Choose Love!!

As many of you know, one of my mission fields is at Starbucks coffee shop.  Over the past few years, I have become friends with a number of people of many different races, socio-economic statuses, etc.  There is a gentleman who has consistently been joining our group for the past two and a half years.  He traveled the world in his younger days, is quite a character and, for the most part, has been pleasant, until recently.  You see, the way I see this gentleman is where he is or isn’t in the Kingdom of God.  I know that God has brought him here because He has his mark on him…a mark for salvation.  According to the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, this person, we’ll call him “Merle”, is either a back-slidden Christian or he has never known Christ as his Savior.

 

As the group of women, with the exception of Merle, has progressed to hearing, understanding and accepting the gospel, Merle has become increasingly diligent in opposing me, personally…and he’s extremely verbal about it.  This is very much a spiritual battle.  Now, I choose love, as challenging as it may be in the real time of the situation.  I’m not going to allow myself to push him away because I know what, or rather who, is behind these attacks.

 

You see, it’s not flesh and blood that we contend with.  It’s the enemy.  Ephesians 6:12

 

I have set my mind to not allow myself to be offended by him because it’s more important to me that “Merle” find eternity in Heaven, rather than in eternal damnation.  I have to take this all the way back to the cross.  How long did Jesus wait for me?  Was I arrogant and rude to Christians as they were planting seed for the Kingdom of God?  Honestly, I don’t remember the answers to those questions, but I probably was rude and arrogant, and I’m sure Jesus was very patient the entire time He waited for me to answer “yes” to His call.  Therefore, I choose to be the same to Merle.  We cannot expect non believers to totally be accepting to the call of salvation in Christ Jesus.

 

This point of this blog is not to pat myself on the back.  The point is to point us all to Jesus.  It’s the will of our Heavenly Father, our Daddy, that all should be saved.  2 Peter 3:9  In cases like this, we must turn the other cheek.

 

This gentleman has risen to another level of attack.  It’s quite turned into verbal abuse, of which I am well associated.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I stood my ground with him along with silent prayer in the moment.  This did not dissuade him in the least.  I have been in prayer about how to handle this situation.  And, although I don’t know what the course of action is, I know the One who does.  I am at rest with this.  And, whether or not Merle comes to know Christ as his Lord and Savior, I am choosing love for this elderly gentleman. My heart cries out for his salvation.  In the time that I have come to know and love Merle, his health has declined quickly.  He reminds me of my own earthly dad, especially in that he has chosen to disassociate himself with his daughter, which I know from experience is heart breaking.

 

I’m sure that in one way or another, we all may have someone in our life that comes to mind as we read this.

 

Choose love.

 

Choose to turn the other cheek.

 

However, you’re not a doormat either.  Know when to keep on keepin’ on and when to walk away.  Like I said earlier, I’m not sure of the course of action as far as what to say and when to say it. But I have set my mind that I will allow the Holy Spirit to show me what the course of action is.  Luke 12:11-12  

 

Know that if and when you find yourself in a situation like this, it is the enemy who is attacking you through the person, not the man / woman, themselves.  Set your mind to keep that perspective.  When the enemy sees that the person they’re controlling is taking steps towards the Kingdom of God, they kick up the attack through that person.  In fact, often, the attack will get much worse before it gets better simply because the enemy doesn’t want to lose…and, in this case, I DO believe that the enemy will lose.  It’s just a matter of time.

 

Count it all joy!!  James 1:2-8  God is not surprised by this situation, nor does He not have a plan for it.  I don’t look down on this man.  I look forward to what God’s plan is for him.  I also look for the ways that God is growing me through this situation.  I’ve heard it said that God is the ultimate recycler.  I just love this statement because it’s so true!!  God doesn’t waste a single thing.  If we allow Him, He will work all things for our good.  Romans 8:28    Hallelujah!!

 

Choose Love!!     

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. 

 

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 settle for the shades of grey...

In darkness we cannot see color...only shades of grey and black.  Only light allows us to see the true color of those things surrounding us.  When we are in the dark spiritually, we cannot see the “true color,” if you will, of who Jesus is.

Twenty some years ago and beyond, I was a mess.  I had been saved as a child, but didn’t have a serious relationship with the Lord.  I had prayed for a miracle to happen in my life.  I was so depressed, it was hard for me to get out of bed and do anything.  I didn’t want to live.  But…this particular morning, I was standing in front of the mirror in my bathroom getting ready for work.  All of the sudden, in the spirit, I saw a black cloud rip down the middle. (Later in life I understood this cloud to be the veil that kept me from seeing God.  Matt. 27:51-53)  It’s as if the cloud was so dense that it actually had to be cut.  In a moment, I saw things in my life so differently.  It was the Light of the Lord shining through to me. (John 8:12)  Instantly I was healed of depression and had a whole new outlook on life.  My life was changed that day.  The Light from the Lord revealed a beautiful colorful world…a world that was once a drab, dark and had no “color”…no life…a lifeless life.

The thief does not come except to steal, kill and destroy.  I (Jesus) have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

Years ago when my son was small, we had to take shelter in the basement of our home due to the threat of a tornado.  We keep a small black and white TV there so we can monitor the weather.  It’s not hooked up to the satellite.  It’s the kind that has the antenna on it so you can move it around to get better reception.  When my son watched that TV for the first time, he thought something was wrong with it because it had no color.  That’s how life is without Jesus.  Life makes no sense without Jesus.  Without the Light of the world, we’re unable to see the true colors of life.  Everything is black or shades of grey, dingy, negative and ugly.

Don’t settle for a colorless life.  Don’t settle for the shades of grey and darkness that the world settles for.  Let the Light of the world in allowing your world to be illuminated and full of color…and joy!  Allow Jesus into your life.