Rise up!!

This morning as I skimmed through facebook reading the news highlights, I felt as though I was in some futuristic movie.  As different images flashed through my mind, I thought; “How is it that I find myself in a world that is seemingly out of control and crazy…crazy enough to be some scary futuristic movie?” I wasn’t fearful.  It just felt very surreal. Instantly I heard; “Keep your eyes on Me and not on the situations.”  Amen!!  Thank You, Lord for wisdom, guidance and comfort!!

 

Yes, we are living in crazy times on this planet, but, we were born for such a time as this.

 

Rise up!!  We all have a part in this.  We were created with specific gifts, talents, purposes, etc.  Do you know what your part is?  Have you sought God for your purpose in this life or are you floundering…unaware of why you’re here?

 

Don’t let the troubles of this world cause you to doubt your calling or purpose in life.  Don’t allow the rising of evil to get a hold of you.  As the dark gets darker…and, it will continue to get darker, the Light will get brighter as darkness will never overcome the Light.  John 1:5

 

Don’t let fear overcome you.  Look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, as Christ followers.  Hebrews 12:2  Remember, even though it may seem like things are out of control, ultimately, God is in control.  He is all knowing.  He’s not surprised by anything that has happened or will happen and He has made a way. Isaiah 55:9,  Job 37:16   Put your trust in Him.  Don’t listen to those who cry out that our prayers are not working.  They have no idea what they’re speaking of.  They are lost.  Continue to pray…and pray for the lost…Jew and gentile, alike…terrorist, Satanist, agnostic, and the slumbering Christian, just to name a few.

 

Folks, we are in the midst of the great falling away.  There will be only black and white…no gray.  When all is said and done, which side will you find yourself?

 

I have read the last chapter in the Book and I know who wins.  Never give up!! Christ will prevail!  Rise up and be who God created you to be!!

Prayer changes things!!

A few days before all the ruckus hit about the Starbucks coffee cups, a friend informed me of it and asked me what I thought.  I told her that it didn’t matter to me.  This is a coffee shop that by no means has ever professed to be a Christian company.  I said what would bother me more is if a Christian company deliberately took Christmas out of advertisement, etc to appease the masses.

 

We’re not dealing with the flesh, we’re dealing with spirits.  There are good spirits, angels… and bad spirits, demons and power and principalities.  When we deal with people, this is what we’re dealing with.  Ephesians 6:12   I wasn’t trying to demonize anyone, but rather trying to make a point.

 

Why should we expect a “non-believing company” to follow Christian teaching?  We shouldn’t.  To expect companies to be “Christian” when they’re not Christian is sort of like legalism.  When Christians…NO… “Christians” attack others for not upholding our traditions of celebrating the birth of our Savior, aren’t they being legalistic?  It’s like telling someone that they need to clean up their life before they approach God.  NONE of us can clean ourselves up.  Isaiah 64:6  Only God can clean us and make us white as snow.  Isaiah 1:18  A non Christian company trying to appeal to the Christian community is no more a Christian company than a person sitting in a garage is a car.  It doesn’t work that way.  And, for the life of me, I wonder just how long it’s going to take the church to understand this?

 

If we want to win the lost to the Lord, we have to make ourselves available for the Lord to work through us.  That…is a sacrifice.  We have to walk along side people, loving them, maybe even while they’re still in sin.  We need to be Jesus to them with the hope of winning them to the Kingdom of God.  Love never fails.  Have we forgotten where we’ve come from?  Have we forgotten that Jesus walked along side us, loving us even while we were sinners?  Aren’t we supposed to be Jesus to others?

 

This supposed lashing out of Christians against Starbucks is ridiculous.  And, I’ve heard a lot of people running their mouths about this.  Some are against the “plain red cup.” And, some are so “spiritually superior” that they say they don’t even know a Christian who is so selfish to speak that way.

 

Prayer!!

 

Prayer changes things!!

 

When are we, as the Church, going to understand that prayer is the answer?

 

I have to tell you that it doesn’t bother me to drink my coffee out of a plain red cup.  I visit Starbucks nearly every day.  I do enjoy the coffee, but anyone who knows me, knows that this is where my ministry is.  I will continue to have my coffee here until the Lord leads me elsewhere.  God sends us to the lost and the broken because it’s His will that all would be saved.  2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4  Are we too good to reach out to the lost and broken?  If we are, I wonder if we’ve truly had a Christian conversion…or perhaps one is just “playing church?”

 

Think about it folks.  Pray about it.  Ask God how He would react to this “red cup,” and then ask yourself how you should really respond.

 

If we want to change the world for the Kingdom of God, it’s not by legalistic ruling.  It will happen by being the hands and feet of Jesus…loving our neighbor as ourselves.   

Let's Get Down...Down to Earth...

Not long ago I had a conversation with someone about God and all that is happening in the earth today.  Our thoughts were centered on our “want” for all people to be saved.  But then something happened. We disagreed on something.  I was shocked, and their words caught me off guard.  I’m sure my facial expression showed it, too.  I won’t say what the topic was.  That’s irrelevant.  But, what is relevant is how we relate to other people…people in and of the world.  As followers of Christ, we are only passing through this world.  Heaven is our home.  We are in the world, but that doesn’t mean that we should be like the world.  How then, as Christ followers, are we to reach the lost?

 

Over the past two plus decades that I’ve been following the Lord, I’ve noticed something. When followers of Christ set themselves above the world, whether knowingly or unknowingly, they cannot reach the world effectively, if at all.  We have many in the church who think they have it all figured out.  They have money and everything they would want or need.  They have set themselves above others.

 

Reverence for God is paramount.  Reaching the lost is paramount.  How do we do both without falling into sin or legalism?  We, as the collective Church, cannot seem to get this.  Jesus was accused of being a wine bibber and keeping company with sinners. And yet, He still did not sin. He set the example for us. Many are following in His steps, but many still choose to set themselves above the world.

 

I have attended churches that will not allow folks with a sordid past be in any type of leadership for whatever reasons.  I almost find this humorous. Who then should lead in the church setting? All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23-24 Paul, who called himself the chief of sinners, wrote the majority of the New Testament!! Has that fact been forgotten by the Church? (We must be repentant followers of Christ who are committed to Him.)

 

One of my favorite sayings is that you shouldn’t look down on another person unless you’re reaching out your hand to help them up.

 

Several years ago, I seemed to hit a road block on my path with the Lord. I was down and out. I didn’t understand what was going on. I needed healing for massive hurts. The Lord led me to a couple of ministries. I was amazed at what I learned from God through these people. But then, people who I attended church with began to speak poorly of these teachers of God’s word…not knowing that I listened to these people. I began to pray and ask God to show me if I was being deceived. God simply asked me, “Did listening to these people bring you closer to or further away from Me?” My answer was “closer.” He said, “Don’t worry about what those people say.”  Looking back, what I find interesting is that these people didn’t care about what was going on in my life (or anyone who wasn’t in their circle…cronyism). What they cared about was lifting themselves up because of their “knowledge” of the Word. They were so “high and mighty” that they couldn’t see others around them who needed the love and encouragement of God. They were only concerned with putting down the teachers who were “not doing things the way they would do them”…according to their rules and regulations. They had knowledge of the word, but the question is: Were they living out the word?  Were they allowing themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit?

 

When I look around this amazing world and beyond, I see creativity that at times I cannot comprehend because of the vastness, detail, and immaculate order. There are no two people who are the same, no two trees, blades of grass, birds, insects, etc. God’s creativity knows no bounds. In words that cannot even come close to describing Him…He. Is. Amazing!!  Now, I ask you; why wouldn’t He be creative in reaching the lost? Another of my favorite sayings is: There’s more than one way to skin a cat. (Not that I’d skin a cat…oy vey!!)

 

Years ago, I was picking blackberries on a hot July summer day. I was deep in prayer…one, because of snakes…and two, because I believe He was speaking to me in those moments. I have never spoken about what He spoke to me until now, nearly twenty years later.  As I searched, He would lead me to the blackberries.  I found so many blackberries that were hidden by branches,  leaves, cobwebs, and such. One berry in particular was deep in the branches and hidden away all by itself … a big plump, juicy, beautiful blackberry. God spoke to me and said, “This is the extreme I go to to find all who are willing to follow Me.” I remember this like it was yesterday. His creativity is fascinating, unfathomable…and knows no bounds.

 

We can know the word, set up rules and regulations for what our human minds know from the word. But, if we don’t follow the leading of the Holy Spirit(which sometimes doesn’t make sense to us…His ways are not like our ways) and apply what we learn from the word to a lost and hurting world, what good are we for the kingdom of God? For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23-2

 

GRACE

 

Grace is the answer. We can “be” who God created us to be to a lost and hurting world by relying on His grace. God’s grace will not lead us into sin. His grace will not set us above the world and keep us from interacting with sinners. His grace “fills” the spaces where we are lacking…or weak.  And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11  More rules and regulations are not needed in the church.  More understanding is needed…understanding of God’s word (not man’s)…understanding of the needs of others (not our own)…understanding of grace. We can know the meaning of something until the cows come home. But, if we don’t understand it and apply it, what good is our knowing?

 

I’m going to go out on a limb here because it just won’t escape my thoughts right now.  When I see 2 Corinthians 12:9-11…in this moment…I see “2 Corinthians” = God’s word… “12” = (God’s or divine) governmental perfection…”9-11” = a call for rescue or help in an emergency. In this moment, God is speaking that His people desperately need His help.(We are pretending to be strong when truly we are weak, sleeping, and lukewarm, but not admitting it.)  His ways (government) are perfect. His word is the living word (He may show you differently than He shows me).  He’s showing us that it’s ok to be weak. That’s why we need Him.  You might say, “Angie, that’s way out there!” Well, that’s ok. I see some things differently than you and you see some things differently than me.  As long as we’re serving the same Jesus…Son of the living God, Savior of the world, we don’t have to agree on everything.  We won’t agree on everything.  We just need to work together to save the lost. It’s not about splitting hairs about who’s “right” and who’s “wrong”…who has the most “education” or “knowledge,” who has the “most” and “best” programs.  It’s about reaching out to the lost and hurting.  It’s about knowing, understanding, and applying God’s word by being led by the Holy Spirit.  If I see that you do not understand me in a creative way that God has shown me (like the above), I’m not going to hold it against you and demonize you for it or force my views on you.  I will, more likely than not, drop it, if salvation does not hinge upon the topic at hand.

 

The church is so ‘busy’ being busy right now and has been for such a long time. But, are we truly doing all that the Holy Spirit is asking of us?  I believe that if we were, we would see a different world around us.

 

People, it’s time to get real.  It’s time to set aside petty differences.  It’s the petty differences that are keeping us from making a difference in this lost and hurting world.

 

Knowing the word is not enough.  Understanding the word and acting on it by being led of the Holy Spirit is what will make the difference.  Don’t set yourself above others.  We’re all on the same playing field in Christ.  God is the only One above us.

 

When you’re out and about in your world, look around and ask God to show you someone in need and then follow His lead.  It might be as simple as smiling at someone.  You never know what is going on in someone else’s life.  Don’t forget where you’ve come from.  You were once lost and didn’t know Christ.  Don’t assume you have it all down because you were born into a Christian family. Remember: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…ALL. 

 

Where is the Love?

You can have all wisdom, understanding, gifts of the Spirit, but if you don’t have love…you have nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-8

 

For the past week or so…the subject of the love of Christ has been on my mind with all of the crazy things going on in our world.

 

I have to tell you, I will never forget the first time I realized that my son was telling me that he loved me.  From the day he was born, I spoke the words, “I love you” to him.  I had not heard or spoken those words as a child growing up. But, a few years before my son was born, God got a hold of my heart and those words just came forth out of me.  To hear my son attempting to say them as some of his first words brought tears to my eyes…and still does when I think about it.  They are words that we speak often in our family now.

 

Today, I’m recovering from being ill over the past couple of days.  I finally felt like getting out of bed and needed to get out of the house, if only for a while.  I got in my car and just drove around.  I felt the Lord leading me out to the first house that David and I lived in as a married couple.  I really wasn’t sure why I drove out this way, but did it anyway.  In the process I saw two situations in the roadways that needed to be prayed for so I know that was part of the reason.  The other part of the reason was to remember a couple of things from that first house.  It has to do with love…or actually…the lack of it.

 

You see, twenty-four years ago, the area that we chose to live in was mostly inhabited by retired folks.  We moved there because we wanted to live in a house and not an apartment.  It was a nice first home for us…a young couple with limited financial means.  We were excited about having our first home.  What we found out through the following year that we lived there is that the neighbors around us didn’t really want us there. They didn’t seem to like us much or really at all.  They weren’t friendly to us. We weren’t retired.  We didn’t play golf.  We worked all day.  Anything that we did wasn’t good enough for our neighbors.  We were young and trying to make our way in the world, like them…perhaps 30-40 years earlier.

 

What came to my memory as I drove past the house is that the people around us weren’t loving or kind at all.  Instead, they actually made life harder for us.  I remember feeling judged.  I also remember them, heading out every Sunday and Wednesday to church…like clockwork.  Hmmm…where was the love of Christ?

 

I won’t go into the things that the neighbors did to make life challenging for us.  There’s no need for that.  In spite of all of this…God had a plan.  This is when I let Him truly get a hold of my heart…when He drew me unto Himself.

 

Now I say all of this for a reason.  Look around you.  There are plenty of folks out there who need to know that God loves them.  Do you see them?  These folks may not be in the place(s) that you think they should be.  That doesn’t matter.  It’s actually not up to you or me.  They need the love of God.  Don’t be the neighbor who makes it hard on the unbeliever.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a Christian all your life and your family has been Christians for as many generations as you can recall.  If you don’t have the love of Christ towards the lost, or anyone for that matter, what good are you for the Kingdom of God?  I’ll say it again.  If you don’t have the love of Christ towards the lost, or anyone for that matter, what good are you for the Kingdom of God?

 

Church…we have got to do a better job of loving others.  Today when I was out for my drive, a young man nearly hit me head on because he was driving too fast and somewhat out of control.  It was in the center turning lane that I had clearly secured before he came on the scene.  Once he realized what he had done, he corrected himself, but it took a few moments for him to do so and he was forced to sit in front of me for more than a just few moments.  I had the option to shake my fist at him and yell and let him know just how wrong he was and how he had almost caused tremendous trouble for us all.  Or I could calm myself; assess the situation, wave kindly in forgiveness as he corrected the error.  I chose the latter of the two, this time…  Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy as this was quite a scary moment for me.  He knew he had done wrong.  I could see it in his face.  I then chose to pray for him.  I don’t say this to pat myself on the back.  There have been other times where I have failed similar situations miserably.

 

We’re living in a society that, for the most part, has not been shown the love of God.  We have churches on every street corner here in the U.S., but we have a definite spiritual problem.  Part of the problem is a lack of love for God and also a lack of love for our fellow man...lost or saved.  Revelation 3:14-22  Folks…this is Babylon we live in and much of the church in the U.S. is lukewarm.  When we would rather look someone over, decide what or who they are because of the way they dress, their tattoos, the color of their hair or skin, what they drive, or even what comes out of their mouth, then turn them away because of our preconceived thoughts…we have a hardened heart towards our fellow man…period!!

 

We live in a time where so many could be won for the Lord if we would only do what God has created us to do.  Oh how God wants to hear the words, “I love you” from a newly saved son or daughter.  Just like the joy I had the first time I heard my son attempt those words, that’s how God rejoices over us and most likely much more intensely…whether a newly saved soul or one who has know Him for years.  He is overjoyed when He hears us proclaim our love for Him, our good, good Father.

 

Do you know how much God loves you?  Do you understand that He will go to any length that He needs to…to draw you unto Himself?  This is how we need to be to those around us who don’t know of God’s love just yet.  We need to be vessels that carry God’s love to the lost, hurting and broken.  We need to ask God to soften our hearts and give us compassion towards the lost.

 

Let me tell you, it’s not difficult to find Christ Followers who know it all and have it all figured out.  They’re sure to let you know and kindly “put you in your place.”  Is that really the love of Jesus?  Did Jesus verbally put down and run from those who didn’t know Him?  Or, did He spend time with them, showing them love and kindness, as well as speaking the truth?  He spent time with them.  (That doesn’t mean He joined in on the sinning…Jesus never sinned.    2 Corinthians 5:21) How do I know this?  Because the Bible tells me how the Pharisees criticized Jesus for spending time with tax collectors, sinners, and such.  Matthew 11:19  Actually, the people he criticized were the Pharisees…the religiously learned of the time. They were always trying to trip Him up or kill Him. Matthew 23:25-28  Wait a minute…do I see a parallel here…some two thousand plus years later…?  We have a whole lotta people who know a whole lot about God.  But…where is the love?  I don’t say this to be mean.  I say this because we, as Christ Followers, need to repent and make some changes.  The lost need Jesus.  We all need Jesus, not just a select few.

 

Where is the love of Christ in many of the Christ followers today?  Church…we can look around and see what a mess this nation is.  But, do we even consider that we’re a big part of the problem…if not the root of it?  We’ve been playing church for so long…entertaining ourselves…that we’ve…well, many…have lost the true purpose of the church.  Hearts are hardened.  We think “all is well” because we attend church every time the doors are open.  We put our tithe and offering in the offering plate and yehaw…all is well.  Church is not meant to be a social club.  I ask you…is the love of God flowing though your life to the lost and hurting in your day to day, moment to moment life?

 

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  2 Corinthians 3:17

 

Do you allow the Holy Spirit access to your life daily…moment by moment, or is He only allowed in at certain times?  If you call yourself a Follower of Christ, I urge you to ask yourself how or if the love of Christ flows through you.  If it does…is it when you’re at church only?  Is it when you’re around others who can see what you’re doing?  Or…does it happen at all?  Galatians 5:18-25

 

We, as Followers of Christ, have got to make a change.  If we don’t have the true, genuine love of Christ flowing through us…we have nothing…nothing.

 

I implore you to search your heart.  Seek out God and ask Him what you can change in your life to make a difference to the lost and hurting in your world.  It’s each of us allowing the love of Christ to flow through us to a hurting world that will make the difference in the lost gaining salvation through Christ.  It’s His will that none should perish.  2 Peter 3:9

 

Remember, if we don’t have love…we have nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-8  

He is God. We are not.

My sheep know my voice. They hear me and they follow me.  Matthew 10:27

 

We don’t get to decide who God is. He is who He is, like it or not, simply because, He is God.  We are not.  Exodus 3:14

 

You see, we have the freedom to choose Him…or not. He is God. We are not. We are broken, hurting sinful people who need repentance of sin and submission to God.  We need Jesus. When we truly and fully choose Him, we abandon our ways and want to choose Him and His ways. When we truly and fully choose His ways, we don’t knowingly refuse to follow Him. We learn to give up our will and make His will our will.  We crucify our flesh.

 

He is God.  We are not.

 

His truths are far beyond the “truths” of man.  Man’s own “man made, shaped, and formed” knowledge gets in the way of God’s wisdom.  1 Corinthians 3:19  says,

 

“The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”

 

Pray for those who cannot/choose not to see Him for who He is.  Choose to love instead of choosing to hate and/or separate.  The veil that hasn’t been removed is what keeps people from seeing Him and His ways.  Pray that God will remove the veil from the eyes of unbelievers.  Pray that hearts will be softened.  God has given us all the opportunity to come to Him.  He has given us all a measure of faith. Romans 12:3   It’s a matter of choice for each of us…not just a few of us…each and every one of us.  We have to choose to set our faith in motion. Choose to repent of our sin and follow Jesus fully.  Choose to love people who are still in sin the way Jesus loved us while we were still in sin. Romans 5:8

 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

 

Knowing what sin is and clinging to Him to overcome that sin is following Him, whatever the sin may be. (e.g., gossip, overeating, alcoholism, the occult, witch craft, lying, drugs, cheating, fornication, adultery, homosexual behavior, murder and the list goes on)  We cling to Jesus; trust that He will see us through to overcome whatever sin(s) we need to get rid of in our lives to be more like Him. We don’t wallow in it.  Knowing what sin is and knowingly choosing to wallow in it is not following Him.  We cannot wallow in sin and cry, “God’s grace.”  That is man’s way, not God’s way.  It’s one thing to sin and ask forgiveness while continuing with God to overcome an issue. It’s completely another to knowingly continue in sin without repentance. There is a definite difference.  Don’t choose denial, or bury your head in the sand, or cover your eyes from the truth.  Those are not legitimate reasons.

 

You see, we don’t get to set the parameters. God did that once and for all.    Job 38-42:2 ,     Ephesians 1:3-5  We can change our worldly laws to suit our sinful desires, and believe that “all is well”…but...

 

Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.

 

His silence does not equal His approval.

 

Justice will prevail…sooner or later…it will prevail.

 

I’m only a woman. A woman with very little education, compared to “worldly standards.” I don’t and won’t pretend to know the mind of God.  But, I wonder if His lack of immediate action is kindness and mercy on His part…giving us more than ample time to correct the error of our wandering ways?

 

Again…He is God.  We are not.  His ways are sovereign.

 

Not all who claim to know Him will make it to Heaven.  Matthew 7:20-23  Anyone can call themselves a Christian.  That doesn’t mean that they are.  Only God knows our hearts, but He did say there are ways to discern.  The true mark of a Christian is one who lives a life of submission to God, one who has the evidence of the fruits of the spirit.  Ephesians 5,         Matthew 7:15-20   Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.  His silence does not equal His approval. He loves His children unconditionally.  His children are those who repent of sin, take up their cross and follow Him…daily…not just on Sunday…not just when life throws you a curve ball…daily.  We must choose Him.

For those who are truly seeking His ways, His grace is sufficient.  2 Corinthians 12:9  His grace is not a license to sin…period…never has been…never will be.  A true follower of Christ is consistently working to be like Him. Philippians 2:12 

 

Doing what you want continually and crying “grace,” simply put, is rebellion.

 

Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.

 

Again…He set the parameters.

 

He is God.  We are not.

 

Yes, God loves us and His will is that all would come to Him for salvation.   1 Timothy 2:1-4  But, He forces no one to submit to Him.  That is not love.  Love is a choice.  Either you choose to love Him or you don’t. We are free to choose whatever we want.  But…remember this; we are not free from the consequences of our choices, whether good consequences or bad consequences.  It’s totally our choice.

 

We hold the key in our hand.  There are two doors set before us.  One has Jesus waiting for us, beckoning us to join Him.  This doorway and path leading onward is very narrow and not easily traversed.  The only way to continue on this path is with the guidance of Jesus.  It leads to our Heavenly Father.  On the other hand, the other door is easy to walk through.  It’s wide…easy to access the other side…no rules with an “anything goes” attitude.  And, it all looks fantastic from this side. But it leads to eternity in hell.  Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.

 

You see, we choose.  Either way, we choose.  Life on this earth is but a vapor compared to eternity.  James 4:14

 

Eternity is a long time.

 

Choose wisely.

Don't Box Him In...

The Holy Spirit is essential to believers in Christ Jesus. He is fully God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever which means He is still in the miracle working business, if you will. He has not changed. Hebrews 13:8  Only man’s attitude and beliefs about the Spirit of God has changed.

 

Don’t box Him in…

 

When Jesus was in His home town, He could do very few miracles, not because He wasn’t capable, but because of unbelief. Matthew13:53-58, Mark 6:1-5   In John 6:27-29, Jesus said, “This is the only work that God wants from you:  Believe in the One He has sent.”  Father God sent Jesus. Jesus died for all the sins of mankind.  Then He sent the Holy Spirit. John 16:7  Believe it.  His Holy Spirit is here for us…if we believe.

 

Don’t limit what He can and will do in your life due to unbelief.  Don’t let someone else’s personal opinion about what the Holy Spirit “can and can’t” do limit what He can and will do in your life. Don’t be the one who stops the miracles.  Believing is a choice!

 

In Mark 9:17-27, a man brought his convulsing child to Jesus to be healed. Jesus asked him if he believed.  The man said, “I believe, help my unbelief!”  Don’t be afraid to say that prayer for yourself. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve said that prayer…even this very day!!  Ask God to reveal Himself to you, and ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Don’t allow the enemy any room in your asking. 1John4:1  He will not fail us.

 

Don’t take my word for all of this.  Search out the scriptures. Ask God to show you. Trust and believe in Him. Step out in faith. He will lead you, guide you and show you what He wants you to know.

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your life. Too many people, churches, organizations, etc, for far too long have hindered or stopped the work of the Spirit of God due to unbelief. Be the one to say, “The buck stops here!”  Choose to believe the workings of the Spirit of God in the name of Jesus.  He will not lead us astray. He knows what we need better than what we know for ourselves.

Trust and believe. Trust and believe.

 

He will not fail you.    

 

Worship, Not Performance ... Commitment, Not "Going Through The Motions."

There's not a more insulting evaluation that could be made of me than for someone to say, "I think you just love music."  You see...it's so much more than that. (BTW…I forgive those who have spoken about me in this manner.)  It's about loving God and being all that He created me to be...a worshipper of the Most High.  It's about reaching out to others with the idea the common goal of worshipping God to the best of our abilities, no matter what our collective levels are musically. It's about working together as a team to bring glory and honor to the Most High.  And...I don't believe I can find the words to adequately express my feelings about how much I love God and just how important it is to me to bring my best offering.  David said in       2 Samuel 24:24 ... "I will not bring before my God that which cost me nothing."  You see...I learned this a long time ago.  I believe it.  I live it to the best of my ability...not just worship through music, but worship through every aspect of my life.  It's about stewardship and excellence...not perfection.  It's about worship...not performance.  It's about commitment...not "going through the motions."  (One of my favorite sayings is, “Let the worshipper arise and the performer diminish.”)

You see, I wasn’t raised in a Christian home.  I don’t have wonderful stories of how my family has loved God my entire life.  In fact, it’s quite the opposite.  When I realized that I had the talent of music, that’s exactly what I considered it…a talent, not a gift.  I was nearly 30 years old before I understood what an amazing gift it is that God has given me.  Up until that point, I had been a performer.  It was about performance…”Hey look at me…look at what I can do.”  That person doesn’t exist any longer.  That’s the “old woman”… not the Christ Follower, Angie.  You see, I am such a different person. Except for the fact that I still look relatively the same, I am not the same person.  I owe all of that change to Jesus.  He has changed me and will continue to change me for the rest of my life.  I owe Him everything.  So it’s surprising to me when someone would criticize me in this manner without making the decision to understand why I live my life so passionately for Christ…whether as a wife, mother, musically, financially, as a servant to the community, etc.  In all truthfulness, if I didn’t have the ability to live as passionately as I do, I don’t believe I would be where I am right now.  Life. Has. Been. HARD.  Hands down!! But Jesus…  Hallelujah!! 


So…I will continue down this path.  I will live my life passionately for Christ. I don’t believe in “going through the motions,” nor do I believe in “pushing people down to get what I want.”  It’s about living passionately led by the Holy Spirit.  In the times that are upon us, we need more passionate people for Christ…not luke warm Christians.  We need people who WILL speak the truth in love, not cover for someone’s lackadaisical attitude.  That’s what the church in the US has been doing for years, and look at the mess that this country is in simply because the church has not been what it should be.  Those aren’t my words.  Look for yourself at chapters 2 and 3 in Revelation.  Only 2 out of 7 churches were doing what Jesus approved of. 


I won’t apologize for my passion any more than I will apologize for being led to speak truth in love from the Holy Spirit.  We’re not to grieve Him.  When He leads us to speak, we either obey or not.  If I remember correctly, people who spoke the truth of God in difficult situations, they weren’t liked very much.  In fact, John the Baptist was beheaded for doing just that.


It’s about relationship with Jesus…not religion or religious traditions


Love God, love people…live passionately for both. Please God, even if it means not pleasing man.       

Superficial? A Wakeup Call to The Church.

Just now, my thoughts were drawn to a situation where someone, because of their insecurities, caused me to feel uncomfortable and unsafe whenever I was in their presence. (That being said, please know that God’s grace is sufficient in any situation.) I won’t describe the situation because that isn’t necessary.  What is necessary is sharing one very disturbing thing I see in much of our society…Christian societies,  The word “superficial” covers it.

 

Recently, I was reading an article and someone quoted a Christian visitor to the U.S. from abroad.  They said, “Christianity in the U.S. is a mile wide and an inch deep.”  I couldn’t agree more.  I think I may have broken out into applause when I read this.  It’s something I have felt and believed for many years.  In fact, although I love my Christian brothers and sisters, this statement is very accurate of, certainly not all, but much of the American Christian Church.

 

I ask you:  Does it matter what someone looks like…how they dress…how they wear their hair…what they drive…what school they attend…what sub-division they live in…what town they live in…OR what church they attend, etc.?  If we judge someone capable or incapable of sharing the truth of Jesus Christ simply because of some superficial characteristic they do or don’t possess, doesn’t that make us superficial?  And, what about someone’s past?  Because they were divorced, abused, physically, mentally or sexually, born poor, not raised in a Christian home, perhaps lived in a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, adultery, fornication, or homosexuality… if indeed, a person totally surrenders their life to God, making a true conversion, why should they be kept from serving God?  If someone is kept from serving God within a church by man because of a man’s inability to look beyond the surface or ones past…isn’t this being superficial?

 

Isn’t it the Bible, God’s word, that tells us that when Jesus died on that cross, He said, “It is finished.?”  Jesus took care of everything when He sacrificed Himself on the cross.  We like to quote those words, but do we use those words in our actions?  Of course God’s timing for each of us is up to Him and He does allow things for our benefit of growth.  Please understand that I do understand that aspect of the walk of a Christ follower.  But, all too often, I see favoritism, cliques and the like within the Church.  I have seen Christians discouraged because of superficial rules and regulations that churches place on people, deeming them, “not good enough” for service.  Really…is this God’s way of doing things?

 

Unlike man, God doesn’t look at our outsides nearly as much as He looks at our insides…our heart.  1 Samuel 16:7

 

About a year and a half to two years ago, I was going through what was probably the most difficult time I’ve had in my life.  And, let me tell you, my life has been a tough ride…not that I take pride in that or cannot look around and see someone else who has had it tougher than I have.  I want to keep a healthy outlook of who I am in Christ, where He has brought me from, and where He is taking me.  A counselor of mine once commented that I had been living in survival mode most of my life.  Once I thought about it, I couldn’t disagree with the statement.  Anyway, a couple of years ago, I was attending a church while all hell broke loose in my life.  Being led of the Lord at a special service, I went forward for prayer.  I explained what had been going on and asked for prayer.  I will say that God has addressed the issue that was at hand and I am seeing miracle after miracle in this situation…a situation that, quite frankly, I had given up on. (Never give up!!)  Now … all that aside … what I had to endure from those whom I asked for prayer from was ridiculous.  The next time I saw these people at church, they looked the other way, wouldn’t even acknowledge that they saw me.  In fact, it was nearly a year or more before they would even speak to me, let alone look at me.  And, to top it off, I was the topic of gossip.  It spread from these people to others who I was directly involved with within the church.  I cannot begin to tell you how hurtful this was.  I was a victim of circumstances, both in the situation I had asked for prayer for and then the ensuing actions of those who prayed for me.  I wanted to leave.  I wanted out.  I couldn’t stand how superficial and uncaring these people were.  All of this instead of support and kindness that I needed because of the issue I had asked for prayer for in the first place.  I couldn’t understand it at the time.  God wouldn’t release me from this church, even though I begged Him.  Eighteen months later, I still don’t understand the actions of these people (although I have forgiven them), but I can see how God is using it in my life.  If we allow Him to do so, He will use the hurts or bad things in our lives for His good.                      Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20  He will grow us and make us stronger.  Hallelujah!!

 

Now, I don’t believe God condones behavior like this.  This is not His way.  This superficial-ness and shallowness in our churches needs to leave.  It needs to be done away with…amputated!! (This is only ONE example over the past many years that I share at this time.)  I don’t say this as someone who is perfect.  I say this as someone who believes that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23  This superficial-ness and shallowness within the church is crippling the church!!  I am grateful that I was able to look past these people to God.  Unfortunately, many people leave the church for this same reason.  Many will not enter a church for this reason.  Unfortunately, they don’t realize that they need to look past hurtful people within the church and look to the only One who can heal their situation(s).

 

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus sends letters to seven churches of that time which directly relate to the churches of today.  Only two of these churches were/are doing what Jesus approved/approves of…only two!!  Don’t allow yourself to fall into the category of the five that Jesus didn’t approve of. 

Church, we have got to not only wake up out of our slumber, we have got to get real!!  We have got to deliberately make the effort to get away from being superficial, cliquey and self important.  It’s not about us!!  It’s all about Jesus.  It’s about allowing the Savior of all mankind to work through us to save the lost from eternal damnation in hell.  I would love to tell you that every person in this world I like and want to be friends with, but that would be a lie.  I don’t like every person I meet, although I do make the attempt to make a connection with all.  That is the truth of life in a fallen world.  But…never…NEVER…would I want anyone, even my worst enemy, to spend eternity in hell!!  It’s God’s will that we all would repent and that none would spend eternity in hell.  2 Peter 3:9  God’s heart is that we would all repent and choose His ways.  I truly want my heart to reflect God’s heart. Shallowness and superficial-ness is not God’s heart.

 

I pray that we would all examine ourselves…examine our motives…compare them to Jesus through the Holy Spirit and scripture to see where we fall short.  Jesus didn’t die, defeat death and resurrect back to life so that we could have a superficial, shallow religion.  He died so that we could have a true, neverending, meaningful relationship with Him.  John 3:16  And, because He laid down His life for us, we should also lay down our lives for others.  1 John 3:16

How do I measure up?

In the book of Revelation in the Bible, John, the author, has been exiled to the island, Patmos.  He was in exile there for speaking his testimony of Jesus Christ.  While worshipping/praying in the spirit, Jesus spoke to him the things that are recorded in the book of Revelation. Although it is a challenging book to understand, it is the only book in the Bible that says:  “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of prophecy, and keeps those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 So by simply reading it and doing what it says, one will be blessed.  Sounds like a good thing to me!!

 

Jesus tells John to record what He is speaking to The Church.  There were seven different churches of John’s time that Jesus was speaking to:  The churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  Revelation 2-3  These are Christian churches that had been under persecution and Jesus is evaluating them.  He let them know what they were doing correctly, but He also let them know what they were doing incorrectly, and how to correct their mistakes.  As I read these two chapters, I can see just how relevant these words of commendation, rebuke and needed action are to today’s church.

 

Below is a summary of the churches, their commendations, the rebukes of Jesus and the actions they needed to take to get back on track.

 

*The church of Ephesus had commendations of hard work and endurance, but the rebuke was that they had lost their first love.  Jesus called them to remember who their first love should be and repent.

*The church of Smyrna:  suffering persecution and poverty was their commendation.  Jesus found no reason to rebuke them.  Even in the persecution and poverty, they were faithful to Jesus.  The needed action he spoke to them was to fear not and to be faithful.

 

*The church of Pergamum remained loyal, but they were a compromising church; worshipping idols (idols of our time are:  money, cars, status, sex…anything put on the throne of our heart other than Jesus) and compromising in sexual immorality(adultery, homosexuality, etc.)  Jesus tells them to repent.

 

*The church of Thyatira’s commendations were love, faith, service and endurance, but they also were compromising and immoral.  Jesus tells them to repent.

 

*The church of Sardis was and effective church, however, they were a superficial church.  Jesus tells them to “wake up and repent.” (Whether in the church, or otherwise, we don’t have to look very far to see superficial people. Let’s choose to be authentic.)

 

*The church of Philadelphia was a faithful church.  Jesus had no rebuke for this church.  He called them to “hold on.”

 

*The church of Laodicea had NO commendation.  They were wealthy and “had need of nothing,” all the while not realizing that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.  Jesus found them to be lukewarm and said because they were neither hot nor cold; he would vomit them from his mouth.  His call to action to them was to be diligent and to repent.  (It’s not difficult to see this in today’s church as well.)

 

Take the time to read chapters 2 and 3 in Revelation.  Ask God to show you what may or may not apply to yourself these passages and apply and changes that need to be made.

 

Out of the seven churches that Jesus critiqued two…yes, only two churches did not need to be corrected.  Only two out of seven churches were doing what Jesus wanted them to do.  What does that tell you about our churches today?  No wonder we see so much negativity going on within the Body of Christ.  We are human…we need Jesus…period!  We need to be humble and obedient to whom He’s calling us to be.  Galatians 2:20 says:  I have been crucified with Christ; it’s no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Let’s be obedient!

 

If we find ourselves in a church like one of the five listed in Revelation, we need to pray for them.  Pray for their eyes, ears and hearts to be opened.  Pray how the Holy Spirit leads us to pray for them.  Also, and more importantly, we need to be diligent to keep ourselves on task.  We need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus.  He will not leave us or forsake us.        

Oops, I did it again...but hopefully not the next time!!

So…today I was working on a project… silent…listening for that still small voice.  My thoughts ran back to a few recent moments where I was…shall I say…a lot more than a little angry.  In fact, I was completely enraged.  As I worked on this project, my thoughts were, “God, I’m so sorry…it’s no wonder I feel like I’m not gaining any ground.  It’s no wonder I feel like I’ll never be used in the capacity in which I know I was created for.”  I was truly repentant and no, I wasn’t having a pity party.  For a moment, I had let in some bad thinking.  What was happening is...although…or maybe because I am repentant, the enemy wants me to believe that because of my recent meltdown…putting it mildly…I will never get to be all that God created me to be. That is simply not true!!  Guard your mind in situations like this.  Learn to know who is speaking to you.  The enemy condemns.  God convicts.  There is a difference.


Then I heard that still, small voice.  He said, “Even Moses got angry.  He broke the tablets that had the Ten Commandments on them.  You’re only human…which is why you need me.”


I could have just cried in that moment, but I didn’t.  I felt relieved, grateful and loved.  I thanked God for sharing that with me.  I thanked Him for everything.  And, although I don’t see this as a license to continue this behavior in moments of anger at all, I do feel as though I’m in good company. (But, aren’t we all?!  Moses!!  I can’t wait to chat with him some time when I get to heaven.)  


Yes, I had a completely good reason to be angry. But, there is never a good reason for me to sin…which is what I did.  In my anger, I could have reached out to God, but I didn’t.  I was good and angry and I didn’t want to let go of it at that moment.


I think the next time I’ll stop, calm down and call on God to help me out.  Be angry, but don’t sin.


Anger is an emotion that is God given.  Even Jesus got angry.  The difference is that He didn’t sin while he was angry.  I think I better keep that in mind the next time the emotion of anger comes knocking.  Do you ever have this problem…or is it just me?  ;D