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"Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Category: Purpose… (Page 10 of 10)

“I’ve Been Where You Are.” 2 Cor.5:11-21

August 6, 2016 /

driving-mirror-472758_960_720 I believe one of the many wonderful gifts God offers us—is diversity.  I’m not speaking here of the diversity found within the melting-pot of nationalities, though beautiful. Nor of cultures, though certainly diverse.

I’m speaking directly—specifically of  diversity found within experiences— our varied yet collective flawed pasts.

Those universal hurts, mistakes, betrayals, and, tragic-regrets we’ve shared or witnessed. Those life-events survived. The events that didn’t kill us, but rather strengthened us.  The experiences we might offer each other as balm to sooth, as encouragement to keep going, as a proof-of-life that helps to build up, that unites rather than divides.

Those very things that shamed us, ripped lives apart. Ours and theirs…

Those things that made us drop to our knees and cry out—in loneliness, desperation, pain, and regret. Like a wounded animal bellowing from places of deep brokenness. From almost-fatal wounds.

Painful scars, cruel slashes, some raw still…staring at us from just over there.

Reminders.

Paul carries them too, these scars. Thorns in our flesh. Dare I say they compel him? Us…?

Listen as he pours himself out in this Fifth Chapter. Read it, Dig into it. See for yourself how he understands—firsthand, what being saved from sin, his sin, truly means… as best one can this side of glory.

He understands that no man’s promised tomorrow— that the light which emanates from a life can, and, often is, snuffed out without warning—zero regard for station.

Beggars and kings, young, old, rich and poor alike—will each will face the Throne of God’s Judgement… ready or not.

Paul knows this like you know water is wet.

And so we witness him defending himself, his knowing, before those who think him arrogant, superior even.

Why?

Because they’ve mistake his heart of compassion, his certain knowledge of God’s mercy, his unmerited, unwarranted internalized forgiveness as arrogance, insolence.

Yet he is trying to persuade men still, to seek salvation in the Lord. Be ye reconciled! And those that do not find him arrogant or superior, those that know him, his sincerity, that know the Truth, will most certainly view him as hypocritical, unreliable, untrustworthy even, should he not boldly speak out, should he back down—from defending this Truth.

Everyone is watching…

Yet despite their fierce scrutiny, he has great love for these Corinthians—so he does all he’s able to remind them, encourage them—of who they are.

Our charge..

There are times in our walk when competing voices will try to put their distracting hands of confusion over others ears. Attempting to block out the deep Truth that lives within us all. But thankfully, mercifully, we serve a God whose will won’t be blocked—His will—will be done in the lives of His children. Those He’s called…

His strength, not ours.

That’s where Paul finds himself today. Convicted. Fiercely. Determined. We’ll all stand in his shoes one day, if we’re truly called as Ambassadors of God…

In his opening verses Paul’s doing his best to say, “Hey, listen to me please. I’m not trying to indoctrinate you into some cult. I’m not bullying or threatening you. I’m not using cheap scare tactics or throwing around disheartening words merely as frightful rhetoric—just because. I’m trying to tell you I’ve been where you are, and by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ I’ve been saved, restored in Him. It’s only now, as a result of His mercy, that I understand just how far my sinned stained soul was from God—please listen, you’re making an eternal choice.”

Paul is telling us that God’s judgement is coming to each of us—to the whole of the world. There is no escaping.

In the closing lines of the previous chapter he states that all men will appear before the Throne of God, judged for the deeds done while in the body.

Paul has tasted the goodness of Jesus, His saving grace. Remember he was once among the greatest of those who not only persecuted Christians—he stood as a witness and championed Stephan’s death… stoned  for his witness of Christ—of the Truth.

He, Paul, possibly, threw stones himself. Maybe the fatal blow. He stood among the mob gathered…Stephan’s accusers. The first verse of Acts Eight tells us plainly that Paul stood there, “giving approval to his (Stephan’s) death.”

Stephen, God’s servant, operated in signs and wonders. Unheard of…

Recall that at this time in biblical history only the Apostles had been known to move in signs and wonders…

We never know who we may be standing before. Judge not, least…

Yet Paul hated him—as he did all Christians. He rejected everything and anything that smacked of it—Christianity that is. Paul was relentless in his pursuit and elimination of Christians…Think today. Think Isis. That type of determined righteous erroneous hate.

Deeper, more personal. Have you hated or rejected someone for their faith in Christ?

Acts Eight states that Paul, “began to destroy the church. Going from house to house. He dragged off men and women and put them in prison.”

It becomes plain to see why, at this place in his life Paul is so convicted—so concerned about people being reconciled to Jesus. It’s plain to see how well acquainted he is with the weight of sins, his, theirs and ours—and their eternal reach.

Now freed himself through God’s mercy and grace, that freedom drives him to pour out his life in service to the One He had persecuted. Now he lays down his life so that some would know—be reconciled to—find—his Jesus.

Rejection by the world is an oddly a unifying thread among Christians…

We each own a piece of it…this rejection.

It’s an ever present—however silent—tie that binds us all to Jesus. After all, who more than He knew rejection, persecution, and the need for man’s salvation?

And we, His children are commanded to go out into that world that wants little to do with us, often despises us, and daily, faithfully, in-spite-of, carry-out His directive? Go ye therefore unto all the world…

Paul didn’t care what these Corinthians, or anyone else for that matter, thought of him—how they perceived him—so long as his God was honored.

He stood as naked as one may stand fully clothed…our example. Bold.

Naked—in his removal of self-will.

Naked, because he had stripped off his care for the opinions of the world—standing, he was clothed only in the pure love of Christ. Confident that he might reach those he’d been sent to reap—to bring in to the Kingdom. Listen to his plea in verse 20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

And there it is. The heart-cry of Paul and Peter, of James and John and the remaining Eight. Of every Christian Martyr that shared in their same faith, their same certainty. The point of this message…

It’s the heart-cry of every Pastor, every minister and evangelist. The song of every worshiper and the prayer of every warrior who storms the gates of Heaven— violently, for the sake of salvation of souls.

Be reconciled to Christ Jesus!

We are  Ambassadors of Reconciliation. Marked by God. Chosen…

We must wear that mark soberly into each encounter, before each new soul presented in Christ.

Not as one still in bondage, God forbid!

Rather as a Holy fuel!

Being ministers who live in a state of such relentless remembrance of Gods mercy towards us, allowing that to spur us on, to pour out our lives for each other, and the whole world.

We must never forget our past sin-stained state—more, we mustn’t care for the opinions of others towards it, that in that caring we may be deterred—save the opinion of Christ alone. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are.”

We must keep in the forefront of our minds that we, and those that have yet to know our Father, are not promised tomorrow. And while it is today labor tirelessly for the reconciliation of souls.

In closing, listen to our brother Paul’s heart…“If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

Receive this word as a charge. Wrap yourself in it. Arm yourself with it because; “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

I’ve been where you are, dear heart, precious soul, please, hear my plea that you too be reconciled to the Father. Cry out to Jesus for forgiveness of your sins.

Until next time…

“Feeling Disjointed?” 1Cor.12:12-13

July 30, 2016 /

doll-1076186_960_720 The Word of God speaks to us today of oneness—being a unit. Particularly, of being One Body—in Christ.

But how?

Contained within our Twelfth Chapter we find clues—an answer really. A renewing of your mind kind of answer—big! Too big for us to do anything with other than to humbly accept it and then—walk it out.

Yet not even the walking out part can be done in our strength alone—nothing can. We were created to partner. To be one of a pair. Relational. Apart from God we get wonky. We become disjointed—fractured, unproductive.

We, the Body of Christ, are modeled after what could arguably be His,God’s, greatest creation. Better than the world and everything within it. Greater than the universe with its galaxies, its mysterious unknowns. Far better than what lays in the hidden depths, within their unplumbed watery depths. Incomparable to any created creature.

Why?

Three Words—one really. His Holy Spirit.

We are made in His image. We’re unlike any other created thing. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Gen1:27).

We contain His Ruach Breath. “Then the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). His same Spirit, if we belong to Him, resides within us. None of His other creations contains His Spirit nor are they formed in His Image.

We, man, were created, in part, to be co-laborers with Christ—productive parts of His Whole.

Any doubts you may have on that fact simply read or reread John 15:5, Jesus’ Words not mine. “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one abiding in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit. For apart from Me you are able to do nothing.”

So here is the order of things, the Divine order. Jesus—The Head. Over us His Body.

That Body, His Body—well it’s us, we’re His Body.

Everyone who has ever /or will ever accept Christ as both their Lord (over them), and Savior (of them) enters into His body. Takes their place in the mystical family of believers. I feel it necessary to make these distinctions. Why? I want to insure you understand the weight, breadth and depth of what a commitment to Him looks like. I won’t take for granted here that someone else has explained it to you. It’ not a say it and you are it thing.

However, that being said, if you mean in your heart what your mouth is saying, your first step begins. Because Jesus is not just purely your Savior. More, He is your Lord…

We live in a have-it-your-way world. But we do not serve a God that follows that line of thinking. And yet we pray what has become, sadly, quotidian prayers of salvation. These-say-the-words-and-you-are-saved prayers. Divine Drive-through prayers of salvation. Salvation my way. Microwaved membership prayers. Ludicrous! We are being welcomed into Relationship. Reunited with our Father. After spending whoever long away in the sin-soaked yuck that was our so-called life we are being mercifully re-membered literally, back into a glorious, matchless, death-giving-over-to-life relationship with The Creator of the universe. Father God. Abba, Dad, Daddy. And yet we offer Him pallid—anemic prayers. For our Literal Re-Membering…

For the greatest privilege yet to be bestowed on any human being—service to his Creator. A place in the fold. A purpose. Paul’s entire Twelfth Chapter is spent explaining what re-membering, being a part of,  is all about. It’s significance, intricacies, and, its precise order.

It details, explains plainly, why you are an eye and not an ear, foot or hand. And why, as an eye, you must stay in your own lane and be happy being there. Don’t judge the other body parts for not being like you. And don’t desire to be them because you feel like you’ve been short changed as an eye, so now you want to be the brain! Your gift is sight not thought. Be an eye already!

And Verse Eighteen of our Chapter explains simply, concisely, why you must. It acts as the clarifier—the reason you’re an eye and I’m a hand and he, she and they are what they are and function as they do, listen: “But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation.”

So what makes us feel disjointed as The Body of Christ? Why do we strive, divide, bicker, and, compete with each other? We clearly have our own race to run, our own functions to carry out—our unique gifts to operate within. Just read the preceding chapter. For that matter read the following chapter as well. Each details our gifts and their unique purposes.

So what’s the problem with us?

Why does the Church look so much like the world we were just saved from?

Believe it or not, these are lofty theological, doctrinal questions. And I am not nearly qualified to answer fully them. I will leave their explanation to the likes of St. Paul, Sturgeon, Towzer and, Lewis…

But this I will say. Let’s look at Verse Thirteen.

If we were to stay focused—eyes fixed on Christ alone.  And fulfill what He has called us to do. If we would do as Paul, Peter and John did before us. What is plainly laid out for us, once again, by our great leader Paul in Galatians 6:6; it may well be a great starting point for us all. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.”

Crucified things die. So if we will nail our passions (strong and barely controllable emotions), our—I want, I need, I have to haves. If we reject—put a spike through, what drives our flesh (strongly wish for or want (something)—If I just could get__________, then things would be perfect. We might just begin to see the world and each other as we ought. As Christ-like as we’re able this side of eternity…

Using prayerfully, the renewed mind spoken of, once again, by Paul in the Book of Ephesians. “You were taught to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph.4:22-24).

Wait a minute! Stop the presses! Do you see what I see here?

If we were fixed—set, determined to die to self, and it can be done here on earth. How do I know? Because I know the character of my Father…

I know that He is neither sadistic, nor does He take pleasure in watching His children, like hamsters on a wheel, chase after, strive for something He has not equip them to obtain, accomplish—this side of glory.

Therefore, we, as it states in His Word, can indeed do all things through Him who is our strength. Through Him—in His strength. Not in our own. When we try and do the I, me, mine thing we fail—miserably. And far too often, leave a wake of hurt, heartache, and destruction in our wake. It’s only when we partner, pair, join up with Jesus that we can do what we were created to do. Think back, remember John 15:5 from earlier? We can’t do anything that produces life, goodness, mercy, kindness, joy, mercy or love. By-products each of His Ruach Breath within us, outside of—disconnected from Jesus. Impossible!

Why?

Because back when we were re-membered in his Body we each drank from an identical communal cup of the One Spirit. His—Holy Spirit. And in so doing the playing field was instantaneously—blink-of-an-eye, leveled. Once for all. No more Jews and Greeks. Which served and serves still to only showcase our physical divisions. Our distance and separateness from each other. No more slave and free. Creating separation by legalism and law. Through customs, cliques, and societal fears and prejudices. Differences and ignorance are often linked. They go hand-in-hand, and are often coupled with—hate. In this world at least…

Yet clearly beloved, celebrated one, unique soul… that is not how God intended us, His Body to operate. One Body, many parts, that’s our Chapter heading.  Many glorious, diverse, inimitable—parts. Each made to celebrate, support, edify encourage, and, life-up the others. All the others. Not just those that look like us, talk, walk and live like us…

But more, much more, we are to live brightly. United. Shining the Light of Christ into this present darkness. One magnificent, well-oiled, laser-focused reflection of His pure, powerful, unifying Holy Love. His Body, us—The Body of Christ.

 

“Really, That’s My Miracle?” Jn.11:41-43

July 23, 2016 /

6a00d8341c660253ef00e54f55a29c8834-800wi How do you react, what do you do, when your miracle, your Word from God—comes to you seemingly flat, elementary and, more importantly—too late? When it offers you—no tah-dah moment of right now jubilation! No sharp intake of astounded breath—rather it offers, brings along with it—a heavy, still, disappointing silence. It leaves you staring off befuddled, clueless, blank—in that universally recognized, that’s it? Really? Sort-of-way.

You know the look. Certainly you’ve witnessed it?  it’s disappointment—unfulfilled expectation. Instead of going left, it goes right—way right!

How do you handle disappointment—along with its plethora of emotional fallout?

We all have expectation—all of us. Even the most spiritual. Try as we might to live minus our faulty human ideals—our faultier still ungrounded expectations, we have them—we do.

We even expect things from Jesus. And, to a certain extent, we’re correct in doing so. We, as His kids should expect things. Things like a certain measure of faith, His protection and provision, His presence and the fulfillment of every promise He has ever made—to name a few. Here’s the catch—they’ll come His way not ours.

That aside—don’t allow, you mustn’t allow, foolish expectations—self-serving expectations to lead you down the wrong path. Proverbs 14:12 makes that abundantly clear, listen: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

Don’t allow presupposition to pervade your relationship with Jesus—a wrong move—bad! It will cause you, most assuredly, to fall—headlong, into sin. And, following quickly behind that sin—comes its cronies—the perils of disaster and heartache.

By allowing for a—He’s my buddy, He’s got this for me—irreverent way of thinking to creep in, to exist between the two of you—you and Jesus that is—the above mentioned attitude has already spelled-out your demise—Spiritually always, perhaps physically. Think the leaven of the Pharisees here—a little of it in your relationship with Jesus can—will eventually, kill it.

Example, Judas Iscariot. He had a definite, my buddy, mindset. From perhaps the outset of his relationship with Jesus he allowed seeds of irreverence to grow—simmer crock-pot slowly within him. He had Jesus all figured out. He, Jesus had come to do Judas will, Judas’s way. Jesus would raise up an army to demolish the tyrannical, brutal, socially unjust Roman reign over His people Israel. He was going to restore home rule, order, power, and, opulence. And Judas would have a hefty slice of the pie—position, and power all for himself. See he forgot he was only an ingredient, not the finished product.

His expectations were very unwise—sinful.

The polar opposite of his fatal mindset, the life-robber, the bandit of reverence—is selflessness and faith.

Examples—think King David. Talk about unfulfilled expectations—talk about selflessness. Twenty plus years of unfulfilled promises and betrayal at the hands of his mentor, waiting. Saul, the king, one akin to a father to David tries to take him out—kill him. And his own son, David’s own Absalom, heir to his throne—plots not only to over throw his Father and take his throne, but more—to kill him also! Check in out—read 2nd Samuel.

Think also about Joseph—not Mary’s—the other one. The dreamer of dreams and owner of a coat of many colors. Joseph—young Joseph. Jacobs son— inexperienced Joseph. Tells not only his eleven brothers but also his Father—the one who wrestled with God and has a limp to prove it. About his dreams—a bit haughtily. Joseph tells them all that according to his dream the sun, moon and eleven stars will all bow down before him. And though he was correct—his presentation of the facts was a bit naïve, foolish. How we present ourselves—matters.

He’s about seventeen when he has this prophetic dream. And now at thirty-something, some thirteen plus years after being sold into slavery at the hands of his jealous brothers, after being falsely accused of crimes and being imprisoned for them—finally, his dream, his promise, comes to pass. Read it for yourself—Genesis 37-44:9. I’ve skimmed over a lot!

Unlike Judas Iscariot, neither David, nor Joseph, nor our upcoming protagonist Martha, viewed their relationship with Jesus as anything but sacred—cherished. Mind you, they each had their faults—we all do, save Jesus. Yet, each in-turn demonstrated great faith in, and reverence for, God. Each demonstrated deference to His will…

So now—finally, at our close we meet Martha. As disappointed and heartbroken as she was—she remained reverential to Jesus in her grief. Who is Martha you’re asking? She’s a friend of Jesus.

She’s also the eldest sister of Mary and Lazarus, friends of Jesus as well. In fact, you may remember Mary as the one some other friends of Jesus scolded for pouring spikenard, an expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet then wiping it off with her hair?

You see Martha, Mary, and Lazarus followed Jesus—were His disciples. Each believed that if they had faith in Him they would see the Glory of God in the world to come. After all, that is what Jesus taught them—and they believed everything He told them. They would not taste death.

So now standing with Jesus days after she had sent for Him, asking Him to come and heal, touch—save her only brother, His friend, from death—she is confused. Had He forgotten what He had said to them? Did He forget His love for His friend, her brother? Maybe He didn’t hear her say that her brother has been dead for four days now and his body must, well—stink?

That’s it. That must be it. He didn’t hear her. Why else would was He instructing these men to roll away her brothers grave stone? Surely He knows…not in front of all these people…

What will they think? He must be irrational from grief…

What’s the use now? What can come of His being here—too late. It’s too late! Her brother is, in fact—dead. This makes no sense…

Wait! What is He doing? Why is He shouting out Lazarus’ name—as if a dead man can hear…

Before we go forward, I want to remind you here, now, of the question I initially asked—way back in the beginning of this blog. How do you react, what do you do, when your miracle, your Word from God—comes to you seemingly flat, elementary and, more importantly—too late?

Do you like myself—like these brothers and these sisters mentioned above, ever forget that we are not in charge—not our own? We are ingredients in the making of—the construction of something far greater than we will ever know or understand—this side of heaven. And that as ingredients we offer only what it is we created to add to the outcome of the overall product we’re part of—Gods will, His divine plan?

Martha knew that, so did David and Joseph.  Unfortunately, Judas didn’t and it cost him—his life.

Never forget that we are mere ingredients—imbibed with power certainly, but ingredients none-the-less. We are not the Maker, the Originator—not the finished product. That is Gods alone—created for, meant for—His glory.

We are but pieces of our Father—of Him, but not Him. We don’t possess His knowledge. We, unlike Him are not omniscient. We can’t possibly see the outcome—the end of anyone journey, or anything’s purpose. Never mind the thousand little reasons why things are allowed in the first place—why their allowed to exist at all!

And so it was with Martha and Mary and most of their little town for that matter. They were all knocked-out by Lazarus’ death. After all, this was their only brother, Martha and Mary’s—and the towns beloved friend. All they saw—could see, was that Lazarus was dead. And the pointlessness of his death.

Martha had sent news to Jesus days before to come right-away—posthaste! So why did He wait days, two in fact—before going to save His friend?  Why let Him die? As with every other answer to a believer’s questions, the answers are found in God’s Holy Word.

Since the Second Chapter of John a foundation has been laid by Jesus. Clues left like a proverbial bread-crumb trail that we might see the big picture—the finished product if you will. Yet even when answers are right before us—in our blindness, we miss them. It is not until Jesus opens our eyes that we are able to see what has been before us all along—His purpose for it all.

Where Martha, Mary, and everyone gathered at that tomb saw only death—Jesus saw life. Ingredients are not meant to be the final product—rather their use is to it bring about—a perfect, complete product that is.

Jesus knew what His disciples did not. Lazarus would live—and his physical resurrection would help to usher in Jesus’ own necessary—impending death. Lazarus was one of the necessary final ingredients needed to accomplish a perfect end product—The Cross.

And that—The Cross of Christ, the reason for it all, our only hope, did not look anything like what anyone would expect from a merciful, loving, forgiving Father…

Watch out for your faulty expectations… There’s a saying that goes; things may not always be what they look like!

When you focus on what you see, the tangible—what things seem to be, rather than using eyes of faith, the potential, the possible— you will always—always feel disappointment…

Seldom does anything ever end-up lining up exactly in the fanciful way you’ve expected it to—your visions, your way.

See that’s the thing about this faith—you’re called to walk by it—not by your sight, not your own way. That’s the way of Judas—not Jesus.

 

“Eyewitnesses” 2Pt.1:19

July 2, 2016 /

eye-428390_960_720 “We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard—God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts” (2 Pt.1:19).

Is Peter double talking?

Or, is he confirming Scripture?

Confirming Scripture I believe. And Scripture bears me out. Listen to what Jesus says: “The eyes that see the things you see are blessed! For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things you see yet didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear yet didn’t hear them” (Luke 10:23-24).

It is on The Word of God alone that we must rely.

Peter is nearing the end of his life, he has finished his race and is awaiting his Crown of life to return home to his Friend. It’s from this mindset that he’s speaking—observation and experience. You see he was privy to be eye-witness to what only burned in the hearts of the prophets to know…to witness for themselves. But it was not for them…

They longed for what Peter and the disciples had experienced. The magnificent privilege of living in the physical presence of Messiah. The Holy One of Israel. To taste of His Divinity, bask in His Holiness. To listen to, be taught and instructed by Him daily. To fellowship and tabernacle with Him at will—and live! Think God speaking to Moses here—listen: “But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live” (Ex.33:20).

Yet here is Peter telling us that not only was he eye-witness to the Messiah, more astonishingly, He was His friend…

In fact it is Peter alone, in the Gospel of Mark, who answered unswervingly the question Jesus posed to His disciples. “Who do people say that I am? And what about you?” Peter answered—via divine revelation: “You are Christ, the Messiah, God’s own Son” (Mk.8:29, Lk.9:20).

For three years Peter walked with, ministered alongside of, ate with, slept near and had been privy to the teachings of Jesus. Couple this with being one of three welcomed into Jesus’ inner circle and certainly, by all accounts, we have evidence of Peter being a fit eyewitness—a worthy and reliable source.

Need more?

Let’s go to Mark 9. Here we see Jesus, Peter, James, and John. The three are witnesses to Jesus’ Transfiguration. This only eight or so days following Peter’s revelation and profession of Jesus being the Son of God. In the blink of an eye Peter went from being the one who had followed Jesus in faith, had believed Him to be the Messiah, to an eyewitness.

There was no room for doubting that Jesus was in fact—the I Am spoken of by the prophets!

Perhaps Peter was in the crowd the day John baptized Jesus and heard God’s voice declaring Him His Son  (Mk. 1:10-12)? Perhaps that was the first time Peter heard God’s audible voice? Was that what caused him to drop everything and follow after Jesus? Scripture doesn’t specify. Whatever the case may be, Peter most certainly heard God’s voice loud and clear on the mountain when Jesus was Transfigured. He also saw Moses and Elijah, as well as witnessed the physical realm shift in appearance as they were collectively engulfed within a cloud (Matt.17:1-5; Lk. 9:28-36).

So is Peter in any way questioning, doubting or challenging the veracity of the prophets accounts of Jesus? Absolutely, emphatically—no! What he is in fact doing is laying down, confirming, adding, another layer of truth—an eyewitness account.

Peter is doing what each of us are called to do. Fulfill the Great Commission. He is giving testimony to, lending a voice to what he knows—emphatically. He is saying if you have any doubt that the Old Testament prophets may have gotten it wrong let me set the record straight. He is a lawyer’s dream come true!

And tell us Peter, on the day in question, on that mountain—can’t you just hear it?

Their questions, his sharp, crisp, quick answers! No hesitation, no second-guessing. Just here it is, this is the way it happened.

So now that we’ve established we can rely on Peter’s eyewitness testimony, it follows we should adhere to his instructions to us. We must stay fixed, focused on Jesus—and His Word. Patiently awaiting Jesus’ promised return for us—His eyewitnesses.

But how do we do this? How do we like Peter, James and John, like the prophets of old—become reliable eyewitnesses?

By following after the example of the one who spoke to them—instructed them. By following, via strict adherence, Jesus’ instructions. Just as they did.

To be a credible witness, one must deny himself. That is—deny what you think, feel or imagine to be real and true if it does not align with Scripture—the inerrant Word of God. Jesus did nothing outside of His Father’s will. “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another, showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way” (2Tim.3:16). Obviously I am not referring here to mundane daily tasks like picking out your wardrobe…

As eyewitness for Jesus we must be discerning. We must know, via The Holy Spirit within us, what to pay attention to. What we should allow to influence our thoughts, words and deeds. And what to dismiss, run from, disdain as folly—snares meant to rob our Truth. “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world” (1Jn.4:1)

We must be willing to lose our lives, not popular I know, but necessary. Every belief, possession, personal ideal—everything must be willingly laid at the foot of The Cross. We must be subject to Jesus’ Lordship over us or we are useless. Salt without taste—willful, rebellious. Using eyes that do not see—the blind leading the blind. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matt. 16:25-26)?

Witnesses must be confident, bold in their truth. We must be audacious, uninhibited in our testimony, come what may.

We, unlike the Peter and the Apostles, may not have yet seen Jesus face to face but that doesn’t diminish our knowing Him—our certainty in His existence. He is no less real to His friends today than He was when He stood and spoke to Peter, James and John face to face. To be a credible, trustworthy, reliable eyewitness we must have zero regard for our reputation. We must be singularly focused on speaking the truth—God’s Truth. Solely. Without wavering. Without compromise. “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, divine utterance may be given me, so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should” (Eph.6:19-20).

Beloved, we have yet to see our Lord face to face, yet we do have firsthand knowledge of Him and in fact have seen a shadow of His Magnificence. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people are without excuse” (Rom.1:20).

If we have eyes, we are eyewitnesses…

Even if we were blind our Spirit would testify to His truth!

Go, as eyewitness, into all the world telling anyone—everyone that Jesus Christ is Lord while it is still today. While you here, sojourners in a foreign land, awaiting your Crown…then you will have fulfilled Peter’s instruction—to wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts.

Be a faithful and true eyewitness…

Until next Beloved, Blessings.

 

“Get Set” 1Pt.1:13-14

June 25, 2016 /

road-908176_960_720 “So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now” (1Pt.1:13-14)

Let’s talk about grace—yes I know, the Scripture verse speaks to us about Holiness. But without grace, prevenient grace, it is impossible to achieve holiness! As impossible as achieving salvation on our own accord—ridiculous.

Our brother Peter, that great Apostle, addresses the bewildering, unmerited, inconceivable gift of our salvation within the opening of his Epistle. He writes to you expounding on the glorious future reserved for the chosen of God!

Straight-away in verse two he addresses God’s elect.  If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, he’s talking to you, personally!

Amazing right? Listen: “Chosen by the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood” (1:2) He goes on to say that in His great mercy He has given you new birth into a living hope.

Now if into a living hope, what was the state of that hope before it became alive? None. No hope—zilch !

You had no hope in Him. Until grace, amazing grace, astonishing grace, unmerited grace came and rescued you from the pig-pen, the death-snare, the extreme disconnectedness from God—certain death is what your so-called life looked like!

Mind you, God was never disconnected from you. Get that into your inner-most being. Not for one second did God not know what was happening in your life. Let me take that one step further to demonstrate the extent of His awareness—He was orchestrating your every step! “You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me” (Ps.139:3-5).

Yup, even those days you thought were going to kill you—God knew about those, grace upon grace. It’s why your still here!

So let’s get on with it, shall we?

Now that you know that you’re His, chosen before the world was even formed! And, that the work of sanctification is working within you via the power of the Spirit you received the very second Jesus sealed you as His own…now you can focus, with laser-beam intensity on Kingdom work! but don’t miss that…

Sealed as His own!

Listen to how the Apostle Paul, the one responsible for writing Thirteen Books of the Old Testament explains it to you: “Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come” (2Cor.1:22).

Is that a promise I hear sprinkled within his words? A deposit given you toward a future inheritance? If a deposit, that surely means there is more to come…grace upon grace.

It is to this grace that Peter transitions when he hits verse thirteen. Moving us from salvation he now elucidates holiness. He is teaching you a great theological truth… Holy living.

He speaks to the need of your preparedness. To the  actions required on your part. That you, in our mission to live holy, must be self-controlled. That you must establish, regulate, affix our hope unwaveringly on the grace to be given when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1:13). Though a free gift, you must choose to receive it. Positioning yourself to bring God glory.

Wait, what did he just say? Grace to be given you? You mean in addition to what you have now—there’s more grace coming to you?

Yes! Peter is trying to tell you that there is grace, upon grace, upon grace…endless grace. Necessary grace. Merciful grace. Saving grace…poured out on you to help strengthen you to live Holy, worthy, radical lives! (Jn.15:5).

Is grace a license? As Paul says, God forbid (2Cor. 2:10)!

When you were ignorant in your sin, living unenlightened lives, you had no knowledge that God’s grace was already at work in you, willing His way be done (2 Pt.3:9). You were blinded by your selfishness and—your have it my way mentality! For many, it was only after they received salvation that they were taught that it was by His grace, His unmerited favor, that this salvation came to them at all. Not until They had experienced His dawning—imbibing illumination from The Holy Spirit did they understand their salvation (Phil.2:12-13; 2Pt.1;10; Gal. 2:20).

Before I go on, let that sink in. Indulge me here…Visualize a feather, like in the opening scene of Forrest Gump. See it floating about on the air, languidly drifting along the unseen current—with seeming aimlessness. It almost touches down on one fellow, but wait…nope. A sudden updraft and it’s off again. Watch it land ever so gently, intentionally, at the feet of Forrest as he sits at a bus stop.

And so it was with you and I… “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). You may not have heard His mighty arrival, but if you’re His—surely you felt Him! In the pew or at your bus stop…that tiny tremor whose after shocks are still toppling mountains in your life.

The Holy Spirit is laser-focused, locked on—to awakening in you Christ-like obedience. And just as Forrest picked up that seemingly random feather and placed it safely in his suitcase, so too must you, with great care and determined resolve, take hold of and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor.3:18). Grace, and more grace will be given…

How do you receive this grace? You set our hope. This is not a fanciful suggestion, rather a challenging command. Peter is your General in the Army of the Lord and he is training you to—set your hope. Fix it, cement it, tie it down as with blocks. You must focus unshakable faith, your complete, whole, entire hope on the grace that awaits you when Jesus returns. As a soldier prepares for battle, so too you must prepare (Eph.6:10-18).

Your example?

As always—Jesus. Allow the Master to teach by example just how it is you are to set your hope—your faith.

Luke’s Gospel tells you that shortly after Jesus’ transfiguration, as His time was drawing near to face His death, burial and resurrection Jesus; “Resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Lk. 9:51). With foreknowledge, and strong-willed purpose.

Had Jesus taken-up His Earthly Throne then and there, at that first Palm Sunday, the work of the cross wouldn’t have been completed. And salvation and grace would be an unknown to us. That is what His disciples thought was about to happen. But Jesus had you and I in mind when He set His face toward Jerusalem that day. And you too, should always be looking ahead—eyes fixed on things eternal (Col. 3:2).

He was looking toward a future He would make available to those that would follow Him. And with it, the grace necessary to run their race faithfully, effectively—until His return for them, you, and I.

So what is this faith you are to have? faith is hope. Hope in an unseen, unknown future. Trusting. What distinguishes faith and hope? Little actually. faith is a now thing—your motivating force. You need faith in action to believe, today, moment to moment, that God is going to do what He said He would do (Heb. 11:1).

Hope is something you cast into the future. You attach faith to your line of hope and toss it forward. And what is it you’re hoping to catch? First, always—the strength needed to bring glory to God. After, eternity with Jesus! The crown of life, the, “Well done my good and faithful servant!”  That is your hope. Your expectation… grace upon grace.

You witness faith and hope linked explicitly in Father Abraham. In faith He believed God (now) when God promised Him a child and from him, a nation. Even when he knew that his body was a withered vine incapable of producing fruit! That’s hope in action. (Gen.17:21). Again we see faith and hope united in Caleb. He had the faith necessary to believe that they, (the Israelite’s) could overcome fortified cities and giants and takes possession of the land the Lord promised them? What land? The Promised Land …Caleb’s now faith, (Jos.14:7-8). His hope, (Jos.14:14).

I keep repeating this phrase—grace upon grace. Why? Because just as surely as it was grace that reached His All-Powerful Hand across time and eternity to saves you; it is and will continually be grace upon grace that continually lavishes you, undeservedly… until the Day of His coming (Jud.1:24).

Solely by the saving power of His unmerited grace is how you will accomplish what Peter is exhorting in verse fourteen. Be obedient children…

Now that you have obtained His amazing, glorious, transformative gift of salvation, you are not to be like a dog that returns to its own vomit. Don’t return to the evil desires of the flesh you had when you lived in ignorance, darkness—as the living dead…

Rather, wrap yourself in a cocoon, a shield of hope and faith. Separating yourself from the world. Because as John 3:3 tells us; “He that hath this hope in him purifies himself.” 

God is Omniscient. He knew you would require this grace upon grace, not only for our salvation but also—to finish your race. (Eph. 1:7-10)

Beloved, you need to jump head long, unabashed, into the promises of God. Boldly, confidently, steadfastly chasing after God, His will and good-pleasure! Until that day mentioned in Philippians.

“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you” (1:6).

Be Holy as He is Holy Beloved…How? Set your face. And hold tight to grace upon grace. Be a light in this present darkness!

“You Were Made For This”… Esther 4:14

June 18, 2016 /

atlas-642017_960_720 When God calls us to do a thing—whatever it may be, He prepares us for it. Often, long before we are aware that the thing even needs doing. It’s known as fulfilling your purpose and, as we saw last week, we each have one… (Heb. 13:21).

Some have a greater purpose than others. Purpose that will literally touch multitudes and change the course of generations to come.  Each according to the grace given to us.  (Rom.12:6).

Esther is a perfect example of what our purpose may look like (4:16).

Service always requires sacrifice…

Yet before we look at how God used Esther to save her people from extinction, allow me to remind you that elms are born from acorns. My purpose for this analogy…we don’t start great. Greatness is birthed through our submission to the will of God. And we’re not all called to be an Esther, Daniel, or a Moses…  but we’re each responsible for being the best us we can be…In more relevant terms, not everyone’s called to be a T.D. Jakes, John Hagee or Joyce Myers. But you may be called to serve within their ministry. Take up the tithes or perhaps clean-up when service is over…

That may seem insignificant to you in comparison to what they’re doing. However, no service is insignificant. Everything accomplished within the Body would be incomplete without your purpose bring firmly attached and being use to further God’s purpose…

And what is that purpose?

To accomplish the will of the Father as one Body united under the Headship of Christ Jesus. “But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body” (1 Corinthians 12:18).

Whatever God has purposed you to do, stay in your lane, focus on being the best_________, you can be and never forget that it is God who called you, and it is God alone you serve. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Eph.6-7).

I stress this because as we will see, when we forget who it is we serve, God will always have someone willing to step in and happily take our place…

Remember, we serve an Omniscient God whose purpose will be accomplished, with or without us! “For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back” (Isa.14:27).

Vashti has just learned this lesson. Who is she? She’s King Ahasuerus’s wife, and Esther is about to take her place.

Why?

For reasons  the Bible doesn’t specify, Vashti got it into her head to refuse attendance at the Kings grand finale. This finale culminated in a week-long celebration. It commemorated  a 180-day celebration designed to showcase King Ahasuerus’s vast wealth, splendor and majesty.

This was huge for the king . And his wife’s refusal to lend her appearance as the proverbial cherry on his sunday made him furious. Why? Vashti was known for her beauty and he command her to put on her royal finery and show herself to his guests.  She was yet another proof of his many accomplishments. (1:11-12).

As a result of her refusal a search was made to find the King a new queen. And out of all the beautiful women that were found none rivaled Esther in the Kings eyes. So he placed a crown on her head and made her his queen. (2:2;17)

Wait… what?

Isn’t Esther a Jew, and an orphan? And isn’t Mordecai, her uncle turned step-father, the one that raised her after her parent’s death? And—isn’t he, and she by default, expatriates of Jerusalem? Aren’t they living in Susa because of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, taking their ancestors into captivity? And God has chosen her, positioned her, to receive the king’s favor over all other woman—all those that belong in the land? ( 2:5,7,10).

Yes…

A resounding yes!

Why? The Lord does as He pleases with whomever He pleases. He alone is Lord! “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Absolutely not! For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (Rom. 9:14-15).

Esther has her moments of trepidation in service, particularly when Mordecai reveals to her that a favored member of her husband, the king’s court, Haman, has hatched a plan to kill not only him—but all the Jews. She knew, and made Mordecai aware, that the rules of the king were as follows: “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives” (4:11).

But pay attention to Mordecai’s response to Esther’s attempts to  rationalize not speaking to the king…

He corrects and challenges her in love. Realizing that fear had perhaps gripped her heart. Or perhaps she had become a servant who may have gotten too comfortable within the trappings of palace life. Maybe she had simply forgotten that her name meant compassion… 

And she was being called upon to muster it… and courage along with it (4:13-14).

Whatever had momentarily overshadowed Esther’s best judgement her uncles direct challenge jolted her back into reality, listen… “Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance]. (4:13).

Again, What? Wait! What did that say?

Something about being given the position of queen coupled with the favor needed to get her there? And for what? Why? To face probable death? All because she would attempt to save her people? Really…wait, her position, doesn’t that exempt her? And what’s this about…if she doesn’t do it she’ll die regardless?

Have you ever felt like Esther? You’re given this amazing opportunity, you’ve overcome many obstacles to get where you are…maybe like Esther your family background is a little sketchy? Maybe you missed out on an education due to poor life choices or lack of resources? Maybe you were abandoned, abused, raped or addicted.  And now that you’re hear, now when you feel like you can maybe relax and breath for a minute, adversity comes along just to kick in your door!

Your faced with an impossible decision. One you feel unqualified to make—truth is, outside of God, you’re right. You’re not qualified.

Esther realizes this too so she tells Mordecai to order all the Jews to fast with her and her maids. And as a result of turning to God, she is given not only courage, she is also given more of God’s favor. She boldly approaches the King without being summoned and does not die. (4:16). In fact, she, her uncle, and, their people are saved from extinction. Saved from certain death. Yet Haman, the one that tried kill Mordecai, Esther and all the Jews , was himself killed on the very gallows he had built to see Mordecai hanged from. (7:10)

Friends, in closing, let’s look at the last sentence of verse fourteen. “And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]” (Es. 4:14)?

There you have it…your purpose, Esther’s purpose. Show up and submit. Why? Because the thing with our purpose, we all too often recognize it in hindsight. That’s why, we, like Esther, must put our trust God, not our feelings. And do all He has called us to do.

And, as I stated earlier, if God has called you to a place, gifted you with a specific purpose, then trust Him. You are fully able to complete the work He has ordained for your hands to accomplish, irrespective of what it may look or feel like to you.

No man has been given anything for his own sake. No Christian lives solely for himself. We’ve received a voice to be used for the conversion of the world. We come equip from God specifically for service  to others—and as Esther said of that service, “If I perish, I perish” (4:16).

When we, like Esther, give our will to God, lay our fears, doubts, and, insecurities aside then are we able to fulfill the purpose God has ordained specifically for us.

She could have chosen to walk away…but certain death awaited her had she made that choice.

And so it is with you and I…

When faced with our destiny, our purpose, will we gather-up our courage, trust God, and, sacrifice self for the sake of those depending on us?

Or, will another fulfill Gods plan and wear our crown because we wouldn’t step into our purpose?

Remember beloved, you were made for this!

 

 

What's Your Purpose?

“Don’t End Up in His Shoes” Eph.4:7-8

June 11, 2016 /

shoe-68770_960_720 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore, He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men” (Eph.4:7-8).

Don’t miss that part—The grace being given to each one of us… That’s huge! Why? Because without it we will never accomplish one-single-thing worthy of Heaven. Huge right?

As with last week’s post, this week also we’re being taught by the Apostle Paul. Additionally, we’re going to drop anchor in the depths of yet another of Paul’s…Therefore   pivotal points.

Paul has a fitting and consistent usage of, “Therefore”. It is meant to whittle down the general teaching statements directed at the entire Body, into very specific, deeply personal statements directed specifically to each of Gods children.

More precisely, to you. God is equipping you to walk in your own shoes.

If, and only if, you are a Blood bought believer of Jesus Christ this Scripture applies to you!

If you’re not, I implore you to stop now. Invite Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior. One simple prayer, one plea, from your heart to His will make this happen. I’m talking about salvation. About stepping from death in sin-stained world and nature into forgiveness and righteousness in Christ. A second chance, a new beginning! How can I be sure of this? I know my Father… and, I’m a living example of His Grace.

Also, I can guarantee if you’ve been thinking of Him, thinking of going back to church, reading your Bible, accidentally meeting people or coming across teachings/messages like this one, you are being wooed, pursued by, The Holy Spirit. He wants you as His own and He also wants to give Himself to you. “It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him” (Rom.5-8). Emphasis my own.

Not let’s follow Paul’s pivot and make this personal…

Let’s talk about God’s grace. How it should—and should not be handled by us in conjunction to our gifting/ our purpose.

And you have a purpose, without a doubt. Your purpose is tied to your God-given gifting. And it’s been given you for the  explicit use of serving God and His Body. It was fully brought to life in you when you accept Jesus as Lord and His Holy Spirit took up residence inside of you. He alone enabled and empowered you to use this gifting for Kingdom and not self-serving purposes, thereby aiding you in fulfilling your destiny.

For all those who’ve ever questioned whether they have a purpose in life, you should be exhaling in loud sighs of delighted relief right about now! God has gifted you—specifically,intentionally. Yes, you have been chosen by God to serve Him! That should knock your socks off! Of all the people in the world He could have chosen, He chose you… you’re Handpicked! And, if that weren’t enough, He also supplied you with the grace necessary for you to fulfill the purpose He’s placed within you….Listen: “For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift” (Jn.1:16).

With every blessing in life, each God-given position brings responsibility. Regardless the scope of our purpose in Christ. Whether Pastor, author, janitor or front door greeter… do all God has entrusted to you solely for His good pleasure and purpose.

And do it in thanksgiving. Do it with a joy that should arise in you from knowing that you’re serving the same God who put breath in your lungs and who controls every beat of your heart.

And when you get discouraged, and you will, when you feel like quitting, and it might just happen, keep this close to your heart. Let it serve as a warm wrap in a sometimes cold world. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col.3:23-24). Emphasis my own.

Why is this vital? Verse Eight of our Teaching makes that abundantly clear to us.

We not only serve the King who showed Himself mighty in the Old Testament within the Ark of the Covenant with David (2 Sam. 6:1).  Nor a God who merely led His people by a Pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night (Ex. 13:21). But more, we serve a Living God, a Warrior God… Our Defender. He led captivity captive; which speaks of Christ’s conquests and triumph over sin, death and the grave. Over satan, and the world and every single spiritual enemy both of His and His people.

Principally, the devil, who leads men captive at his will. Christ has ruined Him. Making of him a crushed foe. Jesus ascended into heaven saving His people, taking captive all the power of the enemy and giving grace upon grace to His chosen.

That is the God who has placed purposed within you to serve Him, to co-labor with Him in accomplishing His will.

And He continues to do so still. In giving gifts to men; the most supreme of which is His Holy Spirit. He empowers each of us for the work set before our hands…His purpose for us, for creating us. “Having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! And having disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col.2:15). Emphasis my own.

In conclusion, let’s go back to our pivot—the role His grace plays in your purpose:

If you’re feeling like your purpose is too small, or worse yet that your somehow…gift-less. If you’re assuming your purpose makes no clear difference because you can’t preach, evangelize, teach or write books.  Please, pay attention to a man who thought just as you do. Because doing so might just literally save your life. Don’t throw your service to God under the bus thinking it has little or no value. Don’t take it lightly… or for granted.

By doing so you’re presuming you know more than God and, that like Him, you’re able to see your end from your beginning, like He does.

Turn with me to Matthew 25:24-30. Let’s learn of the outcome of the servant who did not treat that which is Holy as it should be treated. And your Purpose is holy and it given to you to serve a Holy God. And God gives it to you according to your ability.

Are you angry at God because you feel He short-changed you? Fearful and mistrusting His judgement in giving you something you is too big for you and you’ll just mess it up? Do you, like this servant know that God demands your best and your just not sure you can manage that? Please, please trust God…if He gave it to you He’s given you all you need to accomplish the task. Don’t follow this servants example and wind up in his shoes…“He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Celebrate what you have been given. And be the very best_________________, you can be. (fill in the blank with your gift, your purpose.) You’re not responsible for what you don’t have, but you are certainly are responsible for what you do have…great or little.

Walk in your own shoes, you never know where another man’s path may be leading…and remember, fear is a purpose killer and it’s not from God!

Until next week Beloved, Blessings…

 

 

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