“Loving me empowers you to obey my commands. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. The world won’t receive him because they can’t see him or know him. But you will know him intimately, because he will make his home in you and will live inside you.” John 14:15-17 TPT

I tried so hard to be good! No really! Have you ever heard those words or said them? There seems to be a lot of pressure to follow the rules. But it’s so hard!

Yesterday, I was listening to a message about a man who threw a party for his sons birthday. There were bouncy houses and all sorts of fun activities he’d provided. As he gathered all the kids together, he gave instructions that the only thing they couldn’t do is spit in his flower garden.

Guess what all of them did? Spit in his flower garden. Why? He had made them ‘rule’ conscious and whatever we become conscious of, we tend to do. If he had shown them all the games and fun things to do and not mentioned the flowers, they probably wouldn’t have been aware they were even there.

Satan makes us sin conscious. He constantly reminds us of our sin nature and the things we’re not suppose to do. He highlights the wrongs done, the bad things happening around us. It’s all a distraction to keep us focused on the wrong things. But Jesus said to love because love empowers you to obey.

What if our primary focus wasn’t on the wrongs but on ways to love and show the love of God to others. What if by training ourselves to love, we lost sight of the wrong attitudes and actions. Jesus knew that if we’re focused on loving Him, we would become more God conscious and aware of His abilities in us. He gave us the biggest gift, the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth. Knowing Him intimately is the only way to walk daily in the love of God.

Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit. I choose to focus on You because You are Love. The more I surrender myself to Love, the more like Love I become. My goal today is Your goal for me always, that I may so consumed with Love that there is no room left in me to do anything else. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Empowering Love

I was thinking about times I’ve invited people to dinner and tried a new recipe. I almost never do that, simply because it stresses me out so. What if it doesn’t turn out? What if they don’t like it? I’ve always tried new recipes on my family or close friends first because I know they’ll be honest with me if they don’t like it. Walt usually says something sweet like, “It’s ok, but don’t make it again!” No, when I have company over, the only reason they wouldn’t like what I cook is if they’re just picky eaters. My recipes are tried and true.

Well, God also tests us to prepare us for what He needs us to do. He tests our heart, our character, gets rid of pride and selfishness, teaches us the importance of forgiveness. I was listening to a message the other day on Joseph and how God tested him and wrote these verses down from Psalm 105:17-19 NKV; He sent a man before them—Joseph—who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord tested him. Verse 19 in NLT says it like this; Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.

God gave Joseph a dream alright, but Joseph had what I like to call a naughty,haughty spirit. In order for God to use him, he had to go through tests to see how he’d respond to the pressures of life, to work out some serious flaws. Don’t believe me? Look at the young Joseph who unwisely told his brothers about how they bowed down to him in the dream, and compare that to the tested Joseph when his brothers found out he was alive and he wept and kissed them all (Genesis 45:15).

Perhaps you’ve received a dream or call on your life, a promise God has made to you and you’re wondering why it hasn’t happened yet. The length of time between the promise and it’s manifestation is determined by how well you pass your tests. God just doesn’t hand out diplomas and send you on your merry way. No, there are tests involved so that you learn the skills you need to accomplish those things God’s called you to do. If you have more confidence in your abilities than in God’s, you’re not ready. If you’re trying to open doors yourself by dropping hints, you’re not ready. If you can’t control your mouth, you’re not ready. If you’re still trying to be in control, you’re not ready.

Remember how I told you that I prefer to use tried and true recipes on my guests? Why is that? Because they’ve been judged, tasted and tested by the bestest. God will continue to send people to us that are hard to love until we learn to love them with HIS love. God won’t trust us with riches until we’re first faithful to bring him the tithe or tenth of our income regardless of how tight money is. He will test us first with what we have before he adds more to us. When we trust in Him and only Him, when our faith is planted firmly in His Word, when we’ve passed the test, we’ll receive our reward.

Father, please forgive me for my proud and haughty attitude, for thinking I was all that and a bag of chips when I was merely crumbs in the bottom of the bag. But thank you for using those crumbs to top off the great casserole of my life, baked to perfection and tasty to feed many. I will patiently wait on You and in the mean time, feast on your Word and be satisfied in Your Presence, worshipping your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Tried and True

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

From the voice of God to your ears, spoken so long ago and yet still just as powerful today. God had just told Joshua to cross the Jordan river and possess the land of promise. What trust there must have been to take those steps toward the Jordan? Remember that Joshua, now 80 years old, was 40 when God split the Red Sea. He knew that if God gave direction to cross, He would make a way, even if they all had to walk on water. One thing Joshua knew was that NOTHING was impossible with God.

We need that kind of faith in God. We must know that God orders our steps and always delivers on His promises. We must be a friend of Gods, walking and talking with Him, listening and obeying Him. It must be about Him and His Kingdom, not about me and my four and no more, building my home, working for me and mine.  God wants our fellowship and service. He has plans that we must partner with Him to accomplish.  His Kingdom is about others, not about me. As long as my focus is outward instead of inward, I will succeed in all I do.

Let’s look at verse 11; “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’” After Joshua received his instruction from the Lord, he came into agreement with it and gave instructions to the people. So important here that we understand that it’s one thing to hear, it’s another to obey. He also spoke to the mighty men of valor, to arm themselves and pass before the people. Think about how empowering it is to know your troops are there to defend you. Listen to what those mighty men said to Joshua in verses 16-18; So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.  Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.”

Wow! I wonder how it would make our pastors feel if their leadership were behind their vision as these men were behind Joshua. Oh that it were legal to deal with rebellion by eliminating the rebels. I think back then they realized the importance of dealing with rebellion and keeping it from among the people. A little yeast affects the whole lump of dough and there is no way to get it out once it’s in except to throw it away and begin again. To know that there is only ONE leader in the church. ONE! and he answers to God for the vision and directive. We need to encourage and pray for our pastor, that God protects the vision and the visionary. That even if he commands us to go cross over Tampa Bay, we gather our supplies and get ready to go. We need to realize that He hears from God and trust the God in him to work out all the details.

So today, I pray for our pastors and leaders. I honor every man and woman in a place of authority over our churches, our cities, our nation. They answer to you, Lord. I will not murmur or complain about things that are out of my control.  I pray that you give them wisdom, clarity of vision and direction. We know that it’s always about your plans and purposes for our community and our nation. There is never anything that escapes your attention. You appoint who you will and direct them toward your goals. The end will always result  in your Kingdom being established in the earth. Forgive us for our rebellion. Forgive us for complaining. Forgive us for treating them as common or ordinary, for dishonoring our pastors and leaders. We pray that your had would continually be upon them, lead and guide them into all truth. Speak, Holy Spirit, in your still small voice and remove obstructions from their ears that they may hear clearly your decrees to them. Give them a heart to obey and give them mighty men of valor to stand behind them. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

You Want Me To WHAT?

Luke 18:35-42;  As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road.  When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.  So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.  But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him,  “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”  And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.”  Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

He could have been born blind or lost his sight in some accident, regardless of how or when it happened, we know he was blind and begging, which means he was dependent on begging as his income. He could have taken this opportunity to make some real money because of the huge crowd, but when he found out who was passing by, he could not be quieted. He yelled loudly. You’d have to yell pretty loud to be heard over a crowd like that, but none the less, he yelled until he got the attention he desired. He knew this was his opportunity, his moment and he wasn’t going to shut up until he was heard. You’ve heard the expression, ‘the squeaky wheel gets the grease’, well in this instance it was ‘he who yells loudest is heard’.  

I believe that what really got the attention of Jesus was his desperate faith. This was a man who had never heard Jesus speak, but rather had heard of him. This was a man who sat waiting, praying and hoping that Jesus would someday pass by. He had no means of transportation. He was stuck by the same tree, relying on others to assist him, to merely eek out an existence. But when he heard that it was Jesus, he got so excited because he knew his days of begging were over. He knew, like the woman with the issue of blood, if I can only get his attention, I will be healed.

Do you know that Jesus is just the same today as he was back then? He’s waiting for desperate people to cry out, “Jesus, have mercy on me. I can’t do this alone! I can’t see! I can’t hear! I want you! I’m in need of you!” Whatever it is you are facing today, call out to Jesus and don’t stop until you get his attention. Psalm 50:15 says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”  

Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me! I can’t make it one more day without you fixing this. I can’t do it on my own! I can’t do anything on my own. If you don’t step in, the things I face will never change. Only your hand can provide. Only you can make things right. Only you can heal me. Only you can deliver me. 

Then Jesus asked, “What is it you want me to do for you?” I answered, “Lord, I just want to see you.” Then my eyes were opened and I’ve never been the same.

Blind Faith

I received a call from a beautiful daughter of the Lord who is going through some unusual fire right now. She began to list the areas that the devil was messing with; frozen pipes, can’t take showers at home; pipes thawed, hot water heater went out; vehicle needs a new engine; vehicles heats not working. As she’s talking to me, she’s laughing! Her words, “Whatever devil! It doesn’t even bother me. I’m not discouraged at all.”

I’m blown away by this because when I look back on our last 4 months, similar things have been loosed against us and my words to the devil were this; “Is that all you’ve got, cause I’m not listening to you! I see your lips moving but all I hear is blah, blah, blah. I refuse to listen to your lies or be distracted by your attacks. I belong to a greater army of believers and I only listen and obey my Commander and Chief!” He said, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!” So I’m standing but I’m not standing naked. I’m dressed in my armor (Ephesians 6), disciplined to listen and obey instructions from Him alone. I’ve read the end of the book and we win. I’ve always wanted to be on the winning team!

So I was reading the 14th chapter of Exodus ERV and the very last 3 verses spoke to me: But the Israelites crossed the sea on dry land. The water was like a wall on their right and on their left. So that day the Lord saved the Israelites from the Egyptians. Later, the Israelites saw the dead bodies of the Egyptians on the shore of the Red Sea. 31 The Israelites saw the great power of the Lord when he defeated the Egyptians. So the people feared and respected the Lord, and they began to trust the Lord and his servant Moses.

This battle is not ours, it’s Gods. We are not alone, there is a mighty army of believers who are fighting the same battle with us. I believe God is showing us this so that we will pray one for another so that we will conquer together, no one left behind, no one defeated or wounded that can’t be restored. We must be what He has called us to be. Lovers of God so much that we love man, lost man, wounded man, hopeless man, man whose lost his will to live, to fight to win. We must show them there is an army of lovers who win over hate, hurt and hopelessness. His to use. His to love through.

Read Exodus 14 and remember this: Trust comes from obeying the instructions God gives, whether they are logical or not. If you want to see and live in the miraculous, you must first do the incredible.

Let your response to evil be a symphony of praise to God. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your praise!

Finely Tuned