Are You Hungry and Thirsty?

Our societies today doesn’t long for God. Society seems to be far away & estranged from God. Society seems to go only after temporary pleasures and those temporary pleasures never satisfy. That is why we are always hungry and unsatisfied. Money and possessions, power, achievements, conquests, human praise -heck we even make our health problems and negative thoughts have a major throne room in our lives. People even go after "temporary religious" experiences only to find themselves a short time later- that their longing for God is taken up by the cares of life and they again find themselves unsatisfied.

If a person understood their value to God they would value what God has to say not what society has to say but since they value society more then God- society has becomes their "god".

1Peter 2:2 says:

"You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk,"

God should be in his rightful place in our lives. He should be ruler of our hearts but since He is not our focus we stumble constantly and ride this roller coast of our own emotions while we seek for the next greatest thing to satisfy us. Like a drug addict looking for their next hit.

People don’t seem realize that the temporary thoughts and things have become gods in their life. Our selfish evil desires make slaves to them thinking they will somehow satisfy us but all they do is keep us chained to a certain mindset and place where we are not moving forward at all but gaining the world and losing our soul in the process. People are unaware of the evil spiritual world keeping them captive. They are tube fed by temporary pleasure- uncaring about their eternal destination.

Life is temporary. We as Christians are told to "remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites when he judges. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as foreigners here on earth. For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." (1 Peter 1:17-19)

This life is about learning and growing and maturing in God’s love. Life is about seeing our real need for Him and why we need to accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior of our lives and being empowered by His grace and His righteousness. Life is about seeing that God has a plan for our life and He wants to walk and empower that important plan and purpose out in our lives despite our everyday challenges and circumstances. God helps a person overcome those challenges and circumstances.

The temporary things only fill up our time and energy until there is no time and energy left for what is truly important. We become easily confused, frustrated, tired, indifferent, depressed, weary, hardhearted, selfish, shortsighted, tunnel visioned, and we ignore what is truly important. Soon we find ourselves only a shell of person who is spiritually empty and we have ignored the important gifts in our life such as relationship with our Creator God our Heavenly Father.

We ignore the needs of ours spouse, our children, our family, our friends and even our neighbors.

Psalm 107:9 says this about God: “For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” (NKJV)

God wants to fill our longing soul with his love so that just His goodness pours out of our lives.

2 Peter 1:3 says:

"As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need to living a godly life. He called us to receive his own glory and goodness"

Does your soul long for the things that are good? (Peace, joy, hope, mercy, grace, love.)

Do you long for more or are you satisfied with just going through the motions. Are you satisfied in your possessions saying I have all I need?

Christians have you forgotten your first love? Have you become lukewarm? Remember what the Lord says about those who forget their first love, become lukewarm and are satisfied with their gain of possessions? Are you going into your church and leaving the same way you came out?

Have you ever seen anyone's possessions follow them to heaven? You can't take them with you. You leave this earth even with less possessions then when you came into it.

Writer G. Walter Hansenin, wrote:

“I am spellbound by the intensity of Jesus’ emotions: not a twinge of pity, but heartbroken compassion; not a passing irritation, but terrifying anger, not a silent tear, but groans and anguish; not a weak smile, but ecstatic celebration. Jesus’ emotions are like a mountain river cascading with clear water. My emotions are more like a muddy foam or a feeble trickle.”

My buddy Geoff and I used to spend many days of our youth in the Cascade Mountains and a mountain river was hard to miss. You can hear a mountain river roar from a long distance away. It is a powerful source to behold. It is fast moving, full of passion. It rumbles and it’s mist sprays high in the air. The fervor warns you that if you slip into it you would be swept away.

Fervor... Do our churches truly have fervor for the LORD as He has for us? Are we swept away in the fervor of the Lord? What would it be like to be in a church filled with fervor for the LORD? Are you thirsty to hear from the Lord?

I firmly believe God doesn't go where He isn't wanted. He will go to the soul who longs for Him and the people who want Him.

Is your passion is as inconstant as the wind? It is what you consider “good” one day and out of sight the next?

Are the works in the church done but have no mindset of the Spirit of Jesus Christ in them? Like everything is regimented to a man-made schedule where God only has a limited amount of time to move.

A child wouldn’t say to their parent- “Well Mom and Dad you only got 10 minutes of my time today because I am going over to Pete’s house to play street football, play video games and spend the night.”

God wants to empower and influence our lives!!!

Your Father God wants you to know Him and what He can do in your life!

Besides there is a time coming and is already here where people will be persecuted because they believe in the One true God who is Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit.

Are you ready to be persecuted for your faith in Jesus Christ? Are you ready to become outcasts because you will not compromise to the truths in the bible? Are you ready to be considered prejudiced, biased, intolerant, bigoted, narrow-minded and opinionated, by your society because you choose to stand and believe in what bible speaks and says?

Do you really believe God in your heart or do you just know in your head knowledge? Do you have the courage? How is your relationship with the Lord?

These are all questions WE MUST ALL honestly ask ourselves and confront. Are we living in the love of our flesh or the love of Christ? Who’s love must we live in? Head knowledge won't empower us alone... for we must love our God with our HEART and SOUL as well. And God will draw close to us as we draw close to Him.

Society has always grown cold towards God throughout history and has served it’s false gods but when the persecution comes upon us, will we be able remain warm to those who hate and resent us? Where will those searching for warmth find it if we only mirror the same hatred spat at us? God is the only one who enables us to love without condition those who hate us. (Speak up for what is right in love.)

Just think of all those who hate God by their actions yet He still loves them hoping they will turn to Him to be saved through His Son Jesus Christ.

Persecution has always refined the church just as it has done the individual who receives it and turns to God. Persecution sifts the church and helps us get a good look at where we stand spiritually before God.

Are our churches filled with a true atmosphere of praise and thanksgiving towards God? Are the teachers and pastors filled with a passion with the LORD? Is their passion anointed by God or self-ambition? Teachers and Pastors is your level of passion for the Lord washing over your classes and congregations as you teach and preach? Are we crying out to the Lord knowing He is gives power and meaning behind the words given?

Dry bones….. God wants to put muscle and skin on those bones. He wants us to truly know His love and live in His Love where we can be bold in His love. (Bold as lions.)

A passionate church for Jesus Christ is sifted just as quickly. Those passionate for Christ make those less passionate or those lukewarm uncomfortable. I have heard of people escorted out of churches because they “openly” worship at God’s “supposedly” alter.

King David, sobbed at the alter. He tore his clothes and laid flat in front of the alter.

Passion for Christ should NOT be full of religious indifference, strictness, banter or thought the leads into division or focus upon one’s own fleshly desires for attention nor should what be acceptable be decided by societal norms.

Can I judge the way in which someone worships or cries out before the Lord? NO! For only God knows the heart. Does it make you uncomfortable when one of pure transparent faith does this? Where is your compassion? Where is your shared burdens and praises?

Does God not work in mysterious ways at times? So who am I to limit how God chooses to move His people? He is the potter I am only a piece of clay.

A passion of Christ is to be free to express their love for Him with tongues and words of praise, hands lifted up, singing and dancing. David sang and danced did he not? And he was said to have a heart for God. He gloried in the Lord.

Restraint is to be at the discretion of the Holy Spirit’s leading not man’s discretion.

A believer should only be concerned of their own accountability to God for we will all have to stand before God for our own actions and this and this only should put fear into our hearts.

Those who don’t open themselves up to true worship are still slaves to what others think and they are missing the opportunity to experience God’s love. For we enter into his presence through his gates and courtyards of praise and thanksgiving. We pastors, teachers and fellow believers should enter into God’s house with expectation of God and His directing and leave full of encouragement, peace, joy and expectation that God is with us to empower us in His righteousness, grace and love.

That His word and presence confirms He has done and is doing a great work in us as we hold firm and focus upon His great love.

If you are one who appreciates music and a message like this in song, listen to this song by Shawn McDonald called "Something Real"

http://www.myspace.com/shawnmcdonald/music/songs/something-real-80196659

A Word From God

Ever feel like your connection is blocked with God? I ran into this situation this week. I went to my place to receive and nothing came.

“What is up with this?” I thought. I felt like I wasn’t getting anything from God. It was like I was one of Pevensie children going to the wardrobe and finding only fur coats and the back of the wardrobe. The way back into Narnia was closed off. (Just like there are other ways into Narnia, God wants us to use other outlets to draw close to Him or else the repetition of the one outlet can become a "religious" notion or activity. God is not interested in religion but a faith/ relationship with him. Besides God knows what happens to us if things become repetitious- they become routine and God is anything but routine.)

I knew nothing else would satisfy my need but a word from God and I was thirsty to hear from him. I don’t like to go without hearing something from the Lord. Not just that but I needed something, God wanted me to teach to His young adult bible study class.

I read my bible and it seemed like nothing was “sticking” or saying, “Here I am!”

I didn’t give up.

I went to my journal and started to write about life and out came “authority” and “the seven deadly sins.” (The seven deadly sins are not mentioned directly but indirectly in God’s word.)

Out of seven deadly sins came mental pictures of the Dawn Treader movie. Seven…. Seven… seven swords!!!! The swords had to be laid together at the great lion Aslan’s table in order for the courageous voyagers to defeat the mysterious evil spirit fog.

Interesting. We must lay or nail our sinful nature daily at the cross of Jesus in order to defeat evil in our lives.... this is the place where Authority to begins. (Remember to apply- seeking God's mercy in order to be empowered by God’s grace.) Authority needs to start in our own lives first.

I was then reminded again to think of all God is and then reminded of a statement that said, “You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.”

When we are reminded and are spoken to about certain phrases or words we must search for them in our bible like lost dear friends. God’s words are precious spiritual jewels.

I came to find the phrase in Isaiah 41:16

“You will toss them in the air, and the wind will blow them all away; a whirlwind will scatter them. And the joy of the LORD will fill you to overflowing. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.”

Wow!

I continued to read and I saw a more. God will not withhold his word. He will not forsake us. He will give us a word in all seasons of our life. He will give us a word when we are spiritually on a high plateau, in the valleys, in the deserts and on the dry parched ground. He planted us on this earth to reveal his glory in this world. All other things in life such as money, possessions, prideful achievements, etc can never sustain us. God is the only one who knows our needs! He knows our future! He's our only and true sustainer.

This silence or block connection was like a test and instead of turning to other things that might take the place of God in that day, I continued to pursue God.

He then took me to Jeremiah 9:23

This is what the LORD says: Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

I was then taken to the book of James chapter 1:12

“God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. “

Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven’s lights. Unlike them, he never changes or cast shifting shadows. In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possessions.” James 1:17

It can be difficult to feel like we are not getting anything from the Lord. Sometimes we just need to take a break and sometimes we need to choose another avenue or outlet such as journaling, prayer, singing and praising and meditating on who God is and what He has done for us. So don’t turn on the television or a video game or do something that has nothing do to with God- at least don’t overindulge in those things so you are full of those worldly things and leave no room for God. And don’t get angry and overly frustrated but humble yourself before the Holy One- the Almighty One!

“My brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight. So get rid of all filth and evil in your lives and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls. And remember, it is a message to obey, not just listen to. If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don’t obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law- the law that set you free- and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:19-25

And what is God’s wonderful law that sets us free?

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the other commandments and demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40

I hope this encourages you to continue seeking and pursing God even if at first you don’t seem to be getting anything.

God loves you and wants a relationship with you!

Jeremiah 9:23-24

“Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty [man] glory in his might, Nor let the rich [man] glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I [am] the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24

"When Loves Sees You (JESUS)" Mac Powell

"Your Heart (DAVID)" Chris Tomlin

Hurtful Words and God’s Love

I have written about this topic before but I want to add a bit more.

We need to be so focused on God’s love that we can give unconditional love back to those who hurt us.

Words hurt especially when they come from those close to us and our reaction is a want to pull away and stay away from them but instead of pulling back from them- let that situation speak into your life as a sign that you need to get closer to God.

For in his love our heart remains tender and receptive unlike when we pull away and build up a wall or callus around our heart towards that person.

I am not going to preach and tell you that the devil uses those close to you to hurt you and we don’t fight flesh and blood because if you are Christian you already know this.

I will say this:

We are to live in God’s love.

We are to breath in God’s love.

We are to be protected in God’s love.

We are to speak in God’s love.

We are to walk in God’s love.

But we cannot do that if we don’t take the time to study God’s word, meditate and “be” in God’s love each day and throughout each day.

The intellectual wisdom of God’s love is not just going to do it for you- God’s love needs to translate into our daily actions and way of living and communicating with others. Where we live in God’s peace, love and hope regardless to the actions fired upon us.

People say things. People speak without thinking. They say things that tear down instead of build up. They get into thinking performance instead of love. People make judgments based on what they see and understand not what is actual fact.

You know God loves you - not what you have done or can and can not do. He is looking at the heart. Is it after Him or is it not?

People are so focused on outside appearances- they either don’t know or forget what really and truly matters. They either don’t know or forget what really matters is the heart for God.

People's hearts that are not set upon the foundation of God will always hold the past against us. They will see the bad and/or insufficiency in our ways and efforts- especially those who are not being guarded and mindful of the Lord and his ways. They are quick to pass judgment.

But I want you to declare something with me to God.

Declare: “I will surrender those things that people hold against me in some shape or form to the Lord. There upon the Lord my burden is light. For who really knows my heart but the Lord? Should I not suffer- if I had no suffering how would I have or come to my dependence upon the Lord’s love?”

Romans 12:21 "Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good."

We must continue to raise our dependence upon the Lord’s love. We must surrender all that we are in the flesh in order to become more like the Lord, who love’s us. We shall cast off and cut the strings of the naggings of the flesh that hinder our way in walking continually in the presence of the Lord.

I shall remember and live knowing my true life is in Christ Jesus. There is freedom. There is real life. There is life, as we all should know it.

Can I speak for those who hurt us? Not for certain. I don't walk in their shoes- I don't know what their life is like. I don't see through their eyes and heart. I don't know what is broken inside of them. I don't know type of callus that has formed over their heart. No I can speak for those who hurt us. For there are some things I think I understand but probably don’t fully understand. There are some things that the Lord only knows.

People need watch out which pair of socks they put on in the morning- are they a dirty pair or a clean pair?

Knowing God's love allows me to walk and speak in love and respect. It allows me to give mercy and be empowered by God's grace.

I, a sensitive soul must not need to be concerned what kind of laundry they put on in the morning but where I shall put my focus. For the suiting up of the armor of God has all to do with focus of the heart and mind and knowing the God who truly loves me. For my home and treasure is not here on this world but with God and in heaven. I shall not fear for the LORD is with me. Nothing can separate me from His love.

Psalm 91
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect your from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."

Casting Crowns "Your Love is Extravagant"

After God? (Pursuing God)

These are the things that have brought me to closer to God and thankfully God’s word has mirrored these truths through scripture.

So what do I want you and everyone else to get out of these truths? My hope is that you will experience more of God and the more you become closer to God the more you will experience and live in God’s hope, peace, and joy. You will not just be looking into God’s love but be living in God’s love. And meditating and growing in these riches -your life can’t help but glorify the Lord and share His love with others.

Write these truths down and meditate on them as often as you can throughout your day.

These truths are:

1. God is love. (1 John 4:16) His Love is Faithful and Unfailing. (Psalm 31:7 Psalm 100.) Nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:38) God’s love perfects our love. (1 John 4:17)

2. A Humble and Contrite heart and Respect/Reverence for His Word. A heart that is broken for Jesus Christ. A heart and mind that his surrendered to God and His will. A heart this is sensitive to the will of God. Think of your heart as a bone that is broken- you sense and feel every moment or touch. That is the way our heart should be towards the Lord. A heart that is surrendered, humble and contrite to God can’t help but be obedient to God’s word because you are living in His wonderful truths. (Isaiah 66:2) (Numbers 12:3-8) (Philippians 2:3-11) (1 Peter 5:5-7)

3. Renewing our mind: Who is God? God created the heavens and the earth. He made us to be vessels of His love. He is a faithful, unfailing, merciful, gracious and JUST. He is a jealous God who loves us. He desires to be close to us and He never lets go of us. (Exodus 34:14 ) (Genesis 1:1) (Psalm 89:11) (Isaiah 42:5-6) (Psalm 75:2) (Hebrews 1:8-10) (2 Chronicles 30:9) (2 John 1:3)

4. God inhabits our praises and thanksgivings. He emerges and manifests himself in our praises. He manifests himself in direction and “God” focused or honed thought. (Psalm 22:3) (Psalm 73:1,28) (Psalm 100) (Psalm 116:5) (Acts 17:27-28) (John 14:21) (James 4:8) (Matthew 5:3) (Luke 17:21)

Christians since you have given your life over to Christ Jesus. God is within us. He is within our soul.

Jesus (when speaking about the Kingdom of God) said "You won't be able to say, 'Here it is!' or 'It's over there!' For the Kingdom of God is among you. New International Version says "The Kingdom of God is within you and under further examination into the Strong's concordance it means "in your midst" but more then that "it is within you/ within your soul."

Christians…. since we are made right with God through our Lord Jesus Christ why do we try to get close to God by climbing some legalistic approach or understanding? Doesn't that come from some pridefully thought of our own? Recognition from God isn't based on our own ability to get some place or somewhere but us drawing near and living in God's grace, mercy and love.

Why do we try to reach or blindly run? Why do we think we have to reach some point or spiritual pinnacle only to come short and frustrate ourselves? Why do we have to be rescued by God in order to find Him? So let us not be stubborn or “into” ourselves in “our” approach to drawing near, living in and experiencing God. God is already near us! You have the Holy Spirit- HE is already in you and He wants you to experience more of Him. Ask God to give you the heart and mindset that He needs for Him to work inside and with you.

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8

There in the humble, thankful, surrender, and quiet tenderness of the heart–we enter into the courts of the Almighty.

Oh the joy that awaits!

A Contrite/ Humble Heart- Citizens of Heaven

Isaiah 66:2 "My hands have made both heaven and earth, and they are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! This is the one I esteem: He is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."

"Trembles at my word" is translated in the Hebrew as: "who reverences my words."

God blesses, looks to/ esteems one with a contrite and humble heart who has reverence towards the word of God. I want a heart that is continually broken, receptive and sacrificial to the Lord Jesus Christ. There the heart has Spirit filled direction, guidance, assurance, hope, life, joy and is focused upon our heavenly home. We have peace no matter if we are understood, hated, loved, liked, disliked, persecuted, hunted, sick, because the more we know God's love the more Jesus' love flows through us. The word of God has meaning and depth that is not just understood on an intellectual meaning but a deep heartfelt sense in which we understand it in a very real living source. The words of God have become so real they have become like food which our soul finds strength and nourishment from.

Sounds crazy to the unbeliever that words on a page can become so real that they are as real as something we can live in and touch. To the unbeliever this sounds all like foolishness but they are confounded by the wisdom of God. They are confounded that someone would value and die for their faith. But we know God is mightier then anything that might come into our lives- even death cannot keep God's love from us that is why we don't fear when others do fear.

We as Christians do not fight flesh and blood but those dark spirits that puppet the emotions, understandings, actions of our haters, oppressors, persecutors, abusers and killers.

Those who hate us don't know they are doing humanity a disservice. They don't even know why that hate, judge and accuse us? For having a faith in the only Savior named Jesus Christ- That is a threat? They don't even understand why they outlaw the word of God for if they understood the word of God and it's saving message they would hold it up in high regard. They would shout the saving message of Jesus Christ from the roof tops.

I am reminded of Paul and Silas in the book of Acts chapter 16. They are in prison but their minds and hearts are not. They have been stripped and severely beaten with wooden rods and taken into the inner dungeon and clamped in stocks. Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening and suddenly there was a great earthquake and the prison was shaken and the doors flew open and the chains of every prisoner fell off. The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped so he drew his sword to kill himself Paul shouted of the darkness of the dungeon, "Don't do it! We are all here!" Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran into the darkness and fell before Paul and Silas seeing their merciful actions had saved his own life. He brought them out of dungeon himself and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Paul's and Silas' reply, " Believe on the the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household."

"Why didn't they run and escape?"

Paul and Silas had something more valuable. They had the privilege of having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and even though they were physically in prison and were pain their mind and heart was focused and honed on God and their heavenly home. Their hearts were broken for the Lord and they poured their lives out for the Lord. They did not fear death or their circumstances. They knew they where citizens of heaven and their heart and mind was set upon their heavenly home not this world in which they lived.

In other words- their bodies were in this reality but their mind and heart were set on the realities of heaven. They let heaven fill their thoughts and did not just think of things down here on earth. They knew their real life was in Christ where he sits in the place of honor and power at God the Father's right hand. The cares of this life were not the emphasis but their resurrected life in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 3:14 would be a good place to read this information.)

(Think about this for a second. When something is broken, like a bone, you can feel every little movement that is attached to that bone. When we have a broken or contrite heart for the Lord we can feel the Lord's presence and his guiding and directing. We can “live” in the hope that God provides and we have “joy” because we feel His unfailing and faithful love. We don't put any emphasis on our life or the things of this world but on God because He is the only one that satisfies and fills our life with all good things.)

Philippians 3:19 "Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere."

Revelation 3:7 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: This is the message from the one who is holy and true. He is the one who has the key of David. He opens doors, and not one can shut them; he shuts doors and no one can open them. I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obey my word and did not deny me. Look! I will force those who belong to Satan- those liars who say they are Jews but are not- to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write my God's name on them, and they will be citizens in the city of my God- the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And they will have a new name inscribed upon them. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

We must work hard to remember and retain this information and to renew our mind with these truths every moment of everyday. We must put our trust and hope in our heavenly home where Christ, who loves us, encourages us to finish this "experience of life" in faith. And in doing this our lives can't help but glorify and bring honor to God who is the source of our strength.

Song: Amazed by Jared Anderson

Hope and Confidence In God

Jesus said “What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” Matthew 10:27 So I shout from this housetop to you this morning.

Jesus asked,"Must I do miraculous sings and wonders before you people will believe in me?" John 4:48

I believe Jesus does do signs of miracles and wonders. He has done that many times for me to encourage my faith in him. I have laid hands on the sick and injured and they were healed. He has allowed me to see and sense things that are not possible in the human sense but are possible as we draw close to him. He has done a miracle inside of me with his love and Holy Spirit. But there comes a time when we must trust in his love and through that trust in his love comes mature faith and fellowship with the Father and the Son- Jesus Christ.

I sense Jesus' disappointment here. It's like he knows he can't just show up and say I am the Christ that is written about in your scrolls but he knows he has to show some proof of that.

He knew people would want some signs and wonders like today- where people of this world can't believe something unless they see it in person. Faith in God is hard to see when you have little faith in God. It's sometimes like the wind. You see the tree branches move and the leaves blowing and falling to the ground and moving the clouds in the sky and over the mountains and hills but we can't see the wind just the evidence of the wind. Signs and wonders are for the unbeliever.

Signs and wonders are not for the strong believer or mature believer but for the weak believer and those with little faith or no real faith at all. Does that mean we no longer believe in signs and wonders- of course not. God's signs and wonders and they are very encouraging and we should walk and use those gifts God has given to encourage the weaker believer and awaken the unbeliever.

The question we must ask it this:
But is that really true faith if we put our faith solely on signs and wonders?

Remember Jesus asked,"Must I do miraculous sings and wonders before you people will believe in me?"

Signs are wonders are different then God's presence. I believe God's presence should be evident in every believer's life.

"Outward" signs and wonders should NOT be an "emphasis" point of our faith. Signs and wonders can be a "sign" of our faith but not an "emphasis" point of our faith. Example: I may be able to pray over someone and they be healed in Jesus name but that is a "sign" of my faith in God - my emphasis should be in my "hope in God" and "his love" for me not in the signs and miracles. Same with tongues and prophecy. I may speak in tongues and have the interpretation of tongues and have the gift of prophecy but that is a sign of my faith- it should not be an emphasis point of my hope and Gods love for me.

God himself should be our emphasis point- for the mature believer has surrendered their life to the will of God regardless of what appearances look like on the outside. No matter what gifts I have or not have. No matter if I am saved from my suffering condition or not - my faith and conviction in God stays the same.

1 Corinthians says 13:7 "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance."

1 Peter 1:39 talks about our lasting hope- in God. A trust in God with roots of depth that when we go through trials our hope in God is refined and we have a glorious inexpressible joy because he shows us in that trail and fire that he is faithful and loves us so much. This kind of trial and fire builds our faith in God's salvation for ours souls because during that trial we are drawing even more closer to God and we stop putting any kind of hope or emphasis on the things of this world. We stop putting emphasis on signs and wonders. We let the world have itself and we let ourselves have God in the midst of this world. For we are not citizens of this world but our heavenly home.

Think of the assurance we have in God's love and hope. Remember understanding God's love and consistently putting our hope in God- think what a difference it would make in our lives and those around us especially in trial, challenges, conflict and loss.

Mercy Me on "Bring the Rain"

The Lessons We Learn in the Fiery Furnace

"Some things are only learned in the fiery furnace."
- Oswald Chambers

Surrender and dependence on God's love does something - we don't just realize we are not in control but we can live according to God's will, hope, love, grace, mercy which disarms everything that wants to attack the soul. Knowing these wonderful gifts deep down in our soul's understanding as ministered by the Holy Spirit allows our heart to be tender, receptive, without fear, quiet and full of gratitude and joy in the LORD.

Those angry with God hold onto this life as if means something - as if this life has some lasting value not realizing the richest person knows the value of themselves is in God not in the ones who hate, judge or applaud them and certainly not in what material things they may have or not have and certainly not in their health or physical condition.

If God's eyes are on the sparrow how much more does he love us being his chosen creation.

"But don't be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. When I whisper in your ears, shout from the housetops for all to hear!" Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both your soul and body in hell. Not even a sparrow, worth half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him then a whole flock or sparrows."
(Matthew 10:26-31)

Again I remind myself were were created and saved by God to do his will- no matter what the costs but the costs are nothing compared to the knowing our LORD, Jesus Christ who is so deeply good and cares for us.

"If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

We will find life empty and worthless without God in it and using it.

"But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus- the work of telling others the Good News and about God's wonderful kindness and love."
(Acts 20:24)

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

To Suffer and God's Will and Love

"Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace."
- Oswald Chambers

"Pain is not good in itself. What is good in any painful experience is for the sufferer, his submission to the will of God, and for the spectators, the compassion aroused and the acts of mercy to which it leads."
- C.S. Lewis.

I want to be a living sacrifice that lives in the perfect will of God- no matter what may come knowing God's love will over take me as I surrender to my hope in Him. I am going to let go of the steering wheel of life and not try to grab it back from God no matter what may come.

Do we really know or want to suffer knowing the unmeasurable amount and understanding of God's love that comes through suffering. To know the deep reality that is so secure that nothing can robe you of the fact of God's deep love for us. To come to the end of ourselves seeing no value in anything that the world could offer. To be so persuaded that there is no hesitation to admitting our frailty and our need to be solely empowered and dependent upon God's love- where we are not afraid of death or what may come. Not afraid to speak of God and Jesus to anyone because we so deeply and genuinely know He is here with us not matter what we may suffer in this life or what things look like on the outside. Where we are comforted by the reality of heaven and the joy of our God who cares so deeply for us.

When Peter was asked by Jesus, "Do you love me?" several times what was he truly saying? He was saying, do you really understand how much I love you and if you know how much I love you will be able to endure the suffering to come. Of course Peter's understanding of God's love grew has he went through suffering and torture and his own crucifixion.

The most expensive perfume we can pour out upon the Lord's feet is our lives for we were bought with a high price and it only means something if we truly love the Lord and know he is good, unfailing and faithful.

Our lives are not our own- so why do we try to live our lives as if they are our own? Why do we hang on so tightly onto this life when our life is suppose to be in Christ. We are his vessels to be used as he wishes and he wills. - Just as Jesus said, "May your will be done Father." We are to do the same knowing no matter what happens to us in this life God truly love us.

If we truly understood this we would not fill our lives with things that do not really matter and worry and fear things that do not really matter.

God wants to live in our hearts not part time or when we think the time is best but all the time as we trust and exist in His wonderful limitless love.

God does not want us to just know the WORD- Jesus Christ but live in the WORD's love. And the more we do this the more we are willing to live the will of God regardless of what may or may not happen to us- because we have such a deep understanding of how much God truly loves us.

Thinks of those who risked everything for Jesus Christ? Think of all apostles. Think of the high schools students who did not deny God and were shot for it. Think of those who suffer and say I wouldn't take this cancer or these circumstance away because it has brought me to stronger and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

He alone is my rock and my salvation; my fortress where I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death or life, neither angels nor demons; neither worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." Romans 8:38

"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God and God lives in them." 1 John 4:16

"I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as God's people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is." Ephesians 3:16-18

You Lift Me Up- The Afters

The Real Me- Song

The Passing of a Dear Christian Friend

I received an ushering from the Holy Spirit to check up on a dear friend that I had not spoken to in person since college. Her name was Janine Killough. God would have me pray for her on different occasions but I didn't know why. When I looked her name up on the Internet I found to my regret that she had recently died from cancer just a few days before. I didn't even know she had cancer.

(If you lack faith in God I want you to ask yourself what are the chances of me finding out of my dear friend's death just days after she had passed away? They are humanly impossible but God knew of our friendship. God knew how her passing would affect me.)

Janine and I met in a sociology course which I was required to take for my minor in communications. When I came into class and saw her the first time, she was sitting in a desk right beside the wall by the door. I took a seat behind her. There was something different about Janine that drew me to her.

Later in the course we became study buddies and shared many laughs. I look back on this time as God ordained. I never had seen Janine before until that year and that quarter and then we started bumping into one another all over campus.

At the time I considered myself Christian because I went to church when I was younger and participated in Christian youth activities such as Young Life but my life style was anything but Christian. No I did not party or do drugs but my god was more of the "salad bar" variety if you get my drift. I chose what I wanted to believe and not wanted to believe about God.

Janine would invite me on occasion to one of the campus Christian group gathers but I always had an excuse for not attending. I would sometimes pass by the group as I went through the SUB, the student union building, in the evening and they would all be singing and praising God and there Janine would be too.

So what does a person get from a Christian's life after they have gone? What do I get from Janine's life and passing?

1. No matter our circumstances in life- no matter cancer, sickness, loss, sorrow, health, persecution, oppression, death, life - God really loves us and is there for us.

2. God uses things like cancer to not just touch others around us but us as well. Through life threatening circumstances we draw close to God. We see how fragile this life is and we need God for our strength. (That shouldn't just be when we have a life threatening circumstance but all the time.) Janine grew a strong intimate relationship with the LORD and because of that intimate relationship with the LORD she was a light and testimony of God's love.

3. Janine's strong conviction and faith in God/ Jesus Christ encouraged and made her a beacon of light. She said she would not take back this experience because it engulfed her in Christ's love. She realized the reality of God's love for her.

4. Janine was a vessel. She knew she was a vessel and she knew her life was in God's hands. We are like seeds that grow mature and die to glorify Jesus Christ. In her suffering and intimate relationship with the LORD she could not help but glorify the LORD. Her hope and passion for the LORD was not just a confidence and expectation but she knew personally how much God loved her. She knew God was faithful and unfailing even in death. She had peace when she passed into eternity. Janine was a vessel of God's love. She was not perfect but she was just the perfect vessel to be a light to many people's life - including mine.

5. This life is short compared to eternity. If we have to suffer for a while so be it-as long as God is with me. Even when there is disharmony in our body there isn't with our soul for we are connected spiritually with God not our bodies or circumstances.

6. Tell the truth no matter the circumstances but speak it in love. We are but dew on the morning grass. This is not our home. We know where we are going but do others know where they are going if they don't know Jesus Christ?

7. We are sometimes blind to God's love until God shows us all the many blessings bestowed upon us through different circumstances.

8. This life is temporary so let us not live it as if we have tomorrow because none of us has that guarantee or assurance. Let us live in true genuine love, hope and faith of Jesus Christ. Let's see how faithful and unfailing he is in all circumstances.

I thank God for Janine and I know those who know and love her and have a trust and confidence in Jesus Christ will see and be reunited with her again. I am personally excited that I will be able to see her again.

When a Christian dies we have a tendency to feel sorry for ourselves because we won't see that person for a time but in all reality that is selfish. Who was should really feel bad and great sorrow for- are those who didn't give their lives to Jesus Christ. Would I had loved to see Janine again? Of course yes! - But that be only for selfish reasons. Janine is not suffering anymore. She is in the presence of the LORD that loves her. Janine is alive and well in Jesus Christ so let her life (a seed) go into our hearts and let her memory bear much fruit in us for Jesus Christ. Let us honor those Christians who have passed on before us not by feeling sorry but being thankful to have the opportunity to have them in our life- even if it was for a short while.

Janine's life has touched mine- and I know she has and will continue to touch many other people's life by the relationship she had with the LORD down here on earth. You cannot help but shine if you have an intimate relationship with the LORD and grow in that true genuine truth and reality that God is faithful and unfailing.

"You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope." Psalm 119:114

"He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." Romans 8:38 "We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." 1 John 4:16 "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is." Ephesians 3:16-18

I hope that these words haven't just been some words on a page but that you might see and understand the important significance of Jesus Christ in our lives.

You can see her honest, true and beautiful testimony at this address: http://vimeo.com/28829301

Art Imitating Life

I had a dream I was back in art school. I can’t remember much about the dream but when I woke up it reminded me of some of the last words my stepfather spoke before leaving this life and stepping into heaven. The words were, “To receive, to become part of the process, to artfully leave.”

In Jesus Christ there is life for He is life.

John 1:1-4 says, “In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.”

We are God’s craftsmanship. We are continually being molded, shaped and refined as we look to Christ Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We as Christians are to imitate Jesus.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

We are to imitate Jesus but that is impossible if first God has not transformed us by his Holy Spirit and second if we are depending on the physicality and mentality of ourselves. If we are focused on our own perceptions or our physical ability we cannot imitate Jesus.

Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, "This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”

Ephesians 4:23 says “Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness- righteous, holy and true.”

Being able to imitate Jesus not only has to do with our transformation of the Holy Spirit, which is essential and required BUT a focus and surrender to the authority of Jesus Christ.

In his glorious authority Jesus Christ molds us into the person/ vessel we were meant to be. He knows our make up. He knows our soul’s periodic table. He knows the elements, which we are made from. He knows us better then we know ourselves. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. He made our unique recipe that is uniquely us- knowing exactly how to use that recipe to honor and glorify Him.

But in like all secret and special recipes it needs it’s creator to prepare it. Only then can it be exquisite. Then when the Master Chef serves it, everyone who tastes it and looks back on the dish will appreciate and give honor and praise to the Master Chef that has caringly prepared it. We are a spiritual dish to serve others by God and that dish cannot claim credit -for we were made and transformed by God. We are not own creator.

So how does this moving and breathing recipe not become self-absorbed? How does it not think just on of the earthly things of this life that are here today and gone tomorrow?

Remember we are only a recipe -and it is only satisfying when prepared by God. Like a dish seasoned and prepared with the finest wine- the Expert Chef cuts and trims and separates the good stuff from the bad stuff but the amateur who does not know what he/she is doing cooks it all together and the dish is ruined and has to be tossed out. Expert Chef God is but we are not.

And as a beautiful work of art receives accolades- it only does so because of its creator. And so it is with us as we allow the Master’s hands to continue His good work in us – it brings Him and his Son glory and we get to experience some of that glory for ourselves even though we don’t claim any credit for it whatsoever.

Pick up your Mat and Walk

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Ever been oppressed? Oppressed to the point you feel disabled and handicapped spiritually? Ever feel this burdening presence that closes in on you? You sense its weight. You sense its tension on your body as if you are wrestling something invisible as you try to do what needs to be done throughout the day. It is a presence that just does not leave you alone.

Most often we wrestle this presence with our physical and mental strength and it doesn’t go so well because we are up against something spiritual. We need to use spiritual weapons when we are up against spiritual weaponry and foes.

You are saved by Jesus Christ and because you are saved by Jesus Christ you have the authority in Him. You have spiritual authority in Him. You have been set free from the law of sin, which so easily influences the physical and mental sides of us. The physical and mental sides are often manipulated causing us to lose peace and rest- we move into areas of unbelief (sometimes unknowingly) which is a sin.

This unbelief in sin causes us to become captives to our oppressors. We sit handicapped spiritually on our mat and feel sorry for ourselves because "everyone is able to get into the pool of Bethesda before we do when the waters are stirred up."

We grumble and complain serving the law of sin not realizing we are falling into the same trap as the Israelites who had left Egypt. Though they had been set free – their hearts sank back into their old ways and desires. And we know what happened to them….

However those with Joshua had a promise. Joshua had the promise from God and we also have the same promises through Jesus.

Do these sound familiar? “ I will be with you. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous. Do not turn away from God and you will be successful in everything you do. Meditate on the word day and night and obey it- only then will you succeed. I command you- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:5-9)

Jesus told the man at the pool of Bethesda after he asked him, “Would you like to get well.”

The man complained but Jesus ignored the complaint at first and simply ordered, “Stand up, pick up your sleeping mat and walk!”

Instantly the man was healed. He rolled the mat and began walking. When Jesus found the man in the temple again… Jesus then addressed the man’s complaint with this. “Now you are well, so stop sinning or something even worse may happen to you. (John 5)

We are to strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress- we do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. Hebrews 12. Hebrews 4:14-16

Through the things we suffer we learn to be more obedient and dependent upon God- seeing our need for Him everyday of our lives.