Spiritual Strength

“When I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 CORINTHIANS 12:10

The way of the world says that in order to be stronger, we must build ourselves up and seek strength and dominance over others. Christians everywhere are keenly interested in how to be increased, how to be stronger, how to take authority, how to rise up, how to get more. They look for methods, formulas, and techniques for becoming bigger and better. The results have been disappointing. Many mistakes have been made and many people have been hurt and disillusioned.
The Lord has a different approach for us to take. He invites us to accept weakness in order to be strengthened. We do not become strong by embracing strength, but by embracing weakness! This is the secret of all spiritual power. When Paul learned this secret he was able to say, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” This makes no sense to the natural man.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

Jesus sent the disciples out on their first forays into ministry two by two.

Missional Leadership is Not a Solo Effort

By John Bond So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. ~ Acts 13:3
READING: Acts 13:1-5
Ministry was never a solo journey! This is clearly revealed from the earliest days of Christian ministry as modeled by Christ and the Apostles. Jesus sent the disciples out on their first forays into ministry two by two!
The Antioch church had been greatly blessed when the capable team of Barnabas and Saul came to minister in their midst. The church loved them both. When the Holy Spirit directed the church of Antioch to set apart these two men and send them out, they obeyed, sending off not one, but two, of their finest teachers so others might hear. The Christians at Antioch continued to support the ministry of Paul and Barnabas as they received reports of how God was blessing others through them.
A closer look at the text shows that John also went along as their helper. Right from the beginning, church planting ministry was done by teams. A minimum of two, but teams up to six, are mentioned in Scripture. As churches were planted, a plurality of leaders was appointed to minister in the local congregations (see I Timothy 3 & Titus 1).
The isolation and loneliness of a solitary leader is one of the greatest weapons of destruction in church planting ministry. If this is your struggle, ask the Lord for a team to stand with you. Although working with others may be challenging for pioneering leaders, team ministry has always been God’s pattern. As you read the Book of Acts and the rest of the epistles you find this principle reinforced again and again.
Father, Help me to be a team player, a team member and a true team leader. Please give me the team you desire so we accomplish your purposes together for your glory. Amen. 
Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more

Appleseed Travel Journal - Liberty School

In This Issue... Liberty School More Recent Articles

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Brooks We are now in Kitale … ahhhh, home sweet home. Familiar faces, familiar places. It's rainy season, so we have been drenched more than once out walking here or there, but the lush, green mountains are so worth it and I'm getting used to using cold water and a bathroom scrub brush to clean the red mud off my feet at night. Today we spent out at Bikeke Village at Liberty School where things continue to change and mature. Director John Wanyonyi started there with a tin-roofed, dirt floored, no-siding building with one volunteer teacher and some orphans because he went to this remote village to reach people for Christ. Today there are almost 300 students, 14 teachers, 2 cooks and 2 watchmen. Because of you and others like you, these 300 are not only being educated, but they are eating every single day. They have somewhere to go during the day; they are happy; they come because they want to learn and they want a life different than what they see around them. I am astounded what is happening at this school. We do what we can; but it is really because we come alongside and support what is already going on. Believe me, John would accomplish this vision one way or another. He believes God gave it to him. He is the one who people all over (and I have been with him when he was greeted this way) call him "Anaweza." This is because his mantra has been, "Jesus is able to do more than I can think or ask." (Jesu Anaweza means Jesus is able in Swahili.) This man believes God told him to go to Bikeke. He believes God told him to care for the children and reach their parents. He was doing it before we ever met him and I am very confident that he will be doing it long after we leave. One day at that school will change your life. Why? Because what you see is humbling. Children are smiling because for this moment they are safe, protected, nurtured, loved, fed, and some are even housed there. They are experiencing the love of God in very real, tangible ways. They have hope; they play; they laugh; they work hard. In an atmosphere of Grace, grace abounds and it shows. Without you and your compassion, your love and desire to see God work in amazing and astounding ways, this vision would not be happening. Over and over again John begs us to convey his appreciation to all of the Appleseed partners. So, again, asante sana (thank you very much)!

Consistency With the Inner Man

“We regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer."
2 CORINTHIANS 5:16

In our relationships it is easy to touch one another in the flesh. But to put on the Lord Jesus is to make no provision for the flesh, even in our relationships. To “know no man after the flesh” is truly a challenge. We “project” a certain something, and either it is ourselves, or it is Christ.
We note the personality differences between Paul, and Peter, and John, and James, and Barnabas; even so, they each have the same clothing, having put on the Lord Jesus. So we can touch them on a deeper level than who they are in themselves. We can still see the man, but we mostly see the Lord of the man. When we put on the Lord Jesus then the outward man becomes consistent with the inward man. This is fruitfulness, and this should be the normal experience of all disciples of the Lord.
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

God has designed every human being for fellowship because the very essence of our triune God is a fellowship.

Christian Fellowship

By Peter Sung For Peter and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s business partners. ~ Luke 5:9, 10
READING: Luke 5:1-11
The Greek word for the oft-used Christian word, “fellowship” is koinonia. Christians use the word to describe non-activity or non-purpose, e.g., “just fellowshipping.” In reality, koinonia means the exact opposite: business partnership, that is, purpose-driven friendship. Luke 5 tells us that James and John were in the fishing fellowship with Peter. JRR Tolkien picks up on this true meaning by titling his novel The Fellowship of the Ring. It tells the story of characters who were natural enemies but become the best of friends through their common purpose to destroy the Ring of Power.
Indeed, purpose and friendship come together quite perfectly. The blessing of friendship without purpose often degenerates into a curse that is off balance and unhealthy while purpose-oriented friendships strike a balance that keeps them proportionate and appropriate. Business partnerships without friendship become self-centered, abusive, and corrupt.Friendships without purpose become insular and idolatrous and eventually disappoint. Move together towards a common goal and invariably you will move closer to each other; only move closer to each other and collision and implosion of sorts is inevitable.
God has designed every human being for fellowship because the very essence of our triune God is a fellowship. What are the implications of this deep reality for the Christian church? Common are previously outward-looking churches that have devolved into naval-gazing cliques. Trendy are church plants that overemphasize mission to the neglect of community and intimate friendships. Do both well, and you will begin to taste of the raw emotion and satisfaction of a joy that is made complete.
God, You created me for love and for mission. May every friendship be guided by purpose and driven by love. Amen.
Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more

Heavenly Perception

“God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us… raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
EPHESIANS 2:4,6

The difference between those who overcome and those who do not overcome is a difference in their own PERCEIVED position. We all ought to perceive that in Christ we are seated in the heavenly places. We cannot overcome without this perception, this seeing, this revelation. If our perception is earthly, we will remain earthly. If our perception is heavenly, we will overcome.
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Finding Grace

“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
GENESIS 6:8

It took five hundred years of walking with God, but Noah found grace, and that made it all worthwhile. Let us learn to do nothing apart from this amazing grace. It is better to wait five hundred years for grace than to work for five minutes without it.
What is grace? I teach people that Grace is a Man. Amazing Grace is simply Jesus living in me, doing what I cannot do. It does not matter if “what I cannot do” is save myself, overcome sin, love my neighbor, or build an ark. “For by Grace (Jesus) you have been saved through faith (trusting Jesus to do what you cannot do); and that not of yourselves; it (He) is the Gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). I am insufficient; but His Grace (Jesus) is sufficient. His Grace (Jesus) is more than enough. His Grace (Jesus) is Infinite Supply! But “without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

What Would Jesus Do?

“We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
1 JOHN 3:2

If we are abiding in Him then we will be as He is. If we have put on the Lord Jesus then we are being changed into His likeness, we are being made into His image, and we are in the process of being transfigured.
After some time following the Lord we should not have to stop and ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” If we are being transfigured then that Light and that Life will respond spontaneously and effortlessly to any demand placed upon it.
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Through the Fire

“I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 CORINTHIANS 12:10

Now it does not say that Paul made himself weak on purpose. We do not have to seek weaknesses, infirmities, tribulations, temptations, or trials. We already have them. The key is how do we respond to them? We can fight them, or we can embrace them. Paul clearly shows us that it is not always God’s will for us to be saved FROM the fire. Often we are called to walk THROUGH the fire, with no assurance except that His Grace is sufficient. In the fire we learn that “Grace” is a Man, just like Victory is a Man.
To be delivered from weakness is one thing, but to meet Grace in my weakness is something else entirely.
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Christ Spontaneously Revealed

“May [God] give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
EPHESIANS 1:17

The Lord reveals Himself to us in a variety of ways, and every testimony is different. Peter received the revelation of Christ while fishing. But Thomas received the revelation of Christ only after the Lord appeared to Him and showed him His wounds. Paul received the revelation of Christ on the road to Damascus, as he was on his way to kill Christians. One man says Christ was revealed to him as he stood watching a tree in the dead of winter. Christ was revealed to me as I sat in my backyard, arguing with the Lord over the Bible.
What do these experiences have in common? They are spontaneous unveilings of Jesus Christ. Without warning the Lord simply reveals Himself, and whereas we were blind before, today we see. It is like walking out of one room and into another room, closing the door behind us.
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Dying Daily

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
LUKE 9:23

Do we need the power of God today? Do we seek the Life of the Lord today? Do we desire Him to have the preeminence in our lives today? Do we long for Him today? Then now is the time for us to be unconditionally and wholeheartedly surrendered to Him. We need not drag the process out for several days and weeks, months and years. Do it today, do it now.
If we must daily take up the Cross anyway, let us bow our head and give up the ghost instead of struggling to stay alive, which only prolongs our agony. The secret to overcoming is dying daily.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

"Not I, but Christ"

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
GALATIANS 2:20

Just as salvation is ours through faith by grace, and not of ourselves, so it is with living the Christian life. The difference between a defeated Christian and a victorious Christian is simply this: the former lives by his own power and asks for God’s help and will almost as an afterthought, while the latter despairs of himself, lays down his life, and trusts Christ to live in his place, at all times.
The Cross is how God accomplishes this task of bringing us to the end of ourselves. Then we can say, “Not I, but Christ.”
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

Abundant Life

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
JOHN 10:10

Ask the Lord to open your eyes and show you the Life which is yours. Go to Him and say, “I have heard about this Life, but I don’t know how it works or what to do with it. Please show me, please teach me, please reveal this Life to me.” And He will do it.
If ever you see this, just once, you will discover the secret to the Christian life. You will shake your head and say, “All these years I thought I was really living the Christian life, and all I have been doing is playing tiddlywinks. This Life I have been given is greater, bigger, and more wonderful than I ever dreamed!”
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

What is Eternal Life?

“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
1 JOHN 5:12

Would it shock you to learn that God has not given us a thing called eternal life? The Apostle John made this quite clear in his inspired writings, saying first of all, in the oft-quoted John 3:16, that the Son is that which was given, and eternal life is simply the reward for those who receive the Son.
It becomes even more apparent in 1 John 5:12. Yes we are given Eternal Life, true, but the Life is not floating out in space somewhere waiting to fall on those who ask. Eternal Life has nothing to do with everlasting existence. Eternal Life is a Person; the Life is the Son; hence, we need only ask if we have received Jesus and we shall know whether we have Eternal Life. The Life is bound up in the Son, as is every one of God’s precious gifts. Having the Son, we therefore have all the Son has. Eternal Life is simply an alias for Christ.
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Teach me to love and appreciate my brothers and sisters as you love them and have uniquely prepared each of them.

It's All About God

By Chris McKinney For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom . . . ~ I Corinthians 1:25a
READING: I Corinthians 3
I trained our launch team in how to go door-to-door calling. I taught them how to make a good first impression and ways to smoothly steer the conversation toward spiritual matters. After modeling our first contact for a block or so, everyone on the launch team got a turn. After each home I would make some comments to reinforce a key point and encourage the team member.
Then it was her turn. She was bold and enthusiastic but seemed too often to just not “get it.” As we approached the next house, I repeated my instructions one last time. She knocked on the door, and I shut up and prayed. The door was opened by a young woman.
“Do you want to have a Bible study?”
I cringed inside. Yes, we were trying to set up Bible studies, but she had forgotten everything I said. I hoped God would not be too grieved that an actual family had such a poor invitation, that he would understand that part of our task was also to disciple people like her.
“Yes.” With an equally direct answer, the young woman standing behind the door reminded me that Christ’s efforts to build his church did not rely on my script or my smooth words. As Paul wrote the Corinthians, “Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
The Bible study in that home in the weeks that followed produced our new church’s first worship leader, the husband of the young woman who had answered the door. And today, She-Who-I-Thought-Muffed-It is one of the most influential leaders at her home church.
Father, Teach me to love and appreciate my brothers and sisters as you love them and have uniquely prepared each of them. Amen. 
Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more

Witnessing Wisdom

“Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
ACTS 10:20

The success of the mission to Cornelius’ house had less to do with Peter’s ability to speak and more to do with the audience’s ability to hear. When we speak only to whom we are sent then we will see dramatic results.
Trying to speak to everyone in general and no one in particular is a colossal waste of time and demonstrates poor stewardship. We ought not to give ten coins to someone who can only handle five, and we ought not to give five coins to someone who cannot handle even one. It is clear that much time is wasted trying to convince, persuade, plead, argue, teach, and help people to whom God has not sent us. If we will wait for the Spirit of God we will save ourselves a lot of time, effort and energy. A worker who indiscriminately throws precious seed on rocky ground and gives pearls to pigs is not being a wise, faithful, and profitable servant.
Source: The Church in the Wilderness by Chip Brogden

Fit to Follow

“Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
MATTHEW 16:25

Some will say, “I am willing to die now that I have followed.” The person who knows the Cross says, “I am fit to follow now that I have died.”
Why is this important? Because Jesus knows that no human being is qualified to follow Him until they have first died. Jesus knows a man cannot live until he has died and been raised to life again. He therefore bids us to die right away, that He may raise us from the dead by His Indwelling Spirit and place us immediately upon the correct path.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

Stubborn Sheep

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one, to his own way.”
ISAIAH 53:6

Sheep are notorious for going their own independent way and ignoring the Shepherd. The Shepherd is well able to protect His Sheep; the Shepherd’s challenge is to get the Sheep to stay close to Him at all times. To accomplish this He has to discipline us severely and teach us not to wander off. This is where the work of the Cross comes in.
But what a great day for both the Shepherd and the stubborn little sheep when it no longer goes its own way, but follows the Shepherd and obeys His voice! Were it not for Him the lambs would be destroyed in a moment.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

The Most Basic Lesson

“I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.”
ROMANS 7:18

It is a great day for the Lord when a disciple of Jesus learns this most basic lesson: that in “me,” in myself, in my flesh, dwells no good thing.
This is a very difficult thing for people to learn. Jesus says that without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). This verse is very well-known. Even so, Christians still attempt to do many things apart from the Lord. We feel like we simply must do something, anything. And even though the Bible says there is nothing good in our flesh, and the flesh profits nothing, we spend a lot of time doing fleshly things apart from the Spirit of Jesus, thinking they are good and profitable.
It is impossible to say for sure just how many of the things we “feel led” to do and say are actually just things we feel like doing and saying. A lot of the time the Lord has very little to do with it.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

Satisfied in Christ

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
JOHN 6:35

The Law of Life says that the presence of Christ within the believer results in spiritual satisfaction. If we have Him then we will never hunger or thirst again, because He is Infinite Supply.
Anything less than spiritual satisfaction indicates that there is a problem. I am not saying that one should be content with their progress and present knowledge of Christ so that they stop growing; but I am saying that no matter what stage of progress you may be at presently, Christ should be your satisfaction.
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Kingdom Living

“Seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”
LUKE 12:31

Let us seek first the Kingdom of God – not as an idea, or a doctrine, or a theological position, but as a way of living! At least Paul could say, “my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4). Is anyone frustrated by the fact that all too often the only thing we have to offer people in the name of Jesus are pretty words?
At some point sermons and songs fail and something of the very Life and power and glory and majesty of God must come forth to meet real, practical needs. Healing the sick and casting out devils was (and is) as much a part of the Kingdom of God as preaching and teaching. Everyone we pray for is not instantly healed and delivered, but let us pray for them anyway. We may not yet see all things submitted to Him, but can we not at least expect to see some things submitted to Him?
Source: The Irresistible Kingdom by Chip Brogden

Is your church plant undergoing a time of crisis?

Crisis Management

By R. Jayakumar The apostles and elders met to consider this question. ~ Acts 15:6
READING: Acts 15:1-21
Is your church plant undergoing a time of crisis? Attendance and offerings have fallen, members losing their interest and core leaders becoming cold? How would you handle it? Natural response at this juncture could either be “closing down” or “quitting.”
When a doctrinal crisis shook the Church of Antioch, they sought for a panel of leaders in Jerusalem who knew Christ personally and had concern for His Church to arbitrate and give further direction.
Crisis desperation always should lead us to seek for arbitrators. Crisis will turn to a chaos if you do not find the right kind of men to solve the issues. In desperation, if you appoint an unqualified team of men, they will eventually tend to lay the blame on one or more of the following: the church planting pastor, certain officials, a cold congregation or a difficult neighborhood. Look for arbitrators who will build your plant, not blame people in it.
Your church may experience problems due to an all-out attack by Satan and/or demons. When you, as a Bible believing church planter, keep planting your church in accordance to the Word, and yet problems incarnate in various forms it must be from the Enemy of Christ. Men of Christ and His Word could easily discern Satan’s hand in it. Call for a special prayer meeting of the saints and rebuke Satan.
Your pain could be by someone in the plant, like one who was a pain to the church in Corinth (II Cor. 2:5). The Church in Corinth punished him and then restored him at Paul’s suggestion. People who know God and have concern for His Church will give solutions to build His Church.
God, Give me a godly band of men and women so I may receive insights from them as I face times of crisis in my plant. Amen.
Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more

Yielding Always

“Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
LUKE 14:27

Embracing the Cross is not a once-and-for-all act, but a daily attitude of knowing our insufficiency in order to know the sufficiency of Christ. Jesus asks us to take up the Cross “daily” (Luke 9:23) and Paul said “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Since we daily meet with temptations, tests and trials, so we must daily affirm and reaffirm who we are in Christ: the crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, ascended and seated Branches of the crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, ascended, and seated Vine.
As disciples we take up the Cross daily, which means we are always in a state of surrender and submission to the Lord Jesus, constantly forsaking our own way for His Way. This moment-by-moment yielding to Him is summed up in this saying: “Not I, but Christ” (Galatians 2:20).
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

Jesus sees us through the lens of His transforming grace, His commitment to mold us into His image.

What's in a Name?

By Ross Chenot And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called ‘Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).” ~ John 1:42
READING: John 1:35-42
What’s in a name? Just ask Peter. He was impulsive and unstable. He was prone to make promises he couldn’t keep and he even denied Jesus three times in one night. Peter was anything but the rock that Jesus dubbed him. Yet Jesus saw him as more than what he was at that moment. He saw what he could become.
When Jesus sees us, He sees more, more than we are right now. He sees us through a future lens that highlights our high potential, all we can be, our fullness as made in the image of God, the product of the Spirit’s transforming presence. Jesus sees us with God’s Kingdom eyes, and that means accepting us with love and a rich inheritance, and yet transforming us to be more than we presently are.
Jesus sees us through the lens of His transforming grace, His commitment to mold us into His image. There is “more than we are” in each of us – more love, more stability, more maturity, more holiness, more resilience and more joy. Just ask Him. He walks with us today, always bearing in His mind the image of what He will make of us.
What new name might Jesus be in the process of giving you? The stable one? Mr. Patient? Mr. Cheerful? Faithful? Warrior? The Servant Leader? Nothing is too hard for our God and no personality so fractured that He cannot heal and renew it.
Lord, You love me just as I am, but too much to leave me that way. You see me as so much more. Continue to remake me to be more than I am. Amen.
Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more 

The Secret of Christian Living

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
GALATIANS 2:20

This is the beginning point of our identification: crucifixion with Christ. Here Paul tells us the secret of what it means to be a disciple. A Christian is not someone who believes certain things about Jesus and tries to live a good life. A Christian is someone who is crucified with Christ and has no life of his own.
“Not I, but Christ” is not just the secret of living the Christian life, it is the goal and the end result of all God’s dealings with us along the lines of discipleship. He must increase. I must decrease. Follow this process out to its inevitable, irresistible conclusion and you see that eventually there is none of me; it is all of Him in me.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

The Source of Revelation

"Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
MATTHEW 16:17

Here, Jesus contrasts “flesh and blood” knowledge with Truth which is revealed by God (and of course, Jesus is Truth [John 14:6]). The two are as different as night and day. In the matter of flesh and blood knowledge that is obtained from human, earthly sources, we may have reason to boast in our ability to study, investigate, reason, and decide. This is the Tree of Knowledge.
In the case of revelation, we have definitely no room to boast, for revelation is simply that which is revealed to us from heaven by the Lord. We cannot work to obtain it nor do we merit it. Additionally, no man may give it to us. Its source is God working in us through His Holy Spirit. This is the Tree of Life.
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Jesus trusted his Father in the midst of his storm, and he beckons us to trust him in the midst of ours.

Communion

By Peter Sung After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. ~ Acts 27:35
READING: Acts 27:33-36
Paul and his captors are about to die. By boat, they are en route to Rome when they find themselves caught in a fierce storm for days on end. But earlier, Paul received a promise from God that all would be safe. Nevertheless, the storm is tearing the boat apart and the sailors are starving themselves in hopes of appeasing their gods. And it is in the midst of this storm that the apostle Paul takes bread, breaks it and gives thanks to God.
If this were a movie, this moment would be the climax of the script. It is at this point that Paul finally convinces the men that death has met its match. Communion in the midst of the storm normalizes the storm and all can see and taste and feel that God is in control, that death has lost its sting and that God keeps his promises.
As we navigate through the storm of church planting, a survival mentality can cause us to fear, react and panic. But the raging waves, the pouring rain, the thunder and winds are all normal and natural aspects of church planting. It is the storm that gives us an opportunity to trust God, in our hearts and in our actions.
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and breaking it, he said, “This is my body, broken for you. Take and eat. And when you do, remember me” (I Cor. 11:24).
Jesus trusted his Father in the midst of his storm, and he beckons us to trust him in the midst of ours.
Jesus, You are the Lord of the storm. Please come and be my Prince of Peace. Amen. 
Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more

The Subjective Work of the Cross

“I have suffered the loss of all things… that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”
PHILIPPIANS 3:8,10

A disciple of Jesus is not someone who mentally embraces the idea of a crucified Christ, nor is it someone who simply reads and accepts the historical record of the crucifixion. A disciple of Jesus is one who enters into the experience of the Cross and is personally acquainted and familiar with it. He has taken up his own Cross and followed in the footsteps of Christ. The objective work of the Cross was accomplished when Christ was crucified; the subjective work of the Cross is accomplished when I daily deny myself, take up my Cross, and follow after Him. His work on the Cross is finished and complete; my work through the Cross is ongoing. The Cross He bore accomplished the work of redemption, while the Cross I bear accomplishes the work of spiritual maturity.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

House church movement leader Gong Shengliang Suffers Stroke in Chinese Prison

Pastor Gong Shengliang Suffers Stroke in Chinese Prison
Daughter says former leader of banned house church movement denied medical treatment

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
LOS ANGELES (ANS) -- Gong Shengliang, imprisoned in China since 2001 for his leadership of a large house church movement, lacks medical treatment after suffering a stroke.

House church movement leader Gong Shengliang

According to a story by Morning Star News, in an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping published on the Websites of China Ministries International and China Aid Association, Gong Huali said her father suffered a "cerebral infarction" (ischemic stroke) late last year that has left him unable to walk or speak. 

"Because the complete absence of minimal medical care, his cerebral and cerebellum functions have been severely affected," she wrote. "His life is in serious danger.." 

Morning Star News reported that the daughter of the former leader of the South China Church (SCC) movement, which reached 50,000 members before China banned it, wrote in the April 23 letter that she has asked officials in Hubei Province for him to be released on bail for urgent medical treatment. 

"But, again and again, our petitions were completely ignored, without any reasonable response," she wrote.

Morning Star News said she added, "It is very urgent for my father to have immediate medical treatment, otherwise he might die soon in the prison or remain disabled for life."

Gong and 16 other Christians from the unregistered house church movement were arrested in August 2001, charged with leading an illegal "cult," and sentenced to death. Morning Star News said international protests led to withdrawal of the death sentences and a new trial in Oct. 2002. He was then sentenced to life for rape after police tortured female members of his church into testifying that he had raped them, according to the women's later testimony.

"My father was arrested because of his faith in Jesus Christ by the Hubei government in 2001, and was charged with rape," Gong Huali wrote.

Morning Star News said Pastor Gong was severely tortured after his arrest. In prison he was located in a damp area the first two years, where he suffered from rheumatism and gastroenteritis.

"Once his gastroenteritis caused him unable to eat for two weeks, and he found blood in stools and in urine," Morning Star News said she wrote. "The prison officials were very cruel to him, never giving him any medical care for these last 10 years and more."

Morning Star News said Chinese officials denied that Pastor Gong was tortured when Amnesty International issued an appeal for him in June 2003. That was after his family learned that he had been tortured so badly in Jingzhou prison that he was unable to leave his bed for two weeks.

China Ministries International is an international mission organization dedicated to proclaiming Christ among Chinese people and strengthening the country's church.

For more information go to http://morningstarnews.org

Church Under a Tree

Church Under a Tree

Gospel for Asia
For Immediate Release
CARROLLTON, TX (ANS) -- Pastor Rad was called to reach out with God's Word to a neighboring village, but when the fellowship grew too large to fit inside the small home of one of the believers, they had to move out under a big tree.

Clip from the video

Though it sounds relaxing to have church outside, basking in God's creation, for this body of believers in Asia, it isn't always a good thing. During the rainy seasons, they aren't able to meet because the ground quickly becomes soaked.
To watch a video about this, please go to: http://www.gfa.org/news/articles/church-under-a-tree/?c=1&cm_mmc=GFA-_-Email-_-2903832-_-130528%20Digest%20164%20WB35-G400%20(4)
You can help believers like this have a place to call home by helping to provide a Church Building of their own.
Help Build a Church by going to: http://www.gfa.org/ministries/churches/

As church planters, it is vital that we establish our leadership role within the church.

Saul or David?

By Dionne Carpenter Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. ~ I Samuel 23:14b
READING: I Samuel 23
Saul and David both led “young bucks” but provide stark contrast between great and awful leadership styles. David consistently kept charging forward, courageously doing the jobs God assigned him to do. His own personal forward momentum of obediently following the Lord kept him from getting sidetracked into squashing his own people. He kept his focus on the enemies “out there” and welcomed the strength and skills of mighty men who joined him in his noble enterprise.
When Saul began to stall and sputter and dilly dally, he created a vacuum of leadership but deeply resented his young lieutenants who rose to the challenges he should have been first to face. He stopped focusing on Israel’s true external enemies, and instead, became fixated on stamping out perceived rivals for his crown.
As church planters it is vital that we establish our leadership role within the church. Most fledgling churches attract a few prowling, carnal folks itching to become “a big fish in a little pond.” We protect our congregation by dealing decisively with power grabs by these ungodly predators.
However – and this is a big however – keep your eyes on the main goal to build a thriving, healthy church body. If within a few years you have crushed every potential threat to your own leadership, you have also most likely driven off all the best go-getters who could help you accomplish truly great things as a church.
Conversely, if you encourage your young bucks, training and empowering them while you continually lead the charge to fulfill your own God-given mission, you will raise up an army of courageous, faith-filled leaders.
Dear Father, Give me holy boldness to do all You’ve called me to do and healthy discernment regarding the potential leaders in my church. Amen.

Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more

The Age of Miracles

“God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.”
HEBREWS 2:4

When people are healed and delivered it gives us a taste of what conditions are like when Christ has preeminence over all things. Miracles give us a glimpse of a future time when He will make all things new and there will be “no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). What we consider miraculous in this Age will be commonplace in the Age to come.
Source: The Irresistible Kingdom by Chip Brogden

Recommended books

Dear Friends,

Jared Patel here. I'm writing to let you know about 6 important announcements that will benefit you.

1. Andrew Farley's book God Without Religion is only $1.99 on Kindle for a week. Frank hasn't read this book yet so he cannot comment on it, but he's looking forward to reading it. Andrew is a friend of his so we wanted to let you know about this special.

 

2. Thank you for buying Frank's new book, God's Favorite Place on Earth. The book sold so well on release week that Amazon ran out of stock. But Amazon has been sent 6,000 copies of the book. So you will be getting your copy soon. Click the link to get your copy if you haven't ordered it yet. 

3. We gave away almost 5,000 free ebooks & audios to those who purchased the book on release week (as promised). The conference audios are now being released to everyone via Frank's podcast.  

4. Be sure to check out Frank's frequently asked questions as it's been updated.

5. Frank's online course - Living by the Indwelling Life of Christ - will be available in September. Stay subscribed and you'll be the first to know when it's available.

6. Subscribe to Frank's blog by Email and receive his eBook Rethinking the Will of God (Revised) FREE. The book will be sent to all Email subscribers in early June.

God bless, 

Jared  

No Testimony Without a Test

“They overcame [the dragon] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives to the death.”
REVELATION 12:11

Just as there is no victory without a fight, no Crown without a Cross, so there is no Testimony without a test. Our Testimony is not a thing that is said, but it is a LIFE that is lived. We overcome the Dragon by the word of this Testimony. This Testimony demonstrates the preeminence of Christ over sin, self, and satan: and it is a violent thing, a proactive thing, not a passive thing. The Lord’s Testimony is actually strengthened when the enemy comes against it, for in the end we see that Christ is, indeed, preeminent. If we are really demonstrating this then we should be getting stronger spiritually.
That is not to say we will always feel good and always have a smile on our face while engaging the enemy. But regardless of our outward condition, our inward condition will be continually strengthened as we bear the Testimony of Jesus.
Source: The Irresistible Kingdom by Chip Brogden

Hello My family! A new blog post has just been added to the site... The Law of Decrease by Chip Brogden Just like the Law of Increase, the Law of Decrease does not depend upon your understanding, agreement, or acceptance. It must be so, therefore it is so. Just as surely as Christ must increase, so you must decrease. We will see how this is accomplished later; but for now, simply accept it as a spiritual law because that is how the Bible presents it. Even if you do not agree with it or like it, if you are honest, you can look back over your life and see that any advancement made in spiritual things was the result of some kind of decreasing of you and an increasing of Christ. In fact, most people will not come to the Lord without an extraordinary, life-changing negative event... Click to read more: http://theschoolofchrist.org/blog/the-law-of-decrease.html