Crisis Mode

Everywhere you turn lately people are talking about the crisis in our country. Every news station has experts, politicians and the like weighing in on who is to blame for the country's economic crisis. We have an oil crisis, a mortgage crisis, an employment crisis, a financial crisis, an energy crisis and by the looks of food prices a food crisis as well. All of the finger pointing and blame games do nothing to identify the source or the solution for all these problems. Our leaders can spend all the money on earth to boost the economy and bail out institutions but unless we call it what it is, their solution may only amount to a band aid on a broken leg.

In May of this year, I was sitting out on the deck of my sister-n-laws house during a girls weekend getaway. It was a beautiful crisp morning, with the sun shining through the many tree tops in her backyard. As I looked out in wonder at God's creation and beauty the Lord led me to read Psalm 105. I wrote; Remember God's mighty works, all he has done for his people-the nation of Israel. We recount step by step as God protected them, provided for them, led them, blessed them, sheltered them, fed them and even disciplined them. Our Father in heaven has done the same for our Nation, the United States.

Many are unaware that in 1863, our president, Abraham Lincoln made April 30th a National Day of Prayer and Humiliation. He decreed that we, as a nation were to come back to God and humble ourselves, repenting of our sins and asking for God's forgiveness.

So my prayer this Thanksgiving is to thank God for blessing our Nation for so long, providing for our needs, feeding us, and yes even disciplining us. Do not let us forget all that You have done O' Lord to provide and protect your children. Thank you Lord for allowing me to live in a prosperous, abundant and peaceful land. Let our country and our people recognize you Lord are the provider, sustainer and giver of all life. Be still people and know God!

President Lincoln wrote, "It is the duty of our Nation as well as men to depend on God, confess their sins and transgressions, humble yourselves in sorrow because with assurance and hope of our genuine repentance will lead to mercy and forgiveness and recognize the truth in Scripture proven by all history that the Nations only are blessed who's God is the Lord."

So rather than worry and be anxious about the state of our economy, rather than point fingers and blame each other for the problems of our nation, let us follow the direction and duty of a man who once guided our country through one of the most devastating experiences in it's history.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2Chron. 7:14

The Christmas Robe

Every Christmas when making my list of wants for my husband and son to go shopping with, I take a mental inventory as to the condition of my robe. I reflect back on the Christmas gifts I've given over the years to my own mom and the one gift worth repeating was a new robe. What is it that mom's love so much about stepping into and wrapping up in a new robe?

I wondered a bit, was it the comfort of being clothed in the warmth and softness of something new or was it the person who gave the robe that makes it so special? Has God knitted such a desire into the very fabric of my soul to long for a new white robe at Christmas?

Looking deeper into my fondness for a new white robe I found in Revelation 3:4-5, "a few names, those who have not defiled their garments, they shall walk with Me in white for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but confess his name before my Father in Heaven and His angels."

Wow- did this excite me!

Garments in the Greek was literally a large outer garment or a loose upper garment so large that sometimes a man would sleep in it. I'm thinking a big comfy robe!

We know that Jesus is speaking of the believers who are faithful in their service and obedience to Him, it is the reward for the one who overcomes, it's a promise and a gift from God. "And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." (Rev. 19:8)

What does faithful service look like?

1. We are to fully carry out the ministry God has given us, using our abilities. (2Tim. 4:5) (Eph.4:11-12)

2. Pour out our lives as an offering to God. Our lives are not our own.(2Tim. 4:6)

3. Remain faithful to the things we've been taught; reading the scriptures, encouraging believers and teaching them. (2Tim. 3:14) (1Tim. 4:13)

4. Be a good worker as unto the Lord, doing what the Spirit leads us to do. (Eph. 6:8,5:9)

5. Serve one another in love. (Gal. 5:13)

J.Vernon McGee puts it this way, "A saint my friend, is one who has trusted Christ and is set aside for the sole use of God. There are only two kinds of people today: the saints and the ain'ts. If you are a saint, then you are not an ain't. If you ain't an ain't, then you are a saint."

How does one keep from soiling their garments?

1. Don't break God's laws.(Matt. 7:23)

2. Don't practice immorality,impurity, greed, idolatry and the like. (Eph. 5:5)

3. Take no part in the deeds of evil and darkness.(John 3:19)

4. Don't give in to what your sinful nature craves. (Gal.5:19)

Sadly, many Christians sometimes deceive themselves into thinking that God does not require them to live righteously. Do not be deceived, those who practice such iniquity and lawlessness will not inherit the kingdom of God. Instead choose to be washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Using an illustration from Luke 5:36- here we have an old robe and a new robe. Now it would seem foolish to take pieces of my new robe and use it to patch up my old robe. I'd have a useless new robe and an old robe that is pieced together. Instead, I choose to put on my new robe and throw away the old one.

I have come to the conclusion that I enjoy a white robe because it reminds me of being washed clean by the blood of my Redeemer, it's softness reminds me of a lambs wool brushing against her Shepherds cheek, my robe is warmth to my soul on a cold morning, and comfort to my bones after a troubled day.

One day I'll be given a white robe made of fine linen that will never wear out, become soiled or fade. My robe is precious to me because of the person who gave it to me. I look forward to the day when Christ will personally wrap me in my white Christmas robe and say welcome home good and faithful servant.

Motivated by Power

I'm really looking forward to our upcoming Women's bible study at Harvest. Soon, we will begin studying the life and ministry of Paul which will take us into early May. I remember when I first committed to doing an 8 month inductive bible study, I was really terrified that I'd never make it to the finish line. But, with God's help I was motivated to not give up and my journey bestowed treasures that are eternal.

As I was reading Acts 14:22, a terror arose inside of me, Lord will I make it to the finish line?

Paul had been going from city to city preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. Along the way, he'd encountered unbelieving Jews who stirred up others poisoning their minds against Paul and the other brethren. There was a violent attempt to abuse and stone them so Paul fled to Lystra and Derbe which were cities in the surrounding region. Paul continued to preach the gospel even healing a man who had never walked. Paul's persecutors were relentless in trying to stop Paul from preaching the gospel. They again, persuaded the multitudes who then stoned Paul, dragging him outside of the city and left him for dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose and went into the city.


I'm encouraged every time I hear when the body of Christ, gathers around their brother praying for him, laying hands on him, asking God for strength and healing power. God answered, he arose and kept going.

The next day, Paul went into Derbe preaching the gospel and making many disciples. After he was done there, what he did next was amazing! Paul went back to the cities that threatened him, beat him, stoned him and left him for dead in order to strengthen the souls of the disciples and encourage them to continue in the faith. He told them, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

What???? It was at that point the terror arose in me. Oh Lord, I hate going through tribulation, can't I enter the kingdom of God without it? Granted, our tribulation is no where near the kind that Paul experienced, but if it were, would I be willing? Would I have gone back to the city where I was hated, beat, stoned and thrown out of their city left to die? What was Paul's motivation to endure such persecution (infliction of harm and suffering)?


Paul was willing to die for the sake of the gospel. He wanted others to know the truth and receive eternal life. His belief in Jesus, in Christ's death and resurrection, this power, this truth, compelled him to tell others. Paul's motivation was that Jesus lives and he was steadfast in this hope of eternal life. Paul's focus was not on himself, his suffering, or on his enemies but on Jesus. His motivation? It was God's power that motivated him to face his opponents, danger, difficulty and even death for Christ's sake. The truth of our glorious future with Christ will empower us and motivate us to endure any kind of trouble. It was God's power that kept him going.

2 Corinthians 4:7-11 tells us that even though Paul was wounded, bruised, beaten down and left for dead, he was not forsaken or destroyed. He got back up and kept doing what he was called to do. Paul relied on God's power, he knew it to be a treasure. It was only God's power that strengthened Paul, it was God who spared him and enabled him to continue to preach the gospel and testify of God's deliverance. Through much tribulation, Paul becomes a broken vessel, through which God's glory is manifested. Through much tribulation, we are brought to our knees, fully relying on God's power to endure.

So as tribulation arises I can have the confidence and be motivated by God's power to keep going and finish well. Jesus told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I know there is nothing in my own strength that can bring such endurance, devotion and motivation. Along this journey I will find myself crushed, broken hearted and beaten but I'm not destroyed and my God does not leave me or forsake me.

Change Your Destination

I had the privledge this weekend of serving at the Harvest Crusades in Anaheim as a follow up decision counselor for those who were publicly coming forward to make a decision, a choice, a commitment and a covenant to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Of the 15 people I met on the field, prayed with, encouraged and handed bibles to, 13 of them were returning to the Lord. One woman was 80 years old and she was asking Jesus into her life for the very first time. My heart rejoiced as I witnessed the thousands upon thousands making a decision to change their eternal destination.

Pastor Greg spoke to over 100,000 people about God's love for them, God's provision of redemption, salvation and reconciliation through his Son Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for all of humanities sins. Greg spoke of life, blessings and Heaven as well as the curses, death and Hell. As I look around the stadium filled with believers, unbelievers, seekers, and prodigals the Lord is reminding me that this is the same Harvest Crusade that Moses had for His people in the desert on the plains of Moab. A decision has to be made in the hearts of those listening.

In Deuteronomy 29-30 we discover Moses calling all of Israel (millions of people) to gather around in a great assembly to listen to what God told Moses to tell His people. You'll find the message is the same today.



Moses first reminds them of all the miraculous and merciful acts God did for them before their very eyes. God had set them free from their bondage of slavery in Egypt, He defeated Pharaoh and his armies at the Red Sea, God provided safe passage as he led them throught the wilderness, He showered them with food and water sustaining them as they walked through the valleys, God guided and supported His people as He led them toward the Promised land conquering enemies along the way.

Now it was their turn to respond to all that God had done for them, providing a way of escape, they could now be reconciled back to God. The purpose of Moses' message was for each individual to enter into a covenant with the Lord their God that very day. Moses emphasized the importance of today in his message 6 times in 8 sentences. This covenant was to bind God and His people together setting them apart for His purposes. Each person had to make a decision for themselves, God would not force himself upon them. However, they were warned that there would be blessings for them to claim or curses that would follow their disobedience either way the choice was theirs.

The Bible tells us it is no mystery or difficulty of understanding that the choice to follow and obey God would bring life and prosperity while turning away and worshipping other gods (anything that takes the place of God) would bring death. But if you return to the Lord our God and obey His voice today with all your heart and with all your soul, the Lord our God will bring you back from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you again. Sin holds us captive along with bad choices but there is great hope and peace for when we return to God he is faithful to fogive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The command issued before us today is the same in the day of Moses. Set before us today is a choice of life and good, death and evil therefore, choose life that you may live. Love God, obey his commands, cling to Him for He is your life and the length of your days.

The One Thing

Remember the scene in City Slickers where on their trek back to the ranch on horseback Billy Crystal (Mitch) asks the all-wise Jack Palance (Curly) a personal question. What is it that makes life really matter and how do you know when you’ve found it? Curly raises his black-gloved finger and simply says “Only One Thing.” As we journey through this life many are asking the same question. What is the “One Thing” that really matters and how do you know when you’ve found it?

In Matthew 19, there was a rich young man who held a high position of authority in his country. He was not only very wealthy but had abilities beyond his years to hold such a position of power at a young age. One day this rich young man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Now this young man who had everything he needed according to the world’s standards was respectfully and with all sincerity concerned about how to obtain eternal life. It’s evident that the “One Thing” that this rich young man didn’t have but was still looking for was eternal life. He was sensible in thinking that something must be done in order to attain this kind of assurance and happiness. Now Jesus who knows our thoughts (Matt 9:4 & 12:25) replied, “If you want to enter life obey the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man goes on to tell Jesus that he’d kept all of these commandments since his youth so what one thing does he still lack? Again, Jesus who knows our heart tells him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the man heard this he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus was showing this man the way of entering into eternal life now is through obedience by faith. By telling the young man to go and sell his possessions and give to the poor, Christ was revealing to him that your not perfect as you claim, in fact you have an inordinate love of the world and it’s pleasures. The man valued himself too much through his own merit and efforts to see his need for a savior.

Romans 1:5- Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith…..
1John 1:8- if you claim to not sin you are deceiving yourself and the truth is not in us.
Luke 12:15- ….one’s life does not consist of the things he possesses.
Matthew 16:26- for what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Sadly, many make the same mistake thinking they can do something good to earn eternal life by their own merit. Others are too busy with the things of this life to inquire about the next. He didn’t like the terms by which eternal life comes. We deceive ourselves into thinking that we can specify the terms by which we come to God. Thus, salvation becomes a great difficulty to those who have much in this world.

Ephesians 2:8-For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
John 14:6- Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Likewise, we see in the parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12 another example of one, who stored up his wealth so he could eat, drink and be merry. He gathered up treasures for himself and was not rich toward God. What he valued in this life had no value in heaven.

Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

My heart breaks for this young man who was standing in front of the Savior of the world asking about eternal life yet walked away sorrowful, falling short of having the “One Thing”. Let us not turn away from such a great gift but instead come to Jesus, the One who offers reconciliation to God and by faith say “Yes Lord I believe!” You will have discovered the one thing that truly matters in life and you will know that you have found it when your heart can say, "It is not I that have found it, but He has found me.”


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

Reconciliation

The month of June has been a time of reconciliation. I'm seeing God restore broken relationships between families and rekindle friendships that have been long neglected. As I sat in awe of God's power to bring about such restoration and healing, I rejoice over his love and affection for his children. Two hours had past and it was close to midnight when I looked at all the Lord had shown me about reconcilation. I decided to start blogging these times where the Lord has poured out his truth into my heart and I hope that you'll be encouraged and choose to encourage others by sharing your stories of God's reconcilation in your life.

Reconciliation-in the context of relationships with other people it means a change in attitude on the part of both individuals. In context to God and man it means to change from emnity to friendship. The change that is man's part is obvious- our need to change from our sinful ways. But what about God's part? Does God ever change? Isn't he the same yesterday, today and always? Rooted in the doctrine of justification we see the change of attitude God has towards a sinner as God delcares a person who was formerly his enemy to being righteous before him.

In Romans 5:8-10 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

Just like with God, I've found as relationships are reconciled our state of alienation has been changed, we are no longer at emnity but at peace. What great blessings come with this kind of reconcilation? In Psalm 21 the Lord showed me these great blessings that come when you have reconciliation.

Joy- the kind of joy that is everlasting. Isaiah 51:11
Rejoicing- like when Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:7
God gives you your heart's desire- a desire to reconcile. Psalm 37:4
Goodness- we see God's goodness before our eyes. Ex 33:19
Newness of life- he really makes all things new. Romans 6:4
Length of days- we get time back. Prov 3:16
God is glorified- Matt 15:31
God's mercy is seen, honor is restored, we have right standing again. Reconciliation is God's gift as it brings life to the lost soul which the greatest gift from God. We experience satisfying relief and peace. As the Proverbs say humilty comes before honor. We must start by acknowlegding our need for reconciliation by confessing all known sin and to trust God for cleansing. 1John 1:9

God bless!