Man’s G.P.S. = Global Positioning System

I am happily willing to press the on switch, enter my destination, and trust that my GPS will get me to where I want to go.  Recently, I was heading somewhere knowing my end destinations.  My drive was unfamiliar, although beautiful.  Despite my lack of familiarity with my surroundings, I enjoyed the ride having complete peace that these unfamiliar roads would take me where I wanted to be. I marveled at the open fields, and the beauty in the spring growth.  I saw squirrels chasing one another and chattering happily.  My heart swayed with worship music gently singing from my radio, and I breathed deep with the beauty of my Creator. 

As I was praying, I felt the Lord whisper, “How quick you are to trust that an electronic device will get you to where you want to go, however, you find it difficult to trust that I will do the same. I am your Perfect Father, the God of the Universe, the very one who gives you every breath you breathe.  You find it painstakingly difficult to trust that I will get you where you want to go.  You are restless in your journey.  I have so much beauty in store for you, unspeakable joy, and yet you find yourself full of fear.  Complaint flows freely from your lips, and you allow doubt to overwhelm and cripple you.  My love for you is deeper than the ocean.  Your striving does not make me love you any more, nor does your failure make me love you less.  It is your faith that pleases me. It is your faith that will get you where you want to go.  Your faith will allow your journey to be breathtaking, transforming, and beautiful beyond compare! It was your faith in your G.P.S that got you to where you wanted to go, and it is your faith in Me that will get you to where I want go.”

A Christian Followers G.P.S. = God’s Positional Story

Do we trust God’s Positional Story (G.P.S)?

God is the King of Kings, Alpha and the Omega, and the architect of the universe.  As the creator of the universe we live out the story He writes (On a side note, this is not a statement that aligns with pre-determinism.  Rather, it is a statement that reveres God’s almighty hand in crafting a greater metanarrative spoken of throughout scripture; He is in control).  God graciously allows us to be a part of His master plan.  It is a brilliant and breath taking plan that we will never fully see or understand.  Regardless, it is His story which will bring about His glory.  It is not about us, nor will it ever be about us. It is about God.  It is about His love, His redemption, His Glory.  We make it about us.  When we do we steal from and misdirect His perfection, His grace, and His unbelievable love!

To Ponder…

Will we allow God to direct our lives as confidently as an electornic G.P.S does in our car as it leads us to our end destination?  Will we allow God to lead us, and go where He asks, so that our hearts and lives will be transformed? If not, why?  If so, where?

We have a place and purpose in His greater story to redeem the world.  Remember, our time in the wilderness (training and preparation) will determine the magnitude of our ministry.   
 
Steps to take - God’s Positional Story

We have some simple steps to take with God just as if you followed an electronic GPS. 
Step 1-Turn on GPS

• Open your bible, pray, and connect with your provider, king, and creator

Step 2-Select Destination

• Set your destination.  In your prayer time say, “Lord, I want to go where you send me.” Ask God, “How can I bring glory to you today? “

Step 3- Select Necessary Route

• The necessary route may be the fastest, most scenic, or simply challenging.  Ask God to take you on the path you need in order to serve Him well.  Our journey is not about getting where we want to go.  Our journey is about going where God wants us to go, and getting there the way He deems necessary.    

Recalculating

How will you get to where God wants you to be?

• Will you be frustrated due to the speed?  
• Will you be tight fisted with your resources?  Or, will you be opened handed?
• Will you enjoy the people you will meet? Or, not?
• Will you enjoy the places God sends you? Or, not?
• Will you find joy in the seasons that God takes you through throughout your life?   

​Do you trust God?  Do you trust that as you connect to God through prayer and reading of scripture, that God will reveal to you the position in His story that He has so graciously allowed for you to be a part of?  

Do you trust that God has the best path in mind for your journey?   So often we do not agree with God’s path for our journey, and we hear that voice - “RECALCULATING…”   My ears have often burned with this thought.   What a glorious God we serve that when we take a wrong turn, He does not shout “RECALCULATING” at us.  Despite any wrong turn we take, God gives us an option.  God sacrificed His son for all so we can receive His “Redemptive recalculation.”  He does not shout “RECALCULATING.”  He says, “Come daughter, come son - I am Holy.”  You cannot be in relationship with a Holy and Perfect God with your sin.  God knew what turns you would make, and He designed as sacrificial system, culminating with the death of Jesus, to draw you back in order to follow His direction (once again or for the first time).”

The journey we take and the road we travel down can be filled with construction, roadblocks, car trouble, car accidents, and road rage.  I don’t blame my G.P.S. for these inconveniences; it would be useless.   Blaming God for the spiritual roadblocks in our way may result in a sense of hopelessness.  God is not responsible for the pain and sin in this world.  He gave us freedom to experience Himself and His creation.  Although, He has made it abundantly clear that it is His responsibility to take every heartache and transforming it. He is responsible for taking every pain, every wrong doing against you, every catastrophe, and every broken dream, and filling you with indescribable joy, courage, strength, purpose, and grace for the journey you are on.

Pondering Scripture… 

Read Psalm 16

(v. 11) “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

A few weeks back Carolyn was reaching out to God for herself, and interceding for our family.  God spoke and gave her a strong reminder.  This reminder retaught us how important it is to know that the journey is not the “enemy.”  The journey, when led by God, is a path of preparation for what He has in store in the future.  Overall, the road of obedience, no matter what the calling or direction, can be incredibly exhilarating as you are given new opportunities and face many trials.  How you lead, manage, and traverse the forks in the road, the blocked paths, and potential missteps will determine if the journey becomes the enemy or if it becomes an opportunity. 

On this particular day Carolyn was on her morning walk with God, which is her normal routine.  However, God had a special word for her.  God spoke to Carolyn and offered a reminder of how important it was to soar when trying to fly.  To soar is to simply “…fly or sail often at great height by floating on air currents.”[1]  The calling, direction, mission, purpose, or vision for a person wants to lead them to great heights no matter the field of work or level of influence.  Too often we work so hard to flap our wings to achieve those heights, and never take a moment to rest and celebrate what has been achieved.  This has been the story of our journey over the last couple of years.

Over the last two years, we have often received words from God via others who have challenged us to enjoy the journey God is leading us on; for it is an incredible one.  We need to stop, if only for a moment, to enjoy all that God has and is doing.  We, like many I have no doubt, work so hard and flap our wings, but what is it for if we cannot find joy in the process.  For me, I say joy and not happiness for a reason.  From my perspective, happiness is an emotion that last but only a moment.  Happiness is an emotion that originates from Joy.  Joy, especially in the Lord, is an experience that changes you from the inside out.  Joy, when found in and through Jesus, comes through the truth and reality of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.  Joy that bubbles from our divine fountain, upon receiving Christ, will be carried with us through all circumstances if you drink from it daily (consuming the truth of the Word, hearing the voice of God, and receiving revelation from Holy Spirit).      
 
On this day, God reminded Carolyn that He wants us to soar.  He wants us to look around, and seek after the joy found embedded in the journey.  If we do not look up and around, all we will ever see are the challenges, trials, difficulties, and frustrations.  I am always reminded of a moment in which Carolyn challenged me to look up when I walk.  My head is always down, so I can focus on where I am going.  The mistake in life I make is that I focus too much on what I am doing in the moment.  I do not take the time to celebrate the distance that has been covered in a journey, and recognize how much closer I/we are to the top of the mountain.  I must always remind myself, whether you are at the top or the bottom of a mountain there is always an incredible view waiting to be experienced.    

As You Go…
Take time today, or this week, to celebrate what you have been blessed with.  From the smallest of blessing to the largest.  Remember that all birds need to soar.  Soaring is a part of flying.  To soar gives you rest.  It gives you a moment to see and celebrate life.  It provides an opportunity to reflect and recognize all that God has been doing in your life.  To see God, and discover Him, will provide an experience that will refill your fountains, so that you can taste the sweet refreshing flavor of everlasting joy found only in Christ and received through the Holy Spirit.

Scripture to Mediate On… 
Read John 15:1-11
(v. 11) “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Read John 16:1-24
(v. 24) “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Read Nehemiah 8
(v. 10) “Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  (We are not promoting the drinking alcohol or being a carnivore J)

Resources You Might Be Interested In…
This is a resource Carolyn used while she led the Children’s Ministry for Northbridge to change the culture of the ministry. 
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http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/1491511419


[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soar (accessed on May 12, 2016).
 

I recently saw a meme on Facebook that got me thinking.  Similar to a Pinocchio style reality when he lies, his nose grew slightly larger.  What would Christians look like if their thoughts were depicted by words that appeared all over their skin?

Once Pinocchio told the truth his sniffer would return to its original size.  On a side note, there is an incredible amount of discussion on what is loosely called “The Pinocchio Paradox,” which creates holes in the plot of the story line…. interesting.   Now, similar to Pinocchio, what if words that were thought by a proclaimed Christ follower never disappeared from their skin until they repented in a manner that brought true heart change?  How would Christians or Christianity be represented at that point if what we truly thought (good, bad, and ugly) was revealed on our skin?  For me, this idea forces me to stop and truly think about how I view people and life.  Would words that express an attitude and desire to “walk by the Spirit,” as found in Galatians 5:16, be seen?  Or, would words that convey cynicism, sinful judgement, dislike, hate, and pessimism be the most dominant?

 If Christ followers walked with words covering their body from head to toe that represent their true heart, one of three things might happen.  First, the true ugliness and sinful heart would be revealed.  In this scenario the covered reality would reveal the nature of an a heart not transformed.  In essence, a confession from the mouth would not equal the heart that it came from.  A second possible covered reality might reveal a spiritual battle ground.  This could be a mixture of light and dark natured words that would illuminate the canvas of a person’s skin creating a visual wrestling match with one’s new and sanctified identity, and one’s old identity which has not yet tasted the purity of God’s truth.  A Third possible covered reality would be a person whose skin is a billboard for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  What would your skin look like?  I suppose the greater question would be, “Would people visually recognize you as a transformed Christ follower or not?”

As I transform the thoughts streaming through my head to written word, I can’t help but think of the time this past fall in which I saw a picture of refugees fighting for a better life with virtually no assurance there was even such a thing.  The picture of refugees I saw broke my heart, almost to the point of tears.  I could not fathom the level of fear that would drive someone out of their home to face an almost equal but different fear.  This “different” fear fosters a glimmer of hope, while the other leaves one hopeless.  To leave all that you know for a future that is unknown is scary enough without the fear of death and tribulation following you as you attempt to leave or escape your current reality.  When I think of refugees, I think of my children.  That alone breaks my heart.  To leave your home as refugees have done will make one thing true; uncertainty will be the guaranteed future for a time.  For some, that time is a life time.

I also think of my wrestling match with God on how to love without judgement those who are homeless.  My wrestling match with God forced me to face the homeless who spotted the streets of Colorado Springs looking for “help.”  Do you help or not?  That is the question that always plagued my thoughts when I saw people who were homeless.  As we were compelled to engage those who we saw standing on a corner holding their “life line,” our hearts begin to crack.  These cracks allowed for the loving action of the cross to enter in like the sun piercing through dark stormy clouds. 

For me, the reality of refugees and the life of those living on the streets became one of many catalysts to change the words that would have appeared on my skin.  I am still a work in progress, but rather than having words that could have rained down scathing drops of judgement, I believe words would have started to appear that conveyed a precious view of people.  My skin, I hope, would predominantly reveal words that loved and not judged.  To love unconditionally does not mean to accept another’s behavior.  I do not believe that at all.  I do believe to love unconditionally is to allow a person to feel and experience grace without sinful judgement.  Grace does not condone behavior, but rather allows room for growth as behaviors change as a person meets the loving truth and action of Christ.  He was sacrificed on the cross so humanity can discover its true sanctified identity as individuals and a community.     
           
How would you represent Christ on your skin? Are the words you speak supported by the actions of your life?  What forgiveness needs do you have?  In the end, we are to love God and love people (Matthew 22:37-40).  These two actions and attitudes are like a mirror that reflects an image.  If you love God and love people you will reflect the vision, mission, purpose, and overall life of Jesus. 
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Matthew 22:37-40, “And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.   And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.   On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."    

Galatians 5: 16-26, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.   But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.   Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
    
 

A family system can be defined simply as a group of intimate and familiar relationships that influence your internal development (emotions, feelings, character) and your external relationships (my definition).   According Dr. David Stoop, “A family is not merely a collection of separate individuals, who simply happen to share the same last name and street address.  It is an organism, in which the attitudes, values and actions of each member interact with those of all the other members."    The family system is truly one of the most powerful forces on earth.  It can create healthy communities to whole nations, or it can foster a great deal of dysfunction.  Scripture provides us a guide in how to develop, shape, and lead our families (and self).  It all begins with the fear of the Lord.  If God is our sole focus, then the rest is a slow to speedy roll downhill.  We may hit bumps along the way as we become our own stumbling block, but the path we roll down is set in place.   It is set not because we are determined, but rather because scripture spells out how families and the individual should live life.  The question becomes “Who is really in control of your life and the life of your family?”      
 
A thought came to mind recently was how/why we relate to people in an intimate way is how we tend to relate to God.  This is something I have always known, but God took Carolyn and I to a new level of understanding this week.  The argument that is made is that, for example, if we are relationally distant from people we will also be the same with God.  Our family system teaches us how to function relationally.  The spoken and unspoken rules/expectation in a family, the consistency of a family, in addition to the passions, character, integrity, and level of intimacy are the stones placed in our individual foundations. As I see it the cement that holds all this together is our understanding and experience of intimacy.  Intimacy is a driving force that develops our identity.  If our identity is healthy so will be all of the above.  If our identity is anything but healthy (no matter what the level) so will be the above as well.     
 
For some, they will be a transitional generation.  These people live forward with the good, and work to transition from the dysfunction.  All families, I would say are a bit dysfunctional.  Thanks to sin, there is not much we can do or say at times about the dysfunction because of the sensitivity and unspoken rules in our families.  However, there is something we can do about how we choose to live inside a particular family system.  The words of a Chassidic Rabbi on his death bed clues us in on what action we can take.  "When I was young, I set out to change the World.  When I grew a little older, I perceived that this was too ambitious, so I set out to change my State. This, too, I realized as I grew older was to ambitious, so I set out to change my Town. When I realized I could not even do this, I tried to change my Family.  Now, as an old man, I know that I should have stared by changing Myself.   If I had started with myself, maybe then I would have succeeded in changing my Family, the Town or even the State --and who knows, maybe even the World!"
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It is often so easy for me to accept God’s love for others but harder for myself.  A woman came up to me in worship and said I believe that God wants to tell you that He smiles when He sees you and He delights in you… If you have called me ever you have heard Zeph 3:17, “The Lord will take great delight in you, He will rejoice over you with singing and quiet you with His great and mighty love.”  How personal our God is!

As we looked into Christian Community Development verses about Humanitarian aid I was struck by a thought.  It is God’s love that draws us to Him and it is God’s love that transforms community.  When individuals are changed by the love of God everything changes.  Their identity changes, as well as their fruit that their lives exhibit.  They are restored and redeemed.  They become the transitional generation, no longer slaves.  They understand God has made an everlasting covenant with them and that God’s presence is their great reward.  This is spelled out so beautifully in Isaiah 61.  Isaiah 61 becomes an anointing over our lives.  God wants us to walk as the changed, the restored, the redeemed.  He wants us to live as no longer slaves!!!
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We listened to the incredible story of Father Samaan and the Zabbaleen people of Quattum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e01d4OlTi_k  I encourage you to look this up and get the whole story.  The story is about a priest of a Coptic church which is called to go to the garbage people of Egypt.  These people were literally called “The Nothings.”  Father Samaan went into pig pens and kissed their hands and kissed their heads.  He showed them humble respect as an image bearer of Christ.  God brought great transformation to this “garbage city” community.  God restored their identity and instilled a deep value as image bearers of Christ.  For these people, hope was restored, freedom came in the form of schools, hospitals, sewing, crafts, homes built, recycling started, dignity restored, and an amazing church built as a cave was discovered.  Miracles are happening there regularly.  Freedom in Christ truly brought beauty from Ashes in this community.  These people, in 2008, won a global award for how they re-used 80% of their garbage.  In a normal community, if you re-use 20% of the garbage you are considered to be environmentally friendly.  It took 30 years to restore this community, but God did far more than we can ask or imagine. Where and what is God asking you to step out and restore?

In worship this week God spoke so sweetly, This moment is for you, my beloved son and daughter, bask in my presence and BE MINE!  You are forgiven, You are called, You are MINE.  There is healing in my presence.  Be transformed by/ in my love.  You are a people of peace. My love is yours!  Walk anointed, there is healing in your hands. 
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Be in God’s healing presence this week!  John 20:1-9 reminds us where the disciples ran, they RAN to the tomb and JESUS IS NOT THERE!   Where in your life do you need to remind pain and death that Jesus is not there, he has conquered death and He calls us to live an abundant life.  Is there forgiveness you need to speak? If so, pick up a phone?  Is there repentance that needs to happen?  Fall on your knees.  Is there joy that needs to be restored?  Accept it! Is there fear that needs to be destroyed? Allow God to destroy it! Is there a character trait of God that you cannot accept? Perfect Father? Loving? Faithful? Come to the Lord with your pain this week, and allow His perfect love to speak to you!

It is amazing how our worldview governs so much of our lives without even knowing it.  For example, do you live with a worldview that revolves around a closed system or an open system?  A closed system is one in which relies on man’s wisdom to address problems.  An open system in this context relies on God who is able to make the impossible possible.  If you are guided by a worldview, whether intentionally or unintentionally, that is closed you are more concerned with solving problems without God, than you are with God.  There are plenty of stories in the Bible the reveal a God that is capable of making the impossible possible (The Exodus, Feeding of the five thousand, feeding of the four thousand to highlight a few).  Do you care faith deep enough to ask for the impossible?  
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When I think of an open system I think of Matthew 6:25-30.  Too often our hearts and minds are closed to the possibilities of God.  We cannot imagine a way out, through, over, or under whatever we face, especially at a societal level.  Although passages like Matthew 6 remind us of how much God cares for us we still struggle to remember.  It is difficult to remember how faithful God is at times but WE MUST REMEMBER!   Now, what happens if our unintentional closed system worldview prevents us serving another person, community, or society?  What do we do?  Do we pack up and leave? Or, Do we dig in and stay knowing and remembering that our God is bigger than any problem?  The reality is often times we pack up and head out.  There may be a time or place for that, but not until God releases you to leave.     

Matthew 25:31-46

There will come a day in which we, as a Christian, will come face to face with God.  On that day, God will make known the outcome of our lives from His Sovereign perspective.  Some will have lived a life that has an impact on those that are hungry and thirsty.  Some people will have shown love and respect to others, as well as offering a helping hand to those who are foreigners, strangers, or naked.  Some will also serve the sick and reach out to those in prison.  Others will say to God, “I did not see those who were hungry and thirsty.”  “I did not recognize the strangers or see those who are naked.”  “I did not see the sick.”  “I did not know that people were in prison.”  The day will come when God reveals the true reality of the life we have lived.  Not all are called to be a professional missionary.  However, I do believe we are all called to missions.  As a Christ follower we are called to go into the world.  We are called to share the truth of Jesus, baptize, heal, and transform nations (Matt. 28:16-20).  We are all called to live missionally.  To be missional, from my perspective, is live out the gospel and overall truth of scripture everywhere we go.  We should not wake up in the morning to work, raise children, or serve ourselves.  We should wake up every morning with one primary purpose - that purpose is to be an Ambassador of Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-20) all day, every day, and everywhere.   For some, that may take you into the realm of professional missions in which your livelihood and your belief connects in a unique way.   For others, that may mean living missionally (God first) in which you carry Jesus into your home, work place, schools, friend groups, and social circumstances.   Either way, we are called to go and to take Jesus where He wants to go.  My encouragement to you is to seek out where Jesus wants to go.  Seek out your part in His travel, and go with boldness, courage, respect, gentleness, love, forgiveness, grace, purpose, and passion.  Be obedient because He is our King.           

The Fear of the Lord

To fear the Lord is a concept that is often known and understood, but not necessarily practiced.  To fear the Lord goes beyond our knowledge of God.  To fear the Lord goes beyond our understanding of Him as well.  To fear the Lord is to stand in awe of his nature and character.  It is to have a deep respect that surpasses the deepest parts of the ocean.  To fear God is to revere God.  Many, I believe, say they fear God; however that fear goes as deep as you can touch in a pool or beach front.  For some it may go as far a depth beyond their touch in a body of water; however it’s bounded by our ability to still swim to safety.  To fear the Lord is to be placed in the middle of the deepest part of the ocean with no safety in sight.  To fear the Lord is to float is a sea of reverence that places all safety and comfort in the hands of God.  I am not there yet, but I am swimming out to that place. 

Too often the fear of the Lord is confused with a deep respect for his character and nature.  You can know God, trust God, believe God, and everything that he does and blesses you with. You can believe all this, be a Christian, and still not be intimate enough with God to truly know what it is to fear him.  Only when you are willing to fully let go and let God will you be in that place.  To let go and let God does not mean you must give up all that you have like the parable of the rich young man (Matt 19:16-22).  God may not ask that of you.  He will ask something, but that will be between you and him.  Material possessions may not be a vice or idol.  It may be your friends, family, job, education, etc.  To fear the Lord is to strive to be in a place of holiness before him.

In order to love God, his truth, and his ways, our hearts must be tender.  A tender heart toward God is the gate way to the secrets of the kingdom of God (Mark 4:10-13).  A tender heart will see behind the knowledge and belief in God’s nature and character.  A tender heart will activate the spirit within you so that you may receive a greater and deeper emotional and cognitive understanding of God.  If ones heart is not tender to God they may recognize, believe, and know the parts of God, but they will not fully experience his heart.  They will miss out on the loving grip of God’s hand.  Only in a genuine relationship with God will you know, experience, and receive the heart of God.  To strive for holiness is to also learn what it is to fear the Lord.  Holiness is the obedience of all revealed truth.  To strive for obedience will tenderize your heart and open yourself up to the fear of the Lord.  We can experience God outside of intimacy with him.  However, it is only in intimacy through relationship that we will learn to swim in the deepest parts.  

Something to ponder:

Soul, Mind, Emotions, Will

·         Soul:  God wants to captivate our soul (whole hearted devotions)

·         Mind - God wants us to have Understanding (Matt 8:18-22)

·         Emotion - God wants us to have Passion (Matt 8:23-27)

·         Will - God wants us to have our Commitment (mark 10:17-31)

Fear of Men and Obedience to God

The fear of men is a snag (big and small).  To fear man and not God leads to disobedience 

·         Proverbs 29:25

·         John 12:37-43

Signs of fearing men (not comprehensive)

·         You are more concerned with the opinion of others than of God

·         You are lost in pleasing others (may lead to bondage)

·         You may not ever rebuke and hold others accountable

·         You deal with the symptom of sin and not the root

·         You confess your sin because it is uncovered by others, rather than taking initiative and repenting and asking           for accountability.

·         You are driven by the fear of rejection

·         You hide behind your personality (Example: you don’t speak up about what truly matters)

Signs of fearing God (not comprehensive)

·         You are more impressed with God's reaction towards yourself than the reaction and thoughts of others

·         You are obedient to God

·         You promote holiness

·         You are open (transparent)

·         You follow right standards (live out scriptural truth)

·         You follow through on God's commands and statutes

To fear the Lord….

1.        You have a deep respect and understanding of God.  In essence, you stand in AWE of Him.

2.      You hate what God hates, which is sin and the effects it has on yourself and others.

3.      If we do not honor and respect ( = fear of) God we will not see God for who He is.

4.      It is a means to an end.  In the end, our goal is to know, be known, and come as close to God as possible.

Mind, Emotions, Will

·         Lustful temptation Enters our mind

·                   It effects our emotions

                                  and then shapes our will (if we let it)

·         To withstand temptation begins with our will.  We must exercise our WILL to fight against the lies of the                   enemy, as well as to take our thoughts captive.

Sin vs Temptation

o    Sin is a temptation taken into action

o    Temptation is a thought that must be controlled (with God)

o    We often ask forgiveness for our temptation, which is not the correct action (although helpful at times).  We             must ask God to take captive all our thoughts to prevent temptation.  If we act on temptation we must than               repent, and walk in forgiveness and transformation as the outcome of our sinful choice.      

o    When Temptation occurs, as long as we do not act on it, we must rebuke in the name of Jesus.  Jesus is our           power source

·         Hate for the thought of sin or temptation is key

·         To hate sin empowers you (the will) to fight

·         The will is  a muscle that needs to be exercised to fight and withstand temptation

·         To not hate sin leaves you more vulnerable

o    Will, mind, and emotions – This is the order in which we should function

               Too often we lead with our emotions, which effects our mind, which weakness the will

o    Spiritual harassment - The consistent flooding of temptation into your thoughts.

                It needs to be met with a consistent rebuking of that temptation, and replaced with spiritual truths.

               Aggressive action is a must.  Passivity in controlling our thoughts leaves us open and vulnerable 

Lordship—and The Fear of the Lord

            The days are long but the weeks are so short. 

“Freedom is found in surrender and submission to God!”

“To get saved requires a yes, but to be a disciple of Jesus requires everything!...”This was a week that will change my life forever and I hope that as you read that God will as well change yours!

“God is not about self-improvement—He is about self-destruction!”—This statement will either terrify you or free you, I think to me it did both, but because God is both big and Good I know He is safe as I trust Him to take me and you through the refining fire to take away the dross and show us His gold in us!

What do you make Lord of your life??? Everyone worships something… we have been created to worship—We worship, ourselves, alcohol, food, T.V. shopping, media, friends, family, sex.. we all worship something. What if God asked you to give something up or away, what do you hold so closely you could never sacrifice ???

Thoughts on what a Transformed Christian looks like:

1.        Has an undiluted devotion to Jesus—that means we need a personal relationship

2.      Worships with a spirit of continuous repentence.  Do you repent daily? Hourly??

3.      Builds healthy human relationships—Loves God and Loves people-do you have fences to mend?

4.      Knows how to engage the Larger world

5.      Senses a personal “call” and unique competencies

6.      Merciful and generous to those who are weaker—or are we judgmental or critical?

7.       Appreciates that suffering is part of faithfulness to Jesus-if you have never suffered for Christ are you living the life of love and conviction the Lord desires?

8.      Intentional and disciplined in seeking God’s direction

9.      Eager and ready ot express the content of Your faith

10.   Overflows with thankfulness—do you overflow with thankfulness or  complaining??

11.      Overflow and has a passion for reconciliation

12.    Intentional and disciplined in seeking God’s direction.

In an alter call—We must get ALTERED-how many of us answered a question or walked to an alter but never chose to be different, making God Lord of our Life takes our initative and hard work! It is the must glorious work we can accomplish.

Our teacher took us through an entire day of “application” to the Lordship of Christ.  We learned about the O.T tabernacle where God had careful instructions to build for His presence to dwell.  We learned the modern day application of the tabernacle pieces. I pray these stories touch your heart…

We were asked to bring something to praise—a song, an instrument, ect, a story of Thanksgiving, a “burnt offering” our sin and repentence and our hearts ready to allow God to bring change.  This day started at 8:30 and didn’t end until 11:00 in the evening…

            There were 50 of us that had this blessed experience to spend the day together.

First we prayed over one another, there is something beautiful when you ask God what to pray for someone and God gives you a word of truth and love for them.  God reminded me through prayer and our beginning worship that He sees me, He has always been faithful and He has always walked with me.  A small thought with big repercussions, so often we feel like God misses us!

            People brought a “burnt offering” with them, and people gave away physical things that God had spoken to them and blessed another. In an instance (not in our class) a girl gave a purity ring to a girl and another girl gave her a white dress not knowing what the other was giving.  The receiving girl had been raped and this was a beautiful picture of God blessing and healing.  In our class, people gave away clothing, watches, money, one young man paid for anothers entire outreach ($4000) A father gave away his very expensive camera to a man in our class that could not bring his children. A woman struggling with shame was given expensive perfume.  A girl struggling to learn English was given a precious bible and a promise that God would use her speaking in English! A girl in my class who gave away all her clothes before she came here except what fit in her suitcase gave me a jacket. I had borrowed it when I had been cold one day, and when she placed it in my hand with a smile I was humbled beyond measure, this was a girl who had so little in physical possessions, yet was willing to bless me and tell me that I would look beautiful in it. God smiled on me and reminded me not only does He provide for us, He blesses our socks off. Our God is a good father who wants to clothe us in robes of righteousness not leave us as a begger on the street!

Ture heard God speak to give his tablet to a young man from Uganda that has an awesome call upon His life. I know this blessed Shadrach, but even more for our family that we are living in obedience and in sacrifice that we will not allow physical possessions to control us or to have any place in our life higher than God. I have never been more proud of my husband and the incredible sacrifice He was willing to make to declare God Lord in His life and being willing to listen and obey.

            The next part of our day consisted of standing before the cross and surrendering “idols” in our life.  People got up and surrendered chocolate, fast food, credit cards, money, music, T.V . books, relationships, security, and we kneeled before the cross and had an incredible time of worship thanking God for pointing out places that we value other things and find security comfort and hope in other than God.  Many of these things are not sin in and of themselves, but we make them sin because we worship them and find security and comfort rather than in God.  People made commitments to surrender and replace. For example our roommate surrendered junk food and committed to getting up an hour earlier every day to have a time to read her bible and pray every day.

            The next part of our day we stood before the room and confessed any sin that still stood in our life before God.  God will forgive us of all and any sin, but we must repent, and turn away from that sin and accept God’s grace.  We must then live forgiven and live differently.  This was powerful. When we publically confess there seems to be beautiful opportunity for God to bring healing.  Public confession is not necessary, but there is incredible power when we speak, so even if you are in your prayer closet- repent-physically say Lord I repent for----- and ask him to forgive you and replace that action or though with a Godly fruit of the spirit.!

            The rest of the night was followed by holy communtion, incredible praise and jubilee, and prayers for freedom.  People laughed and danced and wept and were free of even demonic strongholds as we stood free from sin before God the Holy Spirit was able to move and speak and bless.

            There are not many days in which our lives will stop and give us an entire day to devote to praising God, often we don’t feel we have a moment to pray, but I urge you, I beg you to take these steps and infuse them into your days, Give God praise for who He is, “God you are great, you are strong and mighty. You are Faithful and Loving, Kind and Generous.”  Point out specific instances in your life that He has sustained you.  God you were loving as you wrote your heart across the sky in the sunrise this morning. I encourage you to hold loosely your earthly possessions, and be free to bless others, Be quick to repent and live a repentant lifestyle.  We often want to live in forgiveness towards others which is vital, but we need to also take responsibility and specific action against our sinful, thoughts actions, habits as to change our destiny. 

            To get saved requires a yes and prayer, to be a disciple of the King requires radical change in our lives on a daily basis! Love God enough to look deeply at your thoughts, actions and habits and ask if all are pleasing to Him, and then love Him enough to listen, He will love you enough to speak, and you will never be the same.!

Praise...What is it?

How do you praise God?  Are you conservative in your worship?  Meaning, is your praise to God in worship more of a private moment?  Are you more of the expressive type?  Do you publically share your emotional praises as you verbally speak out, dance, lift up your hands, etc.?  When you are praising God what do you praise Him for?  What do you think about when you praise God? Where is your mind at when you praise God?  Emotionally, where are you at upon praising God?  Here are some other questions for you - Who are we praising and why are you doing it?   In other words, Why are you praising God?   These are all questions that should be asked as you learn to praise God.  Too often the praises we lift up to God are not really praises, instead they are more of a thank you.  To praise God is not to simply thank him for what He has done for you.  To praise God is to lift Him up.  To praise God is to recognize and be reminded of His nature and character.  To praise God is to praise Him for who He is and not necessarily what He does.