Is there anything that can keep you from the love of Christ? Check out what Paul wrote in Romans 8 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is no thing that can come between the redeemed and our redeemer. Our hearts, our minds and our very beings are inseparably saturated with the love of Christ. It is a part of our spiritual DNA. This is the key to understanding why we are victorious; why we are winners and over comers. When we recognize the importance of Christ's sacrifice; the tearing of the Vail; the execution of the New Will & Testament we can be so very confident in knowing that no matter what we go through, where we have been or where we are there is no thing in heaven, in earth or under the earth that can separate us from the love of God that we have obtained the right to through Christ Jesus.
Here in then is where our faith is made sure. Once we trust that Christ lived, bled and died; rose with all power and reigns forever more to return for His people, once we accept this in our Christian walk, there is absolutely nothing from God's Word that we can't accept and trust in absolute confidence. Trust that although what we sense with our natural senses may let us down and disappoint us, what we know with our faith will pull us through and anchor us.
We have a hope that is sure and certain bought by Christ's blood; the ultimate sacrifice that keeps wafting up to God's thrown. It is why God's mercy covers us while we go through the process of developing a strong worship relationship; while we come into the knowledge that God is our source.
Be encouraged today and know that you are glued to, forever tied to, and tethered to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; the creator of all things and giver of all good gifts. He is our friend, our savior, our comforter, El Shaddai--the all sufficient God, El Elyon--the most High God, El Olam--the Everlasting God, El Channun--the Gracious God, Jehovah Jireh--the Lord who provides,
Jehovah Rapha--the Lord who heals, Jehovah Shalom--the lord our peace, Jehovah Shammad--the ever present Lord, Jehovah Saboath--the Lord of Hosts, Jehovah Ra-ah--the Lord who is my shepherd. The Bible says He is the great I AM. He says of Himself, "I am that I am" In other words there isn't anything that exists that isn't saturated with Him because He generated all with the mighty Word of creation. Nothing can separate you from the Love of God because He did it all just for you. You are His child. You are His chosen. You are a peculiar people grafted into a royal priesthood through Christ's sacrifice. You are the head and not the tail. You are above and not beneath. Be encouraged and lift up your heads. The Word has been bought to you to let you know that you belong to Him. He paid for you and bought you with the highest price. He didn't bring you this far to leave you or to let you down.
Call on Him in times of trouble. Worship Him at all times. Bless His name. Reverence Him. Honor Him and know of a certainty that there is absolutely nothing that can separate you from His love.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Our Orders
I was in the army briefly. While there I learned quit a bit about our nation's military. As we were trained and prepared we waited for our orders. Your orders inform you where to go and when. There really isn't a why or how or who. The military is definitely about need-to-know information only.
While you await your orders you prepare for many scenarios. We learned to accurately fire an M-16--I achieved sharp shooter status; we learned to operate on very little sleep and to live outdoors; we learned to eat small meals quickly; we were trained to be physically fit and mentally alert; we learned to watch out for our battle buddy and to pay attention to the slightest sounds or movements; we learned to navigate our way out of a wilderness situation; and we learned to endure the pain of chemical attacks. The military stretched me to do things that I never imaged I could do--let alone would try to do. I repelled down walls and ran for miles at a time to build strength and endurance.
Having had the military experience, held and shot a weapon, been trained to fight in hand to hand combat or to shoot and stab in order to survive myself, I have to say that all of that has nothing on the military preparation that God puts us through throughout the duration of our lives. I am disheartened when I hear Christians talking about carrying guns or being armed in any way other than with their faith and the sword of the Word of God--this is our ultimate weapon. Yet we fear the enemy. We shouldn't. God's has provided us with ample information, opportunity to learn and grow, and faith to trust that He as it all in control.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:3 - 6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
We are the mightiest militia ever known and our orders are simple, " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Our confidence is in the fact that the battle that we fight is already won; it's not ours, its the Lord's so let's gear up and get our orders and fight the good fight of faith; making sure that we recruit more troops on our journey to fulfill our orders.
While you await your orders you prepare for many scenarios. We learned to accurately fire an M-16--I achieved sharp shooter status; we learned to operate on very little sleep and to live outdoors; we learned to eat small meals quickly; we were trained to be physically fit and mentally alert; we learned to watch out for our battle buddy and to pay attention to the slightest sounds or movements; we learned to navigate our way out of a wilderness situation; and we learned to endure the pain of chemical attacks. The military stretched me to do things that I never imaged I could do--let alone would try to do. I repelled down walls and ran for miles at a time to build strength and endurance.
Having had the military experience, held and shot a weapon, been trained to fight in hand to hand combat or to shoot and stab in order to survive myself, I have to say that all of that has nothing on the military preparation that God puts us through throughout the duration of our lives. I am disheartened when I hear Christians talking about carrying guns or being armed in any way other than with their faith and the sword of the Word of God--this is our ultimate weapon. Yet we fear the enemy. We shouldn't. God's has provided us with ample information, opportunity to learn and grow, and faith to trust that He as it all in control.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:3 - 6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
We are the mightiest militia ever known and our orders are simple, " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Our confidence is in the fact that the battle that we fight is already won; it's not ours, its the Lord's so let's gear up and get our orders and fight the good fight of faith; making sure that we recruit more troops on our journey to fulfill our orders.
Monday, June 28, 2010
It's about God's Annointing, God's Approval and God's Assignment
Bishop Noel Jones has a song titled, It's not About us, but it's about Jesus. I thought about this song and its lyrics against a background of my church experiences. The thought occurred to me that many Christians may say out of our mouths that it's not about us, but truly believe that it is all about us and kind of about Jesus. The proof is in our behavior not in our mouth. As my grandma would say, "You can form your mouth to say anything."
Our backbiting, poking fun at, refusing to work together and get along, take over spirit, competitive spirit, unwilling to relent and make for peace ways prove that we don't think it's about Jesus. Now I understand when my Bishop says not to come down to deal with issues that are beneath me because to do so puts the focus on me. It elevates my feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, envy or angry. It makes it about me and not about Jesus.
When it's about Jesus, "I" and "me" are minimized. Instead we yield to God's will. When we yield to God's will our perspective about everything changes. Conflict is minimized because we yield. Jealousy isn't an option. Hating is out the window. Preferring one another is in order. Being genuinely loving and caring comes easily. Integrity is our habit. What many of us fail to realize when we receive Christ is that He enhances us. He doesn't take away. If you have style then you'll have style on steroids. If you've got swag prepare for your swag to be raised to a whole new level. You don't have to push yourself or your agenda as a matter of fact lay it all down. As you obey God and He regenerates you with His anointing the ministry that is within you will be developed as part of His process for your life. You may be serving faithfully and feeling like no one is watching, but who needs to see it except Jesus? Every experience that we have in the Lord is for His glory and to encourage ourselves and each other. God makes us better. The longer we spend bringing our lives in order with His Word the longer it takes for us to experience the good gifts and prosperity that He has for us.
Remember everything that we do prepares us for another purpose and another task. God does everything for a reason and allows every experience for a reason. Our prayer ought to be that as we journey through our Anointing into our Approval that God blesses our understanding. Everything that we experience in our lives qualifies us for our Assignment. They key is to allow God to work His perfect work in you so that you can be used for His Glory because after all it's not about us.
It's about Jesus when we realize that God is sovereign and as my daddy used to tell me, "You ain't running nothing, but your mouth and you shoes over." Listening for God's guiding voice and developing a real worship relationship with Him will bring about the validation and satisfaction that we long for in our lives and try so very unsuccessfully to get out of others. As we draw closer to the Lord and become open He will give us His unmerited favor.
I was sharing with my husband and another young lady recently that I have gained so much from my experiences at Urban Empowerment. There are skills that I have learned and development that God has applied to my life that I use in my day to day living. It not only has enhanced my spiritual walk, but it has brought me to a place of joy and favor in my day to day living. It is enhancing my faith walk. I can more confidently rely on the voice of Jesus rather than my own insecurities and self indulgences. I am slowly learning that it's not about who talks about me. It's not about my feelings at any given moment in time. It's not about me.
The Word applied to a developing Christian's life is exhilarating. It is like waking up. We begin to die off and meld into the body of Christ. Our identity is through Him; we relent. We truly humble ourselves--it isn't a speech. This becomes evident through God's elevation. When we "get" that it's not about us--when we really really get that one, God flips the script and blesses us to where others gain the experience of God's glory from our lives. In other words, God will elevate you.
Our backbiting, poking fun at, refusing to work together and get along, take over spirit, competitive spirit, unwilling to relent and make for peace ways prove that we don't think it's about Jesus. Now I understand when my Bishop says not to come down to deal with issues that are beneath me because to do so puts the focus on me. It elevates my feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, envy or angry. It makes it about me and not about Jesus.
When it's about Jesus, "I" and "me" are minimized. Instead we yield to God's will. When we yield to God's will our perspective about everything changes. Conflict is minimized because we yield. Jealousy isn't an option. Hating is out the window. Preferring one another is in order. Being genuinely loving and caring comes easily. Integrity is our habit. What many of us fail to realize when we receive Christ is that He enhances us. He doesn't take away. If you have style then you'll have style on steroids. If you've got swag prepare for your swag to be raised to a whole new level. You don't have to push yourself or your agenda as a matter of fact lay it all down. As you obey God and He regenerates you with His anointing the ministry that is within you will be developed as part of His process for your life. You may be serving faithfully and feeling like no one is watching, but who needs to see it except Jesus? Every experience that we have in the Lord is for His glory and to encourage ourselves and each other. God makes us better. The longer we spend bringing our lives in order with His Word the longer it takes for us to experience the good gifts and prosperity that He has for us.
Remember everything that we do prepares us for another purpose and another task. God does everything for a reason and allows every experience for a reason. Our prayer ought to be that as we journey through our Anointing into our Approval that God blesses our understanding. Everything that we experience in our lives qualifies us for our Assignment. They key is to allow God to work His perfect work in you so that you can be used for His Glory because after all it's not about us.
It's about Jesus when we realize that God is sovereign and as my daddy used to tell me, "You ain't running nothing, but your mouth and you shoes over." Listening for God's guiding voice and developing a real worship relationship with Him will bring about the validation and satisfaction that we long for in our lives and try so very unsuccessfully to get out of others. As we draw closer to the Lord and become open He will give us His unmerited favor.
I was sharing with my husband and another young lady recently that I have gained so much from my experiences at Urban Empowerment. There are skills that I have learned and development that God has applied to my life that I use in my day to day living. It not only has enhanced my spiritual walk, but it has brought me to a place of joy and favor in my day to day living. It is enhancing my faith walk. I can more confidently rely on the voice of Jesus rather than my own insecurities and self indulgences. I am slowly learning that it's not about who talks about me. It's not about my feelings at any given moment in time. It's not about me.
The Word applied to a developing Christian's life is exhilarating. It is like waking up. We begin to die off and meld into the body of Christ. Our identity is through Him; we relent. We truly humble ourselves--it isn't a speech. This becomes evident through God's elevation. When we "get" that it's not about us--when we really really get that one, God flips the script and blesses us to where others gain the experience of God's glory from our lives. In other words, God will elevate you.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Look around you
Today's blog will be especially transparent. I tried to write earlier about a topic, but found that it was just too difficult trying to write from an outside perspective. I think I can make the point more poignantly by speaking from my own experience.
I love the church. I've been in church my whole life. Church has always been my safe haven. When turmoil was going on all around me, I have been able to go to church and find resource, peace, love, comfort and friendships.
This is the first time in my life that I have been a servant leader in the church. I have held "positions" before, but for the first time God is working with me to see that each and every person is a child of His--whether I like them or not, whether they are nice or nasty, whether I feel that they treat me this way or that. We collectively belong to Him. In the last four years at my church God has shown me who I am as a servant. There is no "I" did this or that. There is only Him. Surprisingly, I have no desire to show off or to be seen. My whole paradigm has shifted from seeing my life as at church and at work and at home to only working for Him where ever I am. He's shown me my heart compared to His and how very different the two have been and now how close they are becoming. He's changed my desires to match His will. He's worked on me through my own shortcomings to have compassion and love for all His people. He's taught me that it doesn't matter what others say or do I have to answer to Him for my responses, actions or inaction. I am not held to a worldly standard. I am held to a holy standard.
As I learn these lessons and move through the process of understanding the real meaning of ministry and evangelism, I have also seen and experienced unmatched hurt. I have often questioned why people can seemingly get away with purposefully hurting, leaving people out, using, dogging, and talking about others; openly laughing at people and making fun of people, showing favoritism. I see people and I myself struggle for answers about how to remain in position when things at times seem so very unfair, yet God expects you to drive on without comparison and in love.
I often struggle internally between family life and what I believe I am called to do for the Lord and understand what Paul meant now about marriage. As my husband says often, Ministry isn't convenient.
After all of what I struggle with, the things that I can't understand yet, the things that seem so very hurtful and unfair, the inaction that leads to confusion and frustration--after all of that God says to me, Look around you. When I look around I see people who love fiercely, pray fervently, give fully and care unconditionally. When I look around I see God's business that is left undone and that calls me to put my hand to the plow to work with my Bishop and First Lady--even when I don't want to, when I feel like giving up because I'm tired of struggling with people I have only shown love toward. God pushes me to look around and see souls--not mere faces, but the very reason that He sent His Son--the souls that He has redeemed with His own blood.
When I look around I have so many reasons to be grateful. I have so many reasons to trust that the Lord is working everything out for my good. I have so many reasons to strive on as a sacrificing servant. I am thankful for this opportunity to serve in ministry. It has changed me when I thought I was through changing. It has taught me when I felt that my time for learning was over. It has moved me when I wouldn't have believed I could have been moved. It has developed me and giving me purpose. The Word has pierced me and convicted me and corrected me and even though it brought me to tears it also built me up and made me more aware. And it yet continues to bring me to a new place in my own relationship with God as I work out my own soul's salvation.
Look around you. Do you see people that you don't care for? Do you see people you have conflict with? Do you see people you can have over for dinner? Do you see people you can persuade and boss around. or Do you see opportunities to repair relationships? Do you see hurting people who you can reach with your testimony of the goodness of Jesus? Do you see people you can witness to and bring to church? Do you see someone you can encourage with a Word of life? Look around not with your eyes, but through God's heart. Your perspective will change. Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in. He will come in and make all things new. He will enter your heart and change your mind. Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory will come in and cause you to look around and see people like He sees people--through the eyes of His Son Jesus.
I love the church. I've been in church my whole life. Church has always been my safe haven. When turmoil was going on all around me, I have been able to go to church and find resource, peace, love, comfort and friendships.
This is the first time in my life that I have been a servant leader in the church. I have held "positions" before, but for the first time God is working with me to see that each and every person is a child of His--whether I like them or not, whether they are nice or nasty, whether I feel that they treat me this way or that. We collectively belong to Him. In the last four years at my church God has shown me who I am as a servant. There is no "I" did this or that. There is only Him. Surprisingly, I have no desire to show off or to be seen. My whole paradigm has shifted from seeing my life as at church and at work and at home to only working for Him where ever I am. He's shown me my heart compared to His and how very different the two have been and now how close they are becoming. He's changed my desires to match His will. He's worked on me through my own shortcomings to have compassion and love for all His people. He's taught me that it doesn't matter what others say or do I have to answer to Him for my responses, actions or inaction. I am not held to a worldly standard. I am held to a holy standard.
As I learn these lessons and move through the process of understanding the real meaning of ministry and evangelism, I have also seen and experienced unmatched hurt. I have often questioned why people can seemingly get away with purposefully hurting, leaving people out, using, dogging, and talking about others; openly laughing at people and making fun of people, showing favoritism. I see people and I myself struggle for answers about how to remain in position when things at times seem so very unfair, yet God expects you to drive on without comparison and in love.
I often struggle internally between family life and what I believe I am called to do for the Lord and understand what Paul meant now about marriage. As my husband says often, Ministry isn't convenient.
After all of what I struggle with, the things that I can't understand yet, the things that seem so very hurtful and unfair, the inaction that leads to confusion and frustration--after all of that God says to me, Look around you. When I look around I see people who love fiercely, pray fervently, give fully and care unconditionally. When I look around I see God's business that is left undone and that calls me to put my hand to the plow to work with my Bishop and First Lady--even when I don't want to, when I feel like giving up because I'm tired of struggling with people I have only shown love toward. God pushes me to look around and see souls--not mere faces, but the very reason that He sent His Son--the souls that He has redeemed with His own blood.
When I look around I have so many reasons to be grateful. I have so many reasons to trust that the Lord is working everything out for my good. I have so many reasons to strive on as a sacrificing servant. I am thankful for this opportunity to serve in ministry. It has changed me when I thought I was through changing. It has taught me when I felt that my time for learning was over. It has moved me when I wouldn't have believed I could have been moved. It has developed me and giving me purpose. The Word has pierced me and convicted me and corrected me and even though it brought me to tears it also built me up and made me more aware. And it yet continues to bring me to a new place in my own relationship with God as I work out my own soul's salvation.
Look around you. Do you see people that you don't care for? Do you see people you have conflict with? Do you see people you can have over for dinner? Do you see people you can persuade and boss around. or Do you see opportunities to repair relationships? Do you see hurting people who you can reach with your testimony of the goodness of Jesus? Do you see people you can witness to and bring to church? Do you see someone you can encourage with a Word of life? Look around not with your eyes, but through God's heart. Your perspective will change. Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in. He will come in and make all things new. He will enter your heart and change your mind. Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory will come in and cause you to look around and see people like He sees people--through the eyes of His Son Jesus.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Wasted Time
I spent a great deal of my morning today reading about the depravity of mankind evidenced in crimes of sex enslavement and imprisonment by fathers of their own children and of the story of a young man who brutally murdered an elderly woman--just because.
The crimes were all detestable and difficult to read about. It was hard to grasp the kind of mind that allows people to be so brutal and cruel. Surely these individuals were social paths incapable of empathizing or caring about their victims.
With these kinds of crimes happening around us it makes me wonder how we can waste so much time as Christians not willing to work together to take back the Kingdom by force. I know I spend a great deal of time on the topic of Christians refusing to work together, but it is because we just don't get that this is a real warfare with very real dire consequences. Our focus is so distorted with issues that are unimportant. We can't empty ourselves, be open to God and get on one accord to fight the real enemy who is here to steal kill and destroy us all.
The resolution is so very simple lay aside the sin and the weight that does so easily beset us and run this race set before us with patience. Be patient and kind hearted toward each other. There is a bigger fight at hand that can't wait for all of us to grow up, stop holding grudges, stop the infighting and stop the back biting. We are losing a spiritual war trying to fight an insignificant tangible battle with people we are supposed to love and care for.
There is a song that says it best, "I need you. You need me. We're all a part of His body. Stand with me. Agree with me. We're all a part of His body. It is His will that every need be supplied. You are important to me. I need you to survive. I pray for you. You pray for me. I love you. I need you to survive. I won't harm you with words from my mouth. I love you. I need you to survive."
My prayer has turned into pleading with God to get us all past the nonsense and pettiness that lives and looms in our churches. We are vulnerable to an ambush because we can't stop obsessing over who gets to do what for Bishop and First Lady; who has what position in the church; who has the most friends and can entertain the most people on Sundays. Our sermons focus on God gave me this or that and everyone is jealous of me because I look so good. I often wonder how many times we have to hear that type of sermon over the pulpit? Who cares if someone is hating on you? At the end of the day what difference does it make? It only makes a difference because both parties involved have a problem. There is a perception problem. People think the world is jealous of them. No one is jealous of you and if they are so what! What does any of that have to do with God's people, God's business or God's kingdom? Focus. Wake up! There are lost souls who could care less about what you wear or don't wear on Sunday morning. People have real problems of drug addition, sex addition, abuse, depression, struggle. The enemy has a real hold on people's lives. People want to commit suicide. They don't want to even go near a church for help and don't believe the Church can address their needs. And they are sometimes right. We can't address their needs because we cannot see our own ineptness. We have become impotent and ineffective. The devil isn't even afraid of us.
Enough about who can dress or sing or who looks like whatever! What about who can pray? Who can heal? Who can do those greater things that Jesus discussed? What about who can repair relationships and encourage someone else? Who isn't focused on money and seeing God as Santa Claus? What about who is unselfish enough to move out of the way and not try to bully or boss other people because they think they know what's best? We are all learning and growing. We are all in a process. The Word comes to change each of us in our own lives for the purpose of bringing us together to make an impact for God and to terrorize the devil. How much time has to expire before we learn that we are not enemies to one another? There's no need to ignore me or lie on me. There's no need to try to leave me out or to wait for me to fail. I have too much work to do on myself to tell on you? Excuse me for saying this but that cracks me up. Why do people think you're going to tell on them? I don't have to tell anybody anything regarding what you have done. First of all I don't have time. I'm dealing with my own struggles, vices, temptations, and problems. Second, like He sees me, God saw you and that's more important that any Bishop, Pastor, Preacher or any one else for that matter. Many of us need to be outed so that we can receive correction, healing and have a credible testimony to reach into someone else's dark time of life and pull them into the light.
Lord when will we learn? When will our sight be restored? Help us. We do not want to perish not living out your full will for our lives. Show us mercy and teach us to show mercy toward each other. Teach us that love is the only thing that endures. You are our example. Make your Word real for us. Lord when will we be delivered from laying traps acting disinterested and trying to embarrass one another? As we endure this process that you are bringing us through for your own glory show us how to truly forgive and love each other; to move past yesterday and old hurt; to bind together in brotherly unity; and most of all to lift you up so that you will draw all men unto yourself. I have hope that it is your will that we love and forgive. I have hope that I will see this happen and that it must start with me fervently refusing to give in to those who wish to hurt me by loving, praying, forgiving and move forward. You make all things new. Make us new Lord. Help us to see that you are coming back for a Church without spot or wrinkle. Help us to want to impress you and through impressing you keep your commandments--the greatest of which are these, Love the Lord your God with all your soul, all your heart and all your might and love your neighbor as yourself. Amen.
The crimes were all detestable and difficult to read about. It was hard to grasp the kind of mind that allows people to be so brutal and cruel. Surely these individuals were social paths incapable of empathizing or caring about their victims.
With these kinds of crimes happening around us it makes me wonder how we can waste so much time as Christians not willing to work together to take back the Kingdom by force. I know I spend a great deal of time on the topic of Christians refusing to work together, but it is because we just don't get that this is a real warfare with very real dire consequences. Our focus is so distorted with issues that are unimportant. We can't empty ourselves, be open to God and get on one accord to fight the real enemy who is here to steal kill and destroy us all.
The resolution is so very simple lay aside the sin and the weight that does so easily beset us and run this race set before us with patience. Be patient and kind hearted toward each other. There is a bigger fight at hand that can't wait for all of us to grow up, stop holding grudges, stop the infighting and stop the back biting. We are losing a spiritual war trying to fight an insignificant tangible battle with people we are supposed to love and care for.
There is a song that says it best, "I need you. You need me. We're all a part of His body. Stand with me. Agree with me. We're all a part of His body. It is His will that every need be supplied. You are important to me. I need you to survive. I pray for you. You pray for me. I love you. I need you to survive. I won't harm you with words from my mouth. I love you. I need you to survive."
My prayer has turned into pleading with God to get us all past the nonsense and pettiness that lives and looms in our churches. We are vulnerable to an ambush because we can't stop obsessing over who gets to do what for Bishop and First Lady; who has what position in the church; who has the most friends and can entertain the most people on Sundays. Our sermons focus on God gave me this or that and everyone is jealous of me because I look so good. I often wonder how many times we have to hear that type of sermon over the pulpit? Who cares if someone is hating on you? At the end of the day what difference does it make? It only makes a difference because both parties involved have a problem. There is a perception problem. People think the world is jealous of them. No one is jealous of you and if they are so what! What does any of that have to do with God's people, God's business or God's kingdom? Focus. Wake up! There are lost souls who could care less about what you wear or don't wear on Sunday morning. People have real problems of drug addition, sex addition, abuse, depression, struggle. The enemy has a real hold on people's lives. People want to commit suicide. They don't want to even go near a church for help and don't believe the Church can address their needs. And they are sometimes right. We can't address their needs because we cannot see our own ineptness. We have become impotent and ineffective. The devil isn't even afraid of us.
Enough about who can dress or sing or who looks like whatever! What about who can pray? Who can heal? Who can do those greater things that Jesus discussed? What about who can repair relationships and encourage someone else? Who isn't focused on money and seeing God as Santa Claus? What about who is unselfish enough to move out of the way and not try to bully or boss other people because they think they know what's best? We are all learning and growing. We are all in a process. The Word comes to change each of us in our own lives for the purpose of bringing us together to make an impact for God and to terrorize the devil. How much time has to expire before we learn that we are not enemies to one another? There's no need to ignore me or lie on me. There's no need to try to leave me out or to wait for me to fail. I have too much work to do on myself to tell on you? Excuse me for saying this but that cracks me up. Why do people think you're going to tell on them? I don't have to tell anybody anything regarding what you have done. First of all I don't have time. I'm dealing with my own struggles, vices, temptations, and problems. Second, like He sees me, God saw you and that's more important that any Bishop, Pastor, Preacher or any one else for that matter. Many of us need to be outed so that we can receive correction, healing and have a credible testimony to reach into someone else's dark time of life and pull them into the light.
Lord when will we learn? When will our sight be restored? Help us. We do not want to perish not living out your full will for our lives. Show us mercy and teach us to show mercy toward each other. Teach us that love is the only thing that endures. You are our example. Make your Word real for us. Lord when will we be delivered from laying traps acting disinterested and trying to embarrass one another? As we endure this process that you are bringing us through for your own glory show us how to truly forgive and love each other; to move past yesterday and old hurt; to bind together in brotherly unity; and most of all to lift you up so that you will draw all men unto yourself. I have hope that it is your will that we love and forgive. I have hope that I will see this happen and that it must start with me fervently refusing to give in to those who wish to hurt me by loving, praying, forgiving and move forward. You make all things new. Make us new Lord. Help us to see that you are coming back for a Church without spot or wrinkle. Help us to want to impress you and through impressing you keep your commandments--the greatest of which are these, Love the Lord your God with all your soul, all your heart and all your might and love your neighbor as yourself. Amen.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Moving past past words
One thing we have difficulty doing in the church today is moving past the words that people have said. This inability to move past the past and stop holding a grudge leads to division, disunity, misunderstanding and an unwillingness to forgive and heal. This is judging plain and simple. The Bible warns that we do not judge for with the same judgment that we judge we shall be judged and with the same measuring stick that we measure we shall be measured. It is impossible for us to receive forgiveness when we refuse to forgive. Some of us think we have forgiven so let me share with you how you know you haven't. You haven't forgiven if when you see someone that you had an issue with you get the same feelings of anger and resentment that you had before. You haven't forgiven if you still can't speak to that person. You haven't forgiven and your life cannot move forward. You are in a holding pattern. You will continue to wonder why you can't prosper and why things seem to keep happening to you. God is not mocked and you cannot fool Him. His word is true. You cannot receive forgiveness if you don't forgive and how can you profess to love God--whom you cannot see--when you do not love your brother--whom you see daily. Love covers a multitude of sins. If you love me then you are willing to forgive me and to treat me as though we never had a problem.
There is a misconception in the church that people will like each other because they have a common goal. I have learned from my work experience that I am not going to like everyone that I work with, but that has never stopped me from completing my work and accomplishing company goals nor does it make me treat people unfairly or to be dishonest or to act without integrity. For some reason in the church we feel that we must like each other. We are on the same team and we MUST love each other and hopefully that love will generate friendship, closeness and trust, but in the case that it doesn't we must still work together in unity and solidarity to take back God's kingdom. That means that just because I'm not in your click doesn't mean that you get to treat me stank. I may not be in your click, but we are on the same team--the body of Christ. I am not going to stand for anyone trying to hurt you or treat you poorly and I am going to pray for you because I love my body and I wouldn't want anything to happen to any part of it. Seems like many church folk would amputate the parts that they can't stand.
Matthew 26:34 finds Jesus informing that Peter was going to deny him three times before the cock crowed. The story continues on to find Peter denying his close friend, his savior and his Lord, and not just denying Jesus, but cursing to make it clear that he was not with Jesus. Many modern day church people having heard Peter deny Jesus would have shunned him and stopped associating with him. What we fail to realize is that all of this was part of God's master plan. If Peter hadn't denied Jesus he would have surely perished with Jesus and he would not have become the rock on which the Church was built as Jesus had prophesied into his life.
The fact is we are human and in any given time and space of our misunderstanding or lack of ability to see the whole picture we may do and say regrettable things. I mean really we esteem Paul so very highly as the writer of much of the New Testament and we credit him as the Apostle that brought the word of salvation to the gentiles--us. But this man was a murderer. He pulled men, women and children out of their homes so that they could be executed for claiming Jesus Christ as Lord. It is so interesting how we are able to look over this in our hindsight and give him so much esteem yet we cannot even share simple information with our brothers and sisters so that we can all be on the same page. In fact we will purposefully withhold information so that we can feed our own selfish jealousy; driving a deeper wedge in the relationship.
When will it be over? When will you forgive me and move on from who you thought I used to be? Who will realize that my past is in the past. If Jesus isn't holding my past against me why are you? He said He threw it into a sea of forgetfulness so why are you diving in and getting it back out and throwing it in my face? That's a lot of effort when it's so much easier to love.
There is a misconception in the church that people will like each other because they have a common goal. I have learned from my work experience that I am not going to like everyone that I work with, but that has never stopped me from completing my work and accomplishing company goals nor does it make me treat people unfairly or to be dishonest or to act without integrity. For some reason in the church we feel that we must like each other. We are on the same team and we MUST love each other and hopefully that love will generate friendship, closeness and trust, but in the case that it doesn't we must still work together in unity and solidarity to take back God's kingdom. That means that just because I'm not in your click doesn't mean that you get to treat me stank. I may not be in your click, but we are on the same team--the body of Christ. I am not going to stand for anyone trying to hurt you or treat you poorly and I am going to pray for you because I love my body and I wouldn't want anything to happen to any part of it. Seems like many church folk would amputate the parts that they can't stand.
Matthew 26:34 finds Jesus informing that Peter was going to deny him three times before the cock crowed. The story continues on to find Peter denying his close friend, his savior and his Lord, and not just denying Jesus, but cursing to make it clear that he was not with Jesus. Many modern day church people having heard Peter deny Jesus would have shunned him and stopped associating with him. What we fail to realize is that all of this was part of God's master plan. If Peter hadn't denied Jesus he would have surely perished with Jesus and he would not have become the rock on which the Church was built as Jesus had prophesied into his life.
The fact is we are human and in any given time and space of our misunderstanding or lack of ability to see the whole picture we may do and say regrettable things. I mean really we esteem Paul so very highly as the writer of much of the New Testament and we credit him as the Apostle that brought the word of salvation to the gentiles--us. But this man was a murderer. He pulled men, women and children out of their homes so that they could be executed for claiming Jesus Christ as Lord. It is so interesting how we are able to look over this in our hindsight and give him so much esteem yet we cannot even share simple information with our brothers and sisters so that we can all be on the same page. In fact we will purposefully withhold information so that we can feed our own selfish jealousy; driving a deeper wedge in the relationship.
When will it be over? When will you forgive me and move on from who you thought I used to be? Who will realize that my past is in the past. If Jesus isn't holding my past against me why are you? He said He threw it into a sea of forgetfulness so why are you diving in and getting it back out and throwing it in my face? That's a lot of effort when it's so much easier to love.
Friday, June 11, 2010
No-thing new under the Sun, but the Son makes all things new
Acts chapter 7 talks about how Moses was chosen to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. It also provides an example of how no matter how good God is to us we can sometimes reject Him by rejecting His leaders. God gave his chosen people leadership and they wanted idols. God provided for their needs and they rejected Him.
There is nothing new under the sun when it comes to how people can be toward leaders. It is as though people think God isn't looking so I can mistreat the man or woman of God. I can talk about them. I can reject them. I can disrespect them; after all they're no better than me. I'm just as holy. God speaks to me too. I have had to learn this lesson and I say to everyone please learn a lesson from the Children of Israel. It just isn't wise to put your mouth on God's chosen no matter what you think or how you feel. Surely if you just wait a little while you will see that God has given them their position, their anointing and their calling and it is best for us to acknowledge and respect His choice.
Moses had said from the beginning when he was chosen by God that he didn't feel he was the one. He didn't feel he could speak to people. He felt inadequate. Yet God worked wonders, signs and miracles through him--in spite of how he felt about himself or how others felt about him. God provided manna, safety and a Word to live by. But then like now the people began to question Moses' leadership ability and to assert themselves. People fail to realize that God provides and expects us to respect a hierarchy of authority. It is in our best interest to fall in line with humility and submission. It isn't about the person necessary, but it is about God's will and His way. We can size a person up and say to ourselves that they are inadequate, or we don't like them, why did God choose him or her; but when God chooses someone He alone provides that individual with all the qualifications needed to lead.
It is interesting how the people who questioned God's leader Moses never made it out of the wilderness. They died there--never experiencing the promised land. Their lives were always a struggle; always contentious. They never found satisfaction and contentment. They were constantly dissatisfied and unhappy; failing to see why they couldn't get ahead or do better. Bishop Freeman told us to stop looking for problems and imperfection because you will surely find it. If we keep picking at our Church leaders to see how they are inadequate we will stop developing, growing and changing and just get stuck at a point where everyone else's flaws are crystal clear to us.
Numbers 16 details how there were factions among the Children of Israel who felt that the leadership that God provided was doing too much and that they too could lead. They tried to convince the people that Moses and Aaron were just regular every day people like themselves. They tried to get others to stop following God's leadership by saying that Moses had lead them from plenty to lack so why was he even in charge anyway? Moses fell to his face in prayer for them immediately because He knew that they didn't understand and were speaking out of ignorance and he knew God's wrath. Unfortunately some people are not willing to learn and God has to make an example out of them. In Numbers 16:30 Moses informed that God was going to do a new thing. In verse 32 you see where the earth opened and swallowed up the trouble makers alive.
These people were warned, warned and warned again, but failed to hear the voice of God and change or even want to change. God knows our hearts when you want to do better He will make a way for your life to be changed for the better. When you want forgiveness He will open the door of mercy and forgiveness, but when we totally reject Him and refused to heed the Word that He sends us we put ourselves in a place of grave danger. We all make mistakes. That's why Jesus asked the Father to forgive us--we couldn't see the bigger picture. We didn't know that our back biting, lying, excluding, talking about, hurting others was against God's will.
Fortunately our God is full of mercy and recognizes that we often say things and act out of ignorance when we are blind to His purpose for us. He is just and willing to forgive us and to redirect us if we are open to His correction. There should be no contention among the body of Christ because we should each understand that God has given us leadership that will assist us from the things that enslave us; comfort us during our wilderness time of confusion and guide us as we enter into what God has promised us.
Let's learn to love and respect each other and our leadership so that when God does a new thing in us through His Son it will be a total transformation and renewing of minds.
There is nothing new under the sun when it comes to how people can be toward leaders. It is as though people think God isn't looking so I can mistreat the man or woman of God. I can talk about them. I can reject them. I can disrespect them; after all they're no better than me. I'm just as holy. God speaks to me too. I have had to learn this lesson and I say to everyone please learn a lesson from the Children of Israel. It just isn't wise to put your mouth on God's chosen no matter what you think or how you feel. Surely if you just wait a little while you will see that God has given them their position, their anointing and their calling and it is best for us to acknowledge and respect His choice.
Moses had said from the beginning when he was chosen by God that he didn't feel he was the one. He didn't feel he could speak to people. He felt inadequate. Yet God worked wonders, signs and miracles through him--in spite of how he felt about himself or how others felt about him. God provided manna, safety and a Word to live by. But then like now the people began to question Moses' leadership ability and to assert themselves. People fail to realize that God provides and expects us to respect a hierarchy of authority. It is in our best interest to fall in line with humility and submission. It isn't about the person necessary, but it is about God's will and His way. We can size a person up and say to ourselves that they are inadequate, or we don't like them, why did God choose him or her; but when God chooses someone He alone provides that individual with all the qualifications needed to lead.
It is interesting how the people who questioned God's leader Moses never made it out of the wilderness. They died there--never experiencing the promised land. Their lives were always a struggle; always contentious. They never found satisfaction and contentment. They were constantly dissatisfied and unhappy; failing to see why they couldn't get ahead or do better. Bishop Freeman told us to stop looking for problems and imperfection because you will surely find it. If we keep picking at our Church leaders to see how they are inadequate we will stop developing, growing and changing and just get stuck at a point where everyone else's flaws are crystal clear to us.
Numbers 16 details how there were factions among the Children of Israel who felt that the leadership that God provided was doing too much and that they too could lead. They tried to convince the people that Moses and Aaron were just regular every day people like themselves. They tried to get others to stop following God's leadership by saying that Moses had lead them from plenty to lack so why was he even in charge anyway? Moses fell to his face in prayer for them immediately because He knew that they didn't understand and were speaking out of ignorance and he knew God's wrath. Unfortunately some people are not willing to learn and God has to make an example out of them. In Numbers 16:30 Moses informed that God was going to do a new thing. In verse 32 you see where the earth opened and swallowed up the trouble makers alive.
These people were warned, warned and warned again, but failed to hear the voice of God and change or even want to change. God knows our hearts when you want to do better He will make a way for your life to be changed for the better. When you want forgiveness He will open the door of mercy and forgiveness, but when we totally reject Him and refused to heed the Word that He sends us we put ourselves in a place of grave danger. We all make mistakes. That's why Jesus asked the Father to forgive us--we couldn't see the bigger picture. We didn't know that our back biting, lying, excluding, talking about, hurting others was against God's will.
Fortunately our God is full of mercy and recognizes that we often say things and act out of ignorance when we are blind to His purpose for us. He is just and willing to forgive us and to redirect us if we are open to His correction. There should be no contention among the body of Christ because we should each understand that God has given us leadership that will assist us from the things that enslave us; comfort us during our wilderness time of confusion and guide us as we enter into what God has promised us.
Let's learn to love and respect each other and our leadership so that when God does a new thing in us through His Son it will be a total transformation and renewing of minds.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Will Your Legacy Leave a Memorial to the Lord?
David had so longed to build a temple for the Lord--a place where God could be worshipped. David was unable to build his vision, but his son Solomon took up the cause with just as much passion and enthusiasm. He wanted to please God and honor his father.
When Solomon set out to build this dwelling place for the Lord he first contacted an old friend of his father's--King Hiram. Solomon realized that although he had the riches to accomplish what he needed to accomplish on his own, he stood to gain more personally and for the Lord by inviting others to help him. Including a friend of his father's, sealed the bond between those nations and forged a treaty for peace.
As a result of Solomon's drive to build a house for the Lord, other people began to celebrate and honor the Lord with him. Other leaders sent him resources to help him accomplish his goal. When we strive to build the Kingdom, God WILL send resources and grant favor with people to assist us.
When you read the text in 1 Kings chapters 5 & 6 you see Solomon's great wisdom. Solomon was genuine and selfless. He wasn't a taker. He was a thinker. He recognized that King Hiram had resources that could help him accomplish his goals so he offered to pay King Hiram's workers and he also complimented their expertise and offered his own servants. He didn't try to use this king by playing on their relationship nor did he try to exclude others and do everything on his own in an attempt to keep all the glory. He acknowledged that others had talents and skills. In the end Solomon got what he wanted--to build a memorial to the Lord. He made friends, made peace, and didn't have to struggle or use up his own resources in the process and guess what? He wound up with the glory anyway! He didn't have to take it or bully others to get it.
Every moment of everyday we are producing a legacy for others to remember when we are gone. We remember King Solomon as wise, rich and great. How will people remember us? Will they see that we lived our lives as a memorial to the Lord? Or will they see that we spent our time in selfish blindness and confusion never really experiencing God's true purpose for our lives? As long as we have breath it isn't too late to turn to God, acknowledge Him. Seek to please Him and leave a legacy that honors Him.
When Solomon set out to build this dwelling place for the Lord he first contacted an old friend of his father's--King Hiram. Solomon realized that although he had the riches to accomplish what he needed to accomplish on his own, he stood to gain more personally and for the Lord by inviting others to help him. Including a friend of his father's, sealed the bond between those nations and forged a treaty for peace.
As a result of Solomon's drive to build a house for the Lord, other people began to celebrate and honor the Lord with him. Other leaders sent him resources to help him accomplish his goal. When we strive to build the Kingdom, God WILL send resources and grant favor with people to assist us.
When you read the text in 1 Kings chapters 5 & 6 you see Solomon's great wisdom. Solomon was genuine and selfless. He wasn't a taker. He was a thinker. He recognized that King Hiram had resources that could help him accomplish his goals so he offered to pay King Hiram's workers and he also complimented their expertise and offered his own servants. He didn't try to use this king by playing on their relationship nor did he try to exclude others and do everything on his own in an attempt to keep all the glory. He acknowledged that others had talents and skills. In the end Solomon got what he wanted--to build a memorial to the Lord. He made friends, made peace, and didn't have to struggle or use up his own resources in the process and guess what? He wound up with the glory anyway! He didn't have to take it or bully others to get it.
Every moment of everyday we are producing a legacy for others to remember when we are gone. We remember King Solomon as wise, rich and great. How will people remember us? Will they see that we lived our lives as a memorial to the Lord? Or will they see that we spent our time in selfish blindness and confusion never really experiencing God's true purpose for our lives? As long as we have breath it isn't too late to turn to God, acknowledge Him. Seek to please Him and leave a legacy that honors Him.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Unintended Consequences
Sometimes we totally forget about deeds we have done. However, just because we receive God's forgiveness and we ourselves may forget about the seeds we've sewn, there are still consequences and repercussions and they are not always predictable.
Think about the treaty between Israel and the Gibeonites. God instructed Israel to utterly destroy the inhabitants of the promised land, but the Gibeonites tricked Israel into signing a treaty with them. Later when Saul was King of Israel he sought to utterly destroy the Gibeonites in conflict with the treaty. God did not bring wrath to Israel until well after Saul was dead and David was King. So the issue was long forgotten when Israel began to experience a famine. David sought the Lord and asked why the famine? God reminded David about the treaty and that Israel failed to keep its promise. David asked God what to do and God responded. David allowed seven of Saul's descendants to be put to death. These may have had nothing to do with breaking the treaty, but there is always a consequence. This story reveals that God is merciful. Once David obeyed the Word of God and provided restitution the famine was lifted.
David didn't start crying or complaining about what was fair. He asked God what to do and then he executed. David didn't say to himself, Hey none of this is my fault or I'm not responsible for this mess. Instead he just did what God wanted. When Israel made the treaty with the Gibeonites they had no idea what it would lead to. These are unintended consequences. As Christians let's begin to seek God to help us steer clear of unintended consequences in our lives. We won't have to worry about lack and want if we obey the voice of God without question. We can relax and know that He knows what's best for us when we stop holding grudges and judging others. There are consequences for every word that utters forth out of our mouths meant to harm someone else and boost our own egos. There are consequences for choosing our will over God's whether the enemy tricked us or not. Once we put action into motion we should recognize that there will be a response and a reaction.
Let's live our lives doing all we can to seek God's face and to please Him; to lift Him; to acknowledge that He is sovereign. Let's be careful to allow God to order our steps. Let's be thoughtful of the lives we affect; of our words and our deeds. Sometimes our worst enemy is inaction. Follow David's example. He asked God what to do. Then he acted based upon what God told him. God will do the rest. Our feelings are inconsequential.
Think about the treaty between Israel and the Gibeonites. God instructed Israel to utterly destroy the inhabitants of the promised land, but the Gibeonites tricked Israel into signing a treaty with them. Later when Saul was King of Israel he sought to utterly destroy the Gibeonites in conflict with the treaty. God did not bring wrath to Israel until well after Saul was dead and David was King. So the issue was long forgotten when Israel began to experience a famine. David sought the Lord and asked why the famine? God reminded David about the treaty and that Israel failed to keep its promise. David asked God what to do and God responded. David allowed seven of Saul's descendants to be put to death. These may have had nothing to do with breaking the treaty, but there is always a consequence. This story reveals that God is merciful. Once David obeyed the Word of God and provided restitution the famine was lifted.
David didn't start crying or complaining about what was fair. He asked God what to do and then he executed. David didn't say to himself, Hey none of this is my fault or I'm not responsible for this mess. Instead he just did what God wanted. When Israel made the treaty with the Gibeonites they had no idea what it would lead to. These are unintended consequences. As Christians let's begin to seek God to help us steer clear of unintended consequences in our lives. We won't have to worry about lack and want if we obey the voice of God without question. We can relax and know that He knows what's best for us when we stop holding grudges and judging others. There are consequences for every word that utters forth out of our mouths meant to harm someone else and boost our own egos. There are consequences for choosing our will over God's whether the enemy tricked us or not. Once we put action into motion we should recognize that there will be a response and a reaction.
Let's live our lives doing all we can to seek God's face and to please Him; to lift Him; to acknowledge that He is sovereign. Let's be careful to allow God to order our steps. Let's be thoughtful of the lives we affect; of our words and our deeds. Sometimes our worst enemy is inaction. Follow David's example. He asked God what to do. Then he acted based upon what God told him. God will do the rest. Our feelings are inconsequential.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Competition is a Spirit
We were recently at a powerful conference hosted by CECO--Christians Equipping Christians for Outreach. Several topics stood out at the conference. First that we each have a God given assignment--I'm going to deal with that topic in another blog--because while we may each have a God given assignment make no mistake, each assignment is not good. I know that sounds outrageous, but it is the truth--think of Judas.
The topic that I want to discuss at length--may take a couple of blogs--is the notion that Christian people in Christian churches strive to compete with each other. Our Presiding Prelate cast the spirit of competition away from our fellowship, and yes it is a spirit. Competition to me is a natural phenomena--a stressor that drives humans to do more and to try harder--some people thrive from competition. Darwin might call it a survival necessity. However, there is no place for competition in the Church. The reason can be explained through Matthew chapter 20 which lays out the story of how the Kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a vineyard who hired several individuals to work for him at the beginning of the day for a penny. Those individuals worked hard all day. As the day drew to an end the owner noted that there were not enough laborers to complete the work so he hired more workers at the same rate of a penny. The workers who had been hired at the beginning of the day became jealous and started complaining saying, "How can you pay these who have been hired at the end of the day the same amount of us when we've been working all day? We should get more!" The owner answered, "It is evil to think the way you do. I own the vineyard and it's none of your business what I do, and why are you upset because I'm a good person? I will pay the last person exactly what you agreed to!"
There are people who feel in their hearts that this scenario is unfair. They may never say it because they are not honest. The fact of the matter is simply this, God's promises, judgement and salvation are not ranked by our assessment of what we think is fair. He created us. He made us who we are. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. It is His good pleasure to bless us and that should be enough.
Competition arises when we lose focus on who we are to please. Without argument all would say out of our mouths that we are to please God and would think in our own hearts that we do what we do to please Him, but there is a tale tale sign that your labor is in vain and that sign is the spirit of competition. Competition is a feeling that arises in you when you see someone else doing what you think you should do or you know how to do. Why weren't you chosen? After all everyone knows you do it and you are good at it. It is also the feeling that no one else can do anything so you purposefully leave people out and you try to do what you were not called to do. But what we fail to understand is that we cannot substitute our will for God's. This is why the scripture says obedience is better than sacrifice. There are people who would rather sacrifice then to allow others to do something in the Church. Competition comes from trying to please people not striving to please God. Think about it from the lives of two kings--Saul and David. We know these stories well.
King Saul was chosen by the people because of his stature and his appearance. He was popular and people liked him. He had an allure and charisma. He drew people in. Saul had it all. He had women, riches, popularity and favor, but Saul's fatal flaw was himself. His looked the part of the chosen. He sounded like the chosen. He "acted" like he was chosen, but one day his heart found him out. God gave Saul a command to utterly destroy the Amalekites. But Saul strayed from God's will and took up his own. He wasn't working to please God, but to please people and his own selfish desires. When confronted Saul lied about it and tried to blame others.
King David was chosen of God. He was short and young. He looked like he should be outside. He wasn't popular as a matter of fact when Samuel came to anoint the next king David wasn't even included in the line-up. He was alienated. He had been squeezed out. But the last shall be first and the first shall be last. David was God's choice and David wanted so much to please God. He was a man after God's own heart. He sought God for every decision and he admitted and repented when he was in error. He led a life that was pleasing to God because he put God first. As a result David who didn't have the charisma, wasn't popular and didn't have women and riches, gained all of that because when you seek the Kingdom of God first He adds richly to your life.
Eventually Saul was rejected by God and as a result he became jealous of David. He may not have even really known why he was jealous of David. Saul's focus was still off. Instead of turning to God, asking for forgiveness and pledging to do God's will, Saul lived out the remainder of his life in competition with a kid who would have given his very life. David adored Saul. He admired him. Saul's son became David's best friend. David married one of Saul's daughters. David played music to sooth Saul. David fought in Saul's army yet Saul hated David and wanted to kill him more and more. Isn't it interesting how instead of doing God's will we simply want to eliminate those who are doing God's will as if that would cause God to turn back to us? It won't! The only thing that will please God is obedience. The Bible says of God, "If you love me keep my commandments." We please God through focusing on Him and doing His will the way that He wants it done, when He wants it done and how He wants it done.
When you have people in the church who simply can't stand you it is most likely because of the spirit of competition. When you have people who can't seem to get over whatever it is that makes them hate you so, chances are there dwells the spirit of competition. This is why our Bishop rebuked this spirit and cast it out from among us. We are all needed in the body of Christ. No one is better or more desired or more depended on. These are weak human emotions that we devise to boost our own egos.
What good is it to think ill of someone? How does that help us be productive in the Kingdom? What good is it to get caught talking crazy about folks? How does that help save souls? Does it really feel that good to reject our Christian brothers and sisters? Is it that good to leave others out when we cook or have a gathering? Is it really necessary to talk sweet to folks in front of your Pastor and First Lady, and then snub them when those individuals are not around? Here's something for free, your Pastor and First Lady may not see what you are doing, but they have no heaven or hell to put you in or keep you from. God sees all and when we are judged our whole lives will be compelled of us as we stand before the throne. We will not be able to hide mistreating others and getting pleasure from it. Is it really going to further God's purpose for us as a whole to leave our co-laborers out of planned activities?
Competition brings these behaviors on. We have to mature. There's no rule that you have to like everyone that you work with. Yet there is a rule that you must love. Love causes you to put away competition and to choose God's will over the good feeling that you get by squeezing others out. The reward is the penny. You may have gotten there first and have worked hard all day, but because God chose me I'm going to get the same reward.
The topic that I want to discuss at length--may take a couple of blogs--is the notion that Christian people in Christian churches strive to compete with each other. Our Presiding Prelate cast the spirit of competition away from our fellowship, and yes it is a spirit. Competition to me is a natural phenomena--a stressor that drives humans to do more and to try harder--some people thrive from competition. Darwin might call it a survival necessity. However, there is no place for competition in the Church. The reason can be explained through Matthew chapter 20 which lays out the story of how the Kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a vineyard who hired several individuals to work for him at the beginning of the day for a penny. Those individuals worked hard all day. As the day drew to an end the owner noted that there were not enough laborers to complete the work so he hired more workers at the same rate of a penny. The workers who had been hired at the beginning of the day became jealous and started complaining saying, "How can you pay these who have been hired at the end of the day the same amount of us when we've been working all day? We should get more!" The owner answered, "It is evil to think the way you do. I own the vineyard and it's none of your business what I do, and why are you upset because I'm a good person? I will pay the last person exactly what you agreed to!"
There are people who feel in their hearts that this scenario is unfair. They may never say it because they are not honest. The fact of the matter is simply this, God's promises, judgement and salvation are not ranked by our assessment of what we think is fair. He created us. He made us who we are. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. It is His good pleasure to bless us and that should be enough.
Competition arises when we lose focus on who we are to please. Without argument all would say out of our mouths that we are to please God and would think in our own hearts that we do what we do to please Him, but there is a tale tale sign that your labor is in vain and that sign is the spirit of competition. Competition is a feeling that arises in you when you see someone else doing what you think you should do or you know how to do. Why weren't you chosen? After all everyone knows you do it and you are good at it. It is also the feeling that no one else can do anything so you purposefully leave people out and you try to do what you were not called to do. But what we fail to understand is that we cannot substitute our will for God's. This is why the scripture says obedience is better than sacrifice. There are people who would rather sacrifice then to allow others to do something in the Church. Competition comes from trying to please people not striving to please God. Think about it from the lives of two kings--Saul and David. We know these stories well.
King Saul was chosen by the people because of his stature and his appearance. He was popular and people liked him. He had an allure and charisma. He drew people in. Saul had it all. He had women, riches, popularity and favor, but Saul's fatal flaw was himself. His looked the part of the chosen. He sounded like the chosen. He "acted" like he was chosen, but one day his heart found him out. God gave Saul a command to utterly destroy the Amalekites. But Saul strayed from God's will and took up his own. He wasn't working to please God, but to please people and his own selfish desires. When confronted Saul lied about it and tried to blame others.
King David was chosen of God. He was short and young. He looked like he should be outside. He wasn't popular as a matter of fact when Samuel came to anoint the next king David wasn't even included in the line-up. He was alienated. He had been squeezed out. But the last shall be first and the first shall be last. David was God's choice and David wanted so much to please God. He was a man after God's own heart. He sought God for every decision and he admitted and repented when he was in error. He led a life that was pleasing to God because he put God first. As a result David who didn't have the charisma, wasn't popular and didn't have women and riches, gained all of that because when you seek the Kingdom of God first He adds richly to your life.
Eventually Saul was rejected by God and as a result he became jealous of David. He may not have even really known why he was jealous of David. Saul's focus was still off. Instead of turning to God, asking for forgiveness and pledging to do God's will, Saul lived out the remainder of his life in competition with a kid who would have given his very life. David adored Saul. He admired him. Saul's son became David's best friend. David married one of Saul's daughters. David played music to sooth Saul. David fought in Saul's army yet Saul hated David and wanted to kill him more and more. Isn't it interesting how instead of doing God's will we simply want to eliminate those who are doing God's will as if that would cause God to turn back to us? It won't! The only thing that will please God is obedience. The Bible says of God, "If you love me keep my commandments." We please God through focusing on Him and doing His will the way that He wants it done, when He wants it done and how He wants it done.
When you have people in the church who simply can't stand you it is most likely because of the spirit of competition. When you have people who can't seem to get over whatever it is that makes them hate you so, chances are there dwells the spirit of competition. This is why our Bishop rebuked this spirit and cast it out from among us. We are all needed in the body of Christ. No one is better or more desired or more depended on. These are weak human emotions that we devise to boost our own egos.
What good is it to think ill of someone? How does that help us be productive in the Kingdom? What good is it to get caught talking crazy about folks? How does that help save souls? Does it really feel that good to reject our Christian brothers and sisters? Is it that good to leave others out when we cook or have a gathering? Is it really necessary to talk sweet to folks in front of your Pastor and First Lady, and then snub them when those individuals are not around? Here's something for free, your Pastor and First Lady may not see what you are doing, but they have no heaven or hell to put you in or keep you from. God sees all and when we are judged our whole lives will be compelled of us as we stand before the throne. We will not be able to hide mistreating others and getting pleasure from it. Is it really going to further God's purpose for us as a whole to leave our co-laborers out of planned activities?
Competition brings these behaviors on. We have to mature. There's no rule that you have to like everyone that you work with. Yet there is a rule that you must love. Love causes you to put away competition and to choose God's will over the good feeling that you get by squeezing others out. The reward is the penny. You may have gotten there first and have worked hard all day, but because God chose me I'm going to get the same reward.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
God's Word
Recently I was musing on Isaiah 55:11, which states, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
I asked God to reveal to me what the scripture meant. He told me that His Word cannot return until without accomplishing its purpose because it is in a state of perpetual motion. In order to prepare for this blog I researched the term perpetual motion. From a human perspective the Laws of Thermodynamics actually prohibit or make impossible a perpetual motion device, but the definition of perpetual motion is to put something in to motion that once started would continue indefinitely. The Bible says, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35.
I also like the Amplified version of the Isaiah 55:11 text which states, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
As I was getting excited about this revelation about God's Word He then revealed to me how so many of us have a scripture that defines us. When you hear that scripture you often think of that person. For example, my husband's scripture is Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. First Lady Woods is known for quoting, Philippians 3:12-14, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Bishop Woods frequently quotes Acts 1:8 and has made that scripture the very foundation of Urban Empowerment Ministries and it states, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
These are a few examples, but think about it. These individuals' lives are saturated with these scriptures so much so that they quote them frequently and themselves live by the very Word of the text. They seem to each exemplify the Word and bring it to life through their own testimony. For my husband this scripture is so much more than words on paper. This scripture has defined his life because at his lowest point when he had no other choice, but simply to wait upon the Lord, God renewed his strength and he knows and people who truly know him know that no one could have done this thing, "but God." No one could have restored life into him, but God. No one could have lifted him, but God and now when you see him he is an absolute walking miracle and testimony of the power of God, the realness of God and his ability to absolutely change a person's outcome. When others counted this man of God out, God said, I'll renew your strength and allow you to not only be strong but to mount up on wings as eagles, run and not be weary walk and not faint and if anyone truly truly knows Samuel B. Robinson, Jr. then you know that God has brought him out and given him strength that he should not have!
So now this testimony is passed from God to the writer of the text, to the preacher that pierced Sam's heart with it in the first place, to me to others to our daughter and so on. This is the essence of why God's word cannot return to him void and why it must and will accomplish what it set out to do.
What's my scripture? Ephesians 3:14-21, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
What is your scripture? What is that Word that saturates you? That word that you have to quote? That you have to seek out and live for? God's word lives in us and passes through us to accomplish its purpose according to God's pleasure.
I asked God to reveal to me what the scripture meant. He told me that His Word cannot return until without accomplishing its purpose because it is in a state of perpetual motion. In order to prepare for this blog I researched the term perpetual motion. From a human perspective the Laws of Thermodynamics actually prohibit or make impossible a perpetual motion device, but the definition of perpetual motion is to put something in to motion that once started would continue indefinitely. The Bible says, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35.
I also like the Amplified version of the Isaiah 55:11 text which states, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
As I was getting excited about this revelation about God's Word He then revealed to me how so many of us have a scripture that defines us. When you hear that scripture you often think of that person. For example, my husband's scripture is Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. First Lady Woods is known for quoting, Philippians 3:12-14, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Bishop Woods frequently quotes Acts 1:8 and has made that scripture the very foundation of Urban Empowerment Ministries and it states, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
These are a few examples, but think about it. These individuals' lives are saturated with these scriptures so much so that they quote them frequently and themselves live by the very Word of the text. They seem to each exemplify the Word and bring it to life through their own testimony. For my husband this scripture is so much more than words on paper. This scripture has defined his life because at his lowest point when he had no other choice, but simply to wait upon the Lord, God renewed his strength and he knows and people who truly know him know that no one could have done this thing, "but God." No one could have restored life into him, but God. No one could have lifted him, but God and now when you see him he is an absolute walking miracle and testimony of the power of God, the realness of God and his ability to absolutely change a person's outcome. When others counted this man of God out, God said, I'll renew your strength and allow you to not only be strong but to mount up on wings as eagles, run and not be weary walk and not faint and if anyone truly truly knows Samuel B. Robinson, Jr. then you know that God has brought him out and given him strength that he should not have!
So now this testimony is passed from God to the writer of the text, to the preacher that pierced Sam's heart with it in the first place, to me to others to our daughter and so on. This is the essence of why God's word cannot return to him void and why it must and will accomplish what it set out to do.
What's my scripture? Ephesians 3:14-21, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
What is your scripture? What is that Word that saturates you? That word that you have to quote? That you have to seek out and live for? God's word lives in us and passes through us to accomplish its purpose according to God's pleasure.
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