The Beloved Disciple

By Richard Lineberry

The Four Gospels present Jesus from four different viewpoints.  Matthew was specifically writing to Jews.  Mark wrote for the Roman mindset.  Luke wrote for Gentiles (particularly Greeks).  John wrote to try to attract all of them. 

If you want theology, read Paul.  If you want the heart of Christianity, read John’s writings.  Before he met Jesus, he and his brother James were fishermen with their father, Zebedee.  Simon Peter was his long term partner.  Having a tender heart, John was evidently a little hot headed whereas Jesus called him and his brother “sons of thunder” because they wanted to call fire down from heaven upon the heads of some other men who were preaching about Jesus but weren’t a part of the main 12 disciples.

John was an extra loyal disciple and the only one who followed Jesus to the crucifixion where Jesus delegated the care of his own mother to John as He was about to return to heaven.  At the last supper, John is known for leaning on Jesus’ breast as they reclined at the table, thus signifying a deep desire within John for intimacy with the Lord.  John saw something about Jesus that many of the others seemed to miss.  He saw that the heart of the Lord’s mission to earth was the Father’s love for humanity.  John proceeded to reflect this understanding in writing five books which are included in our New Testament.  History tells us that when John was very old and people would gather to hear him talk that all he would say was, “Little children, love one another.”  That’s a great summation of the Christian life.

History tells us that John outlived all the other disciples and was the only one that didn’t die a martyr’s death.  It’s no wonder that the symbol the church has used to stand for John is the eagle.  It was a long hard road to travel from bad temper to a heart of tenderness.

“He that has the Son has life.”

The Beloved Apostle, I John 5:12

When Truth Comes

By Dr. Richard Lineberry

In the book, Well Intentioned Dragons, Marshall Shelley comments on the “dragon of personal criticism,” by saying we must pay attention to the criticism that is leveled towards us from time to time.  “Solitary shots should be ignored but when they come from several different directions, it’s time to pay attention.  If someone calls you a mule, ignore him.  If two people call you a mule, look for hoof prints.  If three people call you a mule, get a saddle.”

Proverbs 9:8 says “reprove a wise man and he will love you.”  It is, however, one of the ways God uses to improve us.  When truth first comes to us, it is often in a negative form because we really don’t see ourselves as others see us.  That’s the problem!  God speaks to us as we really are while we often try to act like someone we aren’t.  God speaks to me at the reality place, not the wishful place I think I occupy.

The hope of the Christian is to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ.  That is a lifetime process, not a single experience.  There is lots of unraveling to do on the inside of us.  Remember the story of how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead?  As soon as he came out of his grave, Christ gave the order to remove the grave clothes.  When we give our lives to the Lord, He wants us to disassociate ourselves from everything that smacks of our old nature.  For that to happen, we must hear God’s Word and believe that what He says about us is true and trust that He will change us into new, different and better people.  A change in our thinking about God, ourselves and others is part of the program.  The ways we react to difficulties and fears change as we draw closer to the Savior.  Overall, the change is for the best.  From the Gospels, we see Christ’s life so much different than our own and usually wonder how we could ever be like Him.  We must remember that He has given us His Holy Spirit to bring glorious changes in us.  If we stay faithful, we become people equipped with heavenly resources for the best kind of life.  Let us not despise the correction that comes from the Lord.  Like a loving parent, He has better things for us. 

 

My prayer for us today is that God’s Spirit will bring healing and spiritual freedom that we may walk more closely with Him.

I believe in the Holy Ghost. 

(Words to Declare over us)

God makes us stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Cor 1:21-22)

As one of God's elect, I am a stranger to the world, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: grace and peace be ours in abundance (1Peter 1:1-3).

I believe in Holy Spirit, the Counselor, who when He comes, convicts the world (and me) of guilt, sin, righteousness and judgment (John 6:18-11)

I believe in Holy Spirit who dwells in me as a temple (1Cor 3:16) and who lives in me and is jealous over me. (James 4:5)

I believe in the Comforter, Counselor, Spirit of Truth, who guides us into all truth, who brings glory to Jesus by taking what is His and making it known to us. (John 16:15) He brings all things to remembrance that Jesus said, and gives me what to say when I testify (Matt 10:19-20).

I believe in the Holy Spirit who is the Anointing and abides in me and teaches me (1 John 2:20, 26), in whom we are baptized into Christ (1 Cor 12:) and are all made to drink of one Spirit (Eph 4:4).

I believe in the one Spirit of God who anoints me with power to do good and to heal in the name of Jesus (Acts 10:38).

I believe in Him who gives me life, leads me and because I have my mind set on the things of the Spirit I have life and peace (Rom 8:6-7)  and am renewed in my mind (Eph 4:24). I am filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:19) and power (Acts 1:8).

He quenches my thirst (Jn 7:37-39), prays in me for the saints according to the will of God (Rom 8:27-28), prophecies through me (1 Cor 14:1-3), gives me strength as I wait on the Lord, quickens my body, enlightens the eyes of my heart (Eph 1:17), gives me revelation from the Father, uses the Word of God as a Sword in my mouth (Eph 6:17) and gives me a NOW word that has proceeding application and power (Mt 4:4).

I am born of the Spirit (Gal 4:28), born from above (Jn 3:7).

I have received the Spirit by faith not by works (Gal 3:2) from Him who supplies the Spirit (Gal 3:5) and since I began in the Spirit (Gal 3:3) I can continue to live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25) for God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts; so, I am no longer a slave but a Son (Gal 4:6-7) and His Spirit bears witness with my spirit that we are children of God. (Rom 8:15-17).

I believe in the Holy Spirit who bears in me spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5:22-23).

The Holy Spirit helps me walk in the spirit so I will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16) but I will be led by the Spirit (Gal 5:18).

I believe in the Holy Spirit who gives manifestations of grace through me as He wills, and I earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that I may prophesy to the building up of the body in love (1 Cor 14). I also ask Him and He gives through me by the same Spirit words of wisdom and knowledge, supernatural faith, healing and working of miracles, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues (1 Cor 12)

  

I Believe in Holy Spirit

Another day of memorial I 

think it proper to remember:

On June 1, 1865, Senator Charles Sumner commented on what is now considered the most famous speech by President Abraham Lincoln. In his eulogy on the slain president, he called it a "monumental act."  He said Lincoln was mistaken that "the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here."   Rather, the Bostonian remarked, "The world noted at once what he said, and will never cease to remember it. The battle itself was less important than the speech."

November 19, 1863, Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Tour overview

We went out both with joy and we sowed precious seed with tears.

WE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!

-24 days

-9 travel days to eight locations in six states

-9 service days and sometimes in multiple locations at the same time since Kirkland MCs were with us three places

-17 ministry events in churches and schools plus one prayer walk in the red light district of Louisville.

We won't know how many lives were touched until we stand before Christ.  We know that some people told us they committed their lives to Christ because of previous visits so we believe others did this time as well.  Some confessed deep sins, others received healing and comfort from old hurts; some forgave others who had hurt them…

Everywhere people received prayers, words from God, at least one immediate physical healing. Several men and ladies took applications for MC and team members grew in faith, in boldness to testify and in ability to hear God's voice and follow his leading because they did nearly everywhere every time we ministered.

Some of the team went out as young students and now come home as emerging men and women of God. All of us matured in leadership, selfless love and service for God.

Another way we benefited was by renewing and developing relationships everywhere we went:

A feeling of being part of something much bigger than just our church or MC.

Strengthened relationships where we have been before: host homes, pastors, youth, and other Covenant Churches.

Deepening relationships with friends in the Kirkland MCs.

Some new Friends and some potential students.

We still have Paul Doherty’s Victory Fellowship in Little Rock, June 1-3

Then we work a MS Show in Orlando returning by Sat June 16.

Click here to read the blog about each tour stop.

Click here to see Kendra’a photo contest—many funny pictures and captions

Click here to see a variety of pics from various stops on tour.

HOW’S YOUR SIGNIFICANCE TODAY?

By Richard Lineberry

Much time and energy is spent these days by educators of the young to try to persuade them that their lives are to be meaningful.  It seems like the breakdown of families and absentee fathers is taking a great toll on us.  Many people feel nothing but emptiness and worthlessness.

Our longing for significance doesn’t just hit us when we turn into adults.  It’s inborn.  The relationship with parents, family and friends help to satisfy it to some extent.  Our vocation and daily activities add a little bit to the longing also.  But we are more complicated than that. 

Lasting significance at the deepest human  level, however, can only be achieved through a close and loving experience with God.  He didn’t create man from the dust and then say, “Ok, now go do your own thing.”  We were made to have fellowship and friendship with this eternal Father in heaven.  Animals can’t do it; only people are made for it.  It takes time to develop but nothing else can take its place.

The popularity, wealth and fame the world offers is fleeting and temporary.  Wealth can leave us in a moment.  Having a famous name is short lived because people’s interests are short lived.  Our inner desire to know that we are of eternal value goes beyond the physical realm and anything else the world can do for us. 

God’s Son came to earth to remind us that we were important to the God that made us.  We were not made for nothing or just to endure a miserable existence.  Rather, His love and closeness produces a freedom and joy that nothing else can provide.  In learning to commit ourselves to Christ and serving others as He did, all the need for significance you could have will take care of itself.  Just try it!

The Apostle Paul gives us a great prayer that helps us draw closer to the God who gives significance. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.                                                                          II Corinthians 13:14

CHURCH:
A good place to give and 

a good place to receive.
By Richard Lineberry

I know the “church” is not a building but the people of God that are called out to be His.  But what happens in your heart when you “go to church?”  The gathering of believers should be a place for both giving and receiving.  To receive you only have to be spiritually hungry and thirsty and come with an open heart.  God will fill us.  If we come already satisfied with good things of this world only, God won’t find much room.

As to giving, (and I’m not referring to money), I’ve learned that there’s a place in the spiritual journey that requires a giving heart BEFORE receiving.  Scripture tells us that Jesus came to serve, not just to be served.  He came as a giver.  He gave time, love, healing, nurturing, encouragement to the hurting and, of course, His very life for the salvation of all who will believe and accept God’s great gift of eternal life.

To come celebrate the Lord with others should be a well planned endeavor.  Here are some good warm up prayers: “Lord, how can I give today?”  “Who may I pray for?”  “What words can I speak to someone that will benefit them and glorify Your Name?”  “How will you guide me to use the spiritual gifts you have given me?”  “What are you saying to me?”

Never yet have I seriously prayed these kinds of prayers that the Lord didn’t give me a chance to spend myself on God’s favorite target—people!

My prayer for all of us today is that we give ourselves the opportunity to receive something from God that we don’t have by giving something to someone else that we do have. 

Praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

                                    II Corinthians 1:3-4