Heading for a Storm

I recently took a trip, and as I was preparing to leave, I viewed the weather report.  It informed me I would be heading directly into a storm and the severity would be great.  So I had to make a decision.  To go or not to go.  Sure I had friends and family telling me not to go.  I even had people begging me to pull over and quit driving mid way through.  The storm slowed me down and I even stopped by the side of the road to help some people out, who were no longer moving but crashed into the ravine.

This ever happen to you?  I bet it has.  Whether you were the one stopping or the one in the ravine, we have all driven into a storm.  Such is life.  Here is what God showed me.

I set out, knowing I was headed into a storm, but I declared to my family and friends my GOD was all powerful and He would protect me!

Even though my progress was hindered in my travels, I still felt compelled to help those in worse situations along the way.  It was no longer about when I would get there, but that we would ALL get there at some point.

What if we knew we were headed into a storm of life?  Well we do, the Bible says, "I send you out as sheep amongst wolves" Matthew 10:16.  Now if that's not a storm, then what is?  What if we learned to not be so concerned with "self" and became more concerned with the whole reaching the destination?  "Brethern if any of you is caught in a fault, you who are Spiritual (stronger at the time) go to him and help restore him (so he may be with ME in the end) Galatians 6:1

Now I know what you are thinking, "Brian, it just isn't that clean and dry cut!" ANd maybe I am reading my bible wrong but it says, "Come unto me all you who are heavily laden and burdened  and I will give you rest!  Matthew 11:28  It also says, "Lo I am with you ALWAYS, even until the end of time." Matthew 28:20.

So what did the LORD say, which I feel He is speaking unto the body of Christ even now?  "If you will simply know that I, the LORD, will see you through, and know I, the LORD am with you, and know there is nothing, I the LORD, cannot take care of, then you can face life's storms, and not fear, but know you will make it, if you just trust in ME!

Partial Obedience is Disobedience

Scripture Reference:  “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: (Genesis 12:1-4a)

We all know the story well.  Then Abram, later changed to Abraham, was instructed by God to go forth into a land…. God would bless him…and Abram went!  What a mighty story of faith and obedience, right?  After all Abraham became the father of many and his seed is now like trying to number the stars or the grains of sand.  He enjoyed a blessed life and is listed in the Hall of Fame of Faith!

I don’t doubt for one minute that Abraham was a blessed man.  He let his nephew Lot chose the land which he would go into, when their camps broke out in strife.  He was able to go and rescue Lot when Lot was carried away captive.  He was able to plead for Sodom and Gomorrah when it was about to be destroyed, which helped Lot to escape with his life.  Yes indeed Abraham was blessed!

However is that all the Spirit is trying to teach us here?  Look closely.  A number of the “troubles” Abraham had, involved Lot.  You see Abraham did what God said, but he, you and I are missed something.  Did you see it in verse between verses one and four?  God told Him to “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred…” God did not say “take Lot with you”.  He told Abram to leave him.

You see even though Abram did as the LORD said and showed great faith going to a land he was going to be shown, He failed in the fact of getting away from his kindred.  And subsequently his nephew Lot, was the source of many of his troubles.

Partial obedience, is disobedience.  Disobedience to God is a sin.  Sin, according to God, must be punished.  Yes you may be blessed, but could you be even more blessed with your full obedience?

"All they want is my Money!"

“You know, seems like every time I go there, all I hear is how they want my money.  How I should give what I spent a week or more slaving for, they want me to give all I can to them.  And what’s worse, after I do give them some, they have the nerve to ask for more!  Doesn’t anybody else give them their money?  What about Bob?  Didn’t he just buy a new car?  And how about Sally?  She is always going out somewhere.  Why can’t they ask for more of their money and leave me alone with mine?  I tell you if they say one more thing about my money, well I’m gonna….”

Does this sound familiar to you?  Have you maybe even uttered these words yourself about someone?  Well the fact of the matter is, this is a common sentiment.  I often encounter this from people who I am asking to join me.  But people always go and they always give their money, and sometimes even put some on a credit card!

Now I know what you are thinking, especially the Pastors, “Where and who are these people?”  Well you know them and you see them every day.  Matter of fact you may very well be one of them.  But you say, “I don’t even go to church!”  Well I wasn’t speaking of the Church, I was speaking of the local shopping places.

What?  Didn’t you notice how they are always asking for your money, even the last dime!  Heck they even ask you to put some on a brand new credit card, which they will give you for free!  The signs, the sales, even the way the store is laid out, all is intended to say one thing, “We want your money!”  But isn’t it odd how the only time we complain is when the church says, “Give the LORD what is His already”? 

LORD, during this gift-giving season, let us be mindful of the real reason for the Season.  Let us remember whose birthday it really is.  And let us first give you a gift, worthy of a KING!  

The Throne Became Empty

The Throne becomes empty.  A Spirit descends.  Angels Hush.  A virgin is found.  A womb in habited.  An egg fertilized.  The Divine Artist of old, which created the heavens and the earth, removes His cloak of glory, and wraps Himself in human flesh.  He forms His own body.  Skin covering Spirit, Veins filled with the precious blood of Love.  Bones not to be broken, yet a heart already shattered.

He once again comes to walk the garden He created.  Yet this time, the garden has thorns, poisons and countless bitter wounds.  Discourse rules.  Sickness prevails.  Betrayals last.  Fear dominates. Guilt shames.

Clouds now hover in darkness, beast roar and groan.  Competition reigns.  Blindness destroys sight.

Once again a Tree appears, on a hill, far away.  The battle ensues.  The snake strikes.  The offer: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.  Nothing new has come.  Still the same questions we face today, “Who’s will?” 

A choice is made.  Tears are mingled with blood.  Then, relationship is restored.  A bridge erected.  And a smile returns, “It is good” is uttered once again.

Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 1 Corinthians 15:22

16,071

Yesterday, the LORD honored me to see another birthday come and pass.  Most people fret or shun away from their earthly time markings, but for me it afforded me opportunity to once again reflect.

I did not reflect so much upon past mistakes.  I did not ponder key wins or losses.  I did not take time to place blame for where I am now, nor did I seek to give credit to myself for where I am currently.  Accomplishments.  Didn’t matter.  Failures.  Didn’t matter.  Standing out to me most importantly was a number, 16,071. 

Moses once said, “o teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”  Psalm 90:12.  Through the ups, and the downs, through the storms and the rain, the heartache and the pain, from the mountain-top experiences, to the valley lows, in all His appointed times He planned for me, little did I know He was teaching me to number my days. 

Now as I enter into the next phase of my life, I pray LORD, apply my heart to more wisdom and understanding, for “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7

Today I challenge you not to wait until your birthday, but start today to number your days, and seek after, reach for and obtain the wisdom of GOD, in every situation in your life.  And be careful to give the LORD honor and praise for He ordained your steps just as they happened to bring you to this expected time and place.  Psalm 37:24 He loves you like no one else can or ever will!

16,072, HERE I COME!

How far should we Love?

Earlier this week, someone very dear to me stopped eating.  They became lethargic, slow, and non-responsive.  One who has always been there for and with me, suddenly seemed to be slipping away.  So I asked the LORD, what to do and He said, "Pray for them."  I said, "Really?"  And He said,, "Yes."  So I looked for Scripture to back this up.  (For we should know we must stand on the Word, right?)  I began to pray for them according to how I felt about them and how the Word told me to care for them.  The very next day, after nearly three full days of not eating, they began to eat, and within six hours they were almost back to normal.   This is significant for one I can't see myself without them, and two I love them so very dearly.

Now I know what you are thinking, "Brian we are to do this for the ones we love anyway!"  And you are correct, and will get no argument out of me on this point.  However, the one I was praying for was Kong, my Great Dane.  Yes, I prayed for an animal.  But look at what the bible teaches us in Proverbs 12:10 "A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the wicked are always cruel."  If I can't show the same mercy and love towards my animals, am I really walking in the ways of God?  On the flip side of this, since I stand so vehemently on the Word, why can't I expect the same God who made all things and loves all things, not to grant my petition according to His will as the Bible teaches us also?

The moral to the story: How strongly do you stand on HIS WORD?

Jesus, Sighed

Scripture Reference: Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, "Ephphatha," which means, "Be opened!" Mark 7:34

We know the story well.  Jesus takes a man with a speech impediment away from the crowd, as not to make a spectacle of His healing.  But did you catch what He did?  Something we usually pass right over without a thought.  But there is it in plain sight, "He sighed."

Yes there are many types of sighs.   Some of disgust, some of relief, some of expectancy, and even some of joy.  However this "Sigh" was a recognition of pain that was never intended, and of a hope deferred.  He knew it was never meant to be this way; the man was not to be impaired, the halt were to be whole, the love to never cease to overflow.  The Bible tells us He was in touch with our infinities.  (Hebrews 4:15)  The Creation was never intended to be inhabited by evil, so she sighs, yearning for the Garden.  Conversations with the Father were never intended to depend upon a translator, so the Holy Spirit groans on our behalf, looking for the day when Man will see God face to face.  Man was never created to be separated from his creator, so he sighs looking for home.  

When Jesus looks into the eyes of Satan's victim here, the only appropriate thing to do was sigh, "It was never intended to be this way." Our ears were never made to be deaf and our tongue not to stumble.  The imbalance of it all caused the Master to languish.

However in Jesus' agony, lies our hope.  Had He not sighed, we would never know He felt the burden of our infirmities, the things which were never intended, and we would be in pitiful condition.  Had He simply chalked it up to the inevitable or washed His hands of the whole mess, what hope would we have? But He didn't.  The holy sigh assures us God still groans for his children.  He groans for the day when all sighs will cease, when what was intended to be will be.

The LORD, speaking to me

I have placed orders for a few items and when they arrived today, I wanted to open them and see them quickly as because I was excited about their arrival. I was opening the packages today and using a pocket knife which is very sentimental and dear to me.  It is razor sharp and though it looks old and beat up it carries a lot of weight with me.   As I looked through the boxes and all the packages, I was well pleased with my selection. I put them away and moved onto my next task.  Little did I realize I had cut myself ever so slightly on the finger.  Blood was everywhere.  All over my hand, the boxes, my clothes and even the floor.  

Why do I share this with you?  Well, the LORD spoke to me saying, "I too had something which was very dear to me.  My Son.  He too was cut (wounded) and His blood was spilled out everywhere and His blood left no thing untouched.  But He was not trying to get into the package, but rather to get the package out to you!  His blood spill was more messy so that you could be made thoroughly cleaned in HIM.

LORD, as You continue to reveal Yourself to me in such marvelous ways, I pause to say, Thank You, LORD for all You did for me.  It didn't start at the Cross, but rather at the first shedding of blood before the foundations of the world (Genesis 1).  And thank You for the Package of packages, the gift of YOU, fully to me!

Private Thoughts

I share with you part of my journal entry for today December 3, 2012.  I really present to you an unfinished chair, for the LORD is dealing with me on this.  My purpose is prayerfully someone else could glean from this and also give them the peace which has been rekindled in me.

I was at class tonight and we were being taught on Numbers and Deuteronomy.  The class and material was well presented, however I could clearly hear the LORD tell me to go and make amends on a situation.  As we know the bible clearly says, “If you have aught with your brother, leave your gift at the altar and go and make it right with him.”  Matthew 5:23.  So as I became more and more convicted, I was pressed to send this person a text.  I did and asked to be forgiven and asked the LORD for the same. 

Out of the depths of my soul, a well sprung forward!  Before even receiving a response, The Word came alive!  Never have I felt such a presence and a love in Him!  The Spirit quickly spread and before I knew it our entire class was in a worship mode, with no more regard to the lesson plan. 

God moved in a mighty way.  Now I am not saying it was me that did it, but I realize I was hindering what He wanted to do in me.  When I humbled myself and asked for forgiveness, He immediately rushed in and overwhelmed me, and all those around with His Spirit.  The question is, what would happen if I were obedient to Him all the time?

As I begin to matriculate further and further into not being a “Christian” but rather a true Follower of Christ, I am overjoyed to see and experience how easy it is when I just let go and I let Him.  His strength is made perfect in my weakness.  But most importantly, His love can transcend any barrier, as long as I move myself out of the way.

Father, cause me to decrease even more, so You may increase in all those you have sent me to! 

Questions

Scripture Reference:  "For God so loved the World...."  John 3:16

LORD, when I asked You to show me how Your heart feels, I didn’t expect this much pain.  My how You LOVE US ALL!  It has been a truly amazing ride.  I have learned to see people in a whole new way.  But now I have more questions. 

With the Season of Your birth upon us, I think about how things may have been when You wrapped Glory into human flesh and dwelt among us.  What ran through your mind when Mary was teaching You the One who knew All?  How did You feel seeing a lamb being led to the slaughter?  What did you think when You saw a prostitute offering to sell the body which You made?  Did You ever look at pensively at Your own arm while holding a clod of dirt?  Why would You choose me, knowing all my shortcomings and failures, and say, "I will go and be sacrificed for him!"  Why would You love me like this?

Then He told me: "The only thing that matters is LOVE!  Now that you know how I feel, go and LOVE like I loved you!"

LORD, I don’t know if I can do this, but I do know since You will go with me, I'm going!

Where do you stop searching for God?

Scripture Reference:  “After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet.” Matthew 2:4-5

When the wise men came to Jerusalem, they were in search for “He who was born King!”  They were Gentiles; ones without the promises of God and outside of the blessing.  They, by the Jews, were considered heathen and unworthy to be accounted as an heir. However they were the only ones who noticed His star, and then took time to seek Him out.

When Herod asks the Priest “Where the child should be born”, they are quick to recite verse and scripture.  Yet their search for the Messiah ended there.  They did not look for Him.  They limited Him only to Scripture.  They relegated Him to only one method, and certainly not to the likes of these heathen men.

I wonder if we are not so far removed from these Priests’ thinking.  Do we only believe God will move in a certain way?  Believe He will only reveal Himself to “the sanctified”?  Does our search for Him end with the Scriptures? 

This Holiday Season, I challenge you to get outside your box, and see our God for All He is and wants to be in our lives!