Looking for a Drive Through Break Through?

In our fast paced world of drive through banking, groceries, alcohol, meals, and even marriages, I fear that few understand the benefits of long suffering.  It's like the commercial (local commercial??) where the guy yells; "It's my money, and I want it now!" It's advertising that if you have long time installment payments coming to you, you don't have to wait, you can get it all now...for a price, though.

 

You see, so many believe that the dreams that God has placed in our hearts don't come to pass overnight, there's something wrong. I've literally had people tell me that there was something wrong because the dreams that I believe are from God haven’t come to pass yet. That is a lie from the devil and is nothing but discouragement that was spoken to me through another Christian. Sure, I could push people around, tweak things in my favor and do what needs to be done to get what I want when I want it, they way I want it. But...would that be God's will for my life? Would it be His plan...or my plan?  Just because we hit what feels like a bump in the road, doesn't necessarily mean we're doing something wrong. There is learning in the journey. There is stretching and growing and testing of our faith in the journey. Don't despise the journey.  Don’t despise the possibility of long suffering. For myself, I come from a family who didn't know God for generations.  God has exposed and broken off so many generational hindrances that I can’t even count them.  I’ll say it again.  There is purpose in the journey.  Don’t despise long suffering through the journey.

 

The problem is that in today’s drive through society, most of us want it now.  We don’t want the journey.  We don’t want to endure long suffering.  We want instant gratification.

 

About 25 years ago, the Lord called me back unto Himself.  I wasn’t raised in a Christian home.  However, I had been fortunate to have attended a church camp where I received Christ as my Savior.  (At that point in my life, nightmares and sleepwalking which had occurred several nights a week came to an immediate end.) But since that relationship was hindered because my family wasn’t a believing family, I was nearly 25 years old before I was drawn into a serious relationship with Jesus.  I was broken…completely disabled by depression.  But, God!!  Two weeks after inviting God back into my life via Benny Hinn ministries, (Those of you who despise his ministry should realize that it takes all kinds of people to do God’s will.  None of us, including myself, have 100% of the answers.) God healed me instantly of the depression that was crippling my life.  God began the process of cleaning me up, preparing me for the purpose that He had created me for.

 

It’s been an interesting 24+ years. I’ve had good times.  I’ve had bad times.  But, one thing I can say is that there has been purpose in every moment of it.  Is there something wrong with me because my dreams didn’t come to pass immediately?  I can honestly say, “No!”

 

You see that depression, although I had been healed instantly from it in the beginning, did return.  It’s been something that I’ve had to deal with for many years.  But now it doesn’t have a hold on me like it did.  God healed me at the time because He saw fit that I should be healed.   But through the years, He has taught me to not only see it coming, but to fight it off with spiritual warfare.  It’s been a process of growing in knowledge, wisdom, and patience…all taught by the Holy Spirit simply because I have allowed Him into my life to do so.

 

I have had my moments where I didn’t understand why things happened the way they did.  I had moments where I’ve even been angry with God.  But, what I’ve learned is to always talk to God about it, whatever the “it” is for that moment.  He is so kind and loving and He cares about what we care about.  When I don’t understand something I ask Him and He shows me, in His timing.  This is why we should never despise the journey, and sometimes the suffering is long.

 

I’ve had many mountain top experiences, but I’ve had many valley experiences, also.  That doesn’t mean that His purpose for my life isn’t going to happen, because it will.  But when it does happen, it will be in His timing, not my own  This is a journey and we must do the walking.  Sometimes I have taken a step of faith only to see that it wasn’t the right direction.  He is ever so faithful the show me the way.

 

When I was getting ready for church this morning, all of these thoughts were rolling around in my head.  At first I thought this was going to be a one or two sentence “status update” for facebook.  But, as I began putting my thoughts down in my notes as David drove us to church, I realized that there was more to it.  Then…one thing I SO love about God is how He confirms things to me through other people.  Much of what I’m talking about here is what my pastor spoke about in his teaching this morning…including the “drive through mentality” that we have here in the western world.

 

Folks, it’s time to examine our hearts.  Do we truly want a meaningful relationship with God or not?  It’s our choice.  Jesus never said that a life of following, believing, trusting, and growing in Him would be easy.  But, I can tell you from my own experiences that it is worth it.  I am so different from the person I used to be and it’s all because of my own personal journey with Jesus.  I long to be more and more like Him.  I long to know and love Him more.  I long to hear His voice daily and throughout the day, not just in a single moment of prayer.  It is a journey, led by the Holy Spirit, and trusting that He knows what is best for me and any given moment.

 

My prayer is that any and all who reads this will experience a hunger for the God of all Creation no matter where you are in your walk of life…whether you know Him well, or not at all.  If you’re breathing, God has a purpose for your life.  It’s a matter of whether or not you choose to walk out your journey with Him.

 

Choose life.  Choose the journey that may involve long suffering instead of the supposed “drive through break through.”  You won’t be sorry. Your life already has divine purpose, but do you choose to live out that divine purpose?  Reach out to Jesus now.  He is there for each and every one of us, but we must choose him.  Choose Jesus.  Choose life.

Freely Give, Freely Receive!

So today, the idea of giving freely has been on my mind.  I have had a few experiences lately and some from several years ago that have been brought to mind about the subject…therefore…I write!  J

 

This statement crossed my mind:  “If you give with strings attached, you’re not really giving.”

 

Years ago, I met someone who was having financial difficulty.  After about a year of hearing about these difficulties, I began asking a few questions, cautiously and lovingly.  What I found out is that these people were not even keeping track of their bank account.  So, by the time Christmas rolled around, they never had any money to buy presents for their children, let alone put food on the table.  (After 2 Christmases like this, red flags appeared for me.)  Long story short, I taught this person how to balance a check book and plan for monthly expenses, wisely.  In the process, this Christian person became extremely angry about their financial giving.  They stated that they were giving the full tithe, but weren’t receiving anything in return.  I sat there in Starbucks completely stunned.  Seriously, I could not believe the depth of anger I was hearing from them. I quickly and silently prayed for guidance and then was able to let this person know that God wants a cheerful giver, and that if we give simply out of “duty” without truly wanting to give…and expecting financial, or any blessing from it, that’s probably not going to happen…although, I’m not God and He can do whatever He chooses.  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.   So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:6-7

 

God wants a cheerful giver...one who gives with no strings attached.  He blesses us because He loves us unconditionally.   But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8  He wants us to prosper as our soul prospers.  Yes, He wants us to prosper!  Don’t believe the lie of Satan that He doesn’t want us to prosper.  He wants us to prosper in every aspect of our lives.  For some reason when the word “prosperity” is spoken, many people believe that it’s only finances that are being referred to.  Not so!!  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  3 John 1:2-4

 

Recently, I’ve seen some situations where someone “wanted to bless” another person only to see that person renege on the gift that they gave.  It turns out that the giver in this situation believed that they still had the right to determine what the receiver of the gift could do with the gift.  This is not giving with a cheerful heart.  Again, like the first example, this is giving with strings attached.

 

Now…here’s another example I’m going to throw in here and I may step on some toes.  What about giving only because the government allows it as a tax deduction on our taxes?  I have often wondered if people would still give the same amount if it wasn’t allowed as a tax deduction.  Ouch!  Think about that for a minute.  Would you give the same amount if you couldn’t use it as a tax deduction?  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a blessing that our government allows this, but what is the motivation behind the giving?  Is it because you truly want to give your tithes and offerings, or is it because you can receive tax deductions on it?  You see, there is a difference.  And, quite honestly, it’s somewhat annoying to me that the “carrot” of tax deduction is dangled while asking for donations.  By the way…not judging…just expressing an opinion.  What if we simply trusted God for what we truly needed without dangling the tax deduction "carrot? #FoodForThought

 

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your^[c] works, and I will show you my faith by my^[d] works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:14-20

Give because it’s in your heart to give.  Don’t give because you do it as a “work” for the Lord.  That is not the way it works.  Don’t give with “strings attached.”  You’re not really giving anything if you think you should still have control over the “supposed gift” after giving it.  Or for that matter, if you think you deserve something in return after “giving,” more than likely, you’re trying to control the receiver in some way, shape or form.  It’s not giving with a cheerful heart.  If you’re giving only because you get a tax break, that isn’t a true giving situation either.  Now, don’t get me wrong here.  Our government does allow for tax breaks.  There is nothing wrong with utilizing that.  But, don’t give solely for that reason.

These are all heart issues.  Examine your heart.  Ask God to reveal and weed out any wrong motives.

Be a cheerful giver so that God may prosper you…wholly…as your soul prospers.    

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.