Life-changing Encounters With Jesus

For the church I am privileged to pastor, one key thing I sense for 2023 is God inviting us deeper in His presence to prepare us to be sent out.  God is wanting us to slow down and take time to enjoy Him because He is going to equip and empower us to go out and make disciples. Encounter always proceeds commissioning. We can only give what we have received; we can only pour out when we have been filled. This is what happened for prophet Isaiah and it is a prophetic picture for us in this season. 

Isaiah 6 “I Saw the Lord….”

Imagine standing in a room and suddenly you see a vast and majestic throne with God sitting upon it. His kingly robes are so expansive and wonderful they fill the whole room. Angels are singing. The room begins to tremble and you feel the vibrations throughout your body.  The atmosphere is filled with a fragrance and smoke you can see, feel, and smell. This is what Isaiah experienced.  

The encounter we witness in Chapter 6 of Isaiah is a “blending” of heaven and earth. Isaiah was seeking God in a physical temple in Jerusalem (notice he mentions a temple in v.1 and a house with doors in v.4) when the glory of God manifests in a profound and life changing way. God’s throne room, heaven itself, descended. Imagine an overlay – the pillars of the physical temple are overlayed with the pillars of heaven. The oxygen of earth is infused with the atmosphere of heaven. God’s heavenly throne room fills the physical space. 

When we praise, God’s throne descends and His glory manifests. This, according to a principle David taught in Psalm 22:3, is what happens when we praise God: “But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” God inhabits or dwells upon the praises of Israel, His covenant people (this includes us who are in Christ – see Galatians 3:29). The Hebrew word in Psalm 22:3 can be translated “dwell, inhabit or even marry” – as in two merging, blending, or becoming one. God Himself draws near when we draw near to Him (James 4:8).  

When Isaiah says he “saw the Lord sitting on a throne” (v.1), He is really seeing the real God on a real throne. He is seeing by the Holy Spirit in the spirit-realm. Isaiah is in the physical temple and yet in this encounter he enters the heavenly holy of holies as God’s glory is unveiled to Him. God is always present; heaven always open. This encounter is made possible because of a removing of a veil over our spiritual eyes that keeps us from walking in this reality constantly. When we give God our full attention, we discover He is there – was always there waiting for us. When we become fully present to Him, we encounter His presence. When we adore Him, we behold His glory and discover He has always been adoring us. This is what Paul taught in 2 Corinthians 3:16, “Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” This is a work of the Spirit who opens our spiritual eyes and ushers us into the presence of God. 

These manifestations of God’s presence are real and available to all of us. This is a regular occurrence in the bible. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jesus, Stephen, John, and so many more friends of God encountered the manifest presence of God. In fact, almost no friend of God called to partner with God was without some encounter and revelation. It is God’s way. He reveals Himself to those who seek Him, like He promised in Jeremiah 29:12, “If you seek Me, you will find Me.”  Many of us understand seeking, but there is a finding as well. If we are called to “enter in” to the holy of holies then there is also an enjoying of the holy of holies. 

You can enter into God’s presence and you can enjoy God’s presence. Simply pause now, turn your attention to the Lord, and begin to adore Him out loud with words of praise. Keep it simple. Offer loving adoration like, “Jesus, I love you. Thank you.”  Set aside every distraction and focus your mind on the Lord. See Him high and lifted up, seated on His throne. Join with heaven and tell Him He is holy, that there is no one like Him. Do this daily, maybe a few times a day.  Continually turning your attention to the Lord, setting the affections of your heart and the thoughts of your mind on Him.

As you do this, you will become aware of His presence. His Spirit will fill you with heaven’s glory – with joy, peace, calm, rest, strength. The atmosphere around you will change as heaven comes. Your perspective will shift in the light of God. Wisdom and clarity will come. In this place, called “secret”, you will encounter God’s presence and hear His voice. He will share His heart with you and transform you from the inside out to be just like Jesus. 

This is the slowing down, the diving deeper, the abiding that God is inviting us into because, just like Isaiah, God has some things He needs to change in us and speak to us (read Isaiah 6:7-8). He wants to share His heart with us and invite us to partner with Him. Will you, like Isaiah, say “Here I am” and become fully present to Him?  And when He shares His heart with you, will you, like Isaiah, say, “Send Me!” and partner with Him?   

A Friend of God: Collaboration

“They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.”

Revelation 15:3

The Book of Revelation

There is a lot going on in the book of Revelation because there is a lot going on in heaven. The book, which details the coming of Jesus and the events leading to His return and eternal reign, is centered around visions of heaven. In Revelation 4-5 the Apostle John is taken to heaven. He has the awesome privilege of seeing the glory of God and hearing worship around His throne.  He is also invited to see and hear specific plans for the future of the world. He may be the first and only real time traveler! (more on that later). 

After John enters the throne room of God, He is shown a series of visions about the future of the world.  Everything is happening primarily in the spirit-realm and then manifesting secondarily on the earth. Scrolls and trumpets in the heavenly realm; famines, earthquakes, and such in the natural realm. We won’t comment now about the timing and fulfillment of these things. Some have happened, some are happening, and some will happen soon (see Revelation 1:19). It is all real—though the nature of the spiritual realm can seem strange to us. 

Revelation 15 – Song of Moses & the Song of the Lamb

Then we get to Revelation 15. The final judgements are about to be poured out on the earth. But first, a song! John is observing a moment after much judgement on the earth and before Jesus’ return. It is an “in-between pause. As human history draws near its conclusion, heaven takes a breathe. It is an intensely beautiful moment in heaven–and we get a glimpse!   In this moment, worship begins again and this time it’s the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the [b]saints!
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”

Here is what strikes me as odd: why is it called the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb?  Clearly, the text is saying they wrote this song: It is Moses’ song and it is the Lamb’s song. So, I looked back in the Old Testament to find songs Moses wrote. There is a song in Exodus 14 after the Red Sea drowned the Egyptian army and became the highway of deliverance for Israel. But the words of Revelation 15 are not found in that song. Then there is a song he wrote in Psalm 90. Again, not in any way related to the song of Revelation 15.  

Revelation 15 has to be a new song written by Moses. But He is not the only one who wrote it. It is also written by Jesus. Brace yourself. They collaborated! It’s their song which they co-wrote together. It is a masterpiece of their friendship. Can you see it?  Jesus and Moses hanging out in eternity, collaborating on a new song.  A special song to be song in honor of God before the conclusion of human history and Jesus’ return to restore the world. All of heaven starts singing their song. John witnesses the debut, the single release of this song. 

Theological side note. Did you know Jesus loves His Father more than anyone and is the chief worshipper leader of all of heaven? Check out Hebrews 2:11-12 referencing Psalm 22.  Jesus is God. We need a much deeper, dynamic understanding of the triune relationship of God. Father loves and honors His Son more than anyone else and wants us all to do the same (John 5:20-23). It should not surprise us that Jesus is worshipping His Father and writing a worship song with Moses. Rather, this is likely the most magnificent realization I have had in a long time; this truth has drawn me deeper into my friendship with Jesus and it can do the same for you. 

Collaboration with Jesus

Jesus wants friendship with you. He wants to collaborate with you. This is the deep yearning of His heart: a friend, a partner, a bride. For Jesus, ministry is not something we do for Him but with Him. The various gifts He has given to you, the creative potential resident within you, was deposited by His choice. He gave you something that you might make something with Him for others. What masterpiece of your friendship will you make with Jesus? What does Jesus want to do with you? Lean into your friendship with God, seek Him, and ask. When you get intimately close to God, you can’t help but become confident in your calling and full of courage to walk it out in love.  What if that song you are called to create, or that business you are called to start, or that bible study you are called to write is something Jesus wants to collaborate with on you as an overflow of your intimate friendship with Him? Exit burn out; enter rest. Exit fear; enter confidence. Exit striving; enter joy.

The truth is that ministry is primarily worship to Him and friendship with Him. We serve others and share our gifts to be a blessing. But we also hide, compare, covet, judge. We are so caught up seeking applause or fearing rejection that we have forgotten why we were created. You were made for Jesus, designed for His presence, and fashioned for His glory. You will be free when you collaborate with Jesus. Only then will others truly be blessed because the masterpiece will be pure. How beautiful is that song of Moses and the Lamb, because it is their masterpiece of friendship offered in worship to God. Neither vying for control, ownership, or royalties. Our Master and Savior is a servant. He shares. He includes. He is the Vine and we are the branches. And Moses, God’s friend, wrote this song with Jesus and for His Father. He wasn’t looking for glory, but offering Himself as a servant of God. Let’s do the same.

A Friend of God: Conversation

Jesus “was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light.” (Matthew 17:2)

The story of Jesus’ transfiguration is one of my favorites because it is such a break from the narrative flow of the gospels. It was literally an “in-breaking” of God’s glory, a pulling back of the curtain to reveal more of Jesus than what everyone saw on the surface. It was the moment the disciples saw the glory of God in the tent of Jesus’ flesh, the Word revealed behind the flesh of His human body. Jesus’ humanity was unveiled for a moment to reveal the divinity within. It must have been an amazingly intense moment for the disciples and a very timely, needed encouragement for Jesus. 

Jesus had just revealed His assignment fully to the disciples: suffering, betrayal, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. They didn’t get it. They thought it was just another parable. The ministry of Jesus was exploding, His name was spreading, and crowds were gathering. And the persecution was growing more intense as well. He was experiencing the rejection of men constantly—teachers accusing Him of being the devil, leaders wanting Him dead, His own family calling Him crazy. The shadow of the cross was looming. Jesus’ cousin, John, was gone. None of His followers understood. Jesus was alone. 

I image the experience was life-altering for the disciples. It was so impactful that Peter references it in his second letter, clearly showing how well-known the story was to those he pastored. I am sure what Peter, James, and John witnessed marked them. And yet, I believe this moment was more for Jesus than for them. 

There are many profound things that happen in the story: Jesus heads up a mountain for a bit of R&R, spends some time in prayer like He often does. Peter, James, and John fall asleep (I figure that happened regularly when Jesus had extended times of communion with the Father). And then, all of a sudden, the boys wake up to see Jesus brighter than the sun and two guys talking with Him. While they are still groggy from sleep and wrapping their minds around the encounter, Father speaks from heaven to them about His Son.

Any one of these things could be its own message. But wait!? Moses and Elijah are talking with Jesus! This is my favorite part. Why are these two guys hanging out with Jesus on earth and having a conversation? (The Greek word for “talking with” in Matthew 17:3 could be well translated “conversing” as in having a face-to-face dialogue). What are they talking about!? 

Let’s go backwards before we move on. Moses is one of God’s closest friends, ever. He made it into the hall of fame of faith. He, like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham walked with God. In fact, God Himself says that Moses is one of His closest besties: “I speak with him face-to-face” (Numbers 12). The intimate friendship Moses had with God is one that generations of believers have desired to have. Moses’ conversations with God are mind blowing. That a human was invited to talk with God about such things and receive such revelatory insight into God’s kingdom is amazing. Since God is the God of the living and Moses is one of His friends, it is very likely that this Moses has been in heaven hanging out with Jesus (The Pre-Incarnate Word) for hundreds of years before Jesus’ incarnation. Can you imagine the depth of friendship? 

Then there is Elijah. He is one of only two people taken bodily into heaven. He didn’t even experience death. He was a prophet who served the Lord his whole life and trained up many others to follow the Lord. Together Moses and Elijah represent the law and the prophets which point to Jesus. Both men, on earth, had insight into the coming Savior (see 1 Peter 1). And yet, likely they’ve been with God now for generations, soaking in the glory of God. 

Now guess what they are talking about? According to the gospel of Luke, they are discussing Jesus’ assignment. Luke says they were conversating about Jesus’ “exodus”, literally His departure or death and the details surrounding how He would accomplish this sacrificial assignment at Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). Is it a coincidence that the exodus of Israel from Egypt is a picture of our salvation (think Passover lamb, blood, deliverance and such)? Is it random that Moses, who led the exodus of Israel, is now talking to his own Savior of the new exodus, the true Passover lamb to be slain, and the eternal redemption of the world? I think not! 

Here is the point and the invitation to us: Moses and Elijah are friends of God. They have been sent by God to encourage Jesus. Jesus isn’t talking with angels; he’s talking with men. He has no one else to stand with on earth. Proverbs 27:9 tells us “the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.” 

I want to be that close to Jesus! To know Him that deeply, to be invited into such intimate conversation, to be trusted with such vulnerable details. I want a “face-to-face” friendship with God; I want God to reveal His heart to me. And that is the invitation. Every God-encounter with one person is an invitation to all. Here are just a few verses that reveal the deep yearning of Jesus’ heart to be known: 

  • I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you (John 15:15).
  • The time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father (John 16:25).
  • Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me (John 17:24).

Jesus has invited you into a deep, intimate friendship with Himself. He wants to reveal Himself and the deep things of His heart to you. He wants to enjoy communion and conversation with you. The first step is to simply come to Him. Begin to set aside time daily to seek Him. Ask Him for revelation and then open the Bible (I recommend starting in the Gospels). He will meet you there and speak to you.  

Unity Needs A Foundation

I have these nice dress shoes I wear when I preach.  I think they are from Kohl’s.  They are anointed-with my sweat and fire!  I signed the bottom of them with my pastor signature, which is illegible according to my daughter.  How much do you think I could sell them for?

I also have a pair of Lebron James’ shoes worn during the final game of the 2016 NBA championship, anointed with his sweat, signed with his hand (ok, I am pretending).  How much do you think I could sell them for?

The first rule of value: an object’s worth is derived from its owner.  

The creator’s value is tied to the object’s value.  The object, by osmosis, inherits the value of its owner. A broken guitar, a sketch, a game ball, a baseball card.  None of these objects have much value unless their owner endows them with it.  A Jimi Hendrex burnt guitar sold for over 380K.  A Da Vinci sketch is priced at 16 million.  Mark McGwire’s 70th-homerun-ball is worth 3 million. A 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card is worth over $500,000.  Each is a piece of the owner; something that ties us to them and their greatness.

In Psalm 8 King David declares a foundational truth: “What is man that You are mindful of him….You have crowned him with glory and honor.”  Every person is created by God; every person is important to Him.  Why!?  Because they bear His image, carry His glory, and where His crown.  Glory and honor!  Human flesh wrapped in the beauty of God, showered with esteem from heaven, lifted up from dust to be given meaning and purpose.  Because of the Creator, the created has value.  If He is of infinite worth, inestimable value, then those whom He made in His image are endowed with, infused with, that value.  His is an inherent value; ours is derived. 

Because of the Creator, the created has value.

This truth is the foundation of all biblical ethics and commands.  From the first chapter of the bible, the foundation is laid in love.  The value of every person is the basis for love and love is the basis for all true human relations and societal laws.  Remove a human beings dignity and you open the door to atrocities, oppressions, injustices, and violence.

Our society, as a whole, has removed this foundation.  There is no solid ground to build upon.  But, as our Master Jesus, told us, “Not so among you!”  We know this truth; we delight in this truth.  Now we must be governed by this truth.  We are glad to be valued by God; now He is calling us to see the same in every person we meet.  Our eyes must see the glorious treasure inside each soul; our hearts must be drawn to their value; our words must voice their honor; our hands must protect their dignity; our lives must bring forth their purpose.

People sometimes ask me how to cultivate unity, or a diverse community, or an atmosphere of acceptance.  It is this simple: I endeavor to value and add value to EVERY person I meet.

So if you have never heard, or you wonder, or its been awhile: you are VALUABLE!  You matter to God and to me.  You are created in the image of God.  You are beautiful; fearfully and wonderfully made.  Your days are written in God’s book.  He thinks about you so much that his good intentions towards you are more than the sand of the seashore.  You are glorious.  You are not a product of random chance or natural selection or mutations.  You are the artwork of God.  The desire of His heart.  The apple of His eye. You are worth more than Lebron James’ shoes or Mickey Mantle’s baseball card.  You are worth the glory of your Creator.

Now go see it in others and speak it into their soul.  Now create environments charged with honor, where every person is valued and welcomed.

A Voice For Unity

I recently read a news article that, in essence, claimed that the “experiment” of racial unity in churches was dead.  Well, not where I live!  

I recognize we have deep, historical roots of pride and  injustice.  I recognize we have lots of work still to do until we “all come to unity of faith and the knowledge of Son of God”; until we fulfill the prayer of Jesus, “that they would be one Father as You and I are one” on earth as it is in heaven.  But the “experiment” is not dead.  These “statistics” and “social observations” are non-scientific; these individuals see what they want to see.  They claim churches are homogenous.  Well, they haven’t been to my church yet!  We are far from our vision and far from perfection, but we are on the way and picking up the pace. I feel like we are becoming a church for those “in-between”.

During a motivational seminar, I was recently reminded of the “expectancy theory” that states, “whatever you focus on expands”.  Scripture presents a corollary principal: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  What we give voice to, influences our hearts and minds.  We plant words, like seeds, into our souls and those ideas produce fruit in our attitudes and actions.  Ideas become institutions; words shape environment; concepts mold culture, thoughts forms systems.

If we give voice to disunity, it will consume our society.  And no house divided against itself can stand.  It inevitably will fall.  If we give voice to unity,  it will heal our society.   As we learn from Galatians 6, we harvest the fruit of the seed we sow.  If we talk about unity, it will grow.

Negative voices are constantly bombarding us with the problems of race relations, division and such in our country.  There is place for this as it can, when executed correctly, bring awareness, stir holy indignation, and arouse action.  Like an accurate diagnosis of a disease can lead to a life-saving cure, examination of our social problem can lead to transformation.  But diagnosis without prognosis is only disappear.  To vent anger or spew criticism, leaves our “patient” with no hope.  There is a vast difference between, “You have a tumor, but if we act now we can save your life” and “You have a tumor, there is nothing we can do.”  The later is what the divisive words are sowing.  you mean well, you are making an observation, but you lack the sight beyond your experience, the hope beyond your world.  I refuse to stay there!

These divisive words are both the cause and the engine of our current state of division.  Rather than helping us move towards a cure, they are exacerbating the problem.  Our words, often on the news and in social media, are doing great harm.

I am committing to be a voice of unity; one who carries words of life on his tongue; one whose speech builds bridges.

I want to sow seeds into our culture that will both heal the wounds of the past and create the future we need and desire.  If we want a different future, we must speak different words.  I invite you, friend, to do the same.

Cut out sentences that contrast “us” and “them” and starting talking about “we”.  Elevate your generalities to specifics.  Who are “they” anyways!? And not everyone on the left or the right, the white or the black, the rich or the poor, the urban or the suburban are the same.  Transition from speaking about problems, to offering solutions. Criticism and cyncism are easy; strategic solutions require work, faith, and love.  Stop judging people’s motives while giving yourself grace.  You know what I mean; it sounds like, “They really want…”, “They don’t really care about…”.  Let’s be honest, we cannot see someone’s heart, we can only see their actions.  Take responsibility for your part–we cannot speak of another’s responsibility (i.e. “they should…”), without also speaking of our own. Cut out derogatory language–we never have the right to speak evil of or curse another person.  As God says, “Do not speak evil of one another” (James 4:11).

Speak words of honor about others.  Highlight the best in people.  Assume people have something to teach you; ask questions and actually listen and consider.  Emphasize our similarities, connections, and oneness.  Value differences–different perspectives, colors, gifts, and personalities.  Our differences can be the way forward; can be the weapon of unity rather than the weapon of disunity.  Share testimonies of those who are succeeding rather than failing.  Celebrate the victories, even small wins.  Have conversations about solutions rather than problems.

So, I declare that God’s vision for a unified church will become a reality; the prayer of Jesus will be answered on earth as it is in heaven.  And the church will become light again.  A hope to the world; a testimony of God’s brilliant, loving work of redemption.

I see leaders rising up with noble hearts, ready to serve the people rather than their own self-ambitions.  I see leaders who will lead the “streams” into one river, knowing that “all things are ours in Christ”.  I see walls of offense, fear and pride coming down.  I see a church that lives out the vision the Apostle Paul had when he called for “brotherly love” among rich and poor, slave and free, male and female, Jew and non-Jew.  I see a church on earth as it is in heaven: the redeemed of the Lord representing every tribe, language, people-group, and ethnicity, which implies an accentuation of our differences, a celebration of our uniqueness.  Singing, dressing, talking, relating in our own cultural flair–a unity in diversity, a beautiful mosaic of worship to our Maker, God and Father.

How is this possible!?  Honor is the key to unity.  I’ll have to talk about that in another devo because I am out of time.

Join me in being a voice of unity.   Let’s speak life and sow seeds into our culture that will both heal the wounds of the past and create the future we need and desire.

 

Faith Reasons

I’ve heard many people say, “I think too much. That is my problem.” Thinking too much is never the problem. It’s what you are thinking about that is the problem. 
Unbelief reasons. Fear reasons. Pride reasons. So many people reason according to misinformation or even lies. Many people reason according to what is right in their own eyes. This is what leads to bad decisions.

But did you know faith also reasons? Faith simply believes God and accepts the truths of His Word. This shapes the way we think which in turn leads to the right decisions.

Consider how people of faith reason…



DAVID reasoned that since God was on his side he could defeated a man many times stronger and more skilled than him. He simply concluded that God was stronger than a man. He declared, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts” (1 Samuel 17). 

Isn’t that the most logical conclusion: God+me=unstoppable?

ABRAHAM reasoned that if God had made a promise He would keep it. This led him to trust and obey God. Romans 4 says of him, “being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” When asked to sacrifice Isaac, the son given by the promise, Abraham reasoned in faith that God would raise him from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). He simply calculated His decision based on God’s character. 

He factored God’s faithfulness into the equation.


PETER reasoned that if Jesus could walk on water that he could also walk on water. His faith reasoned something like: “Well Jesus can do it, and I am a follower of Jesus, so if He says I can do it, then I can do it because He gives me power to do what He does.” Peter had already experienced miraculous provision and healing when he obeyed Jesus and depend on His power. And so walking on water was more of the same. His faith reasoned, he asked Jesus, “Tell me to come to you.” Jesus said, “Come”. Peter walked on water. 

Simple math for believers: Jesus says I can do it = I can do it.   

This is how faith reasons. What seems illogical to unbelief is logical to a person of faith. The person of faith is not being illogical, they are simply reasoning from faith rather than from unbelief. A person of faith comes to a conclusion based on the information they’ve received from God. The truth changes their perspective. 

So use your mind to trust God. Think like a believer. Reason in faith.  Think too much about His word rather than about, well, whatever else you have been thinking about. Reason in faith.

Here is a good place to start: 

Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

If your mind believes what it hears, then hear God’s word. We need our minds renewed. When our mind is renewed our character and choices and life are transformed (Romans 12:1-2). Listen to faith filled preaching and read the bible.  

Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Think about and speak out loud God’s word–His way of thinking. Let His mind change your mind. 

Every Stronghold Will Fall

We all have things that confront us in life from time to time: pressure from the outside, fear on the inside; difficult circumstances and trying relationships; plaguing thoughts and crippling emotions. We all face these things but the important question is: how do you face them? Do they defeat you or do you defeat them? God says you are more than a conquerer through Jesus Christ who loves you (Romans 8:37). God tells us how to overcome these things in His power, to see every stronghold fall.

The bible describes these external and internal trials in various ways. One time Jesus called these trials “mountains”-enormous, immovable strongholds. In essence He was saying, “When you are faced with an impossible situation, a sickness or financial situation you cannot bear, an addiction you cannot overcome, or emotions you cannot change, you need My power. What is impossible with men, is possible for God and for those who trust Him.” You might not be able to move that obstacle by yourself, but you and God can bring it down easily. My four year old can barely carry a large box of cereal by himself. But with my help, it’s easy.

So how do we trust God? How do we work with God to overcome?  

Check out what Jesus told us to do:

 “Have FAITH in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever SAYS to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” –Mark 10:22-23

When faced with something that will never move without God’s power, do what Jesus says: speak to it! He did not say, “Ask God to move the mountain.”  He told us to speak to the mountain. His power will not be released until we speak God’s word in faith. Just like Jesus told the storm He was in to be still (and it worked), so speak to that mountain in front of you. Just like David spoke to Goliath before he felled the giant, speak to that giant in front of you. Tell that stronghold to get out of your way in the name of Jesus and that stronghold will fall.  

His power will not be released until we speak God’s word in faith.

That thing opposing you wants you to be silent. God wants you to speak. When we believe that God’s word is true and powerful, we act accordingly. Faith declares God’s word and every stronghold will fall.

Return To Where You Began

Have you received a promise and rejoiced?  and then after the promise came hardship and delay?  Did you struggled in faith?  Well, you are not alone.   And just like Abraham, the father of our faith, you can return to where you began.

Abraham was called by God to leave his family, his comfort zone, and his financial safety net. He left everything because he heard God and trusted in His promises (Check out Genesis 12 and Hebrews 11 for more of the story).

When Abraham arrived in the land of Canaan he heard God say, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar as an act of worship to God. This altar was a symbol of his faith—of his joy, his gratitude, his confidence, his resolve to follow God.

This altar was a symbol of his faith—of his joy, his gratitude, his confidence, his resolve to follow God.

But then Abraham was confronted with an economic crisis, a drought and famine. After the promise came hardships and delay.  Abraham struggled in his faith. His character was tested. Abraham went down to Egypt where it was safe. He lied, putting his wife in danger, to save his own skin.  Hint: don’t follow that example. 

But after his failure came restoration. Genesis 13 describes Abraham’s return: he came out of Egypt and returned “to the place where his tent had been at the BEGINNING, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at FIRST. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord (Genesis 13:3-4).”

“…to the place of the altar which he had made there at FIRST.” -Genesis 13:4

Did you see that!? He returned to where he BEGAN. He returned to the place he had FIRST built an altar. He went back to the place God had spoken, to the place he believed God, to the place of joy, of confidence, of resolve, of thankfulness. He returned to faith.

Do you need to return to faith? Do you need to remember what God has promised you? Do you need to remember joy, confidence and thankfulness? Do you need to return, rebuild an altar of faith, worship and call on God’s name?  Well, you can. Just like Abraham you can return to where you began.  God’s mercy is new today. He is waiting for you to turn to Him, and cry out for His help.

And here is a good place to begin: like Abraham, be “strengthened in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20).” Worship.  Boast about God.  Praise Him.  Find His promises in the bible and shout, “Thank you!”

 

 

 

 

What Jesus Wants 

Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain….And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:24 and 12:32

Why did Jesus die? He didn’t want to be alone!  Jesus is the “grain of wheat” or Seed that died, was buried, and in rising from the dead produces “much grain.”  We were created FOR Jesus, to be His Daily Delight (Colossians 1:16 and Proverbs 8:31). He came to bring us out of darkness and into His light. He came to set us free from the bondage of sin and give us His righteousness. He came to ransom us from the power of death and give us eternal life with Himself. And that is exactly what He accomplished through His death and resurrection. Thank you God! Now, when you and I trust in Jesus, making him Lord, and receiving this FREE gift, we become His—alive, forgiven, and free.

And how many people (“grain”) does Jesus want?  ALL PEOPLES!  Jesus does not want to be alone; He wants “much grain”–a metaphor for all people to come to know Him and become like Him.  Jesus wants His Father’s house filled with people from all different ethnicities and backgrounds. He loves that person at your work; He loves your neighbor, He loves your prodigal family member; He loves that person serving you at the store or restaurant. Jesus desires them to be His Daily Delight too!  He is drawing you and He is drawing them to Himself.

 

 

The Lord will restore you completely!

“When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.” Psalm 126:1

In a season of brokenness and despair, the Lord came to me and promised, “I will restore you completely.” Even though the struggle with depression, hopelessness, fear, and shame did not end immediately, I continued to stand on this promise, flood my heart with God’s word, and cry out to Jesus for deliverance.

Years later, while enjoying the freedom, joy, peace, and confidence in God’s love that had become my “new normal”, I was reminded of God’s promise. I was assured: God had restored me completely.   My faith, calling, joy, intimacy with God, confidence, passion, and more were restored. The many promises God had given me were (and still are) coming to pass in my life. Just to name a few:

He had promised joy and intimacy with God from Isaiah 56:7;

He had promised blessing and confidence from Isaiah 54;

He had promised freedom from Psalm 126;

He had promised hope through Isaiah 60 and 61….

God is faithful. He will do what he promised for you. He will restore you completely. He is the God who hears the cry of your heart and sees your distress (Exodus 3:7-10). He is the God who is with you even in opposition (Genesis 39:21). He is the God who conquered sin and death (Acts 2:24).

Do you remember what God did to the Egyptians? He destroyed them because they were oppressing his people. That is your God. That is the God who loves you and made promises to you. That is the God who made a covenant with you in Christ. Just as He delivered Israel completely, bringing them out of bondage, blessing them financially, teaching them to worship God, and leading them into their promised land, so God will restore you completely. He will heal you inside and out, He will deliver you from all addictions, He will rebuke the devourer of finances and pour out abundant provision on you, He will put confidence in you for your calling, He will fill you with His Spirit, He will break off all fear and shame, he will lead you on the right path, He will be glorified through your life.

So you will declare, when God restores you completely, what David said in Psalm 18:19, “He delivered me because he delighted in me!” And you will sing, “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing…. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.” Psalm 126:1-3

I encourage you to receive God’s promise TODAY.  Start declaring TODAY; starting singing TODAY.  God is for you!