Posts Tagged ‘Intimacy’
Filed under: Human Trafficking, Intimacy, Justice
I recently came back from a mission trip to Bangkok and Pattaya Thailand where we were doing ministry in the red light districts of those cities regarding the issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children. While we were there we saw so much brokenness both in the women who were selling their bodies for a mere $4 or $5 per hour as well as in the western men who were looking to fulfill longings that they had obviously cultivated for many years before reaching the point of entering into this growing global trade of sexually exploiting women.
I had a chance to interview many of the guys who were coming in and out of these sex bars. Most were very open and glad to talk about being there at the bars, and about how this was just a great way to have fun and to be entertained. The girls in Thailand would ask “Are you Christian? Christians are our best customers, they are so nice and polite.” This longing and this desire for sexual pleasure has obviously been cultivated in the secret places in the west. They were not there by accident, they had to get a passport, buy a ticket and get on a plane to come to Bangkok or Pattaya. They were driven by desire for pleasure, to fill a void inside of them.
It’s not enough to be moral or to even declare our belief in Jesus and call ourselves Christian. We must be ones who set our gaze on Jesus every day and look to Him to fulfill the God-given longing for fascination. We must seek to encounter the superior pleasures of gospel in the place of communion with the man Christ Jesus and not settle for being entertained with the inferior pleasures of this world.
The God of all Creation longs to reveal Himself to us. There is no greater pleasure than when God reveals God to the human heart. We must set our gaze upon Jesus and give ourselves to the place of encountering Him. Only then will we find true fulfillment and be ultimately satisfied.
Tags: Human Trafficking, Intimacy, Justice, Thailand
Permalink Comments (1) Adam Parker Aug 20, 2009
Filed under: Evangelism, Intimacy, Justice, Knowledge of God, Sermon on the Mount
One of the issues of Justice facing the world today is the lack of the Knowledge of God. I consider this a justice issue because the enemy is deceiving billions into believing wrong things about God and who Jesus really is. This false message is being evangelized from the pulpits of the big screen, the small screen, universities, as well as some churches. Even more than that Satan has pulled the blinders over believers eyes on this issue so much that most believers are afraid to share the truth about who Jesus is.
I will be the first to say I’m not the best at sharing the gospel. I’m not an expert by any means. However bad I am at it, I don’t want that to stop me from sharing the greatest news I could ever have. Everything this world has to offer is worthless compared to this news. Just to be honest, I wonder how many times I haven’t shared the gospel with people b/c of hidden places in my heart where I don’t actually believe. So I have determined in my heart to not wait until all of my words are eloquent and I have memorized all of the right scriptures. I will be a peacemaker while I’m learning to be an effective peacemaker.
Since being here at IHOP I’ve shared the truth about Jesus more in the last 2 years than I have in my entire life. So I wanted to share some of my thoughts and my experiences about common mistakes Christians make when sharing the Gospel.
Approaching people with the idea that in today’s world everyone knows Jesus:
When sharing the gospel here in America most non-christian people I come into contact with have heard of Jesus. Some know scriptures about who He was or what He said. However, almost all of them with their bits and pieces of scripture form wrong conclusions about who He was and is because they do not have all of the information. They tend to form their conclusions based on 1 or 2 things they have heard and then combine that with what they see from movies, tv, the news, and christians they know.
Another interesting thing is that about 8 out of 10 people I talk to don’t mind me talking to them about what the Bible says about Jesus/heaven or the like as long as I ask them permission to share.
When you turn the conversation from “sharing the gospel” into “winning an argument”:
One of the things I’ve seen christians do as well as caught myself doing from time to time is trying to win an argument that forms. You start off sharing the gospel with love and it turns into a debate on one non-essential part of scripture or objection they may have. I’ve learned that in sharing the gospel it is not about winning. We do not save someone’s soul. We cannot, with our persuasive words, covert someone to christianity. We must share the truth about Jesus and then let the Holy Spirit do His work. Speaking the truth in love is a must, and not getting sidetracked into a debate. Genuinely show people that you care for them.
When you get caught up in trying to refute every belief they share with you:
I’ve seen it happen many times. You start to share your belief with them, but when they start sharing their beliefs with you every single one of them must be immediately refuted and cast down for the lie that it is. Most people you talk to will have different beliefs in many areas than you. When you talk to someone and share with them, they are going to feel that it is ok to share with you what they believe. If we get offended or feel the need to say how wrong they are with every belief they have, we will have very short and tempered coversations and probably move people further away from finding the truth about Jesus.
Look for opportune times and ways to point people in the right direction with beliefs that do not line up with the Bible. Share the truth of the scriptures with love instead of the “well, thats where you’re wrong!”.
Giving up after a few times of seeing no results:
I’ve done this many times. I’d specifically be at a place to evangelize, talk to 2 or 3 people with uninterested responses and then I’m done. I’d leave OR I’d walk around looking at people but never walking up to anyone.
However, the key to remember when sharing the gospel is that regardless of the person’s response, if you were faithful in telling someone the truth about who Jesus is, it counts in heaven. Also, when you share with them truth from scripture, the Word of God does not return void. That seed has been planted, so be encouraged with each person you talk to about Jesus. Jesus also says in Matt. 5 that even when people persecute you, revile you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for His sake, to rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
Approaching the gospel as “something they need to buy” instead of a “message of hope”:
Many times I’ve seen and entered into being a christian in “sales” mode. It turns into a “I’m selling something” and “I want them to buy it.”
Again we have to remember that it is not about whether they “make a purchase” or “buy into what we’re selling”, it is about whether we have been faithful to the truth about who Jesus is and shared it with others. If we are faithful in continually being a light and one who makes peace by telling others about Jesus, the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.
We want to build relationships with people and express genuine concern for them as people. If you are just trying to sell them something, and then when they buy you’re out of their lives, how long do you think they will keep their “purchase”? We must be people who genuinely care for people and follow through to the end.
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” – C. S. Lewis
Tags: Evangelism, Intimacy, Justice, Sermon on the Mount
Permalink Comments (0) Adam Parker Apr 28, 2009
Filed under: End Times, Intercession, Intimacy, Justice
God is calling a generation out from among the crowds. You may have noticed if you look around that people are clamoring for change; for something that lasts and will make wrong things right. This type of change and revolution will ultimately come to fruition upon the Return of Christ to the earth to setup His government.
However, we can hasten His return and prepare ourselves and others while bringing tokens of the kingdom to come to our society now. Just like John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ 1st Coming, God is calling many to prepare the way for His 2nd coming.
Here are 7 simple actions you can take to be a voice and prepare yourself and others for the return of Christ:
- Pray Daily
Whether you are a full-time student, in the marketplace or on the mission field prayer is essential. The great men of God throughout history guarded their prayer time with God and usually spent hours a day in prayer. Take 2 hours every day to pray and then read through the book of Revelation (click here for an Overview of the Book of Revelation) each week and work it into your schedule. Maybe that means cutting 2 or 3 tv shows out of your life. It’s worth it. He’s worth it.
- Fast Weekly
Regular fasting makes us more aware of our weakness and brokenness and need of God. Fasting does not bring us closer to God or make God more pleased with us. However, when we become aware of our great need of God and voluntarily seek to be poor in Spirit leaning on our Beloved, we inevitabley position our hearts in the right place to receive more of what God is freely giving.
- Speak Boldly
If you have discovered the amazing truth of the free gift of salvation and God’s eternal love and desire and PLAN for you, then this is something you don’t want to keep to yourself. Speaking boldly about the truth of who Jesus is, what He has done and His soon return should be second nature for those who have gained so much through God’s mercy. Don’t be ashamed. Don’t worry about what people will think. Speak Boldly!
- Do Justly
There are many injustices going on in the world today, and they are not all over in 3rd world countries. Many are right in our backyard or being legislated in our courtrooms. Get involved in making wrong things right, in issues of justice. Even just the simple things like buying a homeless person a meal or volunteering at a shelter on the weekend.
- Give Extravagantly
The Bible speaks about money more than any other topic. The love of money is the root of all evil. So be a generous giver on a regular basis. This does 2 things in a very practical way: 1) By giving money away regularly (especially when you do it in secret), you are building up for yourself treasure in heaven and 2) By giving money away regularly you are very practically causing your motives and your heart to be pure and undefiled. God will bless the giver, so give it away!
- Live Holy
God is coming back for a pure and spotless bride. He will perfect His people, but we have to let Him. We have to position ourselves to receive the grace and strength in our lives to live righteously. This doesn’t mean that you will be 100% perfect and never sin, but if our pursuit is for 100% obedience, and we are actively declaring war on those areas that trip us up… in God’s eyes our sins are as far as the east is from the west.
- Lead Diligently
Start a bible study. Lead some people to Christ and follow-up with one-on-one discipleship. Make a goal, talk to your current leaders, get some training and lead. People will follow if someone is leading.
If you’d like to Join in with the thousands of others who have made a commitment to walk out these 7 actions, visit
SacredCharge.com and sign up to run with a community of believers all over the world in more than 50 countries.
Tags: End Times, Intercession, Intimacy, Justice, Sacred Charge
Permalink Comments (0) Adam Parker Apr 19, 2009
Filed under: Intercession, Intimacy
I was online today and came across a post by Mike Bickle on the Knowledge of God. It was very brief and to the point, a bite sized chunk of information, but very delicious. Then it reminded me of the series I wrote on 5 Conditions for Cultivating the Knowledge of God more than 2 years ago on the same topic and I thought I would resurrect it today.
Tags: Intercession, Intimacy
Permalink Comments (0) Adam Parker Apr 13, 2009
Filed under: Intercession, Intimacy
“If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures” (Prov. 2:4)
No Matter The Cost
We must pay any price in our search for the knowledge of God. This is a journey, a quest, in finding the treasure daily. The light is not ONLY at the end of the tunnel, the treasure is not ONLY at the end of the rainbow… There is light here now if we search for it, there are treasures to be found now along the way if we pay the price to search for it.
- “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matt. 13:44-46)
If we can live without more of God, then we can go without more of God. We must spend long hours searching on this journey to know God. Many people attend higher education for 8-10 years laboring for wisdom to excel in their occupation. Perseverance is considered normal to any who seek to excel.
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Tags: Intercession, Intimacy
Permalink Comments (0) Adam Parker Jan 21, 2007
Filed under: Intercession, Intimacy
“Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding” (Prov. 2:3)
This kindof seems obvious, but to quote misty, “as simple as it sounds, it’s simple yet profound.” We must actually hunger and desire enough to take time out of our day, everyday to pray for revelation. Because if we are praying for everything BUT revelation, “prayer” itself won’t help us to know God.
We can bring our laundry list of needs to God everyday for God to save these people, send revival here, help us with this, help us with that (which are all extremely important things to pray for), but if we are not seeking Him for ourselves and cultivating an intimate relationship with Him, we will not know Him anymore just because we pray hours and hours a day.
One of Paul’s primary prayers was for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God (Eph. 1:17).
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Tags: Intercession, Intimacy
Permalink Comments (0) Adam Parker Jan 19, 2007
Filed under: Intercession, Intimacy
“If you… incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding” (Prov 2:2)
A teachable spirit or in other words, an open heart to be corrected. Many times when we learn things its not just about learning things we previously had no knowledge of, but re-learning things that we previously thought differently about.
If we have no knowledge of something and then someone comes along tells us something we didn’t know, then its not really hard to accept that. What is difficult to accept is when we have previous knowledge of something and someone comes along and tries to offer us a different perspective, or to even correct us in the way we are thinking because of a wrong mindset we had in the past about something.
“On this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit” (Isa. 66:2)
This is often a challenge for musicians and singers (I would say more so for musicians though, at least from my experience). Most musicians have a hard time accepting correction musically because of the creative aspect of music and to accept correction is to accept that you may not be as wise a musician as someone else. Or you just blow off correction because the person correcting you has a different style than you and “they just don’t understand your music.”
Having a “know it all” attitude in one area of your life will affect your spirit when trying to learn from the Spirit of revelation. We must seek humility in EVERY area of our life because God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
We must be teachable before both God and man.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matt 5:3)
We must acknowledge that we are in great need of help to sustain wholeheartedness. And seek to be people of meekness, humility, having a servant heart and not boasting in our own knowledge or our own talents.
“To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.” – Benjamin Franklin
Tags: Intercession, Intimacy
Permalink Comments (0) Adam Parker Jan 17, 2007
Filed under: Intercession, Intimacy
“If you will… treasure My commands within you” (Prov. 2:1b)
So we’re really talking about God’s Word here. When we fill our mind and heart with His word we are treasuring God’s commands.
When you have something that you treasure, you make sure to guard it. If you owned a valuable possession that was worth millions, you would guard that possession b/c of its value. And I’m sure all of us would say our life in the word of God is worth more than that, but how lightly do we take guarding our time in His Word?
Do you guard your time with God or is it one of the expendable times that usually gets shifted around in the day and sometimes falls by the wayside b/c “there wasn’t enough time?”
And not only treasuring the time we spend in His word, but His word itself. Are we hanging on every word staying up late to read/hear from Him and waking up early b/c we can’t get enough? Are we so “full” with the comforts of this world that we don’t feel the hunger for His word like we should?
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (God’s commands), For they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6
Commit today to treasure your time in the Word AND His word itself. View your time with God as a real appointment with an extremley important person.
Tags: Intercession, Intimacy
Permalink Comments (0) Adam Parker Jan 16, 2007
Filed under: Intercession, Intimacy
“If you will receive My words” (Prov. 2:1a) The Holy Spirit is the only One who can reveal Jesus to us. If we offend or grieve the Holy Spirit we cannot then expect to recieve His revelation of Jesus.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all betterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:30-32)
Are there people who get under your skin, who you are not able to control your tongue around? Or maybe after they have gone and you are speaking negatively about them to others.
Or maybe other areas of your life that you haven’t yet submitted to God. Deliberate sin blocks spiritual progress and hinders your walk with the Lord.
Prayer is no substitute for the intention to obey God.
Charles Finney said in his sermon “One sin persisted in is fatal to the soul”:
“For we supremely love whom we supremely desire to please. If we supremely desire to please ourselves, we love ourselves supremely. If we love God supremely, we desire supremely to please Him; and cannot, consistently with the existence of this love in the soul, consent to displease him.”
We must surrender EVERY area to God and let Him deal with those things. Make a consistant resolution to confess and resist sinful areas. We must be consistant in our walk with the Lord, and refuse to walk in disobedience of God.
Also, realize that God looks more at the sincerity of your motives to obey than at your actual attainment of spiritual maturity.
Tags: Intercession, Intimacy
Permalink Comments (1) Adam Parker Jan 15, 2007
Filed under: Intercession, Intimacy
You’ve heard of the (5 Lifestyle Practices for Maturity) which have so pivotally influenced my life. With that theme in mind, I’d like to talk about the 5 Conditions for Cultivating the Knowledge of God. For the next 5 days I will talk about the conditions that are outlined in Proverbs 2:1-5 for understanding how to grow in the knowledge of God.
1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. (Prov. 2:1-5)
Here is how the next 5 days should look:
Tags: Intercession, Intimacy
Permalink Comments (1) Adam Parker Jan 15, 2007
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