Flash Light

How many of you old school listeners of the Group, Parliament, remember their song “Flash Light”? The opening lyrics goes like this: Now, I lay me down to sleep, Ooh, I just can’t find a Beat, Flash Light (Oh, I will never Dance!) I use to play this song right before conducting my faith experiment while in college. It wasn’t that I had hidden my faith before, but I had come to school not thinking it would ever be a need for me to tell anyone. You see I was afraid of the Dark. Strange that it was this song that motivate me, “I decided to just kind of feel it out, like, how would it be if I just brought it up in random conversations, with people I did not know. You see the song Flash Light was strange and Random.

In the Gospel of John, we are called to be a light and proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to all those we meet. It is our responsibility as we join Jesus on his mission. But how are we to do that when the world may feel like a brood of vipers? How can we be a witness in a politically-correct world that seeks to push us out of the public square and confine us to the pw? How do you share your light of Faith with others?Jesus is called “the true light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9).

The Lord is my light and the one who saves me. I fear no one. The Lord protects my life. I am afraid of no one Psalm 27:1

Who’s afraid of the dark? I’ll bet that all of you at a time in your life you were afraid of the dark. At least sometimes. There are times now when we get a little afraid of the dark. Now most adults do not want to show they are scared but there are times in an uncomfortable unfamiliar place we get concerned or are scared of the dark at times. Especially when it’s really dark outside without the moon or stars or any kind of light, lots of people even big people like myself may feel alarmed. 

Once as a kid, my mom and I laid down on the kitchen floor. We close our eyes and pretended that it was really dark. We imagined it was late at night and we’re getting ready to go to sleep. You see as a kid I was really afraid of the dark. She even kissed me and said good night, and said our prayers; my mother was trying to help me deal with the darkness of my life. But I still needed the light on. In my mind I was still just lying there in the bedroom in the dark. I even heard a creak outside of the kitchen window. What could it be? Where’s the flash light I yelled, Whew! This flash light saved the day-I mean night. In today’s world we would have a night light!

Those little light help us to see there’s nothing to be afraid of. The night light helps us sleep.

Lately, I have been thinking about our soul. In the sense of when we seriously are converted to the service of God. We in general, spiritually are nursed and caressed, as an infant by its loving mother, nourishes us with her own sweet milk, feeds it with tender and delicate food, carries it in her arms, and fondles it. As the child grows up the mother withholds her caresses and anoints them with the juice of bitter aloes; she carries the infant in her arms no longer, but makes it walk on the ground, so that losing the habits of an infant, it may apply itself to greater and more substantial pursuits.

The grace of God, like a loving mother, as soon as the soul is regenerated in the new fire and fervor of His service, treats it in the same way. We all suffer. Yet few of us suffer in the way of Job or Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Most of us do not experience a mystical dark night, but we experience the everyday, run-of-the mill dark moment. This dark moment could be the feeling of loneliness, depression, or being unappreciated; it could be suffering from financial difficulty, discomfort at work, divorce, or simply not knowing how to parent a rebellious child; it could be that awful experience of terminal illness, of a broken marriage, or even the death of a child.

About two years ago, I learned about a good Christian friend whose adult son had committed suicide. I know that for a long time they experience many natural dark nights during that time, and I imagine they will continue to have many, many more. The question is how do you respond to His presence, or his perceived absence, in your daily life. 

Do you allow the dark moments to smother your faith, or do you turn to God in prayer, begging for patience, for strength, and for a renewed faith? Is your faith so shallow as to love God only when you get something in return, or do you love Him despite the darkness that comes and goes? These are the questions the saints had to face during their dark nights, and these are the questions that you must ask yourself in your dark moments.

“The night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light”. Romans 13:12

Like a mother who takes small steps away from her child learning to walk, god also steps away, all the while calling you towards Him. He has not turned his back on you. Rather, He wants you to love Him and walk towards him without constant dependence on your own standards of pleasure, peace, and happiness. Only then, when you are employing, can He fill you with His very own pleasure, peace, and happiness. And then you will wonder why you ever questioned Him, why you ever desire anything other than Him, and why you ever hesitated to endure the purgation required to become one with Him.

The Bible tells us God is a night light. Sometimes the light is bright, like when the shepherds were in the fields outside of Bethlehem watching their flocks. Other times God’s light is soft. It’s like a night light. It gives us just enough light to see we don’t have to be afraid.

God promises to be with us at all times. God is with us during the day and in the night. So, we don’t need to be afraid of the dark. Because if God is our night light, what do we have to fear?

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), Ephesians 5:9

God Bless You and This Ministry!

“Loving Encouragement”

 “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” Psalm 36.9

A shout out to my old school friend “God”. The Bible says that Abraham was God’s friend (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). They had a relationship of respect and obedience. This does not mean that Abraham was sinless, but he trusted God to lead where he was supposed to go. When God spoke to Abraham he immediately obeyed. Even though he was obedient to God, Romans 4 makes it clear that his salvation was not earned by works, but through faith in the  promise of God for a Savior.
Lovingly I also ‘holler’ to those of you , from the past and present. Who helps me with the light while in my darkest hours. Often the voice resonated, “Sugar Bear Let your gentleness Shine out of gloom”; as I reminisce on these words, “Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came”. There is no need to walk in the darkness of sin and death; in Christ, we “will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”. John 8:12

 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

By itself, light is invisible; and yet everything is invisible until light strikes it. So, it is with God: awe can’t see him, but “in his light” under his loving influence we see and understand his love in all that surrounds us. God’s overwhelming generosity stands in complete contrast to the self-important plotting of wicked humans’ beings.

That is why we should clap our hands preaching the good- good news as we Join Jesus on his mission daily bridging between the City lights, in a distant noise of loud songs of Joy saying:

Proud to Be An 

Christian Alum

Go 

“Jesus is Lord”!

When God said, “Let there be light,” at the creation, and light appeared, it showed God’s creative power and absolute control. The physical light that God made on the first day of creation is a wonderful picture of what He does in every heart that trusts in Christ, the True Light. “I am the Light of the world” John 8:12

You see we as disciples in Matthew 5:14-16 we are shown as the light of the world. Just as the moon has no light of its own, reflecting the light of the sun, so are believers to reflect the light of Christ so that all can see it in us.  Let us maintain a sound and obvious witness in the world, a witness that shows us to be faithful alumni’s, God-honoring, trustworthy, sincere, earnest, and honest in all that we do giving an account of hope we have (Peter 3:15) for that gospel Light for all to see and benefit from, that they, too, may leave the darkness and come into the Light.

God Bless You and This Ministry!

Giving you notice, “Focused on Christ”?

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are one earth.Colossians 3:2

Lately the voice of religiosity has been yakking to me loud and clear; most times during different bible studies and general conversation as I join Jesus on His Mission. You see the term is used to refer to excessive involvement that goes beyond the norm for a person maybe of a similar faith. But it causes me to ask the question often in class, how are we different than the world? 

My question is not based on milk but a reminder, we are not of this World! Usually I get a legalistic Sunday school Confirmation lecture from those true believers. They sound so instructive that centers around a promotion of religion, Not based on “Christian religion” which is “the faithful observance of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles.” Is anyone Listening? Let’s be gracious to one another using wisdom with love is my cry: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters” Romans 14:1.

Sadly, there are those who feel so strongly about non-essential doctrines that they will run others out of their fellowship, not even allowing the expression of another viewpoint (making them become silent). Critical spirits are no fun to be around; neither are they fun to possess. That, too, is legalism. Many legalistic believers today make the error of demanding unqualified observance to their own biblical understandings and even to their own traditions and rituals. For example, there are those who feel that to be spiritual one must simply avoid saying how and I, because you forget to include the Holy Spirit (you fill in the blank, etc.). The truth is that avoiding these thingamajigs is no guarantee of spirituality.

So, Is it an individual belief or the content of the actual religion? Though a bit different, legalism is somewhat akin to it and the,” Band does not know it is playing, the same song over and over”. You see have we become creatures of habit both Christians and non-Christians using this,” religiosity” to refer to those who have replaced their God with their religion.

Now I am very watchful here and remind my selves that we do not know the thoughts and intentions of others. While we need to be courteous to one another and patient of disagreement over disputable matters, we cannot accept heresy. We are exhorted to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints Jude 3. If we remember these guidelines and apply them in love and mercy, we will be safe from both legalism and heresy. 

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” 1 John 4:1.

In some of my bible classes we listen to the teacher’s explanation of the why’s (defining that as sin) of the worlds when you ask,” how do we stay focused on Christ”. But for us like minded Christians, religiosity occurs when we focus on church activity, rules that often go beyond actual biblical commands, tradition, and pet doctrines rather than on relationships with God.

Even those who follow Christ can find it tough to stay fixated on Christ. This is when our teachings from the Bible offer to help us stay focused? In Matthew 13, Jesus gives the parable of the sower that includes insight in this area. In explaining the parable, He shares, “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” You see the cares of this world and desire for wealth can cause people to no longer be focused on Christ.

So, what can Christians do to steer clear of religiosity? Being active, obedience to God’s commands, traditions, and doctrinal discussions are not wrong. It is a matter of heart. When our motivation to obey or to be involved in religious activity is opposite of who we belong to, who we are, our purpose in life involves looking good to others to earn our salvation, rather than to love God and bless Him, we have bought into the religiosity of “me”.

Focus daily on the truth of the Gospel-that we are sinners saved by grace into a life-giving relationship with our Creator Ephesians 2:8-10; John 10:10. Then we need to join Jesus on his mission wholeheartedly and practice the following: seeking the kingdom, hearing Jesus, doing good in the community and pray as He changes us completely, making us new 2 Corinthians 5:17;1 Peter 1:3 

Why is it so hard to see the world for what it is: a sin-filled place of desperate need. The darker the world is to us, the more clearly the light of Christ will stand out. It’s not hard to focus on a light in a darkened room. “We . . . have the prophetic message as absolutely trustworthy, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” 2 Peter 1:19. Those who stay focused on Christ will find their perspective on worldly things changing. We need to stop wallowing, whining, and complaining and grab onto God’s joy. Just like salvation, joy is a free and perfect gift from Him, and we must reach out and accept that gift focusing on Christ and his eternal Kingdom.

“I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief”. Ecclesiastes 1:16-18

As Helen Lemmel says in her hymn, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, / Look full in His wonderful face, / And the things of earth will grow strangely dim / In the light of His glory and grace.”

God Bless You and This Ministry!

“Allow the Wind of God to Transform You”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Gal 5:22

I use to often wonder what this means, “The fruit of the Spirit” was it a statement about the moral strength developed by the power of the Spirit? The nine-character qualities are a unity, a perfectly formed Christlike character. Paul in this verse has expressed his desire to see Christ formed in the Galatian believers (4:19). Now he describes what they will be like when that formation is complete. These character qualities are not a new list of laws or moral codes that must be kept; they are the result of living and being led by the wind of the Spirit.

Have you ever put your hand in front of a fan when it was turned on? Did you feel or see a little gentle wind? Thinking to myself! who feels or sees puffs of air from a fan? Wind is invisible. You know you feel it but how can you prove it’s really there to someone who doesn’t believe you? Could a pinwheel in front of a fan help? Putting the pinwheel in front of the fan now you can see that there is a wind because it turns the pinwheel.

Wind cannot be seen, but its effects can be felt and heard — just like the Holy Spirit. The only way you can “see” the wind outside is by what it moves-trees, windsocks, or flags, for instance. When they are moving you know there’s a wind. Did you know that the original name for the Holy Spirit was wind? That’s right. The old Hebrew word for spirit means wind. We cannot see Him, but we can feel the effects of His presence and His power. On the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:2 says, “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” If we look at the comparison of wind to the Holy Spirit in this verse we see what can be learned about why the Spirit came in this manner on the Day of Pentecost and what this means to you and me.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you are bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We read in the New Testament that when Jesus left earth and the Holy Spirit came there was a mighty wind. We also know that when you believe in Jesus and accept him as your Savior, his Holy Spirit lives inside of you. I hope you feel God’s Holy Spirit close to you, loving and helping you. One of the hardest things to do is let others see God in us. How can you and I prove that Jesus is inside of us, that his Holy Spirit is blowing through us? It’s like the problem we had to prove there was a breeze coming from the fan. The moving pinwheel showed there was a breeze. Our actions prove that God’s Holy Spirit is in us. He makes us kind, considerate, joyful, and patient, and will also give us many other good qualities. Even though others can’t see God, when they see these good qualities in us they will be seeing God at work. 

But you, my friends, keep on building yourselves up on your most sacred faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20)

Obedience to God is how the filling of the Spirit is maintained. Ephesians 5:18 commands that we be filled with the Spirit; however, it is not praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit that accomplishes the filling. Only our obedience to God's commands allows the Spirit freedom to work within us. Because we are still infected with sin, it is impossible to be filled with the Spirit all of the time. When we sin, we should immediately confess it to God and renew our commitment to being Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.

Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God’s gift, the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

Let’s shamelessly speak out that we will not be satisfied until a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit has blown upon us to give divine life and pleasing energy. Without this life, we can only do what human power can do, but when the Spirit blows His marvelous wind upon us, suddenly I/you am empowered to do what we could have never done before. Daily — right now joining Jesus on his mission — I am opening myself to challenge you to join in on the rushing mighty wind of the Holy Spirit.  Acknowledging that we are ready recipient’s, and we are readily receiving a fresh intentional awareness of this divine wind to empower us for God’s service.

God Bless You and This Ministry!

“Power of the Noise”

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Col. 3:17

How much of your life has been spent on performing persistent habits of fitting in for “an insinuated definition of legitimacy”? Lately I have been thinking to what end? Do you have to agree even in wordless silent during the rhetoric of self-righteousness? Especially in those things that give temporary displeasure, release or seem to be the right thing to do while listening to something you agree with but know it’s not loving your neighbor. You see as I have gotten older, I have struggled with the Pharisee spirit in the form of judgment with-In the Christian bubble. Thankfully, a real encounter, as I join Jesus on his mission changed that. 

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[ and hate your enemy. ‘But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”, Matthew 5:43-44

While people might not be “Pharisees” anymore, the Pharisee spirit still exists. Sadly, it’s the number one reason why so many people want nothing to do with Jesus or His followers.

Of course, the noise of life seems to be a great gift suitable at the time during a controversy discussion. But is this a happy experience or a Pharisee joyful thing. I’m starting to think that the modern world has transformed the person who listens with “Love” into a minion soul as folks use the “Power of the Noise”. How well they sound with fatal arrogance, pride of being right as the Pharisee; modernity exalts the man who is drunk with images and noisy slogans, while killing the heart of a man” with words focusing on what they hate than what they love.

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!    Everything is meaningless. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
    the more knowledge, the more grief”

 Ecclesiastes 1:2;18

Am I the lesser man who listen’s? How much do we listen? Am I dying? I’ve been guilty of this many time myself. I’m writing this because we as Christians are better than this; just a thought, what would happen if we took a twinkling to reflect and ask ourselves if we are being “little Christs” or if we’ve really got it wrong with our defensive words. 

A word is much like toothpaste. Once you let it out you can’t take it back. But if you could try taking a tube of toothpaste and squeeze quite a large quantity out onto a plate and put it back into the tube wouldn’t this be a problem. My question, can’t you just stuff it back in? Well, now I know I’ve asked you to do the impossible but once toothpaste is out of the tube you can’t put it back.

Words are much like this tooth paste. Once we let them out of our mouths we really can’t take them back. This means we should be careful of the words we let out of our mouths. But do we? Even though this means we should be careful of the words we let out of our mouths sometimes the words we use are when we are angry, emotional are during times of prideful debate.

For instance, some of the things we say may be true but are hurtful and are not very nice and we don’t really mean what we say. It’s at times like this that we ask the person we have hurt to forgive us. But even if the person forgives us he or she will have a hard time forgetting what we said. There is nothing you or I can do to completely take back something terrible we have said. It’s like too much toothpaste being squeezed from the tube!

Words are not simply sounds caused by air passing through our larynx. Words have real power. God spoke the world into being by the power of His words Hebrews 11:3, and we are in His image in part because of the power we have with words. Words do more than convey information. The power of our words can actually destroy one’s spirit, even stir up hatred and violence. They not only exacerbate wounds but inflict them directly. Of all the creatures on this planet, only man has the ability to communicate through the spoken word. The power to use words is a unique and powerful gift from God.

There is only One who can control the tongue. Only by God’s Spirit living within us can we hope to gain control over our tongues. He convicts us when we sin with our lips, and that conviction drives us to repent and pray for more filling of the Spirit so we can avoid further sin. As we cling to Him and yield to Him in obedience, He controls us more and more, including our tongues.

What is to be done? Being able to say words and communicate thoughts and ideas is a marvelous gift from God. Let’s not misuse this wonderful ability by speaking words that hurt people. While many people have quit smoking or drinking by the power of the human will, the problem of the heart and tongue cannot be solved by human will power. It takes the power of the resurrected Christ within us to control the tongue, and that power is available only to those who turn their lives over to Him. As with so many things in life, “with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”. Matthew 19:26

The only way to get rid of the “Power of the Noise “spirit, is repentance: A total U-turn of the heart!

• Begin self-reflection and examination on a daily basis.
• Measure yourself to the life of Christ, not just in holiness and righteousness, but in love, mercy, selflessness, humility, service, and wisdom.
• When you see an opportunity to speak into someone’s life, speak into THEIR life; not defensive about them to everyone else. But in Truth!
• Acknowledge that you cannot read someone’s heart and looks can be deceiving.
• Ask for forgiveness from the people you have wronged.
• Accept correction when reprimanded and apply the truth to your life.
• Be slow to speak and slow to wrath.
• Remember that it’s okay to mess up sometimes as long as you learn and grow.
• Most importantly, have a personal relationship with Jesus every day.

“From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit”. Proverbs 18:20-21

God Bless You and This Ministry!

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“Artistic Sketches”

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit”. Jeremiah 17:7-8 

in Jeremiah 17:7-8 it is saying, don’t be discouraged if you feel shaken, but remember that you can stand unshakable because the Lord is the source of your strength and the source of your righteous. By way of Him, we can stand unshakable like the tree. It also reminds me that no matter what is happening or coming my way, I will not be knocked down. I can feel the arrows of doubt and disbelief trying to penetrate my heart to shake me up, but I sense a strong fortress, that is rock hard, protecting me.  With each trial I go through, the Lord changes me and strengthens me.

Have you ever thought about, the benefits or detriments of a root fully meaning onlife? How do we join in the situation where we are able to reach a better steadiness in our spirited growth”? A desire to play the part in which the existence of brilliance as opposed to something whose future is going to be limited or terminated. Simply speaking"What does the Bible say about the brilliances of being Artfully rooted in Christ?"

You see the first mention of this root of art in the Bible is in Exodus 31.God is instructing Moses to create a tent for the ark of the covenant, and God mentions several artisans whom He has chosen to create “artistic designs” to beautify the tent. God says, “In the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill.” We learn two things about God’s view of art in this passage: He likes it, and He is the source of it. He wants man to create beautiful things, and their skill in doing so is from Him.

Art that glorifies God must have the same two properties as the designs created in Exodus 31. First, it ought to be “artistic”; that is, it must be creative, well executed (a good representation of the object) and well crafted (well made). It must have worth as an object of value centered in Christ. Second, plus, I think it should be something of which the artist can say, “God put it in my heart to make this.” God dwells in “the perfection of beauty” which created as a “God-glorifying art, rooted in his glory. (Psalm 50:2), and His holiness is beautiful (1 Chronicles 16:29 and Psalm 29:2). 

It's human nature to be intrigued by the origins of things. Centuries have been spent investigating the origins of life, behavior patterns and genealogy, and this fascination with beginnings isn't limited to theological or scientific study. Plants are a recurring motif of significant metaphors about spiritual growth and our relationship with Jesus throughout the Bible. The use of plants and roots in these instances are symbolic of our connection to Christ, the necessity of it, the advantages of being rooted and what happens if we're not rooted in Christ and are rooted in something else. The language of origins has long formed part of our everyday conversations and continues to do so. 

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and over flowing with thankfulness.” Col 2:6-7

At this point during our mission with Christ, I am thinking about two “Christian Flower Gifts” today. One of the flowers is a cut flower. It is a normal gift that is meant to be placed in a vase with water. The other flower is a potted plant. One of these flowers will last much longer than the other. It will also be able to hold up better under bad conditions. The mystery is, do you know which one is in my heart? If you are thinking as I, it’s the potted plant that will last longer. You would be right. It is better off because it has roots! The cut flower will only last a few days and then will have to be thrown out because it has been cut off from its roots.

The Bible says that if we want to be the good and wonderful people God intends us to be, we must be rooted-rooted in Jesus Christ. Now of course the Bible doesn’t mean we should have actual roots. It means that we should be very close to Jesus, sticking by him at all times. Being rooted in Jesus means we depend on him. Jesus will give us the strength to handle problems. We won’t have to wilt in tough situations like this cut flower and keep on living the good life God wants us to because we are rooted in Jesus.

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me”. Psalm 16:8

I’m sure we all have some problems right now. Your problems may have to do with friends, illness, marriage, when we hear bad news or doom ahead or finances,all of us have trials including me. But if we stay close to Jesus-stay rooted in him-we’ll turn out ok.

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world”. 1 Peter 4:12  

God Bless You and This Ministry!

The Inner Life

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”. 1 Peter 2:9

By what right have we become “a royal priesthood”? It is by the right of the atonement by the Cross of Christ that this has been accomplished. The continual inner-searching we do in an effort to see if we are what we ought to be generates a self-centered, sickly type of Christianity, not the vigorous and simple life of a child of God. Until we get into this right and proper relationship with God, it is simply a case of our “hanging on by the skin of our teeth,” although we say, “What a wonderful victory I have!” Then don’t worry anymore about yourself, but begin to join Jesus and do as Christ has said, in essence, “Pray for the friend who comes to you at midnight, pray for the saints of God, and pray for all men.” Pray with the realization that you are perfect only in Christ Jesus, not on the basis of this argument: “Oh, Lord, I have done my best; please hear me now.”

But that would have you notice things about yourself, like not wanting to be told what to do? Especially when it comes to directions or that all Christians are to be priests; you see the Christian church is actually a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6) We must mediate Christ’s love into a dark and troubled world. Just as priests are agents of reconciliation to God and others, so are we to be such mediators not just “Fans in the Stands”?

Some people will wander around for hours, complaining aimlessly and totally be lost before stopping to ask for directions and use the status given to us by God to carry a message to minister to others in a way that leads people in the Church and in the world to be reconciled to God and to each other.
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The same thing happens when putting things together. Usually when we get a new piece of furniture, or new computer software, the first thing we do is take out the parts, or the disk, and start working. Look at the manual? Forget about it! Often, we end up with odd parts left over or haven’t the faintest clue how to use the new program once its installed. If we had just used the manual we would have saved so much trouble, and gotten a much better result.

When it comes to life we often react the same way. We don’t want anyone telling us how to live, especially if it is of a different philosophy, tradition or family upbringing. We just go on living as we always have making it up as we go. We have a manual, a book of directions it’s the Bible. We should read it; understand it, live by it. But it’s a pretty big manual and many of us don’t take the time to read the whole thing. Just like when we buy a program we don’t look for the manual, we reach for the little card labeled Quick Start. It gives us just what we need to get by until we are ready to delve in deeper.

In the past, have you ever thought about the following questions: What is an intimate relationship with God? Are we prepared to purposely disregard ourselves and launch out into the priestly work of prayer? Why isn’t there a little Quick Start guide to those question in the Bible? Not for only answers to that question, but ones about our relationship with ourselves, and our relationships with others, both in the community of believers and in the world. Realizing that there is no “quick start” to a deeper life with God. When we listen, follow Gods plan, and look for answers inwardly (the Bible), we no longer give people, institutions, or traditions authority to define who we are or what we can become. Those relationships aren’t like a packet of microwave popcorn that you can pop and enjoy three minutes later. Christian spiritual relationship takes time, effort, and most of all trust in God to grow deep. Remember we Christians are appointed, chosen, and ordained to this role of ambassador or priest, we might be reluctant to take the responsibility that is ours but He has given us a ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18).
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Ultimately, we have to remind ourselves that it takes great listening, maybe a different style, risk, as well as study, to develop an inner life with God. As we worship together each weekend, as we share our lives in small groups, as we serve together, and we give together, God helps us put down deep roots and understand there is only one place where we are right with God, and that is in Christ Jesus. Once we are there, we have to pour out our lives for all we are worth in this ministry of the inner life.

In summary, believers are called "kings and priests" and a "royal priesthood" as a reflection of their privileged status as heirs to the kingdom of the Almighty God and of the Lamb. Because of this privileged closeness with God, no other earthly mediator is necessary. Second, believers are called priests because salvation is not merely “fire insurance,” escape from hell. Rather, believers are called by God to serve Him by offering up spiritual sacrifices, i.e., being a people zealous for good works. As priests of the living God, we are all to give praise to the One who has given us the great gift of His Son's sacrifice on our behalf, and in response, to share this wonderful grace with others.

May God never allow us to settle for anything other than authentic community relationships being intentional and join Jesus daily in our 100 foot circle of friends and neighbors, so we can grow deep together and be reminded it’s not about “self”. It’s about God!

God Bless You and This Ministry!

Does God Feel Far Away

“Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant and whoever of you desives to be first shall be a slave of all.” Mark 10:43-47

It’s one of the most common or uncommon experiences of my Christian life. How about you? God feels far away, like he’s hiding himself, or at least withholding his reviving presence. You feel deprived, dry and anxious for a sense that he is still there, still listening, still caring. But you can’t seem to eke out a prayer because sometimes those songs of prayer feel empty, and they seem to return with an echo sound of setbacks fueled with a suffering heart. 

Let me point you to the biblical pattern in answering to that question. It is as if the Bible hears you ask the question and answers it. And the sum of the answer is: Seek him continually and wait for him. Seek him and wait for him. So here is the seek part from Psalm 27:8-9,“You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, O Lord, do I seek.’ Hide not your face from me.” 

Sometimes my inner recesses are projected with a zeal to seek that happiness so much for the Lord That often it is shown by the way I ask questions or when I get fearful, my silence. Especially when I’m reflecting about scripture. I’ve notice as I join Jesus on his mission as I interact with others, I’m left with the songs of suspected sorrow (where are you, Lord?) Why are you hiding yourself from me? I am your child, so why, does it feel like you are ignoring my cries, I need your words. How long will I seek you, only to find silence? My languishing, O Lord the delay makes me fearful. O my God!  Does that resonant with you!

If this sounds like the cry of your heart. Be comforted-you’re not experiencing anything new or abnormal. You’re in the same boat as a multitude of other Christians who have gone before and now walk with Jesus. A comfort in this reality.

Yet I’m unable to put my finger on it exactly because it happens a lot even at church. Noticing an effort of modeling which is rare courage these days as this Faith Journey happens, trying to show true grit, inviting people on this trusted benefitable spiritual trial is a truth of witness that needs an awakening.

Being a former athlete, my metaphor would be,” Having a Bad attitude of self in mind” which can ruin the team or in this case the Body of Christ?

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:6-10

Just recently a young man was riding a stationary bike next to me at the gym. The young man’s agitation, abnormal focus was apparent by his posture, and high frequent pacing on the bike. With the help of the holy spirit, I noticed he had a Green bay Packers shirt on and I asked him if he was a fan. He responded no, I’m just wearing the shirt. You seem to have a lot on your mind, would you like to tell me about it?

He began to share his story; you see for me, not fully being able to cradle his fragile heart, since my experience’s, feeling far from God was a frightening experience as well, I asked him if we could pray first, he said yes. Listening intently. His cry was that he has always been a rebellious and argumentized person. Apparently, he had argued with a dear close friend and his friend told him to leave and never to contact him again if he is just going to argue. Because of pride it drove him through the door. Days pasted by. But today on social media he read his friend had committed suicide. Without saying a word, I listened to his songs of suffering and at the end we prayed shock hands and I could see his temporary relief in his smile(I see the young man often at the gym and we talk often).

After the young man left all I could think of was Psalm 22. You see David’s cry in psalm 22 sounds a lot like ours: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Ps 22:1-2

Man, first of all, when you don’t feel God’s presence, rely on his character. His reign reminds me that he’s presents everywhere. While I may not feel he is near. He is Yet his holiness tells me I don’t deserve to be near him. But our reigning, holy God has given us the free gift of access by Christ’s blood. He’s given us what we don’t deserve-the freedom to draw near to his throne of grace with confidence.

So, when we feel God has forsaken us, we rely on what we know to be true: God’s holiness reigns, and he has granted us endless access to his presence. May we persevere with hope by running to God’s Word. In his perfect timing, may we let his truth transform our feelings, especially when the question,” Does God Feel Far Away?”. Let his truth transform our feelings, that we may be able to sing to others: 

God has heard when I cried to him.”

God Bless You and This Ministry!