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A Lost Word

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When I worked for the Sheriff’s Department years ago, I will never forget getting a call to the north side of Smith County to help search for a little 4 year-old girl who had wandered off with her dog.  When I arrived on the scene, there were already about five other law enforcement officers there, the parents where in a panic, understandably, and a helicopter was on the way.  We were given some idea of direction the little girl may have gone and was believed to be with her dog because the dog was no where to be found.  It wasn’t long after starting our search that the little girl and dog were safely found and safely returned to her parents.  

During this pandemic, the Church has received an urgent call and it’s not for a little girl, but it’s for a word that is lost.  Many don’t even know the word is missing and many, if they knew this word was missing would continue on with their busy lives and let others do all the searching.  I can’t remember that little girls name, but I do remember everyone fanning out around that house calling out her name as loud as they could hoping she would hear and return.  The Church should be calling out this lost word to the world, and that’s why the world is lost and separated from Holy God.  The word is “repent.”  Jesus said, 

 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:3

There’s not too many churches today where you will ever hear this word.  But why, right?  Jesus called for repentance and John called for repentance and so did the apostles, but why has the church lost this word in it’s language?  I believe many have lost the word because they have come to believe that a person can receive Christ and keep doing what they have always been doing.  I believe that word is lost because they are afraid to hurt someone’s feelings.  I believe that word is lost because it comes across as harsh and judgmental, but when you hear someone call for repentance, the exact opposite is true.  A call to repent isn’t harsh or judgmental, but it is a word of love and a word of understanding.  Whoever uses the word and calls for repentance understands there is no possible way to get right with God without repenting.  So, repent!  Turn away from that sin and turn away from your self efforts believing that by them you will have eternal life.  Turn away from walking with the crowd of the world.  

If that word is not found, the church will continue to be lost, but if we can find that word and safely return it to the church, a revival just like the ones those parents had can take place.

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Don’t You Get It?

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Some people are slower than others when it comes to understanding.  Recently, I was sent an article to read and in it there were terms and acronyms that I didn’t understand.  It took me a little while, but I finally began to understand what the writer was saying.  There are  subjects and abstract truths that are more challenging for some than others.  Decades ago, special classes were made in schools for those who were not able to keep the learning pace with the others.  What I have found is that this educational pace applies in more than academics.  This is an another amazing thing that God has slipped in on humanity. Those who may be slow in understanding mathematical formulas, sentence structures and processes can be quick to understand the love of God and receive it.  

Think about it, God has placed you in a school called life, and understanding what life is all about is what many struggle with.  What good is it to be intellectually astute and admired by the cultured in today’s society, but spiritually ignorant and completely ignored by heaven?  Jesus put it this way, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and yet loses his soul?”  Matthew 16:25

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called.] But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

No matter what your education level is, God in heaven reaches down and gives you opportunity to get a higher education in the spirit.  No matter what your intellectual level is, at some point there has to be the understanding that there is no pathway to eternal life that does not go to the cross of Jesus Christ.  No one passes the cross and moves on to eternal life without a complete confession and surrender of their life.  We could never pass the eternal life exam no matter how much we studied, but that is where the understanding comes clear—Jesus Christ took the exam, made the A+ and gave us the credit.  Hallelujah!

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Coverup

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You have seen that person walk in the room with their shirt perfectly pressed, tie squared and snugged to position at the collar, and not a hair out of place and then heard the whisper of thought gust through your mind, “That’s someone who has it all together.”  And if we’re honest that’s the way we want people to look at us, and for the most part, we put on a pretty good show—but we know the truth.  There are a few exceptions to this display of perfection, and those people will declare, “I don’t care what people think about me.”  More than likely they do, but maybe they have experienced the exhaustion of keeping it all together, or maybe this attitude has been engrained in them since childhood.  But most of us do care about the way we look and what others think, so we do our best everyday to present to the public the person we want them to see.  

However, there are times we need the reminder that no one has it all together, so you can lighten up on yourself.  No one knows what that man or woman who looks like they could be on the cover of any magazine struggles with behind the scenes of their life.  I know what can go on behind the scenes and so do you if you think about it.  It’s called struggle—and we all struggle with something.  All that we see is the coverup of that struggle, but it’s there.  It may be a struggle with guilt or low self-esteem.  It is often the struggle with the way one looks or depression or anxiety.  We makeover the struggle of failure and disappointments.  We cover the struggle of addictions and fractured or broken relationships.  We hide our sinful habits and fleshly desires.  We cover selfish ambitions and our unwillingness to love as Christ has loved us.  Don’t be fooled, this is what people do.  So rest when you don’t have it all together, and silence that false notion when you see someone who appears to have it all together.  Most of all, remember the way God sees you.  

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For [the LORD does] not [see] as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7

What Jesus did on the cross was a coverup for each one of us.  By His sacrificial death and the cleansing power of His blood, He covered all our sin.  He is the One who had it all together because He knew we never could!

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You’re in the Wrong Party

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It is highly possible that you could split our nation in half by our strong political affiliations. Americans are party people who for the most part stand for either the Republican or Democrat values and goals. There are some Independents mixed in, but all in all it is one of the two parties. Our news networks understand that and constantly feed one party’s perspective against the other, thus being a major driving force of strife and division. Political parties have long existed, but have you ever considered that you may be in the wrong party? I can promise you that the news stations could care less about the division and strife in our nation because their stations run on ratings and the more heated arguments they can televise the higher the ratings they receive. But have you considered you are in the wrong party?

When you become more Republican or Democrat politically than you are God-centered spiritually, you are in the wrong party. What a tragedy when Christians prefer their political views over the compassion and care for people. What a tragedy when a Christian talks more about their political party because they believe they have the answer to our nation’s problems than talking about Jesus Christ who alone has the answer. I have heard people say, “You can be too heavenly minded to be any earthly good.” I don’t believe that personally, but I do believe you can be too politically minded to be any spiritual good. Have you chosen your side? Are you a staunch Republican or Democrat? Why not believe we are all being intentionally divided against ourselves and join the Christ-followers party? The truth is our political parties thrive in the confusion and chaos. Look at what Jesus said in Luke 11:23.

“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”

You might be wondering if I am rejecting party affiliations. What I am saying is that if you are a child of God, born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, you better be known to be one who lines up with the Jesus party. What I am wanting you to evaluate is if your desire and passion is expressed more politically than it does spiritually. Only Jesus knows the way for us, the truth among us, and has the life for us, only Jesus! I am with Jesus Christ!

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Do You See Anything?

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You might expect this question to come from a father to his young son on a hunting trip.  Or you might expect this question from one undercover officer to another staking out a house or business.  You might even expect to hear this question to come from an Ophthalmologist, but you would never expect to hear it come from Christ after laying hands on a blind man to restore his vision.  This same question needs to be asked every child of God who believes they live in the last days, “Do you see anything?”  Unfortunately followers of Christ have become like the blind man once touched by the hands of Jesus.  He said,

“And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”  Mark 8:24

This response after being touched by the One who gives sight to the blind ought to make us ask our own questions.  Did Jesus not have the power the first time to give the man his sight?  Was something wrong with the man’s faith?  Why did Jesus take the man by the hand and lead him out of town?  Was this a failure on Jesus’ part?  Does Jesus heal only halfway sometimes?  Well, here’s the answer.  Jesus had the power and the man’s faith was fine, but this partial healing was for our benefit.  What that means is that this question is for you and me, “Do you see anything?”  What that means is that our vision can be improve significantly with another touch from God, and it says, “Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up.  And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.”  V. 25

Let me ask you, do you see everyone clearly?  Do you see some people as of more importance than others?  Do you see people based on the color of their skin or the clothes on their bodies?  Do you see people based on their economic status or based on their titles?  Two times it says in the passage, “And he looked up.”  The way God wants us to see people is not by looking down on them, but with eyes of humility looking up to them.  It could be that we all need another touch from God so we might see everyone clearly.  

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Loved!

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Years ago, I was on the floor praying to God in my bedroom and pouring my heart out asking God to tell me that He loved me.  Just like you need to hear those around you say those three words, you also need to hear God say it from time to time.  As I was praying with my door closed asking God to tell me, my bedroom door suddenly flew open and my four year-old daughter came in and laid over my back.  As I tried to keep praying thinking she would soon leave, I heard her say these words, “I love you Daddy.”  It took me a little while, but I finally made the connection—that was God speaking to me through my daughter telling me that He loved me.  Oh, let your heart be open to hear God speak His love to you.  A few years later, I received a call from my brother and wasn’t able to talk at the time, but he left a message.  He said, “Hey Joe, this is your brother Dave, I don’t need anything, I just wanted you to know I love you.  You don’t have to call me back.  I just wanted you to know I think you’re awesome.”  My brother is the most encouraging person I know.  Once again, I knew that was God speaking through my brother to me.  One of the things God wants to say to you is, “I love you!”  He said it once on the cross loud and clear.  

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“The LORD has appeared of old to me, [saying:] “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3

You may not always feel loved because of the overwhelming circumstances God allows you to go through, but even then you are loved.  Do you ever tell anyone you love them?  Who knows whether that person has been asking God to tell them He loves them and all He wants to do is use your mouth to say it.  Ask God to tell you He loves you and when you hear it out of someone else’s mouth, you should be motivated to let those three powerful words come out of your mouth. 

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What is God Saying?

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Spiritually, most of us would make excellent offensive lineman blocking anyone trying to get to the quarterback of our hearts and lives.  God is trying to get through to you and me, but we have this most frustrating habit of placing Him on hold for long periods of time hoping He will hang up and use the automated system of our lives.  Sometimes you need to get away to hear what God is saying to you.  Sometimes you need a crisis to help tune you in.  Sometimes you just need to be desperate to hear Him.  Spiritual  deafness even happens to some of the most faithful followers.  Elijah was a faithful prophet who desperately needed to hear God’s voice.

“Then He(God) said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, [but] the LORD [was] not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, [but] the LORD [was] not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, [but] the LORD [was] not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11-12

The strong wind, earthquake, and fire were only meant to draw Elijah’s attention, but the voice of the Lord came after.  I believe with the pandemic God has the attention of many people, and now we should listen for His distinct voice speaking like a whisper.  Look at what God said.

“So it was, when Elijah heard [it,] that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice [came] to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  1 Kings 19:13

God may want to ask you the same question, “What are you doing here?”  What God is saying to me using this scripture is that God is where you are right now, and He is patiently waiting for all the noises that have captured your attention to fade out to speak to you.  God is speaking to you.  What is He saying?

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Riverside Prayer

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“And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met [there.]”.         Acts 16:13

Some things should compel you to pray more than at other times.  The apostle Paul’s instructions were to never place the “Amen” on the end of prayers, but to “pray without ceasing.”  In this time of uncertainty and fear because of the pandemic and imposed global orders to stay at home, our prayers should be on the rise and never ending.    Those women mentioned in Acts 16:13 were in a prayer group encouraging one another and seeking the Lord.  It says nothing of a pandemic, but only a faithfulness to come together and pray.  So this suggests the question, are you in a prayer group?  How much praying to God is taking place in your home?  Is your prayer life on the increase?  Did you know that how much time you spend in prayer is one of the number one indicators of what you believe?  

It was when prayers were offered to God by the riverside that a woman named Lydia opened her heart to the truth of the gospel.  She worshipped with a closed heart until she heard the truth proclaimed by Paul.  How many people do you think are just like Lydia, in a prayer group worshiping God with a closed heart?  I would estimate many have been in our midst knowing they need to open their hearts to Christ.  It says, “The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:14

Prayers were being made, the gospel was proclaimed, and God opened Lydia’s heart.  You need to believe that your prayers are moving mountains and that there is so much power when we come together to pray.  Right now is a great time to start a prayer group ministry with two or three or five people.  Someone has to lead in prayer just like someone led those women to the riverside to pray.  Why not you?  Step up to the mountain of fear that’s stopping you, gather some people with you and start praying and seeking God’s face.  He will meet you at the foot of the mountain, and as you pray, you will get to see the mountain move.  Let’s pray!

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Secrets of God

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We all have secrets, but no one has as many secrets as God, and God’s secrets concern you and me.  When you share a secret or private message with someone you trust, you expect that person to keep it private.  There are many things in our lives that do not need to be publicized or posted on Facebook.  You may share a secret with someone you trust, but usually you share that secret for a few different reasons.  The secret may be a burden you need to share with someone so they can pray for you.  You may share a secret because it is a matter of accountability you want help with.  You may share a secret because whatever it is directly effects the person you are sharing with.  And then some share secrets because they can’t keep things to themselves.  

But who does God share His secrets with and why?  

“The secret of the LORD [is] with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.” Psalms 25:14

God shares His secrets with those who fear Him not because it’s a burden He can’t bear, nor a matter of accountability.  God shares His secrets with us to move us to action.  

“Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way.  And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, “since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?”  Genesis 18:16-18

The secret God shared with Abraham had to do with the judgment that was about to rain down on Sodom and Gomorrah.  When this secret was revealed to Abraham, Abraham immediately began to plead with God to spare the cities.  Abraham pleaded with God for mercy because Lot and his family lived in Sodom.  When God shares a secret with you it is not to inform you of His future plans, but He shares with you to hear the Christ-like intercession Jesus made from the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Do you want to know a secret of God?  Be the one who fears the Lord and He will share with you.  

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Jesus, Would You Get That?

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In a world full of extreme diversity of experiences, we all find common ground in the experience of death.  You will die!  At some point in your life, if the Lord Jesus Christ does not return before that moment, your heart will stop and your lungs will cease expanding with breaths.  Right now death is on the hearts and minds of so many people with the pandemic virus as an updated death count is given throughout the day on the news.  Death also doesn’t discriminate race or economic status.  It will visit every home from the trailer house to the gated mansions.  And death doesn’t wait for you to get it all together!  You could be snatched away in a moment—even in this very hour.  And because we understand this is the nature of death, it’s all that much more important to prepare yourself for your death.  Look at this word on death:

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”  Hebrews 9:27-28

“For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.”  Ecclesiastes 9:5

So how do you prepare for this unexpected final event in your life?  Have you prepared?  Have you given your death much thought?  Solomon tells us in a general sense (since you know you are going to die, Ecc.9:5) we prepare for death by learning how to live right now.  

“Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that [is] your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do [it] with your might; for [there is] no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”  Ecclesiastes 9:9-10

“So teach [us] to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  Psalms 90:12

When you learn how to live you will be prepared to die.  In short, Solomon tells us that life is only worthy living when God is factored into the equation of your life.  We learn how to live by learning who to live for.  You do live for someone.  You can live for yourself or you can live to please everyone around you, or you can live your life for God.  The only way to live your life for God is you must have God, and the only way to have God in your life is to have God’s Son.  

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:11-13

Death will come visit you one day and when it does, just let Jesus get the door.  

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