Does Weird Bother God?

Pentecost, as described in Acts 2, was the day God poured out the HS on all the believers. Ezekiel prophesied, “I will no longer hide My face from them, for I will pour out My Spirit on the people of Israel.”  39:29 NIV   And then God, thru the prophet Joel, expanded this promise.

“It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28 ESV, Acts 2:17 

 Can I give you an admonition? A word of caution?  Never down play the amazing privilege that the Holy Spirit is with you. In the Old Testament, throughout Israel’s history, God sent His Spirit selectively.  He inspired the artists that created the Ark of Covenant. Temple. His Spirit came upon Moses, and upon some of the kings, and a few prophets. But in that day, the concept of God pouring out His Spirit on all mankind, was unheard of. Mind boggling.  For us on this side of Pentecost, we can take it for granted as if it’s nothing special. But for those who came before us, those living in ancient times, it would be shocking to consider that what was once a special privilege for a few, was now given to everyone who believes. Never take it for granted. 

Quite honestly, I was a part of Christian group in college that worked hard to down-play or ignore the role of the Holy Spirit.  To a degree, I get why. It can get weird. But don’t you think it was weird when Moses raised his staff over the Nile and that river turned to blood?  It was weird in Joshua 10, when Joshua prayed that the day wouldn’t end.  And so the sun stayed in the same place.  Time stopped and actually moved backwards.  It must have been super weird in Numbers 22 when Balaam disobeyed and his donkey began to talk to him.  It was weird in John 9 when Jesus made mud and put it on the blind man’s eyes so that he could see. It was weird when Jesus took the bread and said is my body broken for you, eat it. This is my blood shed for you, drink it.  Communion is weird.  Jesus needing to die so that we can live is weird. My analysis - Weird doesn’t seem to bother God. Ask God to make you receptive to anything and everything the Holy Spirit wants to do to you and through you. Don’t reject the move of God because it can feel weird. Weird doesn’t seem to bother God.  

Fulfilled Prophecies About Jesus

Born of Virgin - Isaiah 7:14

Born in Bethlehem - Micah 5:2

Born into tribe of Judah - Genesis 49:10

He would go to Egypt as a child  - Hosea 11:1

His ministry would begin in Galilee - Isaiah 9:1-2

He would work miracles - Isaiah 35:5-6

He would enter Jerusalem on a donkey - Zechariah 9:9

He would be betrayed by a friend - Psalm 41:9

He would be sold for 30 pieces of silver - Zechariah 11:12

He would be wounded and bruised - Isaiah 53:5

His hands and feet would be pierced – Psalm 22:16

He would die with criminals - Isaiah 53:12

His bones would not be broken - Psalm 34:20

His side would be pierced - Zechariah 12:10

Buried in a rich man’s tomb - Isaiah 53:9

He will not stay dead - Psalm 16:10

Jesus is our All in All

In Matthew - Christ is our Messiah

In Mark - He is our Servant King

In Luke - He is the Great Physician

In John - He is the Son of God

In Acts - He is the Risen Lord

In Romans - He is our Righteousness

In Corinthians - He is our Holiness

In Galatians - He is our Justification

In Ephesians - He is our Perfection

In Philippians - He is our Provider

In Colossians - He is our Hope

In Thessalonians - He is our Coming King

In Timothy - He is our Shepherd

In Titus - He is our Rewarder

In Philemon - He is our Encourager

In Hebrews - He is our High Priest

In James - He is our Wisdom

In Peter - He is our Inheritance

In John - He is our Lover

In Jude - He is our Warrior

In Revelation - He is The Alpha and Omega. The Beginning and the End.

Destination Addiction

I saw this quote on Facebook recently – perhaps you did as well.  “Beware of a destination addiction – a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job, or with the next partner.   Until you give up the idea that happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where you are.”    

I think there is a lot of truth in that statement.  As Americans, it is so easy for us to have a destination addiction.  Without hardly realizing it, we can think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.  But is it really?  It reminds me of one of my most favorite tweets ever – The grass is greener where you water it. 

Instead of living life always wanting more or desiring something different, let’s choose to give thanks for today’s blessings.    I read as statistic recently that if you have a roof over your head and food on your table, you are richer than 93% of the world’s population.  That is kind of sobering, isn’t it?  Father, teach us to be content and grateful people.  The Bible says, “This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24  ESV

STOP LISTENING!!

Do you ever hear voices in your mind?  I’m not talking about multiple personalities or a mental disorder.  I’m talking about little whispers.  I think we all hear them more frequently than we would like to admit.  We can hear, “You didn’t deserve that.  That person is obnoxious.  I am so mad.”  On the flip side we hear, “I can’t believe I did that.  I’m a loser.  Failure, stupid.  I’m never good enough.” 

Who is the whisperer?  The enemy!  He is the accuser of the brethren.  And he never shuts up!  The Bible says, “For the Accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth - the one who accuses them before our God day and night.”  Revelation 12:9-10 NLT.  Satan is relentless.  He spends his time accusing us, to ourselves, to others, and to God.  And you know what we need to start doing?  We need to stop listening.  Fill your life with truth.  Jesus said, “Sanctify them with truth.  Your word is truth.”  John 17:17.  Let’s sanctify (make ourselves holy) with truth. 

Read truth

Think truth

Speak truth

Live truth 

REST

Life can get so loud we forget to shut it down. Maybe that’s why God made such a big deal about rest in the Ten Commandments! Of the ten, which one occupies the most space? Murder…adultery…stealing? You’d think so. But curiously, these commands are tributes to brevity. God needed only five English words to condemn them all.

But when it came to the topic of rest, it took a paragraph in Exodus 20: 8-11. But. . .but. . .who’s going to run the store? We offer up one reason after another, but God silences them all with one poignant reminder. “In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.” God’s message is plain. If creation didn’t crash when I rested, it won’t crash when you do!

                                                                                        Max Lucado, Travelling Light

Ichabod

I pray for our church every day.  (You would probably expect me to!)  I pray for guidance, anointing, for direction, wisdom.  I pray for people, for families, for provision, and anything else that comes to my mind and my spirit.  But there is one prayer that I pray for us every day, without fail.  I pray that we would be a place that hosts the Presence of the Lord.  Without His presence, we’re just a club, a place to hang out and make friends.  We need God’s presence here!

Have you heard the name Ichabod?  Do you know what it means?  It means “the Glory has departed.”   I don’t ever want to lead or be a part of church where the glory has departed.  Ichabod  -  a place where the presence of the Lord is absent.  Instead will you pray with me - Lord Jesus come.  Holy Spirit you are welcome here.  We need You.  We want Your presence.  Make us hungry and thirsty for You.  Make us desperate for You.  Help us to live lives that are pleasing to You.  Make us a place where Your glory dwells.    

HOPE

Hope.  God calls Himself the God of hope.  When I was about ten years old, my parents made me memorize Romans 15:13.  It says, “Now may the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”   God calls hope the anchor of our souls in Hebrews 6:19.  Do you ever feel tossed around and unstable in life’s unpredictable waves?  I do.  But God is my hope.  And hope is the anchor of my soul. 

I have hope that troubling things will change for the better.   I have hope that God will fulfill His promises to me.  I have hope that my unsaved loved ones will have an encounter with Jesus.  I have hope that God will grant me the desires of my heart or change those desires to His desires.  Why do I have hope?  Because the God I serve is on the throne.  He is in control.  He is watching from heaven.  He hears my prayers.  He is for me and not against me.  I walk in obedience and thus in the favor of God.  So I have hope.  And it anchors me.  Let hope in God anchor you – bringing you stability, joy, and peace.   May we all abound with hope!

Are You Happy?

 “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.”  Proverbs 19:18 NAS  “Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled, but those who obey what they have been taught are happy.”  Proverbs 19:18 NCV

Do you ever find yourself saying, “I'm not happy.”  It is true that we all go through seasons of frustration and discouragement.  Due to problems, hormones, or just life events, we can lose our contentment and have a sour attitude.  I have yet to meet anyone immune to seasons such as this.  However, it should be just a season.  If unhappiness rules your life, I would encourage you to take an honest look at things.  Take stock of your life.

The bible says, “Happy is he who keeps the Law.”  If you are generally unhappy, look to see if you are walking in complete obedience to God’s word.  Are you forgiving those who wrong you?  Are you living as a servant, considering others more important than yourself?  Are you obeying God with your money?  The Bible says the first 10% of your income belongs to Him.  Are you letting the sun go down on your anger?  Take stock of your life.  Walk in obedience to God’s word.  Happy are the obedient. 

Be Angry, but....

Have you noticed that violence has escalated everywhere? It would be hard to not notice. I have heard the question asked – what has gone wrong in our nation that violence is on the rise? Has a spirit of violence descended on us? Perhaps. But, I don’t think the main problem is violence. To me, that’s the fruit of the problem, the effect. As I see it, the cause or the root of the problem is uncontrolled and unresolved anger.

The Scripture says, “Be angry…” Ephesians 4:26a. (That’s not a command that most of us put on our refrigerator. It just doesn’t sound right, does it?) But the Bible does say be angry. It acknowledges that we will all struggle with anger. But the command doesn’t stop there. The Bible goes on to say, “Be angry, but do not sin.” If we could figure out how to consistently obey this command, it would save us from a lot of trouble! Wouldn’t you agree? Additionally, I’m convinced it would stop the rise of violence in our nation.

In this life, we must learn to control our anger or it will control us. The book of James instructs us to be slow to anger. The truth is that situations in life will make us angry. And anger can erupt like a volcano. Suddenly, we find anger managing us instead of us managing it.

The book of Proverbs says, “Fools vent their anger but the wise quietly hold it back.” Proverbs 29:11 NLT

How do we have self-control and learn to hold back our anger? I am slowly discovering that I can control my responses. I don’t need to act impulsively, spouting out in hostility. If I handle things well, I will remove myself from the volatile situation and delay my response. I don’t bury it. I deal with it. But, I don’t have to deal with it immediately. When I choose to have self-control, and delay my response, I am much more likely to obey the command – Be angry but do not sin.

Today, a lot of people today bury anger. But it doesn’t just go away. It builds and grows. Such people become not a “bucket” of anger, but a factory. Unresolved anger produces more and more anger – like a factory. I’m convinced that’s why the Bible says, “Be angry…” Acknowledge it. Don’t bury it. Delay it. Deal with it. Talk about it. Repent of it.

So many in our world today have allowed anger to consume and control their thinking. Anger can control your life. It makes us bent on revenge. Anger is deadly. It can destroy us if we don’t control it.

Lord, teach us to harness this strong human emotion in a Godly, God-honoring way. Teach us Your ways.

Trusting in God

“See God has come to save me.  I will trust in Him and not be afraid.  The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.”  Isaiah 12:2

Each of us must develop a trust relationship with God.  Trusting in God is an easy concept to talk about, but at times a very challenging lifestyle to live.  As I see it, one of the main reasons that trusting in God is so difficult is because men are so flawed.  All of us have found humans (and even ourselves) to be untrustworthy at times.  Many people have tremendous trust issues because they have been so hurt by dishonest and disloyal people. 

But in spite of our past experiences, there is something that we must know.  We must embrace it.  We must live in this reality.  God is trustworthy!  He always was and He always will be true to His word!  He will do what He promises.  He heals the brokenhearted, He comforts those who mourn, He provides for us in supernatural ways, and He forgives us in spite of ourselves.  Like Isaiah of old, today in your life, declare:  “I will trust in Him and not be afraid.”   

Have You Lost the WOW of Easter?

Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago.  He was fully God and fully man.  He came to live and to die that we might live.  He offered us everlasting life through the redemptive power of His blood.  But sometimes I think we have heard these statements so many times that it no longer stirs our soul.  We become callous to this amazing gift and it can become trite and ordinary.  We’ve lost the WOW factor. 

So consider today, what would that have been like for the God of creation to become a human being and live as a resident in Nazareth, in a carpenter’s home?  Consider how He suffered for us, as He was rejected and beaten, eventually paying the ultimate price, He gave up His life.   

Why did He do it?  Why did He come?  He came because He loves us.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16    He loved us so much that He entered our world, so that one day, we could enter His.  Wow!

Good News!

Do you ever feel like you are in need of some good news?  I was talking with a friend this week and she said that every time she turned on the TV she was overwhelmed by the bad news.  We can hear troubloing news about violence in our cities, fear of the economy, and dishonest people … Bad news seems to dominate the headlines. 

Many years ago, an angel appeared to some shepherds and proclaimed, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:10.  Luke 8:1 says, “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.”  

I find it fascinating the word Gospel literally means “good news.”  The story of Jesus, His message, His death and resurrection are called good news!  In spite of living in troubling times, we have the hope of the gospel.  Don’t let bad news dominate the headlines of your life.  Turn off the TV and open your Bible.  It is full of good news. 

CHOICES

If you want to worry less, pray more. 

Instead of looking forward in fear, look forward in faith.   

Offer something praiseworthy, instead of something critical. 

Don’t fight, forgive.   

Smile, don’t frown.

Instead of getting angry, overlook the offense. 

 In raising children, you can either laugh or cry. 

Don’t be stingy, be generous. 

Don’t curse, bless. 

See the glass as half full, not half empty. 

As I sat down at my computer this afternoon, I was once again reminded that life is full of choices.  Almost every moment of every day, we make choices.  And our seemingly insignificant moment-by-moment choices actually determine the course of our lives.  Where do you want to end up? 

I will never forget going to visit my grandmother in her nursing home when I was in middle school and high school.  I got to know many of the residents.  Some were cheery and delightful.  Others were sour and hostile.  I didn’t even have to talk to them to see which side they fell on.  It was written on their faces, in their countenance, displayed in their posture.  I don’t want to end up sour and grumpy, always focused on the negative.  I want to end up cheerful, joyful, and looking forward in faith.  But how I end up will be determined by the choices I make today and tomorrow.  “A joyful heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”  Proverbs 17:22 How do you want to end up? Life is full of choices.

Favorite Tweets

The cross is a picture of violence, yet the key to peace; a picture of suffering, yet the key to healing; a picture of death, yet the key to life.

The thing that helps me when I’m suffering is a glimpse of God. On the cross, Jesus didn’t have that.

I am learning (not have learned) that even when I am in pain, I don’t have to be one.

Your call is important to us. Please stay on the line until your call is no longer important to you.

We often hear, ‘Life is short, better enjoy it.’ How about, ‘Eternity is long, better prepare for it!’

If the living knew what the dead knew, the whole world would be following Jesus.

Because Jesus became human, He understands you. Because He is Divine, He can help you. He is uniquely positioned to carry you home.

CS Lewis – Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.

Your attitude is your thought life turned inside out.

I Can Do All Things

Be determined. 

In the summer of 1921, when he was 39 years old, disaster struck this man and he was stricken with polio.  But demonstrating indomitable courage, he fought to regain some use of his legs.  He would go on to become the 32nd President of the United States.  Franklin D Roosevelt. 

Another man was severely burned in an explosion when he was just 8 years old.  Doctors recommended amputating his legs and predicted that he would never walk again.  But Glenn Cunningham did walk again.  And in fact, he competed in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics, setting world records for the mile and the 800 m run.  Determination.

Born black in a racist society, they didn’t let that stop them.  Both Booker T. Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accomplished that which God called them to do.   

You don’t have to be the smartest, the prettiest, the most talented, or the gifted one.  Instead, ask God to give you a steel-like determination to fulfill the call that He has placed on your life.  Never give up.  Be determined.  

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13

“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:30-31

Be Joyful Always

“Be joyful always; pray without continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This is a very familiar scripture.  It is also a command.  But, is it even doable?  Be joyful always?  If God commands it, then He will give us the ability to live this way.  Yet, many of us have lost our joy.  King David lost his.  That’s why he prayed, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.”  How did David lose his joy?  Sin.  And I think the same is true for many of us.  Sin is one of the major “joy robbers.”  When we choose actions that are sinful, we tend to want to hide from God (like Adam and Eve).  Since God is the source of joy, it’s in His presence where there is fullness of joy, joy flees when we sin.  The answer – repentence.  Doesn’t it make you grateful for Jesus?

However, we can lose our joy even when sin isn’t the culprit.  One way to continue to live with joy is to live a life of thanksgiving.  There’s an old hymn that says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.”  Instead of focusing on all of life’s problems, let’s magnify the Lord.  Let’s number our blessings, not count our problems.  “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4

Be Holy, because I Am Holy.

Don Francisco used to sing a song years ago that said, “Holiness, holiness, it’s the only life that the Lord can bless.”    We all struggle with sin.  We all fail and fall short of the glory of God.  But at the same time, we shouldn’t throw our hands in the air and admit defeat, sinning all the more.  Instead, we are called to struggle against sin.  We are to fight off temptations, seeking to live a lifestyle in obedience to the scripture.  The Bible makes it clear that sin is not to control us.  We are to walk in holiness.  1 Peter 1:16 says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” 

Holiness is not a culturally popular topic.  Our culture preaches: “Live and let live.  If it makes you happy, do it.  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”  And though these statements may sound good, they are not biblical.  The Bible says that all things hidden will be exposed.  Luke 8:17.  The Bible repeatedly declares that there will be consequences for sin.  We are not to be deceived—We will reap what we sow.  Galatians 6:7 

The Lord is calling us to a new commitment to a holy lifestyle.  Examine yourselves.  Are there areas in your life where you allow yourself to do things that displease the Lord?  I want the blessing of God over my life, so I choose holiness.  Hebrews 12:14 says, “Make every effort to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Celebrate Black History Month!

February is Black History Month. When I was in high school, I wondered why our country set aside an entire month to honor black history.  And by so doing, should we also set aside a month to honor white history, Asian history, Mexican history etc?  Why was it just black history that was set apart to be honored in February?   And, so I decided to do some research.

What I discovered troubled me.  We are all aware of our nation’s shameful, sinful past with regards to slavery, segregation, and racial prejudice.  But, in addition to these injustices, for many years, our history books, our records and annals, just included the events that honored white people.  The accomplishments and achievements of black soldiers, black scientists, and black leaders were all but overlooked.  Our writers and publishers intentionally left out the contribution that African Americans made to the American society and culture.  This is terrible. 

When our nation came it it’s senses, and began to repent for the sins of our forefathers, the month of February was reserved to honor and recognize our black ancestors for their bravery, intellectual achievements, and cultural offerings.  Though we should honor all of our history every month, because of the injustices of the past, it is right and appropriate to honor black history in February.  We can’t heal the past such that the hurt is nonexistent, but we can move forward together seeking reconciliation and showing love to one another.  “With His blood, He purchased men for God from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.”  Revelation 5:9

I Failed the Test. God, let me take it again?

Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15 NASB 

Are you living in obedience to the scripture?  How are you doing with loving others?  Quite honestly, it’s easy to love the people that we like. The people that make us happy. It’s another thing to love someone when you see their faults, especially when you’ve been a victim of their faults.

But on God’s list of priorities for our lives, love ranks very, very high. So in keeping it real, it’s kind of surprising that a lot of Christians seem to lack a loving spirit and a loving attitude.  The Christian church in our culture is known for particular doctrines or our stance on certain political or social issues, but are we also known as equally (or better yet -- in a greater way) for our love for God and one another? Are we known for our love ….. because Jesus said we would be.  “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.” John 13:35 NIV

Jesus didn’t say – they will know that you are Christians by your passion for the scripture, or by your heart of worship, or your powerful prayer life, or because you have the gift of healing or words of knowledge. Or worse, they will know you are a Christian by your judgmental attitude or your political party…..   Chris Tiegreen wrote that though individual Christians can demonstrate remarkable love at times, the church at large has failed to live what the Bible calls priority number one.  Love is not the church’s most recognizable characteristic.  And I think that grieves the heart of God.

All of this begs the question - How do we learn to love?  It’s really quite simple - You learn to love by loving. I am convinced that God purposely puts people in our lives who are hard to love. He does that to teach us how to love bcause we have to work at it.   Jesus said, “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there in that?  Even the corrupt tax collectors do that much.  If you are kind only to your friends, how are different from everyone else? Even the pagans do that.” Matthew 5:46-47 NLT

It is great when love is a feeling.  But genuine, biblical love is a choice.  Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 NIV Notice, this is not a suggestion.  It’s a command. He said - you must.  Loving difficult people is more than just a good idea.  It’s God’s example.  Don’t forget, on the very night He was betrayed, Jesus washed Judas’ feet. 

I ran into one of my kids’ middle school coaches this week. Back in the day, his guy drove me nuts.  He just rubbed me the wrong way.  He’s rude, sarcastic, constantly puts people down but laughs it off.  When I saw him, I said hello, and kind of tried to be friendly, but mostly I just endured it and walked away, and ignored him. But shortly thereafter, I came under such heavy conviction by the Holy Spirit that I did not represent the Lord well. Ignoring someone is not loving them. I had to repent. With gritted teeth, I asked God to give me another chance, to let me run into him again so that I can act more Godly. I failed the test. God, let me take it again.