A message from Clive Pooley

As a pastor I long for the moment that someone in the congregation would come to me and say, "You know Clive, I was reading the Gospel of John the other day and it changed my life. 11 Or, "l was studying the book of Ephesians last week and I have come to a new understanding of who Christ is and who I am in Christ, and 1 am living more victoriously in my Christian walk."

However, it appears to me that the Bible is no longer exciting enough for this generation. And what's worse is that the person of Jesus is passe. We need something new, something fresh, something novel.

 

The Shack, which I read, will eventually fade into history and other books will take its place. But it grieves my heart to think that many in the church have not experienced the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10.

 

Perhaps it's because we have satiated our hunger for God and His Word by filling our minds and hearts with substitute fillers. Listen to the call of the prophet ... hear the pleading of the ancient seer: “Ho!Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you ... " (Isaiah 55: 1-3 - NK]V).

 

Nevertheless, only one book holds the promise of changing lives. Only one manuscript has the ability to strengthen individuals and keep us free from the power of sin. Only one volume is absolute Truth and has the capacity to sanctify the heart, soul, and mind.

 

Hebrews 4: 12 declares, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (NIV). Did you catch what the verse said? The word of God is living and active! The word of God penetrates and discerns! The word of God has the capacity to do heart surgery and to bring about a metamorphosis in our thoughts, actions and words. Nothing else can or will.

 

In fact, God said in Isaiah 55: 10-11, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (NIV).

 

The Apostle Peter exhorted his readers: "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good" (l Peter 2:2-3 - NIV). I pray our appetite for what truly transforms and satisfies will return. What we are looking for is in the Secret Place (Psalm 91: 1, Matthew 6:6) not in The Shack!

 

Many of us want Christianity on our own terms.

 

We want to stay alive - we want the benefits of the Cross, but not the requirements of it.

 

But whereas the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses us with all the pleasures of Heaven, it asks for something in return - our lives. Have you given your life and submitted your will to the Master?