We met in college me a football player - you my beauty queen,
You were by far the prettiest brown haired girl I'd ever seen,
It took some time for me to work up the nerve just to meet you,
On that little central Texas Baptist college campus called HPU,
You were different than all the other girls I dated much before,
One study date with you at the park and you had my heart galore,
We dated, loved, learned, worshipped and serve Jesus our King,
I was ready to get married and went out to buy a wedding ring,
Things got rocky, I pushed way too hard and we parted our ways,
Those were some of the hardest most lonesome and try ing of days,
I prayed, I wept, I leaned on Jesus and found Him faithful to me,
In hindsight I know now He was molding - back then I could not see,
In a twist of fate - part of our Sovereign infinite God's master plan,
He brought you back and we started walking again hand in hand,
We set the date and invited our families and all our best of friends,
We stood before God pledging our undying love for one another again,
With one "I do", the slip of the ring and a kiss you became my wife,
The one I covenanted before our Lord Jesus to give and share my life,
We shared adventures following hard after Jesus all over this big state,
You stood with me when we succeeded and even in all my mistakes,
We saw God move, grow youth groups and churches with salvations,
Because, "People need the Lord," back to our early dating conversations,
Nearly three decades have passed just shy by only three short years,
We laughed along the way and on some occasions we've shed tears,
God through you blessed us with four powerful athletic servant boys,
Whom I delight - my quiver full - constantly bringing me new joys,
We are both older now as the years seem to be whizzing right on past,
I am glad when you married me it was for keeps with a love that lasts.
For my brown eyed beauty on our 27th wedding anniversary.
6-29-18
Friday, June 29, 2018
I'm Pregnant
By the title let me clear something up right away. I did not write, "We are pregnant." Brenda is not pregnant. We are well past that stage. I wrote,"I am pregnant." Now that is impossible in the physical realm. It is totally possible in the spiritual realm.
I spent some time travailing in prayer over five things that I am pregnant with today. Five burdens that weigh heavy on my heart. Five gigantic seemingly impossible things that I carry inside like a woman carrying a child. While that woman will one day feel the labor pains while giving birth my labor pains are travails in the secret place. She labors to give birth to a baby. I travail to give birth to miracle answers.
I thank God that He is powerful enough to call what does not exist as if it does exist.
Romans 4:17 (ESV)
17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
I spent some time travailing in prayer over five things that I am pregnant with today. Five burdens that weigh heavy on my heart. Five gigantic seemingly impossible things that I carry inside like a woman carrying a child. While that woman will one day feel the labor pains while giving birth my labor pains are travails in the secret place. She labors to give birth to a baby. I travail to give birth to miracle answers.
I thank God that He is powerful enough to call what does not exist as if it does exist.
Romans 4:17 (ESV)
17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
In my life there are five things that do not exist as of yet. Five tangible things I can see through eyes of faith. Five things I will one day be able to touch, show and testify about. Five mountains. I am pregnant with them. I carry them in my soul. Five things that will glorify God when He does them. Five things that will once again demonstrate how powerful He is and how effective prayer can be.
What are they you may ask? Four of them I will not share at this time. It is sufficient God knows. He can do it and include using anyone He chooses. One I will share. For months I've served a small church in Weatherford, TX. Within a few weeks of serving them I learned they owed on their building. They are a small congregation of less than 50 people. They owe $115,000 on their building. For months I have felt led to pray that God would pray it off by Dec 30, 2018. That is impossible with such a small group of people. It's one of the burdens I am pregnant with. What is $115,000 to God? It is equivalent to you and I coming up with a nickel or a penny. It is nothing. I am travailing over these next months believing God to call into existence that which does not exist at this moment. In my mind I can see the last dollar being paid off. I can the note and deed in hand. I can hear the celebration and rejoicing of the Heritage folks in response to what God has done. I believe God for this big, audacious, daunting and impossible thing to become reality.
I have gone so far as to pray God would increase my wealth so I can give more. I wish I could pay the whole thing off. God wants others involved at Heritage. This is a miracle we will all get to be a part of. $115,000 in six months. That breaks down to over $19,000 a month and over $4,000 a week. All in a church that takes in much less. O, but what can God do? How powerfully can Yahweh intervene? My prayer will be that He will increase the wealth of all the people at Heritage and give them the desire to give more and to sacrifice. That God will lead people to donate things such as land, vehicles, jewelry etc. to this cause as well as money. I am pregnant with that. I hope to travail over these next six months. I hope God gives birth to a Heritage Baptist Church with no debt. To the glory of His name.
27 Years Ago
I woke up on a Saturday morning 27 years alone in my duplex on the Southside of Fort Worth. . A bunch of college friends and I got together the night before. We laughed. We played basketball. We ate. After breakfast alone the next morning I went to get my haircut. That is kind of an odd thing to remember from so long ago. I remember sitting in the chair talking to the lady cutting my hair. She asked, "So, what do you have going on today?"
I still remember my reply. "I'm getting married today." She smiled. I wonder if she felt any added pressure. She did a good job I recall.
I went back to my duplex for awhile. I don't remember what I did for lunch. I met all my friends and family at First Baptist Church of Hurst, TX later. We of course started cutting up and laughing. We all got dressed. Pictures had to be taken, which later would prove to be in vain. That photographer went out business before Brenda and I could afford to purchase the photos. The only picture we have of our wedding is a 3"x5" somebody snapped with their camera.
What I remember most before the ceremony began was that the pants on my tuxedo were too short. I did not try it on beforehand like I was supposed to. Oh well.
The service started. A good friend videoed for us. Only none of us thought about putting in a fresh tape before the service. We videoed ourselves playing basketball the night before and the tape ran out just as Brenda walked down the aisle. We have no photos and no video of our wedding.
There I stood in my high water pants watching the love of my life walk through the backdoors of that sanctuary. The reality of what we were doing hit me. This was no longer dating. This was a commitment. A covenant. She looked beautiful. Classy. A beautiful wedding dress with a veil and train. Absolutely stunning. Mesmerizing. We stood there with eyes locked on each other. She walked down with her father. We joined hands as we had joined hearts years before. She looking every bit a lady and me like a tramp drug off the street.
We exchanged vows. We celebrated communion. She was supposed to serve me and then I serve her. I did not listen in rehearsal. I served her. I tore off such a piece of bread for myself I spent the rest of the service trying to chew and swallow. Not very reverent I confess.
Then they pronounced us man and wife. The preacher said I could kiss my bride. I laid a big one on her which I am sure embarrassed her because she is shy. With that beginning we became the Edwards. Little did we know what the future held. 27 years, one adopted daughter, four sons, three dogs, seven churches, one non-profit ministry, ten houses, six authored books, three graduations and numerous camps, revivals, and retreats later we are still together. 27 years of following Jesus all over the state of Texas. 27 years of faith adventures. 27 years of memories and special people along the way.
27 years later we still love each other. The trials have brought us closer. The years have aged us both. She is still my best friend. I am about to go get my haircut just like I did 27 years ago. I hope they ask me what I have going today. I will brag on my wife and the fact we are getting away in the morning just the two of us. We'll share meals. Walk hand in hand. Catch a movie. Enjoy being together. Pray together. Dream about our future ministry and plans.
I praise God I get to do it all with her. She takes my big dreams and puts the details together so they can stand on their feet. She balances my boldness with compassion. She has my ear when I'm about to make a mistake in my zeal to follow hard after Jesus. She is the math wizard and works wonders in our finances so I can be free to pray, study, preach, write, evangelize and shepherd without that distraction. She cheers me on when I fail or feel like I failed like last week one night at Beach Camp in Florida. She prays for me. She prays for our boys. She loves. She has the unique ability to love all kinds of people from all walks of life. She has learned in 27 years to get tough living with me and four sons. She is wise. I trust her counsel. And she is my wife. I married beyond my punt coverage.
I still remember my reply. "I'm getting married today." She smiled. I wonder if she felt any added pressure. She did a good job I recall.
I went back to my duplex for awhile. I don't remember what I did for lunch. I met all my friends and family at First Baptist Church of Hurst, TX later. We of course started cutting up and laughing. We all got dressed. Pictures had to be taken, which later would prove to be in vain. That photographer went out business before Brenda and I could afford to purchase the photos. The only picture we have of our wedding is a 3"x5" somebody snapped with their camera.
What I remember most before the ceremony began was that the pants on my tuxedo were too short. I did not try it on beforehand like I was supposed to. Oh well.
The service started. A good friend videoed for us. Only none of us thought about putting in a fresh tape before the service. We videoed ourselves playing basketball the night before and the tape ran out just as Brenda walked down the aisle. We have no photos and no video of our wedding.
There I stood in my high water pants watching the love of my life walk through the backdoors of that sanctuary. The reality of what we were doing hit me. This was no longer dating. This was a commitment. A covenant. She looked beautiful. Classy. A beautiful wedding dress with a veil and train. Absolutely stunning. Mesmerizing. We stood there with eyes locked on each other. She walked down with her father. We joined hands as we had joined hearts years before. She looking every bit a lady and me like a tramp drug off the street.
We exchanged vows. We celebrated communion. She was supposed to serve me and then I serve her. I did not listen in rehearsal. I served her. I tore off such a piece of bread for myself I spent the rest of the service trying to chew and swallow. Not very reverent I confess.
Then they pronounced us man and wife. The preacher said I could kiss my bride. I laid a big one on her which I am sure embarrassed her because she is shy. With that beginning we became the Edwards. Little did we know what the future held. 27 years, one adopted daughter, four sons, three dogs, seven churches, one non-profit ministry, ten houses, six authored books, three graduations and numerous camps, revivals, and retreats later we are still together. 27 years of following Jesus all over the state of Texas. 27 years of faith adventures. 27 years of memories and special people along the way.
27 years later we still love each other. The trials have brought us closer. The years have aged us both. She is still my best friend. I am about to go get my haircut just like I did 27 years ago. I hope they ask me what I have going today. I will brag on my wife and the fact we are getting away in the morning just the two of us. We'll share meals. Walk hand in hand. Catch a movie. Enjoy being together. Pray together. Dream about our future ministry and plans.
I praise God I get to do it all with her. She takes my big dreams and puts the details together so they can stand on their feet. She balances my boldness with compassion. She has my ear when I'm about to make a mistake in my zeal to follow hard after Jesus. She is the math wizard and works wonders in our finances so I can be free to pray, study, preach, write, evangelize and shepherd without that distraction. She cheers me on when I fail or feel like I failed like last week one night at Beach Camp in Florida. She prays for me. She prays for our boys. She loves. She has the unique ability to love all kinds of people from all walks of life. She has learned in 27 years to get tough living with me and four sons. She is wise. I trust her counsel. And she is my wife. I married beyond my punt coverage.
Serving Others To Glorify Jesus
Sunday morning after I get through preaching at Heritage Baptist Church I will change clothes and travel seven hours to South Texas with Taylor and Turner for a mission trip with Northside Baptist Church. We will be doing disaster relief and clean up for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. It will be my kind of mission trip. Serving. Hard work. Sweaty. Dirty. Hot. Humidity. We will sleep on cots in a church gymnasium. Not much about that will be comfortable to the flesh. I LOVE IT! Denying self. Takking up our cross. Following Him. [Matt 16:24] I will also get to enjoy doing it with two of my sons as well as with several other students and adults I have grown to love very much. An added bonus is I get to do all this with my college roommate whom I love like a brother.
Jesus served others. We are called to do the same. To get our hands dirty. To bow our knees in humility putting others needs before our own. We are to show the love of Jesus when it is inconvenient and when we are not on a stage or in the spotlight. To help the down and out. To sacrifice time and money to meet the needs of others. We are called to be light in a very dark world. One way we show we are light is when we do works. When others see those good works we are to deflect any praise and glory to God. We want Him magnified and glorified. That is why we serve. [ IT IS NOT ABOUT US! IT IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM!
"Let your light shine before men in such a way they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is heaven." [Matt 5:16] NASU
Jesus served others. We are called to do the same. To get our hands dirty. To bow our knees in humility putting others needs before our own. We are to show the love of Jesus when it is inconvenient and when we are not on a stage or in the spotlight. To help the down and out. To sacrifice time and money to meet the needs of others. We are called to be light in a very dark world. One way we show we are light is when we do works. When others see those good works we are to deflect any praise and glory to God. We want Him magnified and glorified. That is why we serve. [ IT IS NOT ABOUT US! IT IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM!
"Let your light shine before men in such a way they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is heaven." [Matt 5:16] NASU
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Looking Into A Looking Glass
People are fascinated with the future. Some pay money to go see psychics or call them to get a reading for their future. Some look to astrologers to predict the future. Economists predict how the market will rise and fall. At best all of those are just educated guesses. People want to look into the looking glass to find out what will happen down the road. People sit around crystal balls hanging onto every word a so called expert says gazing into that lifeless ball.
One day an old man awoke. This day was just like every other day. There were chores to get done and livestock to look after. This man was devout. He started his days seeking God. Only this day would be different. He had an encounter with God.
You can read about that encounter in Genesis 15. God met Abraham in a vision. He spoke to him and peeled back time and space and revealed the future to His servant Abraham. He promised to make a great nation from Abraham. Only trouble is Abraham had no children. From his vantage point looking through the looking glass of God's revelation he could not see a way this would ever come true.
If you fast forward several chapters and several years in the book of Genesis and Abraham's life God appeared to Abraham and again pointed to a distant future where he would be the father of an entire nation. He promised Abraham and Sarah a son though they were both advanced in years. Well past child bearing years. Absolutely and positively impossible.
That did not limit God. At the appointed time Sarah conceived and gave birth to a bouncing baby boy named Isaac. From that small beginning God kept His covenant and build the nation of Israel.
I have meditated on God reveling these things to Abraham through that dream. He also established His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15. To put that another way God made a contract and a promise with Abraham. What looked impossible God brought to pass. What seemed so far fetched God spoke into existence. He can do anything. Is anything too hard for Him? Is any burden so heavy He cannot lift it? Is any financial need so great He cannot provide to meet it? Is any health concern so grave He cannot heal it? Is any situation so hopeless He cannot turn it around? What looks impossible from our vantage point is very possible from His.
God let Abraham look into the looking glass of the future to see what God intended to do. I believe He still does that today. Whatever you are staring at in front of you causing you grief, if you could only see it how God sees it, you would have hope. Your impossible situations are not impossible with Him. Not at all.
I see three things staring at me. Impossible situations. Brenda's car as 315,000 miles on it. Our mechanic told us we needed to start looking for our next vehicle. Only I am not willing to go into debt. Tucker is only six weeks for leaving for college. We have prayed for God to provide him a car for two years like He did for Tucker's older brothers. Again I am not going into debt to make this happen. My truck has 232,000 miles on it. At some point that will need to be replaced. Three vehicles looks impossible from the human vantage point. I am not looking through those eyes. I am looking with eyes of faith as it were through a looking glass. We use Brenda's car and my truck for ministry. Each Sunday and Wednesday we drive close to eighty miles to minister the word of God and gladly do so. I also make this same trip several other times during the week. That is just the normal stuff. I believe God wills us to do this. I also believe God knows our needs and our desire to honor Him by not going into debt. Someday He will do what we have seen Him do before. He will provide. On there different occasions we saw God provide our family with what we consider to be miracle vehicles. He can do it again. As look through His looking glass I can see them in my driveway with deed paid in full.
He provided horses for Jonathan Edwards. He provided ship fare for George Whitfield, D.L. Moody and Hudson Taylor. He provided carriages for Charles Spurgeon. He provided vehicles for Leonard Ravenhill. He will provide for my family too. We look forward to the day we get to testify about His faithful provision.
I met with God in the pages of Genesis this morning. It did my soul good to read about God revealing the future and defying impossible circumstances. I trust He will do it again. As you peer through the looking glass of God's word I hope you too will be encouraged. There are no hard, difficult or impossible situations with Him. Only opportunities for His demonstrate His power and glorify His name.
One day an old man awoke. This day was just like every other day. There were chores to get done and livestock to look after. This man was devout. He started his days seeking God. Only this day would be different. He had an encounter with God.
You can read about that encounter in Genesis 15. God met Abraham in a vision. He spoke to him and peeled back time and space and revealed the future to His servant Abraham. He promised to make a great nation from Abraham. Only trouble is Abraham had no children. From his vantage point looking through the looking glass of God's revelation he could not see a way this would ever come true.
If you fast forward several chapters and several years in the book of Genesis and Abraham's life God appeared to Abraham and again pointed to a distant future where he would be the father of an entire nation. He promised Abraham and Sarah a son though they were both advanced in years. Well past child bearing years. Absolutely and positively impossible.
That did not limit God. At the appointed time Sarah conceived and gave birth to a bouncing baby boy named Isaac. From that small beginning God kept His covenant and build the nation of Israel.
I have meditated on God reveling these things to Abraham through that dream. He also established His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15. To put that another way God made a contract and a promise with Abraham. What looked impossible God brought to pass. What seemed so far fetched God spoke into existence. He can do anything. Is anything too hard for Him? Is any burden so heavy He cannot lift it? Is any financial need so great He cannot provide to meet it? Is any health concern so grave He cannot heal it? Is any situation so hopeless He cannot turn it around? What looks impossible from our vantage point is very possible from His.
God let Abraham look into the looking glass of the future to see what God intended to do. I believe He still does that today. Whatever you are staring at in front of you causing you grief, if you could only see it how God sees it, you would have hope. Your impossible situations are not impossible with Him. Not at all.
I see three things staring at me. Impossible situations. Brenda's car as 315,000 miles on it. Our mechanic told us we needed to start looking for our next vehicle. Only I am not willing to go into debt. Tucker is only six weeks for leaving for college. We have prayed for God to provide him a car for two years like He did for Tucker's older brothers. Again I am not going into debt to make this happen. My truck has 232,000 miles on it. At some point that will need to be replaced. Three vehicles looks impossible from the human vantage point. I am not looking through those eyes. I am looking with eyes of faith as it were through a looking glass. We use Brenda's car and my truck for ministry. Each Sunday and Wednesday we drive close to eighty miles to minister the word of God and gladly do so. I also make this same trip several other times during the week. That is just the normal stuff. I believe God wills us to do this. I also believe God knows our needs and our desire to honor Him by not going into debt. Someday He will do what we have seen Him do before. He will provide. On there different occasions we saw God provide our family with what we consider to be miracle vehicles. He can do it again. As look through His looking glass I can see them in my driveway with deed paid in full.
He provided horses for Jonathan Edwards. He provided ship fare for George Whitfield, D.L. Moody and Hudson Taylor. He provided carriages for Charles Spurgeon. He provided vehicles for Leonard Ravenhill. He will provide for my family too. We look forward to the day we get to testify about His faithful provision.
I met with God in the pages of Genesis this morning. It did my soul good to read about God revealing the future and defying impossible circumstances. I trust He will do it again. As you peer through the looking glass of God's word I hope you too will be encouraged. There are no hard, difficult or impossible situations with Him. Only opportunities for His demonstrate His power and glorify His name.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Why Me?
As an unsure teen I heard the call,
I made excuses prolonging my stall,
Of all those You to choose why me,
To preach so others gospel might see,
Why me to walk this road of trust,
Others reject - obeying You I must,
Why Me to go where some won't,
When the easy way is mostly don't,
Why me to try to build my own ark,
A long hard journey I must embark,
Why me for such a loving kind flock,
Why me when prayers produced shock,
You chose me from the world's start,
To play in Your drama a chosen part,
Why me when others could do more,
Why me when others they'd adore,
Why me out of all those more trained,
Why me when my faith is so strained,
Why me when mountains block the way,
Why me, but I will follow what You say,
I gave You my word - a faith bathed yes,
Why You chose me is anybody's guess,
I'm humbled and honored at Your choice,
You have guided my path by Your voice,
I'm grateful You chose me for those sheep,
I come to the edge by faith take a giant leap.
I made excuses prolonging my stall,
Of all those You to choose why me,
To preach so others gospel might see,
Why me to walk this road of trust,
Others reject - obeying You I must,
Why Me to go where some won't,
When the easy way is mostly don't,
Why me to try to build my own ark,
A long hard journey I must embark,
Why me for such a loving kind flock,
Why me when prayers produced shock,
You chose me from the world's start,
To play in Your drama a chosen part,
Why me when others could do more,
Why me when others they'd adore,
Why me out of all those more trained,
Why me when my faith is so strained,
Why me when mountains block the way,
Why me, but I will follow what You say,
I gave You my word - a faith bathed yes,
Why You chose me is anybody's guess,
I'm humbled and honored at Your choice,
You have guided my path by Your voice,
I'm grateful You chose me for those sheep,
I come to the edge by faith take a giant leap.
Never Ever Underestimate The Power Of Prayer
I guess over the years I have probably written about prayer more than any other topic. To say I am passionate about prayer would be an understatement. Over the years I have shared many testimonies of how God answered and intervened in our lives and the churches we have served.
I have seen a lot. What I have seen the past two weeks makes me never underestimate the power of prayer even more. Suffice it to say I have seen the clear evidence of God at work. I have also enjoyed a front row seat to watch God answer prayer on multiple levels. In essence, He answered the prayers of multiple people to accomplish His purposes though they were not all praying the same thing. Yet they were all praying that the will of God be done. [I Jn 5:14-15] I saw Him do something I would have previously thought was impossible. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH HIM. [Matt 19:26] Even I need to be reminded of that often.
I don't know your situation. Some are very challenging. No doubt you have prayed. You have poured out your heart until there is nothing else really to pray. Sometimes in between the prayer and the answer there are some challenging days. Days of testing. Days of incubation. Days of waiting. Long dreaded seasons of waiting. What is it you are waiting for God to do?
Your situation may look beyond hopeless. Long seasons of praying and waiting have not produced the desired results. It looks like it is over. The situation is dead. Beyond reviving. Don't be so quick to judge the power of God by feeble senses like what you can see. God specializes in doing the impossible. Ask Jairus about his daughter. Ask Lazarus.
God's power is not limited even in your hopeless situation. Sure you have a mountain or a few mountains in front of you. What is your mountain in comparison to God? [Mark 11:23-24] I watched twice God resurrect dead situations. It appeared hopeless. God flexed His muscle, willed the mountain to move in response to some fervent praying. [James 5:16] From my perspective God did what looked impossible. I underestimated the power of praying people and a prayer answering God. Foolishly I underestimated. I hope you will not do the same. He is able. [Eph 3:20] He is willing to give us what we desire when we desire Him most. [Ps 37:4] NEVER EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF PRAYER.
I have seen a lot. What I have seen the past two weeks makes me never underestimate the power of prayer even more. Suffice it to say I have seen the clear evidence of God at work. I have also enjoyed a front row seat to watch God answer prayer on multiple levels. In essence, He answered the prayers of multiple people to accomplish His purposes though they were not all praying the same thing. Yet they were all praying that the will of God be done. [I Jn 5:14-15] I saw Him do something I would have previously thought was impossible. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH HIM. [Matt 19:26] Even I need to be reminded of that often.
I don't know your situation. Some are very challenging. No doubt you have prayed. You have poured out your heart until there is nothing else really to pray. Sometimes in between the prayer and the answer there are some challenging days. Days of testing. Days of incubation. Days of waiting. Long dreaded seasons of waiting. What is it you are waiting for God to do?
Your situation may look beyond hopeless. Long seasons of praying and waiting have not produced the desired results. It looks like it is over. The situation is dead. Beyond reviving. Don't be so quick to judge the power of God by feeble senses like what you can see. God specializes in doing the impossible. Ask Jairus about his daughter. Ask Lazarus.
God's power is not limited even in your hopeless situation. Sure you have a mountain or a few mountains in front of you. What is your mountain in comparison to God? [Mark 11:23-24] I watched twice God resurrect dead situations. It appeared hopeless. God flexed His muscle, willed the mountain to move in response to some fervent praying. [James 5:16] From my perspective God did what looked impossible. I underestimated the power of praying people and a prayer answering God. Foolishly I underestimated. I hope you will not do the same. He is able. [Eph 3:20] He is willing to give us what we desire when we desire Him most. [Ps 37:4] NEVER EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF PRAYER.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
A Ministry Marriage
Just like when a man and woman fall in love and marry so do pastors and churches. It is a beautiful thing when God weds the heart of a shepherd with a flock and the flock to the shepherd. That blessed union defies description. There is love, commitment, sacrifice, memories, joy, trials, mountains to move and perseverance.
I love to read biographies. I have read hundreds of them over the years. I love reading stories about those pastors who stayed with their flocks for decades. Some twenty, thirty, forty and even fifty years. Unfortunately that has never been my story. The longest we have served any flock has been six years.
My pastor, Charles Roberts, pastored my home church for 34 years. I asked him once how he did it. He had opportunities to leave to go to other churches. He said he loved the flock and he plodded ahead day after day, month after month and year after year. I have another friend named Jess Little, he is 73, and has shepherded his flock for 23 years. He has faithfully led them, sacrificed for them, served them, and fed them God's word. I recently preached in that church. The love between that pastor and the people were plainly evident.
I have also seen the other side of this coin. When the pastor does not care for the flock and the people do not love the pastor. Bitterness, enmity, strife and often a fractured relationship follow. Sadly many pastors are fired every year. Some deservedly so. Many not so. Some pastors and their families go into ministries blindly and blissfully. They are rudely awakened by disgruntled deacons and callused charter members. Such pastors and their families are bruised and wounded.
There are also dictatorial pastors who abuse churches. They manipulate and steam roll over the people to get their way. They use those people as a stepping stone to go onto to something bigger and better where the pattern repeats itself leaving hurt people in their wake.
I have known the horror of times when it did not work. The ministry marriage never happened. People were hurt. I have also known the other side. There have been beautiful ministry marriages. Brenda and I have known the love of people. We have known the joy of celebrating life's triumphs with people and also grieved with people during their nights of weeping. This is something we pray we will get to experience again.
Pastor's love your flocks. Flocks love your pastors. Trust God for ministry marriages.
I love to read biographies. I have read hundreds of them over the years. I love reading stories about those pastors who stayed with their flocks for decades. Some twenty, thirty, forty and even fifty years. Unfortunately that has never been my story. The longest we have served any flock has been six years.
My pastor, Charles Roberts, pastored my home church for 34 years. I asked him once how he did it. He had opportunities to leave to go to other churches. He said he loved the flock and he plodded ahead day after day, month after month and year after year. I have another friend named Jess Little, he is 73, and has shepherded his flock for 23 years. He has faithfully led them, sacrificed for them, served them, and fed them God's word. I recently preached in that church. The love between that pastor and the people were plainly evident.
I have also seen the other side of this coin. When the pastor does not care for the flock and the people do not love the pastor. Bitterness, enmity, strife and often a fractured relationship follow. Sadly many pastors are fired every year. Some deservedly so. Many not so. Some pastors and their families go into ministries blindly and blissfully. They are rudely awakened by disgruntled deacons and callused charter members. Such pastors and their families are bruised and wounded.
There are also dictatorial pastors who abuse churches. They manipulate and steam roll over the people to get their way. They use those people as a stepping stone to go onto to something bigger and better where the pattern repeats itself leaving hurt people in their wake.
I have known the horror of times when it did not work. The ministry marriage never happened. People were hurt. I have also known the other side. There have been beautiful ministry marriages. Brenda and I have known the love of people. We have known the joy of celebrating life's triumphs with people and also grieved with people during their nights of weeping. This is something we pray we will get to experience again.
Pastor's love your flocks. Flocks love your pastors. Trust God for ministry marriages.
Friday, June 22, 2018
The Seduction Of Sin
I see it everywhere. Sin entices. Sin allures. It seduces. People have fallen for sin since Genesis 3 with Adam and Eve eating forbidden fruit. Satan knows how to trip us. He knows the all the tricks. One look, One thought. One temptation. One choice to rebel leads to so much sorrow.
Satan entices people to drugs, sex and alcohol. He promises pleasure, fun and excitement. What he never tells people is that pleasure never lasts. You have more and more sin. Eventually even sin does not produce what is promised so people sin to an even greater degree. He also never shows the end of sin.
Satan never tells people about the consequences. Broken hearts. Severed relationships. Heartache. Hardship. Hopelessness. It is a vicious cycle Satan keeps some families in for generations. He lures people then traps them. They are powerless to escape.
If people only knew the freedom found in Jesus. He satisfies. He is good. He liberates. Praise His holy name.
John 8:36 (ESV)
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Satan is a liar and deceiver. He only comes to destroy lives. Jesu comes to give people a better life.
John 8:36 (ESV)
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Sin still seduces but Jesus still makes a way of escape and sets people free. Jesus still saves. Choose today whom you will serve. Will you be seduced and enclaved to sin or a servant and a child of Jesus?
Satan entices people to drugs, sex and alcohol. He promises pleasure, fun and excitement. What he never tells people is that pleasure never lasts. You have more and more sin. Eventually even sin does not produce what is promised so people sin to an even greater degree. He also never shows the end of sin.
Satan never tells people about the consequences. Broken hearts. Severed relationships. Heartache. Hardship. Hopelessness. It is a vicious cycle Satan keeps some families in for generations. He lures people then traps them. They are powerless to escape.
If people only knew the freedom found in Jesus. He satisfies. He is good. He liberates. Praise His holy name.
John 8:36 (ESV)
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Satan is a liar and deceiver. He only comes to destroy lives. Jesu comes to give people a better life.
John 8:36 (ESV)
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Sin still seduces but Jesus still makes a way of escape and sets people free. Jesus still saves. Choose today whom you will serve. Will you be seduced and enclaved to sin or a servant and a child of Jesus?
What Are You Building
We all spend our days building something. Some build companies. Some build herds. Some build houses. Some build into young minds. What are you building?
When your days are completed and people remember you what will they remember you built? Your investment port folio? Your retirement? Will you build something that lasts? Something that can stand up to the refining fire of the Judgment Seat of Christ?
Many build their children. Teaching them. Training them. Guiding them. If you are a follower of Jesus you pour Jesus into them. You instruct them in Bible truth and pass on the heritage of your faith to them. This will stand the test of time.
It was pure joy to watch Taylor and Turner serving Jesus this week at Beach Camp here in Panama City, FL. Taylor worked as a counselor. Turner helped with the recreation. I missed Tanner and Tucker being here also but enjoyed the time with my oldest and youngest. I love watching the young men they are becoming. They are on a bus headed back home going through Mississippi. I am waiting in the airport to fly back to Texas. I love my family. I cannot wait to get home and see Brenda at the airport. It will be a short drive home where I will see Tucker and Linda (Brenda's mother.) It will be a little while longer before I get to see Tanner.
Other than my wife and children my life's work is building God's church. I enjoy loving, shepherding, discipling, serving, leading and teaching to build people. We have stopped in many locations to do this work. The location changed but the work did not. We continued to labor to build His church.
Noah built an ark. It took him a long time to do so. God called him to the task. Noah obeyed and did all God wanted him to do. In the end there was a huge ark full of animals and his family giving testimony of Noah's faith.
Genesis 6:11-22 (ESV)
11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.
15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.
16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.
17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.
18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female.
20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.
21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.”
22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Like Noah I want to build something that points people to God. I want to build something that will last in eternity. I want to leave two things behind that give testimony of my faith. My family. A wife who feels loved and treasured. Four boys who feel loved, supported and encouraged by their father. I also want to leave a church that honors and brings glory to Jesus. Both are rewarding and worth all my effort for all my days. What are you building?
When your days are completed and people remember you what will they remember you built? Your investment port folio? Your retirement? Will you build something that lasts? Something that can stand up to the refining fire of the Judgment Seat of Christ?
Many build their children. Teaching them. Training them. Guiding them. If you are a follower of Jesus you pour Jesus into them. You instruct them in Bible truth and pass on the heritage of your faith to them. This will stand the test of time.
It was pure joy to watch Taylor and Turner serving Jesus this week at Beach Camp here in Panama City, FL. Taylor worked as a counselor. Turner helped with the recreation. I missed Tanner and Tucker being here also but enjoyed the time with my oldest and youngest. I love watching the young men they are becoming. They are on a bus headed back home going through Mississippi. I am waiting in the airport to fly back to Texas. I love my family. I cannot wait to get home and see Brenda at the airport. It will be a short drive home where I will see Tucker and Linda (Brenda's mother.) It will be a little while longer before I get to see Tanner.
Other than my wife and children my life's work is building God's church. I enjoy loving, shepherding, discipling, serving, leading and teaching to build people. We have stopped in many locations to do this work. The location changed but the work did not. We continued to labor to build His church.
Noah built an ark. It took him a long time to do so. God called him to the task. Noah obeyed and did all God wanted him to do. In the end there was a huge ark full of animals and his family giving testimony of Noah's faith.
Genesis 6:11-22 (ESV)
11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.
15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.
16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.
17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.
18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female.
20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.
21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.”
22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Like Noah I want to build something that points people to God. I want to build something that will last in eternity. I want to leave two things behind that give testimony of my faith. My family. A wife who feels loved and treasured. Four boys who feel loved, supported and encouraged by their father. I also want to leave a church that honors and brings glory to Jesus. Both are rewarding and worth all my effort for all my days. What are you building?
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Encounter
I sat in the Bible study after lunch. A little tired from a full week at camp. God waited for me there. I encountered Him among sun burned and clearly eyed teenagers on our last full day of camp. The Bible study teacher taught two verses that hit me deeply. At first, I did not believe it was God. When the teacher turned to the second verse I knew that God intended those verses to get my attention.
Has that ever happened to you? Have the scriptures ever spoken right to your point of need and your heart? If so how did you respond? Did you accept truth and embrace the encounter? Did you reject and ignore it?
I couldn't ignore it. It seemed very plain to me God not only wanted my attention but went to great lengths to get it. Today the preacher got preached to. Those verses could not have been more timely. Eerily timely. Like God set the whole thing up. He had me in His crosshairs from the start of the day, the start of creation even.
I sat in my chair not knowing what He had for me. I do now and I am thankful for an encounter with Him. In less than an hour I'll walk the little drive to the metal worship building. We will sing songs of praise, hope and faith. One last time this year I will get up and share the message He laid on my heart for these students and adults. One more time I have prayed throughout the day that those students will have an encounter with God just like I did this morning.
Lord willing I will be back in Texas and at home tomorrow night. Before then I am trusting for more God encounters.
Has that ever happened to you? Have the scriptures ever spoken right to your point of need and your heart? If so how did you respond? Did you accept truth and embrace the encounter? Did you reject and ignore it?
I couldn't ignore it. It seemed very plain to me God not only wanted my attention but went to great lengths to get it. Today the preacher got preached to. Those verses could not have been more timely. Eerily timely. Like God set the whole thing up. He had me in His crosshairs from the start of the day, the start of creation even.
I sat in my chair not knowing what He had for me. I do now and I am thankful for an encounter with Him. In less than an hour I'll walk the little drive to the metal worship building. We will sing songs of praise, hope and faith. One last time this year I will get up and share the message He laid on my heart for these students and adults. One more time I have prayed throughout the day that those students will have an encounter with God just like I did this morning.
Lord willing I will be back in Texas and at home tomorrow night. Before then I am trusting for more God encounters.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Souls Saved in Panam City
God moved last night here in Panama City, FL at Beach Camp. He did the greatest of all miracles. He saved souls. Conviction fell like rain. Students felt the weighty presence of God as well as adults. There were many late night conversations. It is even sweeter because Taylor and Turner are here with me. It was a powerful night. We still have two more. I covet your prayers.
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Only One Father Loved His Children More Than Me
We celebrated my 22nd Father's Day this morning. Taylor and Tanner could not be here because of their summer jobs. I will catch a plane tomorrow afternoon headed off to preach again. Many people take fatherhood for granted. Some even shirk the responsibility. I try not to. It is one of my highest callings.
I have failed at many things. One thing I have done is give my boys my time. From the time they are infants until today. I still try to spend one on one time with each of them when possible. Those times are more infrequent as they grow older. I cherish those times. They have other interests and rightly so. They have their own dreams to pursue. Part of my dream has always been to support, love, help, provide, counsel, nurture and be available for Taylor, Tanner, Tucker and Turner.
The past 22 years has flown. Even so I made those four wonderful young men a high priority in my life. Each summer going back over 15 years ago we worked out together in the summer. When they were younger this meant playing baseball, basketball, football, tennis, jogging and biking all together when they were old enough. When they reached the proper age we graduated to weightlifting, agility drills, skill exercises, core workouts and more running but always together. I took them lunches at School, went on field trips, coached each of them numerous times and still sit in the stands to cheer them on and pick them up when they fail. I took the oldest three on their college campus visits and recruiting trips. Each of those a special memory. Over the years I took each of them to eat one on one. I took them on preaching trips with me to spend time with them.
I had three aims in mind during our summer work outs. First, it was one more way we could spend time together. Because my boys have all been driven and loved sports I designed workouts to help them get better and made sure they did those workouts with correct form. Thirdly, I wanted my boys to the beaming the best conditioned when school started. When they were younger I wanted them to learn to be active and not sit around all summer like couch potatoes. 15 years later we are still at it, or at least part of are still doing it together.
I cherish those times together. Now I am only down to two. Tucker, Turner and I workout each afternoon. We push each other all being competitive. We laugh. Most importantly we are together.
Fatherhood is a blessing. I am humbled and honored that out of all the dads in the world God hand picked me to be Taylor's, Tanner's, Tucker's and Turner's dad. That is my greatest honor in life. It does not matter where I preach or how often I preach. All my accumulative writings can never measure up to the way I feel about getting to be those four young men's dad.
I have not done it perfectly. More times than I can count I've had to go to each of them and apologize for my behavior. Repeatedly I've tried to tell I love them and that I am proud of them. To this day I greet each of them with a hug. Even as big as Taylor and Tanner are. I confess it is hard to get my short stubby arms around those two. I greet Tucker and Tuner with hugs each day.
I love being their father. I have enjoyed the front row seat God gave me to watch them grow up. What a blessing. Far better than I could ever have imagined or deserved. Today on Father's Day weekend I do not think about me. I think about them. Each of them just being my sons and loving me is all the Father's Day gift I will ever want or need.
Taylor, Taner, Tucker and Turner. A special message for you. I love you boys. You continue to make me proud and grateful God chose me to be your dad. I wish we could all be together but when each of you were born I dedicated you back to God. I want you to follow His path and not mine. Just know on this weekend only one dad ever loved his child more than me. That was God the Father loving His Son Jesus. Even He surrendered Him for the Kingdom of God purposes.Many fathers have loved their children just as much as me but not more. Only Yahweh loved Jesus more.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
I have failed at many things. One thing I have done is give my boys my time. From the time they are infants until today. I still try to spend one on one time with each of them when possible. Those times are more infrequent as they grow older. I cherish those times. They have other interests and rightly so. They have their own dreams to pursue. Part of my dream has always been to support, love, help, provide, counsel, nurture and be available for Taylor, Tanner, Tucker and Turner.
The past 22 years has flown. Even so I made those four wonderful young men a high priority in my life. Each summer going back over 15 years ago we worked out together in the summer. When they were younger this meant playing baseball, basketball, football, tennis, jogging and biking all together when they were old enough. When they reached the proper age we graduated to weightlifting, agility drills, skill exercises, core workouts and more running but always together. I took them lunches at School, went on field trips, coached each of them numerous times and still sit in the stands to cheer them on and pick them up when they fail. I took the oldest three on their college campus visits and recruiting trips. Each of those a special memory. Over the years I took each of them to eat one on one. I took them on preaching trips with me to spend time with them.
I had three aims in mind during our summer work outs. First, it was one more way we could spend time together. Because my boys have all been driven and loved sports I designed workouts to help them get better and made sure they did those workouts with correct form. Thirdly, I wanted my boys to the beaming the best conditioned when school started. When they were younger I wanted them to learn to be active and not sit around all summer like couch potatoes. 15 years later we are still at it, or at least part of are still doing it together.
I cherish those times together. Now I am only down to two. Tucker, Turner and I workout each afternoon. We push each other all being competitive. We laugh. Most importantly we are together.
Fatherhood is a blessing. I am humbled and honored that out of all the dads in the world God hand picked me to be Taylor's, Tanner's, Tucker's and Turner's dad. That is my greatest honor in life. It does not matter where I preach or how often I preach. All my accumulative writings can never measure up to the way I feel about getting to be those four young men's dad.
I have not done it perfectly. More times than I can count I've had to go to each of them and apologize for my behavior. Repeatedly I've tried to tell I love them and that I am proud of them. To this day I greet each of them with a hug. Even as big as Taylor and Tanner are. I confess it is hard to get my short stubby arms around those two. I greet Tucker and Tuner with hugs each day.
I love being their father. I have enjoyed the front row seat God gave me to watch them grow up. What a blessing. Far better than I could ever have imagined or deserved. Today on Father's Day weekend I do not think about me. I think about them. Each of them just being my sons and loving me is all the Father's Day gift I will ever want or need.
Taylor, Taner, Tucker and Turner. A special message for you. I love you boys. You continue to make me proud and grateful God chose me to be your dad. I wish we could all be together but when each of you were born I dedicated you back to God. I want you to follow His path and not mine. Just know on this weekend only one dad ever loved his child more than me. That was God the Father loving His Son Jesus. Even He surrendered Him for the Kingdom of God purposes.Many fathers have loved their children just as much as me but not more. Only Yahweh loved Jesus more.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Groping In The Dark
Father, I wait in the night watches for You to speak,
Your mind, Your heart, and Your will only do I seek,
Your word my constant food to feed my starving soul,
Prayer my only weapon because I am not in control,
I submit before You who alone knows the direction,
Surrendered on Your altar to You I am in subjection,
Though I can never seem to find Your chosen way,
Groping in the dark both at night and in light of day,
Why is it so hard for me to hear, know and discern,
Knowing Your word lights my path like a lantern,
In this maze I try to find my way through to the end,
Hitting dead ends and road blocks time and time again,
You alone are my Counselor, my Way Maker and Guide,
For reasons unknown Your will You still choosing to hide,
Each time my course I chart and pull anchor hoist the sails,
The sails grow slack limping - there is no power and no gale,
On this day perplexed in heart, soul and vexed in my mind,
I resolve Your will to know prayerfully hopeful one day to find.
Your mind, Your heart, and Your will only do I seek,
Your word my constant food to feed my starving soul,
Prayer my only weapon because I am not in control,
I submit before You who alone knows the direction,
Surrendered on Your altar to You I am in subjection,
Though I can never seem to find Your chosen way,
Groping in the dark both at night and in light of day,
Why is it so hard for me to hear, know and discern,
Knowing Your word lights my path like a lantern,
In this maze I try to find my way through to the end,
Hitting dead ends and road blocks time and time again,
You alone are my Counselor, my Way Maker and Guide,
For reasons unknown Your will You still choosing to hide,
Each time my course I chart and pull anchor hoist the sails,
The sails grow slack limping - there is no power and no gale,
On this day perplexed in heart, soul and vexed in my mind,
I resolve Your will to know prayerfully hopeful one day to find.
Friday, June 15, 2018
Trust The Path Of Peace
Hard decisions are never easy to make. No matter how long you pray. No matter how much you think it over a hard decision is just that. HARD. No matter which way you decide people will be affected. Some will like the decision. Others will not. That is the nature of a hard decision.
HARD:
2 done with a great deal of force or strength: a hard blow to the head.
3 requiring a great deal of endurance or effort: stooping over all day was hard work.
Hard decisions have to be made all the time. Today, Brenda and I made one. It is something we have prayed about for months. Something that kept us both awake at night. Something we weighed the pros and cons over repeatedly. We had numerous conversations. We had such a one late last night and early this morning. Scriptures were read. The counsel of trusted family and friends was sought.
No matter how we dreaded it and wished we could put if off a decision had to be made. In faith we made it today. Brenda asked me afterward, "How do you feel? Peace? Relieved?" I feel both peace and relief. First of all, because the decision has finally been made. Secondly, because we live without the distraction of this hard decision. Thirdly, because a course has been charted.
The nature of the decision is not important. What is important is that peace guided us through it. Not just any peace. The peace of God. Some time ago I received some great counsel from a trusted brother. He told me, "Let peace be your guide."
Those words still echo in my mind today. In the face of a hard decision that required great effort to make and much endurance and, a great deal of faith on top of that I might add, we made our choice and will live with the consequences. In the end peace guided me. God's peace. I can sleep easy tonight. The decision has been made.
Many stare at hard decisions for years. They cannot pull the trigger. They are reluctant to step out one way or the other. While it is prudent not to make hasty decisions to put them off endlessly is indecisive and noncommittal. Couples decide whether to continue in the relationship resulting in marriage or to categorize the relationship as a friendship. People make hard choices in their careers. They decide whether they will stay on their current path or look for other opportunities. People make choices about debt. People make decisions about where to worship, live and send children to school. Hard decisions are made about career opportunities that require a relocation to another city, state or country.
I don't know what hard decisions you face today. I am sure you have prayed about it endlessly. You have most likely studied your Bible trying to find direction. You may have also sought the counsel of wise and trusted people around you. After all of that, when you do not have a clear path I say like my friend, "Let peace be your guide."
Which decision brings peace to your mind. Which decision makes you feel more at ease than the other. We pray. We read the word of God. We wait. We seek counsel. And we also choose the path of peace. Trust the path of peace.
Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
HARD:
2 done with a great deal of force or strength: a hard blow to the head.
3 requiring a great deal of endurance or effort: stooping over all day was hard work.
Hard decisions have to be made all the time. Today, Brenda and I made one. It is something we have prayed about for months. Something that kept us both awake at night. Something we weighed the pros and cons over repeatedly. We had numerous conversations. We had such a one late last night and early this morning. Scriptures were read. The counsel of trusted family and friends was sought.
No matter how we dreaded it and wished we could put if off a decision had to be made. In faith we made it today. Brenda asked me afterward, "How do you feel? Peace? Relieved?" I feel both peace and relief. First of all, because the decision has finally been made. Secondly, because we live without the distraction of this hard decision. Thirdly, because a course has been charted.
The nature of the decision is not important. What is important is that peace guided us through it. Not just any peace. The peace of God. Some time ago I received some great counsel from a trusted brother. He told me, "Let peace be your guide."
Those words still echo in my mind today. In the face of a hard decision that required great effort to make and much endurance and, a great deal of faith on top of that I might add, we made our choice and will live with the consequences. In the end peace guided me. God's peace. I can sleep easy tonight. The decision has been made.
Many stare at hard decisions for years. They cannot pull the trigger. They are reluctant to step out one way or the other. While it is prudent not to make hasty decisions to put them off endlessly is indecisive and noncommittal. Couples decide whether to continue in the relationship resulting in marriage or to categorize the relationship as a friendship. People make hard choices in their careers. They decide whether they will stay on their current path or look for other opportunities. People make choices about debt. People make decisions about where to worship, live and send children to school. Hard decisions are made about career opportunities that require a relocation to another city, state or country.
I don't know what hard decisions you face today. I am sure you have prayed about it endlessly. You have most likely studied your Bible trying to find direction. You may have also sought the counsel of wise and trusted people around you. After all of that, when you do not have a clear path I say like my friend, "Let peace be your guide."
Which decision brings peace to your mind. Which decision makes you feel more at ease than the other. We pray. We read the word of God. We wait. We seek counsel. And we also choose the path of peace. Trust the path of peace.
Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Long Awaited News
I waited for some time recently for some news. Some timely information needed. In times like that days can feel like weeks or months. I waited and waited. The truth is I only waited about a week. It felt much longer.
You know what I'm talking about. Like a child waits for his or her birthday. Like a patient waiting for the test results to come back. Like an expectant mother waiting for her baby. Like a couple waiting on the closing date to purchase their dream home. Like a student waiting for summer or graduation. Like the laborer waiting for quitting time or the weekend.
We all have to wait at times. Wait for someone else to get ready before leaving the house. Waiting for someone to make a decision in the market place. Waiting for rain to come and for crops to grow. Waiting for Mr. or Miss Right to come along to get married. Waiting for a new vehicle or a package to arrive in the mail.
This morning my thoughts turn to a different kind of waiting. Waiting for an event. Not the next Super Bowl or World Series. Not for the next election. Not for the next blockbuster movie. No, I'm waiting for some news. Some big news. A future event. THE RETURN OF JESUS.
When He comes all else will be insignificant in comparison. Many have waited. It could be anytime now. We are closer than ever before. Soon the Father will look at His Son and say, "Now. Go get your bride." Jesus will return. His children will be caught up in the air with Him. Millions will be left behind. They will wonder what happened. They will speculate about where all those people disappeared.
Experts will come up with theories. Some will talk about the second coming. Scoffers will rebut that option. Some others will say all those people were captured by alien life forces are held hostage. I am sure there will be others.
I can't think of any better news for Christians than that Jesus will return. He will come again. While this is great news for followers of Jesus it is horrific news for those who'll be left behind to endure seven years of tribulation. Unimaginable horrors and persecution will mark those days. People will still have the opportunity to turn to Jesus but those will be hard years. Many will be persecuted and martyred.
The return of Jesus is long awaited news. One day people won't write about it anticipating the future. They will write about in the past tense. He will return. He told us. He promised. Jesus keeps His promise.
Two scriptures in closing.
Matthew 24:36-42 (ESV)
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
You know what I'm talking about. Like a child waits for his or her birthday. Like a patient waiting for the test results to come back. Like an expectant mother waiting for her baby. Like a couple waiting on the closing date to purchase their dream home. Like a student waiting for summer or graduation. Like the laborer waiting for quitting time or the weekend.
We all have to wait at times. Wait for someone else to get ready before leaving the house. Waiting for someone to make a decision in the market place. Waiting for rain to come and for crops to grow. Waiting for Mr. or Miss Right to come along to get married. Waiting for a new vehicle or a package to arrive in the mail.
This morning my thoughts turn to a different kind of waiting. Waiting for an event. Not the next Super Bowl or World Series. Not for the next election. Not for the next blockbuster movie. No, I'm waiting for some news. Some big news. A future event. THE RETURN OF JESUS.
When He comes all else will be insignificant in comparison. Many have waited. It could be anytime now. We are closer than ever before. Soon the Father will look at His Son and say, "Now. Go get your bride." Jesus will return. His children will be caught up in the air with Him. Millions will be left behind. They will wonder what happened. They will speculate about where all those people disappeared.
Experts will come up with theories. Some will talk about the second coming. Scoffers will rebut that option. Some others will say all those people were captured by alien life forces are held hostage. I am sure there will be others.
I can't think of any better news for Christians than that Jesus will return. He will come again. While this is great news for followers of Jesus it is horrific news for those who'll be left behind to endure seven years of tribulation. Unimaginable horrors and persecution will mark those days. People will still have the opportunity to turn to Jesus but those will be hard years. Many will be persecuted and martyred.
The return of Jesus is long awaited news. One day people won't write about it anticipating the future. They will write about in the past tense. He will return. He told us. He promised. Jesus keeps His promise.
Two scriptures in closing.
Matthew 24:36-42 (ESV)
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
Revelation 22:20 (ESV)
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
What Now
What now Jesus when I don't really know what to do,
What now when the fog obscures the path from view,
What now when my way is hedged in no way to pass,
When all my mountains remain immovable in mass,
What now when You closed and bolted shut the door,
When I don't have any earthly idea what to do anymore,
What now when I read Your word but no direction receive,
When the enemy comes in like a flood to blind and deceive,
What now when prayers of faith seemingly prayed in vain,
What now when smiles can't always masquerade the pain,
What now when all thoughts get darkened with confusion,
When the bright path like a mirage proves only an illusion,
What now when all dreams, and visions crack and crumble,
What now when many setbacks cause to stagger and stumble,
What now Jesus when I don't really know what next to do,
I'll press on in faith putting all my hope and belief in You.
This is written for all of those disappointed by circumstances. For all facing continual setbacks and challenges I exhort you not to give up. For all living in confusion and you can't find the clear path I exhort you to keep waiting and seeking. For all those who've had doors of opportunity shut to you repeatedly I exhort you to keep knocking. For all exasperated by life and you feel like giving up I say keep trusting Jesus.
Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Climbing Back On The Table Of Slaughter
Serving as an Old Testament priest could not have been a job for the faint of heart. When they had to offer blood sacrifices it had to have been a bloody gruesome experience. To take a sacrificial lamb and place it on the altar and then kill it. Blood flowed freely. The sacrifice had to be held in place until the life ebbed away. The suffering sounds of the lambs as the knife pierced the flesh and the crying out of lambs dying filled the air.
I am convinced this is the picture Paul had in mind when he penned Romans 12:1.
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Present your bodies as a living sacrifice. In other words, offer, donate, sacrifice your body to God. What Paul exhorts us to do is to daily climb back on the altar or literally the table of slaughter to offer Him our lives. To willingly, voluntarily climb upon that table of slaughter to yield our lives as a sacrificial offering.
Why would anyone ever do this. In response to the mercy of God fully displayed in the death of Jesus on the cross. [Eph 1:7] [Rom 5:8-9] What other legitimate response could there be to the cross except that the people of God lay our lives down on His altar as a sacrifice. We make ourselves available to do His bidding. We surrender our lives and wills to Him. Climbing upon that table of slaughter is a dying experience for us all. It is death of flesh and embracing of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to live through us. It means surrendering all rights to ourselves. A sacrifice had no rights. They died for a greater purpose. You and I climbing daily on the altar and dying to self is for God's greater purpose.
Notice Paul wrote "present your bodies as a living sacrifice." Notice that word living. This is not a one time act for us. This is a daily willful decision. Daily we choose to yield ourselves to Jesus again. Daily we choose to climb back on the altar. Daily we climb back on that gruesome table of slaughter to offer our lives in Jesus' service.
This is worship in its highest form. This is service to Jesus at its best. This is what God wants from all His followers.
I taught on this passage last night. I meant every word of truth in this verse. When I finished I walked off to the front row on my left. I went to last seat on the aisle to be alone while others prayed. Sitting there I prayed this prayer, "Jesus, if nobody else in this room intends to live this truth I do. I am giving You my life and my yes right here. Do with me as You please. I lay my life down again."
Only time will tell what such a prayer will mean in the long run. In the short term I again climbed on the table of slaughter this morning. My life is offered to Him. Will you offer yours?
I am convinced this is the picture Paul had in mind when he penned Romans 12:1.
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Present your bodies as a living sacrifice. In other words, offer, donate, sacrifice your body to God. What Paul exhorts us to do is to daily climb back on the altar or literally the table of slaughter to offer Him our lives. To willingly, voluntarily climb upon that table of slaughter to yield our lives as a sacrificial offering.
Why would anyone ever do this. In response to the mercy of God fully displayed in the death of Jesus on the cross. [Eph 1:7] [Rom 5:8-9] What other legitimate response could there be to the cross except that the people of God lay our lives down on His altar as a sacrifice. We make ourselves available to do His bidding. We surrender our lives and wills to Him. Climbing upon that table of slaughter is a dying experience for us all. It is death of flesh and embracing of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to live through us. It means surrendering all rights to ourselves. A sacrifice had no rights. They died for a greater purpose. You and I climbing daily on the altar and dying to self is for God's greater purpose.
Notice Paul wrote "present your bodies as a living sacrifice." Notice that word living. This is not a one time act for us. This is a daily willful decision. Daily we choose to yield ourselves to Jesus again. Daily we choose to climb back on the altar. Daily we climb back on that gruesome table of slaughter to offer our lives in Jesus' service.
This is worship in its highest form. This is service to Jesus at its best. This is what God wants from all His followers.
I taught on this passage last night. I meant every word of truth in this verse. When I finished I walked off to the front row on my left. I went to last seat on the aisle to be alone while others prayed. Sitting there I prayed this prayer, "Jesus, if nobody else in this room intends to live this truth I do. I am giving You my life and my yes right here. Do with me as You please. I lay my life down again."
Only time will tell what such a prayer will mean in the long run. In the short term I again climbed on the table of slaughter this morning. My life is offered to Him. Will you offer yours?
Making The Best Out Of Bad Circumstances
Like it or not we all face adverse conditions. Some people crater in the middle of them. They grow depressed, lose heart and waver in their trust in God. Others, on the other hand, face challenges with optimism, endurance and strong faith. Paul was one of those type of people.
He suffered a lot. In the end, he endured imprisonment. The loss of freedom. I read some verses this morning I've read dozens of times before but today I saw something new.
Philippians 1:12-14 (ESV)
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
He suffered a lot. In the end, he endured imprisonment. The loss of freedom. I read some verses this morning I've read dozens of times before but today I saw something new.
Philippians 1:12-14 (ESV)
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
When Paul commented on what had happened to him he talked about his imprisonment. There was also the looming threat of execution. Two pretty good reasons to lose heart. Not Paul. He saw something different. He saw his imprisonment as an opportunity to advance the gospel.
First, he shared the gospel with the imperial guards. Can you imagine being one of those guards assigned to guard Paul for a shift. How often did Paul use those opportunities to talk about Jesus? Either those guards got saved or dreaded being assigned to guard Paul for they knew what he would talk about.
The advancement of the gospel did not stop with the guards. It spread through the guards throughout the whole prison. The gospel spread. If Paul did not just talk about Jesus, he used his free time to write about Jesus penning what we call the "Prison Epistles."
The gospel advanced in another way. Friends of Paul heard about his boldness in prison sharing Christ. This inspired them to be more bold. They spoke the word of Jesus without fear. In this way the gospel advanced inside and outside the prison.
Paul made the best of a bad situation. He made the best use of his time and opportunity to evangelize. He could have sulked. He could have remained sullen. I am sure plenty of other prisoners did. The guards would have expected such behavior. Paul's attitude and actions must have bewildered them.
In your adversity how can God use it to further the gospel? How can He use you in adverse situations to minister to others? If others see you endure with a great attitude might God use that to inspire them to do the same. If you take the focus off yourself and put it on ministering to the needs of others might God use that to inspire others to minister and serve rather than getting stuck in the quagmire of depression. If you evangelize in your hardship will God use it to help others not only get saved but inspire others to share Jesus.
Peggy was the mother of a close friend. I only met her a few times. I heard my friend Glenn talk much about her. She got diagnosed with breast cancer. One day I accompanied Glenn on a trip to visit his mother in the hospital. We'd prayed for God to heal her.
I will never forget that day. Peggy felt terrible physically. She preferred to be at home. Her stay in the hospital was lengthy. She smiled when we walked in the room. What she told us I cannot get out of mind. She said, "I have told every doctor, every nurse, every visitor and several patients about Jesus and how to get saved. I made a commitment to tell everyone who walks in this room about Jesus. " She did. She died not long after that visit.
Sitting at her funeral I could not stop thinking about her telling others about Jesus. Her son talked about his in the eulogy. She made the best of out a bad thing. We can do the same thing. With God's help we can keep loving Him, keep serving Him and keep pointing others to Him even through adversity.
If God could help Paul do it and help Peggy also, I am confident He can do the same for all of us if we are willing vessels. Some of the greatest books I've ever read were born out of adversity. Some of the greatest hymns and worship songs were too. I don't know what you are going through. I know the One who will help you through it and use you as His minister if you trust Him to make the best out of bad situations.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
A Third Option
Have you ever mulled over a decision. You thought through all the pros and cons. You weighed the two options on the table. Prayerfully you sought God's guidance for His will. For days you prayed back and forth and back and forth about what decision to make. You pondered it for hours on end but still felt no closer to a clear decision. Then suddenly a third option presented itself. Not something you had ever considered before. Something out of the box. Out of left field. Something crazy. Something unconventional.
Paul had a mission. He had a plan to accomplish that mission. During the implementation of that plan God presented a third option. Paul had not even considered this option. God presented that third option in a dramatic way. Read about it for yourself.
Acts 16:9-10 (NKJV)
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The third option meant going to Macedonia to preach the gospel and to help people there. This is not something Paul had considered. Paul planned on going to Asia. That door closed. Next, he tried to go to Bithynia. That did not work out either. In fact we read that the Holy Spirit forbid Paul from going to Asia. Then the Holy Spirit did not permit him to go to Bithynia. Two options closed. God presented a third option. His ordained option.
Acts 16:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
God used a vision to reveal His will. God did not always communicate that way. There is much debate about whether God still communicates that way today. The man from Macedonia presented a third option. The third option proved to be God's option. Going to Macedonia was God's will. Paul obeying that vision meant ministry in Philippi and Thessalonica. Because Paul not only considered the third option, but followed through in faith, we have divinely inspired errant scriptures called Philippians along with I and II Thessalonians.
Maybe you are up against a hard decision. One you have wrestled in prayer over for some time seeking the right way to go. After all this time you might still be unsure and unclear as to what God wants. Have you considered there might be a third option you have not contemplated at all? A whole other course you have never thought about. It might be revealed in an unconventional way. Maybe it will even look conventional. Maybe the third option is the best option of all. Maybe you have recently entertained some wild out there possibility you quickly dismissed because it seemed so outlandish. Maybe it is God's third option after all. Something to be really considered. Only God can give reassurance and peace about His will.
Not sure who this is meant for? This just came to me this afternoon. I trust the Lord will apply it where it is needed.
Paul had a mission. He had a plan to accomplish that mission. During the implementation of that plan God presented a third option. Paul had not even considered this option. God presented that third option in a dramatic way. Read about it for yourself.
Acts 16:9-10 (NKJV)
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The third option meant going to Macedonia to preach the gospel and to help people there. This is not something Paul had considered. Paul planned on going to Asia. That door closed. Next, he tried to go to Bithynia. That did not work out either. In fact we read that the Holy Spirit forbid Paul from going to Asia. Then the Holy Spirit did not permit him to go to Bithynia. Two options closed. God presented a third option. His ordained option.
Acts 16:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
God used a vision to reveal His will. God did not always communicate that way. There is much debate about whether God still communicates that way today. The man from Macedonia presented a third option. The third option proved to be God's option. Going to Macedonia was God's will. Paul obeying that vision meant ministry in Philippi and Thessalonica. Because Paul not only considered the third option, but followed through in faith, we have divinely inspired errant scriptures called Philippians along with I and II Thessalonians.
Maybe you are up against a hard decision. One you have wrestled in prayer over for some time seeking the right way to go. After all this time you might still be unsure and unclear as to what God wants. Have you considered there might be a third option you have not contemplated at all? A whole other course you have never thought about. It might be revealed in an unconventional way. Maybe it will even look conventional. Maybe the third option is the best option of all. Maybe you have recently entertained some wild out there possibility you quickly dismissed because it seemed so outlandish. Maybe it is God's third option after all. Something to be really considered. Only God can give reassurance and peace about His will.
Not sure who this is meant for? This just came to me this afternoon. I trust the Lord will apply it where it is needed.
The Ministry Of Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
Everybody goes through stuff. In that stuff God comforts us. In other words, He consoles us and exhorts us. Inevitably in life we eventually will cross paths with somebody going through exactly what we went through. God will use us then to comfort those people with the same comfort God used in our lives.
Brenda and I have a friend who lost a child many years ago. She has been on a journey of self discovery. We recently had dinner with her family. She told us she knew her purpose. Part of her ministry is to comfort other grieving parents who have lost children to death. This is not a ministry most would sign up for. She not only embraces it but she is great at it. We have another friend who lost a daughter. She started a whole ministry for people who lose children die at birth. She intentionally targets those parents coming home with empty arms when they expected to come old with a new life. She is comforting others with the comfort she received personally.
Widows and widowers know how to best minister to other widows and widowers. Divorcees can minister and comfort others going through divorce in a way people who have not experienced that can. People delivered from addiction can minister to others battling addiction. There are so many other examples. Broken pastors can minister to other broken pastors.
I have written this before. God does not waste pain. He can use our pain for His good. Isn't that just a small part of what Romans 8:28 means?
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Out of pain and tragedy God can bring good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Brenda and I have known financial hardships. We have also experienced God's faithful provision. We can identify with people struggling financially. We can point them to a Father who has all the provision they will ever need. We can testify of what He has done for us to encourage others.
My two y youngest sons have suffered knee injuries. They know the physical pain from injury. They know the psychological pain from rehabilitating and fighting through bitterness at missing entire seasons. They have also been able to comfort others injured. Recently two girls suffered the same type injuries as our boys on the same night. Tucker and Turner can be effective ministers to those girls.
I don't know what you are going through. I also do not know what God has already brought you through. Be on the look out. Someone who crosses your path just very well may need to receive that same comfort God gave you in your tribulation. You have the ministry of comfort. Use it for His glory.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
Everybody goes through stuff. In that stuff God comforts us. In other words, He consoles us and exhorts us. Inevitably in life we eventually will cross paths with somebody going through exactly what we went through. God will use us then to comfort those people with the same comfort God used in our lives.
Brenda and I have a friend who lost a child many years ago. She has been on a journey of self discovery. We recently had dinner with her family. She told us she knew her purpose. Part of her ministry is to comfort other grieving parents who have lost children to death. This is not a ministry most would sign up for. She not only embraces it but she is great at it. We have another friend who lost a daughter. She started a whole ministry for people who lose children die at birth. She intentionally targets those parents coming home with empty arms when they expected to come old with a new life. She is comforting others with the comfort she received personally.
Widows and widowers know how to best minister to other widows and widowers. Divorcees can minister and comfort others going through divorce in a way people who have not experienced that can. People delivered from addiction can minister to others battling addiction. There are so many other examples. Broken pastors can minister to other broken pastors.
I have written this before. God does not waste pain. He can use our pain for His good. Isn't that just a small part of what Romans 8:28 means?
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Out of pain and tragedy God can bring good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Brenda and I have known financial hardships. We have also experienced God's faithful provision. We can identify with people struggling financially. We can point them to a Father who has all the provision they will ever need. We can testify of what He has done for us to encourage others.
My two y youngest sons have suffered knee injuries. They know the physical pain from injury. They know the psychological pain from rehabilitating and fighting through bitterness at missing entire seasons. They have also been able to comfort others injured. Recently two girls suffered the same type injuries as our boys on the same night. Tucker and Turner can be effective ministers to those girls.
I don't know what you are going through. I also do not know what God has already brought you through. Be on the look out. Someone who crosses your path just very well may need to receive that same comfort God gave you in your tribulation. You have the ministry of comfort. Use it for His glory.
Whatever You Want
I awoke this morning with this prayer on my lips, "Jesus whatever You want I want to obey." Not a long prayer but definitely a sincere one. Whatever He wants.
That is pretty open ended. I'm not trying to bargain or cut a deal with Jesus. He gets to determine what He wants. My two responses are to discern what He wants and then to obey. It could be something big or something small. For example, like last night in my home after dinner. Brenda's mother wanted Brenda and I to watch a Christian program with her. I commented to Brenda that I was tired and was heading to bed even though it was only 8:00 p.m.
After clearing my plate from the table and refilling my glass I intended to go to our bedroom. I cannot explain it. I felt a little check inside that I needed to stay up and watch that program. First of all because, I knew it would mean a lot to Linda (Brenda's mother) and secondly, I knew it would mean a lot to Brenda. I also felt I needed to watch it for myself and see what I would get out of it. Whatever He wants means continual adjustments in what we want. I wanted to go to bed. He wanted me to stay up a little longer to receive.
It is so easy to pray a simple prayer like, "Whatever You want I want to obey." It sounds spiritual. People who hear such a prayer may think well of you. The hard part comes when Jesus calls you on it. When He requires you to adjust your life, schedule, priorities, and finances to what He wants.
He may want you to give up sleep to spend more time with Him. He may want you to serve those in your household. Because I went to bed a little later than normal I had no intention of getting up early. Yet when eyes opened I thought about Tucker soon getting up for work. He made a comment last night about my not cooking breakfast for him like I've done his whole life. The temptation to roll over and let Tucker fend for himself crossed my mind. Jesus wanted me to get up and serve my son. I cooked him breakfast. Serving others is not always convenient. Next, Jesus wanted me to cook Linda breakfast when she woke up later. He wants us to serve others.
What does Jesus want? He wanted me to take Turner to breakfast to spend a little one on one time with him today. During our conversation I asked what God spoke to Him in his last quiet time. He replied, "To love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." I asked if he could think of anything he loved more than God. He honestly said he could not. That is a priceless conversation I never would have enjoyed with my youngest son had we not had some special time together.
What does Jesus want? He wants us to be available to Him. To obey in the little things as well as the big things. To serve others. [Jn 13:1-16]He wants us to love others. [Matt 37:39] He wants us to forgive others. [Mat 18:21-22] He wants us to love Him supremely. [Matt 22:37-38] He wants us to trust Him. [Mark 11:23-24] He wants us to pray. [Matt 6:5-7] He wants us to go. [Matt 28:19-20] There is so much He wants us to do. Right there in His word.
Is our heart to really obey what Jesus wants? We will be tested from time to time. To give. To sacrifice. To minister when it would be more comfortable to stay at home. To pray when sleep is holding us hostage underneath the covers. To study when vegetating in front of the television requires less focus. May we all seek to live obeying what He wants.
That is pretty open ended. I'm not trying to bargain or cut a deal with Jesus. He gets to determine what He wants. My two responses are to discern what He wants and then to obey. It could be something big or something small. For example, like last night in my home after dinner. Brenda's mother wanted Brenda and I to watch a Christian program with her. I commented to Brenda that I was tired and was heading to bed even though it was only 8:00 p.m.
After clearing my plate from the table and refilling my glass I intended to go to our bedroom. I cannot explain it. I felt a little check inside that I needed to stay up and watch that program. First of all because, I knew it would mean a lot to Linda (Brenda's mother) and secondly, I knew it would mean a lot to Brenda. I also felt I needed to watch it for myself and see what I would get out of it. Whatever He wants means continual adjustments in what we want. I wanted to go to bed. He wanted me to stay up a little longer to receive.
It is so easy to pray a simple prayer like, "Whatever You want I want to obey." It sounds spiritual. People who hear such a prayer may think well of you. The hard part comes when Jesus calls you on it. When He requires you to adjust your life, schedule, priorities, and finances to what He wants.
He may want you to give up sleep to spend more time with Him. He may want you to serve those in your household. Because I went to bed a little later than normal I had no intention of getting up early. Yet when eyes opened I thought about Tucker soon getting up for work. He made a comment last night about my not cooking breakfast for him like I've done his whole life. The temptation to roll over and let Tucker fend for himself crossed my mind. Jesus wanted me to get up and serve my son. I cooked him breakfast. Serving others is not always convenient. Next, Jesus wanted me to cook Linda breakfast when she woke up later. He wants us to serve others.
What does Jesus want? He wanted me to take Turner to breakfast to spend a little one on one time with him today. During our conversation I asked what God spoke to Him in his last quiet time. He replied, "To love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." I asked if he could think of anything he loved more than God. He honestly said he could not. That is a priceless conversation I never would have enjoyed with my youngest son had we not had some special time together.
What does Jesus want? He wants us to be available to Him. To obey in the little things as well as the big things. To serve others. [Jn 13:1-16]He wants us to love others. [Matt 37:39] He wants us to forgive others. [Mat 18:21-22] He wants us to love Him supremely. [Matt 22:37-38] He wants us to trust Him. [Mark 11:23-24] He wants us to pray. [Matt 6:5-7] He wants us to go. [Matt 28:19-20] There is so much He wants us to do. Right there in His word.
Is our heart to really obey what Jesus wants? We will be tested from time to time. To give. To sacrifice. To minister when it would be more comfortable to stay at home. To pray when sleep is holding us hostage underneath the covers. To study when vegetating in front of the television requires less focus. May we all seek to live obeying what He wants.
Monday, June 11, 2018
A Thousand Voices
A thousand voices shout inside my head,
They linger nightly when I'm in bed,
Each vying for my undivided attention,
Producing massive chaos and contention,
"Pay attention to me!" one loudly shouts,
Others demand to be heard in sullen pout,
A different one wants his advice heeded,
Still another for my attention he pleaded,
It is too much - stirring up much confusion,
All unwanted an unwelcomed intrusion,
Then I remember sweet words to my soul,
To strengthen, exhort as well as to console,
"Be still and know that I am God," I read,
Holy Words You a long time ago once said,
I cease striving listening for only Your voice,
A thousand voices cease in You I rejoice.
They linger nightly when I'm in bed,
Each vying for my undivided attention,
Producing massive chaos and contention,
"Pay attention to me!" one loudly shouts,
Others demand to be heard in sullen pout,
A different one wants his advice heeded,
Still another for my attention he pleaded,
It is too much - stirring up much confusion,
All unwanted an unwelcomed intrusion,
Then I remember sweet words to my soul,
To strengthen, exhort as well as to console,
"Be still and know that I am God," I read,
Holy Words You a long time ago once said,
I cease striving listening for only Your voice,
A thousand voices cease in You I rejoice.
Four Reminders
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
In these fast changing times this truth is good for us. Four little reminders as we pilgrimage with the Lord. Four things to hold onto to in the prevailing political and socially acceptable winds of our times.
First, be steadfast. That means be settled and permanent. What do you believe? Do you allow the times to dictate what you believe. I see it more and more when people take a stand and get a little backlash from the media and Hollywood for it people start crawfishing. They get intimidated into silence. Now is a time to remain steadfast. One Lord and Savior Jesus. One way to salvation - only through Jesus. One definition of marriage - one man and one woman. Are you settled on these things? There are so many nonnegotiable truths in the scriptures. Will we be settled on those truths even if they defy the mainstream mindset in society? Will the preacher be steadfast in preaching and teaching Bible truth and doctrine no matter what the experts say or the masses want to hear? Will students stand permanently with Jesus refusing to shame His name in low living.
To be steadfast requires conviction. It requires some backbone. It requires standing for a cause greater than yourself. People are standing for all kinds of causes these days. They are all over the news. Some get caught up in the hoopla. Some do it to stir the crowds. Some do it to promote an agenda. How many remain steadfast out of raw conviction? Every follower of Jesus should be such steadfast people.
Secondly, we are to be immovable. If you are a follower of Jesus and part of His church know the opposition is great. Satan himself. All his legions of demons. All his puppets in influential positions in society such as politics, professors, professional athletes, celebrities, judges, lawyers and wealthy lobbyists who pull strings to influence policies. All these forces of evil are against you and the church. How can you ever remain immovable? What does that even mean? It means to remain sedentary. Settled. It means you will not be pushed and bullied around. It means remaining obstinate, stubborn, firmly entrenched and some might even say dogmatic. Nothing is more immovable than Yahweh. Anchor your life to Him. May the church remain anchored to Him. Then we will be immovable.
We live in a society that gives little value to being firmly entrenched and immovable. In a world of constant ideas, to remain dogmatic, is seen as a threat to established cultural norms. Somebody somewhere is always working to get followers of Jesus to conform and compromise. To move an inch. Once that inch is given more will be taken. Actions that were unthinkable fifty years in public are now flaunted openly because the church of God did not remain immovable.
God wants His people to be steadfast and immovable. There is more.
We are also to be always abounding in the work of the Lord. That means to be continually increasing in the work of the Lord. What work? Evangelism. Prayer. Missions. Discipleship. Service. Ministering to the neglected and forgotten. Bible teaching. Bible reading. Bible study. Bible meditation. Bible memory. There is always work to be done for the Lord. Part of my work today includes writing this. I will no more than be done with this one and there will be something else to write. More work to be done.
Finally, we must keep reminding ourselves our work for Jesus is not in vain even if we cannot see the results. That means it is not empty and profitless. Sometimes it can look that way. People do not always get saved when you share the gospel. Prayers are not answered in the way you prayed them. People you pour your life into discipling turn away from Jesus and back to lives of debauchery. The alters remain empty week after week after passionate preaching and importunate prayer. Mission fields are ripe unto harvest but the laborers are few. We cannot give up though. Our labors are noted by the Lord. They are not wasted. We cannot see what He is doing behind the scenes. You be assuredHe is working. [John 5:17]
Maybe you needed those reminders today. Be steadfast. Be immovable. Always abound in the work of the Lord. Remember your labors for Jesus is not in vain.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Another Faith Step
I looked down the road and did not like what I saw. It was a familiar scene I'd seen many times before. Up in front lay another choice. A choice to proceed in faith or the choice to retreat in doubt. I sighed a weary sigh. After decades of taking such steps the thrill sometimes is lost. I know what these faith steps mean. Lots of prayer. Lots of trust. Lots of patience. Lots of perseverance.
Sometimes I wish the road in front of me did not have so many faith steps. I wonder what a normal life would feel like. Then I wake up and realize from a Biblical perspective walking in faith is the normal life.
This faith step will affect more than me. The affects are far reaching. The challenges are massive. There is the opportunity to look like a fool again. The faith steps look more like faith leaps from where I am. Warning signs of impossibilities are posted up ahead to deter me from going any further. If I had a lick of common sense I would just turn back now. It is the logical thing to do. I sense God calling me forward. One faith step after another. Even with the giant faith leap looming I hear Him whisper in my spirit;
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NKJV)
24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
I will go ahead and admit it. I'm tired. Over two decades of faith steps and I'm plum tuckered out. I'm also concerned. Not with God. I know He is faithful. I am concerned with me and my ability to discern His faith steps.
About this time last year I took one such step of faith in Kermi,TXt for a tent revival. Most nights we had less than one dozen people under that tent. I felt called. God provided the financing for all of it. Night after night I sat under that tent humiliated. Nearly two dozen dreams all pointed toward a great revival. I met some wonderful people I treasure to this day in Kermit. As far as revivals go I cannot say we even came close. I left with my faith bruised are than strengthened.
That is not the only time something like that happened. Two attempts to plant churches. Two churches disbanded. One four years after we started and the other six years after we started. I could tell many other stories of faith failures. Truth is I'm fearful of getting God's call wrong. It has happened numerous times causing much hardship. I hope to avoid that again.
As I age I am more cautious. A little more hesitant to follow every whim. More prayerful and discerning. More patient. These are good traits but there still comes the times when God calls me to step out of comfort and security toward uncomfortable and risky steps of trust.
That is what I see down the road. The choice is already made. I have to obey. I have to take another leap believing it is God calling me to do so. I don't know the outcome. I just know another faith step is coming and He who called me holds my fate in His hands.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Sometimes I wish the road in front of me did not have so many faith steps. I wonder what a normal life would feel like. Then I wake up and realize from a Biblical perspective walking in faith is the normal life.
This faith step will affect more than me. The affects are far reaching. The challenges are massive. There is the opportunity to look like a fool again. The faith steps look more like faith leaps from where I am. Warning signs of impossibilities are posted up ahead to deter me from going any further. If I had a lick of common sense I would just turn back now. It is the logical thing to do. I sense God calling me forward. One faith step after another. Even with the giant faith leap looming I hear Him whisper in my spirit;
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NKJV)
24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
I will go ahead and admit it. I'm tired. Over two decades of faith steps and I'm plum tuckered out. I'm also concerned. Not with God. I know He is faithful. I am concerned with me and my ability to discern His faith steps.
About this time last year I took one such step of faith in Kermi,TXt for a tent revival. Most nights we had less than one dozen people under that tent. I felt called. God provided the financing for all of it. Night after night I sat under that tent humiliated. Nearly two dozen dreams all pointed toward a great revival. I met some wonderful people I treasure to this day in Kermit. As far as revivals go I cannot say we even came close. I left with my faith bruised are than strengthened.
That is not the only time something like that happened. Two attempts to plant churches. Two churches disbanded. One four years after we started and the other six years after we started. I could tell many other stories of faith failures. Truth is I'm fearful of getting God's call wrong. It has happened numerous times causing much hardship. I hope to avoid that again.
As I age I am more cautious. A little more hesitant to follow every whim. More prayerful and discerning. More patient. These are good traits but there still comes the times when God calls me to step out of comfort and security toward uncomfortable and risky steps of trust.
That is what I see down the road. The choice is already made. I have to obey. I have to take another leap believing it is God calling me to do so. I don't know the outcome. I just know another faith step is coming and He who called me holds my fate in His hands.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
My Favorite Pastoral Verse For Those Hit Hard By Life
As a pastor I have watched people stagger under heavy blows from time to time. I am thinking of joyful expectant new parents who were dealt the heavy blow of a miscarriage or a still born child. Instead of holding a bundle of joy they buried a little bundle of grief. I am thinking of numerous people I've ministered to dealing with shattered dreams and visions. Failed businesses. Unsuccessful pursuits. I've shared in the sorrows of numbers of people crippled by the heavy blow of grief dealt by the death of a spouse, child or parent. Numerous faces cross my mind. I can see them standing by th casket saying goodbye in tears. Unconsolable. My heart wrenched watching. I've seen the devastating blow of poverty and the hopelessness in people's eyes. Parents who cannot provide for their children swallowing their pride asking for help. Hopeless children knowing they will never have the things the other children take for granted like, clothes, shoes without holes in them and three meals a day. Many times I have sat across the room with a misty eyed wife or husband dealing with the heavy blow of divorce. They do not want it but are powerless to change it. They feel betrayed. Wedding vows shattered along with trust and self esteem. The heavy blow of rejection is a tough one to recover from.
Sometimes the brunt of heavy blows come in such rapid succession the best a person can hope to do is to cover up and just try to keep standing. Survival instincts kick in. Such people just try to hang on and make it through. Two conflicting emotions surface. One, is the hope that things will get better tomorrow. The second, the despair of knowing that things will probably not get any better in the future. In some cases they even get worse.
Week after week I stand before such people who desperately need a word from God. Something to help them through. Something to strengthen them to keep battling, to keep standing and not to throw in the towel. The burdens are real. The pain is pandemic. The sorrows are suffocating. I am supposed to stand before them week after week and say, "This says Jehovah or this says Jesus." It is a huge responsibility.
Then the responsibility is multiplied even more when I consider all the people in the world getting pummeled with heavy blows of persecution, famine, drought, war, cancer and heart disease. I feel the weight this morning. This keyboard and screen are my pulpit for such people worldwide.
What can I teach or preach to help? What can I write to help? If I was the one getting pounded with heavy blows what would I need and want to hear? One verse comes to mind. Over my pastoral ministry I have not quoted and prayed this one verse more than all the others. It my favorite verse to share with suffering people. Maybe God will use it again today in some life.
Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
God. Elohim. Adonai. Jehovah. Omnipotent. Omniscient. Omnipresent. Holy. Sovereign. Wise. Faithful. Trustworthy. Able.
Refuge. Meaning our shelter, hope and trust. When the heavy blows of life hit God is our shelter. Each time alone with Him in the prayer closet, each devotion, each Bible study, each worship service, each sleepless night, each day of despair He is our shelter. He dispenses hope. He has earned the right to be trusted. He is our safe place. He is our hiding place.
Strength. Our power, force and might. Sometimes that comes in physical strength. The energy to keep getting up and to keep trudging through another day. Many times it will come in mental strength and emotional strength. The heavy blows take a toll on the psyche. Fears creep in. Doubts surface. Quitting looks more appealing than enduring. In those times it's the strength of Jehovah to help us press forward that helps us through.
A very present help. Jehovah is at hand, ready and available to you right now. He stands ready to help. To rescue. To deliver. To save. To give aid. Today and everyday. He is always present. In the night watches. In the daylight. In tragedy as well as triumph. He is at hand ready to help.
In trouble. In adversity. In distress. In affliction. In sorrow. In pain. In despair. In stress. In failure. In closed doors. In disease. In divorce. In death. In whatever trouble you can imagine. He is present and ready to help.
Jehovah is there. He is present. He is there to help. Sometimes with a word of comfort. Sometimes with renewed strength. Sometimes with shelter and covering offering a safe place to recover and regroup.
I know this cannot take the heavy blows of life away. Maybe it can provide a little ray of hope in what otherwise is a very dark, dreary and stormy time.
Sometimes the brunt of heavy blows come in such rapid succession the best a person can hope to do is to cover up and just try to keep standing. Survival instincts kick in. Such people just try to hang on and make it through. Two conflicting emotions surface. One, is the hope that things will get better tomorrow. The second, the despair of knowing that things will probably not get any better in the future. In some cases they even get worse.
Week after week I stand before such people who desperately need a word from God. Something to help them through. Something to strengthen them to keep battling, to keep standing and not to throw in the towel. The burdens are real. The pain is pandemic. The sorrows are suffocating. I am supposed to stand before them week after week and say, "This says Jehovah or this says Jesus." It is a huge responsibility.
Then the responsibility is multiplied even more when I consider all the people in the world getting pummeled with heavy blows of persecution, famine, drought, war, cancer and heart disease. I feel the weight this morning. This keyboard and screen are my pulpit for such people worldwide.
What can I teach or preach to help? What can I write to help? If I was the one getting pounded with heavy blows what would I need and want to hear? One verse comes to mind. Over my pastoral ministry I have not quoted and prayed this one verse more than all the others. It my favorite verse to share with suffering people. Maybe God will use it again today in some life.
Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
God. Elohim. Adonai. Jehovah. Omnipotent. Omniscient. Omnipresent. Holy. Sovereign. Wise. Faithful. Trustworthy. Able.
Refuge. Meaning our shelter, hope and trust. When the heavy blows of life hit God is our shelter. Each time alone with Him in the prayer closet, each devotion, each Bible study, each worship service, each sleepless night, each day of despair He is our shelter. He dispenses hope. He has earned the right to be trusted. He is our safe place. He is our hiding place.
Strength. Our power, force and might. Sometimes that comes in physical strength. The energy to keep getting up and to keep trudging through another day. Many times it will come in mental strength and emotional strength. The heavy blows take a toll on the psyche. Fears creep in. Doubts surface. Quitting looks more appealing than enduring. In those times it's the strength of Jehovah to help us press forward that helps us through.
A very present help. Jehovah is at hand, ready and available to you right now. He stands ready to help. To rescue. To deliver. To save. To give aid. Today and everyday. He is always present. In the night watches. In the daylight. In tragedy as well as triumph. He is at hand ready to help.
In trouble. In adversity. In distress. In affliction. In sorrow. In pain. In despair. In stress. In failure. In closed doors. In disease. In divorce. In death. In whatever trouble you can imagine. He is present and ready to help.
Jehovah is there. He is present. He is there to help. Sometimes with a word of comfort. Sometimes with renewed strength. Sometimes with shelter and covering offering a safe place to recover and regroup.
I know this cannot take the heavy blows of life away. Maybe it can provide a little ray of hope in what otherwise is a very dark, dreary and stormy time.
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Attack The Hill
Runaway Bay is a hilly community. No matter which direction you walk, jog, bicycle or drive you are sure to encounter a series of hills. Driving up a hill is no big deal. To walk, jog or bicycle up a hill requires much more effort.
Many times at the end of a walk or ride I faced another hill. There have been times when I stood at the bottom looking at the long uphill climb before me. Somedays I sighed and wished I'd taken a different route. I dreaded every step or push of the pedals. On those days the hills are higher, steeper and more difficult.
On other days I have a different mentality. I choose to attack the hill. On those days I embrace the challenge pressing forward. I welcome the uphill climb. When I adopt this mindset I often lose myself in thought and have actually reached the top unaware. The climb seemed manageable in hindsight largely based on my attitude going into it.
Life is filled with challenges. There are hills everywhere. Hills in marriage. Hills in parenting. Hills at work. Hills in retirement. Health hills. Financial hills. Relational hills. Church hills.
Many people will stand at the bottom feeling sorry for themselves. Or they complain to everyone who will listen. They bemoan the challenges before them. Some pout. Others will group together to cry on each other's shoulders. All that energy exerted and not one step is taken to reach the top.
I do not know many hills greater than the death of a spouse. I recently met such a widow enduring that hill. What I learned about her inspired me. She is a women's Bible study teacher and one of the most respected women in her church. She is continually looking for other opportunities to volunteer to help others She attacked the hill of widowhood. I am sure along the way she has encouraged many others facing the same hill.
There will always be hills in our lives. We must learn to attack the work project, attack the household chores, attack the health issues, attack the studies, attack setbacks and by all means attack the hills. God uses hills to teach us perseverance. If we need anything in this life we need persevering faith. It is a hilly journey from birth to the grave.
What did Jesus do when He faced the hill of Calvary? He resolved to go there. He submitted to the will of the Father. He attacked the cross.
Hebrews 12:2-3 (ESV)
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Jesus attacked the cross joyfully. He endured. He sets the example so we will not grow weary and fainthearted.
I don't know what hills you see in front of you. I exhort you to attack it like Jesus attacked the cross. I hope Jesus will inspire you not to give up but to press on to the finish. Along the way you might just find your hill seems shorter and flatter than you first imagined.
Many times at the end of a walk or ride I faced another hill. There have been times when I stood at the bottom looking at the long uphill climb before me. Somedays I sighed and wished I'd taken a different route. I dreaded every step or push of the pedals. On those days the hills are higher, steeper and more difficult.
On other days I have a different mentality. I choose to attack the hill. On those days I embrace the challenge pressing forward. I welcome the uphill climb. When I adopt this mindset I often lose myself in thought and have actually reached the top unaware. The climb seemed manageable in hindsight largely based on my attitude going into it.
Life is filled with challenges. There are hills everywhere. Hills in marriage. Hills in parenting. Hills at work. Hills in retirement. Health hills. Financial hills. Relational hills. Church hills.
Many people will stand at the bottom feeling sorry for themselves. Or they complain to everyone who will listen. They bemoan the challenges before them. Some pout. Others will group together to cry on each other's shoulders. All that energy exerted and not one step is taken to reach the top.
I do not know many hills greater than the death of a spouse. I recently met such a widow enduring that hill. What I learned about her inspired me. She is a women's Bible study teacher and one of the most respected women in her church. She is continually looking for other opportunities to volunteer to help others She attacked the hill of widowhood. I am sure along the way she has encouraged many others facing the same hill.
There will always be hills in our lives. We must learn to attack the work project, attack the household chores, attack the health issues, attack the studies, attack setbacks and by all means attack the hills. God uses hills to teach us perseverance. If we need anything in this life we need persevering faith. It is a hilly journey from birth to the grave.
What did Jesus do when He faced the hill of Calvary? He resolved to go there. He submitted to the will of the Father. He attacked the cross.
Hebrews 12:2-3 (ESV)
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Jesus attacked the cross joyfully. He endured. He sets the example so we will not grow weary and fainthearted.
I don't know what hills you see in front of you. I exhort you to attack it like Jesus attacked the cross. I hope Jesus will inspire you not to give up but to press on to the finish. Along the way you might just find your hill seems shorter and flatter than you first imagined.
Never Ever Late
I asked You for help and You said, "wait,"
I said, "Hurry up Lord for You are late."
You replied, " I am always right on time,"
I said, "Your timing is different than mine."
O, how I hate the long waiting seasons,
When I can not fully discern the reasons,
When days turn into weeks of long delay,
When I feel forsaken, abandoned, betrayed,
I've whined, moaned, murmured, complained,
Through it all You have faithfully sustained,
Impatiently I demanded immediate action,
In repentance I had to offer my retractions,
Through it all You simply demanded I wait,
For Your designed, appointed, ordained date,
I wanted it now not trusting Your perfect plan,
To see mountains moved by Your mighty hand,
I wanted my plans to be fulfilled and blessed,
While Your ways I so often second guessed,
Now I see "wait" is for faith building and testing,
Waiting is for learning and long seasons of resting,
Waiting is for growth that comes no other way,
Waiting is Your plan until the appointed day,
I wait, no longer reluctantly but in submission,
Knowing You're omniscient my honest admission,
No matter how long You choose for me to wait,
I choose today to believe You are never ever late.
I said, "Hurry up Lord for You are late."
You replied, " I am always right on time,"
I said, "Your timing is different than mine."
O, how I hate the long waiting seasons,
When I can not fully discern the reasons,
When days turn into weeks of long delay,
When I feel forsaken, abandoned, betrayed,
I've whined, moaned, murmured, complained,
Through it all You have faithfully sustained,
Impatiently I demanded immediate action,
In repentance I had to offer my retractions,
Through it all You simply demanded I wait,
For Your designed, appointed, ordained date,
I wanted it now not trusting Your perfect plan,
To see mountains moved by Your mighty hand,
I wanted my plans to be fulfilled and blessed,
While Your ways I so often second guessed,
Now I see "wait" is for faith building and testing,
Waiting is for learning and long seasons of resting,
Waiting is for growth that comes no other way,
Waiting is Your plan until the appointed day,
I wait, no longer reluctantly but in submission,
Knowing You're omniscient my honest admission,
No matter how long You choose for me to wait,
I choose today to believe You are never ever late.
How Did Paul Know What To Do Next
Acts 9:1-6 (Phillips NT)
1 But Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the High Priest and begged him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the Way, whether men or women, he could bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners.
Acts 9:3 (Phillips NT)
3 But on his journey, as he neared Damascus, a light from Heaven suddenly blazed around him, and he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice speaking to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
Acts 9:5-7 (Phillips NT)
5 "Who are you, Lord?" he asked.
6 "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting," was the reply. "But now stand up and go into the city and there you will be told what you must do."
7 His companions on the journey stood there speechless, for they had heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. There he remained sightless for three days, and during that time he had nothing either to eat or drink.
1 But Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the High Priest and begged him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the Way, whether men or women, he could bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners.
Acts 9:3 (Phillips NT)
3 But on his journey, as he neared Damascus, a light from Heaven suddenly blazed around him, and he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice speaking to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
Acts 9:5-7 (Phillips NT)
5 "Who are you, Lord?" he asked.
6 "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting," was the reply. "But now stand up and go into the city and there you will be told what you must do."
7 His companions on the journey stood there speechless, for they had heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. There he remained sightless for three days, and during that time he had nothing either to eat or drink.
Saul had a mission. Terrorize and brutalize Christians into silence and extinction. He headed for Damascus not knowing the encounter he would have with Jesus on the way. You can read the story. In an amazing encounter on the road Paul met Jesus. A pivotal moment in history. Suddenly everything in Saul's world turned upside down. He had a new purpose. A new mission though he did not know it yet.
When Saul arose from the ground he could not see. He planned to persecute Christians in Damascus before his encounter with Jesus. Now, what was he supposed to do? Jesus gave very few instructions, "But now stand up and go into the city and there you will be told what you must do."
No further details were given. Just stand up. Go to the city. Wait for further instructions.
I wonder how many of you are in a similar spot. You find yourself in a place of seeking Jesus for direction. He gives some vague instructions and you are in a waiting period. Waiting for further insight, revelation, guidance and clarity. Waiting for the next steps. This can be a difficult period.
God often requires His children to wait on Him. He uses waiting periods to prepare us, mold us and test us. In waiting periods our faith is tested. Our obedience is tested. Our patience is tested. Saul a zealous Pharisee had to be led by the hand to Damascus. This must have been a blow to his pride. When he arrived he sat in darkness because of the loss of his vision. He waited. He also prayed. [Acts 9:11] Waiting and praying. This lasted for three days. In this time he fasted and prayed. He also waited. Waited for God to shed further light. Waited to see if he would ever regain is sight.
From Saul's perspective it probably looked like Jesus had forgotten Him after that encounter on the Damascus road. Saul did all he knew to do at the time. He went into Damascus like Jesus commanded and waited for further instructions. For three days he did not receive further instructions.
Then, unknown to Saul, in another part of town Jesus worked. He spoke through a vision to a disciple named Ananias. He told him to go to a certain place to find a man named Saul. Ananias also received a special message for Saul with clear instructions. Ananias feared to deliver such a message knowing Saul's reputation. He went in faith.
At the right time Ananias showed up with a message. He also prayed for Saul and his sight was restored. What was that message?
Acts 9:15 (Phillips NT)
15 But the Lord said to him, "Go on your way, for this man is my chosen instrument to bear my name before the Gentiles and their kings, as well as to the sons of Israel. Indeed, I myself will show him what he must suffer for the sake of my name."
Saul was a chosen instrument for Jesus. Saul's mission was to take the name of Jesus to both the Gentiles and the Jews. He was also appointed to stand before Kings to proclaim Jesus which he did before Agrippa. The last part of the message would have caused me to shudder. He was told he would suffer for the name of Jesus. Did Paul ever suffer.
What a dramatic story. If you are in the place of waiting like Saul did in Damascus for Jesus to show you the next steps you are supposed to take here are a few words to consider.
1. Patiently wait on Him. Jesus's timing is right. Trust Him no matter how long you have to wait. [Ps 27:14]
2. Pray and fast. Keep seeking Him for clarity. Trust He will reveal it when He is ready. [Mark 9:29]
3. When Jesus reveals the next steps, obey by faith. We know Paul kept this new mission. He did not waver. He testified about this in [Acts 20:24]
These are things to do when you do not not know what Jesus wants you to do next. He will give direction when He is ready. You keep ready to receive those instructions and then follow through.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
The Greatest Generation
They crafted an ambitious plan. An invasion to be remembered 74 years later. To send troops across the English Channel by boat and plane to invade Nazi troops in France. On June 5th General Dwight Eisenhower, who commanded the Allied Forces, gave the thumbs up to start the invasion. Boat motors revved, plane propellers twirled and troops boarded. Thousands of troops. Some just boys. They had marching orders. Confront evil and defeat it.
6,000 landing crafts and ships raced toward the enemy carrying 176,000 troops. On top of that hundreds pf planes dropped off some 18,000 parachuters into the night with another 3,000 aircraft providing air assault. It was the largest amphibious invasion ever.
I think about those men boarding the boats and slipping on parachutes before loading into planes knowing they were headed right into danger and hostility. They also understood the stakes. Freedom. Bullies like Adolph Hitler had to be confronted. So bravely they embraced their duty knowing some would never return again.
The ride over the channel must have been long and short at the same time. Long in length of time to reflect, to pray, to prepare mentally for what lay ahead. Short in that the ramps lowered all too soon to storm the beaches of Normandy. Surrounded by buzzing bullets and bomb shells those ramps lowered. Some only made a few steps before getting wounded or killed. Those storming Omaha Beach got the worst of it. 2,000 soldiers died on that beach June 6, 1944. Before the day ended around 9,000 Allied soldiers died in the cause of freedom.
Some 18,000 brave soldiers jumped out of the safety of their planes to parachute into hostile territory. Floating down must have been both peaceful and terrifying at the same time. Peaceful in the slow drifting descent downward. Terrifying in seeing the gunfire and skirmishes below. Some were shot and killed before ever hitting the ground. Those brave soldiers jumped to their death. Still they jumped.
The waters off the coast of Normandy turned red with blood that day. Lives were lost. Limbs were severed. Gruesome injuries occurred from enemy gun fire and mortar shells. In the middle of that chaos and carnage brave soldiers pushed forward. At great sacrifice they refused to retreat even when comrades fell all around them. They had a mission. A cause to fight for greater than themselves. A duty to fulfill.
Historians often refer to these soldiers as the Greatest Generation. June 6, 1944 is a day that should never be forgotten. I'm humbled that my grandfather fought in that war so that I could enjoy my freedom. To sit in this office and write this came at a price. I am not censured. Later tonight I will enjoy worship and teach God's words to a small band of believers. We will gather without fear of being discovered. Just the opposite. We advertise openly that we will gather for study of the word of God without fear of harm. I enjoy this freedom because my Papaw and many others like him fought. They invaded. The confronted evil.
I cannot fully comprehend the sufferings and sacrifices made during WWII. They stood bravely and today we enjoy freedom. Saying, "Thank you!" is not enough.
It has me wondering. What if God's people got seriously minded and decided to invade enemy territory to take it back? What if the church grew tired of religious gatherings and hungered for kingdom impact in their communities? What if the church prayed, planned and executed a God ordained invasion of darkness?
Where would it start? In the prayer closet. With millions of believers interceding. Dropping prayer missiles on strategic targets in the kingdom of darkness. Prayer bombs breaking up bunkers, softening enemy strongholds and weakening hostile defenses.
Next, would come an invasion. An intentional invasion of gospel saturated and Holy Ghost anointed men, women and students invading dark places to speak the name of Jesus boldly. To walk the streets, to share the gospel, to minister to physical needs as well as spiritual needs. to intentionally uproot and move to areas where Jesus is needed. If the people of God would adopt the same mentality as the disciples in Acts 4 soeaking the name of Jesus boldly how would God honor and bless those efforts?
What if the church really turned their gaze outside the walls to identify real needs in the community? What if they gathered resources to meet those needs? What if the followers of Jesus gave their money and time to serve? What would God do? What kind of transformation would take place?
If we in this generation were part of a spiritual D Day would historians remember us as a generation that God used to turn the morale tide of a society like He did with John and Charles Wesley? Could our lives have a similar impact as that of William and Catherine Booth who founded the Salvation Army? Might God be pleased to bless the prayer labors of some today as He did with Evan Roberts for the nation of Wales in the early 1900's? Might God once again use His servants to invade the darkness like He has used Jim and Carrol Cymbala in Brooklyn, New York?
We need another Great Generation. Only this time we need spiritually great people to be unfettered to fear in the face of our evil and wicked times. I recently saw a survey where 65% of the population will never darken the doors of our religious buildings under any circumstances. If those will not come to us we are commanded to go to them. May God raise a spiritual D Day all over the land with resolved and anointed people sent on mission for Him.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
19 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,
20 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.
Mark 16:15 (NKJV)
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
6,000 landing crafts and ships raced toward the enemy carrying 176,000 troops. On top of that hundreds pf planes dropped off some 18,000 parachuters into the night with another 3,000 aircraft providing air assault. It was the largest amphibious invasion ever.
I think about those men boarding the boats and slipping on parachutes before loading into planes knowing they were headed right into danger and hostility. They also understood the stakes. Freedom. Bullies like Adolph Hitler had to be confronted. So bravely they embraced their duty knowing some would never return again.
The ride over the channel must have been long and short at the same time. Long in length of time to reflect, to pray, to prepare mentally for what lay ahead. Short in that the ramps lowered all too soon to storm the beaches of Normandy. Surrounded by buzzing bullets and bomb shells those ramps lowered. Some only made a few steps before getting wounded or killed. Those storming Omaha Beach got the worst of it. 2,000 soldiers died on that beach June 6, 1944. Before the day ended around 9,000 Allied soldiers died in the cause of freedom.
The waters off the coast of Normandy turned red with blood that day. Lives were lost. Limbs were severed. Gruesome injuries occurred from enemy gun fire and mortar shells. In the middle of that chaos and carnage brave soldiers pushed forward. At great sacrifice they refused to retreat even when comrades fell all around them. They had a mission. A cause to fight for greater than themselves. A duty to fulfill.
Historians often refer to these soldiers as the Greatest Generation. June 6, 1944 is a day that should never be forgotten. I'm humbled that my grandfather fought in that war so that I could enjoy my freedom. To sit in this office and write this came at a price. I am not censured. Later tonight I will enjoy worship and teach God's words to a small band of believers. We will gather without fear of being discovered. Just the opposite. We advertise openly that we will gather for study of the word of God without fear of harm. I enjoy this freedom because my Papaw and many others like him fought. They invaded. The confronted evil.
I cannot fully comprehend the sufferings and sacrifices made during WWII. They stood bravely and today we enjoy freedom. Saying, "Thank you!" is not enough.
It has me wondering. What if God's people got seriously minded and decided to invade enemy territory to take it back? What if the church grew tired of religious gatherings and hungered for kingdom impact in their communities? What if the church prayed, planned and executed a God ordained invasion of darkness?
Where would it start? In the prayer closet. With millions of believers interceding. Dropping prayer missiles on strategic targets in the kingdom of darkness. Prayer bombs breaking up bunkers, softening enemy strongholds and weakening hostile defenses.
Next, would come an invasion. An intentional invasion of gospel saturated and Holy Ghost anointed men, women and students invading dark places to speak the name of Jesus boldly. To walk the streets, to share the gospel, to minister to physical needs as well as spiritual needs. to intentionally uproot and move to areas where Jesus is needed. If the people of God would adopt the same mentality as the disciples in Acts 4 soeaking the name of Jesus boldly how would God honor and bless those efforts?
What if the church really turned their gaze outside the walls to identify real needs in the community? What if they gathered resources to meet those needs? What if the followers of Jesus gave their money and time to serve? What would God do? What kind of transformation would take place?
If we in this generation were part of a spiritual D Day would historians remember us as a generation that God used to turn the morale tide of a society like He did with John and Charles Wesley? Could our lives have a similar impact as that of William and Catherine Booth who founded the Salvation Army? Might God be pleased to bless the prayer labors of some today as He did with Evan Roberts for the nation of Wales in the early 1900's? Might God once again use His servants to invade the darkness like He has used Jim and Carrol Cymbala in Brooklyn, New York?
We need another Great Generation. Only this time we need spiritually great people to be unfettered to fear in the face of our evil and wicked times. I recently saw a survey where 65% of the population will never darken the doors of our religious buildings under any circumstances. If those will not come to us we are commanded to go to them. May God raise a spiritual D Day all over the land with resolved and anointed people sent on mission for Him.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
19 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,
20 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.
Mark 16:15 (NKJV)
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Crossroads
I traveled down a long dirt road not knowing where it would end. My GPS did not work. I had no cell coverage. I traveled alone and therefore had no companion to show me the way. There were no houses or other travelers down that country lane. I kept driving thinking sooner or later I would run into something or someone that could help me find my way.
After a long drive I eventually came to a crossroads. The road dead ended at the crossroads. I sat there in the middle of nowhere. Alone. Lost. Confused as to which turn to take. As far as the eye could see I saw nothing before me. Nothing. No houses. No towns. No signs of life. In neither direction could I see anything but a long narrow dirt road disappearing behind hills. Just an empty road. A dusty dirt lane in both directions. Which way to go? Which turn to take? One would take me to my intended destination. The other would lead me further away from my destination.
Eventually I stepped out onto the road. I inched toward the intersection trying to figure out which way to go. I looked long in both directions. Helplessly I looked at my cell phone but had no cell tower coverage. I bowed my head in prayer asking for help. "Lord, which way do I turn? I don't know the way. Which way do I go?"
I had no roadmap. Just a crossroad. A choice. Turn to the left. Turn to the right. I could not stay there forever. I had to make a decision. I didn't want to make the wrong turn and end up who knows where off the beaten path.
"Lord, which way do I turn? I don't know the way. Which way do I go?" I received this response. "This is the way." Into my mind came an impression. It appeared to me I knew which way to turn. Just a pressing thought. I returned and turned to the right. I ended up at my intended destination.
Some would argue no matter which way I chose I had a 50/50 chance of getting it right. This is true. I also had a 50/50 chance of getting it wrong. God answered my prayer. Not in an audible voice. Really He used a scripture like He does so many times. The scripture made an impression. By faith I went with the impression. I turned to the right in a turn of faith.
Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)
21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.
God knows the way. At every crossroads for all of us. He knows the way. In the crossroads of life it is best to lean on Him for which way to go.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
He knows best. He knows which way we need to turn. May we learn to wait on Him in life's decisions so we always turn in His direction.
After a long drive I eventually came to a crossroads. The road dead ended at the crossroads. I sat there in the middle of nowhere. Alone. Lost. Confused as to which turn to take. As far as the eye could see I saw nothing before me. Nothing. No houses. No towns. No signs of life. In neither direction could I see anything but a long narrow dirt road disappearing behind hills. Just an empty road. A dusty dirt lane in both directions. Which way to go? Which turn to take? One would take me to my intended destination. The other would lead me further away from my destination.
Eventually I stepped out onto the road. I inched toward the intersection trying to figure out which way to go. I looked long in both directions. Helplessly I looked at my cell phone but had no cell tower coverage. I bowed my head in prayer asking for help. "Lord, which way do I turn? I don't know the way. Which way do I go?"
I had no roadmap. Just a crossroad. A choice. Turn to the left. Turn to the right. I could not stay there forever. I had to make a decision. I didn't want to make the wrong turn and end up who knows where off the beaten path.
"Lord, which way do I turn? I don't know the way. Which way do I go?" I received this response. "This is the way." Into my mind came an impression. It appeared to me I knew which way to turn. Just a pressing thought. I returned and turned to the right. I ended up at my intended destination.
Some would argue no matter which way I chose I had a 50/50 chance of getting it right. This is true. I also had a 50/50 chance of getting it wrong. God answered my prayer. Not in an audible voice. Really He used a scripture like He does so many times. The scripture made an impression. By faith I went with the impression. I turned to the right in a turn of faith.
Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)
21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.
God knows the way. At every crossroads for all of us. He knows the way. In the crossroads of life it is best to lean on Him for which way to go.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
He knows best. He knows which way we need to turn. May we learn to wait on Him in life's decisions so we always turn in His direction.
I Come
I come late in the midst of night sounds,
To the secret place where You are found,
To pour out my soul like water from glass,
I come to lay all my burdens down in mass,
Outside it's still dark there is no light of day,
Mirroring my heart filled with much dismay,
I come to find peace a safe place of refuge,
Trials like rain come in a torrential deluge,
I come for strength to continue the journey,
Wounded like a solder carried on a gurney,
In the quiet You are here, You've come too,
To encounter me secretly to lovingly renew,
To take from my weary shoulders my cares,
To rekindle faith and hope in fervent prayer,
You come to help in this my time of need,
To comfort me with words of truth I read,
I come to You for You're my hope and peace,
To be still before You all my strivings to cease,
I wait on You in this quiet place - sacred hour,
To meet with You and be refilled with power.
To the secret place where You are found,
To pour out my soul like water from glass,
I come to lay all my burdens down in mass,
Outside it's still dark there is no light of day,
Mirroring my heart filled with much dismay,
I come to find peace a safe place of refuge,
Trials like rain come in a torrential deluge,
I come for strength to continue the journey,
Wounded like a solder carried on a gurney,
In the quiet You are here, You've come too,
To encounter me secretly to lovingly renew,
To take from my weary shoulders my cares,
To rekindle faith and hope in fervent prayer,
You come to help in this my time of need,
To comfort me with words of truth I read,
I come to You for You're my hope and peace,
To be still before You all my strivings to cease,
I wait on You in this quiet place - sacred hour,
To meet with You and be refilled with power.
Friday, June 1, 2018
A Morning Prayer
Jesus,
I ask You to press Your heart to our hearts. I ask You to stoop down to all of us and press Your heart against our hearts until it changes us. Until it makes us more like You. We will never get there on our own. We need Your touch.
Our hearts are distracted. Temptations and sin abound. Satan entices and sin lurks around the corner. Our flesh often wants to rebel against You. So I ask You to press Your heart to ours until Your holiness consumes the dark nooks and crannies we often leave unswept inside. I ask Your heart to consume our hearts in a desire for righteous living.
Pressing Your heart against ours I ask You to give us Your love. Not just love for the pretty and popular people. I ask You to give us Your love for all people. Black, brown and white. Rich and poor. Successful and those down on their luck. Pure complexioned as well as the pimpled faced. The athletic as well as the academician. Sinners and saints.
I ask You to press against us so firmly Your love overwhelms our hearts. May this result in hearts of compassion instead of hearts ready to condemn. May we be moved with pity and grace like You were seeing the multitudes. May Your heart of love fill us to the brim with love for the homesteader as well as the homeless. May our love be sincere for others. May our love be consistent. May our love reflect Your love for people.
Jesus, only You can transform our hearts. Only You can press so hard against our hearts that Your heart rubs off on all of us. In so doing may we treat people with grace and stand ready to forgive just as you lavished grace on us and forgave us.
I pray Your heart would move us to love with WORDS and DEEDS. May our love be communicated as much through actions as with endless teaching and lectures. May we roll our sleeves up and get dirty in serving others instead of sitting in positions of honor waiting to be served. I ask You to press Your servant heart on us.
All this for the glory of Your name and the furtherance of Your Kingdom. Amen.
I ask You to press Your heart to our hearts. I ask You to stoop down to all of us and press Your heart against our hearts until it changes us. Until it makes us more like You. We will never get there on our own. We need Your touch.
Our hearts are distracted. Temptations and sin abound. Satan entices and sin lurks around the corner. Our flesh often wants to rebel against You. So I ask You to press Your heart to ours until Your holiness consumes the dark nooks and crannies we often leave unswept inside. I ask Your heart to consume our hearts in a desire for righteous living.
Pressing Your heart against ours I ask You to give us Your love. Not just love for the pretty and popular people. I ask You to give us Your love for all people. Black, brown and white. Rich and poor. Successful and those down on their luck. Pure complexioned as well as the pimpled faced. The athletic as well as the academician. Sinners and saints.
I ask You to press against us so firmly Your love overwhelms our hearts. May this result in hearts of compassion instead of hearts ready to condemn. May we be moved with pity and grace like You were seeing the multitudes. May Your heart of love fill us to the brim with love for the homesteader as well as the homeless. May our love be sincere for others. May our love be consistent. May our love reflect Your love for people.
Jesus, only You can transform our hearts. Only You can press so hard against our hearts that Your heart rubs off on all of us. In so doing may we treat people with grace and stand ready to forgive just as you lavished grace on us and forgave us.
I pray Your heart would move us to love with WORDS and DEEDS. May our love be communicated as much through actions as with endless teaching and lectures. May we roll our sleeves up and get dirty in serving others instead of sitting in positions of honor waiting to be served. I ask You to press Your servant heart on us.
All this for the glory of Your name and the furtherance of Your Kingdom. Amen.
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