Nothing Without God

Last year when I was in Romania I toured Peleş Castle, a beautiful palace of the kings of Romania.
“Nimic fara Dumnezeu” was inscribed above each fireplace within the palace. "Nothing Without God."

The fireplace was a place where the family gathered. It was warm; there was light. It was a place of provision. And each time a family gathered around the fireplace they were reminded to do “nothing without God.”

Jesus said to seek first Him and His kingdom and everything else would be added. It’s the principle of seeking His kingdom first that allows for the blessing of God in our life. He promised His provision as we seek first His will. Too often today we struggle to find joy and purpose, yet we have more “stuff” than we’ve ever had in any time in history. But “stuff” doesn’t give you the fellowship that being in relationship with Him does. It doesn’t give you warmth. And it certainly won’t illuminate your mind or set your heart on fire.

As I toured the castle, I thought how does a nation go from a place where their motto is “Nothing without God” to a place where they have one of the highest abortion rates in the world, human trafficking is rampant, and forty years of communism have left a country still struggling to this day to find their freedoms in Christ.

How they got here, I do not know, but I believe the key to this nation being transformed and restored can be found in this motto that the kings of old inscribed. “Nothing without God”.

Is God just a part of our lives? Is it everything with God included or is it nothing without God?

Today I leave with a group of XMC students to go for two weeks to the nation of Romania. Please pray that God will use us mightily and that we do “Nothing without God.” That lives will be transformed and restored.

And may we all get to a place where inscribed upon our heart is “Nimic fara Dumnezeu!”

Check Out Our Missions Organization

Several months ago my wife and I re-activated or missions organization, Crosstraining International, that we founded in 2003. Over the past few months God has stirred within our hearts an urgency to reach the nations like never before. For updates about what we are doing please check out our blog at www.crosstraininginternational.blogspot.com and become a follower.

A Stone's Throw Away

From A Directors Heart

Title: A Stone’s Throw Away

2/8/11 (Tuesday morning challenge to XMC)

Luke 22

In these Scriptures Jesus has been walking, teaching, and modeling true ministry and empowerment for three years with His disciples. These disciples were trained under God incarnate. They were the best of the best in their time.

39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:39-46 (emphasis added)

Here, Jesus is preparing for the most difficult time of His life, knowing that death and torment is at His door; knowing that the most pivotal moment in ministry was about to be made, and twice Christ finds His disciples sleeping a stones throw away. They could probably have heard Him at such a short distance, crying out in prayer, but they were sleeping. They had the opportunity to physically see Christ ministered too by angels and instead they chose to sleep. Think about it. This is the reason Christ came to earth - the most important hours of his physical life! If there was ever a time the disciples should have been praying, it was in these hours.

When all hell literally is breaking forth the disciples slept instead of praying. Why is it so easy to pray when we are being spiritually fed and seeing God move, but find it so difficult to pray when we’re needed most? Why are you, Master’s Commission student, so content with showing “face” because you’re around Jesus, but never with Jesus? When the hour of truth came, Christ’s disciples fled, denied, and cursed him. These were the best of the best, raised up by God himself; and we somehow think we’re better?

I challenge you to press in! We have what the disciples didn’t: resurrection power! So don’t tell yourself that you can’t do it, don’t let fears and insecurities keep you at a distance. Press in, and go after God in the moment you’re needed the most! God forbid that we come all this way into a place of incredible anointing and see miracles all around us, only to be found sleeping a stone’s throw away when God needs us most!

Our team was proud to perform their christian commitment (STEP) live at MCIN 2011 conference in Dallas/Ft. Worth TX. You can catch more of this on our "Faith Hope Love and Justice" tour. Enjoy!