Celebration

This past Monday, I was privileged to attend a funeral for a member of our church. Why do I say "privileged"? Because this woman was one of the most Godly and faith filled people I have ever known. She faced a grim prognosis with a deadly disease, yet she never wavered in her faith! She always exalted God and shared her love for the Lord Jesus. She wore a smile that covered her pain. She sang a song of praise, instead of voicing the battle with her illness. She shared the love she had for her God and always spoke of her confidence in his will for her life. Her face glowed with joy in spite of the suffering in her body. I watched this woman struggle to stand in front of a congregation to sing a love song to her savior. A perfect peace knowing she served a perfect God. She lifted her hands with tears in her eyes and began to sing. The words meant only for her God who was preparing for her a magnificent reward for her trust in him.... anticipating an eternal celebration! This was the last time she was able to attend church. Doris went to be with the Lord a short time later. Live life today, for the celebration tomorrow!

Understanding God

Sometimes, I have to run on auto-pilot. What I mean is, at certain points in this Christian walk, I have to move completely by blind faith. I walk solely by his spirit, not really seeing or sensing God's purpose in a particular situation. This most often occurs when I just don't understand God. Many times when we think God is farthest away, he is most close to us. In these times, I cling to the cross and the scripture that says, "his ways are higher than my ways" In these times, even through tears...I will trust the Lord with all of my heart, and not lean on my own understanding, but his.

Walk in Victory

What an amazing journey we have in this Christian experience! I have learned some wonderful things in the past several weeks. God is still God. No matter what battles are raging around me, God is still God. Sometimes, we see a problem and overreact. Not that we don't have faith or we don't trust that God can handle it, but we shift gears, turn the wheel and forget that Jesus is still the same. His words still hold true for every circumstance, every problem and every issue we face. He is the same. I have known what the word of God says, I've had the Holy Spirit lead me and give me direction. I know the way, so why do I occasionally chose my own way and run to solve a problem? For me, I forget the victory is already won. I lose sight of the cross, my savior, my peace and my reward. Knowing God, and trusting in God, are two totally different things. I have to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, respond to people in humility and rest in his peace and abundant blessings. Then, I can walk confidently in victory.

Out Of Nowhere

It's strange, how you can be enjoying time with other Christians sharing God's goodness, when out of nowhere, "BLAM!!" The enemy can lob a grenade into the moment and attempt to disrupt or sidetrack what God is doing...attacking mercy, grace and forgiveness.
I experienced that today. What is the grenade? A bad word, sudden and unexpected gossip, giving glory to the devil, discouragement...It doesn't really matter. What's important, is how we as Christian men and women respond. That's what's important. Patience, understanding, joy, motives and character determine a Godly response, damage control and restoration.
We ALL lob a grenade once in a while. Only Christ can help us, restrain us, and prevent us from making this a habit. It's God's hope for us, that eventually, we'll be disarmed by his love for us. Thank God for the love of Christ that dwells in us!

Looking For A Few Good Men

Where are they? I'm talking about the shakers and movers of the Christian faith. Giants of men...Generals, who fearlessly led the charge up the hill of indifference. Those that wave the Christian flag with one hand while waving us on with the other. "Come on, don't believe the lies!" We're not defeated! We can stand for righteousness! Get in the fight! Right is right, and wrong is still wrong!" Oooh rah! Almost gives the visual of Iwo Jima. There are still men accepting the commission to go, to fight, to lead and not surrender to compromise, or lay our sword at the feet of the enemy in defeat. Are you one of them? God is waiting for you to decide. If you feel we are losing the battle, be prayerful and courageous and consider God's word.

David ran to the enemy, Gideon took a small remnant of men and sent an entire army fleeing, Samson, a blind and humiliated strongman, trusted God while he was bound and ridiculed. Nevertheless, he pushed against the enemy and won. Remember Mel Gibson in "The Patriot" and "Braveheart"? Ordinary people became fearless warriors, because as they ran away in fear retreating, they saw a leader waving a flag that yelled, "We'll win!...don't give up. Come on, we can defeat this enemy! He's already defeated... see the cross on that hill stained with blood! I know the man that put it there! THAT is our flag...THAT is our victory!"

Good Job

I was reading a devotional the other night. It was about how God ask us to know him, to have a deeper walk with him and to do what he ask us to in obedience. Why? Because we love him. As a kid growing up, I had a strong-handed dad. He didn't demonstrate a loving role model, but he did the best he could. I remember doing a lot of household and yard chores...LOTS of them!
Honestly, I didn't want to. I wanted to play and chase after my friends like any kid would. I had chores to do so I did them. What was my main motivation? Very simple for me, I wanted nothing more than to hear my dad say, "Good job son".. that was all, nothing else. Even the money (if there was any) didn't really matter. I desperately wanted to hear those spoken words. I wanted to hear that more than anything in the world. It was vital to me because I knew that I pleased my Dad. That's exactly what we as God's children should desire above all else, above anything we can imagine..to one day hear the words from our heavenly father,
"Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter in."

At What Great Cost

As I had coffee this morning, I was reflecting on my freedom and just how much I have. I thought about those who helped birth and found this nation and the tremendous cost to them personally. Many of those men who declared liberty, were themselves shot or hanged. They lost home, business and family. I thought about the "Mayflower Compact" and what it said, "..for the advancement of the Christian faith". How many people know this fact?
I considered those of other nations that realized a nation of freedom was being born and came to this land to fight and many died. I considered that ordinary citizens became soldiers by simply seeing they could be free from tyrany and deciding to fight. Great Presidents led because they felt a divine call to reverence and fear God. On this 4th of July, a nation declared freedom. I want to remember that more than 2000 years ago, Jesus gave his life to bring us freedom from sin and judgement. Jesus declared us free from sin and death. Freedom is never free. When we think about freedom, remember at what great cost it was to those who gave their lives and died for you. Then, the fireworks will seem brighter, louder and they'll bring a smile to your face.

Calling All Missionaries

I am openly pleading with Christians. Men and women of God are urgently needed. I am asking all of you who feel called to go around the world and share the Gospel. Pray and ask God for his leading and provision in answering this call. The nation is large and multi-cultural in it's makeup.
There is an indifference in the land and most of the people are self-absorbed. They have wonderful facilities in which you can minister the Gospel and you won't lack for food or shelter.
In this land, they once knew the God of the Bible and reverenced his name. Now, the land is filled with many Gods and even public prayer is in danger of being outlawed for good. Good is called evil and evil is called good. Thousands of babies are sacrificed daily with the approval of the government. I am very concerned for this country and ask that you consider my request. There is a remnant of people that truly love Jesus, but they are rapidly becoming outnumbered.
If you are bold in your faith, will preach the truth and are Spirit led, please come...
Come evangelize and preach the gospel to America.

What to Do

You can't help but see it everywhere, frustration, anxiety, hand-wringing. People are nervous. They're searching for answers and wondering what tomorrow will bring? They say it's a dangerous world..an expensive world (and getting more so everyday)...and so-called "global warming" is the threat of the time for all of us. We are being squeezed from every side and no one seems to have the answers. What are we as Christians to do? The solution is simple. We carry it around all the time and hear it at least once a week. Preach the Word! Be instant, in season and out!
We are supposed to bring Good News to the world. Comfort the afflicted and offer hope to the lost.
Now...this is the time, this is the best opportunity for those of us who are called by his name, to share the hope that is within us. Good news gets better as bad things get worse. We are supposed to be the salt of the earth. With so many looking for answers, we have an incredible time for seeing people come to know the Lord Jesus. Seize the moment...share what God's word says for this hour. Lift up the savior and boldly proclaim his love...this is what we're to do.

A Loving Hand

A friend of mine and I, heard a testimony today. The man shared the story of his brutal and horrendous prison experience and how he 'escaped'. Not in the literal sense of the word, but by his dramatic and and incredible conversion to Christianity. While sharing his story, he said something that jumped out and gripped my attention. He said he suffered from "Agony of the Soul". What a truly accurate description of the tormented man/woman. I suppose the reason I so related to and understood his words were that I too at one time, suffered from agony of the soul. When I surrendered my life, my hurts, and my "agonizing soul" to the Lord Jesus Christ, I found a supernatural rest.
Jesus performs a spiritual surgery to remove, repair and make new anything inside us that causes us to 'agonize' and suffer within. I found a complete peace knowing that I had forgiveness for ALL my wrongs and the storm of violent agony within me ceased. A loving God had laid his loving hand upon me and offered me rest. Do you need the nail scared hands to bring a healing touch to the 'agony of your soul'?

Cheap Cross Christianity

I know, What does that mean? Very simply, this is a description of Christianity in America. I have grown increasingly alarmed at the view of morality today. Not by the society in general, but by the church itself. Many of the larger and more pointedly, mega-churches, have reduced being "followers of Christ" and being "crucified with Christ" to a weak faith...a watered down version of feel good and smile, don't offend ANYONE social club of defeated and deceived individuals. I know these are strong words, nevertheless, they are true.
The missing ingredient is NOT picking up our crosses and following him. (Christ) We want to tell others how to be "spiritual", how to act like, look like, and be like Jesus, yet we aren't willing to "die" to ourself and allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives. Sin is not presented as SIN. It's not addressed head-on, it's sidestepped or winked at with indifference. Repentance is considered optional. Before we can teach others about sin, repentance, forgiveness and restoration, we first have to walk in humility and brokenness ourselves. The gap between Christianity and the world used to be miles apart. It's now virtually indistinguishable. Hardly anyone can see the difference.
God help us to see the tremendous cost of our forgiveness! He is STILL a Holy God.

A Final Stand

I just finished reading a story concerning a pastor in Canada who was fined and ordered by a judge, not to speak out against one sin in particular. I won't even say what it is...it doesn't matter. What is important, is that we as Christians decide TODAY, to stand against what the Bible calls sin. When tomorrow comes, we'll be ready to answer and answer with boldness and conviction! Will that choice cost me? Perhaps it could cost my very life.
Nevertheless, I have to decide. The tide of "forced tolerance" sweeping our nation, is only for those who will submit to an ungodly authority and ungodly "laws". Those who will bow to the alter of compromise, willingly offer to follow those who would lead us to shame and ultimately a spiritual death. What will you decide TODAY? Are you prepared to stand? The highest judge in the land is waiting for our response to that question.

Certain Faith for Uncertain Times

I heard it in church again today. Know who I am in Christ. Ugh! I've heard it a thousand times, from a hundred pulpits! Why again? Because it's the single most important "truth" I can know. IN Christ. If I am IN Christ, nothing can ever defeat me, not today, not tomorrow... not ever! My health can fail me, the comforts of life can be taken away, I can lose those I love, but God in Christ (who is love) can never, ever fail me! I'm sure I will hear it a thousand more times, and I need to. It's in the Gospel message... it's freedom in the hope of a victorious life apart from despair, hopelessness, broken relationships, drugs, alcohol, wayward children, and every other thing that tries to pull me away from God and take his place... knowing who I am in Christ