Monday, September 28, 2009
God You & The Heavenly UPS Guy
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets - Amos 3:7
A friend of mine, Os Hillman, received a prophecy. Essentially it was this, "You (Os) are called to free workplace believers from the Esau life." When God gave that word He did so through a third party. It was a someone who was not directly involved in Hillman's life. At the time he had been in the midst of trying to understand some catastrophic events that shook his world. As he reflected this story back to me recently, he shared how he was able to see that God gave this person supernatural insight that revealed his Heavenly Fathers personal calling on his life.
Regardless of what you might think. There is zero evidence that God stopped prophecy or stopped using prophecy. Every clear delineation of the changing of His operations, God has spoken directly about the change. There has been nothing but conjecture about God and miracles being suspended. And the prophetic is certainly miraculous. Is has not nor is it being wiped from the earth. I have heard Os' story repeated dozens of times; someone using a prophetic word to call a person into service or encourage them in their work.
God still uses His prophets today to reveal His plans in the lives of His people.
I have seen Amos 3:7 (verse at the top) proved over and over in the lives of God's people. It is as though God sends out His special forces to inform His chosen ones, His kids, His people, what is ahead for them.
Sometimes He does this because He knows the event will require such changes in that person's life and so He wants to assure them of His love. We are not good with change. We really aren't good with dramatic change and God author's dramatic change.
I've also had the role flipped on me. God has used me as a prophet in the lives of others. I must tell you, "Prophet" is not my primary calling. When I think of it, it's not a particularly comfortable role for me. But I prefer to be uncomfortable and obedient than comfortable and dead wrong. In the Church Age, since the Holy Spirit is available to all God's kids, it is likely the Holy Spirit will, at some point, and if you are open and obedient, more than once, use you in this role also.
Let me be clear about something to you. I require God's direction. You see, when you turn a whole life (your life) over to Him you've pretty much given up other forms of guidance. Every other map, compass, directory is flawed. It cannot take me to where my leader wishes me to go. You need to, if you have not been, thinking about this in terms of God and you also.
I wish to warn you now if you are a God-pleaser; He will bring peeps into your life to whom He expects to use you as His mouthpiece. I'm just telling you now. Expect it! Anticipate it! Be ready for it! Are you ready? I mean it!
Friends and family, are your eyes and ears spiritually sensitive so that you will know who are messengers of God and when YOU are the messenger of God? Elisha had a servant who could not see or hear with spiritual eyes and ears until Elisha prayed they would be opened. Then the servant could see the great army of God protecting them (check out 2 Kings 6:17).
Today, with me, pray that we might see and hear with the extraordinary, supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. He may desire to reveal His purposes and plans through another individual or through us. Regardless, it is miraculous to behold and peace to our hearts and direction for our weary feet.
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Monday, September 21, 2009
You Guys Need a Pitcher I AM A PITCHER! - Filling A Need & A Calling
As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father's family? - 1 Samuel 9:20
Last week I told you about my days as a neighborhood ball player. I talked about being chosen. I also talked about the importance to understand and know our calling. For me, the days of my being picked 3rd or 4th or even 6th ended when I learned to pitch AND field my position superbly as a pitcher. You see, when you are playing 2 or 3 man baseball teams you have to be able to field your position and usually one or two others in order to be a winning team. In two and 3 man baseball the pitcher was also (at least) the first baseman and often the shortstop as well. The day I began working out my pitching skills for sandlot baseball was the day my value went up. I had a calling. I knew what I could do.
What I didn't know was later, how that ability to handle multiple tasks at once would prepare me for my life and my calling in Christ Jesus.
Back to the Bible
The scene is this, Saul and his servant were out seeking his father's lost donkeys. (NOTE: This was not just a story but also symbolic of the waywardness of the nation of Israel at that time). While this was happening the people of Israel had just asked the prophet Samuel to have a king rule over them. This was not God's first plan. If God can be disheartened (hmmm...) that was what happened. God was disappointed in His people for not just allowing Him to rule them directly yet God granted Israel their request.
Ok, back to Saul. Saul and his servant heard of a man of God named Samuel. "Perhaps this man of God can tell us where to find our donkeys," said the servant. Now, here is this huge, major issue occurring that affects all of Israel but check out the servant and his thinking. Isn't that just like us? We seek God to solve the issues related to material life most proximate to us. And, oddly enough, in this case, Saul was about to receive the greatest opportunity of his lifetime. He was about to be crowned as king of Israel! His life would never be the same. Was he aware of this? As my beautiful and amazing daughter would say, "not so much." What was he concerned about? His donkeys. We don't have to be worried about the material things of life if we are about the things He's called us to do.
God called Saul to be the next king. God created purpose. Saul was given purpose; it was in order to free the people from the Philistines. So, into this scenario God sent a messenger, the prophet Samuel, to inform Saul of his new career. Samuel also had to ease Saul's mind about his donkeys.
Now, just so you know, donkeys often represent commerce in the Bible. They were the primary means of transporting goods; therefore, in essence, what was Samuel saying to Saul? He was saying, "You don't need to worry about your business if you respond to the call of God on your life. All the material things will take care of themselves."
Jesus said the same thing to the disciples years later. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well - Mt. 6:33
When God calls us, it often involves making major adjustments in our lives. Saul went from one kind of business to another. He went from working for his father to being a king. What changes is God calling you to make today in order to join Him in His work and how will he use the subtlety of your past calling(s) to fill your current position? He will you know...just listen and expect your Heavenly Father to tell your spirit what to do and where to go next.
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Last week I told you about my days as a neighborhood ball player. I talked about being chosen. I also talked about the importance to understand and know our calling. For me, the days of my being picked 3rd or 4th or even 6th ended when I learned to pitch AND field my position superbly as a pitcher. You see, when you are playing 2 or 3 man baseball teams you have to be able to field your position and usually one or two others in order to be a winning team. In two and 3 man baseball the pitcher was also (at least) the first baseman and often the shortstop as well. The day I began working out my pitching skills for sandlot baseball was the day my value went up. I had a calling. I knew what I could do.
What I didn't know was later, how that ability to handle multiple tasks at once would prepare me for my life and my calling in Christ Jesus.
Back to the Bible
The scene is this, Saul and his servant were out seeking his father's lost donkeys. (NOTE: This was not just a story but also symbolic of the waywardness of the nation of Israel at that time). While this was happening the people of Israel had just asked the prophet Samuel to have a king rule over them. This was not God's first plan. If God can be disheartened (hmmm...) that was what happened. God was disappointed in His people for not just allowing Him to rule them directly yet God granted Israel their request.
Ok, back to Saul. Saul and his servant heard of a man of God named Samuel. "Perhaps this man of God can tell us where to find our donkeys," said the servant. Now, here is this huge, major issue occurring that affects all of Israel but check out the servant and his thinking. Isn't that just like us? We seek God to solve the issues related to material life most proximate to us. And, oddly enough, in this case, Saul was about to receive the greatest opportunity of his lifetime. He was about to be crowned as king of Israel! His life would never be the same. Was he aware of this? As my beautiful and amazing daughter would say, "not so much." What was he concerned about? His donkeys. We don't have to be worried about the material things of life if we are about the things He's called us to do.
God called Saul to be the next king. God created purpose. Saul was given purpose; it was in order to free the people from the Philistines. So, into this scenario God sent a messenger, the prophet Samuel, to inform Saul of his new career. Samuel also had to ease Saul's mind about his donkeys.
Now, just so you know, donkeys often represent commerce in the Bible. They were the primary means of transporting goods; therefore, in essence, what was Samuel saying to Saul? He was saying, "You don't need to worry about your business if you respond to the call of God on your life. All the material things will take care of themselves."
Jesus said the same thing to the disciples years later. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well - Mt. 6:33
When God calls us, it often involves making major adjustments in our lives. Saul went from one kind of business to another. He went from working for his father to being a king. What changes is God calling you to make today in order to join Him in His work and how will he use the subtlety of your past calling(s) to fill your current position? He will you know...just listen and expect your Heavenly Father to tell your spirit what to do and where to go next.
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Becoming A Draft Day Favorite
...Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel... - Zechariah 4:10
When I was a boy growing up in Calumet City, IL it may take a bit of work but we could nearly always put together a game of pick-up baseball (3 player teams and even two player teams worked.) basketball and even football. On the "big teams" days when we could get 3 or more per team, two captains would alternate making the best choices among the neighborhood gang to make up the two teams. In baseball I was a lock for one of the top two first picks. It took awhile for me to be selected in the top 5 in basketball though (and the loss of about 20 lbs.)
What I do remember was how good it felt to be valued by others for what they perceived I could contribute. Conversely, it was a feet-shuffling, uncomfortable feeling when I was "down the line" and not chosen in one of those prime spots. For some of the neighborhood kids, on really big days it was possible to not be chosen at all.
Such was the case for Zerubbabel. He was a man chosen by God to rebuild the temple. God saw something in Zerubbabel that He could use for His purposes. The people also recognized that Zerubbabel was a man in whom they could place their faith. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people - Haggai 1:14a.
If you are part of the remnant of those on this earth who name the name of Jesus Christ, God is calling you out. Believe it or not, right where you stand, right now, YOU are being selected. You are first! It isn't tomorrow. It isn't when you get it all together. He wants you now. You have a place in His work. You are a valuable, eternal asset immediately. I want to make a couple of points about this calling to you.
1. Do not let the business of your current work sidetrack you from the importance of God's agenda for you. I hope you can recall the day Jesus Christ and your life in Him became apparent to you. If you have to think about it I suggest you write it down so that the next time it isn't so hard. Remember, from that day on God's call on your life and the eternal work of the Kingdom of God and your place in it took preeminence. If this is the first time you have gotten that memo then think of it as you just got it in the mail, in your locker, to your E-Mail account and delivered in person by the King of the Universe personally!
2. Remember that your leadership in your home is an important part of that calling. Your personal selection to God's team means you must take your position and have yourself equipped to do the work. You will put on love, grace, peace, mercy, godly knowledge and a desire to ensure that everyone who comes into your territory, every ball shagged in your part of the field is done so cleanly and every opportunity to shoot or hit is done so to make sure you optimize the opportunity. Be prepared.
3. Preparation means you do things to make sure you are ready for the game. You have already been chosen. Make sure you can perform. For the Kingdom of God team it means you pray enough (which is constantly be in a state of prayer - I Thessalonians 5:17), read God's word so you know the plays (2 Timothy 2:15), talk team strategy with the rest of the players on your side regularly (Hebrews 10:25), wear the team uniform which is the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).
Hear me my friends and family, Satan's strategy is to keep us distracted with the urgency of the moment versus the importance of eternity. He wants us to stand out in right field and gaze at the ant hill instead of keep our head in the game!
Ask God what your priorities should be today. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Make His priorities your priorities. Serve your head coach, Jesus Christ, with fervor, fire, determination and power. It is the calling of your team to take the championship but we have got to be prepared!
I remain...
InHISGrip,
~J~
When I was a boy growing up in Calumet City, IL it may take a bit of work but we could nearly always put together a game of pick-up baseball (3 player teams and even two player teams worked.) basketball and even football. On the "big teams" days when we could get 3 or more per team, two captains would alternate making the best choices among the neighborhood gang to make up the two teams. In baseball I was a lock for one of the top two first picks. It took awhile for me to be selected in the top 5 in basketball though (and the loss of about 20 lbs.)
What I do remember was how good it felt to be valued by others for what they perceived I could contribute. Conversely, it was a feet-shuffling, uncomfortable feeling when I was "down the line" and not chosen in one of those prime spots. For some of the neighborhood kids, on really big days it was possible to not be chosen at all.
Such was the case for Zerubbabel. He was a man chosen by God to rebuild the temple. God saw something in Zerubbabel that He could use for His purposes. The people also recognized that Zerubbabel was a man in whom they could place their faith. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people - Haggai 1:14a.
If you are part of the remnant of those on this earth who name the name of Jesus Christ, God is calling you out. Believe it or not, right where you stand, right now, YOU are being selected. You are first! It isn't tomorrow. It isn't when you get it all together. He wants you now. You have a place in His work. You are a valuable, eternal asset immediately. I want to make a couple of points about this calling to you.
1. Do not let the business of your current work sidetrack you from the importance of God's agenda for you. I hope you can recall the day Jesus Christ and your life in Him became apparent to you. If you have to think about it I suggest you write it down so that the next time it isn't so hard. Remember, from that day on God's call on your life and the eternal work of the Kingdom of God and your place in it took preeminence. If this is the first time you have gotten that memo then think of it as you just got it in the mail, in your locker, to your E-Mail account and delivered in person by the King of the Universe personally!
2. Remember that your leadership in your home is an important part of that calling. Your personal selection to God's team means you must take your position and have yourself equipped to do the work. You will put on love, grace, peace, mercy, godly knowledge and a desire to ensure that everyone who comes into your territory, every ball shagged in your part of the field is done so cleanly and every opportunity to shoot or hit is done so to make sure you optimize the opportunity. Be prepared.
3. Preparation means you do things to make sure you are ready for the game. You have already been chosen. Make sure you can perform. For the Kingdom of God team it means you pray enough (which is constantly be in a state of prayer - I Thessalonians 5:17), read God's word so you know the plays (2 Timothy 2:15), talk team strategy with the rest of the players on your side regularly (Hebrews 10:25), wear the team uniform which is the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).
Hear me my friends and family, Satan's strategy is to keep us distracted with the urgency of the moment versus the importance of eternity. He wants us to stand out in right field and gaze at the ant hill instead of keep our head in the game!
Ask God what your priorities should be today. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Make His priorities your priorities. Serve your head coach, Jesus Christ, with fervor, fire, determination and power. It is the calling of your team to take the championship but we have got to be prepared!
I remain...
InHISGrip,
~J~
Thursday, September 17, 2009
This Is An OUT OF MY HEAD! - House Bill 3200 YIKES!!!
Well, I have done it! I didn’t want to. I didn’t think it was necessary actually. But I can tell you that I have read the entire text of proposed House Bill 3200: The Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009.
I studied it with particular emphasis from my specific area of interest Historical Constitutional Law. I was frankly concerned that parts of the proposed law that were being discussed might be unconstitutional. What I found was far worse than what I had heard or expected. And, from my perspective, informed citizen, I was right. Much of it is written so that our constitutional rights will be remanded.
First, you need to know that much of what has been purported negatively about the new law (and please, make no mistake they are not mandating legislation but new rules of LAW) and its implications is in fact true, despite what many Democrats and the media are saying. The law does provide for rationing of health care, particularly where senior citizens and other classes of citizens are involved, free health care for illegal immigrants, free and on demand abortion services, and most likely forced participation in abortion procedures by members of the medical profession.
The Bill will also eventually force private insurance companies out of business (or fully restructure every organization and corporation that operates in the field at costs that have not even begun to be understood or studied) and put everyone into a government run system that will develop whole new agencies. Federal bureaucrats will ultimately make all decisions about personal health care and most of them will not be health care professionals but rather political appointees. Hospital admissions, payments to physicians, and allocations of necessary medical devices will be strictly controlled.
However, as scary as all of that it, it just scratches the surface. In fact, I have concluded that this legislation really has no intention of providing affordable health care choices. Did you see that? Health care is not the purpose of this law! Instead it is a convenient cover for the most massive transfer of power to the Executive Branch of government that has ever occurred, or even been contemplated. If this law or a similar one is adopted, major portions of the Constitution of the United States will effectively have been destroyed.
First thing to go will be the masterfully crafted balance of power between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the U.S. Government. The Congress will be transferring to the Obama Administration authority in a number of different areas over the lives of the American people and the businesses they own. The irony is that Congress doesn't have any authority to legislate most of those areas to begin with and by that I mean currently or historically. I defy anyone to read the text of the U.S. Constitution and find any authority granted to the members of Congress to regulate health care, associated business or the direct management of business in the United States.
This legislation also provides for access by the appointees of the Obama administration to all of your personal healthcare information, your personal financial information, and the information of your employer, physician, and hospital. All of this “access” can easily be abused and becomes a direct violation of the specific provisions of the 4th Amendment to the Constitution protecting against unreasonable searches and seizures. You can also forget about your right to privacy. That will have been legislated into oblivion regardless of what the 3rd and 4th Amendments may provide.
If you decide not to have healthcare insurance or if you have private insurance that is not deemed "acceptable" to the "Health Choices Administrator" appointed by Obama there will be a tax imposed on you. You will be penalized for being entrepreneurial and a freethinking, free acting citizen! It is called a "tax" instead of a fine because of the intent to avoid application of the due process clause of the 5th Amendment. However, that doesn't work because since there is nothing in the law that allows you to contest or appeal the imposition of the tax, it is definitely depriving someone of property (real property holders) without the "due process" of law.
So, there are three of those pesky amendments that those who seeks to control hate so much out of the original ten in the Bill of Rights that are effectively nullified by this law. It doesn't stop there though. The 9th Amendment that provides: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people;" The 10th Amendment states: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are preserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Under the provisions of this piece of Congressional handiwork neither the people nor the states are going to have any rights or powers at all in many areas that once were theirs to control.
There is a ton more but you get the gist don’t you? (Please just nod your head here.) This is not about health care; it is about seizing power and limiting rights. Article 6 of the Constitution requires the members of both houses of Congress to "be bound by oath or affirmation" to support the Constitution. If I was a member of Congress I would not be able to vote for this legislation or anything like it without feeling I was violating that sacred oath or affirmation. If I voted for it anyway I would hope the American people would hold me accountable.
For those who might doubt the nature of this threat I suggest they consult the source.
Here is a link to the Constitution:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html_
And another to the Bill of Rights:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
There you can see exactly what we are about to have taken from us. I know, it’s hard work being a free American. That is why we find ourselves even having to go through the ordeal of this situation. “Lazy” does not seem to be in our mantra as a nation but it has become a cloak we wear to cover up an otherwise very busy life. Let’s resist the taking from us what has cost us so dearly to acquire, the ability as freethinking men and women to do right until the stars fall!
In all of this my hope and my focus is my faith in a God who controls the destinies of men. He also provides for creativity and will and purpose. I personally have purposed not to just flop over and let an ill intentioned regime take away the rights of millions with the brush of a pen.
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
I studied it with particular emphasis from my specific area of interest Historical Constitutional Law. I was frankly concerned that parts of the proposed law that were being discussed might be unconstitutional. What I found was far worse than what I had heard or expected. And, from my perspective, informed citizen, I was right. Much of it is written so that our constitutional rights will be remanded.
First, you need to know that much of what has been purported negatively about the new law (and please, make no mistake they are not mandating legislation but new rules of LAW) and its implications is in fact true, despite what many Democrats and the media are saying. The law does provide for rationing of health care, particularly where senior citizens and other classes of citizens are involved, free health care for illegal immigrants, free and on demand abortion services, and most likely forced participation in abortion procedures by members of the medical profession.
The Bill will also eventually force private insurance companies out of business (or fully restructure every organization and corporation that operates in the field at costs that have not even begun to be understood or studied) and put everyone into a government run system that will develop whole new agencies. Federal bureaucrats will ultimately make all decisions about personal health care and most of them will not be health care professionals but rather political appointees. Hospital admissions, payments to physicians, and allocations of necessary medical devices will be strictly controlled.
However, as scary as all of that it, it just scratches the surface. In fact, I have concluded that this legislation really has no intention of providing affordable health care choices. Did you see that? Health care is not the purpose of this law! Instead it is a convenient cover for the most massive transfer of power to the Executive Branch of government that has ever occurred, or even been contemplated. If this law or a similar one is adopted, major portions of the Constitution of the United States will effectively have been destroyed.
First thing to go will be the masterfully crafted balance of power between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the U.S. Government. The Congress will be transferring to the Obama Administration authority in a number of different areas over the lives of the American people and the businesses they own. The irony is that Congress doesn't have any authority to legislate most of those areas to begin with and by that I mean currently or historically. I defy anyone to read the text of the U.S. Constitution and find any authority granted to the members of Congress to regulate health care, associated business or the direct management of business in the United States.
This legislation also provides for access by the appointees of the Obama administration to all of your personal healthcare information, your personal financial information, and the information of your employer, physician, and hospital. All of this “access” can easily be abused and becomes a direct violation of the specific provisions of the 4th Amendment to the Constitution protecting against unreasonable searches and seizures. You can also forget about your right to privacy. That will have been legislated into oblivion regardless of what the 3rd and 4th Amendments may provide.
If you decide not to have healthcare insurance or if you have private insurance that is not deemed "acceptable" to the "Health Choices Administrator" appointed by Obama there will be a tax imposed on you. You will be penalized for being entrepreneurial and a freethinking, free acting citizen! It is called a "tax" instead of a fine because of the intent to avoid application of the due process clause of the 5th Amendment. However, that doesn't work because since there is nothing in the law that allows you to contest or appeal the imposition of the tax, it is definitely depriving someone of property (real property holders) without the "due process" of law.
So, there are three of those pesky amendments that those who seeks to control hate so much out of the original ten in the Bill of Rights that are effectively nullified by this law. It doesn't stop there though. The 9th Amendment that provides: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people;" The 10th Amendment states: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are preserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Under the provisions of this piece of Congressional handiwork neither the people nor the states are going to have any rights or powers at all in many areas that once were theirs to control.
There is a ton more but you get the gist don’t you? (Please just nod your head here.) This is not about health care; it is about seizing power and limiting rights. Article 6 of the Constitution requires the members of both houses of Congress to "be bound by oath or affirmation" to support the Constitution. If I was a member of Congress I would not be able to vote for this legislation or anything like it without feeling I was violating that sacred oath or affirmation. If I voted for it anyway I would hope the American people would hold me accountable.
For those who might doubt the nature of this threat I suggest they consult the source.
Here is a link to the Constitution:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html_
And another to the Bill of Rights:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
There you can see exactly what we are about to have taken from us. I know, it’s hard work being a free American. That is why we find ourselves even having to go through the ordeal of this situation. “Lazy” does not seem to be in our mantra as a nation but it has become a cloak we wear to cover up an otherwise very busy life. Let’s resist the taking from us what has cost us so dearly to acquire, the ability as freethinking men and women to do right until the stars fall!
In all of this my hope and my focus is my faith in a God who controls the destinies of men. He also provides for creativity and will and purpose. I personally have purposed not to just flop over and let an ill intentioned regime take away the rights of millions with the brush of a pen.
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Monday, September 14, 2009
When It's Time to Move On - Expect Greater Things!
In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys. - Genesis 30:43
The Old Testament Patriarch (prior to becoming old or a patriarch) Jacob left his homeland after suffering a broken relationship with his brother Esau. Jacob, at the biding of his mother and whether right or wrong robbed Esau of the family blessing.
We next find Jacob working for his uncle Laban. This was no short-timer gig. Jacob stayed for 20 plus years.
But now it's time for him to leave Laban's hire. But (and this should give us a sense of both Jacob and ourselves - Note to self: if I have done something for 20 years and have NOTHING to show for it, I might have a problem!) he had no physical assets to show for those years under Laban.
Laban had taken advantage of his nephew in every way. As you become more familiar with the story you realize in some ways, Jacob was reaping the seed he had sown his entire life as a manipulator and controller starting with the whole stealing the blessing debacle from his brother Esau.
And in the next instance we personally find hope. For, as bad as Jacob had been, as rotten as he may have treated his brother and as lousy a conniving cheater he might have been, God's hand was on Jacob, and He had plans to prosper him.
That blows me away. Say it with me, "God is good to me when I do not deserve His goodness."
But, still, Jacob had one problem - he had no resources of his own. For Jacob to launch out on his own, he would need finances or something of value. In those days, resources often meant large flocks of animals. This was not as convenient as a bank account but still quite effective for the time. Well, as it was with Him, God gave Jacob a dream that resulted in a strategy for creating wealth by multiplying his sheep. Even though Laban sought to prevents Jacob's efforts, God overcame the evil in Laban to allow Jacob to prosper.
There are a bunch of lessons for us in this story. First, when God decides it is time to move you into a larger place of His calling, He has the ability to provide the resources you need to support the call. Find hope in this.
God gave Jacob a dream that resulted in a strategy never used before to build wealth. It was totally from God's hand. It was creative and new. Expect God to work in your mind and your mind.
Then, God called Jacob to move out after he had demonstrated his faithfulness in 25 plus years of serving his uncle. Jacob learned to live under authority and served the man faithfully, even though Jacob knew he was being taken advantage of. Your loyalty in life will inure to your benefit eventually - count on it.
What God did in Jacobs life He will do the same for you and me. However, a word of caution: Be sure the strategy operating in your heart and mind is born from above, and not from self-effort. This is where our being personally sensitive to God's voice needs exercise. It comes from listening daily and expecting to hear from Him.
The difficulty for most Christians is to learn the difference between the strategies born of God versus the strategy of self-effort. It is like anything in life we wish to master; the more time we spend with our Heavenly Father...in His word...in worship...in prayer and in meditation and listening the easier it is for His leading to be heard in our heart of hearts and understood by you and I.
Stand with me today...but...shhhh...service...learn loyalty...be a man/woman of honor...expect God to move in you and through you.
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
The Old Testament Patriarch (prior to becoming old or a patriarch) Jacob left his homeland after suffering a broken relationship with his brother Esau. Jacob, at the biding of his mother and whether right or wrong robbed Esau of the family blessing.
We next find Jacob working for his uncle Laban. This was no short-timer gig. Jacob stayed for 20 plus years.
But now it's time for him to leave Laban's hire. But (and this should give us a sense of both Jacob and ourselves - Note to self: if I have done something for 20 years and have NOTHING to show for it, I might have a problem!) he had no physical assets to show for those years under Laban.
Laban had taken advantage of his nephew in every way. As you become more familiar with the story you realize in some ways, Jacob was reaping the seed he had sown his entire life as a manipulator and controller starting with the whole stealing the blessing debacle from his brother Esau.
And in the next instance we personally find hope. For, as bad as Jacob had been, as rotten as he may have treated his brother and as lousy a conniving cheater he might have been, God's hand was on Jacob, and He had plans to prosper him.
That blows me away. Say it with me, "God is good to me when I do not deserve His goodness."
But, still, Jacob had one problem - he had no resources of his own. For Jacob to launch out on his own, he would need finances or something of value. In those days, resources often meant large flocks of animals. This was not as convenient as a bank account but still quite effective for the time. Well, as it was with Him, God gave Jacob a dream that resulted in a strategy for creating wealth by multiplying his sheep. Even though Laban sought to prevents Jacob's efforts, God overcame the evil in Laban to allow Jacob to prosper.
There are a bunch of lessons for us in this story. First, when God decides it is time to move you into a larger place of His calling, He has the ability to provide the resources you need to support the call. Find hope in this.
God gave Jacob a dream that resulted in a strategy never used before to build wealth. It was totally from God's hand. It was creative and new. Expect God to work in your mind and your mind.
Then, God called Jacob to move out after he had demonstrated his faithfulness in 25 plus years of serving his uncle. Jacob learned to live under authority and served the man faithfully, even though Jacob knew he was being taken advantage of. Your loyalty in life will inure to your benefit eventually - count on it.
What God did in Jacobs life He will do the same for you and me. However, a word of caution: Be sure the strategy operating in your heart and mind is born from above, and not from self-effort. This is where our being personally sensitive to God's voice needs exercise. It comes from listening daily and expecting to hear from Him.
The difficulty for most Christians is to learn the difference between the strategies born of God versus the strategy of self-effort. It is like anything in life we wish to master; the more time we spend with our Heavenly Father...in His word...in worship...in prayer and in meditation and listening the easier it is for His leading to be heard in our heart of hearts and understood by you and I.
Stand with me today...but...shhhh...service...learn loyalty...be a man/woman of honor...expect God to move in you and through you.
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
I Got Nothin' Left...(of my own)
The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength - 1 Samuel 2:4
There is an oxymoron throughout the Bible. It says that brokenness is strength. Virtually every great name or significant life eschewed in the scriptures was an individual who was first beaten down. The lessons of leadership often were not learning how to lead in small things and then bigger and bigger things. The lessons of leadership were often, prison, beatings, running, poverty, servanthood, slavery and mocking.
How can this be? The Strength of Brokenness. How can brokenness be strength? This week in my life would be a lousy one to ask me the question so I write this in faith.
If you read the Bible at all you realize a methodology that is in action. God takes our sin and our weakness and turns it into strength. If Satan and his minions (the demons) are attempting to destroy our lives God will often let the destruction go and go and go.
There does however seem to be a dividing line past which they can't act and, if we are His people; a man or woman who has committed our life to Jesus Christ beyond which our brokenness is received.
In order to use men and women to their fullest extent, the Lord has to break His servants so that they might have a new kind of strength that is not human in origin. It is strength in spirit that is born only through brokenness. This is the place where we discover our birthright DNA and His rulership in our life is not just available (after all it was always there) but it is a point at which we most readily receive it.
Saul was a self righteous Pharisee heading off on a mission to beat down Christians when he was broken on the Damascus road. Peter was broken after Jesus was taken prisoner just before He would also go to the cross. The Old Testament Jewish saint Jacob was broken at a place called Peniel. King David was broken many times. One of the last of which (apparently most of us are more stubborn over our sinful desires than we care to admit) after his many sins relating to nothing more than simple lust over a woman named Bathsheba. (This begs the question when you can have anything, how far will you go to have what you shouldn't have? Ask Adam and Eve when you get to heaven.)
The list could go on of those the Lord had to break in different ways before they could be used in the Kingdom. And before he could pour out abundance to or through them. It also apparently includes me; over and over again.
What should become obvious to us through this constant snapping and cracking and popping of our spiritual framework? Here's one...when we are broken, we should see the frailty of human strength and come to grips with the reality that we can do nothing in our own strength. I've experienced this part. What follows, as memory serves, is that new supernatural/eternal strength emerges that God uses mightily.
Oh ya...there is that whole thing about God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
As type this I am broken once again. Here is what I am telling myself right now, "Do not fear brokenness, for it may be the missing ingredient to a life that emerges with a new kind of strength and experience not known before."
Pray for a broken and contrite heart that God can bless. Pray that you get the lesson quickly.
I remain...(it's all I have left)
InHISgrip,
~J~
There is an oxymoron throughout the Bible. It says that brokenness is strength. Virtually every great name or significant life eschewed in the scriptures was an individual who was first beaten down. The lessons of leadership often were not learning how to lead in small things and then bigger and bigger things. The lessons of leadership were often, prison, beatings, running, poverty, servanthood, slavery and mocking.
How can this be? The Strength of Brokenness. How can brokenness be strength? This week in my life would be a lousy one to ask me the question so I write this in faith.
If you read the Bible at all you realize a methodology that is in action. God takes our sin and our weakness and turns it into strength. If Satan and his minions (the demons) are attempting to destroy our lives God will often let the destruction go and go and go.
There does however seem to be a dividing line past which they can't act and, if we are His people; a man or woman who has committed our life to Jesus Christ beyond which our brokenness is received.
In order to use men and women to their fullest extent, the Lord has to break His servants so that they might have a new kind of strength that is not human in origin. It is strength in spirit that is born only through brokenness. This is the place where we discover our birthright DNA and His rulership in our life is not just available (after all it was always there) but it is a point at which we most readily receive it.
Saul was a self righteous Pharisee heading off on a mission to beat down Christians when he was broken on the Damascus road. Peter was broken after Jesus was taken prisoner just before He would also go to the cross. The Old Testament Jewish saint Jacob was broken at a place called Peniel. King David was broken many times. One of the last of which (apparently most of us are more stubborn over our sinful desires than we care to admit) after his many sins relating to nothing more than simple lust over a woman named Bathsheba. (This begs the question when you can have anything, how far will you go to have what you shouldn't have? Ask Adam and Eve when you get to heaven.)
The list could go on of those the Lord had to break in different ways before they could be used in the Kingdom. And before he could pour out abundance to or through them. It also apparently includes me; over and over again.
What should become obvious to us through this constant snapping and cracking and popping of our spiritual framework? Here's one...when we are broken, we should see the frailty of human strength and come to grips with the reality that we can do nothing in our own strength. I've experienced this part. What follows, as memory serves, is that new supernatural/eternal strength emerges that God uses mightily.
Oh ya...there is that whole thing about God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
As type this I am broken once again. Here is what I am telling myself right now, "Do not fear brokenness, for it may be the missing ingredient to a life that emerges with a new kind of strength and experience not known before."
Pray for a broken and contrite heart that God can bless. Pray that you get the lesson quickly.
I remain...(it's all I have left)
InHISgrip,
~J~
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Flopping Over - Hands Lifted - Lord, I Give Up! (Again)
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold - Job 23:10
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call - Tommy Walker
I was recently sitting with a business leader as he described a question he poses to Christians that work with him and partner with his business. "What if there were two doors to choose from; behind one door was the complete will of God for your life and behind the other door was how life could be according to your own preference. Which door would you choose?" My response to him made him pause. I don't like the choices. I want one door. The one He instructs me to go through is the one I desire to go through. I want that day to come. I want it sooner than later.
Most of us struggle with the idea of being led by God completely. Most of us cannot even conceive of such a thing. We are so far from God's leading our lives that it only makes sense within the hallowed walls of the building where we meet to hear someone encourage us to allow it to happen. It's a lot like reincarnation, a lot of people talking about it but we don't see anyone doing it. (Er...no, I do NOT believe in reincarnation.)
If we think deeply for a moment about it yes, most of us desire to follow God, but few of us will do it at any cost. We do not really believe that God loves us to the degree or that He provides that level of direction for us individually.
But there might be a great reason for this. How about this one; that we are willing to give Him complete permission to do as He wills in us.
If we desire to fully walk with our God, there is a cost. We may give intellectual assent and go along with His principles and do fine; however, if we are fully given over to Him and His will for our life, it will be a life that will have adversity and none of us are looking for more of that!
I'm not going to sugar coat this. The Bible is clear that humans do not achieve true, forever, God is please with me, the world take note of it, greatness without having their sinful will broken. Sinful will is me wanting what I want, when and how I want it. (Imagine stomping of feet, holding of breath and a red face here)
The process of giving our lives over to Jesus Christ is also known as the breaking of our wills. It is designed to create a nature change in each of us, not just a habit change. The Bible used circumcision to exemplify this. Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal. I am not a personal fan of any of those things.
But if God has plans to greatly use you, and He does, in the lives of others, you can expect your trials to be even greater than those of others. Why? Because, like Joseph who went through greater trials than most patriarchs, your calling may have such responsibility that God cannot afford to entrust it to you without ensuring your complete faithfulness to the call.
By my recent experience God really loves me. And, apparently I have asked for a major measure of opportunity. (Although I am not recalling this...hmmm) He has much invested in you and I and it is in fact on behalf of others. He anticipates the day He can speak through your life to a greater degree than through another. The events of your life would become the framework for the message He wants to deliver using us as the amplifier.
Look guys, we need to stop fearing a bunch of stuff. We need to quit fearing His path for us. We need to stop fearing that the whole Christian, walk-with-God/Led-by-God experience is a fable. Enough! Geez! C'mon already! Embrace it. God is prepping us for eternity. We have plenty of time to walk in total abundance and bliss and what will be akin to perfection for then. Get with the program, the training is now and the need is in this world we are in and that need is NOW!
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all - 2 Cor. 4:17
Let's believe God! Pray a prayer of surrender today...I will be on my end...and I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call - Tommy Walker
I was recently sitting with a business leader as he described a question he poses to Christians that work with him and partner with his business. "What if there were two doors to choose from; behind one door was the complete will of God for your life and behind the other door was how life could be according to your own preference. Which door would you choose?" My response to him made him pause. I don't like the choices. I want one door. The one He instructs me to go through is the one I desire to go through. I want that day to come. I want it sooner than later.
Most of us struggle with the idea of being led by God completely. Most of us cannot even conceive of such a thing. We are so far from God's leading our lives that it only makes sense within the hallowed walls of the building where we meet to hear someone encourage us to allow it to happen. It's a lot like reincarnation, a lot of people talking about it but we don't see anyone doing it. (Er...no, I do NOT believe in reincarnation.)
If we think deeply for a moment about it yes, most of us desire to follow God, but few of us will do it at any cost. We do not really believe that God loves us to the degree or that He provides that level of direction for us individually.
But there might be a great reason for this. How about this one; that we are willing to give Him complete permission to do as He wills in us.
If we desire to fully walk with our God, there is a cost. We may give intellectual assent and go along with His principles and do fine; however, if we are fully given over to Him and His will for our life, it will be a life that will have adversity and none of us are looking for more of that!
I'm not going to sugar coat this. The Bible is clear that humans do not achieve true, forever, God is please with me, the world take note of it, greatness without having their sinful will broken. Sinful will is me wanting what I want, when and how I want it. (Imagine stomping of feet, holding of breath and a red face here)
The process of giving our lives over to Jesus Christ is also known as the breaking of our wills. It is designed to create a nature change in each of us, not just a habit change. The Bible used circumcision to exemplify this. Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal. I am not a personal fan of any of those things.
But if God has plans to greatly use you, and He does, in the lives of others, you can expect your trials to be even greater than those of others. Why? Because, like Joseph who went through greater trials than most patriarchs, your calling may have such responsibility that God cannot afford to entrust it to you without ensuring your complete faithfulness to the call.
By my recent experience God really loves me. And, apparently I have asked for a major measure of opportunity. (Although I am not recalling this...hmmm) He has much invested in you and I and it is in fact on behalf of others. He anticipates the day He can speak through your life to a greater degree than through another. The events of your life would become the framework for the message He wants to deliver using us as the amplifier.
Look guys, we need to stop fearing a bunch of stuff. We need to quit fearing His path for us. We need to stop fearing that the whole Christian, walk-with-God/Led-by-God experience is a fable. Enough! Geez! C'mon already! Embrace it. God is prepping us for eternity. We have plenty of time to walk in total abundance and bliss and what will be akin to perfection for then. Get with the program, the training is now and the need is in this world we are in and that need is NOW!
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all - 2 Cor. 4:17
Let's believe God! Pray a prayer of surrender today...I will be on my end...and I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
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