Time to See Clearly...NOW!

I can see clearly now the rain is gone...I can see all obstacles in my way - Johnny Mathis - Bright Sun Shiny Day

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident … that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice
– Philippians 1:12-18

I tell ya, that Apostle Paul. A guy who has have every “right” to be depressed and upset over the unjust bummer of being in prison and look what he says about it? Paul had embraced a spiritual principle of salvation; he saw things from God’s eyes. He saw what others in that Roman prison and even in the churches in Rome and Philippi couldn’t see. In this writing he challenges them, through his example and testimony, to see things God’s way. When we can see things God’s way, we see things as they really are, and thus have a faith and a hope perception of spot on reality.

I read this story of fictional English detective, Sherlock Holmes and his friend, Dr. John H. Watson. While on a camping expedition, they lay down to sleep after a good meal and a bottle of wine. Early in the morning, before the sunrise, Dr. Watson awakened his friend and said to the great detective, Holmes, “Look up and tell me what you observe.” Holmes replied, “I see millions and millions of stars. “ “What does that tell you?” asks Watson. "Well, astronomically it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. I observe that Saturn is in Leo. I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all-powerful and that we are very small and insignificant. Meteorically, I suspect we will have a beautiful day.” “What does it tell you, Watson?" Watson was silent for a moment and then said, "Holmes, you knucklehead, it says that someone has stolen our tent!”

Often the world accuses Christians of being knuckleheads; of being out of touch with reality. But we’re to believe faith is the way to see truth and ultimate reality. By faith in Christ, we can see life as God views it, as it really is. Without a faith perspective we’re blinded to spiritual and eternal reality and cannot see the stolen “tent”! It was also Paul that said, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” - 2 Corinthians 4:4

In the Old Testament the king of Aram sent his forces to capture the prophet Elisha, who had been tipping off the king of Israel as to the locations of the Aramean army. When Elisha’s servant saw the mass of enemy forces sent to capture the prophet, he was terrified. He asked Elisha, “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” - 2Kings 6:15-18

We too need to have our spiritual eyes open to see things God’s way. We need to understand how our circumstances fit God’s plans so we don’t freak out. We need to start there and not get to that point AFTER we have had a melt down! How? Read the words of Jesus. Then read the Psalms. Don’t glom onto just one verse. Read them all! Then, take time, find a quiet place and worship God. Revel in his majesty. Look around and verbally, out loud, praise Him for His creation, your life, your family, His blessings on you – focus off of what you do NOT know and onto what you do know – He is amazing, huge, in control, above all else and able to use anything for good and for your blessing. There is more and you will think of it if you put your heart into it.

When you pray, pray to honor your God not to show Him how pitiful your situation is! EEEeeeeesh!!! Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ – Ephesians 1:3 – THAT is God’s attitude for you…now figure out how to thank Him in advance for revealing to you as he did Elisha 3000 years ago. He knows where you are. Now ask Him for, “the rest of the story.”

My loved ones if we do this, then it will make all the difference in the way we look at our life, our problems, and our challenges. If you are now discouraged and feeling defeated or fearful, it’s time to begin seeing things God’s way. I remain…

InHISgrip,
~J~

No, It Isn't All Good News Now Is it?

"A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the sea. . . Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD. . ." - 2 Chronicles 20:2-3

It seems to be an unusually offensive season for all citizens of planet earth isn't it? Bad news is in abundance. Have you received your bits of it in the last few months? How did you feel about it? Was it so bad that when you heard it your stomach turned? Did you go into, "Lions n' Tigers n' Bears - Oh My!" mode?

I had such a week this week actually - it was one thing and another and another and I began to add them up.

This was the situation for King Jehoshaphat. He had just been informed that his country was going to be attacked by an army much larger than his. The previous news he had received had been bad news as well.

But Jehoshaphat was not the man to turn physically ill at the perils of his situation. He had been imbued with a bigger vision of worldly events. He was capable of seeing beyond the trial to the solution. Instead of panicking, the wise King turned His face to God and with his people called them to a time of a prayer & fasting.

The people listened - every man and woman in the province of Judah.

The king made a public prayer where, in reminding God of His promise Jehoshaphat reminded the people of their destiny. (SIDE NOTE: Having a destiny makes the heartbreaks of life bearable. You have one - ask God to reveal it to you!)

Expectantly, he then asked God for a plan. "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." At the end of his prayer it says they waited on God's answer. It came through the prophet, Jahaziel son of Zechariah. He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's'" - 2 Chronicles 20:15-16

The result was God honored their faithfulness and commitment to His promises and wiped out their enemies that day. Without Judah raising a hand their enemies massacred one another and what was heard on the battlefield was praise to God. "As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated" - 2 Chronicles 20:22-23

Let's recap - Here is what Jehoshaphat did in response to bad news.

1. He called for prayer

2. He called for fasting

3. He asked for God's strategy

4. And he began his battle by praising God in the midst of the battle

This is a time of great trouble in our land. Christians need to be focused on their relationship to God. It is good to get back into the Word of God, the Bible. It is wonderful to fellowship with other believers for comfort, support and strength but ultimately we all must go to the source of our destiny!!! Pray! Fast! Expect to hear back! and Praise Him even if today is not as fun, secure, interesting, wonderful as yesterday! Look up and out and believe to live out your Kingdom life!

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Avoiding Spiritual Anemia

"For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith" - Heb 4:2-3

I’ve become sensitive to the Christians around me. Perhaps I take “pasturing” too seriously.

I am also working very hard at reflecting back to myself when I find things in others that “hurt my heart/spirit.” One condition seems to be a sign of the times. I would call it spiritual anemia. Anemia is defined as a deficiency of hemoglobin, a molecule found inside red blood cells (RBCs). Since hemoglobin normally carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, anemia leads to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) in organs. As we know oxygen is life to humans.

I run into anemic Christian’s everyday. They have a form of our faith but fail to mix their belief with faith and obedience to produce outcomes that further the Kingdom of God. The apostle Paul described them when he said, "these people have a form of godliness but deny its power." – 2 Timothy 3:5

Lord, help me to avoid a weak-minded, non-productive bloodless faith. I asked the Lord to show me what are the telltale signs of anemic faith? When you no longer pray about decisions, you have anemic faith. When you fail to speak to others about their relationship with God, you have anemic faith. When you're unwilling to spend time with God everyday, your faith has become anemic. You no longer have a living faith. And, finally, when there are things about your faith and what is the Bible-based faith of the New Testament that offends, annoy, upset or make you uncomfortable then you have an anemic faith.

God spoke to John, the apostle, through a vision and told him about some Christians who were part of the church in Laodicea:

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see" - Rev 3:14-18.

These are strong words from our Lord. We are all susceptible to growing cold and anemic in our faith. Today, ask God to revive your heart and to restore the fire of your faith so that you will experience a vibrant and active faith that impacts the kingdom of darkness in a world that is currently attempting with deep conviction against you, your faith and the God you love to put out our light forever.

Now is the time to strengthen our resolve. It is a time to emblazon on the hearts of our sphere of influence a message to recognize the greatest life that has ever walked the earth. Let’s be emboldened by it. Let’s act on our faith.

I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~

Treasures in the Sand

"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her" - Hosea 2:14

In preparing for my teaching this week I came upon some things. One of them was this story. There is an ancient Arabian fable that tells of three merchants who crossed the great desert. In the daytime, they would pitch tents for shelter from the desert sun. When the stars came out, they would ride their camels in the cool of the night. At one point, the merchants crossed a dry riverbed under the stars.

"Halt!" said a voice from the darkness.

All three men jumped down from their camels and huddled together in fear. Finally, "Who's there?" one of them said.

"Don't be afraid," said the voice in the dark. "I won't harm you if you do as I say. See those pebbles at your feet?"

By the dim starlight, the merchants saw thousands of pebbles in the riverbed. "Each of you pick up a pebble and put it in your pocket."

The three merchants obeyed. Each took a pebble from the riverbed.
"Now leave this place," the voice said, "and don't stop until daybreak."

The merchants mounted up. One said, "What's this all about?"

"I will only say this," the voice replied. "In the morning, you will be happy and sad. Now, go!"

Baffled, the three merchants proceeded on their way. As they traveled, they wondered what the voice meant by saying that they would be both happy and sad. When morning came, the merchants stopped. Each man pulled the single pebble from his own pocket and saw that it sparkled in the morning sunlight.

The "pebbles" were precious gems. One man had a ruby, another, an emerald, and the third, a sapphire.

"Jewels!" one merchant said, his face shining with joy.

"Oh, no!" wailed the second. "There were thousands of jewels all over the riverbed! Each of us took only one! Why didn't we grab handfuls?" "Look!" shouted the third, pointing behind them. A desert wind had whipped up, erasing their tracks. "We can never find our way back!" The voice in the desert had spoken truly. The merchants were happy and sad. They had found wealth in the desert but they could have taken more!

Often, in places of adversity comes our greatest treasures and yet often it isn’t until we are out of the place of confusion, concern, hurt, anguish, spiritual dryness or emotional upheaval do we see the beauty that was there.

Often we spend so much time chafing against the perceived enemy that we do not realize all that was there to be had should we have just listened to the one who knows our every step.

As you go through this next week, ask God to make you sensitive to what He is beautifying your life with day in and day out so that the gems in your pockets are bountiful! I remain…

InHISgrip,
~J~

My Dad's Boy...or Am I?

"All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. 'Isn't this Joseph's son?' they asked" - Luke 4:22

I have been going through a series of “job” queries about my professional experience as of late. It intrigues me how someone will review my resume and come to certain conclusions. “You seem to have spent most of your time selling.” (Um, did you miss that whole 15 years of owning businesses and operations in those papers you are looking at?) “It seems like you haven’t had a great deal of experience managing people.” (No, that whole twenty-five plus years out of a fifty-six year life has just been a warm-up.)

Sorry, I’m sort of amused by it all. It makes me laugh (or think I need to re-write my resume)…

The intersection of our personal prejudices and the written word when we are relating to others is a curious thing isn’t it? We are often amazed how two people, reading the same material, come to decidedly different conclusions. Our national elections recently certainly validate this every time we have one!

Jesus was more qualified to be a carpenter than the Son of God in the view of lots of both religious leadership and the plain folk of his day. He was also becoming known as a rabbi who thought and did things "outside the box." I’m not sure how many carpenters’ boxes included raising the dead, turning water into wine and healing the sick but nonetheless it had a certain adverse response from his neighbors.

What we can glean from the above passage is the person of Jesus messed with their minds. He mixed vocation with ministry. His daily work was typical as anyone in Nazareth. So, when the public ministry side of his life began to surface, the first observations were, "Isn't this Joseph, the carpenter's son?"

One way that the enemy (Satan) attempts to keep us quiet and to shut down the ministry God has for us is to entreat a similar tactic. Our family, friends and neighbors will begin to toss into our faces and into the faces of those within our sphere of influence our history. "Isn't that Chuck and didn’t he toss the baseball through Mr. Evans window…twice.” “I know Bill he used to run that restaurant and didn’t they serve liquor?” Or, I know Linda, she worked at the bank right; just a teller?" The first question among our critics is "When did Chuck, Bill or Linda become religious?"

No one wants to listen to a “religious” nut. If Satan can assign the “religious” label to you it will prevent change and maintain the status quo in others. It was the primary force against Jesus designed to intimidate and turn His relationship with God into a set of rules and regulations and has others see him as nothing more than just “religious.” God, through who you are, in all your varying roles, desires you to bring His presence with you where you go every day. Do not let the enemy of your soul shame you into alienating your faith from your work nor limit you to just one dimension of life or another.

Today, ask Jesus to work in your and through you no matter your station, job, position. The two of you just might be the team to bring someone out of slavery and bondage. I am believing it! I remain…

InHISgrip,
~J~

The Competent Youngin'

"She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard'" -1 Kings 10:6-8

"Wow! You are not what I had in mind”, said the women whose hand I was shaking. “The information I had read, your background and experience and your writing…I just assumed you were, well, older!” Now, I am not sure anyone would say that today about me but this was twenty years ago and it made me smile. It also made me think of two things at the time that stuck with me:

Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. – Acts 4:13

But wisdom is justified of all her children. – Luke 7:35

When people meet you, or experience your teaching, your thinking, your life skills, what do they say about you?

Let’s change the direction of this discussion to something that might be more discernable and perhaps practical.

Would or do people typically say that you far exceeded their expectations and give them more than they expected? Do you undersell and over produce, or oversell and under produce? Solomon's wisdom far exceeded any man's wisdom and it was evident to others. (I King 4:29-34) When people come in contact with you do they come away with a sense of greater appreciation of you after meeting you?

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? This man will serve before kings and not before obscure men."- Proverbs 22:29. Whenever we exceed the expectations of those around us or those who come in contact with us by virtue of our position or our work or some responsibility we undertake, we bring glory to our God and He often elevates us among men.

Bezalel was a man who designed the Ark of the Covenant for Moses because God handpicked him to design it as a result of his exceptional skill. Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others" - Exodus 35:30-35.

If there were a Kingdom project to be done would God recommend you for the job? Let me remind you, in fact, God’s work is all work and all projects his princes and his princesses do are Kingdom projects!

God calls you and I to live our lives and do our work with excellence. Create the great shocker! Show yourself wise and powerful and competent beyond your years! I remain…

InHISgrip,
~J~

A Hero to Count On

Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.” But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Now therefore, thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah departed. And when the messengers returned to him, he said to them, “Why have you come back?” So they said to him, “A man came up to meet us, and said to us, ‘Go, return to the king who sent you, and say to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’”’” Then he said to them, “What kind of man was it that came up to meet you and told you these words?” So they answered him, “A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. So he went up to him; and there he was, sitting on the top of a hill. And he spoke to him: “Man of God, the king has said, ‘Come down!’” So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. Then he sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty men. And he answered and said to him: “Man of God, thus has the king said, ‘Come down quickly!’ So Elijah answered and said to them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. Again, he sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him, and said to him: “Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight. 14 Look, fire has come down from heaven and burned up the first two captains of fifties with there fifties. But let my life now be precious in your sight.” And the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king. Then he said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD that Elijah had spoken. Because he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place, in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? – 2 Kings 1:1-18

I read about Elijah and I am amazed at his consistent life. I admire Elijah's consistent heroism. The man is alone, standing before the king and, surely, surrounded by armed warriors, faithful to King Ahaziah, who could have finished him off with one thrust of a spear. Yet God's man never gave the risk a second thought. He’s convinced, committed to his Lord, and it appears that the thought of self-protection never enters his mind.

The heroism of godly men and women is demonstrated in their willingness to face unpleasant conditions, even threatening circumstances, with remarkable calm. They act with firm resolve, even though it means incurring personal unpopularity and discomfort. Their passion for pleasing God is their chief goal and uppermost thought.

Period.

When I think of “the church” age and heroes – I think of Martin Luther. It's been asserted that he was as fearless a man as ever lived. "You can expect from me everything save fear or recantation. I shall not flee, much less recant," said Luther on his momentous journey to Worms. (Check it out on YouTube or Wikipedia).

Luther's friends were concerned for his safety. Focusing on the grave dangers ahead, they sought to dissuade him. But the mere thought of not going disgusted him. "Not go to Worms!" he said. "I shall go to Worms though there were as many devils as tiles on the roofs." On a later occasion, while awaiting an audience before all the prelates of the church, Luther was asked if he was now afraid. "Afraid? Greater than the pope and all his cardinals, I fear most that great pope, self."
Elijah rose above his enemies, his king, even himself as he heroically stood his ground, delivered God's message, and refused to dull its edge. To the one God centered as Elijah I say may their tribe increase in this day of shallow, feel-good theology, so popular among superficial, backslapping Christians.

And may you find the spirit of heroism in your own heart. You will be called on to do it! I remain…

inHISgrip,
~J~