+ Ablaze Fuel +

Deuteronomy 32:39

“See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.”

The classic Beatle’s anthem begins with a resounding albeit somewhat cycnical lament - “You say you want a revolution - well ya’ know - we all want to change the world.” Enter the modern day anthem by contemporary rocker John Mayer - “Waiting on the world to change…I keep on a-waiting…waiting on the world to change.”

I don’t know about you but I want to break free from this endless cycle of empty slogans and good intentions and be a part of something that is real - something far beyond my limited imagination. It is my whole-hearted desire to be drawn into a movement that is unstoppable, un-tamable, and unconventional.

Enter the God of ReVolution - not some rock-n-roller wielding an axe (that’s a guitar for all of us not in the “biz”) and an amp - but the God Who wields the sword of life and death - the Sword of Revolution:

The difficult truth to swallow is that God is all about carrying out a Revolution inside each and everyone of us. Before we can be drawn into partnership and utilized as His creative agents of ReVolutionary work on this planet - we must first recognize that He is actively carrying out a ReVolution - an overthrow of the government of “you” and “me” in our own hearts!

Lord Jesus, may a continued revolution of thought, action, and witness take place in our lives, as we live out your Great Commission.  Amen!

Today’s devotion was prepared by Pastor Andy Whaley.  Andy is preparing St. Paul Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas for a future of church planting.  Check out the St. Paul website by clicking here.

Colossians 4:5

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

Just a couple weeks ago, it had been a full day and I was on my way home to meet up with my family for dinner. I was eager to get the car in the garage and head inside, but as I came down the street towards our house I just had to smile. Outside was my 5 ½ year old son playing baseball with his friend, Terry, a man in his late 30’s who sacks groceries and daily walks his dog down our street and stops by the house. He has become one of my son’s best friends. I pulled into the garage and paused for just a moment to thank God for this relationship and for others we have formed recently in our neighborhood. It has not always been this way.

We have lived in our home for eight years, but honestly, it has only been over the last 18 months that we have gotten to know our neighbors. I was a “get home, close the garage door, stay in the back yard” neighbor for the longest time. Sure, I would pray for God to open doors for us to talk with our neighbors and share the Gospel, but I never did anything about it. To be honest, I mentally told God that I wasn’t getting a paycheck for that mission field and so I did not have time for it. Thanks to my kids and my wife, we have become much more of a “front yard family.” We see that time as a time to goof and play or do yardwork, but it is not really about that. It is about being available to interact with the people living around us. What is your front yard? Have you compromised being salt and light somewhere where you journey between Sundays because it is not in your job description? Who is one person that God has placed in your path that you need “front yard time” with this week?

Lord, thank you for your patience with me. I can get so narrowly focused on programs and ministry I am paid to do, that I neglect the relationships that are right around me. May I see that all the daily tasks are not the main point, but building authentic relationships and showing Christ’s love are what you have called me to do.  Amen!

Today’s devotion was prepared by Peter Couser, an LCMS mission planter who recently launched “The Summit” in Aledo, Tx.  The Summit is a satellite ministry of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ft. Worth Texas.  Visit “The Summit” website by clicking here.

Matthew 13:44

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

The kingdom of heaven is so great, so inspiring, so absolutely life transforming that it will lead you to do crazy things in the name of Jesus. Here’s a description from Jesus about a fellow who literally sold out for the kingdom of heaven. When you can lay your hands on a priceless treasure with eternal worth it’s worth everything you got.

I wonder how often or frequently we think about the lost and when we think about them, if we see them as treasures worth saving. The fact is they are priceless treasures in desperate need of the priceless gift only Jesus can give. I’ve begun looking at the lost as treasures and I am telling you it changes how you approach people. This approach forces you to push perceptions aside and gives you courage to cultivate relationships with people who are future treasures for the kingdom of heaven! We are surrounded by lost souls who need to be treated like treasures in the kingdom of heaven, because that is exactly what they are!!!

Dearest Lord Jesus, give me a spirit of courage and boldness, to reach the treasures that are still buried under the weight of this world.  Make me your agent to connect them to you for eternity.  Amen!

Today’s devotion was prepared by Pastor Tim Radkey, the lead Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Lubbock, Texas.  Check out the ministries of Hope by clicking here.

1 John 4:9-10     This is how God showed his love among us.  He sent his one and only Son into the world, that we might live through him.  This is love:  Not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

Do you remember the story of Chicken Little? An acorn hits her on the head, setting off on a hysterical rant telling everyone “The sky is falling!” That phrase is used today to describe a situation where people jump to conclusions with little evidence, following mistaken notions and overreacting to the situation. I’ve thought of that often over the last few weeks. Consider the frenzy over H1N1 or “Swine Flu” or whatever they want to call it. CDC reports led to School closures and UIL cancellations here in Texas. Words like “pandemic” escalated the fears of a lot of folks until we finally heard, “Oh, never mind, it is not as bad as we thought.” Yet some are quick to add, “It could still get bad later on!”

One thing revealed by all of this panic is that there are a lot of scared people out there. I heard a story about a local woman who visited a nursing home. While there, she was told that someone in the nursing home had swine flu (which was not true). That woman called an ambulance to take her to the emergency room because she was afraid she had been exposed to “Swine Flu” and thought she was going to die if she did not seek out immediate medical assistance.

There are a lot of scared people in this world, some of whom let their fears take over and control them. I believe that presents a wonderful opportunity for the followers of Jesus Christ to share with them the peace and confidence that comes from believing in Him as Savior. The certainty that Jesus died to pay for the sins of everyone and rose from death to announce absolute victory gives us peace, confidence and hope. That is what we have to share with all those scared people out there. Our God invites us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). We know the one who is in control. He asks us to remember that we know Him and come to Him with our concerns. Remembering He is in control gives us assurance and peace, because we know how much He loves us.  Remembering that can put everything in this world into its proper perspective.

Father, help me to overcome the fears that I have about this world by remembering what you have done for me in Christ. Enable me to share your perfect love that drives out fear with a world that is dying to hear this Good News. Help me in the name of Your love who came to be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today’s devotion was prepared by Pastor Michael Mattil, the lead Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Denison, Texas.  To experience Pastor Mattil’s weekly sermons, visit this weblink.

Mark 1:27

“What’s going on here?  A new teaching that does what it says?” 

When I started serving in a mission church, I was confronted with the reality of a broken down organ, torn bright red carpet, and an exhaust fan that had to be turned down during the sermon so people could hear.  We were a small, unattractive, hidden church.  How could anything happen there?

Then I saw people who hungered and thirsted for the Word of God.  I saw the love of Jesus demonstrated through service, outreach, and care.  I saw people who really wanted to worship God, not just attend a worship service.  I saw a teaching that does what it says!

That’s what the people in Mark chapter one saw in Jesus.  Not just words.  Not just gimmicks.  Not just blowing smoke.  It was real.  And because of it, lives were transformed.  Lives were saved!

In my current ministry as a person who is trying to help plant churches, my eyes see an impossible task.  How in the world can we be part of a missional kingdom movement that brings the powerful impact of Jesus to our nation and world?  Once I ask the question I realize that the obstacle is my lack of faith, not God’s inability to accomplish the task.  After all, His Word is a teaching that does what it says.

It’s gut-check time.  Are you approaching your journey of faith and witness with a lack of faith, or do you trust that Jesus does what He says?

Lord Jesus, you are always actively seeking sinners who have yet to know you as Savior.  Please enable me to be more bold in my own missional endeavors, knowing that you are fully capable of carrying out your Great Commission in me, and through me.  Amen! 

Today’s devotion was prepared by Pastor Mike Newman, a mission and ministry facilitator for the Texas District.  Check out Mike’s faith fueling blog at http://newcushion.blogspot.com