Rise up and GO! Pokemon GO and the GOspel

Christians are called to
Go into all the World...

With the recent release of Pokemon GO, the world has witnessed the greatest video game release that not only dominates one age bracket, but several. And it's not limited to your monitor or TV. It's completely mobile and combines real world with anime, animation and amazing game theory principles that makes it very sticky (addicting). Yes, once you start, it's hard to put it down.

Having said that, I am amazed as a Christ follower how something so silly could dominate hearts and minds - conscious and unconscious. It's attraction is something for future research studies, but what is obvious is how people are taking it to the streets.

Catching Pokemon
@ 2am

You see, the whole purpose is to get up and GO. Take your phone and start collecting Pokemon, level up and take the fun to the Gym and keep leveling up while you dominate. And this is what has caused me pause.

It's not whether or not you think it's cool or not. That's not up for debate here. What it has done is show us that when things like this take over, we are not to shut the door on opportunity, but sometime embrace it in radical ways. You see, the church is the greatest force in the world. It's powered by a much greater force in this world - the Holy Spirit. And it's not about capturing cards and characters but about capturing eternal souls for the Kingdom of God.

In playing Pokemon GO with my kids and even venturing out late one night to experience the rage (see the photos), I found myself praying. Not about my score but for God's Kingdom... to advance, capture, conquer and defeat the enemy Satan and his workman demons and evil spirits.

Car parks to play
Pokemon @ 12:30am

This game called Pokemon is just a small glimpse into the spiritual world. It's visual cues don't come from augmented reality, but a spiritual reality that many Christians fail to embrace. We are called as followers of Christ to walk by the Spirit of God. Our battle is not of this world... and our armor is spiritual. What an amazing lesson many have learned in Sunday school but fail to live by everyday. We are to wake each day, get dressed in our spiritual armor, pray and live sold out for Christ. This isn't a virtual reality game but reality church. It's time to see this game differently. And to that end,

I've put some quick ways we can take the GOspel message (the GOOD NEWS) to the streets. I've called it simply: Rise Up and Go!

Please read it, forward it, tag others, COPY & PASTE, SHARE IT, Pass it Along and Do It (model it to others including your children).

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Rise up and GO!

Embrace the craze of #PokemanGo and when you visit a church Pokestop, STOP, take a knee and PRAY...

Rise up church and GO.
PRAY for the church, their Pastor, flock, unchurched and unsaved lost who don't need to level up but come to Jesus and get into the Word. It's time to use the power of #prayer to break strongholds and bondage in lives.

PREACH the Word of God. It's not about collecting balls in the game but to capture people for the kingdom of God. Open up a Bible and read the Word to those hovering around. It's the open marketplace with open ears (like Acts 17:16-17).

If you're a CHURCH as a Pokestop, awesome! Encourage prayer requests from each visitor and offer them living water! They don't have to leave the same they came :)

Rise up church and GO.

SERVE the needs of those visiting your church. Many are hurting people who need LOVE. Ask what they need and meet it. Show them the power of love only found in Jesus. It may be the only time they will step foot at a church.

REVIVAL starts with you. Ask the Holy Spirit to fall and touch this generation, to heal broken hearts and this land. Humble yourself, pick up the cross and do the work of an evangelist. Be bold and ask for the pouring and overflow of the Holy Spirit.

Rise up church and GO.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. GO therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

Rise up church and GO!
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If you agree, please tag your church, a friend and please share this post while you take action and share some Jesus! Don't let Facebook or social media squash it either... it's time to respond to the window given and get up and GO!!!

Blessings,
Dave Geipel

Pokemon Go at the
Library downtown @ 1am

The Sting of Death

As we approach Easter this year, I'd like to make an observation around a side cast member, Joseph. Not Joseph the earthly father of Jesus but rather Joseph of Arimathea (a city of Judea). His role in the resurrection of Jesus is very telling.

In the book of Matthew (Matthew 27:57-66), we read in the passage about the precise details of the burial of Jesus. He wasn't thrown in the ground, placed in a mausoleum or forgotten. Everything went down in just three days and the rest is history.

Here's the background on Joseph and his preparation for the body of Jesus.

Joseph of Arimathea:
1) took the body
2) wrapped it in a clean linen
3) placed it in his own new tomb
4) tomb he cut out of the rock
5) rolled a big stone in front
6) he left

What I love the most?He BORROWED the tomb! Jesus never took permanent residency (6 feet under).

That's right, it wasn't meant to hold Him. The sting of death didn't take.

The enemies of Christ anticipated a potential issue if He was to survive the tomb or perhaps be taken. Yet we later find that His death & his adversaries couldn't stop Him. 

The empty tomb found just three days later shattered the grip of death. We also see the earth shook, the stone guarding the body was rolled away and His appearance was like lightening (Matt 28:1-4). He's back that quickly. 

Now we can respond to death:
O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?
O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?

If you read 1 Corinthians 15 (the entire chapter), you can further read about the resurrection. It's a great read on His resurrection and our response. And what's the conclusion?

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Never look at the death & resurrection of Jesus as an endpoint, rather the beginning He provided us through the cross. The sting of death isn't intended for those who receive the gift of salvation offered through Jesus. Don't miss that aspect of Easter in the midst of colorful pastel eggs, a bunny and tons of candy. 

Through the act of a simple lamb of God, our sins can be covered today. That's the good news. And the sting of death? It's gone.

My New Years Resolution as a Question

I've heard we will be ore productive with our resolutions every year IF we address them with a question. So here's my question I will attempt to ask myself daily: 

Will I take God at His WORD and will I PRAY more in 2016?

GODS WORD is vital to our walk with God. We cannot define God and our relationship with Him apart from His Word. We will never know God apart from His Word. We cannot claim His promises without His Word.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua‬ ‭1:8‬

So I am focused on spending even greater time with Him in His Word this year!

I will start with greater discipline around the time I spend with Him this year and the time I share with Him alongside my family and friends. I will be more conscious and purposeful with time in His Word. I will continue in those things that have eternal value and are centered around His Kingdom.

PRAYER is an area of our lives we often place last. Perhaps you too wait to pray or it becomes the last thing you do? We need to have a constant connection with Jesus. This isn't found by being on social media, watching TV or even in our social times out with friends but during those quiet moments alone w/ God.

I will be mindful of stillness and quiet times before the Lord.

“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:16‬

Jesus did this often during His ministry: Mark 1:35; Matthew 14:23; Luke 6:12. What makes me think I can do it differently or better w/o quiet & alone time with Him.

Reminded this new year of the importance of having discipline in our spiritual walk. Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Meditate upon it. We know it's our spiritual discipline that matters most. Is our time purposeful and are we focused on eternity?

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭4:8‬

Sure I have a desire to tone and build muscle while running a new race this year BUT that cannot be my primary goal. Besides physical fitness this year, I desire to take up even more my spiritual training.

Will I take God at His WORD and will I PRAY more in 2016?

Join me and let's make a difference by the time spent in His Word, Prayer and sharing Jesus with our spouse, kids, family, friends and a lost and fallen world. We can only share Jesus after we've spent time with Him and have gotten to know Him more.

The Gifts of Christmas

Jesus didn't just give His life as a ransom for many, but He also left behind gifts for His followers. This Christmas, consider how Jesus provides us with not only the gift of salvation, but life everlasting.

For believers, we have the gift of salvation. This is the gift of the Cross. This is the main gift given by Jesus to His followers. This is the gift of life only found through the Savior. The only other option available is death. As a Christ follower, we must keep the cross our central focus.

When we examine the other benefits or I'll call them gifts, we realize how much greater the sacrifice was to bring man back into fellowship with God. There isn't enough weight given to just say they are other gifts because they are ONLY found within THE GIFT of Christ. In some ways, you could say it's the gift that does keep on giving. So let's examine the Gifts of Christmas

Some of these other gifts of Christmas are found in the Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascends, He said He wouldn't leave us or forsake us (a gift). This is the Holy Spirit. By reading John 14, we can get lost in the abundance He bestows on those who love Him. To review them, let's begin with verse six, then work our way through the entire passage:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

So in which ways do we experience these gifts (blessings)? The passage in John 14 includes the following:

1. A Place: I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)
2. He Will Return for us: I will come again and receive you to Myself (John 14:3, 18)
3. Know the Father: ...and from now on you know Him and have seen Him (John 14:7)
4. Greater Works: the works that I do he will do also (John 14:12)
5. Answered Prayers: If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:14)
6. Receive a Helper: that He (the Helper, the Holy Spirit) may abide with you forever (John 14:17)
7. Take up Residence within: We will come to him and make Our home with him (John 14:23)
8. He will Teach us All things: He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)
9. Gift of Peace: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you (John 14:27)

Jesus provides us with confidence and assurance. He provides His followers with Peace.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

So while we spend time wrapping gifts to give to others, the best gift we can share with another is the gift of love. That is found in sharing THE GIFT with another: Jesus.

If you haven't received the free gift from Jesus, let today be that day for you. How can you receive Jesus and His gift?

Jesus gave this gift to those who follow Him. He didn't attribute salvation and the gift by name only ("I am a Christian") but towards one who follows (we call them a Disciple). We call ourselves followers because it's not just receiving, but also putting your faith into practice. It's a process that's confirmed both verbally (mouth) and through receiving Him in your heart (which only God can judge). Read more about What is the difference between a Christian and a disciple?

For now, you must simply respond to Jesus:
...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10

Simply pray: 
Jesus, I believe you came, you died and rose again for me. I thank you for the cross and ask you would come now to take residence within me. Give me faith to not only believe you at Your Word but to follow You. Teach me Holy Spirit your ways. And lead me toward life eternal. Amen.

Now that you have received the gift, congratulations, you just received the ONLY, one, true and holy gift given from above: Jesus. Spend time with Jesus. Cherish Jesus. Grow with Jesus and share your gift with others. It's free and accessible to everyone who will call on His name.

Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Dave

Contend for Your Faith or Defend Your Church

Sola Scriptura
2 Timothy 3:16

Sola Scriptura

Recently my wife had a heated dialog on Facebook with a few reformed believers in the faith. First, we are Christians (followers of Christ). Our church, which we attend, love and serve, is affiliated with the Assemblies of God churches yet it would appear to many as a non denominational church. We believe in the Word of God (Sola Scriptura  - "by Scripture alone"). We believe in the Holy Spirit and that He is alive, active and at work today. Yes, gifts are for today, in order, of course.

So when a question about Fog machines (haze) used during a worship service quickly took a crazy turn to worship styles and church affiliation, the dialog got interesting. What happened next was eye opening. The lines were drawn and you were either reformed or not. The moment I heard Michelle read me the response, I quickly realized this wasn't going anywhere productive. Why? Because once our identity in Christ is no longer to Christ but a denomination or the loosely thrown around term - theology - you create new battle lines that are outside the true map of reason. It becomes very fruitless in a majority of occasions (from personal experience).

It's simple: Christian in fighting is not our mission. The Great Commission is the mission of the Church:

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

Contend for Your Faith
or Defend Your Church

While some consider taking sides and defending the faith as to what Jude shares (Jude 1:3-4) he talks about contending for our faith only when certain men creep in who turn grace of our God into lewdness & deny Jesus. This isn't the case for the Reformed, Baptist, Pentecostal, etc... because regardless of affiliation, you should and must contend for our faith with Jesus. Notice it DOESN'T say to DEFEND YOUR CHURCH AFFILIATION. Rather we must CONTEND FOR OUR FAITH in Jesus.

There may be professing Christians but they must confess Jesus to contend. The Greek word for contend comes from an athletic setting - as in a wrestling mat. Yet does this mean in church fighting? Look a little deeper and you will find it's wrestling with lewd and Christ deniers. Not followers. It's a big distinction.

It begins and ends with Jesus. Our church affiliation feeds into the old rhetoric Paul shared with us from the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 1:12) where it appeared divided by leaders in the church:

"I am of Paul"
"I am of Apollos"
"I am of Cephas"
"I am of Christ"

Let us get back to Christ and make our affiliation in Jesus Christ. Our common language should lie in the Word of God and not church fathers and their various writings. While some may be good and profitable or better than others, we always must rely on the Word of God. Read, Study and Walk out your faith. Paul states that we are not divided but united. Let's have an undivided faith!

I love this Spurgeon sermon given over 150 years ago (March 25, 1861) encapsulates a position we should all hold if you're of the Christian faith. Read his words below:

"I would propose that the subject of the ministry of this house, as long as this platform shall stand, and as long as this house shall be frequented by worshippers, shall be the person of Jesus Christ. I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist, although I claim to be rather a Calvinist according to Calvin, than after the modern debased fashion. I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist. You have there (pointing to the baptistry) substantial evidence that I am not ashamed of that ordinance of our Lord Jesus Christ; but if I am asked to say what is my creed, I think I must reply: "It is Jesus Christ."

My venerable predecessor, Dr. Gill, has left a body of divinity admirable and excellent in its way; but the body of divinity to which I would pin and bind myself for ever, God helping me, is not his system of divinity or any other human treatise, but Christ Jesus, who is the sum and substance of the gospel; who is in himself all theology, the incarnation of every precious truth, the all-glorious personal embodiment of the way, the truth, and the life."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon - "The First Sermon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle". Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Preached Monday, March 25, 1861 (369).

In other words, we can quickly take words from a particular position from a Theology Book or just we can wrestle with His Word ourselves. We must contend for the faith and the only way to do such task is to take Him at His Word, trust His Word, apply His Word and walk in such manner worthy of the calling He placed over our lives.

My wife ended her comments after the discussion began to cool back down with the following:

"Let's not forget that we are on the same team! We all love Jesus and although we disagree about somethings, none of us is worthy- AT ALL- and certainly non more worthy than the other." - Michelle Geipel

I do hope and pray that we as believers can get past much of the arguments and move toward Christ and His mission at hand. If we are not growing in the grace and knowledge of our Savior, what are we doing? Just a question to depart with in hope you draw near to God... and not Calvin, Luther, Spurgeon, Bonhoeffer or other great writers and preachers. Draw near to Jesus.

My Time of Devotion

Life is busy.

One of our truly limited resources is our time. Yet we can easily forget to guard or protect it. If we mismanage time, it will escape and like sand through the hour glass, once it's gone, it's gone.

When I was recently having a quiet time with the Lord, I reflected on a few things about my time with Him. I find myself leading a bible study or two each week. I make it a goal to have my own bible studies throughout the week when I open and let it speak to me. I find that I spend time praying (never enough) and yet something is missing.

I sensed God speaking to me and reminding me of one important aspect of our time - and that's our time of devotion. In Christian circles, we called it Devotions or Devos. However, I find it easy for me to end up studying or praying and miss the middle time of worship & devotion.

The simple reason why I am prone to not spend time in devotion is due to the way that time is structured. I like checkboxes... check/done... next. The time I spend in prayer is monitored by minutes. Time in the Word is often to study a passage. Both can be very pragmatic for me. Yet it's the middle space, devotional space, I need to enter in to worship the Lord.

While it's likely not a true dichotomy, I find that for me, picking up my guitar gets me right into a devotional mode. The same can be said in how I read the Word by just reading a passage several times rather than opening another person's work (commentary or sermon). I can enter it as well when I change my posture during prayer - getting right on my knees.

When we study others in the Bible they too entered into a time of private devotion.

Isaac meditated in the evening (Gen 24:63)
Daniel prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10)
David prayed three times a day while meditating on his bed at night (Psalm 55:17; Psalm 63:6)

Jesus also sought to be alone. He went out from the others. He went to a place where He wasn't distracted. And Jesus did it both in the early morning and late at night (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12).

I was challenged in the past about how I worship. I will pass the same one on to you. Since I am a worship leader, I can often be found spending time to technically learn the song - worship leaders never want to miss a note or the words - but that's not worship. Worship takes place between you and God. It's congregational for the body of Christ when we come together to worship as one. While I can check that activity off each week by attending and participating in worship at church, that's not to replace my time of devotions.

Let us press in to the Lord.

Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.
Hosea 6:3


~ Dave Geipel

The Gospel Message

The Gospel Message (in Genesis)

The Bible is not just a collection of good teachings. They are not books written by a single man. They are a collection of 66 books penned by 40 men with one author - God. It's a single account yet told from a variety of characters who walked this earth and knew God. In the end, today we have two primary sources: the Old Testament (Hebrew) and New Testament (Greek) which have been translated for us in our languages today.

Within the Bible, we learn that Jesus is the central figure from the first page till the last page - Genesis to Revelation. The story is told every possible way so we, the reader, can hear from God. If you ever question what the Bible is speaking to you, simply pray and ask the God the Holy Spirit (Trinity is Father, Son and Holy Spirit - A triune God - three in one) - He will open your eyes so you can see & hear from Him. When you turn to Him, you can have assurance of your salvation.

My favorite gospel message was given to Moses when he penned the book of Genesis (Beginnings). The Gospel Message was given to man in Genesis Chapter 5. These are the first ten people in the Old Testament. Check out their names. Each one is specific having deep meaning and pointing to Jesus - the one who came down and whose life brings life.

Hebrew       English
Adam          Man
Seth            Appointed
Enosh         Mortal
Kenan         Sorrow;
Mahalalel   The Blessed God
Jared           Shall come down
Enoch         Teaching
Methuselah His death shall bring
Lamech       The Despairing
Noah           Rest, or comfort.

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest.

Yes, this is taken from Genesis and the names of each father. It starts with Adam and ends with Noah. What occurs with Noah? God delivers him (man) from judgement & destruction brought on this sinful world. God must judge this world (man) and its sin. He is righteous. It's His only response. And yet His only Son was sent to provide a way of escape - a way to God the Father, through Jesus, His Son.

Still don't believe God? He gave us the Gospel Message in the Old Testament. He gives it to us in the New Testament with His Son Jesus. Yet you can open & read His Word - the Bible. You will soon realize that Jesus is on every page figuratively and He is speaking to you today. Will you listen?

Learn more about the gospel message.