HIS HOME

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If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, 

ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  

John 15:7

Test yourselves whether you are in the faith; prove yourselves.  Or do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are disapproved? 

 2 Corinthians 13:5

Growing in His nature and going in His power are made possible as we increase our conscious awareness of and appreciation for His presence.  Knowing God is the key to "great exploits." (See Daniel 11:32.)  Saturating ourselves in His word will accomplish this better than berating ourselves for our failures to fulfill it.  When Paul tells us to test ourselves concerning our status in the faith, he isn't getting "in our faces" - he's trying to get in our heads.  To make us think differently.  The pathway to personal transformation is cleared by repentance; but it is traveled by recognizing and resting in His presence.  Personal transformation that is so severe that it spills over and transforms the people and circumstances around us, will be our experience to the degree that we realize our home in Christ, and His home in us.

That which we desire the most - true revival, complete with all it's passionate and powerful trimmings, leading to personal and regional transformation, will become real as we learn how to be His home - the home of God.  Oh, Lord, let us be for you a collection of humble, happy homes.

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

SUFFERING

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My sons and I had the privilege of attending a talk at A&M University's Memorial Student Center, hosted by TAMU Hillel and featuring Mr. Max Glauben - a holocaust survivor.

..."Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have a peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us"...Romans 5:1-5

We listened to Mr. Glauben's story - real and painful and ugly, and yet, elegant and honest, humble and forgiving.  We were shocked by his generosity and tenacity.  He was concerned, and made intentional effort not to offend - to be sure we understood his hateless position.  He recalled horrific torture; the death of his father and countless others; painful, impossible natural conditions; starvation, dehydration, and humiliation.  At times, we chuckled with him as he made light of some irony or personal confession, and then went right back to shedding tears of sorrow and awe as the details of suffering unfolded like a filthy rag hiding humanity's dark secret.

Suffering.  It is altogether grueling and yet strangely beautiful.  Through it, we have the unique opportunity to become more like Christ.  To become that which Father created us to be. When suffering in innocence, we associate directly with Christ's human experience.  When suffering as the guilty, we can be purged and humbled and realigned.  We have been justified and have peace.  Our faith has given us access to His grace. His grace lifts us upright and promises a glory that causes joy to explode within us.  This is Messiah - the Fruit of Suffering.  And as we suffer with Him, in the minimal or monumental ways in which that occurs, we learn to persevere. And that perseverance strengthens the mettle of our souls.  And that integral strength births a hope that can not be quenched.  And that hope is indefatigable, being empowered by the very lavish love of God, apportioned directly into our very own hearts.

Friends, do not shrink back from and squander your sufferings on complaints.  Do not waste this precious resource.  Do not invite it, it will come on its own.  When it comes, accept and endure it for the sake of the glory it smuggles into your soul.  You don't have to enjoy it, but it should cause you to rejoice.  For when it has had its way - Messiah will have had His as well.  When it is finished and the moment passes, take a look in the mirror.  You may just look a little more like Jesus.

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

TRUE DOMINION

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The subject of "dominion" has been broadly addressed in the Church.  For some, it is a side note to the creation story, perhaps even an antiquated expression lacking modern context.  For others, it is a key concept, maybe even a core doctrinal mandate, calling for a genuine modern movement.  Regardless of your position, understanding the word, as it was defined at its writing, is very important, if we are to form a timeless and accurate perspective of the idea of "dominion."  Let's take a look at the famous verse that introduces us to the idea.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."  

Genesis 1:28 (KJV)

The word “dominion” used in some English translations (in others – “rule”) is the Hebrew word “רָדָה” (râdâh), and it comes from the root word meaning “to tread down” or “to crumble” as one would if making wine from grapes, extracting olive oil from olives, or grinding flour from wheat berries.  In other words, when the Father granted to us dominion, He was essentially calling us to take creation, the raw materials of God's imagination, to its next levels of process, development, and increase.  In other words, He was saying, "You see all of this that I have made?  I am giving it to you; and I am giving it to you so that you can reflect My image by blessing it and helping it to advance into its next forms and functions."   It's not that what He made was incomplete or imperfect - it was all "GOOD!"  But the Father planned potential into the earth that He intended for His sons and daughters to bring to fruition.  This doesn't threaten His sovereignty or goodness - it manifests them!

This is confirmed in Romans 8:19-23, as creation itself groans and cries out for God's sons and daughters to be manifest, the fruit of which will be freedom from corruption and, presumably, into the destiny of plenty and perfection He has planned.  Friends, dominion is blessing, transforming, and advancing, or it is not dominion at all.  The perspective of "being in charge" or a "superior life form" limits the beauty of dominion to a hollow head trip.  Sure, the idea of "dominion" feels good to us humans.  Then you realize the responsibility that it carries - and you get the revelation that it is good...truly good.  So, step out today, in the confidence of dominion, and go BLESS something!

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

POWERED UP!

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I love to do word study on "famous" verses.  I so often find fresh insights that just transform what I receive from the Word.  Ephesians 6:10 was one of those moments this week.

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (NLT)

We have some options with these words, so let's make some quick translation notes and then string them together to create one a "Kingdom Paraphrase"...

• FINAL WORD:  From a purely literary perspective, "finally" or "a final word" is a fine translation.  However, the primary meaning is "remaining" or "from now on."
• MY BROTHERS:  Next, there is a phrase missing from the NLT that should be in there:  "mou adelphon."  It means, "my brothers."  It was used to communicate non-retractable relationships in three main contexts: being born to the same parents, being committed to worshiping the same God, and being engaged in fighting alongside in the same battles.
• BE STRONG:  "Be strong" is "endunamoo" and means infused with explosive power.  We get the word "dynamite" from the root word "dunamis."
• IN THE LORD:  The word for "Lord" is "Kurios" and it means, literally, "the One to Whom I/we belong and Who is supreme."
• MIGHTY: In the original Greek, it isn't "mighty power," but the "power of His might".  This is important because it means that the word isn't merely an enhancing descriptor, but rather its own objective reality.  It is the word "ischus" and speaks of ability and forcefulness.
• POWER:  The Greek word "kratos."  Similar to "ischus" with regard to the sense of "force," "kratos" differs in that it leans toward the concept of the works themselves through the idea of dominion.  This reveals a focused, intentional, and strategic element to the word.

So, why is all this important?  Well, Paul introduces the concept of the "armor of God" with this phrase.  In other words, he is saying, "The armor is God is made available to certain people who have forever availed themselves to a certain experience with God."  Now, let's rewrite this in the Kingdom Paraphrase and see what we find.

Ephesians 6:10 -- "From now on - and I am speaking to my brothers and sisters here, who have forever broken forth with me from the same spiritual womb, abandoned themselves with me to worship in Spirit and truth, and actively engaged with me, shoulder to shoulder, in the same spiritual warfare - BE STRONG!  Be infused with explosive power by the virtue of the One to Whom we have given ourselves, Who alone is supreme.  He will infuse you with His strength, imparting to you the focused, intentional, and strategic force of His dominion that flows out of His personal cache of raw, limitless ability and vitality, so that you are fully enabled to accomplish the tasks associated with His will."

From this place and perspective, Paul goes on to write, we will find ourselves sinking into God's own wardrobe, fully prepared for any situation that arises.  David wouldn't wear Saul's armor.  It just wasn't working for him.  You and I have been offered a solution - assimilate ourselves to the nature and power of God and wear His armor, which will be for us a "perfect fit."  Come on, brothers and sisters, let's get POWERED UP and DRESSED OUT!  It's time to walk into our assigned battlefields and ballrooms in the strength and glory of the King we represent. 

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

LOWEST PLACE

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Of all virtues to possess on the road to maturity, there is none so great as a genuine humility.

Humility opens the door for everything we need to possess that still needs to "descend" to us.  The degree to which we do not function in humility (our pride-quotient), is the degree to which we have elevated ourselves above the supernatural resources of our inheritance in Christ.  We are dependent upon those resources for maturity.  God gives grace (the gift of His influence by virtue of His imparted nature) to the humble, but He must take a definitive stand against those who elevate themselves (the proud) above His transforming influence.  Click here and check out a number of verses that express this same truth.

If we do not humble ourselves, the resources of our inheritance, which are realized and manifested though His nature, will settle in the valleys at the base of the mountains upon which we have perched ourselves, useless to us.  Ironically, those resources will actually become available to those we have reduced, devalued, and categorized as "less than ourselves" - those walking through the "valley of the shadow" so to speak.  We may miss out entirely on our next-level life, if we do not walk in genuine humility. As the song goes, "the river rushes to the lowest place."  If we want to be more, experience more, and fully mature in Christ, we must go lower, all the way...to the "Lowest Place."

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

HIS DELIGHT

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I love word studies. Digging into ancient languages and original meanings literally transforms my understanding in ways that just thrill me.  Today's topic is the result of one of those times.  Take a look at Psalm 147:10-11.

He does not delight in the strength of a horse or take pleasure in human might. No, the Lord ’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

The theme of these two verses is identifying that which brings pleasure and delight to God.  Though we'll focus on the word "fear" that appears later, we'll give a moment to the words for "pleasure" and "delight."  The Hebrew word for "delight" is "chaphets;" and its root meaning is "to move or bend down."  For "pleasure" ("ratsah") the root meaning is "to enjoy, express favor, and be satisfied."  In other words, our Father is not impressed or moved by the confidence we place in solutions that are premised in natural strength.  His deep joy and soul satisfaction come from something else, something that He can't help but express favor towards - those who fear Him and put their hope in His unfailing love.  Now, this word "fear" is the Hebrew "yare".  The letters that comprise it are: yod, resh, and aleph.  Their symbols are, respectively, the hand of surrender and worship, the head of man fixed in a gaze, and the ox, which is the letter of God the Father and symbolizes sacrificial leadership.  In other words, the fear of the Lord is not about cowering before the One who could turn you to ash in a nanosecond.  It is about the willing surrender of our affection, energy, and focus to the One to Whom we have entrusted our total welfare, being, and destiny.  "Fearing Him" means actively declaring that all of who we are not only appreciates His sacrifice, but is yielded to His leadership.  From this posture, we put all of our faith-based expectations in His omni-capable covenant love.  And it is that trust, that satisfies the soul of the Creator of the Universe.

When we, His kids, give up trying to earn His approval with our abilities, or save the day with our own strength and supplies, and simply surrender in faith and gratitude, placing all trust in the nature and character of His love - we light Him up!  The Latin and French derivations for "delight" are actually "to be allured and aroused."  Almighty God is romantically provoked when we, out of complete deference to His might and dependence on His love, fix our gaze on Him.

Take a look at your biggest problem today.  If you have been scrambling around, trying to deal with it through your natural strength and supply - STOP.  Take a breath.  Turn your hands and heart over to Papa.  Gaze at His beauty in worship and rest in His unfailing love.  Surrender to and put your hope in His sacrificial leadership.  Feel His temperature rise and make room for His passionate response.  Your trust is alluring to Him.  It inspires His creativity, His productivity.  Let Him have His way and He will make a way for you.  It's Who He is and how He moves.  It's His pleasure.  It's His delight.  

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

WE'RE IN!

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I would like to address a popular verse from a slightly different perspective in this blog (a shocker, I know).  Take a look at the verse.

I have often heard this taught as a rebuke to two different individuals regarding their hesitation to follow Jesus in light of some pressing, inferior duty or desire.  Now, for the second guy, I believe that's true.  It sounds like he's asking for a little party time before he "gives up his old life" and heads out on the open road.  Jesus has no room for those who want one last "hoorah" before they follow Him.  "Don't do Me any favors," He says, "Come back when your ready to go 'all in.'"

While it is true that, in both cases, the disciple asks for a little time to handle some family business, I'd like to give a fresh take on Jesus' handling of the first guy.  Notice the situation - the death of the family's patriarch.  The man's verbiage indicates a responsibility of honor and tradition, perhaps that of the first born.  His desire is linked directly to the fifth commandment.  He would return to make not only burial arrangements, but decisions regarding the estate and provisions for his remaining family members.  Rather than seeing Jesus' response as a rebuke, I hear it as a realignment of the man's thinking. "Don't go back just to bury your father in order to fulfill an old covenant duty.  Don't wait to start following Me.  Do it now.  You got your wish, friend...you're in!  Your job isn't to simply perpetuate tradition. Go there in the authority of My Name, with the message of My Kingdom. Turn that dirge into destiny!  If you really want to follow Me, burn with a desire to bless and go back in the power of the Messiah.  Live what you have been listening to.  Capitalize on the authority you have in this moment."  Jesus has already conscripted this man into His team of disciples.  He tells him that preaching the Kingdom is his present tense duty.  It could even be inferred that Jesus was encouraging a resurrection, as the Kingdom message is linked to the raising of the dead (see Matthew 10:7-8).  "Don't go back to put him down - go raise him up.  Show your family just who I AM!"

And such is His word to us.  We mustn't muddle through our earthly assignments out of stale duty or obligation.  Let's not view our agenda through the eyes of an old covenant.  Every incremental opening of our eyes to His Kingdom is to be instantly employed in our current circumstances.  The moment we realize a new level and layer of who we are in Him, we have the opportunity to engage that revelation into whatever we are holding in our hands.  Go back to work tomorrow - but in the power of the Kingdom.  Go volunteer for that PTO event - in the power of the Kingdom.  Go to that high school reunion - in the power of the Kingdom. Let's live what we've been listening to.  We got our wish, friends...we're in!

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

SOUL PLUNDER

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Today's topic is, ironically, about "gold."  Maybe not in the sense of what's in the box in this picture, but certainly as it represents the most valuable of treasures within us.  The inspiration for this topic comes from:

Proverbs 22:22-23

"Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

I am going to assume that, as generally decent folk, those of us reading (and writing) this blog are probably not standing in the shadows of alleyways waiting to trounce upon the poor and downtrodden.  However, when we assess the verse through mature eyes of the Spirit, we realize that withholding blessings is a functional kinship unto robbery (See: Malachi 3:8, Matthew 25:40, and James 2:16).  When I expand my application of the verse to include this concept of withholding blessings, I feel a genuine conviction, because in this way, if must confess, I am quite guilty of robbery.  When my patience is shuttered away from others.  When my encouragement and understanding play a masterful game of hide and seek with those who need them.  When the light of the love of Jesus, which has been so generously shed abroad in my heart, is dampened by the bowl of selfishness, I have robbed the poor in spirit around me.  

Now here is the tough part.  When I do that, I set myself at odds with Christ.  The Father and I now have goals that are juxtaposed. I am quenching the Spirit.  In this condition, the Father has decided that a wake-up call is in order.  The word says that He will "plead their cause."  This literally means that God will step in to strive and contend with the offender (me).  This isn't the romantic wrestling match that Jacob had, no.  There, Jacob wrestled with God, intimately, going full bore after God's best.  This is different.  This is God, wrestling the blessing away from me, so that it can continue its life-changing momentum.  I have become a clogged pipe in desperate need of plunging.  The word says that he will "plunder the souls" of those who plunder the weak.  If I neglect to pass along the blessings that the Father has bestowed upon me, He will step in and repossess from my very soul that which I have selfishly withheld from those He sent to me for the blessing in the first place.  The contents of my soul, given to me as part of my inheritance in Christ, are precious to me:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and a host of others.  I don't want to lose them!  Now, God is not mean, but He is just.  If I lose sight of the big picture and start treating His blessings as if they are an endangered species, hording and hiding them, by default I invite Him to radically realign my thinking.  He redistributes the wealth of my soul as an exercise of humility and to remind me of the generous nature of Christ to which I committed myself when I first accepted His grace.  

Friends, I don't want God to plunder my soul.  I want Him to take pleasure in it!  If you are like me, you highly value the contents of your soul that are blood-bought and spirit-birthed.  Don't lose them to selfishness.  Trust the words of Christ - if you give your life away, you will find it! (See Matthew 10:37-42) Your generosity to others will never outpace the replenishment of God.

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

COMMANDING SABBATH

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It should come as no surprise to see another blog on the Sabbath rest.  Not only is society at large "running to and fro throughout the earth," but the Church of Jesus Christ is active and alive and fulfilling manifold assignments designed to advance the Kingdom.  So here is the verse...

Mark 2:27

Then Jesus told them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."

And here is the challenge:  COMMAND YOUR SABBATH!  Before I define that further, I must confess that by no means am I claiming to have accomplished this.  I am, however, consciously trying to create a new soul habit for myself in this regard.  So, what does, "Command your Sabbath mean?"  Here's the basic concept.  When God created the world, He did so for His own pleasure.  When He finished, it was ALL GOOD - and He said so.  Then He gave charge of it over to man.  He essentially said, "Here - I made this.  It's freakin' awesome!  And now I am entrusting it to you.  Take it.  Exercise the authority you have, being made in My likeness, and cause it to be fruitful."  Folks, I think that applies to Sabbath.  We weren't made to obey Sabbath.  Sabbath was made to bless us!  But, if we don't command the Sabbath in our lives, then other things and people will.

We may find that it is difficult to take a whole day off during the week.  But that doesn't mean that we can't command the spirit and essence of the Sabbath to serve the cause of refreshing our souls in a Godward direction.  Personally, I am trying to command certain hours of my day for Sabbath.  Not just devotions, or Bible study, or even prayer - but straight up SABBATH!  Literal, stripped-down, no agenda, soaking-in-His-presence Sabbath.  Peter said it well, "Hey guys...get in His presence!  Those are the real times of refreshing."  And that, my friends is the spirit and essence and power of rest.  Now, GO COMMAND YOUR SABBATH!

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

LION TRUTH

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Job 13:7-12

7 “Are you defending God with lies?

    Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?

8 Will you slant your testimony in his favor?

    Will you argue God’s case for him?

9 What will happen when he finds out what you are doing?

    Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?

10 No, you will be in trouble with him

    if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.

11 Doesn’t his majesty terrify you?

    Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?

12 Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.

    Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.

The Book of Job is a tough pill to swallow for many who read it.  The things God allows to happen in Job's life are heart-breaking from the limited scope of our linear perspective.  Yet, listen to his words:  "Will you slant your testimony in His favor?"  How many of us, in this modern spiritual climate, when multitudes shake their fist to the sky and accuse God of the brutalities committed by their fellow man (all the while dismissing His Lordship for their own) -  how many of us have tried to slant our testimony in His favor?  How often do we try to make God "look good?"  To twist our testimony just enough to win back the heart of the lost to His goodness?  Yet, here is Job - struggling to survive the bitter onslaught of an enemy committed to obliterating his faith and condemning his soul by using his own fears as a blueprint for destroying everything he holds dear.  And in the midst of this acidic experience Job maintains a indefatigable grip on his humility and God's sovereignty.  "Do NOT make excuses for God - or you make Him out to be less than He is," he says.  God doesn't need our defense - or anything else from us.  He is after our hearts.  All he wants is 100% of our hearts, 100% of the time.  He wants our worship.  Not because He is an egomaniac, but because He is Life Eternal.  And worship (the supernatural "bow and kiss"), as the essential expression of intimate relationship with Him, exposes us to the life of God and immunizes us to any long-range plan the enemy could conjure against us.

As Augustine of Hippo has said, so rightly, "The truth is like a lion; you don't have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself."  Friends, let's let God be God.  Worship Him.  Kiss the Son and soar above destruction. (Psalm 2:12).  Don't slant your testimony.  Speak truth. Stay humble.  And let the Lion roar for Himself.

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

THE CIRCUMCISED HEART

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I had a conversation with a friend this week and the subject of having our hearts circumcised became a significant discussion point.

WARNING:  The rest of this blog is for mature readers.  The content won't be crass, but the value of the nuggets are in the detailed parallels drawn between literal male circumcision and the figurative circumcision of the heart.  If you would find discussion on the male anatomy and the process of circumcision offensive, stop reading.  If not, read on and surrender more of you to all of Him.

Romans 2:28-29

28A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

Undoubtedly, the practice of circumcision has a physical context, but the meaning and implication of it are Spirit-driven.  The beliefs to which we hold create an internal atmosphere that affects our outer life.  The condition of our spirit commands the behaviors and fruit of the flesh and soul.  Circumcision, therefore, possesses value only to the degree by which it is a reflection of covenant relationship with God.  And it's covenant power is constrained by the limits of our own surrender.   God wants us to circumcise our hearts.  He inspires us to do so by hinting toward some rewards, symbolically, through our understanding of the effects of male circumcision.  There are lots of ways to look at this, and a good doctor can probably blow your mind with the parallel potential, but here are a few of my own nuggets.

1. Male circumcision hurts.  We do it anyway because we believe the benefits will long outlast the pain.  Let God circumcise your heart.  The glory revealed through you afterwards is worth the pain now.
2. There is a reason why the penis is a part of our body that we call our "privates." We don't show it to just anyone.  A heart circumcision deals with your "privates" as well.  Don't think you can give God permission to circumcise your heart, if you are still committed to keeping your secrets.
3.  The foreskin being removed in circumcision is a natural part of the body.  It's removal isn't necessary for normal function, or the result of some disorder or disease.  It is the circumcision that is unnatural.  Your heart is the same.  Circumcision of the heart is unnatural.  What's natural is to protect and hide what's in there.  In essence, there is nothing wrong with your heart before circumcision.   Circumcision of the heart isn't natural - it's supernatural!  And if you want to live the supernatural covenant life with God, you must allow him to circumcise your heart.
4. Okay, for the sake of space, here's the last one.  The tip of the penis is ultra sensitive.  The foreskin covers the tip so that the penis is only stimulated by that which the person allows to touch it.  Circumcision forever changes this, exposing the sensitive tip to everything in proximity, regardless of the will of the one to whom it belongs.  When God circumcises our hearts, we surrender our right to a protective sheath over our hearts - a sheath that we alone will use to control how and why we are stimulated or aroused in our spirit and soul.  Allowing God to circumcise your heart will commit you to exposing your most sensitive inner man to that which touches, stimulates, and arouses the heart of God.  In this condition, you declare to Papa, "Let me feel what You feel.  Let my heart be touched by what touches Your heart.  Let me be aroused by what arouses You!"

 There's so much more to this than we've looked into here.  Friends, the circumcision of the heart will hurt, but it's worth it.  We will be exposed.  No more living, thinking, or feeling under the illusion of darkness and secrecy.  We will be forever at the mercy of God's agenda for our souls.  We will begin to feel what He feels - every supernatural pleasure and stinging pain.  But it's worth it.  He's worth it.  You're worth it.  Even now, I feel the blade at my chest.

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

TIME FOR FAVOR

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A fresh read of Esther recently reminded me of the power of favor - and its flip-side dangers.  This study could get REALLY in-depth, but I've tried to nuggetize the highlights.  Read the full story here:

The Book of Esther

Maybe you have considered these before, but here's what stood out to me...  

1. Vashti refuses to visit the king and his friends when he requests.  This is not a crime, but certainly an insult.  As a result of her attitude and actions, a decree is written ex post facto and she is banished - forever.  A bad attitude, laced with enough pride, will not only remove, but reverse favor.
2. Esther is whisked off to the palace.  Her sweet spirit earns her the favor of Hegai, custodian of the king's harem.  A good attitude, laced with enough humility, will capture the attention of those strategically placed to release favor.
3. Esther's favor snowballs into royalty.  Those who handle even the slightest favor well will soon experience the momentum of favor.
4.  Mordecai reveals a plot.  His humble attitude and genuine care for Esther earn him her ear, which saves the king.  Favor is powerful enough to function through multiple degrees of separation.
5. Haman is exalted.  His service to the king was noted and rewarded.  Favor isn't only a reward for righteousness - it can also be a test for it.
6. The Jews are in peril and Mordecai confronts Esther.  All the favor in the world won't mean a thing if you are afraid to tap into it.  Favor wants to bear fruit.
7. Haman has private dinners with the king and queen and yet loses his joy because one Jew won't bow down to him.  No amount of favor will satisfy a heart full of pride and hate.
8. Mordecai steps into grace, while Haman builds a gallows.  Walking in righteousness makes you a target for supernatural favor. God moves heaven and manhandles hell to protect the true recipients of His favor.
9. God gives Haman a last chance.  If he would only humble himself when Mordecai is honored, he could continue enjoying favor.  Favor wants to remain.
10. Esther comes before the king. Contrast this to Vashti.  Eshter actually breaks a law worthy of capital punishment, but her attitude and actions save an entire generation.  Favor, times faith, times humility, equals miracles.  Favor makes you a magnet for the impossible.
11. Rather than humble himself during Mordecai's parade, Haman festers and plots and fails his righteousness test.  Favor, divided by pride, times sin, plus hate, equals judgment.
12. All the people of God enjoy the victory.  Don't think you won't experience the favor of God, just because it wasn't you who was chosen to live in the palace.  The fruit of favor is shared by the family, not just the few.

I hope you enjoyed these!  Now, go soak in the favor that Jesus died to release into your life...

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

BEAST MODE

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"Beast mode"... It's a phrase my teens use when bragging about or admiring the power or dominance of a thing.  I don't know how long it will be around (Perhaps even now they might say, "Dad, that was so 'last year."  Nobody says, "beast mode" anymore."); but there is something of Jesus that I hear in it.  It is laced with a violent abandon to the status quo.  It conjures the image of The Hulk - so emotionally evoked that a transformation occurs making him unstoppable.  Our table-tossing, Lion-of-the-Tribe-of-Judah, consuming-fire-of-a-God has just such a 'beast mode' quality.  When it comes to His love, He rips open gates of bronze and breaks apart bars of iron to get to His kids and free them (see Isaiah 45:2).  He is love (see 1 John 4:8-21).  And Love is BEAST MODE.  Love violently ejects fear.  Love boldly goes first into the dark void of self-sacrifice.  Love is the undefeated champion.  Love is the greatest.  Love is beast mode.  And when we love - with His essence, His version, His Name, we are functioning in the beast mode power of God.

In recent chats with a number of folks, the topic of "love" has been the centerpiece.  We have spoken of love as the only logical justification for the manic, unwieldy existence of man in contrast to the tolerant, unfolding plan of God.  We have pondered the experience of showing off our love muscles on the beach of fellowship, while recognizing that it is in the sweat of the gym of friction where they are built.  We have recognized the stamina of true love - that cardio workout which challenges and changes us.  That relational regimen of exercise that conforms us more into the image of our beast mode God of love.  It's where the rubber meets the road.  Love is the evidence of God's nature in us that will convince the world of His presence.  More than any miracle (as much as I love those), love will exemplify the reality of God and manifest the culture of His family in such a way as to draw forth the hidden manna of faith planted in each person.  "Surely, God is God, and you are His," they will say.  So, friends...keep sweating it out in the gym of friction.  Don't give up.  Go after six-pack abs and a marathon set of lungs.  Build those love muscles for the glory of God and the sake of all.  And when the friction comes, go all 'beast mode' and let the Lion of love roar!

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

THE JUSTICE BUZZ

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Justice is a powerful buzz word right now. Human rights, trafficking, and anti-slavery movements have all donned the mantle of justice as a way of identifying the character of their cause - and rightfully so. Those are phenomenal ministries with the hope of true justice pumping through their veins. So, why is there so much resistance and apathy when it comes to the idea of justice? The Scales of Justice imagery exists to instill a trust in those who view it. The trust is based on the assertion that truth and fairness are at the core of judicial process, which is supposed to reflect our grand social contract. Yet, so many struggle to trust the justice system as it functions on behalf of society. "Where is the truth?" they say, "where is the fairness?" Weak and vacillating expressions of justice are too prevalent to ignore and too polluted to garner support. And they often derail the masses in its pursuit.

It is important to reinforce the reputation and gravity of justice as a concept; and fuel the fires that are starting to burn on its behalf. The origin of the word is the Latin phrase for "law." The root meaning, however, goes back even further to the concepts of "precision, equity, and placement." In other words, justice means that something or someone is placed precisely according to its equity - with equity being the value of a thing that exceeds its cost. The beauty and authority of justice are hidden in its origins. If we are to recapture the honor of justice, we must relent to its true origins. Justice is a slice of the nature of God. It is not subjective to the whims of individuals or the tides of popular society. It can not be legitimately redefined by the elite, nor do the poor corner its market. Justice is a direct reflection of the person of Jesus Christ; and restoring justice to it grand place requires yielding its formation to His word.

If we will do this as individuals, we will experience true justice as a nation. As the church, we have the unique opportunity to reclaim and refresh the glory of true justice. If we will extract our heads from our own portals of impure reasoning, turn from empty, selfish activities, and focus our affections on the person of God and the persons to whom and before whom His wind drives us, we will find that Justice will flow freely and heal the land.

“I'm so turned off by empty religious meetings. So unimpressed with my people's stiff, cerebral conferences and conventions. I am completely disinterested in religious projects, slicked up with falsely motivated messaging and self-centered agendas. I'm really tired of all the professional scheming and hollow, souless marketing strategies. Ego-charged expressions of worship just have to GO! What I'm really looking for is something much more tender and genuine. Do you know what I want? I want justice, true justice on a mission of love—and oceans upon oceans of it.  I want fairness and equity, smart, sincere, and spritually-grounded—rivers upon rivers of it. That’s what I want. You projecting My heart. That’s all I want.

Amos 5:21-24 (Kingdom Paraphrase)

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

BELIEVE AND REST

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Before going any further, read this chapter:

HEBREWS 4

The context of its writing is the coveted promised land to which the Jews had wandered after Egypt.  The key topic, however, can be summarized as the inability of God's people to enter into their place of rest due to unbelief.  As simple as this sounds, it has profound application for us today.  In the hustle and bustle of a 21st century global community, rest can be elusive, if not downright resistant.  We can blame society at large, the technology that makes us all so "accessible," the economy, or global warming, but the truth of it all is simple - unbelief.  The more we struggle to nestle down into the safety of our relationship with God, the more we will strive to provide for ourselves and others.  The less we trust the Lord, the less we believe in His goodness, His provision, His assistance, His sovereignty - the less likely we are to be able to enter into the rest He has for us.  Prioritizing the presence of God positions us for the intimacy with Him that is so crucial to the development of faith.  We all have a measure of faith, but faith is living and active and designed to be grown, matured, developed and increased.  Being with Him exposes us to the perfect environment for the growth of our faith.  God's presence is the incubator for anything worth growing within us.  As we sink into His perfect love, fear is cast out and faith cannot help but to exponentially grow within us.  As that happens, we cease the scrambling and striving that unbelief inspires and we find our rest.  

It doesn't have to take a long time.  It doesn't require a special program or conference.  Those are wonderful oases, but not the sustainable moments we need for everyday life.  It can be accomplished in a simple, "yes" to Him and a, "no" to the efforts to which we typically give credit for our success.  Challenge yourself today.  Take ten minutes during the "crunch time" of your day.  Not during lunch, but during that moment when you're thinking, "If I take a break now, all the hordes of hell will swoop in and destroy what I've been working so hard to produce."  Go into the bathroom, out into your car, go take a walk - no phone, no computer, nobody but you and Jesus.  Intentionally lean into the safety of His love for you.  Openly declare that your trust is in Him, that you know He will take care of you, that you are convinced you will prosper and succeed because of His goodness and not your flesh effort.  Let your faith grow as you take refuge in His greatness; and then feel the impartation of His peace - enter into your REST.  Love you!

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

PRODIGAL PAY-OFFS

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As one reads through the chapters of the books of 1st and 2nd Kings, a sadness can creep over the soul.  Again and again we read the common cycle of repentance and revival, departure from God, rampant sin, idol worship, judgment, war and calamity, back to repentance and revival.  Something in particular stood out as I read 2 Kings 16:7-9 this past week.  Here's the text:

7 Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, “I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” 8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. 9 The king of Assyria complied by attacking Damascus and capturing it. He deported its inhabitants to Kir and put Rezin to death.

Once again there is fighting among the people of God. And once again a king, of the land of Judah, which God has chosen to bless the earth, is offering a pay-off to avoid defeat at the hands of an enemy.  This really ticked me off.  As I continued to meditate on it, I realized why this bothered me so. Because this is a direct parallel for much of what I see every day, especially in my role as a pastor, happening in the lives of many people whom I love very much.  You see, Solomon had built an amazing dynasty for the Israelite people.  His rule was powerful and prosperous - without compare!  And here, years later, after surrendering themselves spiritually to false Gods, they now surrender physically to their ungodly neighbors.  The nation of Israel is nearly bankrupt, cowering in a corner, pawning off the temple gold to bribe another country for the promise of protection.  Solomon, as God's servant, had provided an inheritance that was more than sufficient to secure Israel, provided they would continue to walk closely with the Father.  Abandoning the Living God, however, in favor of dead idols, they scorched themselves with sin, from which they refused to repent.  Now, instead of advancing the Kingdom with their inheritance, they are squandering it on corrupt security contracts.

Friends, this still happens in the spirit today.  Jesus died to secure our claim of a spiritual inheritance that is powerful and prosperous - truly without compare!  When we divert our affections from the Living God, we start fighting with one another, dividing God's Kingdom, and exposing ourselves to the enemy's games.  We misappropriate our faith; and then sin and fear take over.  Shame then whispers, "you are out of grace, and the hammer is about to fall," and so we start handing our spiritual inheritance over to the enemy - bribing him in the hopes that he will just leave us alone.  You know, "prodigal" literally means "wasteful."  These prodigal pay-offs we make cause us to use up the resource of His life within us, just trying to stay alive.  We medicate ourselves with gossip and materialism.  We escape into the hills of entertainment and social media.  We end up with not nearly enough of the Spirit's fruit leftover to feed others, not nearly enough power to pray effectively, not nearly enough energy to advance His Kingdom in the earth.  Beloved, don't squander your inheritance.  Just repent.  Ask God to forgive your wanderings and invest yourself into His presence through prayer, feasting on His word, and the intimacy of worship.  Put an end to the prodigal pay-offs and recapture the power of being a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  You will find a fresh prosperity, experience a tangible love and unity with others, and the Lord Himself will be your Fearless Protector.

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

ALIGN TO FIGHT

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Every felt like that little guy?  Outmatched, outgunned, but with "no way out?"  Ahab was in a similar situation in 1 Kings 20.  He was in some major trouble.  Now, Ahab was a bad king.  A seriously bad king.  He is famous for his "badness."  I point that out for two reasons: 1) Because when you read the story, you will realize this pretty quickly and wonder, "Why the heck is he using Ahab as an example?" and 2) to raise your faith level a bit.  You see, if God is willing and, dare I say, hungry to show Himself strong to someone like Ahab, at the first glimmer of hope regarding his spiritual alignment, then surely we can believe that He will respond to us when we are needing a victory of our own.  Read part of Ahab's story here:

1 Kings 20

A Glimmer of Hope for Ahab

Here are the nuggets I drew from Ahab's story.

1. You can't trust satan.  Ahab thinks he can just give the enemy what he is asking for in the moment and then be done with the whole mess.  Give the enemy an inch, he'll take a mile.  Give a mouse a cookie...he's gonna ask for a glass of milk.
2. Next, notice that God's intervention only happens when Ahab aligns his decision making with God's purposes.  God is ever-ready to step in and show Himself strong on behalf of His people.  Once Ahab stops trying to make deals with the enemy, the word of the Lord comes with strategy for victory.  If you have any "deals" going with the enemy, cancel them.  A treaty with the devil is no substitute for the supernatural victory God wants to give you!
3. For all of Ahab's failures, when the prophet comes, he heeds the instructions.  If Ahab can trust and act upon a prophetic word, so can we.  Follow the instructions and see the victory.
4. Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Ahab did, and received clarifying direction.  How much more will we, who have been blessed with Holy Spirit's indwelling presence, experience the guiding comfort of His instruction.  (See John 14:16-17 and 16:7-8)
5. Once you have aligned yourself with the Father's desire, sought His clarifying instruction, and readied yourself for battle - FIGHT!  Just get out there.  Often our waiting is nothing more than fear-driven disobedience.  

Remember, folks.  The battle is HIS.  He wants to show us His love, His strength, His grace.  He wants us free from the enemy's threats and influence.  He wants us enjoying and reflecting His victory!  With God, we are never outmatched, outgunned - and we should never be worried about a way out.  Let Him have His way.  Align with your Daddy King.  Then face your giant and watch the Father step in to wipe the floor with him!

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

BE A COMPASS

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Short and sweet today:

Sometimes it can be difficult to influence the people around us. Jehoshaphat knew this all too well. In a time when following the Lord was grossly unpopular, he did his best to honor God and point others in the right direction.

But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord with us? If there is, we can ask the Lord what to do through him.” One of King Joram’s officers replied, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to be Elijah’s personal assistant. ”  2 Kings 3:11 NLT

We may not always have the confidence we would like. This is no fault of the Lord's, as He has certainly provided everything we need to be bold and confident in the face of great challenges. But neither does He hold our little season of insecurity against us. He is so loving! All He asks is that we walk humbly with Him and be a compass, ready to point the lost around us to those who are walking in the power and courage of their calling.

Never underestimate the value of a good compass. It may not be able to carry you where you need to go, but without it, the journey may not have been possible. Don't despise yourself for not knowing exactly what to do to bring the total victory. Just be at peace. Point them to Jesus. Be a compass for Christ.

Love you!

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church

Chris@WeAreRivergate.com 

LIGHTNING IN THE RAIN

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He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses. 

Psalm 135:7

Our God is powerful and beautiful and bountiful and wonderful.  His creativity is fathomless, His strength matchless, His grace tireless, and His love beyond comprehension.  So, what does any of that have to do with Psalm 135:7?  Much more than you might think at first glance.  It is not unusual to find people asking, even arguing, in today's society about the goodness of God.  "If God is so good, then why____? or, why_______?"  While there are some decent answers regarding man's own responsibility for the world's condition through sin-inspired mismanagement, there is another train of thought to be remembered.  Simply - GOD.  G-O-D!  He is just waaaay bigger than we could ever grasp.  And He is in no way threatened by our upward thrust fingers of judgment, seeking to call Him to some court of universal accountability for what He does or does not allow in the earth.

That's why I love verses like this one.  In them are housed the very tensions being described.  The conditions that enable us to flourish also threaten our very existence.  The sun causes all things to grow.  Yet, left unchecked by the clouds, it can scorch us.  The clouds that protect us from the sun and bring the nourishing rains, also drench the earth with floods and suffocate it with snow.  The nourishing rain comes with shattering, unpredictable spears of lightning. The winds that spread the seeds and soothe us can also toss us mercilessly to and fro.  And our ego-less God is not afraid of this tension.  When we've been crying out for rain to water our dusty crops, God is not afraid to stab the earth beside us with one billion volts of raw, decimating power.  We may not like it.  We may run and hide under the bed, thumbs securely inserted into our mouths.  We may knock our knees and pray for the storm to pass; but make no mistake - we now know, once again, that God is GOD.

Friends, remember that we are made in His image.  Remember that we are being changed from glory to glory, grown into a more fitting and accurate representation of Him by the minute.  It's what He does and it's who we are - His kids.  How easy did we expect that to be?  Do we think that we will be exempt from the tensions He must endure?  In moments of ease and comfort, we get to celebrate and enjoy our Christlike-ness.  But when the thunder claps and winds pick up, we get to advance and grow in it.  Embrace the ferocity of God.  Let Him awe you with His vastness one minute and then stroke your hair the next as you cuddle up under the coo of His still, small voice.  He is GOD, after all.  Bigger than your brains can handle, yet small enough to fit inside your soul.  So...let the thunder roll.

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

LONG TERM HEART

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Having a "long term heart" seems to be one of the most challenging things for us humans when it comes to a relationship with the Lord.  It is a legitimate challenge to maintain a focus of affection over the span of decades when we are so barraged with changes in life and circumstance.  The God of the universe is our very own Father.  He is infinite and He has offered infinity to the peoples of the earth by virtue of a relationship with Him.  Oh, what a beautiful thing!  We have entered into a forever endeavor with the Lord, who will guide us throughout our eternal adventure.  His heart is forever inclined toward our good (even when our circumstances aren't so pleasurable) and all He really asks of us is that we would just relax into His leadership and love Him with a long-term heart.

The greatest threat to loving God with a long-term heart is a short-term vision.  There it is...the nugget of gold in today's River of Life.  To whatever degree we are unable to see with the "eyes of eternity," as my wife has called them, we are equally unable to firmly establish our hearts in love with God.  When our estimation of what is "good" is limited by spiritual nearsightedness, we begin to hold God accountable to our value system.  We shift our priorities and our focus from the eternal to the temporal.  The most important things - our "treasure," are no longer the incorruptible goods of heaven, but the fading fads of earthly arguments, appetites, and agendas.  When this happens, it is nearly impossible to maintain the long-term heart.

I am finding that as I get older, I am able to glimpse more of eternity.  My awareness of forever is increasing.  This makes challenges and tribulations a little less potent than they used to be.  My heart is stretching out more and more into that long-term status, which means that my appetites are becoming more synchronized with His.  It is more freeing and fulfilling than I could ever have imagined.  If you are experiencing this too, don't fight it.  Don't resist - relax.  Relax into forever with God and let Him have your long-term heart.  He is so very worth the risk; and no temporal condition or experience can match the rewards.

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta

KEEP IT QUARRY

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While reading about the beginning of Solomon's reign this morning, the Lord opened my eyes to see another nugget of wisdom, hidden in the lives of the lovers of God who knew Him from within the context of the original covenant.  You can read it all in 1 Kings 5 and 6, but, here's the back story...

Solomon has just taken over as Israel's leader.  He has just been promised by God unparalleled blessings for famously requesting the wisdom required to function well in this new role as king.  One of his first acts confirms he has received the commodity in question.  He begins a project dreamed of by his beloved father, David - the building of a Temple for God.  Wisdom is evident every step of the way: he honors his father's reign and plans; he keeps Israel on its current trajectory, while advancing and enhancing her place in the world; he cultivates a peace treaty through cooperative and complimentary work with the Sidonians, turning wary neighbors into quick friends; and he engages his people in a project they can be proud of, while not abusing or overworking them.  Solomon is, most certainly, a wise man, a wise builder, a wise leader.

Each of us has our own sphere of leadership to steward.  We all have our "temple to build."  The nugget for today comes specifically from Chapter 6, verse 7, and the remark regarding the stones being cut a distance away in the quarry, that not a "sound of hammer and chisel could be heard at the temple site."  This is wise on so many levels and can bless us as we fulfill our own call to create on Christ's behalf.  By cutting the stone in the quarry, Solomon accomplished three important things: 1) he set a tone for the temple grounds, 2) he ensured that the laborers would only have to carry to the site, that which was necessary for the project, and 3) he kept the site free from waste and debris that would only have to be removed later.

Friends, this is great advice.  God is honing, chipping, and sanding our misshapen and rough edges.  He is perfecting us - both in parts and in the whole.  But, keep it quarry, folks!  Don't send those materials out ahead of time.  There's nothing like a noisy, dirty job-site to distract from the glory of what the Lord is doing.  Why carry all that extra baggage into your assignment?  All that will do is tire you out and be a turn-off to those you are trying to bless.  Keep in mind, you'll still have to be chipped down - sparks and shards flying everywhere.  Then there's the spiritual rubbernecking, as onlookers see every useless thing that wasn't meant to be part of the project right there gathering in a mess at your feet.  And, oh, that debris.  Big chunks of jagged rock laying around the temple as it goes up do nothing but expose workers and watchers alike to ankle-busting trip hazards.  Keep it quarry and keep your place of ministry clean and peaceful.  Don't be so anxious to get done that you get ahead of the Master Craftsman.  The more you allow Him to do at the quarry, the more fruitful things will be at the temple site.

Some of us need to slow down, use the wisdom of Solomon, and learn to milk the quarry for all it's worth.  It may be a little irritating to wait.  Some may wonder, "Why has the site been bare so long?  When are they planning to build?"  Don't be discouraged or goaded into premature delivery.  Be patient.  Be wise.  Keep pace with the Stone Cutter.  Keep trusting the process.  And keep it quarry.

Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta 

Lead Pastor
Rivergate Church
Chris@WeAreRivergate.com




© 2016 Chris Liotta