The title of this post may make a person question what the content of this writing entails. The more I've been praying the more God has been revealing to me that there are some things that happen in this world that go unnoticed and unpreached about in the church. The Elephant in the room if you may. There are so many things that the people in the church are thinking about, but are too afraid to talk about. The main affair that I feel God wanting me to touch on is sex. About a week ago in my prayer time and even in the motions of my daily life, I felt God beginning to speak to me about sex and what is it and what it means to Him. My first thought was, " Yeah God, I think I'm fully aware of what sex is." Little did I know I really had no clue. Sex in the church is something perverse, joked about, and something we all try to avoid. Sex in the world is reckless, fun, and something too good to keep to marriage. Yet sex to God is totally different than what the world and the church proclaim it to be. God calls sex within the confines of a marriage, holy, pure, and worship. To the church and to the world that just doesn't make sense. The thing that bothers me the most is not what the world calls sex, but what the church calls sex. Sex in the church has been made taboo. Something unspeakable. Why is it that as a whole the church has begun to identify the thing that God created as perverse and unpreachable to kids, teenagers, adults, and elders. In my three and a half years of being saved I've heard 6 messages about sex and purity. Two or three at Youth Camp, and three or four from searching them out, and hearing them all within the last 6 months. It is not like God is not wanting to talk about sex either, it has just become something we all choose to skip over and go to another message that is less convicting and more comfortable. I feel in my spirit that God is wanting to reclaim sex.
The first mention of sex is in Genesis 1:27,
"So God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
So here we see that God created man and woman and then sex. There's something particularly crazy about when you read this set of Scripture. God isn't saying, " If you want to multiply", He is saying, " Be fruitful and increase in numbers." The first command to man from God is to have sex. God is not Anti-sex, but God is Pro-sex for the purpose of multiplying within a marriage. God is the one that thought sex up. Man did not stumble upon it one day and God lowered His head in shame for what man just did, but rather He commanded his creation to have sex within the marriage bed. God created sex as a gift for mankind. Sex therefore is God's possession. The enemy has come and destroyed it and perverted it. It did not start out as this shameful, gross, and foreign thing. However, the church and the people of God have allowed the culture to have the first and last word as to what sex is. In our lust infested culture it dictates that sex is there for the pleasure of ourselves and has nothing to do with the partner. Culture says we can have sex with whoever, whenever, however, with a man, a woman, or ourselves. This error of avoiding sex has crept into the church and ultimately affected every Christian. There are Christians wounded by relationship, by premarital sex, by sexual addiction, by physical and emotional adultery. If sex was preached openly in churches I feel that there would be more of a freedom in Christians lives in this area rather than that once every few years altar call where people in the church finally have enough gumption to confess their sin.
I've heard prayers of parents crying out to God to enable them to raise their child up in the way of the Lord, but have yet to present an example of healthy and holy sex to their child. There is something that does not add up with that. The "Sex Talk" with a child puts the parents at a vulnerable uncomfortable position, but opens up a communication pathway for their future. The "sex talk" should not be just 30 minutes in 18 years, but an ongoing open conversation. I have a huge passion in my heart to see teenagers and children educated by God's sex. Too often I see teenagers go off and do whatever satisfies them at God's expense. Teenagers in this generation look for something that will satisfy their hunger for something more. I encounter it everyday, the stories of drunken nights and casual sexual encounters. I stand at school dances amazed at how half of the room is gyrating on eachother. I stand there feeling the sadness of God. The sadness that sex has been exploited and only a part of the Body of Christ is fighting to change culture while the rest are selfishly chasing after passions. I put the blame of this promiscuous culture on the church because we are the ones that are to influence and define the passions of our culture. When the only time sex is mention from the pulpit is through an awkward sex joke there is no wondering why the enemy took sex from our grips and used it for his leverage. The enemy took hold of something the church wasn't looking at through the eyes of God. It mourns me when I hear Youth Pastors and Pastors saying that masturbation is perfectly okay. My personal beliefs and convictions points completely towards the sin of masturbation. Scripture does not state whether it is or not, but I believe the Word is black and white and that for a man or woman to claim that self-pleasure is "Biblical" and "legal" is just an excuse for selfish motivations and unwillingness to be submissive to further in Holiness.
These errors have crept into the church and the ones who suffer are the teenagers and children in the church. I had a vivid image while in class one day. I saw two wrapped presents. The only different between these presents were that one of the gifts was mangled. The paper was torn, the box distorted, the gift inside essentially broken. The other box perfectly beautiful and the gift inside not harmed by the travel. Some people in the church are getting married and giving their spouse who presented a gift that is perfectly intact a present that is broken. Men and women are going to bed on their wedding night virgins, but exchanging gifts of broken love because of porn addiction or justified fooling around, but in their minds they had saved themselves for each other by the basis of the world rather than the standards of God. We don't have many leaders in the church who are willing to sit down and talk to teenagers. There are boys in the church who don't have Godly fathers to minister and set an example and accountability of sex to them, and a lack of Church men willing to pick up where another fell short. As well as young girls who are daily told that the only way to a man's heart is to have sex with them. So they go unknowing to what God is calling them and realize God has a holy man for them because there are women who have not told them their true value. To the Leaders and Men and Women of God who have sat down with students and presented the truth of sex to them I give them the greatest praise for doing the dirty work. I often wondered how Jesus would handle sex if He had a son. I believe Jesus would have been honest about the sacrifice and the years of battle it takes to get to the marriage bed, but offered accountability and kept a line of communication open for He and His son to be open and discuss about temptation and the right and wrong.
My biggest passion in life is to see a freedom in the teenage generation. I spend hours daydreaming and praying about preaching and writing about freedom from pornography, lust, anger, jealousy, alcohol, and drugs. I believe with the prayers and repentance of a generation God will break the chains of sin in a generation and unleash them to fulfill the Great Commission With a whole generation bound by sin and driven by sexual perversion an anointing and a power of God will dwindle resulting in a world that will have no hope.
"How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word."- Psalm 119:9
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Consecrate Yourselves
"For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground." -Leviticus 11:44
God is always up to something. Sometimes we see it and sometimes we decide not to. One of the most noticeable lessons I feel God is trying to convey to His people is living a life of Holiness. About a month and a half ago I felt God leading me to eventually teach on Holiness and after four weeks of being stirred on a certain message and verse, I was asked to teach the youth group. Given the curriculum I just thought the message from my heart was going to be put on hold and traded with another lesson. Well, as I looked at the lesson I couldn't help but notice that the Scriptural reference was the exact set I had been stirred about for multiple weeks. The set of Scripture was Isaiah 6. Where the Lord appears to Isaiah and Isaiah realized the Holiness of God and realized his sinfulness. Every time I would read the passage I would be filled with repentance and soon felt that relief of redemption. I would be up for hours praying and repenting for things that I had no clue was even apart of my life. I soon became acutely aware of the sins not the world, but the sins of the church. My heart breaking every time God spoke about the condition of His Bride.
I soon saw the weak points of the American church. I saw the label of American Church and wondered why we just aren't called the Church. I got the revelation that the label "American Church" is possessed because it does not have separate values than America itself. America is in my opinion one of the greatest countries in the world, but is lacking morality. The land that was founded on The Bible has turned its back on the roots and traded it for greed, corruption, lust, and deception. You can look coast to coast and really only see a select few churches that are Spirit-filled and deserve the title "Church" rather than the "American Church". I feel that title comes from the lack of Holiness that is possessed by its people. I am reading a book called " A Heart Ablaze" by John Bevere and it has section devoted to the misconception of Holiness. Bevere states that Holiness in previous centuries was represented purely by the physical. No make-up, short dresses, or anything that showed skins. However, today there is no difference between Christians and Heathens. You can put a Christian in a line-up and there would be no difference between the Atheists, Buddhists, Agnostics, and Muslims they stand in line with. Sadly, the lack of outward appearance of Holiness doesn't change on the inside. On the inside, as well, Christians are just as Holy as the ones they are trying to reach. This most of all breaks my heart and I'm confident God's too.
The one subject I felt God most grieved by is our perverse language and "jokes". I look at Christians, and myself am convicted, and see the topic of jokes and conversations is sexual. Yes, God created sex and all that shindig, HOWEVER, God specifically orders Christians to not degrade, pervert, and make sexual jokes. My eyes and heart has lately become open to it in myself and in the Church. The other night while praying about Holiness for the Church and to reveal the areas of my life that lack Holiness and I felt God just speak. I felt His still small voice say, " Do you know the Scripture that is most read but unapplied?" Shocked, I answered, "No". Then I saw Ephesian 5:4. For all of you (like myself in that moment) that are unaware of that Scripture it is , "nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are our of place, but rather Thanksgiving." Immediately after reading it I heard God say gently but firmly, " It is because My people lack and don't seek Holiness." My heart became heavy and those words have been ringing in my ears since. I became aware of the degrading of women amongst Christian men. I became aware that the Church would rather joke about it than confront or teach on it. Older Christians who have fallen to lust would rather joke and avoid it rather than empower teenage boys and girls with wisdom and accountability.
Just like Isaiah when he realized his sinfulness, God was willing to purify. Although God is disappointed and grieved, He is willing to purify and redeem from sin. I see the correlation of the Isaiah 6 and Holiness more than I thought there ever was. I feel in my spirit that God desires us to realize who He is and what He wants, be convicted of our wrongs, need and receive purity and forgiveness, and be put back on track to be "sent" and proclaim the Word of the Lord. In Leviticus 11:44, God says "consecrate yourselves", implying that we have a part in it. God honors our attempts to be Holy, but we have to consciously attempt to be Holy. I pray that Christians are challenged by this to live a more Holier life and just receive openly the areas of their lives God wants to morph and transform.
"To know Christ is the way to grow in holiness. Christianity is not a religion of rules. It is the religion of the divine example. Try to follow the blessed steps of the most holy life. Take His advice. Ask yourself, in the moment of perplexity or temptation, what would He do if He were here? Nothing else will so surely lead us into the way of holy living. " -George Hodges
God is always up to something. Sometimes we see it and sometimes we decide not to. One of the most noticeable lessons I feel God is trying to convey to His people is living a life of Holiness. About a month and a half ago I felt God leading me to eventually teach on Holiness and after four weeks of being stirred on a certain message and verse, I was asked to teach the youth group. Given the curriculum I just thought the message from my heart was going to be put on hold and traded with another lesson. Well, as I looked at the lesson I couldn't help but notice that the Scriptural reference was the exact set I had been stirred about for multiple weeks. The set of Scripture was Isaiah 6. Where the Lord appears to Isaiah and Isaiah realized the Holiness of God and realized his sinfulness. Every time I would read the passage I would be filled with repentance and soon felt that relief of redemption. I would be up for hours praying and repenting for things that I had no clue was even apart of my life. I soon became acutely aware of the sins not the world, but the sins of the church. My heart breaking every time God spoke about the condition of His Bride.
I soon saw the weak points of the American church. I saw the label of American Church and wondered why we just aren't called the Church. I got the revelation that the label "American Church" is possessed because it does not have separate values than America itself. America is in my opinion one of the greatest countries in the world, but is lacking morality. The land that was founded on The Bible has turned its back on the roots and traded it for greed, corruption, lust, and deception. You can look coast to coast and really only see a select few churches that are Spirit-filled and deserve the title "Church" rather than the "American Church". I feel that title comes from the lack of Holiness that is possessed by its people. I am reading a book called " A Heart Ablaze" by John Bevere and it has section devoted to the misconception of Holiness. Bevere states that Holiness in previous centuries was represented purely by the physical. No make-up, short dresses, or anything that showed skins. However, today there is no difference between Christians and Heathens. You can put a Christian in a line-up and there would be no difference between the Atheists, Buddhists, Agnostics, and Muslims they stand in line with. Sadly, the lack of outward appearance of Holiness doesn't change on the inside. On the inside, as well, Christians are just as Holy as the ones they are trying to reach. This most of all breaks my heart and I'm confident God's too.
The one subject I felt God most grieved by is our perverse language and "jokes". I look at Christians, and myself am convicted, and see the topic of jokes and conversations is sexual. Yes, God created sex and all that shindig, HOWEVER, God specifically orders Christians to not degrade, pervert, and make sexual jokes. My eyes and heart has lately become open to it in myself and in the Church. The other night while praying about Holiness for the Church and to reveal the areas of my life that lack Holiness and I felt God just speak. I felt His still small voice say, " Do you know the Scripture that is most read but unapplied?" Shocked, I answered, "No". Then I saw Ephesian 5:4. For all of you (like myself in that moment) that are unaware of that Scripture it is , "nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are our of place, but rather Thanksgiving." Immediately after reading it I heard God say gently but firmly, " It is because My people lack and don't seek Holiness." My heart became heavy and those words have been ringing in my ears since. I became aware of the degrading of women amongst Christian men. I became aware that the Church would rather joke about it than confront or teach on it. Older Christians who have fallen to lust would rather joke and avoid it rather than empower teenage boys and girls with wisdom and accountability.
Just like Isaiah when he realized his sinfulness, God was willing to purify. Although God is disappointed and grieved, He is willing to purify and redeem from sin. I see the correlation of the Isaiah 6 and Holiness more than I thought there ever was. I feel in my spirit that God desires us to realize who He is and what He wants, be convicted of our wrongs, need and receive purity and forgiveness, and be put back on track to be "sent" and proclaim the Word of the Lord. In Leviticus 11:44, God says "consecrate yourselves", implying that we have a part in it. God honors our attempts to be Holy, but we have to consciously attempt to be Holy. I pray that Christians are challenged by this to live a more Holier life and just receive openly the areas of their lives God wants to morph and transform.
"To know Christ is the way to grow in holiness. Christianity is not a religion of rules. It is the religion of the divine example. Try to follow the blessed steps of the most holy life. Take His advice. Ask yourself, in the moment of perplexity or temptation, what would He do if He were here? Nothing else will so surely lead us into the way of holy living. " -George Hodges
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
A Chosen Generation(s)
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."- Eccelesiates 4:9-12
As I read that set of Scripture I feel that it is close to summing up what God has been stirring in my Spirit these past few weeks. That topic is generations coming together for one cause. Since I got saved I've always heard that there were two groups of Christians (for lack of a better term)...the old age or the new age. Always a distinction between these two group. Services appealing to one group or the other. The blatant separation in the Body of Christ has always troubled me. I've heard the Older generation say that the "New Age" generation is " a group of heathens", "conformists" and have "an entitlement mentality." On the other hand, I've heard the Younger generation describe the "Old Age" as "religious pests", "unable to accept new things", and "stuck in the past." Although I see both sides, the arguments against each other is not uplifting and in no way furthering the Kingdom of God. These comments drive a wedge between two seemingly different group that should be one because regardless of opinion both groups need each other.
I've clearly see the need of Mentorship and Fathering and Mothering for a generation that is lacking authority and guidance. A Facebook status was posted awhile back stating that this Leader heard a Pastor say that this "younger generation today doesn't understand Spiritual Authority. There is a lack of respect for Pastors and Church Leadership and almost a sense of entitlement by those in their teens and twenties." That status has been replaying in my mind ever since it was posted. I thought why is that mentality and opinion trending in the Christian community? The answer is because the same generation complaining about the young generation has failed to raise up teenagers properly. Pastors and Leaders in the Church have failed to see the necessity to MENTOR and PARENT a generation. If the Spirit-filled leaders of the older generation are noticing this downhill trend then it is time for them to step-up and do something that the World is already at work doing. The Church has a God-given responsibility to shape the culture. The country's state and the culture is shape as a direct response of the action of the church. If we have teenagers being raised up in the Church to be God fearing, respectable, morally righteous, effective citizens then the Church is doing its job, thus resulting in a culture with the same standards. The Church can't wait for the biological parents to teach the children and teenagers morals and Jesus because it won't happen, but it is time for a Grown Church Generation to start Spiritually adopting and taking ownership of children. It is time that the excuses stating that teenagers are "scary", "defiant", and "unable to be taught" end because that is a direct parallel to you and your relationship with God. Teenagers need your guidance! Young people now are being abused at home, abused by peers, and abused by culture, so lets not start the abuse in the church and the Body. Walls have been built to stand against love. Spirit-Filled Older Generation it is time for you to get your hands dirty, time to get your knees cut up with rug burn, time for you to hear stories that will make your hair curl, and time for you to love harder than you ever loved before. The only way this generation is going to see the love of Jesus is if you present it to them yourself!
I've also seen in the younger generation, a group of Spirit-filled teenagers, a lack of willingness to be taught. Naturally a teenager has the " I know it all mindset" that will cause them to push away and see irrelevance in Mentorship. Over the past few weeks I've seen a vivid picture of the need for teenagers to submit to authority and mentorship. I look at the generation before me and see that there are ministries and lifestyles that are full of mistakes. There are leaders that have made mistakes that affected their ministries and lives. These Leaders are pleading with you not to fall into the same trap and to protect yourself. Here is a word of advice when a Mentor is trying to speak to you....LISTEN! " The ways of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." - Proverb 12:15. So here's a clue for you....be wise and listen! This concept of listening really hit me during Revival last week when the Preacher was talking about Rachel and Leah. The Preacher after doing years of research discovered why Jacob did not realize he wedded Leah originally and not Rachel (They were identical twins and the next morning Jacob realized it was Leah because she had an eye condition (Don't take that for actuality just a theory)). This same question years down the line I could be puzzled with and instead of devoting years to finding out I now understand because of a Preacher pouring out his wisdom and insight. There is a need for this! Not just for future full-time ministers, but for teenagers entering the field of any career. There are lawyers that have connections and insight for you, there are accountants with information for you, and there is an unlimited supply of knowledge for whatever you need if you simply submit to Fathering and Mothering. There is a need now more than ever to continue building on the knowledge of the Word. Thousands if not millions of Scriptural revelation have been lost purely because of a lack of Mentorship on both ends. How depressing is that?!? The greatest times I have is sitting under Church Leaders and listening to stories that build faith and bring forth revelation. I've had the grace and privilege multiple times to sit at a table or in a room with some of the most anointed Men and Women of God that I look up to as they discuss Scripture. That's greatest thing ever for a newly called preacher. There are so many that miss those experiences because they are unreceptive of the whole idea. Beyond popular belief, teenagers can't do and understand everything. I'm preaching to myself too! I and every other teenager need to rely on an adult who has our best interest in mind. They are there to sort things out, and pray, and keep you accountable, and that gets lost in ignorance and unwillingness. The greatest thing Christian teenagers can do in order to receive the most anointing they can is to submit. The Word never states that when you submit to authority and leadership that you will regret it and it is mistake. The Word always says submit for you to be blessed and walk in wisdom.
I don't believe in saying the older generation must pass the mantle because I feel that it implies them fading into the distance, but I do believe in saying the older generation needs to pass part of the fire and anointing. The Scripture I opened with states that one person can't do it alone. The Older Generation can't do it alone because the flame and fire of God needs to be passed along. The Younger Generation needs the Older Generation for Mentorship, Wisdom, and Discipline. I've read and heard before that this same Mentorship happens in the Gay Community. What differs from this Mentorship compared to the one of Christians is that there is no separation between generations. Homosexuals come together as one and realize the power of two generations coming together, and as much as I hate to say it, look at how far they are coming with their "Legalize Love" campaigns. In God's word it says that the enemy will prevail against one, but two can withstand him. However, unlike every other group of people, Christians don't stop there. They get a third link, a threefold cord. They get the Almighty God to hold onto to. A God that shall not be defeated or beaten, A God that holds every moment of eternity. That God links arms with a Body in complete unity and that link shall never be broken because "those who are with us are more than those who are against us." (2 Kings 6:16)
As I read that set of Scripture I feel that it is close to summing up what God has been stirring in my Spirit these past few weeks. That topic is generations coming together for one cause. Since I got saved I've always heard that there were two groups of Christians (for lack of a better term)...the old age or the new age. Always a distinction between these two group. Services appealing to one group or the other. The blatant separation in the Body of Christ has always troubled me. I've heard the Older generation say that the "New Age" generation is " a group of heathens", "conformists" and have "an entitlement mentality." On the other hand, I've heard the Younger generation describe the "Old Age" as "religious pests", "unable to accept new things", and "stuck in the past." Although I see both sides, the arguments against each other is not uplifting and in no way furthering the Kingdom of God. These comments drive a wedge between two seemingly different group that should be one because regardless of opinion both groups need each other.
I've clearly see the need of Mentorship and Fathering and Mothering for a generation that is lacking authority and guidance. A Facebook status was posted awhile back stating that this Leader heard a Pastor say that this "younger generation today doesn't understand Spiritual Authority. There is a lack of respect for Pastors and Church Leadership and almost a sense of entitlement by those in their teens and twenties." That status has been replaying in my mind ever since it was posted. I thought why is that mentality and opinion trending in the Christian community? The answer is because the same generation complaining about the young generation has failed to raise up teenagers properly. Pastors and Leaders in the Church have failed to see the necessity to MENTOR and PARENT a generation. If the Spirit-filled leaders of the older generation are noticing this downhill trend then it is time for them to step-up and do something that the World is already at work doing. The Church has a God-given responsibility to shape the culture. The country's state and the culture is shape as a direct response of the action of the church. If we have teenagers being raised up in the Church to be God fearing, respectable, morally righteous, effective citizens then the Church is doing its job, thus resulting in a culture with the same standards. The Church can't wait for the biological parents to teach the children and teenagers morals and Jesus because it won't happen, but it is time for a Grown Church Generation to start Spiritually adopting and taking ownership of children. It is time that the excuses stating that teenagers are "scary", "defiant", and "unable to be taught" end because that is a direct parallel to you and your relationship with God. Teenagers need your guidance! Young people now are being abused at home, abused by peers, and abused by culture, so lets not start the abuse in the church and the Body. Walls have been built to stand against love. Spirit-Filled Older Generation it is time for you to get your hands dirty, time to get your knees cut up with rug burn, time for you to hear stories that will make your hair curl, and time for you to love harder than you ever loved before. The only way this generation is going to see the love of Jesus is if you present it to them yourself!
I've also seen in the younger generation, a group of Spirit-filled teenagers, a lack of willingness to be taught. Naturally a teenager has the " I know it all mindset" that will cause them to push away and see irrelevance in Mentorship. Over the past few weeks I've seen a vivid picture of the need for teenagers to submit to authority and mentorship. I look at the generation before me and see that there are ministries and lifestyles that are full of mistakes. There are leaders that have made mistakes that affected their ministries and lives. These Leaders are pleading with you not to fall into the same trap and to protect yourself. Here is a word of advice when a Mentor is trying to speak to you....LISTEN! " The ways of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." - Proverb 12:15. So here's a clue for you....be wise and listen! This concept of listening really hit me during Revival last week when the Preacher was talking about Rachel and Leah. The Preacher after doing years of research discovered why Jacob did not realize he wedded Leah originally and not Rachel (They were identical twins and the next morning Jacob realized it was Leah because she had an eye condition (Don't take that for actuality just a theory)). This same question years down the line I could be puzzled with and instead of devoting years to finding out I now understand because of a Preacher pouring out his wisdom and insight. There is a need for this! Not just for future full-time ministers, but for teenagers entering the field of any career. There are lawyers that have connections and insight for you, there are accountants with information for you, and there is an unlimited supply of knowledge for whatever you need if you simply submit to Fathering and Mothering. There is a need now more than ever to continue building on the knowledge of the Word. Thousands if not millions of Scriptural revelation have been lost purely because of a lack of Mentorship on both ends. How depressing is that?!? The greatest times I have is sitting under Church Leaders and listening to stories that build faith and bring forth revelation. I've had the grace and privilege multiple times to sit at a table or in a room with some of the most anointed Men and Women of God that I look up to as they discuss Scripture. That's greatest thing ever for a newly called preacher. There are so many that miss those experiences because they are unreceptive of the whole idea. Beyond popular belief, teenagers can't do and understand everything. I'm preaching to myself too! I and every other teenager need to rely on an adult who has our best interest in mind. They are there to sort things out, and pray, and keep you accountable, and that gets lost in ignorance and unwillingness. The greatest thing Christian teenagers can do in order to receive the most anointing they can is to submit. The Word never states that when you submit to authority and leadership that you will regret it and it is mistake. The Word always says submit for you to be blessed and walk in wisdom.
I don't believe in saying the older generation must pass the mantle because I feel that it implies them fading into the distance, but I do believe in saying the older generation needs to pass part of the fire and anointing. The Scripture I opened with states that one person can't do it alone. The Older Generation can't do it alone because the flame and fire of God needs to be passed along. The Younger Generation needs the Older Generation for Mentorship, Wisdom, and Discipline. I've read and heard before that this same Mentorship happens in the Gay Community. What differs from this Mentorship compared to the one of Christians is that there is no separation between generations. Homosexuals come together as one and realize the power of two generations coming together, and as much as I hate to say it, look at how far they are coming with their "Legalize Love" campaigns. In God's word it says that the enemy will prevail against one, but two can withstand him. However, unlike every other group of people, Christians don't stop there. They get a third link, a threefold cord. They get the Almighty God to hold onto to. A God that shall not be defeated or beaten, A God that holds every moment of eternity. That God links arms with a Body in complete unity and that link shall never be broken because "those who are with us are more than those who are against us." (2 Kings 6:16)
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Guardrails
"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,making the most of your time, because the days are evil."- Ephesians 5:15-16
I heard a preacher on TV a few weeks ago talking about guardrails.As I half listened and half didn't pay attention I was impressed by his explanation of the need for a "guardrail" in a Christian's live. At that moment I kind of blew it off, but for probably the past week and a half it keeps popping up in my head. Let's examine what a guardrail actually is. It is an ugly, beat-up, rusty piece of unattractive metal. That piece of metal seems pretty useless to the average driver. However, to the tired, distracted, or out of control driver that hunk of metal becomes the defining line between life and death. You see that curved hardware is what is protecting you from tumbling down an embankment to possibly your tragic death. When you hit the guardrail, yes, you may be sore the next morning, your car is a bit scratched up, and you are a little distressed, but you are safe and you get to walk away without any permanent damage. Now that a guardrail is explained that way that piece of rusty, ugly metal seems really beneficial to a driver and its passenger.
The more I thought about it the more I wondered why Christians feel it isn't necessary to have a guardrail in their life. Marriages, friendships, and ministries end simply because they decided they were too good for a guardrail and when they got DISTRACTED or TIRED they fall down father then they should have ever. Driving could be alluded to our walk with Christ. At times its' beautiful, fast, and filled with loud singing and joy. On the opposing end our walk can be tiresome, long, gets us in trouble with our authority, and potentially dangerous. For those long and dark road trips that is why we must have guardrails ready. When things aren't perfect with the spouse and you see another church goer's spouse treating them much better than you feel your spouse is (which if you think about it their willingness to have an affair just shows that their home life is not as perfect as it seems.), when you're home alone with nothing else to do and the computer or movie calls your name, when you're somewhere that you know you shouldn't be and temptation winks its enticing eyes at you, the need for guardrails is detrimental. The purpose of a "guardrail" in a Christian's walk is that when your heart grows fonder of another person other than your spouse and you hit that guardrail you wake up, swerve out of the way, and get back on track without any real damage. Yes, it may hurt, it may be uncomfortable, but you have not sinned and you can return your heart back to God easier than if you would have fell.
In my life it has been impressed upon me heavily that in ministry and in life to have those guardrails and to stick by them. For my life I try my hardest to be above reproach so that nothing ill can be spoken about me and my intentions. I've seen too many affairs, divorces, and lost ministries because of a lack of boundaries. Why Christian can quote but not understand that we must, "be alert and of sober mind.Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seek for whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) is beyond me. As Christians I believe we can know and memorize scripture but not live out and understand the meaning behind them, thus making them useless and powerless in our lives. My heart breaks and my spirit is grieved for this lack of knowledge that has convicted, guarded, and protected me from the snare of the enemy. It is imperative that we as Christians never cease to pray and seek God in everything. It is too late in the game and too costly to just be that Sunday Christian and not be a Soldier and Slave for Christ. Realize that the Enemy is standing next to you now waiting for your spirit-man to become tired and wary and at that very moment they Army that is after you to steal, kill, and destroy you is ready to throw you down that embankment. The guardrail is there for your safety and protection against the enemy. Also, God is faithful to your guardrail and when you even start to drift and slip He convict you even before the guardrail is in sight.
I challenge and pray that the men and women of the Body of Christ grasp the need for guardrails to protect them from the hunger of the Devil's stomach for the blood of believers. The Devil in these last days is after the anointed. He is after the ministries, marriages, and souls of praying, steadfast, warring Christians.So be challenged and praying for where God wants your guardrail, and whatever He says it's not because He is a strict unfair God, but simply to protect you from pain, shame, and misery.
"He who walks with the wise grows wise,but a companion of fools suffers harm."Proverbs 13:20
I heard a preacher on TV a few weeks ago talking about guardrails.As I half listened and half didn't pay attention I was impressed by his explanation of the need for a "guardrail" in a Christian's live. At that moment I kind of blew it off, but for probably the past week and a half it keeps popping up in my head. Let's examine what a guardrail actually is. It is an ugly, beat-up, rusty piece of unattractive metal. That piece of metal seems pretty useless to the average driver. However, to the tired, distracted, or out of control driver that hunk of metal becomes the defining line between life and death. You see that curved hardware is what is protecting you from tumbling down an embankment to possibly your tragic death. When you hit the guardrail, yes, you may be sore the next morning, your car is a bit scratched up, and you are a little distressed, but you are safe and you get to walk away without any permanent damage. Now that a guardrail is explained that way that piece of rusty, ugly metal seems really beneficial to a driver and its passenger.
The more I thought about it the more I wondered why Christians feel it isn't necessary to have a guardrail in their life. Marriages, friendships, and ministries end simply because they decided they were too good for a guardrail and when they got DISTRACTED or TIRED they fall down father then they should have ever. Driving could be alluded to our walk with Christ. At times its' beautiful, fast, and filled with loud singing and joy. On the opposing end our walk can be tiresome, long, gets us in trouble with our authority, and potentially dangerous. For those long and dark road trips that is why we must have guardrails ready. When things aren't perfect with the spouse and you see another church goer's spouse treating them much better than you feel your spouse is (which if you think about it their willingness to have an affair just shows that their home life is not as perfect as it seems.), when you're home alone with nothing else to do and the computer or movie calls your name, when you're somewhere that you know you shouldn't be and temptation winks its enticing eyes at you, the need for guardrails is detrimental. The purpose of a "guardrail" in a Christian's walk is that when your heart grows fonder of another person other than your spouse and you hit that guardrail you wake up, swerve out of the way, and get back on track without any real damage. Yes, it may hurt, it may be uncomfortable, but you have not sinned and you can return your heart back to God easier than if you would have fell.
In my life it has been impressed upon me heavily that in ministry and in life to have those guardrails and to stick by them. For my life I try my hardest to be above reproach so that nothing ill can be spoken about me and my intentions. I've seen too many affairs, divorces, and lost ministries because of a lack of boundaries. Why Christian can quote but not understand that we must, "be alert and of sober mind.Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seek for whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) is beyond me. As Christians I believe we can know and memorize scripture but not live out and understand the meaning behind them, thus making them useless and powerless in our lives. My heart breaks and my spirit is grieved for this lack of knowledge that has convicted, guarded, and protected me from the snare of the enemy. It is imperative that we as Christians never cease to pray and seek God in everything. It is too late in the game and too costly to just be that Sunday Christian and not be a Soldier and Slave for Christ. Realize that the Enemy is standing next to you now waiting for your spirit-man to become tired and wary and at that very moment they Army that is after you to steal, kill, and destroy you is ready to throw you down that embankment. The guardrail is there for your safety and protection against the enemy. Also, God is faithful to your guardrail and when you even start to drift and slip He convict you even before the guardrail is in sight.
I challenge and pray that the men and women of the Body of Christ grasp the need for guardrails to protect them from the hunger of the Devil's stomach for the blood of believers. The Devil in these last days is after the anointed. He is after the ministries, marriages, and souls of praying, steadfast, warring Christians.So be challenged and praying for where God wants your guardrail, and whatever He says it's not because He is a strict unfair God, but simply to protect you from pain, shame, and misery.
"He who walks with the wise grows wise,but a companion of fools suffers harm."Proverbs 13:20
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Explode My Soul
For the past week I've realized my love for God, and its not a brag thing because I know that I couldn't love Him unless He enables me. As I sit here and listening to worship music and I just sense a love beyond any love another person can give. I sit and just hold back the tears most of the time when I think of God. How my heart yearns for Him and how I just want to be with Him forever. I grieve for the people that don't know Him. Their hearts no different than mine. Their hearts longs for God just the same as mine. However, the only difference is that God wrestled me into submission to realize He fills that void. The only difference between me and the ones out of a relationship with Jesus is that they are still wrestling. Subconsciously I believe that everyone knows and believes in God. The only problem is that they either refuse to acknowledge it or refuse to surrender and live as Jesus calls. I see life with God and see that the only ones on this earth really living are the ones who have encounter God's love. What MTV shows or what society shows as life is merely death. I heard a song today that said, "There's wind in my lungs, life in my veins, and hope in my bones." Blows my mind! I have this life because Jesus died for me to have it and all He asks for us to do is just give up. When people scream in depression or anxiety that they "give up" I believe Jesus just says "Yes, finally!"
I've always looked in the Bible for a story or a person that demonstrated their love for God the way I would. This week, after reading this story probably 20 times, finally found it. In Luke 7, Jesus was invited to a dinner party at the Pharisee Simon's house. Studying the cultural history I realized that Jesus was ignored by Simon. In that time if you invited someone over to your house you greeted them with either a kiss on the cheek, or if your guest was in a higher social rank a kiss on the hand. Then you, your servant, or your guest would wash their feet because it was considered rude to be at a dinner table with dirty feet. Then after washing their feet, the host would give them oil to put on their head. Simon did none of these things for Jesus. Jesus was ignored when He should have been the guest of honor. Ironically, by the age of 15 Simon had the whole Old Testament memorized including every prophecy of the Messiah. What is ironic is Simon knew about Jesus, but didn't know who He was. As they were in the court yard, a nameless prostitute interupts their dinner. Scripture doesn't say how she knew Jesus, maybe it was when He spoke about forgiveness, or when he said "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest", or maybe He looked at her like no other man did before. However, what she did next would be considered impulsive, reckless, and wrong. Picture this, Jesus reclining at a the end of the table, as everyone knows who she is and looks on in shock and disgust as Jesus looks at her like a Father to a Daughter, she then begins to cry, one tear, then two, then there she sobs, she falls to her face kissing and washing the feet of Jesus with her tears. Then she lets her hair down, which at that time was taboo and a sign of intimacy and grounds for divorce, and then dries the feet of Jesus with her hair. Then what she next does was seen as a waste and unnecessary. The nameless woman breaks the Alabaster Box that was around her neck, that she probably used plenty of times before being intimate with a man, and pours it on Jesus. This woman knew that she encountered the love of God and knew she couldn't return back to the lifestyle she lives. The perfume was now irrelevant to her life. I read that and never saw the beauty of that story before. That in my spirit when I met Jesus that's what I did. Walking past the looks of the ones who knew who I was, the demons who tried to kill me, the voices in my head for years that spoke nothing but death, walking in love and without a care and staring into the eyes of love. Then doing something people would say I should never do and brought my whole self and everything I own and laying it at the feet of Jesus and picked up a cross. My heart connected with this woman. We were the same person. We all are. My love for God caused me to do something wreckless, inappropriate, and impulsive, which was kiss and wash the feet of Jesus and pouring my Alabaster Box out on Him.
What I would give to see a nation of adults and teens and kids at the same moment just encountering the love of the Father. The agape love. The love that has no end. The love that has no conditions. The love that has no boundaries. I write this sitting and walking in the love of Jesus. With a heart interceeding for a world that if they only knew what they would have if the humbled themselves and poured out themselves to Jesus.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Desiderio Domini
There is an ancient story passed down through generation of Christians that I just stumbled upon a few days. Story has it that the Apostle Peter, in his latter years of his life, would weep whenever a crow would crow. If you know the Bible history you obviously would know why. It is reported that Peter would often weep in other times, but the men he was with would not know why. One day one of the saints asked, " Peter, Why do you cry so often?" Peter simply turned to him and spoke a short, yet powerful message; " Desiderio Domini."
For those non- Latin speaking people, Desiderio Domini translates to " I dearly long to be with my Lord!"
That statement this week has blown me away. I feel at points in our Christian walk this is the cry of our hearts. We all can identify with longing to be with someone. Whether it be a wife for her husband, parents to their kid, or crazy cat lady to her cat. However, what God calls us to is that we long for Him even more. Imagine how at times you fully yearn to be another human. Now imagine how much more you should yearn to be with God. The real question is are you really longing to be with God more than a human? Yes, a humans love is needed and fulfilling, but God's love is really the focus. Another person can't love unless God enables them to love (1 John 4:7).
I thought about why Peter would say those words, and the only reason I could think of is because he loved His God. I looked up "love" in the dictionary(.com) and the noun version of the word is, " An intense feeling of deep affection." As well, the verb version of love is, " Feeling of deep romantic or sexual attachment (to someone)." I look at the constant in both those definitions and it is based around feeling and sex. Do I believe we can have an emotional attachment to Christ? Of course, love at times is emotional and the feeling gets us through the bad times. However, feelings aren't truly love. The Bible tells us what love is specifically. The primary meaning of the word "love" in Scripture is a "purposeful commitment to sacrificial action for another." In the Bible it is a fact that loving God is equated with obeying His Word. The two are inseparable. The world defines love as a type of feeling; "we fall in love", or we meet someone and it is "love at first sight". But the world's love is selfish. It is about, if you are attractive to me, be somewhat nice to me, meet my physical needs, love me in return, I will then "love you." The world's love is based around getting something. If you do not please me then I don't love you anymore. The world's love essentially is defined by doing something to in return get love. HOWEVER, God's plan for love is completely contradictory of the world's. Let's turn to the number one scripture that describes love, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; "Love is patient,love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres"
For those non- Latin speaking people, Desiderio Domini translates to " I dearly long to be with my Lord!"
That statement this week has blown me away. I feel at points in our Christian walk this is the cry of our hearts. We all can identify with longing to be with someone. Whether it be a wife for her husband, parents to their kid, or crazy cat lady to her cat. However, what God calls us to is that we long for Him even more. Imagine how at times you fully yearn to be another human. Now imagine how much more you should yearn to be with God. The real question is are you really longing to be with God more than a human? Yes, a humans love is needed and fulfilling, but God's love is really the focus. Another person can't love unless God enables them to love (1 John 4:7).
I thought about why Peter would say those words, and the only reason I could think of is because he loved His God. I looked up "love" in the dictionary(.com) and the noun version of the word is, " An intense feeling of deep affection." As well, the verb version of love is, " Feeling of deep romantic or sexual attachment (to someone)." I look at the constant in both those definitions and it is based around feeling and sex. Do I believe we can have an emotional attachment to Christ? Of course, love at times is emotional and the feeling gets us through the bad times. However, feelings aren't truly love. The Bible tells us what love is specifically. The primary meaning of the word "love" in Scripture is a "purposeful commitment to sacrificial action for another." In the Bible it is a fact that loving God is equated with obeying His Word. The two are inseparable. The world defines love as a type of feeling; "we fall in love", or we meet someone and it is "love at first sight". But the world's love is selfish. It is about, if you are attractive to me, be somewhat nice to me, meet my physical needs, love me in return, I will then "love you." The world's love is based around getting something. If you do not please me then I don't love you anymore. The world's love essentially is defined by doing something to in return get love. HOWEVER, God's plan for love is completely contradictory of the world's. Let's turn to the number one scripture that describes love, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; "Love is patient,love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres"
In the King James Version the word "charity" is used instead of love. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 the word "charity" is translated from "agape". There are three different kinds of Biblical love. One word used is "agape". The word is used to describe God's divine love, like used in John 3:16. This word demonstrates the true concern and love for an other's well-being. Another word used is "Phileo". This word translated "love" refers to fervent love for another person. Jesus when challenging Peter in John 21:15-17 asked do you agape me more than the other disciples. Peter replied, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (phileo) thee" This was his response four times to Jesus' questions.The final word used is "eros". This is noun used to describe sexual love.
The love I feel Peter had for his God can be described as Phileo. That love transcended throughout the rest of his life. Peter's love for God should be an example that all Christians should follow. Think about the meaning of Phileo. A fervent love for another person. That person was Jesus. That after He died and rose again, Peter's heart yearned for his Phileo love. For the rest of his life he longed to be with his Lord. Those words were an indirect challenge to love the Lord so much that, as a widow longs to see her love again, that we transcend that love and cry and weep in longing to see our Lord again.
"Desiderio Domini"
The love I feel Peter had for his God can be described as Phileo. That love transcended throughout the rest of his life. Peter's love for God should be an example that all Christians should follow. Think about the meaning of Phileo. A fervent love for another person. That person was Jesus. That after He died and rose again, Peter's heart yearned for his Phileo love. For the rest of his life he longed to be with his Lord. Those words were an indirect challenge to love the Lord so much that, as a widow longs to see her love again, that we transcend that love and cry and weep in longing to see our Lord again.
"Desiderio Domini"
Friday, May 4, 2012
The Lies of The Enemy
This week I've really been realizing the battle in the spirit. I heard a very wise woman in my church say Sunday in a conversation, "When you play hard ball you battle hard ball." So much truth in that. The more you seek Jesus and find Him the more war you are going to face. There was a situation that I witnessed that was pretty demonic and just disturbed my spirit if I may say. Through all the stuff that was said I felt the enemy speak through this person saying, " I have things to say and what I have to say is pretty interesting." When I heard that my stomach dropped because I know it was a message from the Devil to my church and to my life. I hung onto those words for the past couple days. The words were true. The Devil does have some interesting things to say. If he didn't then people would not be under deception of false religions and ideas. The problem with those interesting words is that they are all lies.
I've experienced the lies of the Devil in my own life that I constantly have to denounce. Being called into full time ministry has came with some fears. My biggest fear that I have is not where God will place me, who I am supposed to minister to, or what I would have to say, but rather how I could possibly support the family God has for me. Ever since I got complete confirmation of my call about two years ago that fear has lingered with me. I've had people speak into my life that I need something to fall back on because I wouldn't be able to support a family. I knew it is not what God has for me because I know the calling and dreams God has for me and there would be no way to accomplish it and be used for His Glory without being focused on ministry and family. There has been times in prayer I've cried and pleaded with God to make sure I would always be able to sufficiently provide for my family. That lie has at times become crippling and discouraging, permeating fear within my heart. I got freedom from that lie one night unexpectedly in my CORE Discipleship group. We were having a conversation and my Pastor whom I look up to and view as a Spiritual Father said that when he felt God moving him to Essington he thought that he would not be able to support his family on the church salary and would have to get a job at Home Depot ( Praise God that He made way). I felt the demonic presence come back and as I sat there listening my palms got sweaty, my heart was racing, and I felt as if I could just cry my eyes out. Then before I could even think the name of Jesus, I went into the vision where I knew the Father was there in this room. I could not see Him, but I knew He was there. Then I heard The Father say, " I have not called you to part-time ministry or Sunday ministry, but I have called you to full-time ministry." I felt the demonic oppression just break because now I have heard the voice of God and the promise that God had for me.
I say that to show that the lies of the enemy is very real. Everyone, Christian or not, hear and respond to the voice of the Devil. The Devil does nothing but lie. He couldn't tell the truth even if he wanted to. When you listen and feed into hearing the lies of enemy it can become a stronghold in your life. The solution is to get your mind on Christ and be sensitive to His mind and Spirit. It is not an easy discipline but it is necessary to live a "Victorious Life." The enemys' lies come in so many forms and as Christians we need to TRAIN ourselves to ask God to reveal the lies and strongholds the enemy has in our lives. It is the only way to make it through. Lies are a war tactic for the enemy and when we press and learn the Truth of God the enemy loses a battle tactic. What soldier would not want to battle hard? It is crucial that Spirit-filled Christian get Heavenly and War minded and go to battle in the Spirit, not for our sake, but for the sake of the lost.
" God still sits on the Throne and the Devil is still a Liar."
I've experienced the lies of the Devil in my own life that I constantly have to denounce. Being called into full time ministry has came with some fears. My biggest fear that I have is not where God will place me, who I am supposed to minister to, or what I would have to say, but rather how I could possibly support the family God has for me. Ever since I got complete confirmation of my call about two years ago that fear has lingered with me. I've had people speak into my life that I need something to fall back on because I wouldn't be able to support a family. I knew it is not what God has for me because I know the calling and dreams God has for me and there would be no way to accomplish it and be used for His Glory without being focused on ministry and family. There has been times in prayer I've cried and pleaded with God to make sure I would always be able to sufficiently provide for my family. That lie has at times become crippling and discouraging, permeating fear within my heart. I got freedom from that lie one night unexpectedly in my CORE Discipleship group. We were having a conversation and my Pastor whom I look up to and view as a Spiritual Father said that when he felt God moving him to Essington he thought that he would not be able to support his family on the church salary and would have to get a job at Home Depot ( Praise God that He made way). I felt the demonic presence come back and as I sat there listening my palms got sweaty, my heart was racing, and I felt as if I could just cry my eyes out. Then before I could even think the name of Jesus, I went into the vision where I knew the Father was there in this room. I could not see Him, but I knew He was there. Then I heard The Father say, " I have not called you to part-time ministry or Sunday ministry, but I have called you to full-time ministry." I felt the demonic oppression just break because now I have heard the voice of God and the promise that God had for me.
I say that to show that the lies of the enemy is very real. Everyone, Christian or not, hear and respond to the voice of the Devil. The Devil does nothing but lie. He couldn't tell the truth even if he wanted to. When you listen and feed into hearing the lies of enemy it can become a stronghold in your life. The solution is to get your mind on Christ and be sensitive to His mind and Spirit. It is not an easy discipline but it is necessary to live a "Victorious Life." The enemys' lies come in so many forms and as Christians we need to TRAIN ourselves to ask God to reveal the lies and strongholds the enemy has in our lives. It is the only way to make it through. Lies are a war tactic for the enemy and when we press and learn the Truth of God the enemy loses a battle tactic. What soldier would not want to battle hard? It is crucial that Spirit-filled Christian get Heavenly and War minded and go to battle in the Spirit, not for our sake, but for the sake of the lost.
" God still sits on the Throne and the Devil is still a Liar."
Friday, April 27, 2012
Finding a Habitation for the Lord
"Surely I will not enter my dwelling house or get into my bed--I will not permit my eyes to sleep or my eyelids to slumber,
Until I have found a place for the Lord, a habitation for the Mighty One of Jacob." Psalm 132:3-5
For the past few weeks I've really felt God's hand strong in my life. I've had the privilege to be hearing Him clearly. Prayer time has been sweeter and worship has become matchless. I could and have easily spent just hours soaking and praying these past few weeks. During listening to one of countless worship sessions the worship leader went into a spontaneous song relating to Psalm 132. David possessed a crazy passion for God and His House. David could not tolerate that as King he could have this huge opulent palace and God's dwelling was just a tent, the same Tabernacle used since the Exodus. David's passion for God's House was so radical as he worshipped he could see his wife's disdain of his public affection to God ( 2 Samuel 6:16). David's desperation for building a permanent structure for God's dwelling was so amazing that instead of throwing his "royal weight" around he chose to pay FULL PRICE for the land. That's passion. In the end God had other plans, and David's son Solomon was going to be the one to build the temple for the LORD.
Where am I going with this? David's passion for God and seeing God being visibly lifted up is the reason why God said He was man after His own Heart. The more time you spend with God the more you're forced to look inward and really examine where you position Him. There are two types of people you can be when it comes to the presence of God. You can be a David, showing radical care and passion for God and where He is placed. You can also be a Uzzah, disobedient and irreverent when it comes to handling the presence. It is a fine line, hot and cold, black and white. There is no fence when it comes to the Presence of God. You're either on fire and passionate for it or your heart is hardened towards it.
I've had time to examine how I've handled the Presence. I've looked and saw that primarily I was a David, but there were things that made me an Uzzah. God put a proposition before me. To be fully David or fully Uzzah. There are things that have to go if you are going to be a David. There are some TV shows, some friends, some attitudes, and some desires that have to get kicked to the curb. Choosing to be hungry and thirsty for God has a price. Being a fan of God is easy, but being a follower requires dedication and perseverance. Handling the Presence properly is costly. God requires more of you. After all He doesn't have that wide of a selection because most decide to take the Uzzah way out.
When I apply Psalm 132:3-5 to current day life it singles out the dedicated from the uncommitted. I am forced to ask myself how long am I willing to pray and seek God to make sure He is in the highest place in my life. It forces me to say God I am so thirsty and I am so hungry to see You get Glorified that I am willing to spend all night and spend days asking You what to do to have all the Glory pointed to You. When I think of the vision and dreams that David must have had about seeing God lifted up it encourages me and sets a standard for me. I don't have to build this huge temple for God now, but I don't believe that this set of Scripture loses meaning and purpose. However, I believe it is a word of challenge and proclamation for every Follower of Christ. To put the flesh aside and to put everything aside to put God in the High Place of my life. There can not be a thing I'm willing to hold on to if Jesus calls me to get rid of it. I must find the proper place for the Lord in my life. Not just a shelf, but a place where He can be seen for all to admire.
" I will not rest until I found a place for You, My voice will sing, and my feet they will dance."- Steffany Frizzell
Steffany Frizzell- The More I Seek You
Until I have found a place for the Lord, a habitation for the Mighty One of Jacob." Psalm 132:3-5
For the past few weeks I've really felt God's hand strong in my life. I've had the privilege to be hearing Him clearly. Prayer time has been sweeter and worship has become matchless. I could and have easily spent just hours soaking and praying these past few weeks. During listening to one of countless worship sessions the worship leader went into a spontaneous song relating to Psalm 132. David possessed a crazy passion for God and His House. David could not tolerate that as King he could have this huge opulent palace and God's dwelling was just a tent, the same Tabernacle used since the Exodus. David's passion for God's House was so radical as he worshipped he could see his wife's disdain of his public affection to God ( 2 Samuel 6:16). David's desperation for building a permanent structure for God's dwelling was so amazing that instead of throwing his "royal weight" around he chose to pay FULL PRICE for the land. That's passion. In the end God had other plans, and David's son Solomon was going to be the one to build the temple for the LORD.
Where am I going with this? David's passion for God and seeing God being visibly lifted up is the reason why God said He was man after His own Heart. The more time you spend with God the more you're forced to look inward and really examine where you position Him. There are two types of people you can be when it comes to the presence of God. You can be a David, showing radical care and passion for God and where He is placed. You can also be a Uzzah, disobedient and irreverent when it comes to handling the presence. It is a fine line, hot and cold, black and white. There is no fence when it comes to the Presence of God. You're either on fire and passionate for it or your heart is hardened towards it.
I've had time to examine how I've handled the Presence. I've looked and saw that primarily I was a David, but there were things that made me an Uzzah. God put a proposition before me. To be fully David or fully Uzzah. There are things that have to go if you are going to be a David. There are some TV shows, some friends, some attitudes, and some desires that have to get kicked to the curb. Choosing to be hungry and thirsty for God has a price. Being a fan of God is easy, but being a follower requires dedication and perseverance. Handling the Presence properly is costly. God requires more of you. After all He doesn't have that wide of a selection because most decide to take the Uzzah way out.
When I apply Psalm 132:3-5 to current day life it singles out the dedicated from the uncommitted. I am forced to ask myself how long am I willing to pray and seek God to make sure He is in the highest place in my life. It forces me to say God I am so thirsty and I am so hungry to see You get Glorified that I am willing to spend all night and spend days asking You what to do to have all the Glory pointed to You. When I think of the vision and dreams that David must have had about seeing God lifted up it encourages me and sets a standard for me. I don't have to build this huge temple for God now, but I don't believe that this set of Scripture loses meaning and purpose. However, I believe it is a word of challenge and proclamation for every Follower of Christ. To put the flesh aside and to put everything aside to put God in the High Place of my life. There can not be a thing I'm willing to hold on to if Jesus calls me to get rid of it. I must find the proper place for the Lord in my life. Not just a shelf, but a place where He can be seen for all to admire.
" I will not rest until I found a place for You, My voice will sing, and my feet they will dance."- Steffany Frizzell
Steffany Frizzell- The More I Seek You
Saturday, April 7, 2012
The power of a testimony
As I sit here at a concert and the singer sing about her testimony and the friends of hers testimony I really am amazed at how great God is. The singer is singing the testimony of a friend at my table. How great God has been to people in my immediate circle.
Being a Christian isn't easy and it doesn't seem to be the greatest thing in the world at times but its so rewarding. This post isn't deep or have any biblical revelation but purely that I myself remember that Jesus is the Savior and He is in the business of cleaning and redeeming. I look at the faces of the people in this room and I wonder what their story is. The different ways God has shown up in their lives. What way did He call to them? What chamber of Hell did He have to go to just to save one soul? He holds the keys to everyone's heart and He knows their love language. I think probably for a good few hours every day how someone could turn away from God and choose not to follow Him. To hear in song and in words the things Jesus does blows my mind and renews my spirit. WE OVERCOME BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND THE POWER OF OUR TESTIMONY!
Monday, March 26, 2012
We Found Love
" We Found Love in a Hopeless Place,"- We Found Love- Rihanna
It is a rare occasion that I actually listen to secular music. However, as few nights ago I had the intentions of listening to christian music, I logged into Pandora and a secular channel came up. The first song that came up was We Found Love by Rihanna. Hearing people sing it all the time I knew some of the words and the beat. The song itself was catchy. Little did I think that one 4 minute song would spark something in me. Long after the song was finished I found myself singing the chorus repeatedly. " I Found Love in a Hopeless Place." I'm sure the writers of the song really didn't intend for it to have a spiritual parallel, but leave it up to me to make something spiritual out of nothing.;)
As I was walking to the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal it really hit me what I was singing. We Found Love in a Hopeless Place. Jesus Christ in His grace and mercy rescued His brothers and sisters from a hopeless place. Each and every Spirit- filled believer found Love in a hopeless place. Before Christ we were undoubtedly heading to a Hell where there is no liberation. A pit of fire where it is hopeless to get out. Whether you have this whole elaborate testimony that came from this deep dark place or you lived a "good" life you found love in a hopeless place.
Some Christians found love in a physical hopeless place. My favorite salvation stories have to be the ones that Jesus visited a Muslim or Jesus rescued a victim of sex-trafficking. I become amazed at how far God is willing to go to freely give love. He doesn't ask for much in return just your whole being, which when you really find love becomes natural. There are many people I've come in contact with that God has rescued them from a dark place where it is only by the grace of God that they are alive or living in a worse condition. Some really great stories of redemption and love. It's encouraging seeing what God is able and willing to do. Scripture says he will leave the 99 to go for the 1. What a love that is. Willing to leave everything and pursue the one that everyone else would find insignificant.
A few days after having a revelation about God's redemption I keep thinking about the problems worldly people face. They are bound in the anxieties of tomorrow. My God says do not boast in tomorrow because tomorrow is not guaranteed. People are in depression and have nervous breakdowns because of tomorrow. They are in a hopeless place of fear. They fear tomorrow and the problems, but they don't realize they can find Love that takes care of today and all your days.
Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
It is a rare occasion that I actually listen to secular music. However, as few nights ago I had the intentions of listening to christian music, I logged into Pandora and a secular channel came up. The first song that came up was We Found Love by Rihanna. Hearing people sing it all the time I knew some of the words and the beat. The song itself was catchy. Little did I think that one 4 minute song would spark something in me. Long after the song was finished I found myself singing the chorus repeatedly. " I Found Love in a Hopeless Place." I'm sure the writers of the song really didn't intend for it to have a spiritual parallel, but leave it up to me to make something spiritual out of nothing.;)
As I was walking to the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal it really hit me what I was singing. We Found Love in a Hopeless Place. Jesus Christ in His grace and mercy rescued His brothers and sisters from a hopeless place. Each and every Spirit- filled believer found Love in a hopeless place. Before Christ we were undoubtedly heading to a Hell where there is no liberation. A pit of fire where it is hopeless to get out. Whether you have this whole elaborate testimony that came from this deep dark place or you lived a "good" life you found love in a hopeless place.
Some Christians found love in a physical hopeless place. My favorite salvation stories have to be the ones that Jesus visited a Muslim or Jesus rescued a victim of sex-trafficking. I become amazed at how far God is willing to go to freely give love. He doesn't ask for much in return just your whole being, which when you really find love becomes natural. There are many people I've come in contact with that God has rescued them from a dark place where it is only by the grace of God that they are alive or living in a worse condition. Some really great stories of redemption and love. It's encouraging seeing what God is able and willing to do. Scripture says he will leave the 99 to go for the 1. What a love that is. Willing to leave everything and pursue the one that everyone else would find insignificant.
A few days after having a revelation about God's redemption I keep thinking about the problems worldly people face. They are bound in the anxieties of tomorrow. My God says do not boast in tomorrow because tomorrow is not guaranteed. People are in depression and have nervous breakdowns because of tomorrow. They are in a hopeless place of fear. They fear tomorrow and the problems, but they don't realize they can find Love that takes care of today and all your days.
Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Choice Is Yours
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9
Our lives are based upon a series of choices. Choices that are significant and seemingly unimportant. We constantly make choices without even realizing it. As humans God has given us the freedom to make our own choices. What we do what that freedom is what we will one day answer for before God. God has given each and every person free will. Free will means that we have the ability to live with or without the consciousness of God. We have a substantial choice that at some point in our live we must make. That choice is if we give everything to Jesus and repent for our ways or we decide to ignore the love of God. There is a right and wrong choice. This choice makes the difference from an eternal paradise with the One True God or an eternal punishment in Hell. It is probably the realest choice one could ever make.
As a Christian we have the harder end of life. Being unsaved is the easiest way to walk through life. The only mentality that an unsaved person is aware of is the "me" mentality. What ever makes me feel good, what ever pleases me, whatever gets me ahead. Contrarily, a Christian must be in the constant pursuit of having the mind and heart of God. To reach this privileged state required an abundance of choices. Uncompromising choices. Choices being made with God in mind. Choices that do nothing but glorify Him. Yes, as humans we naturally make choices that aren't the smartest or best, but after we make a mistake making the choice to return our hearts and our affections back to God.
There are choices we must make in our everyday life. We must choose to worship. The real question is what we will worship. Worship is not a song or music. Worship is simply where our affections are at a given moment. You can worship a product, a TV show, a sin, and/or a person. You choose to do all those things. It is easy to choose to worship the things of the world. Worshipping God gets uncomfortable. It gets tiring and lonely at times. It is not easy to live a life of worship to God. It takes discipline, perseverance, and heart that many people do not have. It is not easy reading the Bible. It is not easy taking time to pray. It is not easy to have your heart and affections pointed at God at all times. Deuteronomy gets boring, praying gets stale, secular entertainment and people are too good. It is more fun to watch TV and listening to some booty shaking music than reading the Bible and listening to worship music at times. When it gets to the point that your relationship with God is getting boring or mundane its even more crucial that you CHOOSE to focus on God.
There are mornings where I walk into church and the last thing I want to do is stand there and lift my hands and abandon my being to God in worship. But I choose too. God has done all He possibly could to come to me and fill in the space and when there is space between us it is because I chose to put someone or something in that space. I will never understand how there are people in the church who claim to love God and be "Spirit-filled" and CHOOSE to sit during worship and text. How disrespectful. How irreverent. The enemy hates the worship of Jesus Christ. God loves it. The Bible says our worship triggers something in God and He literally stands up and dances and shouts over us. How could someone CHOOSE not to partake in that glorious cause and effect.
Another major choice we have is what we think. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (Philippians 4:8) These are the things God commands us to think on. It is not easy to think that way. It takes training and refining. You must be self-controlled and spirit-controlled to think positively. Today I was sitting in class and as I was praying and going to God saying I don't want to... and before I could even finish the sentence God spoke, " You don't have too. You choose too." Those words pierced my heart and brought my heart to repentance. Daily I chose to sin against God and give my affection to another place. We choose sin. Sin starts in the mind. The first thought of sin should be rebuked and casted out by choice. When the enemy speaks we should never sit back and feed the thought and flesh, but habitually make the choice to quote scripture and change our thinking.
God lets us roam freely and make our own decisions. Our lives all come down to one choice. Choosing to accept Jesus and never taste death or reject Jesus and reap eternal punishment. If you chose Jesus your exposed to a whole new realm of choices. Your life becomes about choosing to seek and go deep. It becomes about who your going to worship with Your whole heart. I ploy you to choose to run the race full force and ride the wave of the Glory. All Blessing and Honor, Glory and Power, be to Him.
"If I were doing something that the Bible condemns, I have two choices. I can straighten up my act, or I can somehow distort and twist and change the meaning of the Bible."
Our lives are based upon a series of choices. Choices that are significant and seemingly unimportant. We constantly make choices without even realizing it. As humans God has given us the freedom to make our own choices. What we do what that freedom is what we will one day answer for before God. God has given each and every person free will. Free will means that we have the ability to live with or without the consciousness of God. We have a substantial choice that at some point in our live we must make. That choice is if we give everything to Jesus and repent for our ways or we decide to ignore the love of God. There is a right and wrong choice. This choice makes the difference from an eternal paradise with the One True God or an eternal punishment in Hell. It is probably the realest choice one could ever make.
As a Christian we have the harder end of life. Being unsaved is the easiest way to walk through life. The only mentality that an unsaved person is aware of is the "me" mentality. What ever makes me feel good, what ever pleases me, whatever gets me ahead. Contrarily, a Christian must be in the constant pursuit of having the mind and heart of God. To reach this privileged state required an abundance of choices. Uncompromising choices. Choices being made with God in mind. Choices that do nothing but glorify Him. Yes, as humans we naturally make choices that aren't the smartest or best, but after we make a mistake making the choice to return our hearts and our affections back to God.
There are choices we must make in our everyday life. We must choose to worship. The real question is what we will worship. Worship is not a song or music. Worship is simply where our affections are at a given moment. You can worship a product, a TV show, a sin, and/or a person. You choose to do all those things. It is easy to choose to worship the things of the world. Worshipping God gets uncomfortable. It gets tiring and lonely at times. It is not easy to live a life of worship to God. It takes discipline, perseverance, and heart that many people do not have. It is not easy reading the Bible. It is not easy taking time to pray. It is not easy to have your heart and affections pointed at God at all times. Deuteronomy gets boring, praying gets stale, secular entertainment and people are too good. It is more fun to watch TV and listening to some booty shaking music than reading the Bible and listening to worship music at times. When it gets to the point that your relationship with God is getting boring or mundane its even more crucial that you CHOOSE to focus on God.
There are mornings where I walk into church and the last thing I want to do is stand there and lift my hands and abandon my being to God in worship. But I choose too. God has done all He possibly could to come to me and fill in the space and when there is space between us it is because I chose to put someone or something in that space. I will never understand how there are people in the church who claim to love God and be "Spirit-filled" and CHOOSE to sit during worship and text. How disrespectful. How irreverent. The enemy hates the worship of Jesus Christ. God loves it. The Bible says our worship triggers something in God and He literally stands up and dances and shouts over us. How could someone CHOOSE not to partake in that glorious cause and effect.
Another major choice we have is what we think. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (Philippians 4:8) These are the things God commands us to think on. It is not easy to think that way. It takes training and refining. You must be self-controlled and spirit-controlled to think positively. Today I was sitting in class and as I was praying and going to God saying I don't want to... and before I could even finish the sentence God spoke, " You don't have too. You choose too." Those words pierced my heart and brought my heart to repentance. Daily I chose to sin against God and give my affection to another place. We choose sin. Sin starts in the mind. The first thought of sin should be rebuked and casted out by choice. When the enemy speaks we should never sit back and feed the thought and flesh, but habitually make the choice to quote scripture and change our thinking.
God lets us roam freely and make our own decisions. Our lives all come down to one choice. Choosing to accept Jesus and never taste death or reject Jesus and reap eternal punishment. If you chose Jesus your exposed to a whole new realm of choices. Your life becomes about choosing to seek and go deep. It becomes about who your going to worship with Your whole heart. I ploy you to choose to run the race full force and ride the wave of the Glory. All Blessing and Honor, Glory and Power, be to Him.
"If I were doing something that the Bible condemns, I have two choices. I can straighten up my act, or I can somehow distort and twist and change the meaning of the Bible."
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Be Still and Know That I AM GOD
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Many times I've sat in church services and wondered what would God say if we just sat there and waited for Him to speak. One of the greatest experiences I've ever had with God is in the alone quiet times hearing His voice for that season. The one thing I believe my church is good at is during Wednesday night prayer is we stop for a moment and listen. However, I've been in other churches and services where the roar of worship and the shouts of our adoration have drowned out the quiet gentle whisper of the One we are longing to hear from. What would God say if we just stood there after the final worship song and were still? No words, no preacher speaking, no music, just silence. I feel the church gets uncomfortable with the silence and we feel the need to fill every second with sound that "pleases" God, but could the most pleasing sound to God at that moment be just the sound of hearts yielding and expecting Him to speak? If we took a moment and asked God where are you putting me this week, who here needs a word, who out there needs a word, who can I lay hands on, who can I take to lunch and let them vent. How much more functioning would we be in the gifts if we just waited to hear how we could be used in it. One thing I've noticed in churches everywhere is that people are unaware of the gifting that God has placed inside them. Christians are walking around in the battle without a gun or without knowing what weapon that God has implanted in their very DNA to capture a soul. Why is that? They don't ask and listen. We have become very good at saying, "Hey God, am I supposed to be a prophet? Teacher? Worship Leader? or Greeter?" but we fail to listen to the answer and we try positions that God has not designed us for and we go back to sitting in the pew confused and frustrated once again.
Lately I've really been going through lessons that God has been wanting me to learn. At times it's frustrating and extremely overwhelming, but at different milestones of this season you get to see what God has done and is still doing. I don't believe that us as Christians can go through these refining seasons without being still and hearing God's loving rebuke and encouragement. Let me personalize it, when we constantly get rebuked (in love) by other Christians we tend to get offended and undeniably snippy with them. Since we cannot humanly grasp God (THANK GOD) we often identify God subconsciously as human. As well, some how in our humanness we believe God is wrong and has no clue what He is doing. Convicted yet? We tend to get mad and offended with God. When we make a point to spend time with God, especially in those seasons, we get the revelation of God's love and purpose for the season. How does one get these revelations? By LISTENING when reading the Word, by sitting and LISTENING, and after praying.....LISTENING. It's amazing what happens when we take the focus off of us and listen. Some people's Word of the Lord for their life is simply Shut Up! Shut up with God and other people. I am naturally an observant and quiet person, but when something is upsetting me I need to talk. I believe everyone needs to do that on occasions because it's Biblical to distribute the burden. If you're always talking and talking and distributing your burden, but not listening to an other's God-given direction or their need you are robbing yourself from peace and a blessing. We all have met that person who talks and talks and talks and you can't get a word in edgewise. How frustrated and annoyed do you get? Imagine God for a minute. All you do all day is talk and all He asks is simply for 5 or 10 minutes that He can help YOU, but you in your pride and ignorance believe you have the better answer for the problem and surely will tell God all about it. The One who knew how to create a World, how to design and fashion a human, and how to sustain everything He created, has the answer to every one of our problems and is freely giving it us if we listen. It's just so simple. Listen. Just listen. We can listen to the negativity in our life, or the gossip of our neighbors, or we can take time to listen to secular music or TV, but not listen to the One who gives and takes away.
Words can't describe God the incomprehensible peace that comes with knowing Him. The Anchor in the waves, The Solid Rock, The Cornerstone, The Steadfast Love, The Strong Tower, The Victorious Warrior, The Giver of Life. My Jesus is all of them and much more than I could ever put into words. "God's loyal love couldn't have run out, His merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left." (Lamentations 3:22-24 MSG)
There's nothing I'd rather do in the refining time or the up times then listen to the Word of the Lord and Be Still and that HE IS GOD.
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