The Cost of Following

 There has always been a cost to following God. To listen and obey Him may require sacrifice and discomfort. God's ultimate purpose is not to make us comfortable. We easily forget that in our comfort driven culture. To live in compliance with God will most assuredly put you at odds with culture. This is nothing new. It will cost. you personally and those around you. 

One of the questions I ask people to initiate a gospel conversation is, "Are you a follower of Jesus?" This is so much deeper than asking if a person is a Christian or if they believe in God. Jesus followers live with a different set of priorities. They have different standards. They live like soldiers waiting to hear marching orders from their Commander and Chief Jesus. He dictates the plans. He issues the orders. Our job is to listen, trust, and obey. 

Think of soldiers and sailors being deployed on some mission. They are required to leave parents, spouses, children, and friends behind to carry out the mission. I am thinking of those brave soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy. They knew they were headed for dangerous trouble. Some barely made it off the landing the crafts before being gunned down. Those who survived still courageously pressed onto the beachhead under heavy enemy fire. 

Christ followers must live with the same mentality. We must listen to the Master and execute the plans He charges to His people. All the while we must calculate the cost of following. Make no mistake. There is a cost if a person takes following Jesus seriously. Such people may be required to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of the Savior. Some shrink back at such a high price refusing to surrender. 

Are you a surrendered soldier yielded to the wishes of the Savior? Are there places where you intentionally hold back and rebel against the Lord? It is comfortable to sit in the pews week after week, month after month, and year after year always hearing but never doing. To live surrendered laid on God's altar is the biblical mandate. [Rom 12:1] We offer our entire lives as a living sacrifice. Jesus has the right and authority to help Himself to our lives anytime He wants. He can interrupt our lives, redirect our plans, reroute our future and not one time does He ever have to ask our permission. This is way too much for some church members. It is a cost they are unwilling to pay. 

The ultimate cost for following Jesus may mean martyrdom. Many gallons of blood have been spilled over the centuries for following Jesus to the hard places to do hard things. For most people the cost of following may simply be inconveniences, time sensitive commitments, and sharing of resources. Those are still costs some are unwilling to pay. 

To follow Jesus may mean you are misunderstood. Some may question unorthodox decisions, risky leaps of faith, and throwing caution to the wind to obey the call of the Master. Many are hated for doing these things. Families have been fractured in the cost of following. Hardships have been endured. Here is the truth. Jesus paid the highest price to redeem us. He suffered. He was abandoned by His followers. He endured excruciating pain of the cross for the sake of reconciling lost people to His holy Father. What cost is too great for us to pay in light of what He suffered for us? Nothing. We are to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. [Matt 16:24] We are to count our lives not dear to ourselves so that we might follow His calling and finish the ministry to testify of His salvation. [Acts 20:24] We are to live crucified to the old life and live yielded to Him living in  and through us. [Gal 2:20] The reward of such following will outweigh the costs and sacrifices in eternity. 

Transition

 The word transition can be defined as the process of changing from one state or period to another. That is exactly where Brenda and I find ourselves. After five and a half years serving the flock of Spring Creek Baptist Church we are in transition to the Panhandle of Texas to start a new ministry at First Southern Baptist Church of Fritch, TX. This is not a position we sought. The church came after us after a friend sent my resume there without my knowledge about a year ago. 

It is tough saying goodbye to people you love and have served for over half a decade. We battled COVID together, saw many come and go, watched God provide to renovate our education facility, and provide a playground for children. We saw God add Pinnacle Christian School to our facilities and have mutually benefited from each other. We saw God start a thriving skatepark ministry outreach as well as one to a local substance abuse detox center we have showed up for the past few years each Sunday afternoon to proclaim Jesus to people from all over the United States. God has saved many. So many wonderful memories. 

Now we begin the last two weeks of our ministry at Spring Creek and in Weatherford, TX. Fritch and Weatherford could not be anymore different. Weatherford is a booming town with exploding population growth nestled up close to Fort Worth. Fritch is a small town of 1,800 people located about 40 miles north of Amarillo. It is closer to Colorado from Fritch than to Dallas/Fort Worth. Fritch was one of the towns scorched by the wild fires in the Panhandle over a year ago. 

It is never easy to say goodbye to people you love. The call of God on my life is to follow where He leads. It is evident that He is leading Brenda and I to the top of Texas. It is one big step of faith after another. We have no house to move to as of yet. Brenda has no job. We may actually start our ministry in Fritch living in a one room efficiency apartment in a town about half an hour from Fritch. There are more unknowns than knowns at this point. My salary from the church will be less than the salary generously provided from Spring Creek. The call of God trumps all of that. We go where God calls and never even discuss salary with churches we have served up front. That has never mattered. The call of God is the only thing that matters. 

So our days are busy with transitioning from life here to the unknown life ahead. We are leaving a son and daughter in law behind, Brenda's mother, two sisters, and their families all because we believe God heard the people of Fritch like He heard the man from Macedonia pleading for help to be sent. We are the answer to that prayer for Fritch. I hurt for Spring Creek. We love these people. It is not easy to leave them, but we believe God loves them more and will show His faithfulness to them. 

I know how Abraham must have felt when God called him to leave his country and family and yet he did not know exactly where he is going. [Gen 12:1-2] The transition would be easier if we had a home to move to instead of a temporary dwelling. God knows. We trust Him and are thankful for His provision of the efficiency apartment until we are able to secure permanent housing in Fritch. We trust God will do something amazing because He rewards those who live by faith. [Heb 11:6]. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. [Heb 11:1] By faith we believe He has a home for us in the Panhandle. We wait and watch to see what God does next in our transition. 

Obeying the Call

 God's call on Abraham's life was unusual. He was called to follow God to an unknown destination. We learn in [Heb 11:8] that he went out not knowing where he was going. He was called to leave family and everything familiar even though he did not know the intended destination. He would have to follow God every single day in order to get to God's mysteriously unknown final destination. 

It was a step of faith. Abraham obeyed God's call by belief in the call. God called him to go and he packed up and went. I can relate. Abraham obeyed even though he did not have all the details spelled out. That did not keep him from responding in faith. God's call trumped all the questions. 

Can you imagine Abraham trying to explain to his family what he sensed God wanted him to do. I am sure there were raised eyebrows. I am certain well meaning loved ones tried to talk him out of such a foolish venture. Abraham heard God. The call was clear. He resolved to follow through no matter what the outcome would be. He was abandoned to the will and call of God. 

Not everyone who sits in a church pew is abandoned to the will and call of God. Some have their heels dug in singing, "We shall not be moved." That is not my approach. I lived the past twenty-five years surrendered to God and His call. I confess there were some times I got it totally wrong. There were other times it did not make sense. Even a few times when people tried to talk me out of obedience by faith. They thought it foolish. God came through each time. 

To live surrendered to God's call means living with no will of your own. It means following God even when you do not understand. It means doing things that do not make sense to the casual observer. When God puts a call on your life it would be foolish not to obey. Can anyone say Jonah? 

The call of God can be so strong and irresistible that caution is thrown to the wind as people submit and obey. Remember this. God's call seldom leads to comfort. He leads us out of our comfort zones and pushes us to risky ventures. Remember David and Goliath [I Samuel 17] or Jonathan and his armor bearer attacking enemy troops just the two of them [I Samuel 14] or even Paul taking the gospel to hostile territories [Acts 14]. 

How do we know when God is calling? I heard the following in a sermon the other day. I thought it worth repeating here. 

G- Glory - if you obey the call of God will He get glory from your obedience?

O - Others - what are others counseling and affirming about your perceived call?

S - Scripture - can your call be backed up with scripture?

P - Prayer - have you bathed the call in prayer and have God's peace?

E - Evangelism - if you obey God's call will it lead to other people getting saved?

L - Lifestyle - will your lifestyle be in keeping with Christian character and conduct if you obey the call?

The Rabbit Foot

 People all over the world believe in good luck charms. One of those is a rabbit foot. I do not know how that originated. Good luck charms are certainly not what is on my mind this morning. I have a far different tale to share with you. One that in all my years of walking with God I have never seen before. His creativity and ability do not cease to amaze me. Let me tell you what happened to me yesterday. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays are pretty busy up here at Spring Creek when Pinnacle Christian School is in session. They use our facility. About 125 students and dozens of teachers descend on this place. A couple of years ago we relocated my office right across from the Pinnacle office. It is grand central station. When I need to study on those days I often use my old office we turned into the church library. That is what I did yesterday morning. 

Around mid morning I left to go make a pastoral visit. When I approached the glass doors I noticed a rabbit outside sitting right next to the door. On closer examination the rabbit sat on a white envelope. I was a little surprised at first. When I opened the door the heavy weight of the stone rabbit impeded the door opening as easily as it should have. My curiosity arose. I picked up the sone rabbit to see the envelope on the ground. I was again surprised when I noticed my first name handwritten on it. I placed the rabbit in the flower bed and placed and picked up the envelope. I had to next go to my house to get the car keys. It was only then that I opened the envelope. I thought it might have bee a letter of some type. 

I have no idea who went through all that effort to leave an envelope underneath a stone rabbit. Especially when I was only a few week away from those doors in the old office. Somebody drove up there, got out of their vehicle, laid the envelope on the ground, found and placed the stone rabbit on top because it was a breezy day. All of this make my curiosity arise. Somebody went through a lot of effort. 

I don't believe in good luck charms. Why should I when I walk with God. My hope and faith are in Him in each season of life. He is there in times of adversity. He is there in times of prosperity. He is dependable all times in between the two. He is trustworthy. He has demonstrated His faithfulness in my life over and over again. If you are a frequent reader of these posts you know that. You have read about the many ways God has come through for my family in astounding ways. I love to tell those stories. I digress. 

You may be wondering what was inside the envelope. It turned out not to be a letter to my surprise. There were five one hundred dollar bills in that envelope. Shocking. It is true that Brenda and I are praying for His provision in a couple of areas. I never suspected God would deliver His provision under a rabbit foot. It makes me smile and chuckle on the inside. He prompted someone somewhere to be His vessel of provision to us again. It is simply amazing. I glorify God because of this. I praise Him for helping us again. I exalt Him for hearing prayer and answering in a most unusual way. It was not good luck. It was good God. 

Send Me

One of the ways God speaks most clearly to me is through His word. I make my habit of reading through the Bible yearly and each year God uses different scriptures to communicate to me. Over the years some scriptures have become standing prayers. One of those is [Isaiah 6:8]. Isaiah responds to God's desire to send someone by asking God to send him. 

I was at a camp ground in deep east Texas the first time I saw it. He spoke to me again through that passage at a different camp ground outside Amarillo, TX on a prayer retreat years later. Over the years it has resurfaced many different times and and in many different places. Sometime in devotionals, books, and even in music. One morning a few weeks ago that verse showed up three different times in three different devotions I used for that day. That has never happened to me before. It definitely got my attention. 

This morning David Jeremiah referenced that verse in his message on television. I was busy getting dressed and almost didn't notice it. When he spoke those familiar words from that verse I immediately paid attention. I thought to myself God is up to something. Someone gave me a picture of that verse that sits on the wall opposite my desk. I see it everyday. It is fastened right below the C.T. Study quote, " 'Tis only one life and 'twill soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last." 

That verse  and quote go along with the theme of my life to live surrendered to God and to His will. To go anywhere to do anything at anytime. Life is a grand adventure when you choose to live that way. I gladly surrender to Him. He knows far better than I do what is best. 

We should live as sent people. People who go and do what God leads. I am thinking of a young man from the Borden family. You may recognize that name from the Milk company. The young man was in line to inherit abundant wealth in the family business. Only, God had other plans. God called that young man to go on the mission field. His father told him if he followed through with becoming a missionary that he would not inherit any of the family fortune. 

The young man followed through and went on the mission field anyway. He was sent by God. Tragically he died only a few months into his service. Most thought it was a waste of life. It serves as a powerful example to how God calls people to live. Totally surrendered. Available to be sent. Following God where He sends does not always lead to prosperity and success. It does not always lead to accolades. God sends people down risky roads and painful paths in the fulfillment of His mission at times. 

Here is the real issue. Is what Jesus did for us on the cross enough motivation for us to give Him our yes no matter what He calls us to do? It most certainly is. Each of us should wake up daily wanting God to send us. It most likely will not be on the other side of the world. It might be for some. Most people being sent might mean a trip to visit a neighbor, a shut in, or to a hospital to visit someone. It might mean taking on the assignment of teaching a class or volunteering in some organization. For a select few, being sent might require uprooting and going to a new location like Abraham was called to do in [Gen 12:1-2]. 

None of that should matter. We are called to live on mission for Him. Called to do whatever He requires of us. He has the right to interrupt our lives and to call us to do anything He desires. We are required to obey by faith. He is constantly sending people to do His work. Are we willing to be sent?

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

 In [Luke 11:1] the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. I find that same desire in me this morning. I've devoted the past four decades of my life learning about prayer. I have shelves in my office lined with multiple volumes on the subject. I have written two books on prayer. Prayer has been a common theme of these posts for years. I've devoted hundreds of thousands of hours to private prayer. 

I still find myself needing to ask the Lord to teach me to pray. Prayer is much more complex than most realize. It is also so simple a child can grasp it. Complex and simple. A recent survey I discovered reported most people pray an average of five minutes a day. I can believe it. There are problems much bigger than five minute prayers. 

I am fighting for a sick woman I used to pastor who has been in the hospital for nearly a month. Her body is wracked with pain and the doctors have not been able to diagnose the root cause. Tests have been run. Scans and MRIs. Even an exploratory surgery. None of those things have brought relief. So we pray. Deep intercessions. 

I am also burdened for a beautiful young woman I knew as a child. Her parents are dear friends to Brenda and me. I pray for that young lady to return to the Lord after years of rebellion. I've prayed for her years now. At times the burden has left. It returned heavily yesterday morning and today. Both of these issues take more than five minutes. It took up the bulk of my praying this morning. 

I find myself needing to learn how to pray more effectively. How to discern the voice of God. [I Sam 3:10] How to intercede. How to stand in the gap. How to believe for the impossible. How to pray with perseverance when the answer does not come immediately. [Luke 18:1] How to grow in faith. These are not lessons people can teach me. I can listen to sermons, read books, and listen to testimonies. I have done all of those things for decades. To really learn how to pray more effectively I must learn from the Master. He must instruct me. 

I can imagine if the people of God really had the same heart for the Lord to teach all of us to pray. What a tremendous difference that would make in our communities. I think I am safe in saying that for the most part we are a prayer less people. I know. There is that five minute praying. How many really want to dive deeper in prayer. To learn to intercede for other people in their grief, misery, misfortunes, and mountain sized problems. This is necessary. There are problems in people's lives and society that will not be solved by our programs and expertise. Only God's miraculous intervention will make a difference. 

People could be Christians for decades and still be in kindergarten in prayer. God desires that we advance and grow in prayer and faith. He longs for us to long to meet with Him. He wants to reveal great and mighty things we do not know. [Jer 33:3] He is the God who can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can think or ask. [Eph 3:20] He is the God who can do anything. [Matt 19:26] He is the God that shows up in the day of our troubles. [Ps 50:15] 

We all need the Lord to teach us how to pray. Like an eager student on the first day of school, I want to take my seat in the front row and soak up all He has to say. I want to enroll in the school of prayer and intercession graduating from kindergarten to advanced level courses. I want pray big prayers, pray with big faith, and see big answers to give God big glory. Lord teach me to pray. Lord, teach all us how to pray. 

Do It Again

 I am asking the Lord to do it again. Do again what He has done for me multiple times over the past forty years. What you might ask? I am asking the Lord incessantly to provide vehicles for my family. We got a call last night from Turner about his truck not running right. A generous man in the church did the equivalent of thousands of dollars worth of work on his truck this past summer donating his time. He told us that if he had not done those repairs he did not even think the truck would make it back to Lubbock. Now additional issues have surfaced. The engine is well worn past 200,000 miles. Most of the vehicles we drive are approaching 200,000 miles or are past them. Mine is fast approaching 300,000. It is time to replace rather than repair. 

Both Tanner and Tucker's cars are in bad shape. Taylor's truck has been broken down for months. Brenda and I both drive 21 year old vehicles. I'm asking God to replace them. He has done that for us repeatedly over the years. If I had the financial resources to buy vehicles, I would not even ask God. I have a deep conviction to not go in debt on vehicles. So, we have no other choice but to trust God to help us. 

He gave me my first miracle car in college. He provided the second miracle car not long after I began a full time traveling preaching ministry. Neither car was brand new. That did not matter to me. I did not ask God for brand new vehicles. Our third miracle vehicle came while in Paradise, TX through the generous provision of three different people. We were blessed with another vehicle in 2016 from a lady in the church we pastored. She drove it to church and gave it to us. A low mileage Lincoln Continental. 

I have testified about these numerous times. I do so again. God took faith and answers to prayer to a new level. In 2017 between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, we watched God provide 5 vehicles for our family in thirty days. The vehicles were a Toyota truck, a Hyundai Sonota, a Kia Optima, a Chevrolet truck, and a GMC Yukon. All those vehicles had high mileage on them when we got them. We have driven them for the past several years. Now it is time to trust God to do it again. Several vehicles with no debt. 

I know it sounds impossible. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! People have thought asking God for that back in 2017n was impossible the last time I prayed for such abundant provision. God did it before. I trust He will do it again. I labor in prayer like a woman in labor to give birth. Only I am giving birth to 5 miracle vehicles again. These are the mountains I believe God to move. He has done it before and in His time I trust He will do it again. 

HELP MY UNBELIEF

 Why are we as the people of God prone to doubt Him? We are not the first. Israel doubted God repeatedly no matter what they witnessed God do for them. Delivery from Egyptian slavery. Parting of the Red Sea. Providing water in the desert. The constant supply of manna. Sending quail when they complained of not having meat to eat. Driving out enemy nations in the promise land. They doubted again and again no matter how many times God demonstrated His faithfulness to them. 

Are we really any different from them? Each of us has seen God come through for us in challenging situations. Why are we prone to doubt when we encounter the next set of trials? Why do so many of us struggle with unbelief?  There may not be an easy answer to that question, but there is an easy solution to the problem. 

Read what Jesus said to a doubting man in Mark 9:23. "...all things are possible to him who believes." The guy's response in verse 24 should be our prayer as well. "I do believe; help my unbelief." 

That is the solution. A simple three word prayer. HELP MY UNBELIEF! How many need to pray that today as we awake to mammoth challenges. Instead of fretting in fear over things we have not control of, why not pray for God to help our unbelief. To strengthen a weakening faith. To undergird sagging trust. Is the current level of our faith large or little? No matter the answer we can all pray for God to help our unbelief. 

Life hits hard. It will knock you to your knees. The assaults of the enemy in spiritual warfare are constant and intense in nature. The financial demands are unceasing. Seems like we spend more but buy less in this economy. The money runs out faster by the end of the month, especially for those living on fixed incomes. What should we pray? Help our unbelief. 

Perhaps repentance is in order after reading [Mark 9:23-24]. Children trust their parents to meet their needs and help them through challenges. Why should the people of God not trust their Heavenly Father to do the same for them? No challenge we face is too difficult for Him. [Jer 32:17]

Lord, Make Me a Sailboat

 In the world of ministry, churches can be powered by personalities, programs, and profit margins more than the power of God. Just like a power boat with an engine. You put fuel in the engine and the motor ;can power through the waters wherever you please. This is not the case for a sailboat. A sailboat is completely dependent on the wind to move. 

My prayers is to be more like a sailboat. To hoist the sails of my pastoral and preaching ministry waiting on the wind of God to blow with power. Without the Holy Spirit I am absolutely and completely powerless. With the Holy Spirit blowing through the sails He can accomplish great things. I can do nothing without Him. [Jn 6:63] [Jn 15:5] 

Waiting on the wind of the Spirit to blow is both exhilarating and frustrating. Exhilarating in the fact that when He moves great things happen. People get saved. Lives are changed. Disciples are made. Churches and communities are transformed. The frustrating part comes when you wait for extended periods and that power is not displayed. Even though patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit, many get impatient and want to make something happen. They implement a new program. They employ a new strategy and focus. This does not ensure the wind of the Spirit will blow and move powerfully. 

At this stage of life and ministry, I can see the futility in programs. I prayerfully hoist the sails and wait on the Lord to blow to propel me forward. To blow life and power into the preaching. To blow conviction into the lost who hear the message of salvation. To blow fire on the cold hearts of believers who have lost their first love. To blow peace on the anguished souls. 

All fleshly efforts will not profit spiritually. Talent, expertise, and creativity will not produce lasting fruit without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will. He is the source of power. [Acts 1:8] I want to tap into that power so God gets the glory. He alone empowers to produce abundant fruit that will last. His work endures. My sails are hoisted. I wait for His wind to blow. 

One other note, we do not know what direction the wind will blow. We may predetermine a course and He blows in a different direction. It is up to us to readjust the sails and go in the direction He propels us. That may mean charting a whole new course we had not planned on taking. God knows best. We can trust His leadership. So we hoist the sails and stay in His flow. Blow O wind of God and propel further than we can every take ourselves. 

Connecting the Dots

Last Sunday morning I preached from Colossians 4:3 about praying for God to open doors to speak about Jesus. I actually stopped in the middle of the message and prayed that for all in attendance. When the service ended a man approached me who is DPS Sergeant. He asked if I would preach the funeral for one of his trooper's dad who recently died. 

I have to confess my first reaction was not joyous acceptance. It is never easy to preach funerals for people you do not know. God has given me that opportunity numerous times. In fact, the last two funerals I preached I did not know the person. I dreaded it but accepted. I gathered some information on the deceased man and was relieved to discover the man was saved back in 2002. The whole week I dreaded the service though. I determined right from the start I would confess that I never met the deceased. I spoke very little of him based on the limited information I had about his life. 

Yesterday morning everything changed. The funeral was at 2:00 yesterday afternoon. While praying in the morning, I remembered my prayer from the pulpit about God opening the door to speak for Jesus. It suddenly dawned on me this was exactly what I asked God for. It also dawned on me several DPS troopers would be in attendance. I had the opportunity to preach the gospel message to people who needed to hear it. 

It changed my perspective and my attitude. Not only were there multiple DPS troopers in attendance dressed in uniform, but there were also several Texas Rangers law enforcement officers in attendance as well. I have never had such an opportunity before. God gave me the chance to clearly explain the gospel, sin, the reason we need a Savior and even to touch on themes of heaven, hell, and the second coming. All of that in about 20 minutes. Admittedly, some in attendance tuned me out by their body language. Some listened intently. I prayerfully sowed the gospel seed. I trust God to do the rest drawing people to salvation through Jesus Christ. 

I failed to connect the dots between what I prayed and what God did in response. Has that ever happened to you? Did that happen because I really did not believe what I prayed last Sunday morning? Was it because the answer came in the form that was not comfortable or expected? Or, was it because I got so busy doing other things it distracted me from making the connection? I do not have a clear answer to those questions other than I believe I sincerely had faith to believe when I prayed in the pulpit for God to open doors. I am thankful He did. 

I will long treasure that privilege of getting to preach before so many honored law enforcement officers. I am thankful for the opportunity. When you ask God for something, I encourage you to pay attention to what happens in the following days. God may answer your prayer in ways you did not expect. You might miss it if you do not connect the dots. 

Grateful in the Midst of It All

 There is a lady named Joan we met back in Seminole. That lady loves Jesus. She is serious about her walk with the Savior and prayer. When I would ask how she was doing no matter what she was going through, she always responded, "Grateful in the midst of it all." She radiated the joy of the Lord. Even though she faced numerous trials as a single parent. 

Paul writes in [Phil 4:4] to rejoice in the Lord always. He also wrote in [I These 5:18] in everything to give thanks for this is God's will in Christ Jesus. I have to confess that I read those verses for decades, but I could not say that I lived them. I rejoiced in my circumstances when they were great, and whined when things were not going the way I hoped. I gave thanks in the good times and complained in the trying times. I knew little of rejoicing and giving thanks when life was hard. 

Paul had a hard life. He suffered more than most. How could he endure all of it with joy? How could he still find reasons to give thanks when he lost his freedom and ultimately his life? Paul lived differently than most of us. His entire life after salvation was Jesus. I am not suggesting Paul did not sin. He wrote about his own struggle with sin in Romans 7. I am saying that Jesus made all the difference for Paul on a daily basis. 

While most of us find joy and thanksgiving in external things, Paul found joy internally in his relationship with Jesus Christ. No matter what happened to him on the outside the inside reality of Jesus Christ did not change. It did not matter when they beat him. Nor when they stoned him and left him for dead. It did not matter when he went hungry. When he was cold at night with not enough clothing to keep him warm. It did not matter that he was always on the move. He faced danger in every city. None of that not mattered. Jesus mattered most to Him. 

The difference Jesus made to Paul more than compensated for all the hardships. Paul wrote that he found knowing Christ of surpassing value compared to any losses he suffered. [Phil 3:8] He devoted his life to knowing Christ and making Him known to others. He also wrote in [Phil 4:10-12] that he learned to be content in all circumstances. 

Joy, thanksgiving, and contentment are choices. We choose to find joy in the Lord. Sure life is hard and things are not always pleasant. That is why people are not happy because that is directly tied to the happenings around them. Jesus is the source of joy and He does not change. There are always things to be thankful for as a Christian. Our salvation for one. We can never give enough thanks for that. There are other things as well like having access to His word to comfort and strengthen us. 

Joan learned the secret to joy and thanksgiving and that is why she could say she was grateful in the midst of all of it. May we follow her example. May Jesus continually be the source of our joy and the reason we are most thankful. 

Finished

 Have you ever known the satisfaction of completing a hard assignment. Cleaning the house. Mowing the yard. A long work project. You get a feeling of satisfaction when it is done. When the last bale is hauled out of the hayfield. When the last cow is worked. When the last paper is written. When the last wind spring is run. When the last dish is washed and put away. When the last load of laundry is folded and put in the proper place. 

I just finished a two hour work out. Muscles fibers strained. They ached. They grew fatigued, but I kept pressing on until I finished my goal. There were moments I thought the grueling torture would never end. On this side of it, I am glad I endured and did not give up. In the middle of it I wanted to do just about anything rather than finish that workout. Except to shop or eat chicken. 

Finishing is a habit. So is quitting. Jesus finished the work He was sent to earth to do by joyfully enduring the cross. [Heb 12:2] He said from the cross, "It is finished." [Jn 19:30] The hard assignment for dying for the sins of humanity was completed. He was not finished. He is seated at the right hand of the Father right now. His redemptive work was finished. 

Jesus finished the work He was sent to do. Do you have some unfinished project you started and put off for one reason or another? Did you start something and not follow through to the end. I talked with a guy yesterday who wants to go back to school to finish his college degree after dropping out. That has been thirty years ago, but not finishing nags at him. He is plenty intelligent enough to finish. 

There is a contentment for a project completed. Like when you remodel and the last bit of work is finished, and you can sit down to enjoy the final result. Brenda loves to sit down and enjoy her clean house after a day of housecleaning. I like to look out over a freshly mowed lawn to enjoy it before the grass starts to grow again. 

 Some things in life are easy to complete. You start and just like that you are done. I am thinking of a child's jigsaw puzzle. Easy peasy. Recently, at our marriage conference each couple was tasked with putting together a 60 piece jig saw puzzle. I have never put together such a puzzle in my life. Never interested me. Brenda excelled at the project while I offered little help. When I tried I inevitably matched the wrong pieces together and she had to undo them. When we lost I was done. Brenda was not. She had to finish that puzzle. I admire her for that. She is definitely a finisher. May we follow her example. 

Paul finished his ministry to the end of his life. [Acts 20:24] He was constantly on the move from town to the next. He labored hard and suffered much for the cause of Jesus Christ. Even after beatings and imprisonment he did not quit. He finished. May we run our face with endurance to our last day and last breath. [Heb 12:1]

Weary and Heavy Laden

 Jesus invited weary and heavy-laden people to come to Him to find rest. [Matt 11:28] Hearers were weary from all the oppressive religious burdens heaped on the Jewish people by the Pharisees. They could not live under the burdens. Neither could they sustain the heavy tax burdens placed on them by the Romans. 

There are weary people in our days as well. They work hard but cannot seem to get ahead. People work hard but the American dream is further out of reach than ever. Home ownership is no longer affordable for my sons without God's miraculous intervention. The price of groceries, everyday household items, and transportation have soared to all-time highs. Add to that the decreasing health of the American people, the corruption in the government, and the brink of world war only add to the weariness. 

Jesus invites people to come to Him and find rest. A few years ago, I was told that that students in one high school were on anti-anxiety medication in the highest number in the history of the school. I am sure that also is true in other schools and other sectors of society. People do not live in peace and rest. 

We are told in [Ps 46:10] to be still, or cease striving, and know I am God. People strive all the time. Constantly keyed up. Working and worrying feverishly. There is no rest. People look for all kinds of ways to find rest. Medication. Substance abuse. Sexual escapades. None of these provide the long-sought rest. 

Jesus offers rest. Peace. Repose. Nothing else can provide that rest. No matter the source of your weariness and heavy burdens Jesus will take it from you in exchange for His rest. Why wouldn't any people accept that trade? It is a no brainer. To give up things of which we have no control releasing it all to the One who holds the whole world in His hands. 

You have a choice. Live under stress resulting in ulcers, insomnia, and heart attacks. You have another choice. You can pray about everything, not worry about anything, and receive God's peace in your heart and mind. [Phil 4:6-7] Prayer or stress. Burdens or peace. Weary labors or rest. We have a choice. Which will we choose?

Grappling With Grief

 Grief is deep sorrow when somebody dies or you experience a loss. It is a pain you feel in the pit of the stomach. Grieving people will walk around in a daze unable to fully comprehend that someone they loved so much is gone. After the initial shock wears off, the grim reality sets in of a life without the person who died. 

Many grieving people have told me that the big events are tough like Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays. They are able to kind of prepare themselves for those events. The tougher things are the little moments that remind of them of the deceased like a movie, a song, a face in the crowd, or the smell of their perfume or cologne. These are more difficult to navigate. They blindside without warning. 

Experts say people go through stages in grief. The first stage is denial. This is the initial shock of losing someone. They are there one day and then they are gone. Their life is snuffed out. The shock can make a person numb even to the point of not being able to accept it. Phrases like, "I just can't believe they are gone," might be uttered in this stage. 

The second stage of grief is anger. This is when the reality of death and loss set in. The anger may be turned against God. Why did He let it happen. Why didn't He prevent the death? Why did He not intervene? Others might be blamed for the death and anger unleashed on them.  

The third stage is called bargaining. In this stage survivors may constantly dwell on what they could have done differently to prevent the loss. They will play different scenarios over and over in their minds and wish they had done things differently. They reason to themselves if they had just acted or reacted differently the person they love would still be alive. 

The fourth stage is depression. Grieving people may withdraw from normal social activities like church attendance and spending time with family and friends. In the depressed state a darkness settles in on the mind obscuring hope. There is little motivation to do anything productive. People just want to sleep and weep. Consolation from others is not able to be comprehended nor accepted. It may feel like the grieving person's whole world has ended. They struggle to find a reason to keep living. 

The final stage is acceptance. When Christians get to this stage they find peace to comfort and God's reassuring presence to mend their broken heart. They come to accept the fact their lives will never be the same. They have to learn to live a new normal. Very often a very lonely normal. 

Pictures are great for memories, but pictures cannot bring the loved one back. You cannot even tell what the person was thinking when the picture was snapped. Grieving people would trade all their pictures if they could hold their loved one again. 

Grief is real. People move through the different stages at different paces. It may take some years to work through all five stages. Others may work through them much more quickly. Each person must grieve in their own way and in their own time. Some grieve stoically. Others grieve hysterically. Neither is right or wrong. 

I like what I heard a pastor say in a sermon recently when ministering to a grieving person. SHOW UP AND SHUT UP. I heard it put differently in Bible college. Be present and pray. Grieving people do not need to hear cliches like, "They are in a better place." That is not always true if the deceased never trusted Jesus as their Savior. You don't have to say anything. Just show up with a hug and listen. Offer a short prayer of comfort. That is what they need. 

You know what else I have learned? Keep showing up. Watch this happen. When someone dies people show up in the preceding days with food, and offers of, "If I can do anything for you please let me know." Once the funeral is over or the memorial service is concluded, people go back to their lives. The grieving person can't go back to their life as it used to be. They may be forced to go back to work and bravely show up for worship. Things are different. Other people forget but the survivor still grieves. Time move on and people forget about the grieving person. The church should keep showing up. Like one widow did for her friend when her friend's husband died. She called that newly grieving widow every single day for an entire year. 

My wife is an amazing woman. A far better shepherd of people than I am. She keeps record of the date people died and the date of the funeral. She still keeps in contact with people and sends messages to the grieving well over a decade after the death of a spouse, parent, or child. People love her dearly for it. Brenda truly cares about people and feels their pain long after the person dies and the survivors try to put their broken lives back together. We should all follow her example. 

Yes Lord

 In [Matthew 9:27-34] Jesus asked two blind men a question. "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" That is a question He asks us today. Our situations are all different. Our challenges are varied in size and scope. Our mountains are mammoth. This is not a question to take lightly. Jesus is asking each of us if we believe that He is able to do this. Whatever this is for you and your family. 

What is your this? For some it is health. For others it is finances. Some are pleading for open doors in a new job. There are those who cry out for restoration of a prodigal child or reconciliation of a fractured relationship. Everybody has a this. It is that one thing we need Jesus to do for us that we are incapable of doing for ourselves. To each of us Jesus asked the simple question, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" The word able is an important word. It means powerful and capable. This is not a theological theory question. It is a question of reality. 

How did the two blind guys respond? Two words. "Yes Lord." 

Now, how do we respond? Do we believe that Jesus is able to help us? Our faith filled response should be a simple, "Yes Lord." Yes Lord. An affirmation of faith. A triumph of trust over doubt and fear. A courageous statement of conviction. Yes Lord, we believe. We trust that You have the power to do anything. We believe for a bigger, better, and brighter future. Yes Lord. 

As you stand on a cliff of faith looking down at the risks and wondering if Jesus is able to help. If you do not believe you will take a step backward toward safety and security. If you have faith you will inch your toes over the edge with nothing but open air underneath. You will step forward courageously in faith. 

Which response defines your life? Yes Lord or no Lord. Yes Lord people are kingdom shakers and history makers. No Lord people are cowards who shrink back in fear and play it safe. Which one defines you?May we all be yes Lord people who believe God for great things. 

Fear or Faith?

 As the day unfolds how will we choose to respond? Fear or faith? There are plenty of opportunities for both if you choose. Things to fear are all around us. Look long and hard enough and you will find something that scares you. The price of eggs. The escalating price of everything. Disease. We even fear things that will never happen to us. 

It was just a year ago last Friday that the wildfires broke out and burned so much of the Panhandle. With that terror fresh on their minds, the predicted wind gusts up there today are forecasted to be as high as 70 mph. Definitely an opportunity to fear again. 

Or we can choose faith. Faith is the assurance of things of hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. [Heb 11:1] Two people can go through the exact same circumstances and one approach them from fear and the other approach them from faith. I read about such an incident this morning in [Matt 8:23-27]. A sudden storm arose on the sea while Jesus and the disciples were in a boat. Jesus slept. The disciples feared for their safety. How can that be? The same waves were toppling over the boat for both Jesus and the disciples. Jesus had faith that He was in the Father's hands of protection. The disciples gave into the frightening possibility of capsizing and drowning. Two responses to the same circumstances. 

How are we facing today? Things may be really tough and trying. It may be really hard sledding. The potential for dangerous devastation stare right in the face. Do we shake in fear and crawfish back in cowardice? Do we grab the shield of faith holding it firmly as we march forward in the battle? Faith can triumph fear. It really comes down to what you dwell on. 

Choose to dwell on God and His enduring faithfulness. There is not a trial that He cannot triumph over. There is not a sorrow that He cannot heal. There is not a financial need so large that He cannot supply easily from His abundance. Focus on God and faith will grow. Focus on faith promises and prayerfully watch what God can do. 

Fear is just doubt masqueraded. Repeatedly we're told in Scripture not to fear. Fear has to be replaced with faith. Faith will supplant fear. If we let it rule fear will overcome faith. So, which will it be? Fear or faith? Faith will usher in God's peace. Fear only leads to anxiety. 

Work Heartily

 Work can be a blessing and a curse. We learn from Genesis 3 that after Adam and Eve sinned part of the curse is that man would have to work for his food. On the other hand, God created us to do something. Some are farmers and ranchers. I met a saddle maker recently. He told me he can make anything out of leather. There are chefs who create culinary delights. Healthcare workers treat sick patients. Law enforcement officers maintain law and order to protect the people. Teachers invest in their students. 

The job title is not what is important. It is not even the magnitude of the work task. What we are called to do is to work heartily. [Col 3:23] That word heartily means to put your heart and soul into it. It does not matter what the task is. A student needs to put their heart and soul in studying. The mechanic needs to put heart and soul in repairs. The waiter or waitress need to put their heart and soul in serving customers. The Bible study leader needs to put their heart and soul in teaching their class whether it be a small group of toddlers or a large class of adults. The cashier needs to work heartily and efficiently getting customers through the line paying for their purchases. 

People do shoddy work these days. They do as little as possible to get a paycheck. They work only when they are watched by supervisors. When nobody is watching they don't do any work. They often have poor attitudes. This is sinful to the Lord. He demands that we do our work heartily. 

Many workers are under appreciated and under compensated. This impacts their work ethic. That should not be the case. We work for the Lord. The Lord sees and will reward our work. That reward might not happen in this lifetime. Work should be an act of worship. To do our very best. To offer our King our heart and soul work so that He is pleased. We may never be noticed for our work down here. We may be passed over for promotions. God will recompense in eternity. 

We need a total mind shift. Not to work for people down here, but to focus our work for the Lord. It is Him we labor no matter what the job might be. Washing dishes or waiting tables. Administering justice or administrating students at school. Performing for the school play or playing on the field in a ball game. God deserves our hearty work. Put your heart and soul into the task no matter what it is. 

Vision

 What is God's unique vision for you? Some people try to follow in other's footsteps mimicking their lives. Each life is uniquely and intentionally designed by our Creator. No matter how hard I try to be Billy Graham, I will never be like him or used like him. That was God's unique design for his life to reach millions of people for Jesus. 

I am convinced that each of us was created with purpose. See Psalm 139:14-16, Jeremiah 1:5 and Ephesians 2:10. Once God has revealed His vision to us we are responsible to live it out. The challenge comes when we want to compare God's vision for us to God's vision for someone else. We are not in competition with other's unique vision. God set the race differently for each of us. We are to run our race with endurance. Hebrews 12:1

God put you on this earth for something. He has an assignment for you. Susannah Wesley is not near as famous as her children. She had multiple children and raised them to fear the Lord. Two of her sons were used prominently while there is relatively little is known about the rest of the children. Her son Charles wrote a great many hymns. Her son John traveled England and the American Colonies preaching and calling people to Jesus. John is credited for starting the Methodist denomination and he and Charles for being instrumental in the First Great Awakening. 

Lottie Moon only stood about 4 feet 11 inches tall. Yet she fearlessly proclaimed Jesus in China like a giant. Today a missions offering is collected each year in her name. Her unique vision was to share Jesus with those who had not heard in a culture far different from hers. She tirelessly wrote letters back home to generate support for the work in China. 

Father Nash is very little known today. He was an associate of Charles Finney. Before Finney went to a town to preach revival meetings he sent Father Nash in advance. Nash would secure lodging and then started fervently interceding before Finney arrived. Finney got the attention because God's unique vision for Father Nash was to minister in the secret place where nobody saw his ministry. 

Sarah Havner is not a household name. Many preachers know about her husband. Sarah was married to Vance. Vance started preaching when he was only 12. He stood in a chair behind the pulpit to proclaim the Bible. He traveled the United States preaching in horse drawn buggy, trains, planes, and automobiles. Here is an interesting note. Vance never learned how to drive. Sarah did all the driving. Vance stood on stages in some of the most prominent churches in the land. Sarah sat quietly and prayerfully listening to her husband preach some of the same messages over and over again. She never had a home to call her home. They rented a home, but were seldom there because they were on the road most weeks of the years living out of suitcases. She never had children and yet was surrounded by children from all over the United States in church after church. Constantly changing scenery and meeting new people. Her unique vision was to help her husband live out his unique vision. 

The challenge is for each of us to live out God's unique vision for us. We each have a role to play in God's unfolding drama. Some are assigned lead parts. They will be displayed more than others and will get more notoriety from the crowds. Others will play support roles hardly noticed by the crowds, but known and appreciated by God. It does not matter what part God assigns us. We must play our part well and do it for the glory of God. Colossians 3:23 in fulfillment of His unique vision. 

The Voice

 John 12:28 "Father glorify Your name," then a voice came out of heaven , "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." 

A voice. That word translated from the Greek means a blaring sound, a language, and an utterance. Do not miss this point. Many people look for a voice. They look for it in the stars, in crystals, in the clouds, and various other mystical ways. It is not the voice I am after. I looking for and listening for the voice of God. Not other religious gurus. Not philosophers or pop starts. It is the person behind the voice that I long for. Yahweh. Jehovah. Elohim. God the Father. He is what we should all be seeking. With Him comes His voice. 

The voice on that came to Jesus in John 12:28 was not for Jesus. He knew His Father's voice whether audible or internal. Jesus said the voice was for the people. It was another sign indicating that He was Messiah. Those people totally missed it. They said the voice was just thunder and others attributed it to angels. People do the same thing today. They dismiss God's voice. Make no mistake about it. God still speaks. His voice is still available even though it may not be audible. 

For me personally, I have never heard the audible voice of God. Not that I doubt He can speak audibly if He chooses. He speaks to me in His word and through the Holy Spirit most prominently. To speak about God's voice sounds so mystical. People get weird about it. Learning to hear from God is no different than for me distinguishing the voices of Brenda, Taylor, Tanner, Tucker, and Turner. When they call me I know their voices. I love them. We have spent enough time together. I recognize them by their voice even if I cannot see them. In the same way, over time we learn the voice of God. 

God speaks to me most consistently through His word. He did so again this morning. I prayed asking God to speak to me and a verse popped into my mind. I should rather say it was the reference to a verse. Not one I was familiar with the content. I turned and read the passage and it turned out to be the answer to something I prayed about for over a year and a half. Knowing I hear God's voice in the scriptures motivates me to keep reading, to keep seeking, and to keep listening. 

God has spoken to me in other ways. He has used a cardinal, the back door of a diesel truck trailer, songs, phrases in books, text messages from other people, and the quiet still voice of the Holy Spirit. I promise God still speaks. He yearns to speak more than we want to listen. So attune your attention to the unseen voice. What He has to say to us is vastly more important than anything we have to say to Him. 

Repent

 The sins piled up over the course of a couple of years. Blind spots not easily detected. Little weeds in the garden that took root and were choking out the rest of the garden. Those weeds had to be pulled out by the roots. One by one. 

Repentance was in order. Repent means to feel regret and remorse for wrong doings. It also involves changing course and resetting the mind. That is what I needed, but too blind to see it. For days I prayed feverishly and fasted just to hear from God. Hour upon hour He was silent. Days on end. Month after month. I couldn't understand it. I pleaded with God to show me what I was doing wrong or what it was that hindered Him from speaking to me. I read His word. I got up early to pray. I earnestly desired to hear from Him more than anything else in my life. 

Like a clogged hose where something obstructs the flow of water, sin obstructed my hearing from God. Little sins I did not even notice. They crept in subtly. Sins like apathy, doubt, callused heart, compromise, bitterness, and lukewarm devotions. The list was longer than I suspected. I had to repent and come clean. I confessed those sins and asked God to forgive me. [I Jn 1:9] He is faithful to do that. 

I prayed and asked God to speak. He impressed a certain verse on my mind. I did not know what it said and hurriedly looked it up. It was a specific verse about something I've prayed for a year and a half. Right there in black and white. The answer I long sought was there all the while. It was my sin that kept me from receiving it. [Ps 66:18] reminds us that if we regard wickedness in our hearts God will not hear. 

We do not take repentance nearly as seriously as God does. Our sin hinders our fellowship with Him. Our transgressions can also choke the powerful move of His Spirit in our lives and churches. This happens all the time. We may do the devotions and wander through worship, but we do not connect with God because our sin gets in the way. God hates our sin much more than we do. He wants to uproot it from our lives. 

[Ps 119:23-24] Search me O God, and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way. 

[Ps 51:10] Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

It is time for the people of God to do some housecleaning. To do some weed pulling. If we want the power of God to flow through our lives and churches, we must repent first. Repentance is the first step leading toward revival. Our hearts and congregations certainly could use a fresh move among us once again. Things have grown stale. The religious rituals have become rotten with routine, and not refreshed with the spirit of revival. May it begin in us today and spread. Let it begin with repentance. 

The Wee Hours

 It is 2:16 a.m. and I sit in my office for the second straight morning this early for time with the Lord. Seeking Him is more important than sleep. I have not slept with an alarm clock for over 30 years. He gets me up when He wants me to come to the secret place for time in His presence. Nothing is more important. 

It is perfectly still and quiet. Not even occasional traffic on the road outside. Just the Lord and I in sweet communion. My only agenda is seeking Him. Seeking His voice and His will. I never know what He will do in our times together. It is a great adventure. The greatest adventure that keeps me coming back for more time and time again. 

How do I describe these times? I will write in my journal. I will read and meditate on Scripture. I will also read in a devotion book for good measure. There is also the time spent just listening for His still small voice. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide these times. To stir me to pray what He wants instead of what I want. I wait before Him. Time becomes irrelevant. The moments pass without notice. There is perfect peace and contentment in His presence. Such as cannot be found anywhere else. It is the best time of my day. 

It was the habit of Jesus to get up early to seek His Father. [Mark 1:35] Therefore, it should be my habit as well. He got up early while others around Him still slept. There are no distractions in those early morning hours. The fellowship with the Lord is worth the sacrifice of a little sleep. Tremendous treasures of encounters with His Father awaited. He yearned to be alone with His Father. Shouldn't all of His children follow His example?

When I was younger, it was hard to maintain the discipline of morning devotions. I wanted to sleep to the last minute. If I did squeeze in a little quiet time, it didn't last longer than ten minutes. That changed when I got into college. I often arose early to study for tests. Eventually I began to be more consistent in my time with the Lord. 

It was in college I discovered the author Leonard Ravenhill. That man was a prayer warrior and a fearlessly bold prophet. He lived hard, prayed hard, wrote hard and preached hard. His wife testified that he spent about eight hours a day in prayer. It would start around midnight. Ravenhill would get out of bed and go to his home office. He prayed there for two to three hours. Then he would go back to bed for a bit. When he arose for the second time he would immediately go back for more prayer. After breakfast he returned to his prayer closet for more intercession. He took breaks when needed and by the end of the day had prayed about eight hours before going to bed. In between he read a lot, studied for sermons, and corresponded with the many people who reached out to him. This schedule was altered when he was on the road preaching at a conference or revival meeting. He still devoted himself to prayer in those times. 

Evan Roberts from Wales was also known to get up around 2:00 a.m. to pray. He pleaded with God to send revival to his country. He went back to bed and slept for a few hours before getting up to pray some more. Roberts is credited with being the catalyst of the Great Wales Revival where over 100,000 people were saved in just six months. Roberts devoted the rest of his life to prayer, even to the point of giving up preaching, so he could give himself exclusively to intercessory prayer. 

I admit I am no Ravenhill or Roberts. I am an Edwards. I don't know that my praying really makes all that much difference to the world around me. It sure makes a difference for me. There is nothing more important I do on any given day. There is no place I would rather be. I willingly forsake the company of people to keep company with my God. Even in the wee hours. 

Who Can Awake the King

 Who dares awake the king in the middle of the night? The king's child can. So can you and I call out to the King of Kings with our requests. Being His child gives us the privilege to call out to Him in moments of our need. He grants us access to Him day or night. 

Even earthly fathers know how to be accessible and give good gifts to their sons and daughters. Earthly fathers are not perfect. They operate out of love, but they still have a sin nature. God is a good Father. A perfect Heavenly Father who has no sin. If sinful earthly fathers can give good things to their children, so can God give even better things to His children. [Matt 7:7-11]

So, we come to Him and ask. Just like a child will come to a parent and ask. Sometimes the child will ask persistently. We are exhorted to ask. In the original language that does not mean to ask once and to stop. It means to keep asking continuously. Just like good parents do not give a child everything they want no matter how much the child badgers the parents, so God does not give us everything we ask Him to do for us. He is far too wise for that. He knows what is best far better than we do. 

When I am faced with tough decisions I ask God to choose because He knows what is best. He can be trusted. We are told to trust Him and not to lean on our own understanding in [Prov 3:5-6]. He will direct our path in the way that most pleases Him and according to His purposes. 

We ask, seek and knock. We do this with the full assurance of a child asking a parent expecting the parent to respond to the request. God not only listens, but He also intervenes in His perfect timing and in His perfect way. God is never in a hurry and neither is He ever late. He looks at time totally different than we do. Remember with God one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as is one day. [II Pet 3:8] For impatient people that is hard to swallow. God's timing is perfect. So we keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking. 

The assurance is that in His time we will receive. In His time we will find. In His time the door will be opened. [Matt 7:7-8] So go ahead. Call out to your King no matter what time of day or night it is. Like a good Father He is available to help His children. We may not get what we want the first time we ask, or find the first time we seek, nor have the door opened the first time we knock. We can rest assured it will happen eventually. That is His promise. As good Father, God keeps His promises. 

Sweetly Surrendered

 For some reason many people live their Christian faith as minimalist. Their attitude is what is the least they have to give to the Lord. Others live as Christian maximists. They live wanting to offer God everything. No sacrifice is too big. No assignment is too large or too insignificant. They live sweetly surrendered. Which one better describes you? 

It is the pattern in Scripture to live surrendered. To offer Jesus everything even to the point of our very lives. Living sweetly surrendered seems pretty foreign among the people of God. This was normal for the early disciples. Jesus told them to deny self, be willing to suffer and to follow wherever He leads. [Luke 9:23] This is the pattern. Paul exhorts us to lay our lives down before God as a living sacrifice. [Ro 12:1]. Paul modeled this example in [Acts 20:24]. The biblical pattern is to sweetly surrender. Whether it be God calling Noah to build an ark or Peter to forsake a great catch of fish and his boat. Both sweetly surrendered to follow the will of God. 

There are those who will defy the will of God. They will stiffen their necks. They will harden their hearts like petrified rock. They will bow up in rebellion like Jonah and the nation of Israel. These will fight to the end not to surrender. They would rather go to their grave than surrender to what God wants. They somehow justify rebellion as hanging on to what they think is best. They fail to reason that God alone knows what is best. 

Christians have no claim on their lives. We have been bought with a price. Jesus owns us and we are called to sweetly surrender. Many see this as a place of fear and anxiety. It really is a place of freedom. God knows far better than any of us how to engineer our lives. He knows what is best. Sometimes  His best leads down roads of suffering and other times down roads of bountiful blessings. He gets to determine what road we travel. 

Living sweetly surrendered is to live without fear or anxiety. We relinquish all control and do not have to stress about the details. We are to follow His guidance in His word day by day. [Ps 119:105] Day by day He gives enough light for that day. We surrender daily and go where He leads, and in doing this we will end up at His intended destination. 

It is liberating to live with no will of our own. It takes the pressure off in decision making. God makes those decisions for us. He does the calculating. We just follow where He leads. How would life be different if God's people lived sweetly surrendered? How would that change your life? I think about the lyrics to the old song I Surrender All. All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give, I will ever love and trust Him, and in His presence daily live. Those words should flow through us like blood through our veins. We should live sweetly surrendered to Him no matter what He calls us for us to do. A surrendered swarm of soldiers marching against the kingdom of darkness. We listen and submit to the marching orders of our Commander In Chief the Lord Jesus Christ. We serve where He assigns. We love those He calls us to love. We give what He demands we give. We follow wherever He leads. That is simple. It only gets more complicated when we rebel and refuse to surrender. 

Serve With Gladness

 I remember well when God first called me to preach. I just wanted to serve. I also had so much to learn. My first preaching assignment was to a group of students at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Lufkin, TX. I did not know come here from sick them. I was a young teenager with a testimony. The whole first sermon lasted seven minutes. I had so much material prepared I thought. I quickly realized I had not prepared enough. 

There was a lot more training before God ever entrusted me with my own youth group at Rochelle Baptist Church in Rochelle, TX. I started with four students. That church had not baptized anyone in years. I recall with fondness the day we baptized five students. From there I ended up in Weatherford, TX and watched God grow a youth group from seven to forty-five with most of those students getting saved. 

I was a dreamer in those days. Salary did not matter. I only wanted to serve Jesus. 36 years later that has not changed. I still dream and salary is irrelevant in determining where I serve. Sure, I want to provide for my family. It has never been about the money. It has always been about serving Jesus. First, as a youth minister. In subsequent years I served as a traveling evangelist, twice a church planter, and ultimately as a pastor. I have served in churches of less than a dozen and one church of several hundred. One thing remained constant, I wanted to see Jesus save people. 

That does not get old. It makes the hard things in ministry worth it. Endless sermon preparations, meetings, visits, counseling, and enduring criticisms. All part of the ministry. Some people grow bitter the longer they serve God. The battles take their toll. The spiritual assault can rob one of joy. The onslaught of unrealistic expectations and criticisms can make a person jaded. 

We are exhorted to serve God with gladness. To serve Him with delight. [Ps 100:2] To keep coming to Him with joyful singing. He is the source of the gladness and the reason for singing. Not external circumstances. In His presence is fullness of joy forever. [Ps 16:11]

After all these years, every up and down, every trial and triumph, every personal revival and need for repentance, every praise and public criticism God is still the source of gladness. He is the reason to live with perpetual joy and to keep singing. He is the melody of my heart. No matter what swirls around me. 

An Angry Rant

 I never know what I'll encounter when I go teach at the substance abuse detox center every Sunday afternoon. I have taught only one on a few occasions. Today eight showed up to get into the word. They come from all over the United States. Some have no base for Christianity. They are foreign to Christian beliefs and even how to navigate around the Bible. 

Today, I met a man named Pitman. He was angry. He came in with a massive chip on his shoulder. I taught from Luke 18:35-42. At one point, he made a comment that gave evidence this man has studied the Bible. He is a follower of Jesus. He is also a long time alcoholic. He is angry with everyone. With the substance abuse program itself, with churches, and with himself. He went off on a rant about churches. He reported visiting many and not finding help or being welcomed with his wife. He also criticized preachers for preaching weak mealy mouthed messages and not the meat of the word. 

He was especially critical of pastors not caring about helping people, but rather padding their pockets with plush offerings. This is not the first time someone has derailed one of our studies. This man was physically large. To some intimidating. While he spoke nobody else interrupted. After a while, he got it all out. Later on he started down the same road when I had to reign him back. 

A recent survey of lost people indicates 72% of them think the church is full of hypocrites. Religious people who do not care about lost people with real hurts. The angry man talked about showing up at a church asking for a can of food and they told him they did not give out food until Saturday. He was hungry then. He wants to find a place for him and his wife, but he has found issues with all the churches they have visited. 

There are no perfect churches because churches are made up of imperfect people. There are good ones and ones who do not please the Lord. I grieve for what the people of God have done to the bride of Christ. We have drifted far from that original church in Acts 2:42-47. Some churches deserve the criticisms against us. Other churches labor feverishly to reach lost people and meet their basic needs. These are splendid examples of what God wants for His church. 

Many people have been burned by churches. Rejected and isolated. Others have been welcomed initially only to find out they aren't truly embraced by others, but just another person to sit in a seat and fill up a building. Churches have made some critical mistakes over the years. Some churches have gotten it right as well. Those are the churches that remember the mission [Matt 28:19-20] [Acts 1:8] and they live that mission out weekly. 

One thing I've discovered at the detox center is people will tell you the raw unfiltered truth of how they feel. They are not pretending. They are too broken and too desperate to pretend. Most know they are in trouble. Most understand they are destroying their lives through addiction. It's not physically easy to go there each Sunday afternoon after preaching and teaching twice before. In some ways, it is like walking into Satan's den. Isn't that where Christ followers need to be. To penetrate the darkness with gospel light. 

I can handle a rant if I also get to keep ranting about Jesus to those who will listen. We have lost count of all those whom Jesus saved over the past several years. Jesus cares about the unloved. He does not give up on the down and out whom others have written off. I keep showing up and pointing people to Jesus. That is what I believe He would have me do in this season of life. 

A Great Street Sweeper

 "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry, he should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause and say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well." MLK JR.

Col 3:17 exhorts us that whatever we do in word or deed we should do it in the name of the Lord. That means all things we do and say on any given day continually we are to give our best in representation of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to give slothful effort, do shoddy work, or be slack in our responsibilities. We are to do our best and speak our best consistently. 

There is the temptation to give our best efforts to important tasks that will bring recognition and not to give greatest effort for seemingly unimportant tasks nobody will notice. Jesus sees. He notices. We are to do it all for Him as acts of worship. 

I have had the privilege of preaching to 1,000 people. I have also had the privilege of teaching one on numerous occasions. Unto the Lord I am supposed to give my best no matter the size of the crowd. To preach or teach like I am preaching to a thousand even if there are only a few people in the room. 

The name of Jesus means something. Christians are representatives of Him. Lazy, undependable, and half hearted work does not glorify Him. Industrious, dependable, offering our best does glorify Him. No matter if you are a janitor, garbage collector, secretary, teacher, mechanic, farmer, executive, banker, or coach. God expects and demands our best as representatives of His Son Jesus. 

Even if it means sweeping streets. This applies to husbands, wives, and children. It goes for the nursery workers, the president of the company, as well as the President of The United States. It is true of the mega church pastor as well as the backwoods parson. It is true of the maid and wait staff as well as the owner of the company. The Lord Jesus Christ deserves our best. 

I find it interesting the context of this passage goes directly into wives, husbands, and children responsibilities. Even in the family dynamic we are to do our best as unto the Lord Jesus. That means wives submitting, husbands loving, and children obeying. 

This world would be a far better place if everyone did their best in everything. When this doesn't happen people get angry. They are frustrated and can even become bitter. As much as it is possible, may we resolve to do our best in word and deed. Constantly remembering we are not doing it for others who may not ever notice our efforts. We are doing it as an act of worship for our Lord and King Jesus. 

Baggage

 When our sons were little and we made family trips, I inherited the nickname of "Pack Mule." I got loaded down with all the luggage as Brenda navigated getting all four of the guys into the car and strapped them in their seats. She herded them to our final destination like cattle once we arrived. I often pulled two suitcases, had to others strapped over my shoulders and made multiple trips with a family of seven at times when Jennifer lived with who is Brenda's youngest sister. 

That is not the baggage I am thinking of today. I am thinking of emotional baggage. I spent some time this weekend considering events from childhood that have impacted me to this day. In my family, I saw alcoholism on both sides of the family by multiple members. There was sexual abuse on both sides. Pedophilia on both sides. There was also physical abuse. The one that bothers me the most is the lies and secrets kept from me until I was 27 years old. Not just one or two lies. Major lies on multiple fronts. 

I brought all that baggage into my relationship with Brenda. She carried her own baggage. She dealt with abandonment issues from her father, youth minister, pastor, and serious boyfriend. It was very hard for her to trust. We both brought baggage into our marriage we did not know how to unpack at the time. We muddled our way through the first few years and made many mistakes along the way. 

I was forced to look at my baggage during an exercise at our marriage conference today. It was not pleasant. Several unpleasant memories surfaced. Things shoved down deep. Like old clothes that get shoved down to the bottom of the drawer. I have not fully processed as of yet. 

Over lunch today, Brenda and I discussed what baggage we passed onto our sons. When I look back at my family dynamics as a child it is easy to identify the dysfunction. What takes a little more effort to unpack is what that dysfunction has done and is still doing to me today. It was explained that emotional baggage can be like an underground cable that connects two different events. Some events in life today can trigger emotions from decades previous. 

If those unhealthy bags are not emptied Biblically [Ps 55:22] [I Pet 5:7], they will manifest in unhealthy emotions like fear, anxiety, anger, and depression. None of those are things will build a healthy life or marriage. One of by one those unhealthy areas must be cleansed and refined. It may prove to be a painful process to deal with the past, but the end result could be mental and emotional health. 

We must be willing to unpack our bags. One thing I remember from those family trips is that when we got back home we unpacked our bags. We did not live out of suitcases. One by one dirty clothes went into dirty laundry hampers to be washed and ready to wear again. 

There are things I have to unpack and run through the redemptive cleansing of God. What Satan meant for evil God can turn and work it toward my good. [Rom 8:28] He can cause all things to work together for our good. He can use the pain to refine us and reshape us. He can also use us to minister to people who carry the same baggage we used to carry. May we unpack and press on to be better vessels in His hands. 

A Tribute to My Bride

 I met her 36 years on the campus of Howard Payne University. I noticed her before she ever noticed me. I volunteered to move new students into their dorms. Truth is I did it just for the girls. I carried Brenda's massive box of shoes up to her third story dorm room. She was a brown eyed beauty. She was overwhelmed with it all. Shy and unassuming. I thought she was stunning. We did not talk that day. 

I saw her around the campus for weeks. I noticed her long before she ever noticed me. Turns out my roommate had a class with her. He learned some things about her for me. Then it came time to make my move. We waited to see where she and a couple of friends put their trays down in the cafeteria. When she went to get her drink we swept in to sit at her table. Maybe not the smoothest move. That is how it began. 

After that, we set up our first study date at a local park. She actually brought books to study. I came only to study her. We both stereotyped each other. She thought I was a head banging rock and roll football player. I thought she was most likely a party girl. It did not take long for me to ask about her relationship with Jesus. She blew me away. She loved Jesus. Taught Sunday school to junior high girls back at her home church. The more she talked the more I considered her the exact kind of woman I wanted to marry. Within a week of our getting to know one another I told my mother over the phone that I met the girl I was going to marry. 

We talked about Jesus a lot. She was totally surprised I was studying to become a preacher. She never considered marrying a preacher. I never planned on being called to preach. That was God's plan and He drew us together from different parts of the state. 

She went back home to work for the summer. I went to Atlanta, GA to work as a summer intern for my former youth minister. I thought about her every day. I wrote several letters and waited for her replies. We talked on the phone a few times long distance. Those three long months without her. I think it is safe to say I fell harder for her than she did for me. She had been hurt in the past and it took a while to earn her trust. 

Then we hit a rough patch that ended in a one year breakup. I kept pressuring her to get married. She knew we could not afford to do so. She did agree to get engaged, but when I kept pushing her to set a date it became too much. We broke up. It crushed me, but God used it for good. That was the summer I really fell in love with Jesus as my first love. I spent months sending her money to pay for an engagement ring we bought on credit. I honestly thought it was over. 

She finished her course work in December of our senior year. Howard Payne only offered commencement ceremonies in May. She started her career back in Fort Worth. I stayed in Brownwood to finish my last semester. We ended up talking the weekend of graduation. The door cracked a little. That talk led to a few dates. We dated long distance for several months until I relocated to Fort Worth to go to seminary. 

I knew I wanted to marry her. I went and asked her mother for permission. She gave it reluctantly. She was not sold on me. Brenda and I traveled back for the Howard Payne University homecoming game. That is where I set my plan in motion. At the start of the fourth quarter the public address announcer called for Brenda to stand up for an important announcement. He read a message, "Brenda, will you marry me? Love Matt." She was shocked. Embarrassed to have the whole crowd looking at her. It took a moment before she regained her composure and said yes. We hugged and I high fives all my friends. We married on June 29, 1991 at her home church in Hurst, TX. That was 33 years ago. 

These days we are empty nesters. We are some of the most boring people in the world. We enjoy just sitting in our recliners watching movies together. We enjoy simple things like walking around the Farmer's Market, going out to eat, going to an occasional movie, and spending time with our sons and our daughter in law. It really does not matter what we do. We enjoy being together. She is my best friend. My soul mate. The person I love the most on this earth. 

I looked at her last night and thanked her for marrying me. This morning I told her I am still madly in love with her. I gave her homemade Valentine's cards and surprises this morning. I am blessed to share life with her. It really doesn't matter what we are doing as long as we are together, except maybe shopping. She has worn me down shopping on more than one occasion. I stared at her last night over dinner like a star struck young lover. She is a virtuous woman. She has stuck with me through the best of times and the worst of times in ministry. We still laugh together. Flirt a lot. We talk. Taken countless steps of faith. She still seeks God each morning and I do the same in different locations. I love her more now than the day I married her. She is still my brown haired brown eyed beauty. 

A Father to the Fatherless

It is estimated over 19.5 million children grow up without a father. That is one out of every four children. This has devastating impacts on those children and society. I ought to know. I grew up the same way in the late sixties all the way through getting married. I HAVE NEVER KNOWN THE LOVE OF A FATHER. NEVER HEARD A FATHER CHEER ME ON IN ANY ENDEAVOR. 

It is hard to describe the ways this impacted me. I felt inferior. Unsure of myself. An outsider looking at the rest of the crowd. I grew up an angry and abused little boy. There were multiple sexual abuses by family members and friends of the family. On one occasion there was physical abuse. I carried the baggage from those things for decades. In some ways, I may still carry some residuals. 

What are some of the lasting effects? Growing up without a healthy esteem, feelings of abandonment, trouble connecting with others relationally, poor academic performance, lack of trusting others, and mental health issues like depression. Fatherless children are also more likely to be aggressive. That was my number one problem. I fought and scrapped seeking to earn respect. I was a little boy parents told other little boys not to play with or befriend. All my anger and fighting was just a heart cry for someone to love me and accept me. My attitude repelled others from me. 

It was hard to navigate those early childhood years especially when it came to sports. I had nobody to teach me to catch and to throw a ball. I was driven though. My maternal grandfather was the closest thing I ever had to a father growing up. When we moved in to live with my grandparents, I loved time spent with my Papaw. We both shared a love for sports. I idolized Papaw. He was a legendary sports hero in my hometown. He was what we called a four sport letterman. That means he was on the high school varsity football, basketball, baseball, and track teams. I used to get in bed with him to watch Monday Night Football and baseball games. He was the most influential figure in my life other than my mother up until I was a sophomore in high school. He died of leukemia. That totally wrecked my world because he never got to see me play one single down of varsity football. I wept uncontrollably and was inconsolable for days afterward. 

I drifted through the next year pouring my pain into sports especially football. Long will I remember that Thursday night in October of 1983. I had no idea going through that day my whole life would change that night. Most who know me know that a local youth minister came into the stands of a junior varsity football game where I watched the game with my girl friend. That guy was sent by God on a different mission than watching a football game. He was sent to share the good news of Jesus to any who would listen. Just so happens he zeroed in on me. It was the first time in my life someone clearly spelled out what the death of Jesus on the cross meant. It also was the first time I understood my need for a Savior. Jesus saved and rescued me that night in the stands while the game played out below on the field. Everything changed. 

I did not realize it then, but for the first time I actually had a Father. A Heavenly Father. One who is a Father to the fatherless like me. [Ps 68:5] How can I put into words what that has meant to me over the years. God has been the Father I never had. He loves me, counsels me, reassures me, strengthens me, helps me, provides for me, and many other things earthly fathers do for their children. Things I have done for my own children. He is patient, but also willing to chastise me when needed. He forgives and also admonishes to do better. 

There is nothing an earthly father does for his children that my Father has not also done for me. He gives me purpose. He created me with intelligent design to fulfill His ordained assignment. To preach His word, shepherd a flock, lead others to know Him, and to write truths to help people on their journey. He is a faithful Father. Always there when I need Him night or day. He is a great listener. Patient. Merciful. Kind. Strong. Everything a child, or grown up, needs in a father. 

I am humbled and thankful God brought me into His family. I brought nothing with me. I had nothing to offer in exchange for redemption and adoption. When others ignored me, cast me aside, and refused to see my worth, my Father embraced me and cleansed me. He brought me into the family and gave me a seat at His table. All the good that I am or ever do is not because of me. It is all because of Him. I only boast in Him. [Gal 6:14] I celebrate that I now have a Father who is also Father to the millions of other fatherless children out there. 

Oh, That I Had 100 Lives

 The work of evangelism, laboring and seeking God for revival as well as spiritual awakening, the need for true discipleship among believers, and the continued need to pray as well as to write consume my thoughts this Thursday afternoon. Hudson Taylor felt a similar burden for 180 million Chinese people who had never heard the name of Jesus or heard the gospel message. It was Taylor who wrote, "Oh, that I had 100 lives to give or to spend for their good."

So many Christians are minimalists. What is the least amount they can do in service for the Savior. They do not want to be inconvenienced. It was inconvenient for Jesus to go to the cross, but He did it joyfully. [Heb 12:2] Joyfully and determinedly we should desire to labor for our Master from dawn to setting sun. There is much work to be done. So many have not heard the good news. 

One of my all-time favorite quotes was made by C.T. Studd. He said, "Tis only one life to live and twill soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last." That puts a razor edge on focus. So many of our activities will not matter in eternity. Those things will burn up when tested by fire. [I Cor 3:13-15]

All any of us have is this one life. We only get so many trips around the sun. We must make it count. I wish like Hudson Taylor I had 100 lives. The truth is all I have is one. One life to offer back to Him in loyal service. In my little corner of the world, in my limited influence, with my few talents and gifts I offer all of my days in service to Him. It does not matter where He plants me. It does not matter what assignment He gives me whether easy or difficult. It does not matter what sufferings may come along the way. I must labor for the King. I must give Him as much service as I can squeeze out of this life. 

I realize at 58 I am closer to the end than the beginning. I think I have a lot left in the tank. I am not looking to coast into retirement. I'm looking to hit my sixties in stride trusting God to still be productive for decades to come. Yes, you read that right. Decades as in plural. Not decade as in singular. 

Like a sponge, I ask God to squeeze every drop of productivity out of me. I do not look for accolades. I am not chasing money. I'm only after one thing. When I see Jesus face to face, I want to hear him say, "Well done good and faithful servant." I don't have 100 lives to offer, but I do have this one. 

Yes, You Are Going Home

 Maria Taylor was a frail woman physically but stout spiritually. Her life as a missionary was not a life of ease. She endured much suffering in China alongside her husband Hudson trying to win people to Jesus. She had to bury three children in China. A grief so tremendous only God could help her bear it. 

She was often ill herself. Body weakened and confined to bed to recover. One morning Hudson heard her as he was preparing breakfast. What he could not see in the candlelight, but became clearly visible with the sunlight, was that his beloved life was dying. He knew she did not have long to live. 

He would long treasure the conversation that followed. He informed her she was dying. She didn't believe him at first. She felt no pain but only felt weary. He was a physician and could see her strength was fading. That is when he told her, "Yes, you are going home. You will soon be with Jesus." 

The joy of her soon departure to be with Jesus eclipsed the pain in his heart of losing her. She was concerned with leaving him alone to raise and care for their four remaining living children and all the responsibilities for the China Inland Mission that would fall on his shoulders. 

Her words to her husband speak to a depth of relationship with Jesus that was deeper than most. She told him, "You know, darling, that for ten years past there has not been a cloud between me and my Savior. I cannot be sorry to go to Him." 

There two suffering spouses unselfishly releasing the other into the hands of the King of Kings. A very difficult moment softened by the eternal promise of everlasting life with Jesus. Maria was going home. She was only 33. They had only been married 12 years. It seemed like such a waste. Such a young life. Yet, the Taylors knew that home was in heaven. Three of their children were already there waiting on their mother. Hudson knew one day he would follow after his work on earth was finished. 

I know this world is not my home. As long as God gives me life, I want to squeeze the most out of it for Him. To labor while I have a chance. That includes pointing others to salvation like I did with a group of students last night and do weekly at the detox center. That includes preaching and teaching while I have the chance. That also means hammering these keys to get words of hope, inspiration, and truth out to readers. 

When all that is over, I will go home. Not my boyhood home back in the piney woods of east Texas. Not where Brenda and I reside. Home is in heaven. One day I'll go home. Until that day, I want to take as many others with me as possible. What a day of rejoicing that will be when my Jesus I will see. He will lead me into a home I cannot see or imagine on this side. I Cor 2:9 

It will be sad if Brenda and I have to part with one another. We'd much prefer to be raptured off this planet together. Should one of us be called home before the other, I hope we endure that valley of the shadow of death without fear but with the joy of knowing the dying one will soon be home with Jesus. I hope we can face it bravely like Hudson and Maria did. The other will follow close behind soon enough. Therefore, we may grieve but not as people without hope. The dead in Christ will be raised first before the living are caught up with the Lord in the air. May we take comfort in that thought. I Thess 4:13-18.

Not everyone will get to heaven. That requires salvation in Jesus. Nobody gets to heaven without going through Jesus. John 14:6 That requires repentance of sin and trusting Jesus for the free gift of forgiveness. We cannot earn our way home. We must accept this free gift by faith. Eph 2:8-9 That is the only way to make it home to heaven. Maybe someone will read this today and experience that great salvation made available by Jesus' demonstrating love for us by dying to take our punishment. Romans 5:8 That is my hope and prayer. 

The Cost of Following

 Hudson and Maria Taylor met in China where both served as missionaries for two different organizations. People in powerful positions tried to prevent their love from blossoming and a romantic relationship from forming. God had other plans. He orchestrated their meeting and eventual marriage. 

Taylor had some very deep convictions. One of them was that they should trust God to meet their missionary needs once they married. The biography written by their son Howard is a fascinating account of God's intervention in their lives. Tales of faith and God's continual faithfulness. 

One story is when townspeople rose up in mass against the missionaries. Lies were spread that dozens of children were missing because the foreign devils captured and killed them. A mob attacked the house trying to break down the door. Taylor went out to try and calm the mob but to no avail. Maria was forced to jump out the back off a veranda into the waiting arms of another missionary. He missed catching her and she injured her leg very badly. 

They also dealt with whining, complaining, and division among their missionary recruits who found life in China much harder than they anticipated and longed to return to the easy life back home. Taylor lived under the constant pressure of praying in more funds from month to month. 

Nothing could have prepared them for the ultimate sacrifice they would be called to make. The death of two of their children who were buried in China soil. They wept but did not blame God or complain. They accepted the fact that their children were safe in the arms of Jesus and sought solace in the fact that one day would be reunited. They continued their evangelism labors without delay. 

They understood the cost of following Jesus. There is a cost. It may be different for each of us than it was for the Taylors. Our costs may be minimal in comparison. What cost are we willing to pay in our following? Financial sacrifice? Enduring criticisms? Overcoming adversity? Relocating? Enduring sufferings on multiple fronts? Persevering through intense persecution? Where do you draw the line? Where and when would you tell Jesus no further. I am not willing to pay this price for following You? 

I hope the answer for all of us is that there is no line. Like the Taylors, we will follow to our last breath. No matter what pain we have to endure, what sacrifices we are called to make, and what personal costs to us. Will we follow? Matthew 16:24