One day as the Little Red Pastor was scratching though his bible, he found a grain of wheat.
"This wheat must be planted," he said. "Who will plant this grain of wheat in the hearts of men?"
"I'm too shy," said the Duck.
"I'm too busy," said the Cat.
"That's not my calling," said the Dog.
"Then I will," said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.
Soon the wheat grew to be tall and yellow.
"The wheat is ripe," said the Little Red Pastor. "Who will cut the wheat with evangelism?"
"I don't know enough," said the Duck.
"That time doesn't work for me," said the Cat.
"Let me pray about it," said the Dog.
"Then I will," said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.
When the wheat was cut, the Little Red Pastor said, "Who will thresh the wheat with discipleship?"
"I've never taught a bible study," said the Duck.
"I'm there on Sunday," said the Cat.
"I'm not a preacher," said the Dog.
"Then I will," said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.
When the wheat was threshed, the Little Red Pastor said, "Who will take this wheat to the mill of fellowship?"
"Can I just watch you do it?" said the Duck.
"In September," said the Cat.
"Can't, hangin' with my friends," said the Dog.
"Then I will," said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.
He took the wheat to the mill and had it ground into flour. Then he said, "Who will make this flour into bread in prayer?"
"I tried it once, it didn't go too well," said the Duck.
"I'm organizing a meeting about that," said the Cat.
"I'm busy with the choir," said the Dog.
"Then I will," said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.
He made and baked the bread. Then he said, "Who will eat the blessings of this bread with me on Sunday?"
"Oh! I will," said the Duck.
"And I will," said the Cat.
"And I will," said the Dog.
"No, No!" said the Little Red Pastor. "I will do that." And he did
Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;
Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
Not few people...
Not few Christians...
Few laborers...
What are you?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Escape
Daily challenges. Financial, relational, spiritual, carnal challenges. We meet them every day. They can make us feel like we are swimming the Atlantic with lead boots. It doesn't take a tragedy to weigh you down. At least with a tragedy you have a reason to want to keep your head buried under the covers. Life can get heavy. Daily becomes a 4 letter word, responsibilities loom like mountains, weariness clouds the sun of every activity, and there seems no escape. But is there? There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. - 1Co 10:13
With every temptation... a way of escape. Hope, there's always hope. In the 911 tragedy many were left with no escape, no hope. But some did perish who had a way of escape but didn't take it for one reason or another. That's where we fall. Squandered escape routes from daily life. God gives us a way to escape our stress our frustrations our disappointments, and we fail to utilize it. How many times have you noted how your day went better because it began in prayer. How many times have a sermon or altar call lifted a thousand pounds from your shoulders. Like the old song says " O' what peace we often forfeit, O' what needless pain we bare, all because we do not carry. Everything to God in prayer " I know you're probably thinking it can't be that simple, but consider the following. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. -Pro 3:5 So, how 'bout the blessing of a God conscience life? Have you found His daily treasures that free you from the drudgery of life. Ever stumbled into a witness (not a Jehovah's Witness, a witnessing opportunity) only to walk away with a spring in your step? What a glorious escape. Life can be full of little treasures that rapture us from the daily routine to a better way. Why do we miss it. The same reason I miss my off ramps and turns while on the phone. We get distracted. We leave God behind. And thus leave His blessing. The trick of the enemy is to distract us and cause us to miss our escape. When traveling with my wife, if I happened to notice an outlet mall or some other one sided point of interest, I would say "look over there" pointing the other way, (money saving technique) This is what happens when we approach God's escape plan. The enemy does all he can to get us looking at the wrong things. Let's simply refocus on our great God. Put Him back on the throne. Delight in His ways and live in the desires of our heart. (Psalms 37:4) Its that simple. There is an escape.
With every temptation... a way of escape. Hope, there's always hope. In the 911 tragedy many were left with no escape, no hope. But some did perish who had a way of escape but didn't take it for one reason or another. That's where we fall. Squandered escape routes from daily life. God gives us a way to escape our stress our frustrations our disappointments, and we fail to utilize it. How many times have you noted how your day went better because it began in prayer. How many times have a sermon or altar call lifted a thousand pounds from your shoulders. Like the old song says " O' what peace we often forfeit, O' what needless pain we bare, all because we do not carry. Everything to God in prayer " I know you're probably thinking it can't be that simple, but consider the following. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. -Pro 3:5 So, how 'bout the blessing of a God conscience life? Have you found His daily treasures that free you from the drudgery of life. Ever stumbled into a witness (not a Jehovah's Witness, a witnessing opportunity) only to walk away with a spring in your step? What a glorious escape. Life can be full of little treasures that rapture us from the daily routine to a better way. Why do we miss it. The same reason I miss my off ramps and turns while on the phone. We get distracted. We leave God behind. And thus leave His blessing. The trick of the enemy is to distract us and cause us to miss our escape. When traveling with my wife, if I happened to notice an outlet mall or some other one sided point of interest, I would say "look over there" pointing the other way, (money saving technique) This is what happens when we approach God's escape plan. The enemy does all he can to get us looking at the wrong things. Let's simply refocus on our great God. Put Him back on the throne. Delight in His ways and live in the desires of our heart. (Psalms 37:4) Its that simple. There is an escape.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Lost
They are lost. Good people, nice people, misled people and uninformed people. Kind confused people, loving deceived people. People like you and me. But they are lost. If they never see the light they will be lost for all eternity. And that troubles me deep tonight. Girls just like my daughter are wasting their lives away. Young men like my sons are chasing the wind of vanity. They are lost. Doesn't that trouble you? You say yes, you even feel yes, but what have you done about it? Do you really pray for them, do you weep over them? Do you search for every opportunity to shine to them the love of Christ? Do you open your mouth every chance you get? Or do you simply walk away, for fear of embarrassment? Walk away to live your own private life, hiding the light from those in darkness. Do we really care for the lost? I realize this is an indictment, but it is ever so needed. The Apostolic church of America is so doped up on comforts of this life that we don't really care about hurting lost people. We go year by fruitless year without touching a single soul and still dare to call ourselves Christian. Do we squander the blood of Christ and yet deceive ourselves into thinking we are pleasing him? We waste the testimony he gave us in the abyss of our intimidation letting the uniformed walk right off their cliff of sin. We excuse our laziness, we blame the lost for their stubbornness. We learn to keep the empty ox crib clean, and go our merry way. Only to one day here. "In that you did it not unto the least of these, you did it not unto me" Wake up! If we are not reaching lost people in some way, we are not Christians. Let alone one God Apostolic Pentecostal Christians. Why soft soap it. Christ came to "seek and save them which are lost" As he is so are we, in this world. If we are in Him, he's gonna reach the lost. If He is in us, lives will be changed. Let us fall on our face in prayer, open our mouths in witness, and seek and save the lost. In Jesus name.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Revival
Revival;
It is God's will performed here.
It is an open door to divine intervention in the lives of men.
It is a passion of fire burning in our hearts for the lost.
It is the heart of God beating in our chest.
It is a passion that consumes duty, a relationship that consumes religion.
It is priorities set right.
It is of highest value, far above diamonds.
Because Revival;
Is the high calling of God,
The path of true fulfillment,
The meaning of life,
The design of God.
In Revival, we will find;
Our peace,
healing,
joy,
meaning.
Without it, everything grows dim and we die.
It cannot be replaced by worldly gain, social joys, successes or religion. It is not measured by mere numbers, hours, words or deeds. It lives only as a fire in the hearts of men.
And I want it. More than my daily bread. I want Revival.
It is God's will performed here.
It is an open door to divine intervention in the lives of men.
It is a passion of fire burning in our hearts for the lost.
It is the heart of God beating in our chest.
It is a passion that consumes duty, a relationship that consumes religion.
It is priorities set right.
It is of highest value, far above diamonds.
Because Revival;
Is the high calling of God,
The path of true fulfillment,
The meaning of life,
The design of God.
In Revival, we will find;
Our peace,
healing,
joy,
meaning.
Without it, everything grows dim and we die.
It cannot be replaced by worldly gain, social joys, successes or religion. It is not measured by mere numbers, hours, words or deeds. It lives only as a fire in the hearts of men.
And I want it. More than my daily bread. I want Revival.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Carnal Man
The crafty carnal nature in its unwillingness to die will conform. Yet its conformity is a great danger. For it lies in wait, coming up occasionally for a subtle breath of indulgence. Short and mild enough to remain undetected, lest his cover be blown and his demise sought. Like an infectious disease the carnal man seeks to live even in adverse circumstances. Is our carnal man truly mortified or has he just adjusted to the confines of apostolic doctrine, hiding in the shadows? Is he lurking in the doctrinally permissible, poking his ugly head up on occation? And if he is, what do you think are his plans? Do you think, just maybe, he seeks to be re-throned. Does he plot against his borders.
Or is he dead? Have you through the Spirit mortified him? This is where we find a reader paradox. As you read if you feel he is wiped away and of no concern, the truth is probably the opposite. The enemy is a mind blinder, and he does all he can to conceal his spy, his insider. Finding him refuge in self justification, excuses, lukewarmness, hypocrisy, laziness, half halfheartedness and many other such like havens. As in life, death is avoided. The carnal man will seek some conditions of peace if there is no way for him to maintain control. But mark it down as long as he lives he will seek dominion.
Let us take to the cross of total demise, never again to reign. When he appears, let us quickly identify him, blow his cover and slay him at an altar of repentance. For there is another man who seeks dominion. A worthy man. A man who has everything we could ever want or need. His name is Jesus.
Or is he dead? Have you through the Spirit mortified him? This is where we find a reader paradox. As you read if you feel he is wiped away and of no concern, the truth is probably the opposite. The enemy is a mind blinder, and he does all he can to conceal his spy, his insider. Finding him refuge in self justification, excuses, lukewarmness, hypocrisy, laziness, half halfheartedness and many other such like havens. As in life, death is avoided. The carnal man will seek some conditions of peace if there is no way for him to maintain control. But mark it down as long as he lives he will seek dominion.
Let us take to the cross of total demise, never again to reign. When he appears, let us quickly identify him, blow his cover and slay him at an altar of repentance. For there is another man who seeks dominion. A worthy man. A man who has everything we could ever want or need. His name is Jesus.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Testimony
If you have never traveled the road of Spiritual experience, then you can't understand what I say. If you've never felt a tangible presence of God, my words will seem fanatical. If you have never received the unexplainable joy overwhelming your soul, if you've never been with someone in the day of their miracle, if you've never had heaven become more real than earth, and God more near than your breath, my words will be foreign. If you've never tasted of these waters you will be unable to critique them.
The multitudes can rant and cast dust to the air, they can mock, scoff and deride. Saying, "the earth is flat you dreaming fool!" But for those who have circumnavigated its sphere, their wisdom is but foolishness. Tell the man that crossed a dry red sea that God is not real. Tell the healed leper, tell the once blind; once deaf, once dead. Speak your ideas and theories but they will never prevail against even one true testimony. "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation," Luke 2:30
The multitudes can rant and cast dust to the air, they can mock, scoff and deride. Saying, "the earth is flat you dreaming fool!" But for those who have circumnavigated its sphere, their wisdom is but foolishness. Tell the man that crossed a dry red sea that God is not real. Tell the healed leper, tell the once blind; once deaf, once dead. Speak your ideas and theories but they will never prevail against even one true testimony. "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation," Luke 2:30
Friday, April 10, 2009
Esau & Jacob
Jacob was going about obtaining the blessing the wrong way. The desire that was in his heart was right. But his method was terribly wrong. O' there are so many Jacobs in our world. Seeking the blessing yet pursuing it in terribly wrong ways. Hungry for something they don't quite understand, searching in the wrong world. Let us reach them, let us re direct them. They're not as far away as they appear.
Why would God so love this deceiver. It could only be his desire for the birthright & the blessing. Why would he so hate Esau, it could only be his despising of it. Though Jacobs faults were many,
something was in him that sought both the blessing and the birthright. Let the lesson be clear. If your heart desires the things of God, many faults can be overcome.
And the hated Esau, was it that Esau wanted the blessing yet not the birthright. He sought to be blessed in the way he chose, rather than finding Gods will for his life, and being blessed therein.
Esau mourned the loss of the blessing. Yet never do we see him mourn the loss of the birthright.
Jacob had strong desire yet his faith was weak. As Grandpa Abraham, he felt he needed to help God out. He continued supplanting as if he could not wholly depend on God till the day of the angelic wrestling match. Sometimes we refuse to depend upon God, even the God we desire, until we are backed into the corner and are stripped of all other options. Jacob was learning step by step, that he could fully trust God. for Jacob had a promise through the birthright, and a blessing. Total trust is only developed in time and experience. God will prove Himself faithful, He hath said, I will not leave you or forsake you, so that we might say, I will not fear...
God will work with our fears, he will work with our faults; dishonesty, pleasure seeking, and many others. But if we, as Esau simply care nothing for the glory of God, care nothing for what life God is offering, what can he do?
The blessing was to be blessed.
The birthright was to be a blessing.
We all love the blessing. But how hungry are we for the birthright, that makes us a blessing?
Why would God so love this deceiver. It could only be his desire for the birthright & the blessing. Why would he so hate Esau, it could only be his despising of it. Though Jacobs faults were many,
something was in him that sought both the blessing and the birthright. Let the lesson be clear. If your heart desires the things of God, many faults can be overcome.
And the hated Esau, was it that Esau wanted the blessing yet not the birthright. He sought to be blessed in the way he chose, rather than finding Gods will for his life, and being blessed therein.
Esau mourned the loss of the blessing. Yet never do we see him mourn the loss of the birthright.
Jacob had strong desire yet his faith was weak. As Grandpa Abraham, he felt he needed to help God out. He continued supplanting as if he could not wholly depend on God till the day of the angelic wrestling match. Sometimes we refuse to depend upon God, even the God we desire, until we are backed into the corner and are stripped of all other options. Jacob was learning step by step, that he could fully trust God. for Jacob had a promise through the birthright, and a blessing. Total trust is only developed in time and experience. God will prove Himself faithful, He hath said, I will not leave you or forsake you, so that we might say, I will not fear...
God will work with our fears, he will work with our faults; dishonesty, pleasure seeking, and many others. But if we, as Esau simply care nothing for the glory of God, care nothing for what life God is offering, what can he do?
The blessing was to be blessed.
The birthright was to be a blessing.
We all love the blessing. But how hungry are we for the birthright, that makes us a blessing?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Beyond Rejection
There are many disappointments in life. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." -Proverbs 13:12 There will be seasons when our hopes fail. Hopes for a healing, that end in the grave. Hopes for a marriage, now destroyed. Hopes for a womb that never bares. Hopes for love, for friendship, for companionship. Although some will invest their hopes in material things, Most people realize that the fulfillment they seek is relational. We sing..."Money can't buy me love!" and "Love is all you need" There lies an innate undeniable truth in the preeminence of love. We come out of the womb craving it. And we always will. Under the heading of real love comes all the things we want; friendship, companionship, intimacy, honor, respect, bonding... fulfillment.
This is why the hope of these things being deferred, makes us sick to the heart. We realize that we have very few people that really love us, so when we put one in the grave, it hurts immeasurably. Live a little while and you will see that day. I've seen a father and mother bury their firstborn son, and with him, a part of themselves. I will never forget that father's wailing for his lost hope.
Yet it is not only the grave that bereaves us of our hope of love. Sometimes hope dies first. I attended the funeral of a friend a while back. He died a young man, murdered by his own hand. What a tragedy. Although I knew him well, I had never met his family. They were estranged. As the funeral went on I realized that they didn't even know the man I knew. Many hadn't seen him in years, and even then, only occasionally. They had lost him, before they lost him. What immense regret.
Who have you lost? Not to death, for that is done, but to life? Relationships are fragile structures that can be demolished by unkind words and deeds. We can forgive, but if we never invest the time to rebuild, the relationship will still lie in ruins. We've all been there. We've seen some thoughtless act rip the roof off a relationship, leaving it exposed to the elements. Maybe it was just something inconsiderate. Or maybe it was utter betrayal. But somehow we have all seen relationships turn to rubble. In the ruins of every relationship there is a common element: Rejection. The reason you can find rejection somewhere among the ruins, is because it is rejection that strips us of the desire to build again. Rejection defers, and eventually destroys, hope. Relationships have been known to weather an incredible amount of diverse storms only to rise stronger than before. But rejection strips us of hope to rebuild. So we simply walk away.
All rejection hurts:
"I'm not interested in you."
"I don't care about you."
"You don't matter to me."
"You fool."
Feel that? It hurts, does it not?
So how do we react to rejection? Usually with... rejection. "Well... I don't care about you either" It seems silly, but that's exactly what we do. Why? Its our defense.
So what's the answer then? Relationships are of too great value to waste. How do we deal with the rejection? Only the "man of sorrows" can help you love deep enough to weather rejection. "He was despised and rejected of men."-Isaiah 53:3 No one has ever faced rejection like the man of sorrows. The governor sought to kill him as a child. They tried to throw him off a cliff in reaction to his first sermon. Mocked, derided, scoffed, falsely accused, betrayed, forsaken, tortured and crucified, yet his love marched on. He can help you love beyond rejection, because he's been there. He can help you build again. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."-John 2:19 Your hurt is real, you've been damaged, hope may have been killed. But he is the resurrection, you can love again. You can love beyond rejection, rebuild, and hope again.
This is why the hope of these things being deferred, makes us sick to the heart. We realize that we have very few people that really love us, so when we put one in the grave, it hurts immeasurably. Live a little while and you will see that day. I've seen a father and mother bury their firstborn son, and with him, a part of themselves. I will never forget that father's wailing for his lost hope.
Yet it is not only the grave that bereaves us of our hope of love. Sometimes hope dies first. I attended the funeral of a friend a while back. He died a young man, murdered by his own hand. What a tragedy. Although I knew him well, I had never met his family. They were estranged. As the funeral went on I realized that they didn't even know the man I knew. Many hadn't seen him in years, and even then, only occasionally. They had lost him, before they lost him. What immense regret.
Who have you lost? Not to death, for that is done, but to life? Relationships are fragile structures that can be demolished by unkind words and deeds. We can forgive, but if we never invest the time to rebuild, the relationship will still lie in ruins. We've all been there. We've seen some thoughtless act rip the roof off a relationship, leaving it exposed to the elements. Maybe it was just something inconsiderate. Or maybe it was utter betrayal. But somehow we have all seen relationships turn to rubble. In the ruins of every relationship there is a common element: Rejection. The reason you can find rejection somewhere among the ruins, is because it is rejection that strips us of the desire to build again. Rejection defers, and eventually destroys, hope. Relationships have been known to weather an incredible amount of diverse storms only to rise stronger than before. But rejection strips us of hope to rebuild. So we simply walk away.
All rejection hurts:
"I'm not interested in you."
"I don't care about you."
"You don't matter to me."
"You fool."
Feel that? It hurts, does it not?
So how do we react to rejection? Usually with... rejection. "Well... I don't care about you either" It seems silly, but that's exactly what we do. Why? Its our defense.
So what's the answer then? Relationships are of too great value to waste. How do we deal with the rejection? Only the "man of sorrows" can help you love deep enough to weather rejection. "He was despised and rejected of men."-Isaiah 53:3 No one has ever faced rejection like the man of sorrows. The governor sought to kill him as a child. They tried to throw him off a cliff in reaction to his first sermon. Mocked, derided, scoffed, falsely accused, betrayed, forsaken, tortured and crucified, yet his love marched on. He can help you love beyond rejection, because he's been there. He can help you build again. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."-John 2:19 Your hurt is real, you've been damaged, hope may have been killed. But he is the resurrection, you can love again. You can love beyond rejection, rebuild, and hope again.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Cursed Comfort
Cursed Comfort, Cursed Contentment.
As a subtle garden snake, carnal comfort has slithered in and deceived us into forsaking the heavenly treasure for worthless trinkets. Cursed comfort, you have eased the sting of guilt. A sting so sweet. A sting that's drives to our knees in holy repentance. Cursed comfort has numbed our conscience, a conscience of unmeasurable value. The birthing place of the deep cry for mercy and deliverance. Cursed comfort has redirected our treasures to this moth corrupted earth. Cursed comfort, you have blinded our eyes from the true treasure, the glory of the nail scarred hands, and deceived us into devaluing Him to 30 pieces of silver.
Where are the days of Luther, Wesley, Finney, Edwards, Brainard, and Bounds. The holy unrest of the Monravians, of which one third were missionaries. Where are the days of Seymor, Parham and Bartleman, where is that holy discontent that drove them to long hours of weeping on there knees until entire nations and generations were transformed by the power of God.
As a subtle garden snake, carnal comfort has slithered in and deceived us into forsaking the heavenly treasure for worthless trinkets. Cursed comfort, you have eased the sting of guilt. A sting so sweet. A sting that's drives to our knees in holy repentance. Cursed comfort has numbed our conscience, a conscience of unmeasurable value. The birthing place of the deep cry for mercy and deliverance. Cursed comfort has redirected our treasures to this moth corrupted earth. Cursed comfort, you have blinded our eyes from the true treasure, the glory of the nail scarred hands, and deceived us into devaluing Him to 30 pieces of silver.
Where are the days of Luther, Wesley, Finney, Edwards, Brainard, and Bounds. The holy unrest of the Monravians, of which one third were missionaries. Where are the days of Seymor, Parham and Bartleman, where is that holy discontent that drove them to long hours of weeping on there knees until entire nations and generations were transformed by the power of God.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Winners & losers
Who is a winner?
Who is a loser?
Is the winner the richest or the most famous? The most accomplished or the most powerful? Or maybe the most liked? Is it the man drunk with fame or is the one full of success? Is the winner the family man, or the businessman? Self realization, awareness, education, expression, or attainment? Which one wins?
Can we live a life of attainment and yet lose?
Somehow we all realize deep down that none of these things really constitute a win in the game of life.
So what does?
simple.
Finding and knowing and doing exactly what you were created and set here on earth to do. Your call if ya will. Or to make it even easier.
God.
Only the creator can reveal his purpose in us. Only the creator can truly optimize the use of his creation.
Fame is vanity, lust is a lie. Money brings emptiness. Entertainment is a smoke screen. Power corrupts, education is always incomplete, friends come and friends go. But our God-crafted eternal destiny sits on high, as the one true success. Seek it, Seek Him, and win.
Who is a loser?
Is the winner the richest or the most famous? The most accomplished or the most powerful? Or maybe the most liked? Is it the man drunk with fame or is the one full of success? Is the winner the family man, or the businessman? Self realization, awareness, education, expression, or attainment? Which one wins?
Can we live a life of attainment and yet lose?
Somehow we all realize deep down that none of these things really constitute a win in the game of life.
So what does?
simple.
Finding and knowing and doing exactly what you were created and set here on earth to do. Your call if ya will. Or to make it even easier.
God.
Only the creator can reveal his purpose in us. Only the creator can truly optimize the use of his creation.
Fame is vanity, lust is a lie. Money brings emptiness. Entertainment is a smoke screen. Power corrupts, education is always incomplete, friends come and friends go. But our God-crafted eternal destiny sits on high, as the one true success. Seek it, Seek Him, and win.
Till Christ be formed in me.
How deeply do we desire for Jesus to live in our world? Do we really believe him to be the hero this generation so needs? If he were to personally visit my town, how would he impact it? Would His power-filled preaching and miracle working sweep my city with salvation? How excellent would it be?
I don't believe I could even imagine all that would happen if Jesus Christ were to meekly walk these streets where I live, in the flesh. So many lives changed; deliverance, peace, healing, reconciliation, joy, restoration.
What could he do in one week? One month? One year? How about a few decades? How much do we believe His personal visitation to be worth? If we new a certain work, a certain action, could bring Jesus to town, how quickly would we give it?
Do I hunger to see it a reality? Do I really want it to be? Do I want it enough to offer me?
You see Jesus is perfectly willing to come, just not without you and me.
Here's a body, here's a mind, stripped and cleansed.
Gone is all Ive ever been.
Stripped of my passions both good and bad.
Stripped of all dreams and ambitions I've ever had.
Clean from agendas that once lifted up me.
I present my life to thee.
I must seek to lose what is mine, to gain Christ. So he can walk this city in this body. So he can see its needs through these eyes. So he can heal its hurts with these hands. He can come. Its a reality. But first I must move out. So he can move in. I must die so he can live. What a travesty to stop him from coming here, because I refuse to get out of his way. What a crime. I abhor the part pf my carnal self that hides the glorious Christ. Let the cross prevail! Let me pray, until I'm out of his way. Let me start today. Let ever empty face I see haunt me for its redemption, till Christ be formed in me.
I don't believe I could even imagine all that would happen if Jesus Christ were to meekly walk these streets where I live, in the flesh. So many lives changed; deliverance, peace, healing, reconciliation, joy, restoration.
What could he do in one week? One month? One year? How about a few decades? How much do we believe His personal visitation to be worth? If we new a certain work, a certain action, could bring Jesus to town, how quickly would we give it?
Do I hunger to see it a reality? Do I really want it to be? Do I want it enough to offer me?
You see Jesus is perfectly willing to come, just not without you and me.
Here's a body, here's a mind, stripped and cleansed.
Gone is all Ive ever been.
Stripped of my passions both good and bad.
Stripped of all dreams and ambitions I've ever had.
Clean from agendas that once lifted up me.
I present my life to thee.
I must seek to lose what is mine, to gain Christ. So he can walk this city in this body. So he can see its needs through these eyes. So he can heal its hurts with these hands. He can come. Its a reality. But first I must move out. So he can move in. I must die so he can live. What a travesty to stop him from coming here, because I refuse to get out of his way. What a crime. I abhor the part pf my carnal self that hides the glorious Christ. Let the cross prevail! Let me pray, until I'm out of his way. Let me start today. Let ever empty face I see haunt me for its redemption, till Christ be formed in me.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Landmark of resurrected dreams
Some things emanate from the very depth of our being. These are more than hobbies or interests. Bike racing is not one of Lance Armstrong's interests, its not even his employment, it's tied to his soul. Swimming is not something to do on a boring summer day to Michael Phelps. He lives to swim. We are endowed by our creator with a potential for passion. Every Olympic or professional athlete must "live" their game to climb that high. Pick any name from the top athletes of our day. You will find their sport is part of everything they do. Their diet, exercise, rest, it is all centered around the passion they live for. Just imagine Michael Jordon living as a donut-eating couch potato. His talent would die. Golfing's not leisure time to Tiger Woods.
As children we dream of living our passion. Go ask any child what he wants to be when he grows up and he will select from the highest rungs of society. I want to be.... President, Ambassador, Pro athlete, Firefighter, Doctor, Teacher, Actor... basically they say, I'm gonna be a hero! I'm gonna save the world. People will stand in awe of my accomplishments. I bring world peace, cure aids, cure cancer, make diet soda that tastes good, eliminate mosquitoes, make all fat people skinny, short people tall, remove all calories from donuts and candy, eradicate racism, and fix the weather! Ha! And that's just the beginning. Come on now, think back, (for some it's way back) you used to dream too. That fire once burned in your innocent soul. But what happened? Read that again slow. But... what... happened...? What happened to the dream? What happened to the passion? Where went the fire? Was it buried with a loved one? Crushed by a friend or parent? Stripped from your heart by a series of disappointments? When was it replaced by more "realistic" goals and less costly ambitions? You may not remember the day your dreams died, only to be replaced by mundane duties of life. You may not be able to remember the season but you know what I'm talking about.
Life will crush our dreams. Yep, I said WILL. There will be crushing pressure on your innocent passion. But that is the process of making a dream a reality. Just ask Joseph. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, (most of which wanted to kill him). Falsely imprisoned, betrayed and forgotten. But the very trial that came to crush him landed him smack dab in the will of God. Every passion will go through the fire of mocking persecution. It will be derided derailed and defamed. But if it's from God, it will live again.
I know what your thinking. Its too late for me. I'm to far along the road of life. That's what 80 year old Moses said at the burning bush. But God proved him wrong. He can prove you wrong too. He delights in it. But listen up, this is the difference. It may well be too late for "our" dreams, but it is not to late for "His" dream. You may not ever become Mr. Universe (the speedo would be scary!) It may be too late to be Ms. America. The athlete, doctor... cowboy or super hero may be a bit out of reach. But God's dream is not out of reach for you. God has a dream for you. A soul gripping passionate life encompassing dream.
This is the secret, "your" dreams are subject to the corruption of moth and rust. Your dreams can die to never live again. But the dream of God is as eternal as God himself. Though mocked derided, persecuted, beaten, scourged and crucified, the dream of God will rise again.
Have you answered the unreasonable, unrealistic, call of God. Have you warmed yourself at the burning bush of purpose only to walk away and trade for a demeaned token of religion? Gods dream for your life is never an interest, hobby or token. It is always a life consuming passion. Many will choose an easier less expensive road and thus accomplish little. But high on a distant hill stands a landmark to an unmovable dream. A landmark of terrible crushing that molded the greatest success. A landmark of a dream that stood the highest test of all of men's cruelties. All the way to the grave. All the way to Calvary. Where every dream died, but rose again. Won't you come to that cross, and let your dream live again.
As children we dream of living our passion. Go ask any child what he wants to be when he grows up and he will select from the highest rungs of society. I want to be.... President, Ambassador, Pro athlete, Firefighter, Doctor, Teacher, Actor... basically they say, I'm gonna be a hero! I'm gonna save the world. People will stand in awe of my accomplishments. I bring world peace, cure aids, cure cancer, make diet soda that tastes good, eliminate mosquitoes, make all fat people skinny, short people tall, remove all calories from donuts and candy, eradicate racism, and fix the weather! Ha! And that's just the beginning. Come on now, think back, (for some it's way back) you used to dream too. That fire once burned in your innocent soul. But what happened? Read that again slow. But... what... happened...? What happened to the dream? What happened to the passion? Where went the fire? Was it buried with a loved one? Crushed by a friend or parent? Stripped from your heart by a series of disappointments? When was it replaced by more "realistic" goals and less costly ambitions? You may not remember the day your dreams died, only to be replaced by mundane duties of life. You may not be able to remember the season but you know what I'm talking about.
Life will crush our dreams. Yep, I said WILL. There will be crushing pressure on your innocent passion. But that is the process of making a dream a reality. Just ask Joseph. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, (most of which wanted to kill him). Falsely imprisoned, betrayed and forgotten. But the very trial that came to crush him landed him smack dab in the will of God. Every passion will go through the fire of mocking persecution. It will be derided derailed and defamed. But if it's from God, it will live again.
I know what your thinking. Its too late for me. I'm to far along the road of life. That's what 80 year old Moses said at the burning bush. But God proved him wrong. He can prove you wrong too. He delights in it. But listen up, this is the difference. It may well be too late for "our" dreams, but it is not to late for "His" dream. You may not ever become Mr. Universe (the speedo would be scary!) It may be too late to be Ms. America. The athlete, doctor... cowboy or super hero may be a bit out of reach. But God's dream is not out of reach for you. God has a dream for you. A soul gripping passionate life encompassing dream.
This is the secret, "your" dreams are subject to the corruption of moth and rust. Your dreams can die to never live again. But the dream of God is as eternal as God himself. Though mocked derided, persecuted, beaten, scourged and crucified, the dream of God will rise again.
Have you answered the unreasonable, unrealistic, call of God. Have you warmed yourself at the burning bush of purpose only to walk away and trade for a demeaned token of religion? Gods dream for your life is never an interest, hobby or token. It is always a life consuming passion. Many will choose an easier less expensive road and thus accomplish little. But high on a distant hill stands a landmark to an unmovable dream. A landmark of terrible crushing that molded the greatest success. A landmark of a dream that stood the highest test of all of men's cruelties. All the way to the grave. All the way to Calvary. Where every dream died, but rose again. Won't you come to that cross, and let your dream live again.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Unfair
Unfair.
We have all heard or said at one time or another the phrase, "who said life was fair?" Yet when faced with injustice, we never cease to ponder why, or weep why, or scream why? Really, we do want life to be fair. And we somewhat expect it to be fair. And when some wrong slaps us across the face we are perplexed. Why, why me, why her, why now, why so soon, why so late. So life then is not fair, but is God? If God is fair and life is not, then is God not authoring life. So we ponder, is it my mistakes that brought this tradgedy? Is it my weakness, my faults? We look in, we look out. Its his fault, their neglect! And we look up and say God why? Some shake their fist at heaven, some grow bitter. Some bow their knee, and grow better. Yet still the why's go unanswered. Job was forced to face the unfairness of life. Left alone with boils and finger pointers, he respectfully pondered, wept, and screamed... why. He asked it from every angle, he looked in and out and up. Opinions flew like the hailstorm that killed his sheep. Emotions shook like the earthquake that killed his kids. But answers....? Not until the 38th chapter does Gods step in. But he doesn't give an answer. He gives some questions of his own. "Where were you when I made the heavens and the earth?" He asks Job about everything from stars to babies, from hail to sea creatures. Thus giving Job an unending list of things Job did not understand, that God fully understood. A list of things Job could not explain, that God could. A list of things completely out of Jobs hands, but safely in the hands of God. God's own list of hows, whats wheres whens and why's. To which Job could only reply " I do not understand ".
Is that ok with you and me. Are we ok with the idea that the list of things which only God understands is infinatly long. Can we with Job come to grip with the fact that God is not obligated to explain things to us? Can we survive not knowing? Will we grow bitter or better? Will we blame, or will we trust? That's the answer by the way, did you catch it? Gods answer to Job is the same answer he gives to you and me. A simple 3 words...
"Just trust me".
We have all heard or said at one time or another the phrase, "who said life was fair?" Yet when faced with injustice, we never cease to ponder why, or weep why, or scream why? Really, we do want life to be fair. And we somewhat expect it to be fair. And when some wrong slaps us across the face we are perplexed. Why, why me, why her, why now, why so soon, why so late. So life then is not fair, but is God? If God is fair and life is not, then is God not authoring life. So we ponder, is it my mistakes that brought this tradgedy? Is it my weakness, my faults? We look in, we look out. Its his fault, their neglect! And we look up and say God why? Some shake their fist at heaven, some grow bitter. Some bow their knee, and grow better. Yet still the why's go unanswered. Job was forced to face the unfairness of life. Left alone with boils and finger pointers, he respectfully pondered, wept, and screamed... why. He asked it from every angle, he looked in and out and up. Opinions flew like the hailstorm that killed his sheep. Emotions shook like the earthquake that killed his kids. But answers....? Not until the 38th chapter does Gods step in. But he doesn't give an answer. He gives some questions of his own. "Where were you when I made the heavens and the earth?" He asks Job about everything from stars to babies, from hail to sea creatures. Thus giving Job an unending list of things Job did not understand, that God fully understood. A list of things Job could not explain, that God could. A list of things completely out of Jobs hands, but safely in the hands of God. God's own list of hows, whats wheres whens and why's. To which Job could only reply " I do not understand ".
Is that ok with you and me. Are we ok with the idea that the list of things which only God understands is infinatly long. Can we with Job come to grip with the fact that God is not obligated to explain things to us? Can we survive not knowing? Will we grow bitter or better? Will we blame, or will we trust? That's the answer by the way, did you catch it? Gods answer to Job is the same answer he gives to you and me. A simple 3 words...
"Just trust me".
When its all for the Kingdom
When its all for the Kingdom we will not strive
But work together well
For the goal is great and the stakes are high
As high as heaven is from hell
When at Gods agenda we arrive
Motives are fast made straight
Selfishness and carnal pride
Are traded at gate
There we drop the "me" and bow to He
Who with purity derides
Every false and tainted way
For which he was Crucified
And will we step from religions boat
To the waters of faith and trust
To give control to him who holds
Each wave and every gust?
Or will we our little token give
And play the game of pride
Coated in religious shades
Our vanity to hide
And like the green fig tree who barren stands
A healthy yet worthless friend
To the hungry soul in fruitless toil
For his meaningless to end.
Will we together build the house
On the rock to forever stand
Or will we raise alone our own dream home
A mansion made of sand
Do sometimes we think to build for Him
But in truth its of our design
And we never see far beyond the "me"
To souls of the lost and dying?
When its all for the kingdom we will not strive
But labor without leaven
To give Him praise and exalt His ways
On earth as it is in heaven
But work together well
For the goal is great and the stakes are high
As high as heaven is from hell
When at Gods agenda we arrive
Motives are fast made straight
Selfishness and carnal pride
Are traded at gate
There we drop the "me" and bow to He
Who with purity derides
Every false and tainted way
For which he was Crucified
And will we step from religions boat
To the waters of faith and trust
To give control to him who holds
Each wave and every gust?
Or will we our little token give
And play the game of pride
Coated in religious shades
Our vanity to hide
And like the green fig tree who barren stands
A healthy yet worthless friend
To the hungry soul in fruitless toil
For his meaningless to end.
Will we together build the house
On the rock to forever stand
Or will we raise alone our own dream home
A mansion made of sand
Do sometimes we think to build for Him
But in truth its of our design
And we never see far beyond the "me"
To souls of the lost and dying?
When its all for the kingdom we will not strive
But labor without leaven
To give Him praise and exalt His ways
On earth as it is in heaven
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