Redemption Ministries

Transition

Gustavo Torres — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:35:51 +0000

Every where we look in and out of our circles of influence, we see and hear the word “transition.” So what does it mean?
Transition is the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. As believers we have to remember that we will always be in continual transition because the Lord is taking us from “glory to glory” according to 2 Cor. 3:18.

Scott Presson wrote in his article on transition for CBN, ” It does seem as if God is telling the whole Christian body to take steps forward. In those steps, we’ll probably step on each others feet. I imagine there’s going to be more than a few of us pushing and shoving. Some of you are going to want to move forward. Others will want to stand still and move backwards”.

Have ever been in a large crowd, like at a concert or a theme park, one thing is for sure, as everyone moves forward feet get stepped on. I remember as a student when we got a new pair of fresh kicks (new shoes); you didn’t want anyone to step on them, and you even got mad when they did. We were a little immature in this because we should have realized that walking in a crowd, it’s inevitable. So as we are a part of the body of Christ moving forward, know now, you may have your feet stepped on, but don’t stop in the midst of the transition. Keep moving forward, and let Him take you from “glory to glory”!

The 10 Lepers

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:12:09 +0000

Luke 17:11-19

¹¹ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy^[a] met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

I shared this past weekend on the passage about the 10 Lepers. Here are a few things we can gather from the story, I could post a lot but I will be brief.

1. When your in need of your Savior, It’s good to cry out for Him! Sometimes we just need to open up our mouth’s and cry out to Jesus!

2. Is our Faith in Jesus strong, that we act upon what he is saying to us even though we don’t see naturally it will work? The Lepers, stood on His
word, went without hesitation and were healed.

3. When we are truly thankful, we will throw ourselves at his feet. Here are two questions to ponder…. What’s the percentage you stop and throw
yourself at His feet and thank Him for what he has and is doing in your life? 1 out 10 Lepers came back to say thank you. That’s 10%! What’s the
percentage we stop and say thank you?

There is more I could elaborate on in this passage but that’s for another time!

Learn to Discern

Bishop Birt — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:00:20 +0000

This is an article I received, from James Emiry White, and wanted to share with you this week.

Learn to Discern

The word “disciple” is an interesting one. It is used in four primary ways:

First, it is a generic term referring to a pupil or follower of any teacher or school or religion.

Second, as a name for those who followed Jesus during His life and ministry, and specifically the twelve He handpicked to pour into for leadership. Third, it is also the term for anyone who chooses to follow Christ. In this sense, all Christ followers are “disciples.” Finally, it is used as a verb, such as someone being “discipled.” This refers to someone being mentored into the life of discipleship.

But what does this word mean?

A little background: it comes from the Greek word “mathetes,” which simply means “learner.” A disciple is a learner. Much has been written about discipleship. Books are filled with calls to be disciples, or for churches to get more serious about discipleship. Even more has been offered on the content of discipleship, the foundations upon which Christian life and faith should be nurtured. Yet I am growing increasingly convinced that in all the talk about discipleship, the changing dynamics of learning itself are being overlooked. Namely, how we learn and, perhaps more to the point, how we access information.

Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, recently noted that “Google has changed the relationship of people to information. For the last 300 or 400 years, information has been collected on college, university and seminary campuses … You went to the collected information to learn. Today the information is available anywhere you want, just Google it.”

And the challenge that comes with the “age of Google?”

Rather than primarily dispensing information, Kelley said educators must spend much more of their time helping students evaluate information.I could not agree more. One of the most pressing needs in regard to the development of a truly Christian mind is discernment in sifting through the virtually unlimited amount of information available through the internet and the various search engines at our disposal.

Let’s state the obvious: all information is not created equal. Or should we say, “equally valid.”

For example, Google this past weekend’s holiday, “Easter.” You will get 240,000,000 results. One of the top responses on the first page of hits is from www.religioustolerance.org, headlined on Google as “Easter: Its Origins and Meanings.” Sounds promising. But then you read the following:

“Modern-day Easter is derived from two ancient traditions: one Judeo-Christian and the other Pagan. Both Christians and Pagans have celebrated death and resurrection themes following the Spring Equinox for millennia. Most religious historians believe that many elements of the Christian observance of Easter were derived from earlier Pagan celebrations.”

Um, no.

As historian Anthony McRoy counters:

“The argument largely rests on the supposed pagan associations of the English and German names for the celebration (Easter in English and Ostern in German). It is important to note, however, that in most other European languages, the name for the Christian celebration is derived from the Greek word Pascha, which comes from pesach, the Hebrew word for Passover. Easter is the Christian Passover festival.

“Of course, even if Christians did engage in contextualization—expressing their message and worship in the language or forms of the local people—that in no way implies doctrinal compromise. Christians around the world have sought to redeem the local culture for Christ while purging it of practices antithetical to biblical norms. After all, Christians speak of “Good Friday,” but they are in no way honoring the worship of the Norse/Germanic queen of the gods Freya by doing so. “But, in fact, in the case of Easter the evidence suggests otherwise: that neither the commemoration of Christ’s death and resurrection nor its name are derived from paganism.”

The entire article is worth a read. McRoy is a Fellow of the British Society for Middle East Studies and a lecturer in Islamic studies. In other words, he is a leading scholar in this field. The author of the Google article? At first glance, unnamed. Dig deeper into the site’s sponsor, and you find it is sponsored by the “Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.”

Dig deeper, and you find that almost all of the over 4,475 essays and menus on this web site (as of 2008-NOV) were written by its main author and coordinator Bruce A. Robinson. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto, class of 1959, with a BaSc (Bachelor of Applied Science) degree in Engineering Physics. You also find that he is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church and calls himself an agnostic.

Which will people tend to read and believe?

The one delivered most readily by Google.

And that is the problem. And the challenge of discipleship. If disciples are learners, then we must not only address the call to discipleship and the content, but its source. I would say, “If you don’t believe me, Google it,” but that’s the problem. Unless you have been discipled regarding Google.

Show them some LOVE!!!!!

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 10 May 2011 21:30:39 +0000

Have you heard the story about the person that prayed: “Lord, so far today I’ve done okay. I haven’t gossiped, lost my temper, been nasty , greedy or grumpy. But in a few minutes I’m gonna get out of bed, then I’m gonna need all the help I can get.”

NCAA football is one of my favorite times of the year. Each team has a rich history and tradition. I have listed a few for your reading pleasure, Arkansas- Pig Sooie, Hurricanes- Enter the field through Smoke, Texas A&M- American Collie-Revielle, thanks to university for their help during World War II, Oklahoma- the Schooner is still tops. They ride it pregame and ride it after every touchdown. It commemorates the state’s heritage of moving westward. Mississippi-The tradition dates back to a MSU-Ole Miss game where a cow wearing a bell wandered on to the field. The Bulldogs won the game, and the fans have rung cowbells in memory of that upset every since. Georgia Tech – This 1930 Ford Model A sport coupe serves as the mascot for Georgia Tech, leading the football team into the stadium since 1961. Clemson- It doesn’t look like much. But when you finally make your way inside the gates at Death Valley, the sight of Howard’s Rock is awe inspiring. The Clemson players march down the campus hill, through the gates and touch the two-and-a-half pound rock before trouncing down another hill on to the field. The funny part is that legendary coach Frank Howard received the rock as a gift from a booster in the ’60s and just let it sit in his office for years. In 1966, Howard told staffers to get the rock out of his office. They did, putting it on a pedestal in Memorial Stadium, and laslty, Notre Dame- Tapping the sign- Play like a champion before they take the field.

Before I leave home, above my back door, I have a sign that reads “Love like you have never been hurt”. I know it is easier said then done, but it serves as a reminder to me and my wife as we exit our home. We want the love of Jesus Christ to be evident in our lives every day. Read John 13:35 below.

King James Bible
By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another
New Living Translation (©2007)
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples

³¹ As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man^[h] to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. ³² And since God receives glory because of the Son,^[i] he will soon give glory to the Son. ³³ Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. ³⁴ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Jesus had just washed their feet, served them communion, identified his betrayer, and loved each of them by his acts of service. What greater love to serve the one whom would betray him, and take the lowliest job over all servant in their culture by washing their feet. Some of them where appalled that Jesus would get on his knees, their leader and messiah, and wash their filthy feet. He did it, in spite of what they said or did. This was one of many ways Jesus expressed his love to them, and to use. He knew Judas would betray, and He still served him. WOW!!! I don’t know about you but that is some tough stuff. I know it would be difficult for me to love some I knew was about to hurt me. Jesus did, and so can we.

The sign above my door reminds me of what the kingdom should be like. I am not saying suppress your hurts, or let people take advantage of you. I am saying, however, no matter what, and no matter ho your treated, Love them as if you have never been hurt. If Jesus did it, so can we. So no matter what happens to you, and no matter what comes your way, no matter what people say, show them some LOVE!!!!!!! And as we do, then they will know that we are truly a disciple of Jesus.

Here are a few more scriptures to help us show people Jesus love.

1 John 3:16 (New Living Translation)

¹⁶ We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

2 John 1:5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.

The Mystery Of Good Friday

Bishop Birt — Tue, 10 May 2011 21:03:39 +0000

I am at home contemplating Good Friday after returning from a spinal injection in my lower back. As I was laying on the couch going over the details of the procedures I just endured, I was reminded of the cruel death of Jesus, the Son of God on the cross. I found it ironic that as I reviewed what I just went through, I remembered how comforting it was that the doctor verbally described what was about to take place. Even though he would say “this is going to hurt a little” (and it did!) or “you are going to experience a sensation down your leg” (and I did!), it seemed to relieve some of the anxiety of someone pushing long needles into your spine! Well, I made it though and it really was as bad as my mind imagined it could be.

The Mystery of Good Friday
But what about the pain inflicted to the body of Jesus? I wonder if His Father gave Him any indication of the pain and suffering He was about to endure? And then I begin to ask the question that we should all ask: “Why did God Himself– the Creator of the Universe– suffer death at the hands of His creatures?” When Lynn and I were watching Mel Gibson’s, The Passion of the Christ, the other night my heart was broken, tears filled my eyes and I shook my head as if to say how could He? How could God the Father allow this? This my friend is the greatest mystery in the history of the world. The Son of God, suffering pain, mockery, and death; even death on a criminal’s cross! But even more importantly, being the eternal, atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. In the words of an old hymn we used to sing in church choir, “Such Love, such wonderful love, that God should love a sinner such as I, how wonderful is love like this!” Pause and contemplate God’s extreme love for us.

The Message of Easter
But there is more! It may be Friday, but Sunday is coming! The message of Easter is not only the atoning sacrifice for sin on Good Friday, but the resurrection of life on Sunday! On the other side of suffering and death lies the hope of the Resurrection. When the Father in heaven witnessed the undeserving death of Jesus Christ by human law, but willing to pay the price of sin and suffering by the spiritual law, the Spirit of God quickened His mortal body and Jesus was resurrected on the third day. The disciples came to the tomb and it was empty. The body of Jesus Christ was gone. The stone was rolled away! Therefore, the saying, “He is Risen, He is risen indeed!”

The Meaning for Today
This then is the meaning for us today. This is our expectation and comfort: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone. And because I know, yes I know, He hold the future; life is worth the living just because he lives!

I hear the sound of rain!

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:37:07 +0000

I was sitting in my home recently listening to the rain fall on the roof top. It got louder and louder, as the rain continued for hours. I will admit I don’t have a problem with the sound of rain, but the thunder, still to this day, shakes me up. But that’s another story for another time. I can only imagine what Elijah felt like when he said in 1 Kings 18:41 “Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”

Two chapters prior, because of the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah declared, from the Lord, the heavens be shut until He would speak otherwise.

When God is judging a nation it often takes the form of a severe drought. Things become dry, lifeless and hard. They become of little value. The people of Israel had rebelled against the Lord and turned to idols. The drought lasted for quite a while, affecting the lives of a lot of people. So he told Ahab, ‘Get ready. Prepare to celebrate (eat and drink). The drought is over and rain is coming.’ He said this before there were any visible signs of rain in the air. Then Elijah goes to pray. He prays seven times. After each prayer moment, he sends his servant to look at the sky. After the first six times, the servant came back to report that NOTHING happened. For a season as we pray and obey it seems as if all we receive is NOTHING. During the seasons of NOTHING we need to KEEP our ear tuned to what we heard from God. We can’t slip into blaming God, leadership, people, or circumstances. We need to maintain the posture of prayer.

Finally on the seventh time of prayer, the servant returned with good news and bad news. There is a cloud. That’s the good news. It’s very small, about the size of a man’s hand. That’s the bad news. There is finally a sign but it is not enough.

And it looks very much like something man could do. God is not limited in our dry season. God is in the business of making the impossible possible! Also, I believe God withdraws himself at times from us, so that we will pursue Him with all our heart. We feel so dry, but my friends there is a small cloud coming on the horizon, He begins his supernatural work with the smallest and most ordinary things.

When the servant turned around to look at the sky, it had turned black with clouds and the winds had begun to blow. The little (man-sized) cloud had grown to many clouds. Look up, and see the clouds are filling with rain. The rain represented the return of the divine favor of God upon His people.

The Lord is sending the rain for you! What was once dry is now saturated with the presence of God. So if you feel dry, keep praying and know that the rain is on it’s way. In spite of what you may see or not see, know that your God is sending the rain!

Weathering the Storms

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:41:30 +0000

“The wind was contrary” or “against it”. This is how the storm was described that buffeted the boat on the Sea of Galilee (Mt 14:24). The effect of the wind was that the boat was “tossed” by the waves or “battered” or “buffeted.” These unpredictable winds can sweep down the mountain side near the Sea of Galilee and out of no where, cause a violent storm. Like many of the storms we have experienced recently, wind can be a powerful force. The strong winds and thunder storms of March and April can be extremely “contrary.” In fact, they have literally ripped open roofs and uprooted huge trees.

Spiritual storms and winds can be just as unpredictable and violent. How we handle these turbulent, contrary winds will impact our life and destiny. So, what do you do when it seems life is “against” you?

First, always remind yourself of the last word the Lord spoke to you. My motto is “Never let go in the dark what the Lord has revealed in the light!”

Second, “fix your eyes on Jesus” because He is “the author (founder) and perfecter” of your faith (Heb. 12:2). Cast your care on the Lord and release those anxious thoughts to Him. Like someone once said, “Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. But faith looks up!” Keep a steady eye on Jesus Christ.

Third, seek the Lord for the strength and courage to act. “Take courage” (v 27), Jesus said to the disciples. Take great comfort in Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Faith and courage are like a kite — an opposing wind raises it higher.

Finally, I have learned to embrace the contrary winds and grow from my journey through the storms of life. Jesus made the disciples immediately “get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side…” He knew they would encounter these contrary winds. But he sent them still, even though he would not be in the boat with them. Why? Because when they got to the other side they would face spiritual warfare as never before. So, embrace your contrary winds. The Lord is preparing you for your next assignment

15 Gut-Check Questions for Leaders

Gustavo Torres — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:11:42 +0000

I wanted to share this wonderful article from Perry Noble. Perry Noble is the founding and senior pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, Greenville and Florence, South Carolina. He will be one of the keynote speakers at this year’s Youth Quest in Atlanta, GA.

15 Gut-Check Questions for Leaders

I have always found it interesting that I Corinthians 13 is sandwiched in between a chapter having to do with spiritual gifts and speaking in tongues. I know that all of us have probably heard it read at a wedding, but what if we took this same passage and applied it to our leadership? (Which, honestly, I think it was written more for church leaders and not wedding ceremonies!) Here we go…

#1 – “Love Is Patient” – Am I giving others the same room to make mistakes as I want them to give me?

#2 – “Love Is Kind” – Do the people I lead actually like being around me? (If you want to know the answer to this question, just ask yourself how much they ask to hang out with you outside of work!)

#3 – “It Does Not Envy” – Am I automatically jealous of anyone who has a great idea, and do I constantly perceive others as a threat to my position? (Another leader struggled with this; it didn’t go well with him – see I Samuel 18:6-9.) By the way, this is why some young leaders can’t thrive in their current conditions, because the more “mature” leader perceives them as a threat.

#4 – ‘It Does Not Boast” – Do I feel like I always need to remind people of my previous victories? (If we are obsessed with the past, then we’re not advancing towards the future!)

#5 – “It Is Not Proud” – Do I feel that I am the only one in the organization that has all of the answers?

#6 – “It Is Not Rude” – Am I always cutting people off mid-sentence as soon as I discover that I do not like their idea, or am I willing to hear them out? (People don’t always have to be right as long as they feel like they’ve been heard.)

#7 – “It Is Not Self Seeking” – Who is this about–really?

#8 – “It Is Not Easily Angered” – Are people afraid to bring me information that is true and accurate because they know I will lose my mind and begin to yell? (Don’t shoot the mailman!)

#9 – “It Keeps No Record of Wrongs” – Do I remind people of their past failures or encourage them in their current condition?

#10 – “Love Does Not Delight in Evil but Rejoices in the Truth” – Can people be honest and open with anyone in the organization, including me? (When a leader does not have people around him who will share the truth, he becomes the Emperor who had no clothes!)

#11 – “It Always Protects” – Do I have the back of my staff? It’s very discouraging to work for someone who demands loyalty but will not extend it.

#12 – “Always Trusts” – Do I believe the people who lead their assigned areas can make day-to-day decisions without my input?

#13 – “Always Hopes” – Do I always automatically assume the worst or the best about people? It is amazing what can happen on a staff when the leader believes in the people he leads.

#14 – “”Always Perseveres” – Am I quick to give up on people after they make one mistake, or am I willing to teach them through it?

#15 – “Love Never Fails” – Do I have a high turnover OR a low turnover in the number of people who work with me/for me? (If the number is high, then maybe it isn’t the people failing.)

The Rock

cwalker — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:10:40 +0000

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2

Do you feel like the earth is giving way under your feet? Are you having a hard time standing? Run to the Rock that is higher than your circumstances. God is our refuge and our strength. As the old hymn says, “When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Run to the Rock today.

Armed With the Same Attitude

cwalker — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:30:34 +0000

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” 1 Peter 4:1-5

Are you armed with the same attitude? Do you push down your base desires to live for the glory of God, to offer your body as a living sacrifice to God? In a culture that screams at us to indulge, we who are followers of Jesus, must arm ourselves with a different attitude. There is a cost to following Jesus. David said, “I will not offer anything that costs me nothing.”