/kem’pel/

/kem’pel/ is the phonetic spelling of a powerful word that Paul uses in 2 Corinthians 5:14 to describe what Christ’s love does for us.  “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”  So why is this important?

Behind every action is a motivation.
     -You are motivated to eat so you can have energy.
     -You are motivated to drink water so you can live.
     -You are motivated to study so you can receive a good grade.
     -You are motivated to ... (you fill in the blank).

If anything or anyone other than Christ’s love is the motivational, compelling drive of your life, you will experience false expectations, chronic confusion, and selfish values.

False expectations occur because your desired outcomes are not flowing out of Christ’s love but rather out of your selfish desires.

Chronic confusion occurs because you are relying too heavily on false expectations that are anchored in your flesh not God’s Will.

And selfish values occur because selfishness is the opposite of love.

But when Christ’s love compels you:
     -You will see people differently, and
     -You will see your purpose(s) differently.

We are unable to do the above two things without Christ’s love because His love changes us from being selfish, sinful people to being selfless, righteous people. Can you imagine the powerful Awakening that would happen in our world if God’s people refreshed and renewed their understanding of Christ’s love?

I am praying that will happen in my life and yours.  Will you join me?  I will be preaching for 3 weeks on this theme beginning tonight, February 9th at 6pm.  May God’s love /kem’pel/ us into repentance and mission.

Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden

21

We have entered the final hours of Celebration’s 21 Days of Prayer. Here are some take-aways that God has impressed on my heart or been shared with me from others.

Please feel free to reply and add to this list:

• Cultivate a heart of prayer.
• The weapon of prayer must no longer be taken lightly.
• Words:
• Weep
• One
• Unity
• Foundation
• Distractions
• Blinders
• Unhook
• Fidelity
• Health
• Face
• Flame
• God will pour out His Spirit without measure on the church without mixture (sins of this world mixed into the Body of Christ).
• Decisions should not be made under pressure. Allow God to work it out.
• God will provide what we need when we need it.
• Thank you, God, for restoring this ministry.
• God is working daily and changing lives. Take time to appreciate the small and big changes.
• God is challenging me to not only know His Word but to delight in His Word (Proverbs 2).

There was so much more, but I can’t name them all in this blog.  In addition, many of the ones listed above were repeated by multiple people.

Last night, Pastor Tim said, “I am tired of asking God in prayer to do things that I am capable of doing.  Let’s begin asking Him to do the impossible.”

I have woken up this morning with that statement burning in my heart. May God elevate our faith in Him to do the impossible on this day and all the days to come.  

Would you join me in believing God for a spiritual awakening along the Midlothian corridor in South Richmond whose impact is felt far beyond this city on a hill?

Ex nihilo,

R.J. Rhoden