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Compelled by Compassion

04 Saturday Nov 2017

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This post is dedicated to a dear friend of mine, Peggy Parks, who was one of the most compassionate individuals I was blessed to know.  Rest in Peace Peggy and enjoy the beauty of heaven!

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Have you ever felt compelled by compassion?  I hope that we all could respond positively to that question, but I had an opportunity a short time ago to experience this on a different level.

Recently I shared a blog post called “Restore” where I described a difficult personal journey.  It seems many have experienced similar circumstances and could relate closely to this teaching.  I was invited to share that lesson at our annual Women’s Retreat for the Southern Missouri District of the Assemblies of God.

Every year there are specific mission’s projects that the women’s department sponsors.  The theme for this is “Compelled by Compassion”.  I sat there in that mission’s service listening to this year’s focus projects, and my heart was so full of compassion unlike I had ever experienced before.

In the afternoon, before it was time for me to share my “Restore” message, I was asked to assist during a prayer service where we prayed for women who had specific needs.  As I listened to each one share with me what they needed prayer for, my heart was so sensitive to their pain.  As I began my lesson, I realized I was in an unusual state after these activities.  I was trying to get through my introduction, feeling very emotional, and I happened to turn where I could see over my shoulder the Mission Theme Banner that said those words, “Compelled by Compassion”.  In that moment, I had a realization that this was exactly what I was experiencing!  I was being compelled by compassion on an unfamiliar level!

Why was that?  I could think of many reasons.  In my previous state, I was so overwhelmed that there was no room in my mind to be as sensitive to others.  In some situations, I was feeling enough pain myself, that I wanted to block out the pain of others.  I also think in my situation, I was running at such breakneck speed that I was doing two or three things at once and never stopping to be “In the moment” that I was currently experiencing.

Some of these responses are simply habits and choices that we can make a decision to change, but some can only be changed when we allow the Lord to do a work in our own heart and restore our soul.  I began to realize that since experiencing my own “Restore” journey that I my heart had changed, I was sensing things that I was overlooking before, I was feeling compassion on a different level, and I actually had a totally different perspective on aspects of life that I was previously oblivious to.

As Christians, I believe that we should be different.  The challenge is that often we are living life so broken that there isn’t any capacity left to show love and compassion for others.  Often our lives are so busy that there is no margin left in our lives to express love and compassion.  Lastly, as hard as it is to hear, there are times we are just simply too self-absorbed in thinking about our own needs and desires to open our hearts to show love and compassion to others.

I have to be honest, I still fail at times in these areas, but I am so much more aware of the pain, suffering, and needs of others than I was before this journey.  I realize that I can’t be everything for everybody, but if all of us could be compelled by compassion and love, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, how much differently would this world be?

Philippians 2:1-5 NLT

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Compassion is defined as, “Sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”1  Jesus was the ultimate example of compassion.  Look at a few examples.

Matthew 14:14 NLT

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Mark 1:40-41 NLT

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”

Mark 6:34 NLT

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Luke 7:12-15 NLT

A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.

All of these are examples of times Jesus had a, “Sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it”!1  There are many more examples of times He was moved with compassion during His ministry, but I want to show you an example of what I call ultimate compassion.  We see this example when He was dying on the cross.  Not only did He love you and me enough to bare all those stripes for our healing, and pay the supreme price of His death for our salvation, but also while He was enduring unbelievable agony and suffering, He saw those in pain around Him.

Jesus had compassion on the thief who was dying on one side of Him during His own crucifixion.  He told him, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

We also read that while He was on the cross He had compassion for His mother.

John 19:25-27 NLT

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

During His own agony, He was making sure His mother was going to be cared for when He was gone.  What an example for us to follow.  The Word tells us in Luke 6:36 NLT, “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate”.

Too often, we feel that if we are suffering, we get a pass on showing love and compassion to others, but I believe Jesus shows us a different example.

If you are like me, you are likely thinking it is a tall order.  The good news is that the Christ in us enables us to love and express compassion this way.  Perhaps you are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13, often known as the “Love Chapter”.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NLT

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or  rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

I often say that in my own humanness, I cannot love the way this passage defines love, but the Christ in me can!  If we will open ourselves to God and let Him do the work in our own hearts, we can have the capacity to love this way with His help.

I believe we are living in a time where showing Christ’s love and compassion is more critical than ever before; not only to our fellow believers, but also to a lost and dying world.  The world we live in is dark and it is getting darker!

Think about it a different way.  How many of you like the dark?  I like it to be dark if I want to look at the stars or if I want to sleep.  Darkness often does different things to different people.

Some may like the dark, because it provides cover or protection.  For example, deer season is upon us and my husband likes to be in his stand when it is still dark in the morning or until it is dark at night.  The darkness provides him cover so the deer don’t see him, and the deer are braver to move out in the open when it is dark.

For some darkness brings fear.  Fear can lead to panic.  Sometimes fear leads to people turning inward or to self-preservation mode.

Sometimes darkness leads to hopelessness, weariness, or depression.  I remember when I first started working in the home medical industry, someone called wanting to know if we could provide a SAD lamp.  I had never heard of such a thing and immediately misunderstood the request.  I thought they meant “sad” as an emotion, but SAD is actually an abbreviation for Seasonal Affective Disorder, which can often be treated by artificial light.  Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep, easing SAD symptoms.

At times darkness can compel us.  If you have a power outage in the evening when there is no outside light, you are compelled to do something about it.  You will find either some candles, a flashlight, or some source of artificial light.

Why did I give these examples?  Because I want us to think about how we are allowing the darkness of the world we live in to affect us, specifically how is it affecting our ability to show love and compassion?

Are we using the darkness as a cover?  Do we have an attitude that because the world is getting darker and darker our efforts don’t make a difference or no one will notice or expect me to express compassion?

Are we allowing the darkness to bring fear that is causing us to turn inward and be in self-preservation mode?  Are we only worrying about our own needs and ourselves?

Are we allowing the darkness to bring sadness, hopelessness, or weariness?  Do we have the mentality that we have carried the torch long enough and we are tired, it is someone else’s turn?

On the other hand, are we allowing the darkness to compel us to do something?  Are we looking for ways to let our light shine in a way that demonstrates the love and compassion of Christ through us?

Jesus said, “….I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV

Another familiar passage found in Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV reads like this:

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

In closing, I want to share a story that Jesus shared, one that is familiar to most about the Good Samaritan.

Luke 10:30-37 NLT

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Jesus said, “Go, and do the same”!  I believe He is counting on us as His children to be His feet and hands extended, to show love and compassion to those around us.

I have a few questions for you to consider.  Are you still so broken yourself that you have no capacity to show compassion on others?  If that is the case, He wants to restore your soul!

Are you in a place where you have no margin left in your life?  I realize there are times when we have many priorities and many things to do, but if you hear yourself constantly saying, “I don’t have time!” Maybe you need to get alone with God and ask Him to show you where you need to make some changes.  If we are honest with ourselves, we really have time for the things that are important to us.

Lastly, ask yourself the hardest question….am I too self-absorbed?  Am I so concerned with my own needs and desires that I have no room to think about others?  Am I willing to sacrifice some of my time and energy, or even my finances to show compassion and love to others?

These are important questions for us to consider.  I believe God is asking us to live our lives compelled by compassion!

 

  1. “Compassion” Merriam-Webster.com

 

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It is Written

15 Monday May 2017

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Image1 (2)I am excited to introduce my third book, “It is Written” now available at Amazon.  I am sharing the introduction below for all of my blog readers.  I am particularly proud of this project, because it is all about God’s written Word.  It is a topical Scripture reference guide, we all should have available, which is packed full of passages for the topics you face in your life.

You will find passages on the following topics:

  1. The power of the Word
  2. What you speak
  3. Faith
  4. Protection
  5. Warfare
  6. Children
  7. Salvation
  8. Healing
  9. Financial freedom
  10. Needs
  11. Worship/Praise for who He is
  12. Anxiety/Fear/Stress/Worry
  13. Comfort
  14. Depression/Disappointment/Discouragement
  15. Hope/Peace/Courage
  16. Freedom/Liberty
  17. Overcoming temptation and addiction
  18. Anger
  19. Love

I love the Word of God and I view it as my roadmap, my book of instructions, my inspiration and encouragement, my list of promises, my prayer guide, and a mighty weapon against the enemy…just to name a few! We learn about the armor of God that is available to us in Ephesians Chapter 6.  All of the pieces of armor are defensive except one – the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  This is our offensive weapon and if we want to be victorious, we must learn how to use it wisely.

Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV 

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Speaking, proclaiming, and praying the Word of God is so powerful in the life of a believer. Jesus Himself provides our greatest example.  When He walked on this earth, He faced the same temptations and challenges that we as humans face.  When He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to endure a great time of testing by Satan, he overcame him through three words, “IT IS WRITTEN!”

Matthew 4:1-11 NKJV

 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him,  “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

When you use the Word of God as your weapon, you also can be victorious just as Jesus was.  The answer to every issue you face can be found in the pages of God’s Written Word.  I encourage you to use these passages or create even more of your own to arm yourself and to become strong in the Lord with the power of His Word.

When you have a need, begin declaring the answer with the promises found on these pages.  When you do not know what to pray, begin praying and claiming the Scriptures.  Take the Word of God and write your own declarations and prayers.  Hide it in your heart and you will become a mighty man or woman of faith!

Follow the link below to order your copy today!

 

Lay Down Your Paddle – It’s Transition Time

23 Thursday Jun 2016

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IMG_0308About nine months ago, I posted the original version of this teaching. Recently I have been surrounded by transition as I have had an unexpected job change and my church is searching for a new pastor. Transition can be difficult, but it can also be essential to align our path with God’s plan.

Around the time of my original post, I heard the Lord say, “Stop paddling! Let Me take you in a flow you do not know!” This could mean many different things from a spiritual perspective, but let me try to articulate what it meant to me.

God has a plan and a destiny for each of our lives and for each corporate body. It is intertwined into a larger master plan He has established for His Kingdom purposes.  Sometimes we cannot see or understand this plan, so we doubt it exists.  Some are tempted to feel insignificant, insecure, and unneeded in this master plan.  Others sense the purpose and the destiny, but have difficulty navigating the course.  Often this is directly related to striving or in this analogy paddling.

Many times God will show you the beginning of your journey and a glimpse of the destination, but He usually leaves out the path in between the two. When progress does not seem to be happening as quickly as we feel it should, between the beginning of the journey and the destination, we often want to help God with His plan.

Look at the example below. The Lord showed Abraham the beginning of his journey and the promise of the future.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Genesis 12:1-4 NASU

If you know the whole story, Abraham did not wait patiently for God to make him a great nation, he agreed to his wife’s plan to help God and the result was a child named Ishmael. His promise was eventually fulfilled with Isaac, but the side plan has resulted in conflict that continues even today.  This shows that good intentions are not always God intentions!

Another great example of someone with good intentions was Martha. Martha had a servant’s heart.  She was trying to prepare a meal and make everything perfect for Jesus’ visit.  She was a worker trying to do the “right” thing.  Martha had good intentions, but what did Jesus think about them?

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 NASU

This is the best analogy I can find to explain the thought behind “Lay down your paddle!” I believe many individuals, many ministries, many churches, have good ideas but they are not always God ideas.  In this scenario, we labor and we toil, striving to put together all these elaborate plans and projects to bring people to Jesus, to help Christians to grow and mature, but often all this striving just keeps us in the kitchen with Martha!  Good intentions are not always God intentions.

I understand the need to plan; in fact, I am someone who tends to over-plan….I plan ahead – way ahead! When I have an opportunity to teach God’s Word, I always try to do my best to study and show myself approved (2 Timothy 2:15).  I generally plan more information than I can possibly share, but if at the last minute, the Holy Spirit directs me to go in a different flow, I have to be brave enough to lay down the paddle and let Him guide the course.  He knows the master plan better than I do!

When you have your day planned to the last minute, when we have our corporate services on an agenda, and the Holy Spirit interrupts the schedule because there is someone who has a need, will we lay down our paddle? Are our plan and our agenda more important than His are?

Giving up control is one of the most difficult things to do.

The small town where I reside has a sign, “Gateway to the Riverway, and is associated with canoeing on the Current River. I have personally floated parts of this river several times, but never without a paddle.  The thought of doing that stretches me to think about giving up my control to the plans God has for me – to realize that all of my good intentions are not necessarily His.

There are times on a river journey where the pace is fast, rough, and scary. Other times it seems like the water becomes stagnant the movement is so slow.  Try to remember that those moments are when the water runs deepest and the still waters create an atmosphere to hear better, and do not be tempted to pick up the paddle to move faster during this time.

I want to encourage you today to lay down your paddle, lay down your agenda, lay down your good plans and walk in God’s plan…..it is always the best course.  During transition you may be tempted to react or to run, but this is the time you must press into God and trust that His plan is a good one and He’s got you!

Mary Did You Know?

22 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Perspective

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As Christmas Day gets closer this year, I have contemplated the words to this song, “Mary Did You Know” as it has played over and over in my mind the last few days. (Click on the song title to listen)

Most know the Christmas story, but I am seeing it from a different viewpoint this year….Mary’ perspective.

Luke 1:26-36 NASU

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.  

Even though the angel came to explain what was to happen, can you imagine walking in Mary’s shoes and trying to make any sense of this unusual destiny that she was to fulfill? Thankfully, confirmation came in two ways. First the angel also explained what was to happen to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25), and secondly, the Holy Spirit revealed it to her relative Elizabeth (Luke 1:36-45).

Even with two witnesses I cannot begin to imagine the difficult path that Mary was commissioned to walk. Understanding this unusual conception was only the beginning.

Correggio_-_a_collection_of_fifteen_pictures_and_a_supposed_portrait_of_the_painter_(1901)_(14578002368)

When it was time for delivery, Mary was again in a remarkable predicament. While traveling to register for the census, the time came to give birth. There was no room in the inn so she was forced to deliver baby Jesus in a stable and lay him in a manger. After an angel alerted shepherds about the birth, they came to worship and shared the story with Mary (Luke 2:8-18). I love this next verse:

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Luke 2:19-20 NASU

The next challenge Mary was faced with was the need to go into hiding because Herod wanted this child destroyed (Matthew 2:13-23). Mary wasn’t able to return to her home because her life was now dictated by the destiny of the child she bore.

When Jesus was twelve His family traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. His parents realized He was not in the group on the way home. After three days, they located him in the temple astonishing the teachers and scholars with His wisdom and understanding (Luke 2:41-51). Again, we read a similar passage:

And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:51 NASU

Mary was the one who encouraged Jesus to perform His first miracle (John 2:1-11). She must have been so proud as she observed Him heal the sick, multiply food for thousands, and raise the dead. She must have felt such concern when He was rejected, ridiculed, and falsely accused.   Eventually she finds herself at the foot of the cross (John 19:25-27). Mary did you know your son Jesus was born to die?

Can you even imagine a mother’s heart breaking in this moment? This innocent Son suffered unbelievable agony and died for all humanity, so we might have eternal life. Jesus was resurrected three days later, but not long after He ascended into heaven.   Jesus fulfilled the mandate He was given on this earth, yet I am sure Mary missed her Son.

She pondered many things in her heart during His lifetime….now I expect her heart felt the pain of loss. Mary was an amazing woman. She walked a difficult path, but one that benefited us all. She went where none had gone before. Where would we be if she had refused?

During the Christmas season, we celebrate the glory of God that came to us first through a baby and now exists among us in the form of the Holy Spirit. This glory enables us to walk the path that God created for each of us to travel.

At times, our human strength is gone and our willingness to persevere the challenges life brings wears thin. However, just as Mary had a destiny to fulfill, so do we. My Christmas blessing to you is that you will receive encouragement today to complete all of your assignments and that the Glory of the Lord will shine through you.

This morning during a time of prayer, I heard a powerful Word from the Lord and I have shared it with you below. I pray it will encourage you to do as Mary did and go where others have not gone before.   Merry Christmas!

“I have said it before, and I will say it again – CONTEND!  Contend for My glory, contend for My presence, says the Lord.

It is in My presence that you will find your strength for the fight. It is in My glory that you are equipped for the night.

My power is in sight. It is available to help you overcome the plots to destroy your might.

Look up! Look out!   The destination is still in front and not behind. Push out of the places where you are stuck in the mud.

No more excuses. No more delays. My power and anointing is available TODAY!

Go where others have not gone before. I will be with you says the Lord!”

 

 

 

 

Are You Thriving or Just Surviving?

08 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by in Encouragement

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184157_1729434855497_3341159_nJohn 10:10b says, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

This scripture shows the difference between just surviving and thriving. Too many Christians are living life on the wrong side of the comma! Life before the comma is just surviving but Jesus didn’t die for you to JUST have life, He came and died that you could have life MORE ABUNDANTLY!

That word abundantly in the original Greek is Perissos (per-is-sos’ ) which means: over and above, more than is necessary, something further, more, much more than all, superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon, more eminent, more remarkable, and more excellent.1

Living more abundantly is not necessarily “Living Happily Ever After” but it can be “Joyfully ever after”

The problem is too many of God’s children are living on the wrong side of this comma!

1 Peter 5: 6-13 NLT

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.  In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.  All power is his forever and ever. Amen.  I have written this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I consider a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens”

Faithfulness to God does not guarantee believers freedom from trouble, pain, and suffering in their lives. In fact, Jesus taught that in this world we would have tribulation, but we should be encouraged because He overcame the world (John 16:33).

There are many reasons that believers suffer. Some of those reasons are:

  1. Because we live in a sinful and corrupt world
  2. Because it is a consequence of Adam and Eve’s fall
  3. Believers suffer at the hands of the devil
  4. Sometimes we suffer because of our own actions

If you are alive and breathing, at one time or another you will suffer loss or face a crushing crisis. Loss is a part of life, and it happens to all of us in some way or another. Unjustified loss is even harder to handle. What do you do when life feels unfair? How can you respond and hope for restoration when dreams and aspirations have been ripped from your grasp? How do you survive on those days when bad news has to wait in line just to talk to you?

Virtually every hero and heroine in literature and the Bible had to persevere through tough times. The question is did they survive, or also thrive?

Sometimes we can survive a crisis only to live the rest of our life doing just that…..SURVIVING. What I want to talk about today is not only surviving a crisis, but truly making a comeback. So often, the true test of suffering is how we respond to it.

There was a time that the Lord painted a vivid picture lesson for me on this topic. We had experienced a very bad ice storm in Missouri. A few days after the bad weather, I was traveling between my work locations. As I was praying while driving down that rural highway, my attention was suddenly drawn from the road in front of me to the trees beside me. These were very tall pine trees along both sides of the road. The one on the left side of the road bowed over with the weight of the ice. I heard the Lord clearly say:

“This is a picture of how so many of my people are….weighed down by the cares and concerns of this life, because they will not give them to me.”

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Then my attention immediately went to the other side of the road. The trees on this side had been exposed to sunlight since the storm ended. All of the ice had melted away from these trees and they stood as tall as they normally should. This reminded me of another Scripture.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NASU

The picture lesson continued. Next, I noticed the trees, which had not been able to bear the weight of the ice that had broken, and were destroyed. Since I was picturing these trees as God’s children, I asked Him in my prayer, “Lord what about the ones which have been destroyed?” Immediately, in my mind, I saw a picture of a huge Victorian house, and I heard Him say, “I can build something new out of them!” Then I saw a vivid picture of a roaring fire and He said, “They do not have to lay on the roadside and rot! They will never be a tree again, but I can make something great out of them, if they will let Me!” It is amazing what God can do with broken pieces, and vessels others may consider in the natural to be worthless and insignificant.

The lesson the Lord was showing me, was that we had options after a crisis. Some were still so weighed down with the cares, with the grief, and with the mourning. They could cast those cares over on the Lord and He would help all of those concerns to melt away. As a matter of fact, that is exactly what He is asking us to do:

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.: 1 Peter 5:7 Amplified Bible

“Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 NASU

That word “casting” means to throw. If we throw all our cares over on Him then we don’t carry them…..We trust in His provision and stay in faith believing that we don’t need to be concerned.

Let me demonstrate it another way with a visual picture you can create in your own mind. See yourself trying to carry all these suitcases at once with no assistance.

  1. A small laptop bag: This bag represents the stress of work that often weighs us down. Concerns that we may lose our jobs, or that our hours will be reduced. Perhaps you have challenges at work with unreasonable expectations, or a difficult manager or coworkers.
  2. A medium size suitcase on wheels: This suitcase represents your family relationships. While you juggle the pressure of work, many pressures about family are also evident. You want to be a good parent…you want to make good decisions as you rear your children…..you want to be a good husband/wife and meet your spouse’s needs….You want to be good to your parents and give them proper respect and care as they get older. The list can go on and on in this category.
  3. A stacking suitcase you put on top of the last one: This case represents your finances. While juggling the cares of work and family, we often have concerns about our finances. Will we have enough money to provide for our needs/wants….how will we prepare for the future…..how will we pay for our children’s education?
  4. Another medium size suitcase on wheels: This case represent ministry. We want to be faithful to our personal devotional time with God and to our local church. We should participate in ministry opportunities using the abilities we have been blessed with.
  5. The last suitcase is the largest one you can picture in your mind and it represents crisis. You put the name to it. It could be sickness, it could be grief, it could be tragedy, or divorce. It is the thing you have to carry on top of all your other responsibilities.

Now that you have this picture, can you imagine carrying all these responsibilities, cares, or concerns that these bags represent all alone? While holding on to all of these cases, can you even consider raising your hands to worship? This is a picture of how we are when we try to carry all the weight of life instead of casting our cares over on the Lord.

Here is your cure for worry and anxiety:

Matthew 6:25-33 NASU

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

When we tuck a child into their crib at night, that child sleeps soundly and has no fear or burdens. That child is not worried about safety, he isn’t worried about the house payment. He rests in the confidence that His Daddy and Mommy will take care of him.

This is the same confidence we can have as a child of God. He cares about you more than you ever know. Be encouraged with that knowledge today.

Endnotes:

  1. (Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

View from the Dam – Perspective is Everything!

23 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Perspective, Warfare

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The vision I am about to share about the view from the dam, was a total perspective shift for me. I realized that where the enemy is attacking is the very place God was about to move! Have you been going through a time of discouragement or disillusionment?  Have you been under major enemy attack?  Do you feel like you have cried enough tears to fill a bucket?  Then keep on reading this excerpt from my book, Road to Transformation.

If you see a glass with some water in it, would you say it is half-full or half-empty? Both are actually true, but it’s your personal perspective which drives your unique response. Some people tend to see the big picture; others focus on the details. Maybe you have heard it described as the forest and the trees. Some people see the forest but miss the trees; others see the trees and miss the forest.

Spiritual perception is critical, especially in the times we are currently living in. One thing that can greatly affect your perspective is spiritual warfare or enemy attack. To explain this concept, I would like to share a vision the Lord gave me.

The first part of the vision happened during a Sunday morning service at our church. I was on the platform singing with the praise team. The line in the song that we kept singing said, “Something’s moving, something’s changing…” I saw a picture of a huge grey cinderblock wall. It was a close-up view, which did not allow me to see the top, or the sides. I could see the mortar between the blocks and what I thought were small cracks forming in the mortar.

I began to pray about a shift I felt this represented in the Spirit, while worship continued. It is difficult to articulate, because it was a quick picture in my mind, but what I felt in my Spirit was huge. At this point in the service, our Pastor came to the platform and began to declare to the congregation that there was a shift happening in the spirit realm. It was great confirmation for what I had just experienced. After service, I described to my Pastor what I had seen. He told me that he felt there was more to come, and he would pray with me for God to reveal the rest of the vision.

That evening our congregation was invited to attend a special service at a sister church. The minister preached a message that greatly impacted me. When considering all the great examples of faith listed in Hebrews 11, I had never contemplated what is said about Joseph in verse 22.

“By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.”

Hebrews 11:22 (NIV)

He provided instruction to his family that they were to take his bones with them when they went to the Promised Land. The minister said that Joseph’s bones represented vision and he shared three lessons from Joseph’s bones: 1) God always comes through on His Word. If He said it, it will happen! 2) A promise delayed is not a promise destroyed or denied. 3) Once you catch a glimpse of the Promised Land, you will never be content to live in Egypt! This message was to encourage those who were ready to give up on their vision.

At this season in my life, I had experienced situations which were full of disappointments, disillusionments, and enemy attack, which had made it extremely difficult to remain focused on vision or destiny. I was encouraged by the reminder that a delayed promise did not mean it had been destroyed or denied, but it still brought many tears. After crying the rest of that service and the hour long trip home, before going to bed, I prayed, “Lord if You really save my tears in a bottle, have You switched to a bucket yet?”

The next morning, I arose early as usual, to have my personal devotion time with the Lord. I began to write in my journal about what had happened the previous day. I described the vision I had seen on the platform and the highlights of the message from the evening service. I wrote that I was aware the previous day’s activities were a setup from God to help me change my perspective and focus on the destiny again. However, the reality was that my circumstances had not changed, and I could not understand how my current life was to intersect with the life I once thought I was called to live. I wrote that I felt the lines were blurred and I could not clearly see or define what God’s actual promise versus my own hopes and dreams were!

I continued writing about my prayer from the previous night, “Lord if You really save my tears in a bottle, have You switched to a bucket yet?” At that moment, the vision that began the preceding day continued! Instantly I was standing in front of that cinderblock wall. This time I saw the whole wall, but it was so huge, I still could not see over it or around it. It felt like such a dry and desolate place.

Then I noticed the mortar was turning a darker grey color in between the blocks resulting from moisture. Suddenly, I was taken up high and was now looking down at the wall from an aerial view. I discovered that it was not simply a wall, but it was actually a dam! Behind the dam’s wall was an enormous amount of water, which I knew was a direct result of every tear, prayer, praise, and sacrifice. It was more than a bottle or a bucket. The dam was full and pressing against the wall.

I saw myself in the water. Even though I am naturally a very strong swimmer, I was fighting with every ounce of energy to keep my head above the water. I realized that with every stroke and with every kick the water was rising higher and higher, and the force and the capacity of that river was getting greater and greater. Then I saw an empty life raft floating behind me, and I heard the Lord say to me, “This is not a passive thing! You are not to be in that raft floating aimlessly waiting for the breakthrough! This fight is purposeful!”

The view from the dam in this vision was a total perspective shift for me. I realized that where the enemy is attacking is the very place God was about to move if I would just keep fighting! Unfortunately, this is where many quit; right before the breakthrough.

We have a real enemy, and his number one goal is to kill, steal, and destroy God’s children. If we are in opposition to the enemy’s plan, we will be in a battle as long as we are on this earth. It is very easy to allow the battle to become our focus, but God allowed me to see in this vision what was happening as a result of the battle.

My perspective changed instantly when I realized that every stroke and kick in my fight was causing the water to rise higher and higher. Additionally, the higher level was the increasing force and capacity of the river! Greater meaning came from the fact that the Lord pointed out that my battle in the water was not just a mode of survival during a storm, but a purposeful fight.

The contrast between a wall and a dam is significant. A cinderblock wall gives the idea of a dead end or an obstacle. A dam however, obstructs and controls the flow of water while creating a reservoir. A dam is a great source of power when its floodgates are opened. The greater the reservoir, the greater the power when it is released.

The enemy intends to obstruct and control the flow of God’s power, but what he fails to realize is with every obstruction the reservoir is enlarging. The larger the capacity, the greater the power when released! The greater the battle… the greater the breakthrough! Be encouraged today!

Perseverance – The Final Part to a 90-Day Journey – Unleashing the Potential of the Cross

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Christian growth, Perseverance

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285050_1729563818721_3038664_nIn this final part of the series, “Unleashing the Potential of the Cross”, I want to focus on the third month of our 90-Day Journey. The first month of this journey was about intimacy. In month two, the warfare became intense, and then there was month three, which was about perseverance.

Perseverance was required to stay committed to prayer and communion two hours each day, especially day 60 through 90! The last leg of a trip is when weariness tends to set in. Additionally, those who were faithful to the challenge had to contend to keep the passion and not get ritualistic.

It is easy to stay committed and pray when you “feel” like it, when you “sense” the presence of God, and when you can clearly hear His voice and are witnessing your prayers being answered.

Perseverance is needed when God SEEMS to be absent and SEEMS to be silent! Scripture tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) While I know that to be true, there have been times I have found myself asking, “Where are you?”

A very familiar scripture found in Galatians 6:9 AMP reads:

“And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.”

Let me tell you two of the greatest enemies in this season….doubt and disappointment.

When you are in a season where you have been believing and standing in faith for a long time, and your answer has not yet manifested, it is tempting to begin to question if you really heard from God, or if this commitment is really worth it.

In some situations, the risk of disappointment is so great that people give into hopelessness instead of standing in faith. In these times, you must contend!

David shows a great example of perseverance when he was running for his life. An interesting part of this story is found in 1 Samuel 21: 1-9. Let me summarize it for you.

David and a few men who ran with him left with nothing but the clothes on their backs as they ran for their lives when Saul decided to kill him. David went to the temple, and found the priest and asks if there is anything to eat. The only thing that was there to eat was the Bread of Presence, and the priest gave it to them for nourishment. Then David asked the priest if there was a weapon, because he left without one. Look at the priest’s response in verse 9:

“Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you would take it for yourself, take it. For there is no other except it here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.” 1 Samuel 21:9 NASU

David was certainly not a perfect man. In fact, he wasn’t totally honest with the priest in this very story. However, David was a chosen man with a mighty destiny, and I personally believe it was that call on his life that made him a target to all his enemies.

This story so relates to the 90-Day journey I have shared about in this series. David is persevering, running for his life, with only the clothes on his back, and he chooses to run to the temple. He is nourished by the bread of presence, which is very closely related to our first month of our 90-Day journey where the focus was on relationship with God’s presence.

In this place, David was reminded of his greatest victory when he defeated Goliath. David was also now armed with a sword that originally belonged to a giant. I suppose that it was huge…..but now in this place of perseverance, in the presence, David is equipped with a weapon that should be too heavy for him. I feel it was his journey….first in relationship, his contending in warfare, and his perseverance that brought him to this place where there was a new anointing, a new empowerment for him. He developed character that would take him through this difficult season and eventually become the king.

David went to the temple.

  1. He received nourishment.
  2. He received encouragement being reminded of his greatest victory.
  3. He received equipping with a weapon to fight in the next season.

We can go to the cross.

  1. We receive salvation, healing, and provision.
  2. We receive encouragement to be victorious through every season of life.
  3. We receive equipping with the armor of God to withstand all the wiles of the enemy.

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As I close this series on “Unleashing the Potential of the Cross”, let me remind you that we are living in a unique time. I believe any moment the trumpet could sound and we who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior will be out of here.

In the meantime, as the world gets darker, we the church must become a beacon of light. The Word from the Lord I shared in part one said that we are to be His hands, His feet, and His mouthpiece in these final hours.

How are we equipped to do that? Be spending time in His presence in close proximity to the cross. Yes, the cross purchased your salvation, but there is so much more available to us through Christ’s sacrifice. We can live victoriously during every season we face, and we can be territory takers for the kingdom.

Unleashing the Potential of the Cross – A 90-Day Journey (Part 2)

07 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in Christian growth, Encouragement

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11800202_886003528102473_5943722319461091719_nIn the first part of “Unleashing the Potential of the Cross”, I shared the inspiration and purpose for the 90-Day journey of prayer and communion. As I stated then, I feel there were specific insights learned in each of the three months of this journey that apply to seasons we face in our Christian life. In parts two through four, I want to break down these three seasons I feel the journey represents with the examples from the life of David.

Month one of this journey was all about intimacy and all about spending time with God. The presence of God was so rich every time I set aside time to meet with Him. It was a time to reconnect with the Father and not ask for anything but just focus on my relationship with Him.

When Jesus walked on this earth, He scolded Martha saying she was troubled and worried about MANY things, but Mary chose the ONE thing that was important…..time at His feet. (Luke 10:38-42)

If we want to walk victoriously in our Christian life, the very first thing we must learn is to consistently stay at His feet – stay in His presence, and focus on our relationship with Him! Our relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is what will get us through every season we encounter!

David understood relationship and fellowship with God. He was the least likely choice to become King of Israel, but what qualified him was he learned about the presence of God in the sheep field. Scripture tells us “…the Lord has sought out [David] a man after His own heart….” (1 Sam 13:14 AMP)

David was human and made significant mistakes, but when he did, he did not go to the people to look good politically, he went to the Father.

Ps 51:10-12 AMP

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

I recently heard a minister say this, “Politicians always want position. Prophets always want presence. When politicians get in trouble, they try to preserve the position, but prophets preserve the presence!”

David knew the power of God’s presence. When you read the story of him bringing the Ark of God’s Presence back after it had been stolen by the Philistines in 2 Samuel 6:1-11, it paints a picture of the three-month journey I am describing.

If you know the story, the first time David attempted to move the Ark he tried to do it a new way, with a new cart. Uzzah reached out and touched the Ark to stabilize it as it rode on the cart and he died.

Here is an interesting thought…..Perhaps Uzzah became too familiar with the Ark of God’s presence since his father Abinadab’s house is where the Ark had been housed.

I have heard this said, “The same sun that melts wax hardens clay.” The Bible tells us that in the last days even the very elect will be deceived. I believe one of the greatest deceptions is becoming too familiar with the presence of God! We should never take the things of God lightly or for granted, especially in the days we are living in!

After Uzzah died, David took the Ark of God’s presence to the house of Oben-edem for three months. David was still determined to bring the Ark back, but he had to be willing to do some things differently to get it done. He learned some things during his 90-day journey as well. The second time David did some things differently.

  • The first time he tried to do it the convenient way…with a cart. The second time he followed the pattern of less convenience and the priests carried the ark.
  • The first time he chose 30,000 choice men, the second time “all the house of Israel” participated.
  • The first time there was just worship, but the second time there was sacrifice….there was blood!

Scripture tells us after six paces they sacrificed an ox and a fatling. (2 Samuel 6:13) Most commentators will say this happened after the first six paces only, but many think that they sacrificed every six paces. If that is true, they left a blood trail all the way back! In the same way, we must make much of the blood of Jesus who was our sacrifice. His blood gives us permission to go to dimensions we have never been before.

David had the priest bare the weight and do it the inconvenient way and they had to kill some things along the way! We need to be willing to do some things that are inconvenient and we need to let go of some things to experience this new dimension!

When David came into the city with the Ark of God’s presence, his wife had hatred for him because of the way he was acting as he was dancing before the Lord. She did not understand or think it was necessary. We see the same response when the woman brought her alabaster box and poured it out on Jesus’ feet and washed them with her tears and her hair. (Luke 7:37-38) Many thought that was not necessary.Many do not understand walking in close fellowship with the Father. They are critical of acts of worship or a commitment like communion and prayer two times a day for 90 days, because it is heavy and it is inconvenient. I believe these types of commitments equip us to be mighty men and women of God in every season we face!

So in summary, month one was a reminder of these importance points:

  1. Our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – we should always make time for Him.
  2. A reminder that there is much power available through the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and through the blood He shed.
  3. Sometimes a commitment to relationship is inconvenient, it is at times sacrificial, but it is worth it!
  4. In His presence we are strengthened, empowered, and equipped to face all other seasons.

As you focus on spending more time developing your relationship with God, I would like to recommend a great resource, “The Pleasure of His Company, A Journey To Intimate Friendship With God” by Dutch Sheets. This book makes a great 30-day devotional and will help you learn to experience God’s presence in a whole new way.

What Will September Hold?

01 Tuesday Sep 2015

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What will September 2015 bring?  There are many voices speaking about many possibilities.  I told someone yesterday, I don’t know what September holds, but I know who hold September!

I listened to a compelling teaching about the interesting dates/events that are scheduled this month.  I have included the link at the end of this post…..  If you would like to skip to the beginning of the teaching, it starts 1 hour and 35 minutes into this recording.  It is worth your time!  I believe it is important for Christians to sound the alarm of warning about the season that we living in.  I pray for mercy for our Country and pray that we will return to what we were founded on, “One Nation Under God!”

I do not believe it is a time to be in fear, it is a time for us to seek God and to pray.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

In just two weeks, we will remember what happened 14 years ago on September 11th.  9/11 is a date America will never forget.  911 is a number that sounds alarm –  signals for help, but we have a powerful promise in Psalm 91:1, which is the inspiration for this site.  During times of difficulty we should trust and pray this chapter.  Be encouraged today!

Psalm 91 Amplified Bible

1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.
8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, 
10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.
11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].
12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.
14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness — trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

http://churchofhispresence.org/media/player/media/could-this-be-a-september-to-remember/video/