The Discipline Of Faith
Ode On A Distant Prospect of Eton College- Thomas Gray-excerpt-
To each his suff’rings: all are men,
Condemned alike to groan;
The tender for another’s pain,
Th’ unfeeling for his own.
Yet ah! why should they know their fate?
Since sorrow never comes too late,
And happiness too swiftly flies.
Thought would destroy their paradise.
No more; where ignorance is bliss,
‘Tis folly to be wise
Our enemy would want us to hold to the idea that “ignorance is bliss” and “tis folly to be wise”. How wise are you to the devil’s schemes? To what extent are you aware of the battle that surrounds us? I wager that the devil, the father of lies, would prefer that we not think about him at all! Or, that we would attribute much that goes on in and around us to the idea, “that’s just the way life is!” He is winning the war if he lulls us into this thinking. He is the master of propaganda.
prop·a·gan·da (prp-gnd)
n. 1. The systematic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause.
Ever since Eden, our enemy has been propagating that God can’t be trusted and that He is holding out on us. If he, satan, is sucessful, we will buy into this lie- hook, line and sinker. The result- our taking control of our lives, which results in separation from God- the Author and giver of Life! So our distrust of God leads to a “power-grab” which leads to death.
In order for us to not fall captive to this lie and many others that satan will shoot at us, God, in His wisdom, love and grace, has provided spiritual armour so we can stand firm and be victorious.
Ephesians 6:10-18
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
As I walk with God, waiting on the fulfillment of His word to me, I have been focused on my faith. Two posts ago I wrote about Conquering Faith and my desire to overcome the tendency to waiver and be tossed about. When I read the below devotional, it hit me like a ton of bricks and I had mutiple AH HA’s as I read. In reading the definition of faith, I am struck most by the phrase, Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. This type of “vision” does not come natural to us but is an acquired discipline. I have learned that to be a man of faith that can “move mountains”, seeing through the eyes of faith when the human picture does not look good, takes real discipline. It is so easy to “freak-out” and over-react or act according to our human senses. It takes a real discipline of faith to say to yourself and those around you, ” I know this looks real bad but lets take it to the Lord and ask for wisdom and His perspective.” In stead of asking ourselves “How can this possibly work out good?”, we need to ask God, “What do you want me to do?” and then trust and obey while leaving the How up to Him! When we bring God and His power, wisdom, and love into the picture- All things are possible!
Just like weight lifting- the more you lift correctly the stronger you become in that discipline, so is it in the realm of faith. The more we carry our shield of faith and USE IT, the more we will soar on the wings of faith and God’s power- to the Glory of God! Blessings, Jon
faith (fth)
n. 1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief, trust.3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one’s supporters.4. often Faith Christianity The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God’s will.5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.6. A set of principles or beliefs.
dis·ci·pline
(ds-pln)
n. 1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.
2. Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control.3. a. Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order.b. A systematic method to obtain obedience: a military discipline.c. A state of order based on submission to rules and authority: a teacher who demanded discipline in the classroom.4. Punishment intended to correct or train.5. A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order.6. A branch of knowledge or teaching.
shield
(shld)
n.1. A broad piece of armor made of rigid material and strapped to the arm or carried in the hand for protection against hurled or thrusted weapons.
2. A person or thing that provides protection.3. A protective device or structure, as: a. A steel sheet attached to an artillery piece to protect gunners from small-arms fire and shrapnel.
The Discipline of Faith- (from Streams in the Desert)
“All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).
The “all things” do not always come simply for the asking, for the reason that God is ever seeking to teach us the way of faith, and in our training in the faith life there must be room for the trial of faith, the discipline of faith, the patience of faith, the courage of faith, and often many stages are passed before we really realize what is the end of faith, namely, the victory of faith.
Real moral fibre is developed through discipline of faith. You have made your request of God, but the answer does not come. What are you to do?
Keep on believing God’s Word; never be moved away from it by what you see or feel, and thus as you stand steady, enlarged power and experience is being developed. The fact of looking at the apparent contradiction as to God’s Word and being unmoved from your position of faith make you stronger on every other line.
Often God delays purposely, and the delay is just as much an answer to your prayer as is the fulfillment when it comes.
In the lives of all the great Bible characters, God worked thus. Abraham, Moses and Elijah were not great in the beginning, but were made great through the discipline of their faith, and only thus were they fitted for the positions to which God had called them.
For example, in the case of Joseph whom the Lord was training for the throne of Egypt, we read in the Psalms:
“The word of the Lord tried him.” It was not the prison life with its hard beds or poor food that tried him, but it was the word God had spoken into his heart in the early years concerning elevation and honor which were greater than his brethren were to receive; it was this which was ever before him, when every step in his career made it seem more and more impossible of fulfillment, until he was there imprisoned, and all in innocency, while others who were perhaps justly incarcerated, were released, and he was left to languish alone.
These were hours that tried his soul, but hours of spiritual growth and development, that, “when his word came” (the word of release), found him fitted for the delicate task of dealing with his wayward brethren, with a love and patience only surpassed by God Himself.
No amount of persecution tries like such experiences as these. When God has spoken of His purpose to do, and yet the days go on and He does not do it, that is truly hard; but it is a discipline of faith that will bring us into a knowledge of God which would otherwise be impossible.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
My Name is…………A Gift of God
I was born in Tallahassee, Florida August 6 1959 to O. Michael and Sandra Lynn Cannon. My full given name is Jon Michael Cannon. My Dad was finishing up his undergrad at Florida State University and my Mom was an aspiring actress. I was blessed to return to my humble beginnings this past weekend. It was Homecoming at Florida State and my Dad and younger brother, Marc, had planned a trip to Tallahassee. My Dad had not considered me for the trip because I am a Gator fan. But, as fate had it, God wanted me there.. a return to my earthly beginning. I say earthly beginning because the Bible says that God knew us before we were born.
Jeremiah 1
4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Psalm 139
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
God knew us before we were born and He prepared works for us to walk in before we were even born.
Ephesians 2
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
If you have been reading this blog, you know that I have been reading books by John Eldredge. John speaks about receiving our “spiritual name”. I was moved by this idea and began asking God what my spiritual name is. I had been asking for about a month before God gave me His answer. On my way to Tallahassee I was struggling to get into the flow of the Spirit. Distance driving is a great opportunity to get quiet and press into the Lord. Charleston to Tallahassee is about a six hour drive and it took just over half of that time to get freed up to really worship the Lord. In my last post I spoke about my desire to have conquering faith. During the first part of my trip I was wrestling about this faith and what it would take to walk in it. When I hit Route 10 on the West side of Jacksonville I had my answer. The Lord told me that it was praise for what God was going to do. That I needed to praise Him in advance of His action. Scripture is full of examples of this.
Philippians 4
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As I started praising Him I had a breakthrough of faith and a revival of praise. I was driving down the road clapping and singing and raising my hands. Don’t worry, I was being careful to not get in an accident. I was the first to arrive in Tallahassee, so I got settled into our hotel and waited for my Dad and brother.
Friday morning came early. God awoke me at around 4 to tell me my spiritual name.
I awoke to “Your name is Jonathan”! Now, I must explain something about my name. As long as I can remember my name has been an irritation to me to some extent. I have had to tell people over and over again…. it is not John but Jon. And no, it is not Jonathan, it’s just Jon. Just Jon, Just Jon, Just Jon! I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have said that in response to the question, ” Is Jon short for Jonathan?”
Fast forward to 2010 and God is telling me my name really is Jonathan! And he chose to tell me in the city where I was born. As I was praying about this post I did a search on the web for what the name Jonathan means. It is a Hebrew name that means “Gift of God”. I am reminded of Jonathan, King Saul’s son who was David’s closest friend. Jonathan was a fine warrior and a Godly man. He was humble, faithful and fiercely loyal. He had a gift of encouragement which he used time and again to strengthen David. Jonathan was very wise, knowing how to respect and love His father while being a faithful friend to David, whom Saul wanted dead!
As I consider all this in relation to my story, I can’t help but notice some correlations to my story and that of David’s. Now, let me stress that I am not exalting myself to David’s status. I know he was referred to as “a man after God’s own heart”. But, I am reminded that God is calling each of us to a story that is “bigger than we can imagine”! Just like David who was a humble Shepard boy, He wants to take us from our humble beginnings and do great things through us.
In reading David’s story, and the stories God has given us of saints and sinners who have gone before us, I remember that God told David he was going to be king before it happened. It was like God in His love and mercy told David ahead of time what He could look forward to and then allowed him to go through a refining period that would make him a man of God. David was literally running for his life! Many of his psalms were written during his darkest hours. When he was tested to his very core and learned to trust God when things looked their bleakest. He traveled through the refiners fires and came out the other side as a man after God’s own heart.
David’s story encourages me as I wait for the fulfillment of God’s word to me. While I wait, He continues to refine me and make me into a man of God. I know I have so much to learn but He is so patient, loving and faithful. For He promises to finish the work He began in us when we came to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Philippians 1:6
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Prayer-
Lord, thank-you for my name! Help me to walk this out and live as a gift of yours to those you have called me to. I am your son and your servant. I praise you and thank you in advance for the works you have prepared for me to walk in. Help me to walk in the present, taking one day at a time! Trusting in your love and timing. Help me to be a fierce warrior knowing that I have many enemies to fight and battles to win by your power and for your glory. In Jesus name. Amen
Jeremiah 1
4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Psalm 139
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
God knew us before we were born and He prepared works for us to walk in before we were even born.
Ephesians 2
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
If you have been reading this blog, you know that I have been reading books by John Eldredge. John speaks about receiving our “spiritual name”. I was moved by this idea and began asking God what my spiritual name is. I had been asking for about a month before God gave me His answer. On my way to Tallahassee I was struggling to get into the flow of the Spirit. Distance driving is a great opportunity to get quiet and press into the Lord. Charleston to Tallahassee is about a six hour drive and it took just over half of that time to get freed up to really worship the Lord. In my last post I spoke about my desire to have conquering faith. During the first part of my trip I was wrestling about this faith and what it would take to walk in it. When I hit Route 10 on the West side of Jacksonville I had my answer. The Lord told me that it was praise for what God was going to do. That I needed to praise Him in advance of His action. Scripture is full of examples of this.
Philippians 4
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As I started praising Him I had a breakthrough of faith and a revival of praise. I was driving down the road clapping and singing and raising my hands. Don’t worry, I was being careful to not get in an accident. I was the first to arrive in Tallahassee, so I got settled into our hotel and waited for my Dad and brother.
Friday morning came early. God awoke me at around 4 to tell me my spiritual name.
I awoke to “Your name is Jonathan”! Now, I must explain something about my name. As long as I can remember my name has been an irritation to me to some extent. I have had to tell people over and over again…. it is not John but Jon. And no, it is not Jonathan, it’s just Jon. Just Jon, Just Jon, Just Jon! I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have said that in response to the question, ” Is Jon short for Jonathan?”
Fast forward to 2010 and God is telling me my name really is Jonathan! And he chose to tell me in the city where I was born. As I was praying about this post I did a search on the web for what the name Jonathan means. It is a Hebrew name that means “Gift of God”. I am reminded of Jonathan, King Saul’s son who was David’s closest friend. Jonathan was a fine warrior and a Godly man. He was humble, faithful and fiercely loyal. He had a gift of encouragement which he used time and again to strengthen David. Jonathan was very wise, knowing how to respect and love His father while being a faithful friend to David, whom Saul wanted dead!
As I consider all this in relation to my story, I can’t help but notice some correlations to my story and that of David’s. Now, let me stress that I am not exalting myself to David’s status. I know he was referred to as “a man after God’s own heart”. But, I am reminded that God is calling each of us to a story that is “bigger than we can imagine”! Just like David who was a humble Shepard boy, He wants to take us from our humble beginnings and do great things through us.
In reading David’s story, and the stories God has given us of saints and sinners who have gone before us, I remember that God told David he was going to be king before it happened. It was like God in His love and mercy told David ahead of time what He could look forward to and then allowed him to go through a refining period that would make him a man of God. David was literally running for his life! Many of his psalms were written during his darkest hours. When he was tested to his very core and learned to trust God when things looked their bleakest. He traveled through the refiners fires and came out the other side as a man after God’s own heart.
David’s story encourages me as I wait for the fulfillment of God’s word to me. While I wait, He continues to refine me and make me into a man of God. I know I have so much to learn but He is so patient, loving and faithful. For He promises to finish the work He began in us when we came to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Philippians 1:6
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Prayer-
Lord, thank-you for my name! Help me to walk this out and live as a gift of yours to those you have called me to. I am your son and your servant. I praise you and thank you in advance for the works you have prepared for me to walk in. Help me to walk in the present, taking one day at a time! Trusting in your love and timing. Help me to be a fierce warrior knowing that I have many enemies to fight and battles to win by your power and for your glory. In Jesus name. Amen
Monday, November 1, 2010
Conquering Faith- A Father’s Perspective
I am currently re-reading- Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge, with my 16 year old Son, Jordan. What a priveledge to share this with my son! It is a great way for father and son to connect and for me to share God’s view of masculinity. Our world, now more than ever, needs real men to stand up and vanquish the blurred lines of masculinity so prevalent in our society.
As I read Wild at Heart, I am also reading- The Making of a Man of God- by Alan Redpath. This is a book about the lessons we can learn from the life of David. These books along with the devotional-Streams in the Desert, are encouraging me tremendously. As I walk in faith, trusting God and His perfect timing, I am finding that “my faith” is being sorely tested and thus refined. What God says through James regarding faith and patience have been in the forefront of my heart and mind. My friend Greg, from VA, called me the other day inquiring about how I was doing. Of course, he has been intimately involved in my journey and was concerned about how I was holding up. I shared with him my deep desire to be a man of faith. One who does not waiver, being tossed about by emotions and doubt. That I would walk in child-like faith, trusting my father and His love for me. That I would not let the “thief” steal my joy, peace and power.
Just last week I was really distraught in my spirit and mind and was wanting a “sign” from the Lord regarding my working with Tim and his foundation. I was crying out to God and was not experiencing peace and joy and power. Then the Spirit reminded me of this passage in James.
James 1:3-8
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
The next day, after sharing my desire with Greg for an “unwaivering faith”, we spoke again. He went on to tell me what a blessing my words were to him. In fact, he was having the best day he had had in a long while and he had shared my words with others in need of encouragement. Wow! What started as prayer request turned into a blessing for others- a Word of encouragement! What can we learn from this?
1. It is good for brothers and sisters to come together and share. We need each other!
2.We need honesty and vulnerability- Not Posing! No masks allowed!
3.Be open and available to be used of the Lord- Pass it on! Encourage, edify and show love and compassion.
4.We are all in a war and have an enemy bent on our destruction! Regardless of how “good” things appear on the surfacc.
During this journey, My Wild Goose Chase, I have become accustomed to what I will call, “the timely words from the Lord”. As I have been so focused on my faith and its purification of late- here is the devotion from Streams in the Desert from yesterday.
Believing Before Seeing
“The land which I do give them, even the children of Israel” (Joshua 1:2).
God here speaks in the immediate present. It is not something He is going to do, but something He does do, this moment. So faith ever speaks. So God ever gives. So He is meeting you today, in the present moment. This is the test of faith. So long as you are waiting for a thing, hoping for it, looking for it, you are not believing. It may be hope, it may be earnest desire, but it is not faith; for “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The command in regard to believing prayer is the present tense. “When ye pray, believe that ye receive the things that ye desire, and ye shall have them.” Have we come to that moment? Have we met God in His everlasting NOW? –Joshua, by Simpson
True faith counts on God, and believes before it sees. Naturally, we want some evidence that our petition is granted before we believe; but when we walk by faith we need no other evidence than God’s Word. He has spoken, and according to our faith it shall be done unto us. We shall see because we have believed, and this faith sustains us in the most trying places, when everything around us seems to contradict God’s Word.
The Psalmist says,“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of living” (Ps. 27:13). He did not see as yet the Lord’s answer to his prayers, but he believed to see; and this kept him from fainting.
If we have the faith that believes to see, it will keep us from growing discouraged. We shall “laugh at impossibilities,” we shall watch with delight to see how God is going to open up a path through the Red Sea when there is no human way out of our difficulty. It is just in such places of severe testing that our faith grows and strengthens.
Have you been waiting upon God, dear troubled one, during long nights and weary days, and have feared that you were forgotten? Nay, lift up your head, and begin to praise Him even now for the deliverance which is on its way to you. –Life of Praise
Faith Becomes Sight
“Have faith that whatever you ask for in prayer is already granted you, and you will find that it will be” (Mark 11:24).
When my little son was about ten years of age, his grandmother promised him a stamp album for Christmas. Christmas came, but no stamp album, and no word from grandmother. The matter, however, was not mentioned; but when his playmates came to see his Christmas presents, I was astonished, after he had named over this and that as gifts received, to hear him add,
“And a stamp album from grandmother.”
I had heard it several times, when I called him to me, and said, “But, Georgie, you did not get an album from your grandmother. Why do you say so?”
There was a wondering look on his face, as if he thought it strange that I should ask such a question, and he replied, “Well, mamma, grandma said, so it is the same as.” I could not say a word to check his faith.
A month went by, and nothing was heard from the album. Finally, one day, I said, to test his faith, and really wondering in my heart why the album had not been sent,
“Well, Georgie, I think grandma has forgotten her promise.”
“Oh, no, mamma,” he quickly and firmly said, “she hasn’t.”
I watched the dear, trusting face, which, for a while, looked very sober, as if debating the possibilities I had suggested. Finally a bright light passed over it, and he said,
“Mamma, do you think it would do any good if I should write to her thanking her for the album?”
“I do not know,” I said, “but you might try it.”
A rich spiritual truth began to dawn upon me. In a few minutes a letter was prepared and committed to the mail, and he went off whistling his confidence in his grandma. In just a short time a letter came, saying:
“My dear Georgie: I have not forgotten my promise to you, of an album. I tried to get such a book as you desired, but could not get the sort you wanted; so I sent on to New York. It did not get here till after Christmas, and it was still not right, so I sent for another, and as it has not come as yet, I send you three dollars to get one in Chicago. Your loving grandma.”
“As he read the letter, his face was the face of a victor. “Now, mamma, didn’t I tell you?” came from the depths of a heart that never doubted, that, “against hope, believed in hope” that the stamp album would come. While he was trusting, grandma was working, and in due season faith became sight.
It is so human to want sight when we step out on the promises of God, but our Savior said to Thomas, and to the long roll of doubters who have ever since followed him: “Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.”–Mrs. Rounds
The question I have for you today is… do you have conquering faith that moves mountains? Do you see your Heavenly Father as David did?
1 Samuel 17
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
What “philistine” do you have taunting you today? Is it robbing you of your peace , joy and power? Let us remember whom we serve and whose we are- remembering where are power and victory come from! That our security is not in “things” or others but the Lord our God- Our Father who art in Heaven. Remember, as you wake each day that the Lord gives you- that we are in a war and our enemies are afoot. Knowing your victory is in the Lord and that through His power working in and through you- you can be assured of victory as David was so long ago. Remember this! It is not how big your “philistine” is that you should fret about. But, how small your view and perception is of your God and Father. This is what you should be afraid of!
Jeremiah 32:27
27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
As I read Wild at Heart, I am also reading- The Making of a Man of God- by Alan Redpath. This is a book about the lessons we can learn from the life of David. These books along with the devotional-Streams in the Desert, are encouraging me tremendously. As I walk in faith, trusting God and His perfect timing, I am finding that “my faith” is being sorely tested and thus refined. What God says through James regarding faith and patience have been in the forefront of my heart and mind. My friend Greg, from VA, called me the other day inquiring about how I was doing. Of course, he has been intimately involved in my journey and was concerned about how I was holding up. I shared with him my deep desire to be a man of faith. One who does not waiver, being tossed about by emotions and doubt. That I would walk in child-like faith, trusting my father and His love for me. That I would not let the “thief” steal my joy, peace and power.
Just last week I was really distraught in my spirit and mind and was wanting a “sign” from the Lord regarding my working with Tim and his foundation. I was crying out to God and was not experiencing peace and joy and power. Then the Spirit reminded me of this passage in James.
James 1:3-8
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
The next day, after sharing my desire with Greg for an “unwaivering faith”, we spoke again. He went on to tell me what a blessing my words were to him. In fact, he was having the best day he had had in a long while and he had shared my words with others in need of encouragement. Wow! What started as prayer request turned into a blessing for others- a Word of encouragement! What can we learn from this?
1. It is good for brothers and sisters to come together and share. We need each other!
2.We need honesty and vulnerability- Not Posing! No masks allowed!
3.Be open and available to be used of the Lord- Pass it on! Encourage, edify and show love and compassion.
4.We are all in a war and have an enemy bent on our destruction! Regardless of how “good” things appear on the surfacc.
During this journey, My Wild Goose Chase, I have become accustomed to what I will call, “the timely words from the Lord”. As I have been so focused on my faith and its purification of late- here is the devotion from Streams in the Desert from yesterday.
Believing Before Seeing
“The land which I do give them, even the children of Israel” (Joshua 1:2).
God here speaks in the immediate present. It is not something He is going to do, but something He does do, this moment. So faith ever speaks. So God ever gives. So He is meeting you today, in the present moment. This is the test of faith. So long as you are waiting for a thing, hoping for it, looking for it, you are not believing. It may be hope, it may be earnest desire, but it is not faith; for “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The command in regard to believing prayer is the present tense. “When ye pray, believe that ye receive the things that ye desire, and ye shall have them.” Have we come to that moment? Have we met God in His everlasting NOW? –Joshua, by Simpson
True faith counts on God, and believes before it sees. Naturally, we want some evidence that our petition is granted before we believe; but when we walk by faith we need no other evidence than God’s Word. He has spoken, and according to our faith it shall be done unto us. We shall see because we have believed, and this faith sustains us in the most trying places, when everything around us seems to contradict God’s Word.
The Psalmist says,“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of living” (Ps. 27:13). He did not see as yet the Lord’s answer to his prayers, but he believed to see; and this kept him from fainting.
If we have the faith that believes to see, it will keep us from growing discouraged. We shall “laugh at impossibilities,” we shall watch with delight to see how God is going to open up a path through the Red Sea when there is no human way out of our difficulty. It is just in such places of severe testing that our faith grows and strengthens.
Have you been waiting upon God, dear troubled one, during long nights and weary days, and have feared that you were forgotten? Nay, lift up your head, and begin to praise Him even now for the deliverance which is on its way to you. –Life of Praise
Faith Becomes Sight
“Have faith that whatever you ask for in prayer is already granted you, and you will find that it will be” (Mark 11:24).
When my little son was about ten years of age, his grandmother promised him a stamp album for Christmas. Christmas came, but no stamp album, and no word from grandmother. The matter, however, was not mentioned; but when his playmates came to see his Christmas presents, I was astonished, after he had named over this and that as gifts received, to hear him add,
“And a stamp album from grandmother.”
I had heard it several times, when I called him to me, and said, “But, Georgie, you did not get an album from your grandmother. Why do you say so?”
There was a wondering look on his face, as if he thought it strange that I should ask such a question, and he replied, “Well, mamma, grandma said, so it is the same as.” I could not say a word to check his faith.
A month went by, and nothing was heard from the album. Finally, one day, I said, to test his faith, and really wondering in my heart why the album had not been sent,
“Well, Georgie, I think grandma has forgotten her promise.”
“Oh, no, mamma,” he quickly and firmly said, “she hasn’t.”
I watched the dear, trusting face, which, for a while, looked very sober, as if debating the possibilities I had suggested. Finally a bright light passed over it, and he said,
“Mamma, do you think it would do any good if I should write to her thanking her for the album?”
“I do not know,” I said, “but you might try it.”
A rich spiritual truth began to dawn upon me. In a few minutes a letter was prepared and committed to the mail, and he went off whistling his confidence in his grandma. In just a short time a letter came, saying:
“My dear Georgie: I have not forgotten my promise to you, of an album. I tried to get such a book as you desired, but could not get the sort you wanted; so I sent on to New York. It did not get here till after Christmas, and it was still not right, so I sent for another, and as it has not come as yet, I send you three dollars to get one in Chicago. Your loving grandma.”
“As he read the letter, his face was the face of a victor. “Now, mamma, didn’t I tell you?” came from the depths of a heart that never doubted, that, “against hope, believed in hope” that the stamp album would come. While he was trusting, grandma was working, and in due season faith became sight.
It is so human to want sight when we step out on the promises of God, but our Savior said to Thomas, and to the long roll of doubters who have ever since followed him: “Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.”–Mrs. Rounds
The question I have for you today is… do you have conquering faith that moves mountains? Do you see your Heavenly Father as David did?
1 Samuel 17
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
What “philistine” do you have taunting you today? Is it robbing you of your peace , joy and power? Let us remember whom we serve and whose we are- remembering where are power and victory come from! That our security is not in “things” or others but the Lord our God- Our Father who art in Heaven. Remember, as you wake each day that the Lord gives you- that we are in a war and our enemies are afoot. Knowing your victory is in the Lord and that through His power working in and through you- you can be assured of victory as David was so long ago. Remember this! It is not how big your “philistine” is that you should fret about. But, how small your view and perception is of your God and Father. This is what you should be afraid of!
Jeremiah 32:27
27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Romanced By God
Romanced By God
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG HAS MOVED TO WWW.SECONDTIMOTHYONESEVEN.COM
Jeremiah 31:3
3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, [a] saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
Isaiah 30:18
18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
Does God romance us? Does He pursue us like a man does a woman? If you had asked me this prior to my “Wild Goose Chase”, I would have said that I wasn’t sure. As I have had time to reflect on my journey’s, the Counselor- the Holy Spirit- the Wild Goose, has brought this idea to the forefront of my mind and heart. In the below verses Jesus tells us that His Spirit will “guide you into all truth”. I think the biggest truth He wants to communicate is that of His love for us! Satan’s biggest lie, I believe, is that God can’t be trusted. This lie is a direct assault on His loving nature for God IS Love! I Corithians 13 communicates it best….
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.
John 16
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5“Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
Ephesians 3
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
The apostle Paul’s prayer to the church at Ephesus ties it all together. Jesus sent His Spirit to enlighten us to the Heart of God! To help us comprehend His love for us. Yes! He is “drawing us with loving kindness” as the prophet Jeremiah said.
The thought of God as a romancer was introduced to me by John Eldredge- see Reading List for more info. The Holy Spirit has taken this concept and run with it! He has shown me that my journey, My Wild Goose Chase, has really been all about His pursuing and romancing of me. Just as lovers delight in giving each other demonstrations of their love and affection, God has been showering me with acts of lovingkindness! The Psalmist says it so well in Psalm 139
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
David is so aware of God’s love! So much so that God refers to him as “a man after His own heart”. This is why it is Satan’s chief desire to attack our hearts and minds- to muddy the waters of the heart with lies about God and His intentions torward us. That God is holding out on us and can’t be trusted. No one is exempt from this lie! We have all bought it at some point and to some extent. Most of us, I dare say, have bought it hook, line and sinker! Even the most learned of bible scholars is vulnerable to the “attack on the heart”. Listen to God’s warning to us…..
Proverbs 4:23
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
During my time of trials I had taken the bait! Bought the Lie! God was distant and mad at me, punishing me for my sins! His intentions torward me were in question! God’s love was on trial and the prosecuting attorney- Satan, had made a convincing case- to my heart!
Now, I am not one ignorant of God’s word! I have many years of bible training and study under my belt. I tell you this not to boast but to stress that even those trained in the scriptures are vulnerable to Satan’s lie and battle for our hearts. The battle for our perceptions is alive and quite active…
Ephesians 6:12
12 Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world.
I Peter 5
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
We are given a great example of how to fight Satan’s lies by Jesus….
Matthew 4:1-11
Matthew 4
The Temptation of Jesus
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]”
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
” ‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[b]”
7Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[c]”
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[d]”
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
As you can see by verse 11, spiritual warfare takes a toll on us and we need Spiritual healing and restoration. Even Jesus was not exempt but needed angels to restore Him.
In closing, the battle for our hearts is raging! Who we listen to will determine the path we take. We are being romanced by to “suitors”, God- the Father of Life and Satan- the father of lies. To whom are you giving your heart to? Are you taken by the love of God or are you “looking for love in all the wrong places”? The truth is that God’s intentions torward us are good. He loves us more than we can imagine and He desires to walk in relationship with us everyday. I love what Jesus said about the truth in the following verse…
John 8:32
32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG HAS MOVED TO WWW.SECONDTIMOTHYONESEVEN.COM
Jeremiah 31:3
3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, [a] saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
Isaiah 30:18
18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
Does God romance us? Does He pursue us like a man does a woman? If you had asked me this prior to my “Wild Goose Chase”, I would have said that I wasn’t sure. As I have had time to reflect on my journey’s, the Counselor- the Holy Spirit- the Wild Goose, has brought this idea to the forefront of my mind and heart. In the below verses Jesus tells us that His Spirit will “guide you into all truth”. I think the biggest truth He wants to communicate is that of His love for us! Satan’s biggest lie, I believe, is that God can’t be trusted. This lie is a direct assault on His loving nature for God IS Love! I Corithians 13 communicates it best….
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.
John 16
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5“Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
Ephesians 3
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
The apostle Paul’s prayer to the church at Ephesus ties it all together. Jesus sent His Spirit to enlighten us to the Heart of God! To help us comprehend His love for us. Yes! He is “drawing us with loving kindness” as the prophet Jeremiah said.
The thought of God as a romancer was introduced to me by John Eldredge- see Reading List for more info. The Holy Spirit has taken this concept and run with it! He has shown me that my journey, My Wild Goose Chase, has really been all about His pursuing and romancing of me. Just as lovers delight in giving each other demonstrations of their love and affection, God has been showering me with acts of lovingkindness! The Psalmist says it so well in Psalm 139
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
David is so aware of God’s love! So much so that God refers to him as “a man after His own heart”. This is why it is Satan’s chief desire to attack our hearts and minds- to muddy the waters of the heart with lies about God and His intentions torward us. That God is holding out on us and can’t be trusted. No one is exempt from this lie! We have all bought it at some point and to some extent. Most of us, I dare say, have bought it hook, line and sinker! Even the most learned of bible scholars is vulnerable to the “attack on the heart”. Listen to God’s warning to us…..
Proverbs 4:23
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
During my time of trials I had taken the bait! Bought the Lie! God was distant and mad at me, punishing me for my sins! His intentions torward me were in question! God’s love was on trial and the prosecuting attorney- Satan, had made a convincing case- to my heart!
Now, I am not one ignorant of God’s word! I have many years of bible training and study under my belt. I tell you this not to boast but to stress that even those trained in the scriptures are vulnerable to Satan’s lie and battle for our hearts. The battle for our perceptions is alive and quite active…
Ephesians 6:12
12 Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world.
I Peter 5
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
We are given a great example of how to fight Satan’s lies by Jesus….
Matthew 4:1-11
Matthew 4
The Temptation of Jesus
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]”
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
” ‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[b]”
7Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[c]”
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[d]”
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
As you can see by verse 11, spiritual warfare takes a toll on us and we need Spiritual healing and restoration. Even Jesus was not exempt but needed angels to restore Him.
In closing, the battle for our hearts is raging! Who we listen to will determine the path we take. We are being romanced by to “suitors”, God- the Father of Life and Satan- the father of lies. To whom are you giving your heart to? Are you taken by the love of God or are you “looking for love in all the wrong places”? The truth is that God’s intentions torward us are good. He loves us more than we can imagine and He desires to walk in relationship with us everyday. I love what Jesus said about the truth in the following verse…
John 8:32
32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Could I Be Glorious?
Off the road and back in Charleston. On my trip home I purposed to keep quiet and listen. I can't stress enough how important a discipline this is for your spiritual development. No cell phone or radio, just the open road before me and time with my heavenly father. As I shared with you in a blog from the road, one of the focus points of my trip was to gain a greater sense in my heart of the Father's love for me. To know more deeply of my status as a beloved son. After an amazing 3 days of ministry opportunities that the Father brought my way it was great to get quiet and reflect. As I drove down I-40 toward Nashville I began to recall all the ways I saw God's hands all over my time in Memphis. A great sense of joy and favor came over me as I felt Him tell me how proud He was of me. That He was well pleased with me! The more I explored this idea, this is what I got- When we open ourselves up to the Spirits movings, and have a willing spirit, God will use our giftings for His glory and thus allowing our glory to come out. Jesus wants to live through our giftings. When this happens, living how we were intended to live- in the works we were created for, we are glorious! Reflecting whose image we were created in!
As you know, I went to Memphis to seek an audience with Tim's agent, Jimmy Sexton. This did not happen and from a human perspective the trip was a waste of time and money. Praise be to God that He has given me spiritual eyes!
Because, from where I stand in the Spirit, the trip was a smashing success! I went out of obedience, trusting God for His will to be done. On this wild journey I have learned to "go with the flow" and not set agendas for God. I could have been totally self absorbed with my agenda that I would have missed all the ministry opportunities that God brought my way. What an awesome privilege to be in the flow of God's work, being used of God to encourage those down the path of life. One of those people wrote the following in an email-
"It was a pleasure meeting you. We all need to stop and really take the time to listen to one another whether they be known to us or stranger to us. How intriguing your journey sounds!!! I, myself, am seeking out a purpose in life or rather God's purpose for me. Need to stop and listen to his directions at time
I admire your ability to talk to so many different people. I read some more of your blog and everywhere you go although you don't throw yourself upon people you take the opportunity to share with them when the occasion arises. Also, I noticed you seem to have to ability to put yourself in situations where you are very comfortable with strangers"
I believe I am experiencing more and more of what was intended for us. As Jesus perfectly lived out a relationship with the Father, abiding in perfect unity- the Fathers' will was done in and through Jesus' life. As a man walking on this earth, Jesus was glorious, I believe, due to His trusting and obeying.
In John 4 Jesus says 34-"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
And in John 5- 19-Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20-For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.
John 7- 16-Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17-If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18-He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him"
John 8- 54-Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55-Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. 56-Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."
So, you see that Jesus was made glorious because He abided in the Father and did the works He was created to do. This is also true of us! When we walk with the Father and live out of trust and obedience, doing the works we were created for- we are glorious! His glory and image shine through our lives! As it was intended from the beginning!
This ties in with the quote I have mentioned over and over.
The Glory of God is man fully alive. St Irenaeus
When we are fully alive in Christ, IE: doing the works the Father has for us through a relationship of trust and obedience, His glory shines in and through us, thus reflecting the glory back to the Father.
Oh, what a wonderful mystery is this life in Christ! To be brought back from the dead to live as intended. How glorious!
I close with two quotes from the movie, Chariots of Fire.
Eric Liddell:
I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure
Eric Liddell:
You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you've got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you're dinner's burnt. Maybe you haven't got a job. So who am I to say, "Believe, have faith," in the face of life's realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race
I believe Mr. Liddell understood what it meant to be glorious.....
I pray that you too will know this and live a life of glory as it was intended from the begining!
Blessings, Jon
As you know, I went to Memphis to seek an audience with Tim's agent, Jimmy Sexton. This did not happen and from a human perspective the trip was a waste of time and money. Praise be to God that He has given me spiritual eyes!
Because, from where I stand in the Spirit, the trip was a smashing success! I went out of obedience, trusting God for His will to be done. On this wild journey I have learned to "go with the flow" and not set agendas for God. I could have been totally self absorbed with my agenda that I would have missed all the ministry opportunities that God brought my way. What an awesome privilege to be in the flow of God's work, being used of God to encourage those down the path of life. One of those people wrote the following in an email-
"It was a pleasure meeting you. We all need to stop and really take the time to listen to one another whether they be known to us or stranger to us. How intriguing your journey sounds!!! I, myself, am seeking out a purpose in life or rather God's purpose for me. Need to stop and listen to his directions at time
I admire your ability to talk to so many different people. I read some more of your blog and everywhere you go although you don't throw yourself upon people you take the opportunity to share with them when the occasion arises. Also, I noticed you seem to have to ability to put yourself in situations where you are very comfortable with strangers"
I believe I am experiencing more and more of what was intended for us. As Jesus perfectly lived out a relationship with the Father, abiding in perfect unity- the Fathers' will was done in and through Jesus' life. As a man walking on this earth, Jesus was glorious, I believe, due to His trusting and obeying.
In John 4 Jesus says 34-"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
And in John 5- 19-Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20-For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.
John 7- 16-Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17-If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18-He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him"
John 8- 54-Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55-Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. 56-Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."
So, you see that Jesus was made glorious because He abided in the Father and did the works He was created to do. This is also true of us! When we walk with the Father and live out of trust and obedience, doing the works we were created for- we are glorious! His glory and image shine through our lives! As it was intended from the beginning!
This ties in with the quote I have mentioned over and over.
The Glory of God is man fully alive. St Irenaeus
When we are fully alive in Christ, IE: doing the works the Father has for us through a relationship of trust and obedience, His glory shines in and through us, thus reflecting the glory back to the Father.
Oh, what a wonderful mystery is this life in Christ! To be brought back from the dead to live as intended. How glorious!
I close with two quotes from the movie, Chariots of Fire.
Eric Liddell:
I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure
Eric Liddell:
You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you've got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you're dinner's burnt. Maybe you haven't got a job. So who am I to say, "Believe, have faith," in the face of life's realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race
I believe Mr. Liddell understood what it meant to be glorious.....
I pray that you too will know this and live a life of glory as it was intended from the begining!
Blessings, Jon
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Strength for the Weary- A message of Hope
Let's face it- we are living in a world with unparalleled pain, suffering, hopelessness and despair. It is vital for us who claim Christ as our Life to keep in mind that THIS is not what God intended for the "Apple of His Eye". He intended Paradise but we chose independence. And we are living with the dire results of our choice. But God, in His love, mercy and grace is calling us to recapture the life He intended for us through the New Life in Christ!
The Kingdom of God must come ALIVE in us for the world to be saved- set free from the results of sin. "I have come that they might have life to the full"- this was Jesus' message to the world and this must be our message as well. If we are truly following Christ- this message will flow from our hearts (Christ in us the Hope of Glory} to the world. We must stop focusing on our differences and must no longer try to "sell" someone on the benefits of becoming a Christian. People do not like to be pressured or sold! Throw aside the biblical sales pitch and live out loud a life of love, serving one another- BEING JESUS- NOT - SELLING JESUS!
As I have carried my "banner of hope and encouragement", I have been so blessed by the many who have been encouraged by 2 Timothy 1:7- For God has not given us a spirit of fear but a Spirit of power, and of love and of a sound mind.
In these trying times we all need encouragement! We need the Truth to combat the lies of the evil one! I have noticed over and again that people are also encouraged by my boldness and commitment- my willingness to take "my time" to share a message of hope. If we who believe need multiple daily reminders of the "Truth that sets us free", how much more a lost world? If the world has a hope of salvation it will be due to a Church that has come alive. A church living what it believes. Not a defeated and weary bunch who are just "biding their time" until Heaven. Jesus brought "heaven to earth"! He awoke in people what had been lost and buried- a deep desire to live abundantly in relationship with our Creator- How it was meant to be!
John 7
Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38-Whoever believes in me, as[c] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him
John 10:10
10-The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
What has the thief stole from you? What about your joy?, Peace? Hope? Courage? Heart?............... Have you allowed him to kill and destroy your dreams, relationships, purpose and vision?
Jesus has come to give it back to you! Right where you are! To reclaim, heal, and free you to live with Him a life of power, love and sound mind!-
The Glory of God is man fully Alive! - St. Irenaeus
Come as you are where you are!
In regards to my trip to Memphis... After the game, I still did not have a place to stay. The plans I had made fell through and I was asking God what His plan was. At this point in my journey I am past any concern that He is not in control. His peace was with me as I found a Starbucks to get on the Internet. After restarting a dead computer, I finally got on at 10:45 pm. Please allow me to explain the circumstances. I went outside in search of an outlet but it did not work, meanwhile my computer died. So I moved inside and began the restart process. While waiting, I saw a college student and the thought came to me to ask him if he knew of a Hostel. He quickly replyed that he did. "It's right around the corner", he said. So I called and thankfully got a live voice- Meagan, a college student working her way through a Spanish degree. She said, "you caught me just in time, a few more minutes and I would have been closed". God does not work on our time frame but He does always work. He know our needs before we need them, He wants us to bring them to Him and then Trust Him to provide.
After I got settled I walked down the street and listened to some live music at an Irish pub. Thankfully, it was outside and the evening was pleasant after a very hot day! When I returned to the Hostel I struck up a conversation with Roger from Seattle and Jim and Jenae from..... you guessed it... Denver! Note: My daughters name is Jennifer Danae! Immediately I felt the urge to share my story with them. We all sat around the kitchen and shared our stories. Great fun and fellowship! Interestingly, Roger is on an exciting journey of his own. He is riding a bicycle cross country with Asheville being his final destination. He is on a quest to find his calling and has had many "promptings" for Asheville along the way.
After helping in the hostel's kitchen for breakfast, I went for a nice jog in the Cooper Young area of Memphis- where the Hostel is by the way. After a shower, Meagan strongly suggested I go to Sweetgrass restaurant for lunch. Though warm, I chose to sit outside. After I ordered, two ladies, Heather Wynne and Ann Phillips, joined me on the terrace at the table next to mine. Note: Turns out that the Chef of Sweetgrass trained in Charleston and his menu is filled with Low Country inspired meals! http://www.sweetgrassmemphis.com/About.html
It turns out that Heather is good friends with Jimmy Sexton's first wife! - Jimmy is Tim's agent whom I am seeking to meet with tomorrow!
During the course of conversation we exchanged stories of faith and it turns out these ladies are members at the Church where the Hostel is. Ann also shared that Jimmy's dad was her dentist! She went on to tell me a wonderful story of how Dr. Sexton was treating her one day and noticed she was unusually stressed. He thoughtfully stopped the procedure and asked her what was bothering her and then lovingly prayed for her. She was so profoundly impacted by his kindness and care! She said, "I will never forget it!"
When Ann got up to pay her bill, Heather had the wisdom and insight to tell me that Jimmy would be blessed to hear the story about his dad! If this is not one of many Divine appointments that God has orchestrated in my life, then there are none!
After driving around downtown Memphis I headed to Starbucks to blog. While blogging, God had Loren Porter sit next to me. Lauren, a mother of three is working on her masters, raising three kids and helping her husband with his inner city church- All Saints Presbyterian. It sure sounds like All Saints is living the Kingdom of God here on earth. I was blessed to hear their story of faith and counter intuitive living for God. An interesting note; they have teamed up with Young Life to do ministry! What and awesome, God idea! http://www.allsaintspres.com/
During my trip I have been purposefully focusing on the truth that I am one of God's beloved son's in whom He is well pleased. This is something that I did not receive from my father nor did He from His. I am purposing to ask the Spirit to let this truth penetrate my heart- asking God to "father me" like my earthly father was not "free" to do. Recently, God moved me to make a special trip to see my Dad and convey that I know He loves me and did the best he knew how and that we "were good". I have put pressure on Him over the years to be to me what he was not equipped to be. I needed to free him from that burden of expectation and sense of failure. This has freed me up and hopefully my Dad too! I am free now to seek fathering from my Heavenly Father!
God is good all the time! Peace! Jon
Please cover me with your prayers and pray for Jimmy Sexton and those I will meet at Athletic Resource Management. To God be the Glory!
http://www.sextonsports.com/ssp/the_arm_team
The Kingdom of God must come ALIVE in us for the world to be saved- set free from the results of sin. "I have come that they might have life to the full"- this was Jesus' message to the world and this must be our message as well. If we are truly following Christ- this message will flow from our hearts (Christ in us the Hope of Glory} to the world. We must stop focusing on our differences and must no longer try to "sell" someone on the benefits of becoming a Christian. People do not like to be pressured or sold! Throw aside the biblical sales pitch and live out loud a life of love, serving one another- BEING JESUS- NOT - SELLING JESUS!
As I have carried my "banner of hope and encouragement", I have been so blessed by the many who have been encouraged by 2 Timothy 1:7- For God has not given us a spirit of fear but a Spirit of power, and of love and of a sound mind.
In these trying times we all need encouragement! We need the Truth to combat the lies of the evil one! I have noticed over and again that people are also encouraged by my boldness and commitment- my willingness to take "my time" to share a message of hope. If we who believe need multiple daily reminders of the "Truth that sets us free", how much more a lost world? If the world has a hope of salvation it will be due to a Church that has come alive. A church living what it believes. Not a defeated and weary bunch who are just "biding their time" until Heaven. Jesus brought "heaven to earth"! He awoke in people what had been lost and buried- a deep desire to live abundantly in relationship with our Creator- How it was meant to be!
John 7
Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38-Whoever believes in me, as[c] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him
John 10:10
10-The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
What has the thief stole from you? What about your joy?, Peace? Hope? Courage? Heart?............... Have you allowed him to kill and destroy your dreams, relationships, purpose and vision?
Jesus has come to give it back to you! Right where you are! To reclaim, heal, and free you to live with Him a life of power, love and sound mind!-
The Glory of God is man fully Alive! - St. Irenaeus
Come as you are where you are!
In regards to my trip to Memphis... After the game, I still did not have a place to stay. The plans I had made fell through and I was asking God what His plan was. At this point in my journey I am past any concern that He is not in control. His peace was with me as I found a Starbucks to get on the Internet. After restarting a dead computer, I finally got on at 10:45 pm. Please allow me to explain the circumstances. I went outside in search of an outlet but it did not work, meanwhile my computer died. So I moved inside and began the restart process. While waiting, I saw a college student and the thought came to me to ask him if he knew of a Hostel. He quickly replyed that he did. "It's right around the corner", he said. So I called and thankfully got a live voice- Meagan, a college student working her way through a Spanish degree. She said, "you caught me just in time, a few more minutes and I would have been closed". God does not work on our time frame but He does always work. He know our needs before we need them, He wants us to bring them to Him and then Trust Him to provide.
After I got settled I walked down the street and listened to some live music at an Irish pub. Thankfully, it was outside and the evening was pleasant after a very hot day! When I returned to the Hostel I struck up a conversation with Roger from Seattle and Jim and Jenae from..... you guessed it... Denver! Note: My daughters name is Jennifer Danae! Immediately I felt the urge to share my story with them. We all sat around the kitchen and shared our stories. Great fun and fellowship! Interestingly, Roger is on an exciting journey of his own. He is riding a bicycle cross country with Asheville being his final destination. He is on a quest to find his calling and has had many "promptings" for Asheville along the way.
After helping in the hostel's kitchen for breakfast, I went for a nice jog in the Cooper Young area of Memphis- where the Hostel is by the way. After a shower, Meagan strongly suggested I go to Sweetgrass restaurant for lunch. Though warm, I chose to sit outside. After I ordered, two ladies, Heather Wynne and Ann Phillips, joined me on the terrace at the table next to mine. Note: Turns out that the Chef of Sweetgrass trained in Charleston and his menu is filled with Low Country inspired meals! http://www.sweetgrassmemphis.com/About.html
It turns out that Heather is good friends with Jimmy Sexton's first wife! - Jimmy is Tim's agent whom I am seeking to meet with tomorrow!
During the course of conversation we exchanged stories of faith and it turns out these ladies are members at the Church where the Hostel is. Ann also shared that Jimmy's dad was her dentist! She went on to tell me a wonderful story of how Dr. Sexton was treating her one day and noticed she was unusually stressed. He thoughtfully stopped the procedure and asked her what was bothering her and then lovingly prayed for her. She was so profoundly impacted by his kindness and care! She said, "I will never forget it!"
When Ann got up to pay her bill, Heather had the wisdom and insight to tell me that Jimmy would be blessed to hear the story about his dad! If this is not one of many Divine appointments that God has orchestrated in my life, then there are none!
After driving around downtown Memphis I headed to Starbucks to blog. While blogging, God had Loren Porter sit next to me. Lauren, a mother of three is working on her masters, raising three kids and helping her husband with his inner city church- All Saints Presbyterian. It sure sounds like All Saints is living the Kingdom of God here on earth. I was blessed to hear their story of faith and counter intuitive living for God. An interesting note; they have teamed up with Young Life to do ministry! What and awesome, God idea! http://www.allsaintspres.com/
During my trip I have been purposefully focusing on the truth that I am one of God's beloved son's in whom He is well pleased. This is something that I did not receive from my father nor did He from His. I am purposing to ask the Spirit to let this truth penetrate my heart- asking God to "father me" like my earthly father was not "free" to do. Recently, God moved me to make a special trip to see my Dad and convey that I know He loves me and did the best he knew how and that we "were good". I have put pressure on Him over the years to be to me what he was not equipped to be. I needed to free him from that burden of expectation and sense of failure. This has freed me up and hopefully my Dad too! I am free now to seek fathering from my Heavenly Father!
God is good all the time! Peace! Jon
Please cover me with your prayers and pray for Jimmy Sexton and those I will meet at Athletic Resource Management. To God be the Glory!
http://www.sextonsports.com/ssp/the_arm_team
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Nothing is Too Hard For My God
After being in the "blog zone" yesterday, I awoke to this devotional....Have you ever been in Church and you felt as if the preacher was speaking to You and You alone. Like he knew what you were going through and wrote today's message just for you!
After I shared my take from the heart yesterday on this whole Tim Tebow adventure God has me on, I read this........
Streams in the Desert - Sept. 14
Nothing is Too Hard
"Is there anything too hard for Jehovah?" (Gen. 18:14).
Here is God's loving challenge to you and to me today. He wants us to think of the deepest, highest, worthiest desire and longing of our hearts, something which perhaps was our desire for ourselves or for someone dear to us, yet which has been so long unfulfilled that we have looked upon it as only a lost desire, that which might have been but now cannot be, and so have given up hope of seeing it fulfilled in this life.
That thing, if it is in line with what we know to be His expressed will (as a son to Abraham and Sarah was), God intends to do for us, even if we know that it is of such utter impossibility that we only laugh at the absurdity of any one's supposing it could ever now come to pass. That thing God intends to do for us, if we will let Him.
Even Abraham and Sarah could have blocked God's plan if they had continued to disbelieve. The only thing too hard for Jehovah is deliberate, continued disbelief in His love and power, and our final rejection of His plans for us. Nothing is too hard for Jehovah to do for them that trust Him --Messages for the Morning Watch
As I shared yesterday, I have had two specific desires in my heart pertaining to my life's work. One- to be back in ministry, utilizing my talents for the Lord. Two- to live in Colorado. These are very strong desires I have prayed about for several years now. As I have walked through the storms of life, I have often wondered if He would lift me up to a position of ministry that would truly utilize my God given talents for His Glory. That I would "come alive to the glory of God", walking in the works He created me for. I must admit, that after my years of waiting, I began to wonder if He would ever use me in a significant way. Note: this does not mean that I have sat in a prayer closet waiting for my big opportunity. I have continued to live life and make my self available to be used of the Lord to bless, challenge, encourage and love those He has put in my path. We, all who claim the lordship of Christ, are all ambassadors for God. Vessels of His love, power, grace, mercy, joy and peace. No matter what work I have done, I have always strived to live this out!
But, when God puts something in your heart, a desire that is in line with His will, it is our job to trust and obey. This is where I find myself. Now that I have been told what He has been preparing me for, I am diligently seeking what I am to do- my part in this "divine play".
Just this morning, I "ran into" a friend I have not seen for a while. He works in construction and has been traveling to where ever the work is. For some reason, during the course of our fellowship- He is a Christ follower, he mentioned that he had done a job in Memphis, TN. At the time I did not give it any consideration. But as I have "gotten quiet" today- desiring to hear from the Lord, the thought came to me- "Tim Tebow's agent is in Memphis!" "Lord, am I supposed to go to Memphis this week?" For some reason, this is a fear for me!
Now, I have grown up in sales, even went door to door selling for a while. So, why am I afraid to seek an audience with Tim's agent? Two things come to mind. One- a fear of rejection. Two- that I will fumble the ball and fail- that I don't have what it takes. Note: this is a big part of John Eldredge's message for men. That most of us fear that we do not have what it takes to be the men that God is calling us to be.
God is telling me that these are feelings that I must face head on! As the above devotional said, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Not when we believe in Him enough to go forward and do His will, and let Him do the impossible for us.
I think there are two key points for me to apply. 1- that I must move forward. 2- that I let Him do the impossible. It is not up to me to do the impossible. But, to focus on the One who is Lord of the impossible!
"Lord, help me to walk this out, and not shrink back. But, press onward and upward in Christ Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith!"
I covet your prayers! Jon
After I shared my take from the heart yesterday on this whole Tim Tebow adventure God has me on, I read this........
Streams in the Desert - Sept. 14
Nothing is Too Hard
"Is there anything too hard for Jehovah?" (Gen. 18:14).
Here is God's loving challenge to you and to me today. He wants us to think of the deepest, highest, worthiest desire and longing of our hearts, something which perhaps was our desire for ourselves or for someone dear to us, yet which has been so long unfulfilled that we have looked upon it as only a lost desire, that which might have been but now cannot be, and so have given up hope of seeing it fulfilled in this life.
That thing, if it is in line with what we know to be His expressed will (as a son to Abraham and Sarah was), God intends to do for us, even if we know that it is of such utter impossibility that we only laugh at the absurdity of any one's supposing it could ever now come to pass. That thing God intends to do for us, if we will let Him.
Even Abraham and Sarah could have blocked God's plan if they had continued to disbelieve. The only thing too hard for Jehovah is deliberate, continued disbelief in His love and power, and our final rejection of His plans for us. Nothing is too hard for Jehovah to do for them that trust Him --Messages for the Morning Watch
As I shared yesterday, I have had two specific desires in my heart pertaining to my life's work. One- to be back in ministry, utilizing my talents for the Lord. Two- to live in Colorado. These are very strong desires I have prayed about for several years now. As I have walked through the storms of life, I have often wondered if He would lift me up to a position of ministry that would truly utilize my God given talents for His Glory. That I would "come alive to the glory of God", walking in the works He created me for. I must admit, that after my years of waiting, I began to wonder if He would ever use me in a significant way. Note: this does not mean that I have sat in a prayer closet waiting for my big opportunity. I have continued to live life and make my self available to be used of the Lord to bless, challenge, encourage and love those He has put in my path. We, all who claim the lordship of Christ, are all ambassadors for God. Vessels of His love, power, grace, mercy, joy and peace. No matter what work I have done, I have always strived to live this out!
But, when God puts something in your heart, a desire that is in line with His will, it is our job to trust and obey. This is where I find myself. Now that I have been told what He has been preparing me for, I am diligently seeking what I am to do- my part in this "divine play".
Just this morning, I "ran into" a friend I have not seen for a while. He works in construction and has been traveling to where ever the work is. For some reason, during the course of our fellowship- He is a Christ follower, he mentioned that he had done a job in Memphis, TN. At the time I did not give it any consideration. But as I have "gotten quiet" today- desiring to hear from the Lord, the thought came to me- "Tim Tebow's agent is in Memphis!" "Lord, am I supposed to go to Memphis this week?" For some reason, this is a fear for me!
Now, I have grown up in sales, even went door to door selling for a while. So, why am I afraid to seek an audience with Tim's agent? Two things come to mind. One- a fear of rejection. Two- that I will fumble the ball and fail- that I don't have what it takes. Note: this is a big part of John Eldredge's message for men. That most of us fear that we do not have what it takes to be the men that God is calling us to be.
God is telling me that these are feelings that I must face head on! As the above devotional said, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Not when we believe in Him enough to go forward and do His will, and let Him do the impossible for us.
I think there are two key points for me to apply. 1- that I must move forward. 2- that I let Him do the impossible. It is not up to me to do the impossible. But, to focus on the One who is Lord of the impossible!
"Lord, help me to walk this out, and not shrink back. But, press onward and upward in Christ Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith!"
I covet your prayers! Jon
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