Monday, July 27, 2009

Only One Week Left . . .

I'm working on a study right now that has posed quite a meaty question and since I don't want to be the only fish in this pond, let me share it with you now. The background is that a woman has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Mustering up the nerve, a friend asks the woman . . . "What is it like to live each day knowing that you're dying?" Agreeably it's a heavy question but as the story goes on the woman's response was in the form of a question that seems heavier yet . . . "What is it like to live everyday pretending that you're not dying?"

The point being that whether or not we acknowledge it we're both in the very same boat. Why is it that we look at someone with an illness as being any different than all the rest of us. Whether healthy or ill we will all face the same end so . . . let me ask you now . . . if you knew that this was your last week on earth, how would you live your last days? What legacy would you want to ensure? With whom would you want to share Jesus?

That's the long and short of it you know. That's all that matters. Everything of this world will pass away . . . so the question is . . . where will you spend eternity and what does it take for you to ensure that end?

It is written in John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Who do you love enough to make sure they know this truth? Remember . . . you only have a week . . . can you be held back from making sure that your children know Him? or your neighbor? or your co-worker? The list is endless. I want desperately to live and breathe Him so that everyone who knows me, knows Him. Am I successful in doing that every day? Do I speak of him often enough? Regrettably, the answer is no - all to often my humanness rears it's ugly head - but my desire remains true to Him. It is then, with a repentant heart, that I ask for His forgiveness . . . and thankfully it is then that I am reminded of His amazing grace. And no matter the time, I cannot hold back my desire to make Him known! Praise God!

Don't let another day go by . . . remembering that time truly is precious . . . get to know Him so that your love for Him overflows into the lives of those He gave you to love.

Lord, may each of us - and everyone you've given us to love - be guided to know you intimately.
Father, may it be so . . . in Jesus' name I pray.
Amen and amen.
bo

A T T A C K ! ! !

Have you ever opened your eyes from a long nights sleep and immediately your spirit begins to grumble? No matter who or what comes to your mind - literally every thought is bathed in negativity. Well, a couple of weeks ago this encourager's heart ran smack dab into just such an attack. POW - right in the kisser . . . I was hit with a spirit of irritability! If I were still a child . . . at this point my mother would have told me to go back to bed and get up from the right side this time . . . how funny it is now to know the truth of what was going on.

Well, by the time I made it down to the kitchen I knew I was under attack. My thoughts were anything but pure and lovely and noble and trustworthy. I spent (wasted) the first few moments of the gift God had given me - a new day - in an attitude that, in plain language . . . sucked! (sorry)

I knew that half the battle was to recognize the smoke (from the pit of hell) that was surrounding me but it was then that my Sunday School training kicked in. Putting on God's Full Armor I then enlisted the Holy Spirit's provision of Wisdom, Discernment and Protection. Thankfully He allowed me to envision the Sword of the Spirit as I dipped it into a pool of Christ's blood, preparing it for battle. Knowing the power of the tongue I began to say aloud the Name that makes Satan himself flee . . . JESUS, JESUS, JESUS! Just hearing it brought comfort and assurance of deliverance.

Well, as life would have it, I carried my attitude to work with me - but luckily I was cloaked in God's love so I realized that the battle was NOT mine. Absolutely every single time I felt an arrow hit I literally tattled like a child to the Lord and called upon Him to come to my rescue. Empowered by the Holy Spirit I was able to cast the spirit of irritability into hell and in its place I loosed God's Holy Spirit to fill the void. Goodness and purity and love soon ruled.

As my day came to an end I thought about a recent visit I had made to a nearby town. My destination was a Christian cafe that regularly presents live music on Saturday nights. I arrived just as day was becoming night and quickly settled into the swing of the music that filled the cafe. During a brief intermission I stepped out to get a breath of fresh air. I had never been in this small town before so I wandered around just a bit checking out the sights of the store fronts. Before long my attention was drawn to some lights that were off into the distance. Thinking that they were from a movie house marque, I strolled toward them only to find that the establishment that had lured me away from my path was a bar. Along the way I passed a housing complex in which I could see people mulling around . . . one of whom used words that made me shudder. The darkness of the area provided an air of uncertainty and suspicion. As quickly - but inconspicuously - as possible I stepped out onto the street where it was more open and light was available. It was then that I high-tailed it back to 'safety'.

I can't help but think now that a spiritual attack is no different than my encounter in this small town. Satan flashes lights to draw us off of our paths. Many times, however, before we're pulled into his web, there are signs of darkness around us that we should recognize and heed. We should be drawn to the light where openness dispels all secrets. We should return to our place of safety where goodness and praise abound.

If you feel alone - if you're keeping a secret - if you feel like you're under attack - don't wander off by yourself - go to God and ask Him to lead you to someone who can come along side of you and shine the light of Christ into your world.

JESUS - JESUS - JESUS . . .
Blessed be the Name that is above all names. The Name to which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is LORD.
Hallelujah.
Amen and amen.
bo

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Homesick for God

I am what people would describe as a 'homebody'. I don't have a traveling bone in my body and often I've mentioned that if I leave Broome County I fear getting the bends! This is nothing new - not a phobia that I've developed as I grew older - no - even as a child I would 'beg' my mother to let me stay overnight with a friend . . . only to ask as the time drew near to leave . . . "Do I HAVE to go?" My desire was to be where my heart was at rest.

This morning as I met with the Lord I came to realize that as the Great Jehovah M'Kaddesh He has sanctified my walk - He has grown me into a person whose heart now longs to be where He is. As we met this morning I realized that my desire (however finite) was to be at Home with Him and it was then that I wondered if I'm, in fact, homesick for God. And why not . . . to be in a place where love is all encompassing. Where pleasure, joy, and heartfelt appreciation for His Glory knows no end.

As a child my mother would ALWAYS assure me that I could remain in a place where I knew love and safety. And the Lord has reminded me now of His promise that is far greater than even that of my mother's . . . He as assured me that there is no need to feel the pangs of homesickness for as it is written in Matthew 28:20 "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Did you hear the chains as they hit the floor? If you're not a 'homebody' you probably wonder what the fuss is all about but this has defined who I am for so long that freedom comes in knowing that the evil one can no longer use this against me!

Hallelujah!!!!! Thank You Jesus!

Who knows - maybe someday I WILL be a world traveler . . . but I will go knowing that I take 'Home' along with me wherever I go!

bo

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Silence is Golden

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Push the rat-race aside.
Close your eyes.
Allow a harmonious symphony of music to enter into your spirit.
Take the first step to being in His presence.
Acknowledge your desperate need for Him.
Do you hear Him calling your name? Yes, He knows it well.
Go ahead - take a deep breath . . . and smile.
His desire is to show you how much He loves you.
Allow for your escape to a place of perfection.
With every breath you take, know that He is renewing you.
Hear the sounds of perfection that accompany Him.
Delight in His fragrance.
Best Friend . . . life Partner.
He is pure joy and He is yours.
He delights in hearing you say His name.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.
Knowingly - Lovingly - He brings a bottle for the tears . . .
~ so let them fall freely.
Your hands are full . . .
~ give Him everything that you've brought with you.
Feel the exhilaration as the heaviness is removed from your soul.
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - do you hear that -
~ it's the beating of a heart. Only one - for your heart and His are one.
Oh, sweet Jesus . . . thank You.
Be still and know that He is God.
Be still and take Him in.
His majesty arouses your deepest sense of awe.
Your heart's desire is being met . . .
~ exceedingly, abundantly, more than you can ask or imagine.
The sounds of pure music fill the air . . .
~ inviting you to dance as you never have before.
Raise your arms in total submission . . .
~ to this One who is pouring His perfect love out on to you.
Don't forget to breathe - giving thanks for His goodness,
~ His provision.
Abide in His presence . . . for He loves it when you do.
Realize the nourishment, the renewal, the peace, the contentment.
I love You Lord.
Jesus . . . I love You.
You are my hope.
Blessed be your sweet name Jesus.

Breathe! . . . and return . . . for you must . . . but remember that it is written in Psalm 34:8 "Taste and know that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."
Amen and amen.
bo

Monday, July 20, 2009

Hands and Feet

I recently attended a picnic at which there was a mother/son team who were - hands down - the leaders at winning every race they entered . . . no, they weren't playing baseball, they weren't proficient at tossing horseshoes and I know for a fact that they didn't enter the volleyball tournament. No, this mother/son team wasn't winning trophies for their spectacular abilities on the playing field - they were winning hearts for Jesus.

There at their picnic table some 800 or so people had the opportunity to see Jesus in action for you see, the young man was what we would consider to be disabled . . . but boy or boy what an incredible blessing he had in the form of his mother. What joy she had on her face as she encouraged him to partake in the upbeat dance music. A smile the size of Texas covered her face as she helped him walk up to collect the prize he won when his name was drawn. Love that was unconditional and uncontrollable. Not even for a moment did either of them let on that they would ask God to change the circumstances of their lives. They displayed character and tenacity that was not only admirable but enviable.

A few years back there was a song that caught everyone's special attention. It was called "Hands and Feet" by Audio Adrenaline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36OWibR6nk). This mother/son team lives this song out every day of their lives and in doing so give us who are able bodied a challenge to do the same.

When I stopped to chat with the young man - his name is Don - I told him that we have a prayer board in our Sunday School class and that I'd add his name to it. I assured him that there was nothing magical about the board but that by adding his name there would be a team of prayer warriors lifting him up to the Lord. Do you know what this young man's response to me was . . . in a soft, gentle voice he said to me . . . I love you. Utterly amazed I ask you . . . what more could the heart of this mother ever need to hear!

Thank You Jesus. Thank You for showing me Your love through this young man and his mother. Help me Lord to step out - just as Don's mother is doing - to be Your hands and Your feet. In the name that is above ALL names - Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, I pray that You, Father God, would bring this mother/son team to Yourself and allow Your peace to rest upon their lives. Father, may it be so . . .
Amen and amen.
bo

What Would You Do?

Sharing a question that I came across recently. . .
"What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"

I've given this considerable thought and I believe the 'perfect' answer to that question would be to successfully convince every man, woman and child on this planet that Jesus Christ is EXACTLY who He says He is. In doing so there would be no more power struggles - no more darkness - no more tears.

Self-sins would be eliminated and people would live to praise Him. Funny - that sounds a lot like heaven . . . could we possibly want for anything else?

We need to pray as Jesus instructed us to . . . "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".
Father, may it be so . . .
bo