Aren’t children amazing? They are so much smarter than we give them credit for. I have witnessed them doing amazing things. Today I listened to a two-year-old sing the “ABC’s” song. Well he sang most of it anyway. He is just now starting to talk but he can belt out “ABC . . . !”
A while back I told a four year old boy, who asked me if I was taking him home, that I was going to take him to the dump. He laughed at me and said, “No, this is a bus. It is not a dump truck! Take me home.”
Recently I heard a child tell another child something that was a complete fabrication of the truth. The second child reacted to the lie and began to whine. One of the adults that was there reassured the second child that what was said was not true and everything was going to be all right. The child continued to whimper for a while but then calmed down. The first child then said the same thing over again to the second child, calling them by name. The reaction of the second child was the same, and they began to whine. Again the adult reassured the child that this was not true and everything would be all right.
Just before we arrived at the home of the second child, the child began to sing out that they were going to see their daddy. The first child then called the second child by name and said, “No! That’s my daddy! No! That’s my daddy!” The second child responded by collapsing in hysteria! They began to cry out that it was their daddy and could not be consoled at all. Even when we arrived at the home and the father of the child came to take them off the bus they continued to cry. All the time the first child laughed and thought it was funny.
As we left the home and began to drive down the road I thought to myself, “How foolish to become so upset by such a complete and obvious fabrication of the truth.” The child knew whose daddy it was. They were reassured by those in authority that the other child was not telling the truth. Yet they chose to believe the lie to the glee of the one that is making it up.
I was then struck by the realization of how often we allow this to happen in our lives. The enemy of our soul loves to taunt and terrorize us with lies. In fact Jesus described him this way, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44
He loves to tell us something that is obviously a lie and then sit back and watch us react to it in fear and frustration. He will call your name and taunt you! He will challenge your spirituality and authority. He doesn’t care that he is lying, he only wants to cause you trouble. He only wants to plant seeds of fear in your heart and mind. The whole time he sits back and laughs!
He will bring up every mistake you ever made and heap condemnation upon you. Then laugh while you beg God to have mercy on you and chuckle as you live in fear of the judgement of God. He will call your name and tell you that you don’t have faith and that is why you are going through the situations that you face. Then laugh when you hang your head and cry because you feel like a failure. He will tell you that you are losing your mind because of past mistakes. Then rolls on the floor in glee as you tremble with fear!
All the time this is happening, the authority in your life is telling you that these are just lies. What is being said is obviously not true! We do have power, faith and sound mind and it comes directly from God! (2 Timothy 1:7) We are children of the King and have spiritual authority as our heritage. We are God’s kids! (Romans 8:15-17)
We don’t have to worry about our past mistakes. We have the assurance that if we have confessed them to God, then God has forgiven us of them and cleansed us from all wrong doing. (1 John 1:9) We are also reassured that the only one who can condemn us is Jesus Christ and He isn’t condemning us because He is on our side! (Romans 8:31-34)
So the next time you hear that taunting voice. You know that voice that preaches to us about our failures. The next time you hear that voice, just stop for a moment and listen to the voice of authority, the Word of God! The holler back to the taunter, “You are just talking like a kid!”
Well, it’s just a thought!
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Hardest Part of Discipleship
The Hardest Part of Being a Disciple
I have often thought of how great it must have been to be a disciple of Jesus. I could see him everyday. I would love to have the opportunity to visit with him. To sit in the same room, or area, and just listen to him talk and share his wisdom and understanding. That would have been incredible.
I have often thought if I could have been one of the disciples of Jesus, I wouldn’t have all the problems that I have now. All I would have to do is take each problem to him and he would solve it. Life would have been glorious.
Then I realize I am a disciple of Jesus. As a disciple I can enjoy those privileges. I can take my problems to him. I have the opportunity to fellowship with him. To listen to him talk and share his wisdom. I can take my all problems and my cares to Jesus. Bringing them all to him with the knowledge, he cares.
Yet, the role of discipleship is not without its difficulties. There are no drawbacks, but there are areas that require adjustment in our lives. Our priorities will change. Sometimes even our vocations might change. Like the vocations of some of the disciples of Jesus changed. Furthermore there is a position of discipleship that can be difficult for even the most ardent of disciples.
To be a disciple simply means to be a learner. It means to follow the teachings of the teacher. When a person becomes a disciple they begin to adhere or hold fast to the teachings of the teacher. A disciple is more than just a student. The disciple actually conforms to the teaching. He in reality becomes an imitator of the teacher. In this case we are talking about being an imitator of Jesus.
In the writings of Luke we find requirements, listed by Jesus, for a disciple. Jesus speaks of a disciple hating his mother, father, sister, brother and his own life. He talks of counting the cost before you start otherwise you might not be able to finish the task. Jesus also said in order to be his disciple we had to forsake all that we have.
In the Book of John, chapter one, we are introduced to a man that was one of the first disciples of Jesus. In studying this man we find a picture of true discipleship. John the Baptist stood with two of his disciples and saw Jesus walk by. He said, “Behold the lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus. One of the two disciples was Andrew who was identified as Simon Peter’’s brother.
In the life of Andrew we find a picture of the most difficult part of being a disciple of Jesus. Most of us know very little about Andrew. There are only four references of him personally to show us anything of his character. Yet in those few words he shows us how to be a true disciple.
Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist. He was among the first to follow Jesus. Tradition says that he was the first. That might be because John doesn’t name the other disciple of John the Baptist who was with Andrew. So when we look at the twelve who became Apostles, Andrew is the one with the most seniority.
Andrew does not have a real reputation of his own. Even the first time he is introduced to us, by John, he is introduced as the brother of Simon Peter. The ironic thing is we haven’t met Simon Peter yet.
He was part of the first men’s quartet, Peter, James, John and Andrew. They were all friends. They all grew up in the same town and worked in the same vocation as fishermen. However, we find that even the children’s Sunday school song fails to mention anything about Andrew. The song just speaks of “Peter, James and John…” being in the sailboat out on the deep blue sea.
Even with his seniority Andrew is not a part of the “inner circle” with Jesus. It was Peter, James and John who were with Jesus on the Mountain. The three of them were the ones who went with Jesus into the room of Jarius’s daughter. They were the trio that went a little further with Jesus in the Garden.
When the disciples were ordained and called Apostles, the writer Mark said that Jesus changed their names giving them a new identity. Simon became known as Peter that means rock. James and John were identified as the Son’s of Thunder. Yet Andrew’s name remains the same. He kept the same identity as before.
Andrew, however, from his first introduction to us shows us what is important. Even with as limited knowledge of Andrew as we have we are witnesses of what he considered to be of great magnitude. It is obvious from the start; there is a hunger in the heart of Andrew to know the Messiah. There is an intense desire to know Jesus.
He was a disciple of John and John’s whole ministry was pointing to Jesus. As soon as John said to him, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Andrew followed Jesus. However he did more than walk behind him. He had questions that would allow him to know Jesus. He asked questions like, “Where do you dwell?””
He was saying, “I want to know you. I want to know where you are living. I want to know where you are coming from. I want more than just a passing knowledge; I really want to know you.” He spent time with Jesus and came to recognize the Jesus was the answer to all he had been seeking.
We find that Andrew is the first soul winner. After he first met Jesus he went to his brother Simon Peter and John tells us that Andrew said to him, “We have found the Messias, the Christ.” We have come to know the one we have been looking for.
When Greeks, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, heard about Jesus they encountered Philip in their search. They asked him for help saying, “Sir, we would see Jesus.” What did Philip do? Philip went and found Andrew and informed him about the men. Then Philip and Andrew went and found Jesus and told him.
In John chapter 6 Jesus looked at the multitude that followed him and realized they were hungry. He turned to Philip and asked him where they could buy bread so the people could eat? Philip’s reply shows the bewilderment I would have felt in his place, “There is no way we can come up with enough money today to feed this many!”
At this moment Andrew, the disciple who was learning Jesus, steps forward to introduce an opportunity for a miracle. We might not have the money, but here is a young boy who is willing to share his lunch of five loaves and two fishes. It isn’t much among so many nevertheless here you are.
Andrew was willing to fit the part that Jesus had for him in the kingdom of God. He wasn’’t colorful or articulate as Peter was. He wasn’t as fervent or intense in his personality as James or John. He didn’t become part of the inner circle that was seemingly so close to the Master. He never was identified as ““the one Jesus loved.”
Yet when we look at Andrew we see that Andrew recognized Jesus as his Rabbi or his teacher. He called Jesus his Messiah or Savior. Andrew, without being angry or jealous, was faithful. He was the steady one. Andrew was the soul winner. Andrew wanted to know Jesus and to point others to him as well.
The hardest part of being a disciple is coming to know Jesus. Realizing that it is not the recognition that is received or the credit that is given that is important. What is important is recognizing who your Master or Savior is. The hardest part of being a disciple is coming to the knowledge that each disciple has a part in the kingdom of God and then striving to become that part to your fullest capability.
The hardest part of being a disciple is to become and imitator of Jesus Christ and in doing so, pointing others to him. Thank you, Andrew, for being a true disciple.
I have often thought of how great it must have been to be a disciple of Jesus. I could see him everyday. I would love to have the opportunity to visit with him. To sit in the same room, or area, and just listen to him talk and share his wisdom and understanding. That would have been incredible.
I have often thought if I could have been one of the disciples of Jesus, I wouldn’t have all the problems that I have now. All I would have to do is take each problem to him and he would solve it. Life would have been glorious.
Then I realize I am a disciple of Jesus. As a disciple I can enjoy those privileges. I can take my problems to him. I have the opportunity to fellowship with him. To listen to him talk and share his wisdom. I can take my all problems and my cares to Jesus. Bringing them all to him with the knowledge, he cares.
Yet, the role of discipleship is not without its difficulties. There are no drawbacks, but there are areas that require adjustment in our lives. Our priorities will change. Sometimes even our vocations might change. Like the vocations of some of the disciples of Jesus changed. Furthermore there is a position of discipleship that can be difficult for even the most ardent of disciples.
To be a disciple simply means to be a learner. It means to follow the teachings of the teacher. When a person becomes a disciple they begin to adhere or hold fast to the teachings of the teacher. A disciple is more than just a student. The disciple actually conforms to the teaching. He in reality becomes an imitator of the teacher. In this case we are talking about being an imitator of Jesus.
In the writings of Luke we find requirements, listed by Jesus, for a disciple. Jesus speaks of a disciple hating his mother, father, sister, brother and his own life. He talks of counting the cost before you start otherwise you might not be able to finish the task. Jesus also said in order to be his disciple we had to forsake all that we have.
In the Book of John, chapter one, we are introduced to a man that was one of the first disciples of Jesus. In studying this man we find a picture of true discipleship. John the Baptist stood with two of his disciples and saw Jesus walk by. He said, “Behold the lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus. One of the two disciples was Andrew who was identified as Simon Peter’’s brother.
In the life of Andrew we find a picture of the most difficult part of being a disciple of Jesus. Most of us know very little about Andrew. There are only four references of him personally to show us anything of his character. Yet in those few words he shows us how to be a true disciple.
Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist. He was among the first to follow Jesus. Tradition says that he was the first. That might be because John doesn’t name the other disciple of John the Baptist who was with Andrew. So when we look at the twelve who became Apostles, Andrew is the one with the most seniority.
Andrew does not have a real reputation of his own. Even the first time he is introduced to us, by John, he is introduced as the brother of Simon Peter. The ironic thing is we haven’t met Simon Peter yet.
He was part of the first men’s quartet, Peter, James, John and Andrew. They were all friends. They all grew up in the same town and worked in the same vocation as fishermen. However, we find that even the children’s Sunday school song fails to mention anything about Andrew. The song just speaks of “Peter, James and John…” being in the sailboat out on the deep blue sea.
Even with his seniority Andrew is not a part of the “inner circle” with Jesus. It was Peter, James and John who were with Jesus on the Mountain. The three of them were the ones who went with Jesus into the room of Jarius’s daughter. They were the trio that went a little further with Jesus in the Garden.
When the disciples were ordained and called Apostles, the writer Mark said that Jesus changed their names giving them a new identity. Simon became known as Peter that means rock. James and John were identified as the Son’s of Thunder. Yet Andrew’s name remains the same. He kept the same identity as before.
Andrew, however, from his first introduction to us shows us what is important. Even with as limited knowledge of Andrew as we have we are witnesses of what he considered to be of great magnitude. It is obvious from the start; there is a hunger in the heart of Andrew to know the Messiah. There is an intense desire to know Jesus.
He was a disciple of John and John’s whole ministry was pointing to Jesus. As soon as John said to him, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Andrew followed Jesus. However he did more than walk behind him. He had questions that would allow him to know Jesus. He asked questions like, “Where do you dwell?””
He was saying, “I want to know you. I want to know where you are living. I want to know where you are coming from. I want more than just a passing knowledge; I really want to know you.” He spent time with Jesus and came to recognize the Jesus was the answer to all he had been seeking.
We find that Andrew is the first soul winner. After he first met Jesus he went to his brother Simon Peter and John tells us that Andrew said to him, “We have found the Messias, the Christ.” We have come to know the one we have been looking for.
When Greeks, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, heard about Jesus they encountered Philip in their search. They asked him for help saying, “Sir, we would see Jesus.” What did Philip do? Philip went and found Andrew and informed him about the men. Then Philip and Andrew went and found Jesus and told him.
In John chapter 6 Jesus looked at the multitude that followed him and realized they were hungry. He turned to Philip and asked him where they could buy bread so the people could eat? Philip’s reply shows the bewilderment I would have felt in his place, “There is no way we can come up with enough money today to feed this many!”
At this moment Andrew, the disciple who was learning Jesus, steps forward to introduce an opportunity for a miracle. We might not have the money, but here is a young boy who is willing to share his lunch of five loaves and two fishes. It isn’t much among so many nevertheless here you are.
Andrew was willing to fit the part that Jesus had for him in the kingdom of God. He wasn’’t colorful or articulate as Peter was. He wasn’t as fervent or intense in his personality as James or John. He didn’t become part of the inner circle that was seemingly so close to the Master. He never was identified as ““the one Jesus loved.”
Yet when we look at Andrew we see that Andrew recognized Jesus as his Rabbi or his teacher. He called Jesus his Messiah or Savior. Andrew, without being angry or jealous, was faithful. He was the steady one. Andrew was the soul winner. Andrew wanted to know Jesus and to point others to him as well.
The hardest part of being a disciple is coming to know Jesus. Realizing that it is not the recognition that is received or the credit that is given that is important. What is important is recognizing who your Master or Savior is. The hardest part of being a disciple is coming to the knowledge that each disciple has a part in the kingdom of God and then striving to become that part to your fullest capability.
The hardest part of being a disciple is to become and imitator of Jesus Christ and in doing so, pointing others to him. Thank you, Andrew, for being a true disciple.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
40 Days to Focused Life Summit Benton, AR Summary
40 Days to Focused Life Summit
Benton, AR
April 18 - May 21-23, 2010
Benton, AR
April 18 - May 21-23, 2010
Seeking to be Released into the Spirit of Apostolic Revival!
On April 18th Apostolic Tabernacle and TEAM Ministry launched 40 Days to Focused Life Summit. Actually it was 33 days because the launch had to be put off a week because of death in the Church family.
God met in a special way that evening as the Church made commitments to pray a committed number of minutes a day. They focused on praying for a spirit of unity in the Church, for God to do a supernatural and spiritual work in their lives, to renew their first love for the Word of God and for lost souls. They committed to fast a committed number of days each week. This included fasting food and also the media (radio, video, internet, tv, etc.) They committed to reading the Book of Acts through during this time and asking God to us the vision of the Early Church. They committed to a financial commitment to help with extra expenses.
Pastor Jay Emerson and Youth Pastor Jared Doran began teaching prepared lessons to the Adults and Youth. These lessons covered Healing for the Church, Spiritual Warfare, Created for Wholeness and The Apostolic Church. These lessons were designed to help bring into Focus what God desires for our lives and what He has put at our disposal to accomplish it.
On May 2, Don Doran came and taught the lesson Created for Wholeness. God created us in His image, complete. Sin has broken and destroyed our lives. God wants to bring us back to that completeness He designed for us. The power of God fell and many lives were touched that night as God began to heal broken hearts.
On May 16, Don Doran again came and preached Forgiveness is Not an Option! It is impossible to have a relationship with Jesus Christ without forgiving others. It is impossible to feel good about ourselves and not carry condemnation and shame if we have an unforgiving spirit. Again, God began to deal with our hearts as we asked Him to reveal the unforgiveness in our lives.
On May 21, Tim Doran, pastor of Osceola UPC, preached a powerful message on being full of the 
Spirit. God began to fill lives and miracles and wonders began to take place. In that service one received the baptism of the Holy Ghost after seeking it for ten years. Another was healed of kidney failure. There is no way to tell how many hearts and lives were healed.
Spirit. God began to fill lives and miracles and wonders began to take place. In that service one received the baptism of the Holy Ghost after seeking it for ten years. Another was healed of kidney failure. There is no way to tell how many hearts and lives were healed. May 22, Jared Doran, Youth Pastor of Apostolic Tabernacle of Benton, preached on Jesus Christ being our refreshing. We will go through desert places but can be refreshed by Jesus Christ. Again, many were on their faces before God seeking that refreshment.
May 23 AM, Don Doran, evangelist from Conway, Arkansas preached on God is on a Leash! The
only limit that God knows is the one we put on Him. He can do anything we want or ask, if we take the leash off and let God go! Don challenged the Church to get a "New Revelation of God’s Love for Them!" God, again, began to minister to hearts as people began to release God to do the work they needed done in their lives.May 23 PM, God preached! Don Doran was scheduled to preach but, during a song about how much God loves me and you, God poured out His Spirit in a powerful way. People were slain in the Spirit! Others just began to weep in the sweet presence of the Holy Ghost. After a while a Brother came to the front and began to tell of a vision that God had just given him which reassured this Brother that God really did love him. He said he had been going through a desert and unable to cry for a couple of years. He had wondered at times where God was. God had just revealed He was there all the time, loving him and he wept! A Sister got up next and said God had revealed his love to her too. Taking her to times when He had been there caring and loving! Oh what a time we had that night.
I can talk about this but thought you might be better blessed with testimonies of some who were there and what they felt.
I feel like I have been in a cracked, dry desert place...flooded by cool refreshing rain! God is SO good! It blessed me immensely to be a part of these services. I regret having to work on Friday evening. Witnessing God touch my three guys was amazing. -VK
God healed me in many ways mainly my heart. Throughout the weeks prior I had been dealing with feelings of depression, inadequacy and some others mainly because of my lack of employment. I had applied for a job that I had thought was going to work out to be something really good for me. Upon finding out that they had filled the job I began to have some issues with self degradation.On the Thursday before summit Jared asked if I had finished reading acts and, of course, I had not. He then preceded with the words "read it and be encouraged. Your faith is low right now and u need strength" or at least it was something along those lines. For the next 18-24 hrs I began where I had stopped (Acts8) and read it through, almost unable to put it down. By Friday night I was focused again on God, however my faith was still very, very low. The pivotal moment didn't come in praise and worship nor did it even come in what we would consider the technical "alter call" it came when Bro. Tim went around praying healing into peoples hearts and lives. He came to me looked me square in the eye and said " do you have a job yet?" and I said no. At that moment he placed his hand on my head and prayed encouragement, healing, and faith into my life when he spoke the words "let it happen this week" I believed him, not because of the faith I had in the man but because I had never said a word to him about the issues with which I was dealing thus his knowledge of said issues had to have been divinely given him. I basically said all of that to say this. I had revelation this weekend of Gods love for me. What did it mean to me? Everything. Had I not gotten what I got, had I not felt what I did, I'm convinced my life would have spun out of control. I just had to learn to UNLEASH God in my life and let Him do what He does best...everything. - DK
This past week I applied for the Math and Science School in Hot Springs. I wasn't sure whether or not it was God's will for me to go. Friday I asked God to help me make the decision if I'm accepted and when Bro. Tim Doran prayed for me he told me "To go after my dreams, God will make a way" it was so amazing how God used him to speak to me.This is just one way. My heart was also healed and I let go of many things.Thank You! The Summit was incredible. - CS.
The Summit changed my life in a way that I have been hoping and praying for. Due to my busy schedule, I usually do not attend many extra services. On Wednesday night before that Friday Bro. Jared was sharing what Bro. Don and he had been discussing on the patio. He said that God was going to heal the broken hearted and heal the sick. I have had such a longing to see some old time miracles I told myself I am not going to miss this! I am so glad I pushed my old self aside and went to church! Not only did my husband receive the Holy Ghost after ten years of praying but, I have been praying for a change in our church for a long time. I have been praying that God restore that first love in me. I have also been praying that the church get a burden and love for lost souls. - KB.
I feel like God renewed . . . refreshed , , , restored . . . re-energized . . . re-vitalized . . . reestablished me. I appreciated all God did. - DE.
Wow, what can I say? It just shows what can happen when you FOCUS on a move of God! God healed broken hearts and did some physical healing at this Summit! My mom was healed of a kidney disease that has had her down physically and spiritually. She had immediate results! Bro Tim Doran said he noticed immediate color in her cheeks. She had so much energy right away, it was amazing! She said there was evidence by the next day that she felt her kidneys were healed! God is so Awesome, He knows exactly what we need when we need it!It really showed in the ministry of Bro Tim, Bro Jared, and Bro Don Doran that we had FOCUSED and they had FOCUSED on a move of God! I'm so excited to see what God is going to do for Apostolic Tabernacle of Benton, AR!-MD.
Bro. Doran on Friday night God really did some Amazing things in my life but the one thing that really blew my mind was I got an answer for something I have been praying about for many years. I had prayed and prayed and asked God to give me an answer and I started to think it would never come but God gave it to me on Friday night. I will never forget that service it really has change my life forever. I'm so excited about what God has done and is doing! God bless, AD.
God blesses when we Focus our lives on Him desiring a to be released into the Spirit of Apostolic Revival! Thank you for all your prayers and intercession. There were many from TEAM Ministry Group on Face Book who contacted us to say the were praying and fasting with us for these services. Many texts came in saying they were praying while we were ministering. You will never know the strength and boldness that allows to minister in the Holy Ghost. God Bless and TEAM!
Friday, April 30, 2010
I Have a New Name
Yesterday a beautiful three years old came out to greet her brother as he got off the bus. She climbed up on the first step, by her mother, looked at me and smiled. Instantly I lost my heart! She asked if she could have a piece of candy too and of course I gave her and her baby sister each one.
As I watched, the children scamper across the yard toward the house I was amazed at what a beautiful family they were. How happy and content the children all seemed to be. I was then reminded of the rest of the story.
Several months ago we had stopped to pick up the older brother for school. As I was doing my paper work and the bus aides were buckling him in they were talking to the mother about his sister. This little boy has been adopted by his parents. Now they were in the process of adopting this little girl.
Someone asked what the baby’s name was and if they were adopting her. The mother went on to explain that after a period of time the parental rights of the birth parents would be severed. At that time she was giving this child a new name and a new life with a new family.
As she said this, I remembered a passage of scripture in the Book of Romans where Paul told the Church of Rome, ""For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:15-17). I must admit I became really excited.
In Rome many times a child was put up for adoption because of debts owed by the birth family. It was common in Bible times for family members to be cast into a debtor prison or sold into slavery to pay the debt. So instead of allowing that to happen to their children parents often put the child up for adoption. When this child was adopted, he took on the name of the adopted family. His old name was forgotten. Everything that connected him to his past was forgotten, as if it had never happened. All of the old debts or even any crimes of the past were all forgotten as if they had never happened.
The adopted child became a natural heir to his adopted father, with the same rights as a natural child. He was given a new identity. It was as if he had never lived a day before his adoption, as if he were born again. He no longer had to live in fear of slavery or bondage because of his past, he was given a new beginning. He received a brand-new life!
Paul likens our relationship to Jesus Christ to that of an adopted child. The fears that were associated with our past no longer have a claim on us. We no longer have to live in a spirit of fear. We have been adopted by God to be His children! The spiritual debts we owed no longer have a claim on us. We have been told " . . . the wages of sin is death . . . " (Romans 6:23a) however we are no longer being held accountable for that debt, it has been forgiven. We have now been given "...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." *Romans 6:23b)
In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear is not a gift from God. It is not part of the inheritance of a child of God. Rather, our inheritance includes power, speaking of a super natural or miraculous power. It is also referring to being able or something being possible. We have received the Spirit of Love from our Father. This is speaking of a Godly love that is a love-feast. There is an abundance of love from the Father. We also receive the Spirit of a sound-mind which is referring to a mind that is controlled or disciplined. What a heritage!
The enemy would have us to live in fear of our past, but God has not given us a spirit of fear of the past or the future. We have a new name or authority, power. We can expect the miraculous in our lives! We are given a spirit of love, acceptance or forgiveness. We can feel wanted of God! We are given the spirit of a sound, disciplined mind. Free to think upon the promises and accept the blessings of God. It is our heritage!
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised," (Luke 4:18-19) When we come to Jesus, He will heal our hearts that were broken by life. He will bring us deliverance from our past that holds us in captivity. He will open our eyes to the hope and promise we can find in Him. He will allow His blood to flow through our lives setting us free from the blows life and sin has given us. He will give us a new life and new beginning.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) we have the promise of a new life in Christ Jesus! No matter who we are or what our history is, we start over again at adoption.
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Revelation 2:17) Jesus is speaking to the Church and makes us this promise. Let me explain what this means to us.
A White stone was given by judges, during a trial to show the defendant was not guilty. A black stone was given to show the defendant was guilty. When Christ promised the over comer a white stone, He also promised a new name to be written in the stone. Not only did He say not guilty, but Christ is promising absolution from guilt. He is telling us, "I will not only say you are not guilty, I will give you a brand new name that will not connect you with you past, but will give you a new beginning."
Friend, when I was born again into the Kingdom of God I really got more than I bargained for. I thought I was just receiving forgiveness of my sins. However, I found out that I received a brand-new name and with it I also received a brand-new life. Oh what a Savior!
It’s just a thought! God Bless...
As I watched, the children scamper across the yard toward the house I was amazed at what a beautiful family they were. How happy and content the children all seemed to be. I was then reminded of the rest of the story.
Several months ago we had stopped to pick up the older brother for school. As I was doing my paper work and the bus aides were buckling him in they were talking to the mother about his sister. This little boy has been adopted by his parents. Now they were in the process of adopting this little girl.
Someone asked what the baby’s name was and if they were adopting her. The mother went on to explain that after a period of time the parental rights of the birth parents would be severed. At that time she was giving this child a new name and a new life with a new family.
As she said this, I remembered a passage of scripture in the Book of Romans where Paul told the Church of Rome, ""For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:15-17). I must admit I became really excited.
In Rome many times a child was put up for adoption because of debts owed by the birth family. It was common in Bible times for family members to be cast into a debtor prison or sold into slavery to pay the debt. So instead of allowing that to happen to their children parents often put the child up for adoption. When this child was adopted, he took on the name of the adopted family. His old name was forgotten. Everything that connected him to his past was forgotten, as if it had never happened. All of the old debts or even any crimes of the past were all forgotten as if they had never happened.
The adopted child became a natural heir to his adopted father, with the same rights as a natural child. He was given a new identity. It was as if he had never lived a day before his adoption, as if he were born again. He no longer had to live in fear of slavery or bondage because of his past, he was given a new beginning. He received a brand-new life!
Paul likens our relationship to Jesus Christ to that of an adopted child. The fears that were associated with our past no longer have a claim on us. We no longer have to live in a spirit of fear. We have been adopted by God to be His children! The spiritual debts we owed no longer have a claim on us. We have been told " . . . the wages of sin is death . . . " (Romans 6:23a) however we are no longer being held accountable for that debt, it has been forgiven. We have now been given "...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." *Romans 6:23b)
In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear is not a gift from God. It is not part of the inheritance of a child of God. Rather, our inheritance includes power, speaking of a super natural or miraculous power. It is also referring to being able or something being possible. We have received the Spirit of Love from our Father. This is speaking of a Godly love that is a love-feast. There is an abundance of love from the Father. We also receive the Spirit of a sound-mind which is referring to a mind that is controlled or disciplined. What a heritage!
The enemy would have us to live in fear of our past, but God has not given us a spirit of fear of the past or the future. We have a new name or authority, power. We can expect the miraculous in our lives! We are given a spirit of love, acceptance or forgiveness. We can feel wanted of God! We are given the spirit of a sound, disciplined mind. Free to think upon the promises and accept the blessings of God. It is our heritage!
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised," (Luke 4:18-19) When we come to Jesus, He will heal our hearts that were broken by life. He will bring us deliverance from our past that holds us in captivity. He will open our eyes to the hope and promise we can find in Him. He will allow His blood to flow through our lives setting us free from the blows life and sin has given us. He will give us a new life and new beginning.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) we have the promise of a new life in Christ Jesus! No matter who we are or what our history is, we start over again at adoption.
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Revelation 2:17) Jesus is speaking to the Church and makes us this promise. Let me explain what this means to us.
A White stone was given by judges, during a trial to show the defendant was not guilty. A black stone was given to show the defendant was guilty. When Christ promised the over comer a white stone, He also promised a new name to be written in the stone. Not only did He say not guilty, but Christ is promising absolution from guilt. He is telling us, "I will not only say you are not guilty, I will give you a brand new name that will not connect you with you past, but will give you a new beginning."
Friend, when I was born again into the Kingdom of God I really got more than I bargained for. I thought I was just receiving forgiveness of my sins. However, I found out that I received a brand-new name and with it I also received a brand-new life. Oh what a Savior!
It’s just a thought! God Bless...
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Umbrella of Protection and Power Part 1
Every one of us should have a desire have more power with God and to come under His protection. Several years ago, God impressed upon my mind the importance of having this type of a relationship with Him. I want to have a relationship of protection and power with God. I called it “The Umbrella of Protection and Power.”
There is a relationship between pride and self-respect. Pride that leads to self-respect is controlled pride. We must have self-respect, which is a sense of self-value or self-esteem. This is seeing ourselves as God sees us. However, the pride that God hates is uncontrolled pride and it motivates the works of our flesh. This is the pride where the “I” is in control. “P-r-I-d-e” where the big “I” is in the center and dominates.
James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (KJV) James tells us that God resists or opposes the proud. This is because pride represents a direction that is opposing to God. It is like swimming against a strong current. God’s divine nature is not compatible with sin or pride. There is not enough room in the universe for God and the pride of man. God will eventually bring everything into submission to Him. (Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10)
You might ask, “Why does God resist and hate pride and why does He humble the proud?” This is a good question. The reason is that pride restrains the wicked from acknowledging God. Pride erects a temple; it constructs a throne and then places a person’s selfish ego upon the throne. Pride deifies the ego, making it God, and the ego demands that worship is given. God has commanded that we have no other God’s before Him.
God loves the person who is humble in their spirit. Pride creates a barrier that holds God distant from the proud. As gravity draws everything to it like a magnet, humility attracts God’s gracious attention. Humility brings the human spirit to the place where God can take our flaws and make something beautiful out of us. Where pride says “I am already perfect and do not need God to improve or help me!”
God elevates the humble. Luke 14:11 tells us that those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. God always defeats the proud and He always promotes the humble.
Our attitude toward God should be to shun pride. 1 John 2:15-17 tells us, “15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (NIV) Pride is labeled as an objectionable attitude toward God and our fellowman. Shunning pride is to say no to its daily overtures.
I want a right relationship with God and with my fellow man. I want God’s blessings to be upon my life. I want His protection and power to be in my life. I can realize this if I am willing to humble myself before God.
First of the Series “The Umbrella of Protection and Power.”
It’s Just a Thought! God Bless…
There is a relationship between pride and self-respect. Pride that leads to self-respect is controlled pride. We must have self-respect, which is a sense of self-value or self-esteem. This is seeing ourselves as God sees us. However, the pride that God hates is uncontrolled pride and it motivates the works of our flesh. This is the pride where the “I” is in control. “P-r-I-d-e” where the big “I” is in the center and dominates.
James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (KJV) James tells us that God resists or opposes the proud. This is because pride represents a direction that is opposing to God. It is like swimming against a strong current. God’s divine nature is not compatible with sin or pride. There is not enough room in the universe for God and the pride of man. God will eventually bring everything into submission to Him. (Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10)
You might ask, “Why does God resist and hate pride and why does He humble the proud?” This is a good question. The reason is that pride restrains the wicked from acknowledging God. Pride erects a temple; it constructs a throne and then places a person’s selfish ego upon the throne. Pride deifies the ego, making it God, and the ego demands that worship is given. God has commanded that we have no other God’s before Him.
God loves the person who is humble in their spirit. Pride creates a barrier that holds God distant from the proud. As gravity draws everything to it like a magnet, humility attracts God’s gracious attention. Humility brings the human spirit to the place where God can take our flaws and make something beautiful out of us. Where pride says “I am already perfect and do not need God to improve or help me!”
God elevates the humble. Luke 14:11 tells us that those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. God always defeats the proud and He always promotes the humble.
Our attitude toward God should be to shun pride. 1 John 2:15-17 tells us, “15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (NIV) Pride is labeled as an objectionable attitude toward God and our fellowman. Shunning pride is to say no to its daily overtures.
I want a right relationship with God and with my fellow man. I want God’s blessings to be upon my life. I want His protection and power to be in my life. I can realize this if I am willing to humble myself before God.
First of the Series “The Umbrella of Protection and Power.”
It’s Just a Thought! God Bless…
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Can You Believe Him for the Glory?
I looked out the window of my office just in time to see the long Cadillac make a sweeping u-turn and pull to the curb in front of the Church. Ole’ Big John got out of the car and headed toward the door of the Church. It looked like he was in a hurry. Maybe just a bit excited.
Big John was a new convert to the Church. He and his wife had just been coming a few months and God had begun a great work in their lives. We were excited to witness the change that was taking place in their lives. With this in mind, I was expectant as I waited to find out what had caused Big John to stop by that day.
I greeted him at the door and Big John quickly came to the reason for his visit. He said, “Pastor, I was driving along and was listening to the radio. They announced the bumper sticker for the day and I just had to share it with you!”
Of course, I was interested and told him so. He said, “Well the bumper sticker of the day says, ‘don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is!’”
More than ten years later, I still remember that occasion as if it were yesterday. Can we really trust God to be bigger than our problems? We can believe God for the past. We can believe God for the present. We can believe God for the future. However, can we believe God for the Glory?
Mary, Martha and Lazarus were dear friends of Jesus. Jesus has left Jerusalem and has journeyed to a place called Bethabara; this is where John the Baptist had headquartered during his ministry. Not long after He arrives, word comes to Jesus that His dear friend, Lazarus, is very sick. Upon receiving the news of Lazarus’ sickness Jesus tells His disciples the reason for this sickness was not unto death and He continues doing what He was doing for two more days.
Now, after Lazarus has died, Jesus shows up on the scene. When they arrived in Bethany, the news is Lazarus has been in his tomb for four days. Somebody got the message to Martha that Jesus was coming to her house and she ran to meet him. Upon greeting him, Martha asks Jesus why He did not come sooner. Mary falls at His feet and states that if He had come sooner; her brother would not have died.
Martha and Mary were able to believe for the past, present and future: They made comments to Jesus that said, “If you had been here… I believe even now… I believe in the resurrection of the dead…” However, as much as they loved Jesus they were having a hard time believing that the death of their loved one was for the glory of God. Their thoughts, feelings and words told Him, “You could have healed him! You can still heal him! You can raise him in the resurrection! But how could you let this happen?”
So many times as we face the tests of this life, we find it hard to believe Him for the Glory. We believe for the past, the present and the future but have a hard time believing for the glory.
I grew up listening to stories of past miracles and wonders. These were not just Bible stories these were stories from my parents and others who had personally seen the wonders of God. My father often told us a story that took place when he was a child.
His Grandfather, Joseph Doran, had started a church in the Tulare, California area. They had taken two railroad boxcars, put them together, and made a church building. They had sawdust on the floors and an old oil drum made into a heater in the middle of it for heat. He told me of how they would shout and dance all around that stove with their eyes closed and never touch it.
One day his grandmother fell and in doing so crushed both of her kneecaps. The Doctors told her she would never walk without crutches. She came to church and the elders laid hands on her anointing her with oil and praying the prayer of faith. Dad said he watched as one crutch went one way, the other crutch went flying in a different and Grandma danced all over that little railroad car Church! Twenty or thirty years later, when she died she was still walking without the aid of a crutch!
With stories like this, it is not hard to believe God for the past! God could heal! I grew up with stories of God providing for His Children. Theses were not just Bible stories these were stories of God doing it for people I know personally. Yes, we can believe Him for the past.
It is not hard to believe God for the present when you are seeing God work all around you. I personally have prayed for the sick and seen them recover instantly. I personally have prayed for a need and watched God meet the need instantly. No, it is not hard to believe God for the present, for right now!
It is not hard to believe God for the future. I really do not have a hard time believing that God will take care of my family and me from now on. I do not have a hard time believing that if I love His Word and live His Word I will receive my reward. I do not have a hard time believing if I apply the Word of God to my life God will bless and keep me as He has promised. I do not have a hard time believing Him for the future.
I must confess, however, there are times I do have a hard time believing that the test I am in is for the Glory of God. I do have times when it is hard to stand before the grave of all that I have dreamed of and worked for and believe it has died to bring Glory to God.
I stood at the foot of the ICU bed of a dear saint. Only few days earlier I had talked with them on the phone. I was checking on them before we left on vacation. They had what seemed to be a minor backache but said they would go to the chiropractor and all would be fine. I was not prepared to receive the phone call that told me they had slipped into a coma and there was little hope of survival.
We rushed home and to the hospital. I laid hands on her and prayed the prayer of faith, but nothing happened. I joined family and church family members in the hospital waiting room and we all prayed together. Nothing happened. I returned several times to the ICU and prayed. Nothing happened.
Just moments before this dear saint passed away, I felt desperation and asked God, “Don’t I have enough faith to see this saint healed? I preach faith and healing! I preach trusting God with your wants and desires! I preach God will supply your every need! This person has loved ones standing here with broken hearts watching them die! Don’t I have the faith to see this faithful saint healed?”
It was as if God spoke to me in a clear, audible voice. “Yes you have the faith to see them healed. You have the faith to see them raised from the dead. The question is, “Do you have the faith to believe I am doing the right thing and that this will bring Glory to me?”
Several days later, as a direct result of the death of this precious saint, a loved one came to God. This saint had told me months before they were willing to pay any price to see this loved one come back to God. They paid the price that made the loved one God conscious and God received the Glory.
Jesus stood before the tomb of His dear friend. Around Him, he hears the weeping of those dear to Him. His heartbreaks and He too begins to weep. Those standing around watching cannot understand why He did not come and heal His own friend.
Then He regains His composure. He wipes tears from His damp cheeks and dries His eyes. With an authorities voice He tells those standing around to roll back the stone. Then with a loud voice, He calls Lazarus from his “sleep!” Can you believe Him for the Glory?
I have experienced times of testing. I have not been able to make sense of what is happening. I have struggled and fretted. I have asked God, “Why?” Then somewhere in the testing, I have recognized the answer is simply to step back and let God do it for His Glory!
Yes, I can believe Him for the past, I have seen and heard the stories. I can believe Him for the present, I know what He can do. I can believe Him for the future, I will stand on His Word. My prayer, however, is that I might believe Him for the Glory!
It’s Just a Thought! God Bless…
Big John was a new convert to the Church. He and his wife had just been coming a few months and God had begun a great work in their lives. We were excited to witness the change that was taking place in their lives. With this in mind, I was expectant as I waited to find out what had caused Big John to stop by that day.
I greeted him at the door and Big John quickly came to the reason for his visit. He said, “Pastor, I was driving along and was listening to the radio. They announced the bumper sticker for the day and I just had to share it with you!”
Of course, I was interested and told him so. He said, “Well the bumper sticker of the day says, ‘don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is!’”
More than ten years later, I still remember that occasion as if it were yesterday. Can we really trust God to be bigger than our problems? We can believe God for the past. We can believe God for the present. We can believe God for the future. However, can we believe God for the Glory?
Mary, Martha and Lazarus were dear friends of Jesus. Jesus has left Jerusalem and has journeyed to a place called Bethabara; this is where John the Baptist had headquartered during his ministry. Not long after He arrives, word comes to Jesus that His dear friend, Lazarus, is very sick. Upon receiving the news of Lazarus’ sickness Jesus tells His disciples the reason for this sickness was not unto death and He continues doing what He was doing for two more days.
Now, after Lazarus has died, Jesus shows up on the scene. When they arrived in Bethany, the news is Lazarus has been in his tomb for four days. Somebody got the message to Martha that Jesus was coming to her house and she ran to meet him. Upon greeting him, Martha asks Jesus why He did not come sooner. Mary falls at His feet and states that if He had come sooner; her brother would not have died.
Martha and Mary were able to believe for the past, present and future: They made comments to Jesus that said, “If you had been here… I believe even now… I believe in the resurrection of the dead…” However, as much as they loved Jesus they were having a hard time believing that the death of their loved one was for the glory of God. Their thoughts, feelings and words told Him, “You could have healed him! You can still heal him! You can raise him in the resurrection! But how could you let this happen?”
So many times as we face the tests of this life, we find it hard to believe Him for the Glory. We believe for the past, the present and the future but have a hard time believing for the glory.
I grew up listening to stories of past miracles and wonders. These were not just Bible stories these were stories from my parents and others who had personally seen the wonders of God. My father often told us a story that took place when he was a child.
His Grandfather, Joseph Doran, had started a church in the Tulare, California area. They had taken two railroad boxcars, put them together, and made a church building. They had sawdust on the floors and an old oil drum made into a heater in the middle of it for heat. He told me of how they would shout and dance all around that stove with their eyes closed and never touch it.
One day his grandmother fell and in doing so crushed both of her kneecaps. The Doctors told her she would never walk without crutches. She came to church and the elders laid hands on her anointing her with oil and praying the prayer of faith. Dad said he watched as one crutch went one way, the other crutch went flying in a different and Grandma danced all over that little railroad car Church! Twenty or thirty years later, when she died she was still walking without the aid of a crutch!
With stories like this, it is not hard to believe God for the past! God could heal! I grew up with stories of God providing for His Children. Theses were not just Bible stories these were stories of God doing it for people I know personally. Yes, we can believe Him for the past.
It is not hard to believe God for the present when you are seeing God work all around you. I personally have prayed for the sick and seen them recover instantly. I personally have prayed for a need and watched God meet the need instantly. No, it is not hard to believe God for the present, for right now!
It is not hard to believe God for the future. I really do not have a hard time believing that God will take care of my family and me from now on. I do not have a hard time believing that if I love His Word and live His Word I will receive my reward. I do not have a hard time believing if I apply the Word of God to my life God will bless and keep me as He has promised. I do not have a hard time believing Him for the future.
I must confess, however, there are times I do have a hard time believing that the test I am in is for the Glory of God. I do have times when it is hard to stand before the grave of all that I have dreamed of and worked for and believe it has died to bring Glory to God.
I stood at the foot of the ICU bed of a dear saint. Only few days earlier I had talked with them on the phone. I was checking on them before we left on vacation. They had what seemed to be a minor backache but said they would go to the chiropractor and all would be fine. I was not prepared to receive the phone call that told me they had slipped into a coma and there was little hope of survival.
We rushed home and to the hospital. I laid hands on her and prayed the prayer of faith, but nothing happened. I joined family and church family members in the hospital waiting room and we all prayed together. Nothing happened. I returned several times to the ICU and prayed. Nothing happened.
Just moments before this dear saint passed away, I felt desperation and asked God, “Don’t I have enough faith to see this saint healed? I preach faith and healing! I preach trusting God with your wants and desires! I preach God will supply your every need! This person has loved ones standing here with broken hearts watching them die! Don’t I have the faith to see this faithful saint healed?”
It was as if God spoke to me in a clear, audible voice. “Yes you have the faith to see them healed. You have the faith to see them raised from the dead. The question is, “Do you have the faith to believe I am doing the right thing and that this will bring Glory to me?”
Several days later, as a direct result of the death of this precious saint, a loved one came to God. This saint had told me months before they were willing to pay any price to see this loved one come back to God. They paid the price that made the loved one God conscious and God received the Glory.
Jesus stood before the tomb of His dear friend. Around Him, he hears the weeping of those dear to Him. His heartbreaks and He too begins to weep. Those standing around watching cannot understand why He did not come and heal His own friend.
Then He regains His composure. He wipes tears from His damp cheeks and dries His eyes. With an authorities voice He tells those standing around to roll back the stone. Then with a loud voice, He calls Lazarus from his “sleep!” Can you believe Him for the Glory?
I have experienced times of testing. I have not been able to make sense of what is happening. I have struggled and fretted. I have asked God, “Why?” Then somewhere in the testing, I have recognized the answer is simply to step back and let God do it for His Glory!
Yes, I can believe Him for the past, I have seen and heard the stories. I can believe Him for the present, I know what He can do. I can believe Him for the future, I will stand on His Word. My prayer, however, is that I might believe Him for the Glory!
It’s Just a Thought! God Bless…
Friday, December 4, 2009
A Place Where Hope Has Never Dared To Go!
It has been a while since I sat down to write. There are a lot of things bouncing around in my head so this might just be a bit of rambling but hopefully I can share some of the things that are on my heart.
I was reading in my Bible in the third chapter of Acts. It is one of my favorite stories. Peter and John are on their way to the Temple to pray. This is something they must have done on a regular basis from the way it reads. As they approach the door of the Temple, a man calls to them in an effort to get their attention.
This man had been lame all of his life. For years, people had carried him to the Temple and laid him beside the busiest entrance so he could beg money of those coming and going by him. This was all he had known and this was all he expected from life. When he saw the two men approach, he once again asked for money. To what must have been his surprise, instead of ignoring him or tossing a coin his way, one of them said. “Look at us!”
His heart must have began to beat a bit faster as he thought he was about to receive a memorable amount of money from them. Then as equally fast, it must have plunged to his crippled feet as the next words spoken were, “We don’t have any money!”
Here was a man whose only hope everyday was that people would have pity on him. His hope was that he would receive enough from others that he could slip through life. His greatest hope was that someone would be kind enough to give him just a little more and make his life a bit easier. That was his hope. However, his hopes are crushed! Then God moves on a couple of preachers to take him to “a place where hope had never dared to go!” Peter said, “I don’t have money but I will give you what I have!” Taking him by the right hand, he commanded the man who had been lame to arise and walk! As he lifted him, the lame man’s feet and ankles received strength. He not only arose, he not only walked, but he went leaping, running, and praising God through the temple. For the first time in his life, he entered the temple because those who were lame were not permitted to enter the temple. He was no longer lame! The ban had been lifted!
God’s greatest desire for us is to take us to “a place where hope has never dared to go!” If we are children of the King of Kings then we have the right to the benefits of the kingdom. We are too often afraid to dream or even to hope that life can be different. Too often, we are content to ask for the leftovers, the spare change. God’s desire is to give us more that we can dare to hope. The world tells us think positive thoughts, but in our despair, we cannot even hope!
Paul speaks to us from Ephesians chapter three about God’s feeling for us. I do not have the time or space to go into a deep study on this but let me briefly share what God spoke to me. God fills us with His Spirit to help us to understand the magnitude of His love for us. To allow us to share the power and fullness of life that comes from Him. His Spirit living in us is to allow Him to do so much more than we can ever hope for or dream. It is His desire to take us to a “place where hope has never dared to go!”
We are not destined to live with broken hearts. Yes they will come. Life will happen and our hearts will be broken. Bad choices that we make will lead us to broken hearts. Life happening will often results in broken hearts. Sins of loved ones and those dear to us will often lead to broken hearts. However, we must realize that we are not fated to live with them. They are just opportunities for God to take us to “a place where hope has never dared to go!” He came to heal the broken heart! He came to make it new again! The broken heart is an opportunity for God to show His power and His love in a life!
Failures and defeat are part of life. We make mistakes. We fail in judgment! Oh if we could only live the moment again we would do it so differently. We cannot call back or relive those moments. Chains hold us captive by the mistakes and failures of yesterdays gone by. Fear holds us captive! Bonds of fear chain us. We are listening to the haunting taunts of failure! We will be happy with a couple of additional links in the chains to let us to move. We would never dare to hope those chains would be removed and we would be free to live and hope again! Hey! I have great news for you! Jesus Christ came to set the captive free! He came to take you to a place where hope has never dared to go! You can be free from you yesterdays. You can know a brand new tomorrow walking with Jesus Christ and allowing Him to set you free!
I have known people who lived in fear. Fear blinds you. You cannot see because of fear. Hurts and wrongs in your life will cause you to live in fear. This fear will blind you to what God wants to do in your life. A person who is blinded will always remember the last thing they saw before the injury. Too many people have allowed life to blind them and they live with a picture of the hurts and injuries that have happened to them. It is all they see. God has touched their lives, but all they see is the hurt. God has filled them with His Spirit, but all they see is the hurt. God has promised them joy, peace and righteousness, but all they see is the hurt! Again, I want you to know He came to heal the blinded eyes. Not just those physical eyes that are unable to see, He came to heal the spiritual, emotional eyes that are unable to see past yesterday! He came to take you to a “place where hope has never dared to go!”
Life impacts us! Sometimes it impacts in a good way. Many times life impacts in ways of sorrow and pain. Impact, a crash, blow or shock to our body will leave a bruise. We all have had bruises. We know them to be both ugly and painful reminders of the impact. They tell me that the bruise is the result of stopping the blood from flowing through that area. Until the blow resumes to flow there will be a bruise and healing will not take place for healing is in the blood. When the blood is set free to flow again then healing begins to take place and soon the bruise is gone and the impact is behind us. He came to liberate the bruised! Life shocks us. Life hurts us. Life affects us leaving bruises in its place. Once again, God is the difference maker! The blood of Jesus Christ will heal. God will take us to “a place where hope never dared to go.”
I remember several years ago that God spoke to me, as if in an audible voice, about being a God of Comfort. (Read my blog on the Great God of Comfort). The passage was from Second Corinthians chapter one and Paul speaks to tell us that God allows us to go through suffering, pain and misfortune so that we can experience His Comfort. However, it does not stop there. We experience His Comfort so that we might share that Comfort with others when they also go through suffering, pain and misfortune.
I had this driven home fourteen months ago. I was standing in an ICU waiting room with my son Jared. In the ICU, room was his fiancé. They were to be married in about five weeks. All of his hopes and dreams lay at deaths door. I am his father. All of his life I have tried to protect him from pain, suffering and misfortune. I have tried to fix those things that were wrong and make them right. That day I stood helpless.
I was talking on the phone to Abby, my daughter and I began to weep. Just a few years earlier, I had stood with her and Kelsey when they had lost their baby. Again, I had been unable to protect them or to fix things so they would not hurt. As I began to weep, I told her how helpless I felt. I had not been able to protect her and I could not do anything for Jared. It hurt so badly and my heart broke. I will never forget what Abby told me that day. She said, “Dad it is alright. You and mom have taught us there are times we just have to rely on God. Because we have gone through these times, we can now put our arms around others and tell them from experience that God will be there and God will heal and deliver! This is the only way we can really know that.” Once again, God took me to “a place where hope never dared to go!”
The lame man only hoped for a couple of dimes. God took him to “place where hope never dared to go.” How about you, what is it that you are dealing with that has broken you heart. What is it that has you bound, blinded or bruised? Is it the past? Is it the failure of a marriage? Is it the repeated mistakes? Is it the death of a loved one? There are so many things? However, I promise you God wants to take you to “a place where hope has never dared to go!” Let Him…
It’s just a thought…God Bless!
I was reading in my Bible in the third chapter of Acts. It is one of my favorite stories. Peter and John are on their way to the Temple to pray. This is something they must have done on a regular basis from the way it reads. As they approach the door of the Temple, a man calls to them in an effort to get their attention.
This man had been lame all of his life. For years, people had carried him to the Temple and laid him beside the busiest entrance so he could beg money of those coming and going by him. This was all he had known and this was all he expected from life. When he saw the two men approach, he once again asked for money. To what must have been his surprise, instead of ignoring him or tossing a coin his way, one of them said. “Look at us!”
His heart must have began to beat a bit faster as he thought he was about to receive a memorable amount of money from them. Then as equally fast, it must have plunged to his crippled feet as the next words spoken were, “We don’t have any money!”
Here was a man whose only hope everyday was that people would have pity on him. His hope was that he would receive enough from others that he could slip through life. His greatest hope was that someone would be kind enough to give him just a little more and make his life a bit easier. That was his hope. However, his hopes are crushed! Then God moves on a couple of preachers to take him to “a place where hope had never dared to go!” Peter said, “I don’t have money but I will give you what I have!” Taking him by the right hand, he commanded the man who had been lame to arise and walk! As he lifted him, the lame man’s feet and ankles received strength. He not only arose, he not only walked, but he went leaping, running, and praising God through the temple. For the first time in his life, he entered the temple because those who were lame were not permitted to enter the temple. He was no longer lame! The ban had been lifted!
God’s greatest desire for us is to take us to “a place where hope has never dared to go!” If we are children of the King of Kings then we have the right to the benefits of the kingdom. We are too often afraid to dream or even to hope that life can be different. Too often, we are content to ask for the leftovers, the spare change. God’s desire is to give us more that we can dare to hope. The world tells us think positive thoughts, but in our despair, we cannot even hope!
Paul speaks to us from Ephesians chapter three about God’s feeling for us. I do not have the time or space to go into a deep study on this but let me briefly share what God spoke to me. God fills us with His Spirit to help us to understand the magnitude of His love for us. To allow us to share the power and fullness of life that comes from Him. His Spirit living in us is to allow Him to do so much more than we can ever hope for or dream. It is His desire to take us to a “place where hope has never dared to go!”
We are not destined to live with broken hearts. Yes they will come. Life will happen and our hearts will be broken. Bad choices that we make will lead us to broken hearts. Life happening will often results in broken hearts. Sins of loved ones and those dear to us will often lead to broken hearts. However, we must realize that we are not fated to live with them. They are just opportunities for God to take us to “a place where hope has never dared to go!” He came to heal the broken heart! He came to make it new again! The broken heart is an opportunity for God to show His power and His love in a life!
Failures and defeat are part of life. We make mistakes. We fail in judgment! Oh if we could only live the moment again we would do it so differently. We cannot call back or relive those moments. Chains hold us captive by the mistakes and failures of yesterdays gone by. Fear holds us captive! Bonds of fear chain us. We are listening to the haunting taunts of failure! We will be happy with a couple of additional links in the chains to let us to move. We would never dare to hope those chains would be removed and we would be free to live and hope again! Hey! I have great news for you! Jesus Christ came to set the captive free! He came to take you to a place where hope has never dared to go! You can be free from you yesterdays. You can know a brand new tomorrow walking with Jesus Christ and allowing Him to set you free!
I have known people who lived in fear. Fear blinds you. You cannot see because of fear. Hurts and wrongs in your life will cause you to live in fear. This fear will blind you to what God wants to do in your life. A person who is blinded will always remember the last thing they saw before the injury. Too many people have allowed life to blind them and they live with a picture of the hurts and injuries that have happened to them. It is all they see. God has touched their lives, but all they see is the hurt. God has filled them with His Spirit, but all they see is the hurt. God has promised them joy, peace and righteousness, but all they see is the hurt! Again, I want you to know He came to heal the blinded eyes. Not just those physical eyes that are unable to see, He came to heal the spiritual, emotional eyes that are unable to see past yesterday! He came to take you to a “place where hope has never dared to go!”
Life impacts us! Sometimes it impacts in a good way. Many times life impacts in ways of sorrow and pain. Impact, a crash, blow or shock to our body will leave a bruise. We all have had bruises. We know them to be both ugly and painful reminders of the impact. They tell me that the bruise is the result of stopping the blood from flowing through that area. Until the blow resumes to flow there will be a bruise and healing will not take place for healing is in the blood. When the blood is set free to flow again then healing begins to take place and soon the bruise is gone and the impact is behind us. He came to liberate the bruised! Life shocks us. Life hurts us. Life affects us leaving bruises in its place. Once again, God is the difference maker! The blood of Jesus Christ will heal. God will take us to “a place where hope never dared to go.”
I remember several years ago that God spoke to me, as if in an audible voice, about being a God of Comfort. (Read my blog on the Great God of Comfort). The passage was from Second Corinthians chapter one and Paul speaks to tell us that God allows us to go through suffering, pain and misfortune so that we can experience His Comfort. However, it does not stop there. We experience His Comfort so that we might share that Comfort with others when they also go through suffering, pain and misfortune.
I had this driven home fourteen months ago. I was standing in an ICU waiting room with my son Jared. In the ICU, room was his fiancé. They were to be married in about five weeks. All of his hopes and dreams lay at deaths door. I am his father. All of his life I have tried to protect him from pain, suffering and misfortune. I have tried to fix those things that were wrong and make them right. That day I stood helpless.
I was talking on the phone to Abby, my daughter and I began to weep. Just a few years earlier, I had stood with her and Kelsey when they had lost their baby. Again, I had been unable to protect them or to fix things so they would not hurt. As I began to weep, I told her how helpless I felt. I had not been able to protect her and I could not do anything for Jared. It hurt so badly and my heart broke. I will never forget what Abby told me that day. She said, “Dad it is alright. You and mom have taught us there are times we just have to rely on God. Because we have gone through these times, we can now put our arms around others and tell them from experience that God will be there and God will heal and deliver! This is the only way we can really know that.” Once again, God took me to “a place where hope never dared to go!”
The lame man only hoped for a couple of dimes. God took him to “place where hope never dared to go.” How about you, what is it that you are dealing with that has broken you heart. What is it that has you bound, blinded or bruised? Is it the past? Is it the failure of a marriage? Is it the repeated mistakes? Is it the death of a loved one? There are so many things? However, I promise you God wants to take you to “a place where hope has never dared to go!” Let Him…
It’s just a thought…God Bless!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
There is Strength in the Word!
This was posted recently by my daughter. I was so moved by it and the power that is behind it I felt everyone I know should read it. Please take a moment to do so, then read it again and let it sink in. We underestimate the POWER of the Word of God!
God Bless...
There is Strength In His Word
By Abby Doran Harrell
I am crushedI look around and see the pieces of my lifeLaying shattered on the groundPushed down to the ground by the weight of this battleI lay on my back with my shield in my handCrying out to God, I can’t go on, I am so brokenI am so wounded my the darts the enemy keeps throwing at meHelp me Lord, to rise above this trial I am in
He reminds meThere is strength in my wordThe is power in my wordJust speak the word And you will rise above the enemy
So from my back with my shield in my hand I cry outO sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.-Ps 98:1Strength starts to return so once again I cry outO come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.-Ps 95:6-9I am able to rise to my knees and strength returnsOnce again I cry out But thou, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. Ps 102:12-13Strength returns and I am able to rise to my feetAnd once again I cry out Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Ps 103:1-4
I am made whole, I am made newI can fight this that is troubling meOnce again I am able to fight off the enemyFor there is Power is His word
I look around meI am strong from my battle, I have fought a good fightI have kept my faithBut all around me, I see saints who are crushed From the fiery darts from their battleSo I go and remind them
There is strength in His wordThere is power in His wordJust speak the wordAnd once again you will rise above the enemy
God Bless...
There is Strength In His Word
By Abby Doran Harrell
I am crushedI look around and see the pieces of my lifeLaying shattered on the groundPushed down to the ground by the weight of this battleI lay on my back with my shield in my handCrying out to God, I can’t go on, I am so brokenI am so wounded my the darts the enemy keeps throwing at meHelp me Lord, to rise above this trial I am in
He reminds meThere is strength in my wordThe is power in my wordJust speak the word And you will rise above the enemy
So from my back with my shield in my hand I cry outO sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.-Ps 98:1Strength starts to return so once again I cry outO come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.-Ps 95:6-9I am able to rise to my knees and strength returnsOnce again I cry out But thou, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. Ps 102:12-13Strength returns and I am able to rise to my feetAnd once again I cry out Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Ps 103:1-4
I am made whole, I am made newI can fight this that is troubling meOnce again I am able to fight off the enemyFor there is Power is His word
I look around meI am strong from my battle, I have fought a good fightI have kept my faithBut all around me, I see saints who are crushed From the fiery darts from their battleSo I go and remind them
There is strength in His wordThere is power in His wordJust speak the wordAnd once again you will rise above the enemy
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Blessings of a Wilderness Experience
I was recently in a service and heard someone use the phrase, “I have been in a wilderness experience.” My mind instantly grabbed a hold of what they were saying and I related to the expression, having known the same feeling. A wilderness experience, a place, situation, or multitude of people or things that makes somebody feel confused, overwhelmed, or desolate, is how the dictionary defines it.
To most folks a wilderness would be something terrible, maybe even to be ashamed of being there. However, as I begin to consider wilderness experiences I quickly realized it was actually a prelude to greater things in a person’s life. Let me share a few thoughts that came to my mind.
Moses was in the wilderness when God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt. In fact, Moses had spent forty years in the wilderness prior to his call. He had even become productive and blessed in the wilderness. The wilderness prepared him to lead Israel. It was in the wilderness that his attitude changed from that of a brash, impatient man who relied on his own power, ability and authority to a man who was gentle, patient and giving of himself.
It was a wilderness time, again of forty years, that prepared Israel to enter into Canaan. It was a time of learning to be obedient to God’s word. It was a time of learning to rely on God and His ability to meet their needs. It was a time of learning that God keeps His promises. When they came out of the wilderness, Israel was ready to rely on Him.
Joshua spent forty years in the wilderness and it prepared him to become the leader of Israel after Moses died. It prepared him face the impossible obstacles such as the Jordan, Jericho and nations that were much greater military powers than Israel and to know that God would fight their battles for them. The wilderness prepared him to stand before Israel and challenge them to serve the Lord God.
Caleb was spurred by forty years spent in the wilderness and declared that he was fully prepared to claim the promises of God. Caleb went on to demand he receive what was his and assured Joshua he was going to lead his people into battle and take their land.
The wilderness brought compassion and insight to a young man who was to be king of Israel. For a number of years David lived in caves in the wilderness while running for his life. This time prepared him for forty years of leading Israel. It was here he learned to treasure the blessings of God. It was here that he experienced rejection and became compassionate toward those who also experienced rejection, even to his own injury.
It was in the wilderness that Elijah had a close encounter with God. He had experienced the power of God in his life. He had witnessed many miracles, food from ravens, oil and meal supplied from God, consuming fire from heaven, a rainstorm in response to his prayer and fleet feet that could out run horses. However, it was in the wilderness that God spoke to him in the still small voice. God showed that he was not alone but others also trusted God. It was in the wilderness that God sent an angel to minister to Elijah and to encourage him, enabling him to return to his ministry. After the wilderness he was able to share the anointing that was upon his life with Elisha and then to pass on a double portion to his disciple. It was after the wilderness that God sent him a fiery taxicab to escort him to heaven.
In the wilderness, John the Baptist prepared himself for the ministry that God had called him. In the wilderness, John received the message, which he preached to Israel. It was from the wilderness that he obtained the intestinal fortitude to stand up to the highest authority in the land and declare a need for righteousness. Jesus pointed out there was none like John the Baptist.
It was in the wilderness that Jesus spent forty days spiritually preparing himself for his ministry. It was here that He withstood testing and temptations that were designed to sabotage His purpose, but they failed. It was in the wilderness that angels came to minister to Him. It was from the wilderness that He came preaching a message of the kingdom of God working miracles and healing all manner of diseases.
After his conversion, Paul took some time to go into the desert of Arabia. We are not sure how long he was there but some feel maybe close to three years. It was during this time that he obtained a personal knowledge of God. He had many years of teaching but it was in the wilderness that God was able “… He revealed his Son to me so that I could proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.” (Gal 1:16) He came from this wilderness experience with a message and mission to take the wonderful message of Jesus Christ to the whole world.
The wilderness can affect us two different ways. When Israel was in the wilderness, many people died because they refused to recognize it as a place of growth and maturity. They looked upon it as their destiny. They saw themselves as grasshoppers and unable to overcome. The other way it can affect us is as a place where God can become personal with us and take us to a new level in Him. He can minister to us and encourage us. He can give us a new message brought about by a divine revelation of whom He is.
Do not become frustrated and discouraged in your wilderness. Remember and stand on the promises of God for you life. Envision the great victories because of time spent in the wilderness. Use this time as a time to focus on your relationship with Jesus Christ learns of Him. Watch as God brings blessings of provision and sustenance to you, ministering to your needs. I know the wilderness isn’t a pleasant place to be but when you have entered the promises of God and look back on the wilderness you will be blessed at what you experienced during that time. Enjoy the blessings of the wilderness…
Just a thought! God Bless…
To most folks a wilderness would be something terrible, maybe even to be ashamed of being there. However, as I begin to consider wilderness experiences I quickly realized it was actually a prelude to greater things in a person’s life. Let me share a few thoughts that came to my mind.
Moses was in the wilderness when God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt. In fact, Moses had spent forty years in the wilderness prior to his call. He had even become productive and blessed in the wilderness. The wilderness prepared him to lead Israel. It was in the wilderness that his attitude changed from that of a brash, impatient man who relied on his own power, ability and authority to a man who was gentle, patient and giving of himself.
It was a wilderness time, again of forty years, that prepared Israel to enter into Canaan. It was a time of learning to be obedient to God’s word. It was a time of learning to rely on God and His ability to meet their needs. It was a time of learning that God keeps His promises. When they came out of the wilderness, Israel was ready to rely on Him.
Joshua spent forty years in the wilderness and it prepared him to become the leader of Israel after Moses died. It prepared him face the impossible obstacles such as the Jordan, Jericho and nations that were much greater military powers than Israel and to know that God would fight their battles for them. The wilderness prepared him to stand before Israel and challenge them to serve the Lord God.
Caleb was spurred by forty years spent in the wilderness and declared that he was fully prepared to claim the promises of God. Caleb went on to demand he receive what was his and assured Joshua he was going to lead his people into battle and take their land.
The wilderness brought compassion and insight to a young man who was to be king of Israel. For a number of years David lived in caves in the wilderness while running for his life. This time prepared him for forty years of leading Israel. It was here he learned to treasure the blessings of God. It was here that he experienced rejection and became compassionate toward those who also experienced rejection, even to his own injury.
It was in the wilderness that Elijah had a close encounter with God. He had experienced the power of God in his life. He had witnessed many miracles, food from ravens, oil and meal supplied from God, consuming fire from heaven, a rainstorm in response to his prayer and fleet feet that could out run horses. However, it was in the wilderness that God spoke to him in the still small voice. God showed that he was not alone but others also trusted God. It was in the wilderness that God sent an angel to minister to Elijah and to encourage him, enabling him to return to his ministry. After the wilderness he was able to share the anointing that was upon his life with Elisha and then to pass on a double portion to his disciple. It was after the wilderness that God sent him a fiery taxicab to escort him to heaven.
In the wilderness, John the Baptist prepared himself for the ministry that God had called him. In the wilderness, John received the message, which he preached to Israel. It was from the wilderness that he obtained the intestinal fortitude to stand up to the highest authority in the land and declare a need for righteousness. Jesus pointed out there was none like John the Baptist.
It was in the wilderness that Jesus spent forty days spiritually preparing himself for his ministry. It was here that He withstood testing and temptations that were designed to sabotage His purpose, but they failed. It was in the wilderness that angels came to minister to Him. It was from the wilderness that He came preaching a message of the kingdom of God working miracles and healing all manner of diseases.
After his conversion, Paul took some time to go into the desert of Arabia. We are not sure how long he was there but some feel maybe close to three years. It was during this time that he obtained a personal knowledge of God. He had many years of teaching but it was in the wilderness that God was able “… He revealed his Son to me so that I could proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.” (Gal 1:16) He came from this wilderness experience with a message and mission to take the wonderful message of Jesus Christ to the whole world.
The wilderness can affect us two different ways. When Israel was in the wilderness, many people died because they refused to recognize it as a place of growth and maturity. They looked upon it as their destiny. They saw themselves as grasshoppers and unable to overcome. The other way it can affect us is as a place where God can become personal with us and take us to a new level in Him. He can minister to us and encourage us. He can give us a new message brought about by a divine revelation of whom He is.
Do not become frustrated and discouraged in your wilderness. Remember and stand on the promises of God for you life. Envision the great victories because of time spent in the wilderness. Use this time as a time to focus on your relationship with Jesus Christ learns of Him. Watch as God brings blessings of provision and sustenance to you, ministering to your needs. I know the wilderness isn’t a pleasant place to be but when you have entered the promises of God and look back on the wilderness you will be blessed at what you experienced during that time. Enjoy the blessings of the wilderness…
Just a thought! God Bless…
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Compassion Sometimes Has to be Learned!
Several years ago Melinda and I were on a short vacation on the Oregon Coast. We were playing tourist, stopping at the gift shops and browsing when I came across a coffee cup that caught my attention. I collect coffee cups of special places we visit to remind me of our time there. This particular coffee cup had a picture of a group in a white water raft with the caption, “Don’t whine, just paddle!” I bought the cup because it stated my philosophy of life, “Just deal with it.”
Being a fairly young pastor, with some knowledge and less wisdom I used the coffee cup for an object lesson in a message and the saying for the title of the message. I must admit, it didn’t go over quiet as well as I had hoped. Another time I told the same group of people we were going to have revival and they could get in, get out or get run over! Some did… Probably won’t do either of those things again.
Just the other day I was impressed with the thought that compassion often has to be learned. There are some folks who are compassionate people just by nature. There are other folks, I guess I am one, whose first tendency is to say, “Just deal with it.” For those of us with that tendency compassion has to be learned and it usually is learned by being in a similar situation.
For the past four and a half weeks Melinda has been in Colorado with our daughter who just had a baby yesterday. This is the longest period of time we have been apart in the past thirty-three years, thirty-one of which we have been married. We call each other two or three times a day and text several times a day. I feel like only part of me is here and it isn’t the best part. I turn to tell her something and she isn’t there. I wonder what she is doing and if she is ok. I miss her terribly! I have come to understand, to a greater extent what it must be like to lose your spouse after years of marriage. The pain and emptiness that must be experienced. At least I can call my spouse on the phone and talk with her. I have learned a little more compassion.
For the past four and a half weeks Melinda has been in Colorado with our daughter who just had a baby yesterday. This is the longest period of time we have been apart in the past thirty-three years, thirty-one of which we have been married. We call each other two or three times a day and text several times a day. I feel like only part of me is here and it isn’t the best part. I turn to tell her something and she isn’t there. I wonder what she is doing and if she is ok. I miss her terribly! I have come to understand, to a greater extent what it must be like to lose your spouse after years of marriage. The pain and emptiness that must be experienced. At least I can call my spouse on the phone and talk with her. I have learned a little more compassion.
My daughter called me several months ago to tell me the wonderful news that she was going to have another baby. She was so happy and excited. I wept because I was afraid of what she would have to go through to have another child. I remembered her other pregnancies and the pain and suffering she dealt with and did not want her to experience that again. I spent the past three days scared, frustrated and feeling helpless. She was in Colorado and I was in Arkansas. She was trying to have her baby and I wasn’t there, didn’t know what was happening and waiting on the word everything was alright. She had a great big baby boy and she and the baby are doing good. However, I came to feel for the moms and dads and loved ones of young men and women who are in danger, fighting for our country. Mom and dad don’t know what is happening at any given moment. They feel helpless and frustrated waiting on the word that all is well.
Compassion often has to be learned. Many years ago my wife and I went through a tough time. It lasted for about three years until finally one night I was able to spiritually break through and get the answer from God I needed for my life. As I got up from praying that night a dear Sister came to me and said that God had given her a word for me. God had allowed this to happen in my life so that I might become more compassionate toward people. I guess I am a slow learner, but I am trying.
The Bible tells us that Jesus was tempted in every point that we are tempted in. He feels compassion toward us because He understands what we are dealing with. He has felt the same pressures.
The dictionary tells us that compassion is sympathy for the suffering of others, often including a desire to help. It also tells us that sympathy is to feel someone’s pain. It is to enter into and share their feelings. Empathy on the other hand is to simply understand it, yet you remain apart from the feeling.
Matthew 9 tells of Jesus preaching and teaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God. He is healing them of every sickness and disease. Then as he looks upon the multitudes He is moved with compassion as He notices they are troubled and had no where to turn for help and direction. That word compassion used there means that the center of His emotions yearned in pity for them. He hurt for them and their lost condition.
When was the last time that our soul yearned in pity for the lost of our world? When was the last time that we looked around us and realized many of the people we brush shoulders with on a daily basis are like sheep without a shepherd, not knowing where to go for help?
Sometimes God allows us to feel helpless and maybe even lost just to try to teach us compassion. Trying to remind us that there was a time when we too were like sheep without a shepherd not knowing which way to turn.
Yesterday I listened to a young man, twenty-three years old, talk about his condition. He was born feet first. He has never experienced a feeling from his waist to his feet. He told us of the multiple surgeries he has had as doctors tried to find a way to enable him to walk. He has spent his whole life in a wheelchair. He can’t drive a car. He depends on other people for everything, literally everything. As he is sharing this with us my heart began to hurt. Then he looked up with a far away look in his eyes and said that he would give anything in the world to be able to walk, to be able to drive a car, to go to the restroom by himself. He said he would dance a jig if he felt a tingling sensation in his feet and was able to get up out of that chair!
I began to weep! I have been picking him up on my bus for months and yet not one time I had felt compassion for him. Oh I empathized with him. I thought his life would be so much better if he could walk. Yet never one time have I yearned in pity for a man who couldn’t walk. My mind went to another man in the same condition. For years he had been brought daily to the gate of the temple to beg alms. Then one day a couple of preachers came by and they were moved with compassion for him. They didn’t try to meet his financial need, they went for the greater need and God healed his body.
Jesus was moved with compassion at the need of a powerless man laying by the pool. He felt the man’s hopeless feeling of always being too late to get in the pool in time to be healed when the angel troubled the water. Jesus decided to circumvent the pool and just heal the man.
Sometimes compassion has to be learned. As we deal with the problems of our everyday lives we need to ask God to help us to learn from that problem that we might be moved with compassion for others. We often quote the passage in Romans eight. I wonder if the good that Paul is talking about, is compassion? “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (VS 28) His purpose is that we would become like Him. He was moved with compassion.
Sometimes compassion has to be learned. As we deal with the problems of our everyday lives we need to ask God to help us to learn from that problem that we might be moved with compassion for others. We often quote the passage in Romans eight. I wonder if the good that Paul is talking about, is compassion? “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (VS 28) His purpose is that we would become like Him. He was moved with compassion.
I need to ask myself where I would be if someone had said they didn’t have time for idiots and left me struggling like a sheep without a shepherd. Thank God some have had compassion on me. Go ahead and whine a bit if you need to and I will try and paddle for you. Compassion can be learned.
Just a Thought! God Bless…
Friday, July 3, 2009
Value?
Good morning! I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July holiday. Spend some time with your family and friends and also take a few moments to thank God for this wonderful country.
I was struck by a thought yesterday (I won't go to the funny side of that comment) and thought I would share it with you. I have written several articles and thoughts about forgiveness in the past several months and of over two hundred articles I have written these have generated the greatest response, someone always has something to say. I have written several thoughts about our value, to ourselves, others and especially to God and these have received little or most times no response.
This observation has made me to wonder...is it easy to see that we need forgiveness? That we need to forgive? Yet is it hard to see that we are loved and chosen by God? That He places great value in us? That we are special to Him?
John 3:16 tells us that God was motivated by love. You love someone because you value them. You love someone because you recognize the worth of the person loved. If you consider the to be so invaluable that they are not worth the gunpowder it would take to blow their nose, you don't love them! They are worthless...
We must understand how God sees us! We must begin to look upon ourselves the way God looks upon us, with love. In fact Jesus said the second greatest commandment is that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We have to love ourselves, to place value upon ourselves, in order to obey this commandment.
Remember, God loves you, not because He has to, but because you are special and you are special because God loves you.
Just a thought! God Bless...
Don Doran
I was struck by a thought yesterday (I won't go to the funny side of that comment) and thought I would share it with you. I have written several articles and thoughts about forgiveness in the past several months and of over two hundred articles I have written these have generated the greatest response, someone always has something to say. I have written several thoughts about our value, to ourselves, others and especially to God and these have received little or most times no response.
This observation has made me to wonder...is it easy to see that we need forgiveness? That we need to forgive? Yet is it hard to see that we are loved and chosen by God? That He places great value in us? That we are special to Him?
John 3:16 tells us that God was motivated by love. You love someone because you value them. You love someone because you recognize the worth of the person loved. If you consider the to be so invaluable that they are not worth the gunpowder it would take to blow their nose, you don't love them! They are worthless...
We must understand how God sees us! We must begin to look upon ourselves the way God looks upon us, with love. In fact Jesus said the second greatest commandment is that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We have to love ourselves, to place value upon ourselves, in order to obey this commandment.
Remember, God loves you, not because He has to, but because you are special and you are special because God loves you.
Just a thought! God Bless...
Don Doran
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Evil is Present
Have you ever tried to do the right thing and it seems every way that you turn there is something blocking you from getting it done? Maybe you are doing chores around the house and the phone rings. Of course with caller ID we know not to pick up the sales call or the bill collectors calls, but we will stop and talk with a friend because our curiosity won’t let us miss that call. Just when you start back to the chore that is demanding your attention one of the children comes crying and needs your love and attention. Finally you return to the demanding chore when the doorbell rings. Thank God for garages to hide the car in and peep-holes in the door so you can check and see who is there. No it isn’t Avon calling, but a neighbor with a three layer chocolate cake in her hand. Gotta be neighborly even if the chore is calling.
Paul made a statement in Romans that came to my mind today. He said, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good , evil is present with me.” Romans 7:21 I know that his reference here is to the war of the flesh against spiritual things. When we try to live for God and serve Him with all of our hearts, our flesh is going to fight against that happening. There is an ongoing struggle between the flesh or carnal man and the spiritual man.
However, let me take this just a bit further and maybe look at it from a different point of view. Have you noticed when you try to do something more for God, evil is present. I am not talking, now, about your flesh warring against the spirit. I am talking about outside forces that try to hinder, stop or discourage you from doing more for God.
Let me give you an example that comes to mind. I know of a case several years ago where some young people were desiring to have a deeper relationship with God. They wanted God to do something out of the ordinary in their lives. They began to pray, fast and read their Bibles. They began to become more focused in their worship. They would spend hours at the church praying and seeking God. They spent extra time in Bible Study. They were hungry for a move of God in their lives. Yet while this was going on there were others who were criticizing them. Trying to distract them from continuing. There was evil present when they were trying to do good.
Paul encountered this more than once in his ministry. I recall he is on his way to Jerusalem. He stops to visit a church and while there the people beg him not to go. Prophecies are made of beatings and imprisonment. I am not accusing these people of being evil, but I am saying there was evil present to stop him from obeying the call of God in his life. Paul asked them to stop breaking his heart! He had to obey that call.
Ordinary things happen to people who are content with the ordinary. Just give us the “common place events“. We are happy with the “run of the mill” accomplishments in our lives. We are content with the mundane, humdrum that has been going on in their lives. Don’t rock the boat is our motto and it is a motto we are too often happy to live by.
However, when we become disillusioned with the ordinary and long for the extraordinary, things will change! Once we get a taste for the astonishing power of God doing the unexpected and surprising us, there is no going back. Step into the realm of a supernatural experience with God and you can never be content with the ordinary again. Once you see God touch a life that you have influenced for Him, you will never be the same. Once you see a healing take place you will not be willing to have it any other way.
Just recently I was asked to come teach in a church on a Sunday morning and Sunday night. The subject was one where people will not be running the aisles or swinging from the rafters. In fact, you will be fortunate to get a few amen’s. I had been asked to teach on giving! All week I prayed and told God how I felt. I love teaching on Apostolic giving! I love teaching that God loves cheerful givers! I love teaching people that God has a financial plan for His church and when we test God, look out! However, I wanted God to show His pleasure in His Word and that is what I asked Him to do. As I was teaching I could feel resistance from some of those that were there, they didn‘t like the subject matter nor did they agree with my teaching. However, at the end of the one hour and thirty minutes of teaching on that Sunday night the majority of the people rose and with cheerful excitement came and gave to God, for a second time that night, a love offering. The power of God fell in a mighty way as people began to worship God. I looked over and witnessed a lady being healed right there in that offering time!
When I would do good… I can’t let anything or anybody stop me from doing the good God has impressed upon my heart. I can’t let anything stop me from the relationship with God that He is drawing me to. Years ago someone said, “They never built a statue to a critic.” There will be those who will stand around and criticize me for what I am doing and desiring from God, however, they will not be standing in my place before God and answering Him to why I didn’t heed His direction. I am the one who will have to answer that question.
Let me assure you there will be evil present to stop you from experiencing that extraordinary. Jesus experienced it from His closest friends and His reply was, “Get behind me Satan…” No He wasn’t saying Peter was Satan! He was, however, saying the spirit that was being shown there was evil. When I want to do good, evil is present…
Just a thought! God Bless…
Paul made a statement in Romans that came to my mind today. He said, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good , evil is present with me.” Romans 7:21 I know that his reference here is to the war of the flesh against spiritual things. When we try to live for God and serve Him with all of our hearts, our flesh is going to fight against that happening. There is an ongoing struggle between the flesh or carnal man and the spiritual man.
However, let me take this just a bit further and maybe look at it from a different point of view. Have you noticed when you try to do something more for God, evil is present. I am not talking, now, about your flesh warring against the spirit. I am talking about outside forces that try to hinder, stop or discourage you from doing more for God.
Let me give you an example that comes to mind. I know of a case several years ago where some young people were desiring to have a deeper relationship with God. They wanted God to do something out of the ordinary in their lives. They began to pray, fast and read their Bibles. They began to become more focused in their worship. They would spend hours at the church praying and seeking God. They spent extra time in Bible Study. They were hungry for a move of God in their lives. Yet while this was going on there were others who were criticizing them. Trying to distract them from continuing. There was evil present when they were trying to do good.
Paul encountered this more than once in his ministry. I recall he is on his way to Jerusalem. He stops to visit a church and while there the people beg him not to go. Prophecies are made of beatings and imprisonment. I am not accusing these people of being evil, but I am saying there was evil present to stop him from obeying the call of God in his life. Paul asked them to stop breaking his heart! He had to obey that call.
Ordinary things happen to people who are content with the ordinary. Just give us the “common place events“. We are happy with the “run of the mill” accomplishments in our lives. We are content with the mundane, humdrum that has been going on in their lives. Don’t rock the boat is our motto and it is a motto we are too often happy to live by.
However, when we become disillusioned with the ordinary and long for the extraordinary, things will change! Once we get a taste for the astonishing power of God doing the unexpected and surprising us, there is no going back. Step into the realm of a supernatural experience with God and you can never be content with the ordinary again. Once you see God touch a life that you have influenced for Him, you will never be the same. Once you see a healing take place you will not be willing to have it any other way.
Just recently I was asked to come teach in a church on a Sunday morning and Sunday night. The subject was one where people will not be running the aisles or swinging from the rafters. In fact, you will be fortunate to get a few amen’s. I had been asked to teach on giving! All week I prayed and told God how I felt. I love teaching on Apostolic giving! I love teaching that God loves cheerful givers! I love teaching people that God has a financial plan for His church and when we test God, look out! However, I wanted God to show His pleasure in His Word and that is what I asked Him to do. As I was teaching I could feel resistance from some of those that were there, they didn‘t like the subject matter nor did they agree with my teaching. However, at the end of the one hour and thirty minutes of teaching on that Sunday night the majority of the people rose and with cheerful excitement came and gave to God, for a second time that night, a love offering. The power of God fell in a mighty way as people began to worship God. I looked over and witnessed a lady being healed right there in that offering time!
When I would do good… I can’t let anything or anybody stop me from doing the good God has impressed upon my heart. I can’t let anything stop me from the relationship with God that He is drawing me to. Years ago someone said, “They never built a statue to a critic.” There will be those who will stand around and criticize me for what I am doing and desiring from God, however, they will not be standing in my place before God and answering Him to why I didn’t heed His direction. I am the one who will have to answer that question.
Let me assure you there will be evil present to stop you from experiencing that extraordinary. Jesus experienced it from His closest friends and His reply was, “Get behind me Satan…” No He wasn’t saying Peter was Satan! He was, however, saying the spirit that was being shown there was evil. When I want to do good, evil is present…
Just a thought! God Bless…
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Momma's House, Daddy's at Home!
I drive a bus for a day school here in the city we live in. I have passengers who are over the age of eighteen and under the age of four or five. All of these are developmentally disabled for various reasons. One of the four year olds on my bus has cerebral palsy. A couple of the children are autistic and others have behavioral problems. At first I was a bit apprehensive about working in this environment because they tell you a lot of the bad things that you will have to deal with, however, I have been touched in many ways be the sweetness of these people.
The other day, at about 6:55 AM we pulled up in front of a home to pick up a little two year child. The child was standing out front with their mother and when they saw the bus approach they got so excited the child was jumping up and down. I stopped and then tooted the horn to make the child laugh. This child struggled to climb up the steps with their little short legs and stopped beside me to show me their new shirt. One of the aides took the child back to their seat and got them strapped into their car seat. The mother stood on the steps and watched the process, talking to me for a moment. Then her child stretched out their arms toward her indicating they had to have a kiss good-bye. Momma went back and gave them a kiss then climbed off the bus and headed toward the door of the house. As we rolled down to the end of the road to turn around the little one began to cry and say “Home! Home! Home!”
I looked over at the house that the child lives in. It is an old mobile home with unpainted wood siding. It sets in the trees and never sees the sun at all. The side that is visible from the road is the north side and it is cover with green moss. The yard is neatly kept with a few interesting landscape additions. As I looked at the house and its kind of dismal appearance I thought to myself, “Why would anyone want to go to that home?” Then just as quickly I realized it wasn’t the house they were talking about. The child wanted to be where Momma was. That was home.
I have another three year old who is adopted from the foster care system. This child’s mother or father brings them out to the bus every morning and again there is a big production of goodbyes after they are in their car seat. I love to see the love and care they show this child. I also love to see the adoration this child has for the parents. This child thinks that the father “hung the moon.” When we return in the evening as we pull up to the house the child begins to watch to see if the father’s truck is in the drive way. If it is there the child begins to holler, “Daddy home! Daddy home! Daddy home!” This happens so often that now all of the children will holler with him, “Daddy home!”
It is amazing, some of these children can barely talk, even at four years old, but when it comes time for them to be the next stop they know they are getting close to home. One of the students cannot speak at all. I noticed that she shows her happiness and stress by voice inflections not words. One afternoon, right after she began to ride my bus, I had to run to route a little different and failed to turn on her street but drove past it. She immediately began to holler and carry on. I realized she knew where home was. I am now careful to take her home the same way everyday and she is happy.
The other day another child’s mother went on an out of town field trip with an older sibling. This child stayed with a grandparent who met us each morning at the home to put the child on the bus. The first morning the child was fine, Momma had just left and they had Grandma. However, the next morning it was a different story. The child was crying when they got out of the car. Grandma promised them the world if they would stop crying. She said, “I will take you anywhere you want to go tonight, just don’t cry!” It didn’t matter they kept on crying. As we were pulling away I was surprised to hear the child saying, “I want my Momma!” I had thought they were crying because they didn’t want to leave Grandma, but it was Momma who was being missed. There just isn’t a substitute for Momma, not even grandma.
Someone once said, “Home is where the heart is.” I would have to say this is very true. I would also have to say that with these children, home is where the loving parent is, and be it Momma or Daddy. They are what make it home. It isn’t the appearance of the house that makes it home. Neither is it the location of the house but it is the recognition of who and what is there, Momma and Daddy and lots of love.
I have found the same to be true in my relationship to God. Home is where Momma is. The Church is our spiritual mother. It births us. It nourishes us. It is where we are fed. It is where we go when we hurt. It is where we go when we need loving. It doesn’t matter so much what the house looks like. It can be a store front or it can be a beautiful edifice. I have seen it housed in garages, school houses and exquisite buildings, it really doesn’t matter as long as Momma is there. Momma is going to make it all right!
Of course Daddy provides the security and provides. He is there with His strength and power. That quite strength that reassures us the world can be shaking on the outside, but as long as Daddy, our Heavenly Father, is home, everything is going to be alright!
I love to drive up to the house and begin to feel the anticipation of knowing that Momma is there. All of the problems and pressures of the day and week will be shared with her. Those bumps, scrapes and boo-boos are going to be doctored. The emptiness inside me is going to be replaced with satisfaction. The loneliness I am feeling will leave with the sweet fellowship of Momma’s loving care.
I love to walk into the house and recognize that Daddy’s home. The fear and uncertainty is gone, Daddy’s home. There is safety and security now because Daddy’s home. Those around me can also feel the excitement from with in me and they too come to recognize that Daddy’s home.
There just isn’t a substitute for Momma! There is nothing in the world that can ever take her place. When you are away from Momma there is something inside your soul that cries out for her. There are a lot of things that try to take her place in our lives, but nothing and no one can take the place of Momma!
No, it doesn’t matter where it is nor does it matter what it looks like on the outside, just as long as it’s Momma’s house and Daddy’s home! That is where my soul longs to be…
Just a Thought! God Bless…
The other day, at about 6:55 AM we pulled up in front of a home to pick up a little two year child. The child was standing out front with their mother and when they saw the bus approach they got so excited the child was jumping up and down. I stopped and then tooted the horn to make the child laugh. This child struggled to climb up the steps with their little short legs and stopped beside me to show me their new shirt. One of the aides took the child back to their seat and got them strapped into their car seat. The mother stood on the steps and watched the process, talking to me for a moment. Then her child stretched out their arms toward her indicating they had to have a kiss good-bye. Momma went back and gave them a kiss then climbed off the bus and headed toward the door of the house. As we rolled down to the end of the road to turn around the little one began to cry and say “Home! Home! Home!”
I looked over at the house that the child lives in. It is an old mobile home with unpainted wood siding. It sets in the trees and never sees the sun at all. The side that is visible from the road is the north side and it is cover with green moss. The yard is neatly kept with a few interesting landscape additions. As I looked at the house and its kind of dismal appearance I thought to myself, “Why would anyone want to go to that home?” Then just as quickly I realized it wasn’t the house they were talking about. The child wanted to be where Momma was. That was home.
I have another three year old who is adopted from the foster care system. This child’s mother or father brings them out to the bus every morning and again there is a big production of goodbyes after they are in their car seat. I love to see the love and care they show this child. I also love to see the adoration this child has for the parents. This child thinks that the father “hung the moon.” When we return in the evening as we pull up to the house the child begins to watch to see if the father’s truck is in the drive way. If it is there the child begins to holler, “Daddy home! Daddy home! Daddy home!” This happens so often that now all of the children will holler with him, “Daddy home!”
It is amazing, some of these children can barely talk, even at four years old, but when it comes time for them to be the next stop they know they are getting close to home. One of the students cannot speak at all. I noticed that she shows her happiness and stress by voice inflections not words. One afternoon, right after she began to ride my bus, I had to run to route a little different and failed to turn on her street but drove past it. She immediately began to holler and carry on. I realized she knew where home was. I am now careful to take her home the same way everyday and she is happy.
The other day another child’s mother went on an out of town field trip with an older sibling. This child stayed with a grandparent who met us each morning at the home to put the child on the bus. The first morning the child was fine, Momma had just left and they had Grandma. However, the next morning it was a different story. The child was crying when they got out of the car. Grandma promised them the world if they would stop crying. She said, “I will take you anywhere you want to go tonight, just don’t cry!” It didn’t matter they kept on crying. As we were pulling away I was surprised to hear the child saying, “I want my Momma!” I had thought they were crying because they didn’t want to leave Grandma, but it was Momma who was being missed. There just isn’t a substitute for Momma, not even grandma.
Someone once said, “Home is where the heart is.” I would have to say this is very true. I would also have to say that with these children, home is where the loving parent is, and be it Momma or Daddy. They are what make it home. It isn’t the appearance of the house that makes it home. Neither is it the location of the house but it is the recognition of who and what is there, Momma and Daddy and lots of love.
I have found the same to be true in my relationship to God. Home is where Momma is. The Church is our spiritual mother. It births us. It nourishes us. It is where we are fed. It is where we go when we hurt. It is where we go when we need loving. It doesn’t matter so much what the house looks like. It can be a store front or it can be a beautiful edifice. I have seen it housed in garages, school houses and exquisite buildings, it really doesn’t matter as long as Momma is there. Momma is going to make it all right!
Of course Daddy provides the security and provides. He is there with His strength and power. That quite strength that reassures us the world can be shaking on the outside, but as long as Daddy, our Heavenly Father, is home, everything is going to be alright!
I love to drive up to the house and begin to feel the anticipation of knowing that Momma is there. All of the problems and pressures of the day and week will be shared with her. Those bumps, scrapes and boo-boos are going to be doctored. The emptiness inside me is going to be replaced with satisfaction. The loneliness I am feeling will leave with the sweet fellowship of Momma’s loving care.
I love to walk into the house and recognize that Daddy’s home. The fear and uncertainty is gone, Daddy’s home. There is safety and security now because Daddy’s home. Those around me can also feel the excitement from with in me and they too come to recognize that Daddy’s home.
There just isn’t a substitute for Momma! There is nothing in the world that can ever take her place. When you are away from Momma there is something inside your soul that cries out for her. There are a lot of things that try to take her place in our lives, but nothing and no one can take the place of Momma!
No, it doesn’t matter where it is nor does it matter what it looks like on the outside, just as long as it’s Momma’s house and Daddy’s home! That is where my soul longs to be…
Just a Thought! God Bless…
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Another Day
Each morning on my bus route I get to enjoy the sun rise, that is about the only thing to enjoy that early in the morning. The bus is quiet. My assistants are catching last minute naps before the have to start attending children. I am usually fighting to wake up, myself. Yet I have found that this quiet time is a good time to meditate on the Lord. I don't ask Him for anything but just take this time to think about Him and His goodness.
Recently, on one of those mornings I pulled up to a stop sign and right before me was one of the most beautiful sunrises I have witnessed in a long time. I thought someone should write a song about something so beautiful and spoke a word of praise for the beauty of God. These words began to come to me and I thought they might bless you as they have me every morning since then...
When the sun comes up in the east in the morning,
And spreads red and purple across the sky,
It brings to each of us this testimony,
It's another day our Lord to magnify.
As I walk thru this valley so lonely,
Fighting for my very life.
I know victory is coming in the morning,
And another day our Lord to magnify.
Another day to praise the name of Jesus.
One more day to tell of His love and grace.
I will love Him worship and adore Him,
Another day our Lord to magnify.
"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together." Ps 34:3
Just a thought! God Bless...
Recently, on one of those mornings I pulled up to a stop sign and right before me was one of the most beautiful sunrises I have witnessed in a long time. I thought someone should write a song about something so beautiful and spoke a word of praise for the beauty of God. These words began to come to me and I thought they might bless you as they have me every morning since then...
When the sun comes up in the east in the morning,
And spreads red and purple across the sky,
It brings to each of us this testimony,
It's another day our Lord to magnify.
As I walk thru this valley so lonely,
Fighting for my very life.
I know victory is coming in the morning,
And another day our Lord to magnify.
Another day to praise the name of Jesus.
One more day to tell of His love and grace.
I will love Him worship and adore Him,
Another day our Lord to magnify.
"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together." Ps 34:3
Just a thought! God Bless...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Oops! They Were At the Airport!
There is an old expression I have heard many times, “I am waiting for my ship to come in, but when it does come in I will probably be at the airport.” It is a classic example of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Another old expression I have heard is that you can’t get respect at home. You will always be remembered as you were not as you are.
Jesus had paid a visit to His home town of Nazareth. He shows up at the synagogue, as He usually did. He is given the book of Isaiah and begins to read a very powerful passage of scripture to them:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
Jesus then hands the book back and makes this statement, “Today is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
What a wonderful opportunity was given to the people of Nazareth. Here was Jesus, the Messiah. Here was the one they had been looking for, waiting generations for His coming. He is standing in their midst telling them the prophecy was being fulfilled right then and there. Oops! They are at the airport!
Jesus is telling them they can have their hearts, which have been broken by life, healed and made whole again. He is telling them that the chains of life that has held them captive, those chains can be broken and they can be delivered. He is telling them that those who have been blinded by life, by the lies of the enemy, can receive their sight again. He is promising them that those who have received bruising blows from life and sin, blows that have left them hurting, can experience the liberating power of the blood flowing through their lives. He tells them it is happening right there, at that exact moment, this prophecy is being fulfilled. Oops! They are at the airport!
Instead of excitement! Rather that being exuberant! They look at each other and their response is, “He speaks well. Where did he get this information, this knowledge? Isn’t he the son of Joseph the carpenter?” Oops! They were at the airport!
Jesus then shares a thought with them which was not well received, yet you and I should really pay attention to what He said, “There were a lot of widows in Israel in the days of the draught during Elijah’s ministry, but God sent him to a widow in another country. There were a lot of lepers in Israel during the days of Elisha, but again Israel missed out on the blessing as a man from Syria received the miraculous healing.” He was telling them Israel was at the airport!
The opportunity for a miracle was right there. Many widows were in desperate need of a miracle of oil and meal, yet they were not open to a miracle. They were at the airport. Many lepers were in need of being healed and restored to their family yet the faith and trust in God was not there. They were at the airport.
How often do you and I miss out on blessings from God because we are “at the airport?” I am talking about things that we are in desperate need of. Our heart might have been broken. Some tragedy in our lives that has left us crushed feeling like we will never be whole again. Yet we don’t trust God to heal that broken heart. We don’t believe He will do it. We are “at the airport!”
Have you been held captive by the past? Mistakes you have made in times gone by can hold you in chains of fear and doubt. Are your eyes blinded by the lies of the enemy? Is he tearing down your faith and confidence in God to the point you cannot see the possibilities God has for you. Are you bruised by life? Has the failures of yesterday left bruises in your life? The scripture tells us that God is the remedy to our situation, yet too often we don’t think He will do it for us. We are “at the airport!”
We read and hear about miracles taking place in Africa, South America and other distant places. We hear of wonders and signs happening in great numbers and then wonder why it doesn’t happen to me? We are at the airport. We have the confidence God can do it for everyone else but not us. We are looking for our ship at the airport!
He said the anointing was there for the healing, for the deliverance, for the opening of the eyes, for the liberation of the bruised. We can have it! It is a promise to the child of God! We just need to believe it can happen to us and then accept our promise. This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears! Where are you at? Are you at the airport waiting for you ship to come in?
Just a thought! God Bless…
Jesus had paid a visit to His home town of Nazareth. He shows up at the synagogue, as He usually did. He is given the book of Isaiah and begins to read a very powerful passage of scripture to them:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
Jesus then hands the book back and makes this statement, “Today is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
What a wonderful opportunity was given to the people of Nazareth. Here was Jesus, the Messiah. Here was the one they had been looking for, waiting generations for His coming. He is standing in their midst telling them the prophecy was being fulfilled right then and there. Oops! They are at the airport!
Jesus is telling them they can have their hearts, which have been broken by life, healed and made whole again. He is telling them that the chains of life that has held them captive, those chains can be broken and they can be delivered. He is telling them that those who have been blinded by life, by the lies of the enemy, can receive their sight again. He is promising them that those who have received bruising blows from life and sin, blows that have left them hurting, can experience the liberating power of the blood flowing through their lives. He tells them it is happening right there, at that exact moment, this prophecy is being fulfilled. Oops! They are at the airport!
Instead of excitement! Rather that being exuberant! They look at each other and their response is, “He speaks well. Where did he get this information, this knowledge? Isn’t he the son of Joseph the carpenter?” Oops! They were at the airport!
Jesus then shares a thought with them which was not well received, yet you and I should really pay attention to what He said, “There were a lot of widows in Israel in the days of the draught during Elijah’s ministry, but God sent him to a widow in another country. There were a lot of lepers in Israel during the days of Elisha, but again Israel missed out on the blessing as a man from Syria received the miraculous healing.” He was telling them Israel was at the airport!
The opportunity for a miracle was right there. Many widows were in desperate need of a miracle of oil and meal, yet they were not open to a miracle. They were at the airport. Many lepers were in need of being healed and restored to their family yet the faith and trust in God was not there. They were at the airport.
How often do you and I miss out on blessings from God because we are “at the airport?” I am talking about things that we are in desperate need of. Our heart might have been broken. Some tragedy in our lives that has left us crushed feeling like we will never be whole again. Yet we don’t trust God to heal that broken heart. We don’t believe He will do it. We are “at the airport!”Have you been held captive by the past? Mistakes you have made in times gone by can hold you in chains of fear and doubt. Are your eyes blinded by the lies of the enemy? Is he tearing down your faith and confidence in God to the point you cannot see the possibilities God has for you. Are you bruised by life? Has the failures of yesterday left bruises in your life? The scripture tells us that God is the remedy to our situation, yet too often we don’t think He will do it for us. We are “at the airport!”
We read and hear about miracles taking place in Africa, South America and other distant places. We hear of wonders and signs happening in great numbers and then wonder why it doesn’t happen to me? We are at the airport. We have the confidence God can do it for everyone else but not us. We are looking for our ship at the airport!
He said the anointing was there for the healing, for the deliverance, for the opening of the eyes, for the liberation of the bruised. We can have it! It is a promise to the child of God! We just need to believe it can happen to us and then accept our promise. This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears! Where are you at? Are you at the airport waiting for you ship to come in?
Just a thought! God Bless…
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Chaos of Life
Wow, where does time go? Here we are, already into the third month of the year 2009 and it seems just like yesterday we were getting ready for Christmas. Zoom and time passes you by. If you are not careful today is here and gone without you realizing it.
I noticed that it had been a few weeks since I have been able to write a blog. So many things have happened and changed in that time since the last blog. Job changes have taken place for both Melinda and I. Both of our mothers have been ill, needing more of our attention. Some life changing decisions have been made by all of us. A good friend became ill and then passed from this life. Time changed, messing me up a lot. Some of these things happened one at a time and others piled on top of each other.
As I thought of these “events” I realized these are just part of life. Life sometimes comes at us so fast, but it is just life. Life has its good times and it also has its not so good times. There are those moments of tranquility and then those moments pandemonium. Times when we feel like we are in control and it is all going our way. Then there are those times when we would grab life by the tail if we could only find the tail. That is life!
I have come to notice, in fact a friend brought it to my attention, that when life becomes chaotic it is often the enemy trying to cause us to lose our focus. In the past weeks we have been so blessed to witness God moving in special ways in every service we have been in. Lives are being changed! Broken hearts are being healed! Bruised lives are being liberated! Eyes that have been blinded by the lies of the enemy are being opened to what God is doing! Lives that have been held captive by the past with its disappointments and failures are being set free! God is filling people with the Holy Ghost! He is refreshing and renewing! The enemy would like nothing better than to distract us and get us worried about the things of life rather than the things of God.
A passage has been running through my mind
“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Is 59:19
How many times have you felt like life was overwhelming you? I remember a few years back hearing a gurgle and realized the basement of the Church was flooding. It rained ten inches in less than twenty-four hours and we ended up with a flooded basement. We just happened to be living in the basement at the time. We struggled for seventeen hours before we became so exhausted we had to stop. The water just kept coming and coming and then it kept coming. Life sometimes comes at us that way.
This passage tells us that when we feel about to be overwhelmed, God will bring it to a stop. One writer said He will blow on it and make it disappear.
“But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.” 1 Cor 10:13
I guess when life gets chaotic we need to remember to rely on Jesus! When life is changing on us at an accelerated pace we need to remember that Jesus Christ is always the same, He never changes. We can always depend upon His constancy.
Just a Thought! God Bless
I noticed that it had been a few weeks since I have been able to write a blog. So many things have happened and changed in that time since the last blog. Job changes have taken place for both Melinda and I. Both of our mothers have been ill, needing more of our attention. Some life changing decisions have been made by all of us. A good friend became ill and then passed from this life. Time changed, messing me up a lot. Some of these things happened one at a time and others piled on top of each other.
As I thought of these “events” I realized these are just part of life. Life sometimes comes at us so fast, but it is just life. Life has its good times and it also has its not so good times. There are those moments of tranquility and then those moments pandemonium. Times when we feel like we are in control and it is all going our way. Then there are those times when we would grab life by the tail if we could only find the tail. That is life!
I have come to notice, in fact a friend brought it to my attention, that when life becomes chaotic it is often the enemy trying to cause us to lose our focus. In the past weeks we have been so blessed to witness God moving in special ways in every service we have been in. Lives are being changed! Broken hearts are being healed! Bruised lives are being liberated! Eyes that have been blinded by the lies of the enemy are being opened to what God is doing! Lives that have been held captive by the past with its disappointments and failures are being set free! God is filling people with the Holy Ghost! He is refreshing and renewing! The enemy would like nothing better than to distract us and get us worried about the things of life rather than the things of God.
A passage has been running through my mind
“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Is 59:19
How many times have you felt like life was overwhelming you? I remember a few years back hearing a gurgle and realized the basement of the Church was flooding. It rained ten inches in less than twenty-four hours and we ended up with a flooded basement. We just happened to be living in the basement at the time. We struggled for seventeen hours before we became so exhausted we had to stop. The water just kept coming and coming and then it kept coming. Life sometimes comes at us that way.
This passage tells us that when we feel about to be overwhelmed, God will bring it to a stop. One writer said He will blow on it and make it disappear.
“But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.” 1 Cor 10:13
I guess when life gets chaotic we need to remember to rely on Jesus! When life is changing on us at an accelerated pace we need to remember that Jesus Christ is always the same, He never changes. We can always depend upon His constancy.
Just a Thought! God Bless
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Forgiveness is NOT an Option!
Don’t you just love those evenings when for some odd reason you have nothing that you have to do? You can stop and ask yourself the question, “What am I going to do tonight? Will I read a book? Should I listen to some music? What am I going to do?” Aren’t those rare occasions great?
Several years ago I remember having one of those nights. At that time they were very rare. We had all three of our children at home. We were pastoring two churches and had a daughter work also. Between those responsibilities, along with teaching Home Bible Studies, being the principal of a Christian School and trying to be a husband, father and a son, there were not a lot of evenings when I didn’t have something that was demanding my attention. On this particular evening, not only was it free, but I was home by myself, which meant I could pretty much do what I wanted to do.
I remember deciding I wanted to have someone preach to me. I felt I needed to be spiritually fed, I needed some input. I went to our preaching tape library and just grabbed a tape and put it in. I wasn’t really caring who I was going to listen to or what subject they would preach on, I just was going to relax and say, “Pour it on!” Then let whatever happened happen. Needless to say, God obviously had something totally different in mind!
I don’t believe there are any accidents with God. You might have an accident while driving. You might even have an accident in that you drop a glass of water. However, I don’t believe it is an accident when you hear a message that is from God and it makes a difference in your heart. I believe these are actually “divine appointments.” Times when God desires to mold and shape us into the person He wants us to be.
The message that I listened to that night was about “Forgiveness.” As the title was given and the message started I kind of sat back in my chair and thought, “Well there is no problem here, I will get some good information for a message. However, I don’t have anyone that I need to forgive.” Yet as the message began to unfold I began to get uncomfortable. So much for a night of relaxation! I began to get a good old case of conviction, to the point I had to ask God who I needed to forgive. I went down the list in my mind and couldn’t really think of anybody and so I told God that.
Can you imagine my shock when I felt God speak to me and tell me, “You have forgiven everyone else but you haven’t forgiven me?” My response was first shock and then it was horror. I quickly moved just in case fire came from heaven just for the thought that I might have something against God! As I began to converse with God about this He led me to understand that I had feelings that I was afraid to admit, because of disappointments and failures from my past. In my heart I felt that God had let me down and I had failed to forgive God. This started me to begin to study forgiveness. Let me share a few thoughts with you.
In Matthew chapter 18 Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who takes inventory. In doing so he finds there is a servant who owes him a large sum of money. The king sends for the man and asks to be paid. The servant explains he doesn’t have the money, we have all been there, but will do his best to raise it. The king feels the man has had enough time and commands that he, his wife and children all be thrown into prison. The servant falls on his knees and begs for mercy and the king is merciful. The king doesn’t give him more time, he completely forgives the servant of the debt that is owed. One writer says he canceled what was owed.
The servant leaves the kings court. He walks down the street and it reads as if he is on the prowl, looking for someone who owes him money. He finds a fellow servant who owes him a few dollars. He grabs the man and demands payment. The fellow servant says he also doesn’t have the money to pay the debt. Now the servant pays no heed to the promise of payment or the plea for mercy. He has the fellow servant thrown into prison for the owed debt. The amazing thing is the servant was forgiven ten thousand talents and he was owed only one hundred pence. In today’s money and I mean as of 9:11 PM Central Time on September 23, 2008, this man was owed $11,594.99 and he owed the king $3,580,532.19. He had been forgiven an incredible debt yet couldn’t find it in his heart to forgive a fellow servant a debt that was owed him.
There are a couple of things I would like to bring to our attention. It is obvious the king is likened unto God. It is also obvious that Jesus is talking about forgiving our brother when He is speaking of the two servants. Peter has asked Jesus how often a person is required to forgive someone who sins against them. Jesus said we are to forgive seventy times seven and then Jesus goes on to say the Kingdom of heaven is like a king and then tells the story. He ends by saying so likewise shall my heavenly Father do unto you.
The first thing we need to understand is God has forgiven a great debt that we owe. Each and every one of us owed Him a debt that we could have never paid. The only hope that we had was damnation. Yet God was merciful to each of us and forgave us that debt. He did not just give us time to try and figure out a way to pay it, He forgave it. That means He pardoned us. We were absolved from the debt. We have been exonerated or completely set free from what we owed. It is gone and forgotten.
On the flip side, we have been done wrong. We will have people do us wrong again. We will even feel if we are honest with ourselves that God hasn’t completely done right by us. Yet, no matter how big the wrong which someone does to us it will never compare to the debt we owe! The debt I owe is far greater than any and all debts owed to me. So, with this in mind, the key to feeling forgiveness is forgiving. I didn’t think this up, someone shared this with me and I put it into practice and it works.
Watch this! The servant is forgiven by the king. He is feeling good, in fact it seems as if he has found a new power in life in that when he finds the fellow servant he grabs him and demands payment of the debt owed to him. Now when he refuses to forgive the debt owed to him he is brought before the king a second time. The king reminds him of the mercy that is showed to him regarding his great debt. Then the king reinstates the debt and the Bible says he has the servant turned over to the tormenters. What had been forgiven was no longer forgiven because of the forgiven would not forgive.
When I fail or refuse to forgive then I lose the privilege of being forgiven. I come to an altar of repentance and confess my sins and feel God cleanse me of those sins. I am free! I feel so good and refreshed! Yet a day or so later, it may even be a week or so, I begin to deal with the same feelings of guilt, shame and condemnation. It is inner torment! Why? Because I have not forgiven those who I feel owe me, who have done me wrong.
In His pattern of prayer, Jesus prayed, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” If we don’t forgive, can God forgive us? It is a small price to pay for freedom, for peace. You see forgiveness is not an option. We must have it to live free from torment. We also must give it to live free from torment.
Forgiveness is not an option. Neither is it something we will only have to do one time. I have had to go to my knees many times and ask forgiveness and also forgive. I have had to seek the face of God for help in forgiving. I have had to forgive God and make sure things were right between me and God. I have had to forgive others who have knowingly and unknowingly hurt me. I have to make sure things are right between us. Yes, I have also had to forgive myself. I have hurt myself so many times. I have let myself down and disappointed myself many, many times. Yet, if I want peace in my heart and a relationship with my Savior, forgiveness is not an option!
Just a Thought! God Bless!
Several years ago I remember having one of those nights. At that time they were very rare. We had all three of our children at home. We were pastoring two churches and had a daughter work also. Between those responsibilities, along with teaching Home Bible Studies, being the principal of a Christian School and trying to be a husband, father and a son, there were not a lot of evenings when I didn’t have something that was demanding my attention. On this particular evening, not only was it free, but I was home by myself, which meant I could pretty much do what I wanted to do.
I remember deciding I wanted to have someone preach to me. I felt I needed to be spiritually fed, I needed some input. I went to our preaching tape library and just grabbed a tape and put it in. I wasn’t really caring who I was going to listen to or what subject they would preach on, I just was going to relax and say, “Pour it on!” Then let whatever happened happen. Needless to say, God obviously had something totally different in mind!
I don’t believe there are any accidents with God. You might have an accident while driving. You might even have an accident in that you drop a glass of water. However, I don’t believe it is an accident when you hear a message that is from God and it makes a difference in your heart. I believe these are actually “divine appointments.” Times when God desires to mold and shape us into the person He wants us to be.
The message that I listened to that night was about “Forgiveness.” As the title was given and the message started I kind of sat back in my chair and thought, “Well there is no problem here, I will get some good information for a message. However, I don’t have anyone that I need to forgive.” Yet as the message began to unfold I began to get uncomfortable. So much for a night of relaxation! I began to get a good old case of conviction, to the point I had to ask God who I needed to forgive. I went down the list in my mind and couldn’t really think of anybody and so I told God that.
Can you imagine my shock when I felt God speak to me and tell me, “You have forgiven everyone else but you haven’t forgiven me?” My response was first shock and then it was horror. I quickly moved just in case fire came from heaven just for the thought that I might have something against God! As I began to converse with God about this He led me to understand that I had feelings that I was afraid to admit, because of disappointments and failures from my past. In my heart I felt that God had let me down and I had failed to forgive God. This started me to begin to study forgiveness. Let me share a few thoughts with you.
In Matthew chapter 18 Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who takes inventory. In doing so he finds there is a servant who owes him a large sum of money. The king sends for the man and asks to be paid. The servant explains he doesn’t have the money, we have all been there, but will do his best to raise it. The king feels the man has had enough time and commands that he, his wife and children all be thrown into prison. The servant falls on his knees and begs for mercy and the king is merciful. The king doesn’t give him more time, he completely forgives the servant of the debt that is owed. One writer says he canceled what was owed.
The servant leaves the kings court. He walks down the street and it reads as if he is on the prowl, looking for someone who owes him money. He finds a fellow servant who owes him a few dollars. He grabs the man and demands payment. The fellow servant says he also doesn’t have the money to pay the debt. Now the servant pays no heed to the promise of payment or the plea for mercy. He has the fellow servant thrown into prison for the owed debt. The amazing thing is the servant was forgiven ten thousand talents and he was owed only one hundred pence. In today’s money and I mean as of 9:11 PM Central Time on September 23, 2008, this man was owed $11,594.99 and he owed the king $3,580,532.19. He had been forgiven an incredible debt yet couldn’t find it in his heart to forgive a fellow servant a debt that was owed him.
There are a couple of things I would like to bring to our attention. It is obvious the king is likened unto God. It is also obvious that Jesus is talking about forgiving our brother when He is speaking of the two servants. Peter has asked Jesus how often a person is required to forgive someone who sins against them. Jesus said we are to forgive seventy times seven and then Jesus goes on to say the Kingdom of heaven is like a king and then tells the story. He ends by saying so likewise shall my heavenly Father do unto you.
The first thing we need to understand is God has forgiven a great debt that we owe. Each and every one of us owed Him a debt that we could have never paid. The only hope that we had was damnation. Yet God was merciful to each of us and forgave us that debt. He did not just give us time to try and figure out a way to pay it, He forgave it. That means He pardoned us. We were absolved from the debt. We have been exonerated or completely set free from what we owed. It is gone and forgotten.
On the flip side, we have been done wrong. We will have people do us wrong again. We will even feel if we are honest with ourselves that God hasn’t completely done right by us. Yet, no matter how big the wrong which someone does to us it will never compare to the debt we owe! The debt I owe is far greater than any and all debts owed to me. So, with this in mind, the key to feeling forgiveness is forgiving. I didn’t think this up, someone shared this with me and I put it into practice and it works.
Watch this! The servant is forgiven by the king. He is feeling good, in fact it seems as if he has found a new power in life in that when he finds the fellow servant he grabs him and demands payment of the debt owed to him. Now when he refuses to forgive the debt owed to him he is brought before the king a second time. The king reminds him of the mercy that is showed to him regarding his great debt. Then the king reinstates the debt and the Bible says he has the servant turned over to the tormenters. What had been forgiven was no longer forgiven because of the forgiven would not forgive.
When I fail or refuse to forgive then I lose the privilege of being forgiven. I come to an altar of repentance and confess my sins and feel God cleanse me of those sins. I am free! I feel so good and refreshed! Yet a day or so later, it may even be a week or so, I begin to deal with the same feelings of guilt, shame and condemnation. It is inner torment! Why? Because I have not forgiven those who I feel owe me, who have done me wrong.
In His pattern of prayer, Jesus prayed, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” If we don’t forgive, can God forgive us? It is a small price to pay for freedom, for peace. You see forgiveness is not an option. We must have it to live free from torment. We also must give it to live free from torment.
Forgiveness is not an option. Neither is it something we will only have to do one time. I have had to go to my knees many times and ask forgiveness and also forgive. I have had to seek the face of God for help in forgiving. I have had to forgive God and make sure things were right between me and God. I have had to forgive others who have knowingly and unknowingly hurt me. I have to make sure things are right between us. Yes, I have also had to forgive myself. I have hurt myself so many times. I have let myself down and disappointed myself many, many times. Yet, if I want peace in my heart and a relationship with my Savior, forgiveness is not an option!
Just a Thought! God Bless!
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