my parents house sometime in the next few months and moving to another place along with my brother.
I am shocked at the way my life has turned out. Honestly if you would have talked to me a year ago (maybe even less)I would have never guessed that I would be where I am now.
I never would have thought that I would go to Africa 3x in a year. I never thought I would graduate college in 3 1/2 years. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to minister to a crowd of over 700 people in a foreign country. I NEVER thought I'd move back to Liberty or take a job as a coach.
See Africa was all God, I never desired to travel. Preaching was all God, because I never thought I'd have the courage to stand in front of large crowds much less with a translator in another country. Coming home was all God because I never wanted to come back. Taking a job was all God because I wanted to go to seminary.
You know here is a shocker. When you offer God your life, He takes your life. I told God I was all His, so He took full advantage of it :) I've never made a better decision.
Though right now I'm in a place I never thought I'd be in, I have never been happier, I've never been more passionate, and honestly I couldn't imagine my life any better.
When I think about the things God has trusted me with, the places He's taken me, the things He's done through me or in front of me, the relationships I've been blessed with, the favor and incredible blessing I've seen in my life.... I could go on... but when I think on these things, it brings me to a place of humbleness and tears.
My God is so good. Apart from anything He's ever done for me, my God is powerful and worthy. If no one will praise Him the rocks will cry out, because the God I serve is worthy of praise and it's not about what He does for me, it's about who He is. Gosh isn't htat awesome to be in relationship with the ONE TRUE GOD.
I'm excited to begin writing again, I have definitely missed it. Tonight was just a ramble to get back into it, but I'll soon begin to once again write about the things God teaches me and shows me in life and in His word.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
After graduating I moved back to Liberty and spent one month at home. Then I spent three months in Botswana. One month back home led to one month in Rwanda.
Now I'm home. I have a pile of things in my closet that I have yet to unpack from my move from Lubbock, I have a few things still in a bag from Botswana, and found a bag yesterday that I still hadn't unpacked from Rwanda. Needless to say I'm still in transition.
I am taking a job as a coach with the school district I grew up in and have been very busy with camps, workouts, and trying to get things situated for this upcoming school year.
I'll be moving out of my parents house sometime in the next few months and moving to another place along with my brother.
I am shocked at the way my life has turned out. Honestly if you would have talked to me a year ago (maybe even less)I would have never guessed that I would be where I am now.
I never would have thought that I would go to Africa 3x in a year. I never thought I would graduate college in 3 1/2 years. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to minister to a crowd of over 700 people in a foreign country. I NEVER thought I'd move back to Liberty or take a job as a coach.
See Africa was all God, I never desired to travel. Preaching was all God, because I never thought I'd have the courage to stand in front of large crowds much less with a translator in another country. Coming home was all God because I never wanted to come back. Taking a job was all God because I wanted to go to seminary.
You know here is a shocker. When you offer God your life, He takes your life. I told God I was all His, so He took full advantage of it :) I've never made a better decision.
Though right now I'm in a place I never thought I'd be in, I have never been happier, I've never been more passionate, and honestly I couldn't imagine my life any better.
When I think about the things God has trusted me with, the places He's taken me, the things He's done through me or in front of me, the relationships I've been blessed with, the favor and incredible blessing I've seen in my life.... I could go on... but when I think on these things, it brings me to a place of humbleness and tears.
My God is so good. Apart from anything He's ever done for me, my God is powerful and worthy. If no one will praise Him the rocks will cry out, because the God I serve is worthy of praise and it's not about what He does for me, it's about who He is. Gosh isn't htat awesome to be in relationship with the ONE TRUE GOD.
I'm excited to begin writing again, I have definitely missed it. Tonight was just a ramble to get back into it, but I'll soon begin to once again write about the things God teaches me and shows me in life and in His word.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
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