Walking Humbly With My God

I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity - 1 Chronicles 29:17a

This last week I came once again, face-to-face, with the notion that God uses all things to accomplish His will. That means no evil occurs that He does not get the glory and honor as well as every gift and good grace that we deem a blessing.

 

God tests His children to know what is in their hearts. He uses every tool, object lesson, event and contingent event to do so.

 

He has not as of yet, run out of new and creative ways to do this.

 

For God the key is relationship. God's desire for each of His children is to walk in relationship with Him, to glorify Him in word and deed as we uphold His righteousness and integrity. It is a high calling that we will fail to achieve without complete dependence on Him.

I am convinced, having watched God's people over the last few years here in the United States and abroad that the greatest tests come not in great adversities, but in great prosperity. In having much we begin to lose the sensitivity to particular kinds of sin in our lives. Greed, selfishness and pride come to mind as the top three sins in my own heart that I must be on guard about when things are going well.  On the other hand adversity motivates us to righteousness out of a desire to see our plight changed. I'm not sure this is the primary reason we are in our predicaments but, none the less, we are more sensitive to a lack of God's presence when times are tough. We go seeking Him. We want to know if He is still there, hearing us and available to us. Prosperity fails to provide this motivation for obedience. We fall into a satisfaction and confidence in life that is based on our riches rather than on God and truly on our need for Him everyday.

In the little verse of scripture at the top of this posting we find Hezekiah who was a great godly king of Israel speaking. He was a faithful, God-honoring king most of his life, but toward the end he became proud. How many of us know we can even become proud in that we have established a relationship with God?

 

God wanted to find out if Hezekiah would still honor Him and recognize His blessings in his life. He failed the test when God sent an envoy to his palace to inquire about a miracle that God performed on behalf of Hezekiah. The test was designed to find out if Hezekiah would publicly acknowledge the miracle performed on his behalf. But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart (2 Chronicle 32:31).

Hezekiah's failure resulted in his children failing to carry on as rulers of Israel, and the nation would eventually be taken over by the Babylonian Empire. The lesson of Hezekiah is clear. If we remain faithful to our Lord, we also remain steadfast in our obedience to Him. Prosperity can be our greatest test. In your mind who made you wealthy? Ask the Lord to give you the grace to be a faithful follower during times of prosperity so that in the times when things are a little thinner, a little leaner, you understand and are sensitive to those messages as well.

 

I remain...

 

InHISgrip, ~J~

 

 

Unmet Expectations

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. - Philippians 1:20

Last night I read an article (more like an interview on the run) of Charlie Sheen. Essentially the interviewer asked Sheen as he looks back on his life if there were things he wished he had not done. Smugly Sheen retorts, "Have you even been paying attention to my life? Why would I want to have given up any of that? I wish I wouldn't have gotten so much heat for some of the less fortunate things that people misunderstood but hey...hell no; it's a good life just as is!"

Well good for you Charlie. But, I look back on my life and there are things I wished I had done differently. How about you? Have you ever had expectations that did not get fulfilled? Perhaps a coworker let you down. Perhaps you were trusting God for something in your life that never materialized. Perhaps you became devastated by an unmet expectation that you felt you were entitled to. Or, perhaps YOU let you down in some way that as you look back you now realize colors your life in a way that embarrasses you or brought dishonor to the cause of Jesus Christ and your walk with God.

Expectations can be a difficult trap for each of us if we are not fully committed to God's purposes in our lives.

The verse I've based this little devotional on was written from prison by the Apostle Paul to the people of the region of Philippi. Paul had an expectation. He anticipated that his life would bring glory to God, whether through his continued ministry or his death. His joy in living was not based on his expectations getting fulfilled, but on remaining true to the purpose for which God made him. God's glory and honor must be upheld regardless of the things about his life. The glory of God was preeminent.

Yesterday I vented a distasteful hurt to a loved one. Guess what? I regret it. GASP! What? John? You should have no regrets. Oh, but I do. When we react to circumstances with bitterness and resentment as a result of unmet expectations, we are saying that we know better than God, and that God has made a mistake in not meeting our expectations. We have to look past the history and into the face of God the Father. We must recognize Romans 8:28, "All things work for good to them who ADORE God..."

The process of resolving unmet expectations may require full disclosure to the individual who was the source of the unmet expectation. In my case this is true. It also means communicating how the unmet expectation made you feel. This is not to make the person feel obligated to meet the expectation, but simply to provide a place where reconciliation and healing can occur. If God was the source, then it is important to share this with the Lord. However, once we have done this we must let go of the situation and allow God to work in our hearts the grace that is needed to walk in freedom from the pain of the unmet expectation. If we do not do this, we will allow the seed of bitterness and resentment to enter in. This seed of bitterness will create leanness in our soul (we get skinny responses from God and have a thin and narrow relationship with Him instead of the fulness of His presence in our lives) and eventually will spread to others in our actions and in how they pick up the hypocrisy of our faith. God is either good all the time or He is not. What is it with you and I?

Last night I had to ask myself is my God in control or are people's actions and reactions to me going to drive my emotional and spiritual health. Perhaps you need to ask yourself today if you have any unmet expectations. How have you responded to them? Have you processed this with the Lord and others who may be involved? These are the steps to freedom from unmet expectations.

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Permission Is A Good Thing

You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs." Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace." And the LORD said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead."

In my devotions recently I was struck by the whole of the few verses you read there.

The size, breadth and depth of the two conversations are staggering in the gap of their proportion. God first speaks to Moses and God gives Moses instruction. God gives Moses marching orders and it is God who explains to Moses the outcomes and what will be Moses' future mission.

Then Moses, and for most of us this would be a peculiar thing goes back to his father-in-law and asks permission if he might go and change the future for all humanity for all of time.

Doesn't that strike you as amazing? Let me tell you folks if God is giving me instructions I am not sure at what level of humility I am asking another human, even a dad-in-law (and mine was a great man) if I can do it!

Moses, approached his father-in-law Jethro and asked permission to return to Egypt.

Now I am sure that Moses didn't tell Jethro everything at that point, but he let the man know there was something stirring in his heart. After years and years of virtual silence about his life and background back in Egypt, Moses said to Jethro, "It's time for me to go back. There's some unfinished business that needs attention. Is it okay with you?"

When you have heard the voice of God calling you in a new direction - confirming that direction through His personal leadership and directive actions to you; perhaps even through events, and through the wisdom of godly counselors - the result of that thought process needs to be communicated with the important people in your life, family, mentor's, your pastor.

I believe that this is especially true if you are young. Why? Because your family has not had the benefit of your personal sign and wonder; the voice of God in your ear or heart, the burning bush. You've heard God's voice; that's not true for them. They may not know or understand what God has said to you. They still feel like you should be going in a previously agreed upon direction. You need to give them a heads up. More than this you need to encourage their lives with your revelation! Without this it will seem to them you have lost direction and that you are talking about a whole new set of plans apart from the life they envision for you.

These kinds of major course changes can seem upsetting, or even frightening, to those who care about you, especially parents. You need to be gracious enough to give them some helpful information on how God has changed your direction. They need to understand your conviction and, if they are godly, be allowed time to let the Holy Spirit work in them as well.

This exchange between these two men leads me to two principles worth your thoughtful consideration. First of all, when God crystallizes a plan for your life, perhaps nudging you in a new direction, be extremely sensitive how you communicate that to others. Don't assume they know all you know about the process. Don't expect them to greet the idea with immediate acceptance and open arms. Give them the courtesy of time and space to think things through. Communicate your thoughts with tenderness, care, and understanding.

The second thing to notice is that this plan flowed. When you are in the center of God's will, my friend, it flows. It doesn't have to be forced. Moses said, "Jethro, may I go?" And Jethro replied, "Go in peace." Moses could move into what would prove to be a difficult ministry knowing things back home were just fine. But, for Moses, he was now a "sent one." His mind and perspective were sharp and clear. "What to do next" would flow from his marching orders.

It is a very humbling experience to be moving in the direct current of God's will. Why humbling? Because at all times you realize just how much bigger the task is than you are. But it can also bring fresh assurance. It is the assurance that you were raised up, had come through the blood of Jesus Christ, ordained, and sent for such a time as this!

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

If He Gave You Power He Also Gave You Mercy

Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink. - Numbers 20:8

In the scene from history which includes the aforementioned event Moses and the Israelites had been traveling for days without water. They were thirsty. They were complaining and grumbling about their plight. Moses became the object of their complaining. So, as any good target should ol' Moses sought the Lord for wisdom (you should read that, r-e-l-i-e-f) on how to handle the situation. The Lord instructed him to speak to a particular rock and water would come forth out of said stone, ore or boulder. The seemingly impossible would act as a sign that God was still in control, that Moses was still the leader, and that Jehovah was their provider.

When it came time to speak to the rock, Moses', and his A D D or otherwise inability to focus on the command of God (which we define as Moses' disgust with the people) became so great that instead of speaking to the rock, he angrily addressed the people and then banged on the rock twice. The water came out, in spite of Moses' disobedience. However, this was not a "happy God" moment.

God had set his leader, our friend Moses, up to succeed and establish position, power and provision at a very high level. Moses was moving from the use of "things" to work with (his staff) to the use of his inability(he saw himself as one who did not speak well) in order to work the miracles of God. Moses' stumbling verbiage would have changed the situation. Previously Moses' staff represented two things-his physical work as a shepherd of sheep and his spiritual work as a shepherd of the people. But the very God of Israel was calling Moses to new ground and into a new dimension. Moses was to move from physical action to a position God had previously reserved to Himself, "Speak it! It shall be!"

Like you and I, Moses botched it. He used his instrument with force to accomplish something for God. He took something God wanted to be used in a righteous manner and used it, lashing out, angrily.

Moses used the thing with which he had been gifted against versus for the purposes of God.

He used force to solve the problem.

The result: Moses lost his blessing to see the Promised Land.

How about you? When was the last time you used your power, skill, and ability to force a situation to happen, perhaps even out of anger?

God is calling us to use meditation and prayer to move the face of mountains. The force of our ability is not satisfactory nor is it able. God is calling each of us to a new level of discipleship in Him. I hope you pray with me, daily, to learn the lesson here...the lesson to wait to understand how it is God wishes us to move before we decide improperly how we are to use the things put in our hands. My prayer is that we all move into God's promises together...Moses, my mentor...thank you for this painful lesson...may I not have to repeat it. I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Being Lead to Fail - What's That All About?

The Lord said to Moses, 'When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.' - Exodus 4:21

Recently I took on some work where I became an employee. It didn't last long. In part it was frustrating because I believed I was being hired to do something I had done successfully in previous work only to find my new boss stymie my efforts at every turn. He said I'd be responsible for this but in truth it was not at all that way. Perhaps you've had a similar experience. You believe you know what to do but as you are in the doing of it your superior is thwarting your efforts, making it impossible to succeed.

Moses must have felt this way after God told him to go to Pharaoh and tell him to release the people of Israel. God had told Moses, I am going to give you the power to release the children of Israel by the miracles I will do through you." But that was not the whole story. He also told Moses that Israel would not be released by Pharaoh because God was going to put a hard heart in Pharaoh.

Now, what is THAT all about?

A relationship with Jesus Christ that is growing and maturing also means we become more aware of God's purposes and plans with our personal lives. I have had this experience. As a matter of fact, one way I test my walk with the Lord is to determine if I have a sense of His working with and in me as He had instructed me. I also know that I can expect roadblocks to God's plans for my life.

Rule #1 - It is NOT a straight line - It is NOT from God's mouth to my ears...

It took years of plodding along before the light came on as to why there was such a distance between what God called me to do and the manifestation of that calling. A few weeks ago I talked about David and how he was anointed as a young man (12-16) but it was years before that calling was actualized in his life. For David, this was in part because of God's unfolding plans in the lives of others (It is NOT all about you or all about me) as well as David's own lapses in faithlessness.

Rule #2 - God always has a bigger picture He wishes to unveil


The story of God and His relationship with the Children of Israel must last for thousands of years. That was a purpose Moses would not quite have a vision for and yet God did. God wanted greater glory from the situation. God also wanted to deal with Egypt by sending specific plagues. He wanted a deep and abiding lesson in righteousness and the consequences when it was not present.

Rule #3 - God will always keep His promise but do it in the course of a process.

In this case, for Moses, the process built character in him and tested the old guy to see if he would stay the course.

Guys, there is a time for everything. If God has called you to some endeavor and you are frustrated that it has not manifested or it continues to be beset by setback after problem know that times of preparation and simmering are required before the vision can be achieved. All of the above three things will be in play. Seldom does God call and manifest or deliver the promise simultaneously. You got your preparation and you got your God testing. Most of all is this, you will always have your relationship building between you and God that must take place. Once the Father is satisfied you will see the vision materialize.

So, today with me, let us seek God's face to know who He is so He can reveal to us who we are and the vision for our lives can be made clear to us...so we can get on the road.

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Duking It Out With God

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor - Isaiah 61:3b

The people in my household are used to hearing this kind of chatter from behind the doors of my office, "God, is this the way You treat someone who is faithful to You?"

I have replicated this kind of "dialogue" with God in many scenarios; in my office, the car and I've yelled it out loud on the top of the mountain pines in Pine, Arizona a place 100 miles north of Phoenix where we have a family cabin built by my father-in-law. (I did this thinking no one but God could hear me.)

"I've waited and waited and now this! I despise and loathe You, God! I have had enough!" I have used those words. I've done it and then simply broke down and cried because I was at my wits end.

It was cleansing at one level. It is the relationship I have formed with my Heavenly Father at quite another level.

And so, as I sat there among the trees, in the middle of this scenic spot, listening to the wind through the trees and deciding what else I could say to God, I found myself in a state in which I was not quite accustomed...I was speechless. I was ticked-off. I was confounded by my life. I wondered if He was ever going to listen to me again (I had proof He had in the past - so I was not in a state of God denial). If my God was listening, I was sensing He really wasn't honoring my commitment to Him. Somehow the honor and worship I bestowed on Him was boring Him and my faith and obedience weren't cutting it.

I sat, walked, stood, shouted, stomped and cajoled God for hours wrestling internally with my sense of "aloneness" and lack of direction in this time of trouble.

Finally, without answers and sensing that God wasn't about to blurt out anything, I turned to head back to the cabin. Part of the time I had been sitting on an old scrub oak tree that was broken at the base and laying horizontal (mostly) to the ground. The tree had an arrow tip at one end that pointed toward the base of another huge busted down pine tree. With hands on hips, as I surveyed the scene I was about to leave a quiet whisper of a voice inside my heart of hearts said, "Today you are like this broken oak. You both stood tall and proud once but not now. But, my son, unlike this oak your brokenness is needed so you may become this large oak tree you will see when you turn around."

Now, the area I was at was filled with trees. Most of them pine. A few trees were scrub oak...not very majestic really. However, as I turned and looked eye level from my current position and straight out, there it was, the most majestic of all the trees in the area, almost out of place and standing alone in the center of my line of site a mighty oak tree.

It has been months and even years and my life has passed with many struggles. But God is true to His word. From from that day He began to replace the pain and disappointment with an inner joy that only His grace could provide. It came as wisdom from His word, the Bible and His words into my heart replaced my grasp on a world view of life that measured success comparatively by what friends, family and colleagues had and were doing.

So my loved ones and friends tell me about your struggles with life and the events surrounding you. Are you wrestling? Do you feel, perhaps in part, that God has deserted you? Let me suggest some things to you.

1. Be honest with God! He is the kind of Father who is willing to have those difficult conversations.

2. Realize that He won't always change things that aren't to your liking but His purposes will be accomplished and peace will come if you trust Him.

3. Trust Him this day with those things that are most difficult in your life. For me, it is providing for my family and ensuring that I live a life that is productive in my community and in and around my family. You better, as I had to, find out if those were his priorities or if they are something else.

God can handle a good shouting at - He can handle a good wrestling match - He simply does not wish to handle no reaction at all.

I remain, more tightly than ever...

InHISgrip,
~J~

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~

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 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~

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~

May I Lean A Bit While Standing?

That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies... - Joshua 7:12

Fifty six years of living have taught me a couple of things about my work life and ministry. First, it doesn't matter if you are the most talented or the most skilled. Secondly, your plans and procedures can be flawless as well.

It will all fail if you have a break in your ranks.

This is what God was attempting to convey to General Joshua when he attempted to confront a smaller and less capable regimen at an area called Ai. This was Israelis' second battle in the land called "The Promised Land. (Funny...God "gave it to them" here they are battling for it...hmmm - God apparently defines give differently than we normally do. NOTE TO SELF: LEARN GOD'S DEFINITIONS!)

So, have you ever had a post event quarterbacking meeting? Isn't it odd? We try to figure out why we are not successful in an endeavor. We seemingly review all aspects of our performance, the coordination and organization of the components and the personnel used to see what in the world happened!?!

Well, for the people of Israel, it was not easily observed. The outcome was whacked (they lost miserably) However, everything seemed just as it should be from the General's perspective. And, in what seems to be the case, as an afterthought, when his army was handed their lunch (er, soundly beat up), he cried out to God, It was deep. It was spiritual. It had all the markings of a man of faith and power...NOT!

Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? - Josh. 7:7a

That's my boy Joshua! Truly a man of faith and power! No, how about, Joshua, human being who had gotten full of himself and assumed his relationship and that of Israel after just one victorious battle. How about Joshua, he who had forgotten what was important to God, (promises made) and assumed on God what he should not have assumed at all.

Israel got a punch in the gut because God could not bless them. You see, one dude out of the many had violated the covenant with God. God said, do not take any possessions from the first battle, but one person failed to live up to this, and the whole army suffered.

Israel broke ranks spiritually. And kids, God works through groups of people and not just individuals. You are not just responsible for you - no, you are or supposed to be part of a body of believers all marching to God's tune.

Sin makes our armor vulnerable to attack from satan and the world system. Evil then gains an opening to attack us in the area where we have failed to uphold righteousness.

In this instance, believe it or not, Israel broke down in an area of moral purity, their commitment to a promise to God. At that break sin establishes a stronghold. To use another example, should we give place to bitterness and unforgiveness, we will break fellowship with God and others (Are there limits to loving relationship in the Kingdom of God? Is their feuding in God's Kingdom?) If we become possessions or greed/money-focused, we will fall into a "power of positive thinking" deception (There is more to this but not the space here to get into it).

We must find the break in our ranks, confess and heal the relationship with God thus shattering a vicious cycle.

Today, with me, let's examine our armor. Look first to self and then to your body of Christ. Job One must be to ensure we are not susceptible to attack and defeat. Begin from a solid spiritual foundation and your chances of success will be infinitely greater. I remain...

InHISgrip,

~J~

God's Bus Appears Late Yet...

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! - Isaiah 30:18

If you have been a Christian for any period of time at all you have had to notice this. How could you not? I mean, has it ever occurred to you that God is not in a hurry?

Check it out. In the Old Testament it took 40 years for poor old Moses to receive his commission, his marching order if you will, to lead the people out of Egypt. God gave Moses a job and then the guy waited 40 long years to see it come to pass!

In the very same Old Testament it took 17 years of preparation before Joseph was delivered from slavery and imprisonment. God promised Joseph really good stuff one day and, well, seventeen years later....

It took 20 years before Jacob was released from his father-in-law Laban's control.

The great patriarch of faith Abraham and his wife Sarah were geezers when they finally received the baby, the son of promise, Isaac.

So why isn't God in a hurry?

God called each of these servants to accomplish a certain task for and on behalf His Kingdom. Yet God was in no hurry to bring their mission into fulfillment. So just what is His deal anyway? Let's look at the facts and hopefully gain our Lord's perspective on the issue of timing.

First, our Heavenly Father accomplished what He wanted in them. The journey matter. What they did along the way was the true focal for God.

We are often more focused on outcome than the process that He is accomplishing in our lives each day. The principles of the Kingdom of God; the things that make up its atmosphere and how it operates define outcomes as merely the fruit of the tree. How the tree of our life grows, what it does in each season will determine the outcome. So, one thing we realize is that God's promises are fulfilled in our lives as we live a life that is in harmony with God's eternal principles of right living.

Secondly, fulfillments are not always giant events.

When we experience His presence daily, (by living a life where our spirit, the Holy Spirit and our Heavenly Father are all aligned) one day we wake up and realize that God has done something special in and through our lives! However, the accomplishment is no longer what excites us.

Did you get that? The end result is no longer what drives us on in our Christian walk. Instead, what excites us is knowing Him. Through the arduous task of living life, we become more acquainted with His love, grace, and power in our lives. When this happens, we are no longer focused on the outcome because the outcome is a result of our walk with Him. The trusting...the feeling of His moment by moment presence in our life through all sorts of situations, annoyances and hassles become sweet and precious and we truly become familiar with HIS ways. The goal of our daily walk is simply walking that honors Him and shows loving service to others.

Hence, when Jacob's son of faith and power, Joseph, the one who was sold by his brothers and betrayed by a woman simply to be tossed in prison finally came to power in Egypt, he probably couldn't have cared less. He had come to a place of complete surrender so that he was not anxious about tomorrow or his circumstances. He simply desired, in whatever state of mind or geographic place he found himself to honor and please God.

He had gotten down to the essence of life. Our New Testament host, teacher and pastor the Apostle Paul put it this way, Not that I speak in terms of "needs" for I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content - Philippians 4:11

This is the lesson for us. We must wait for God's timing and embrace wherever we are in the process. It is a good place to be and God can get us to anywhere He desires right from where we are no matter how grim it may seem.

When we find contentment in that place, we begin to experience God in ways we never thought possible. Let's embrace the journey together!

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

I Do More Than Wish for You...May I Pray?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God - Philippians 4:6

I sat in a conference hall two days ago and listen to the most extraordinary young man. His name is Nick Vujicic (Vooey-check). Nick has no arms, no legs though he is quite proud of a two toed singular foot. Nick spoke in front of a group of businessmen and women and shared a vision for a life. Nick knows WHY he was put on this earth. Nick has a big WHY. His WHY covers the globe and touches millions.

Nick inspired us all by the simplicity and the power of his desire to live and make a difference. Then Nick told a whole room he has this great big reason for living, this vision for life this goal of touching millions because of Jesus Christ. Nick has a "Why I am here?" because Nick is a Christian.

But at the end Nick let a young woman hold him and he prayed for her...right there...unashamedly...Nick prayed and he changed a life by the power of Jesus Christ...

It was what happened just moments before that is my story...

"May I pray for you? I feel I should," said Nick to the woman.

"Oh, I don't want to take up your time or God's time with something as small as my trivia. I'd rather not waste it on me. You should pray for someone much less fortunate than me. My mother always taught us to pray at the dinner table for those less fortunate than us," she replied.

Nick prayed...a life was touched and changed for the Kingdom of God.

Two weeks ago my friend David Marlowe had a bizarre experience while up north at a river bank in Arizona. David prayed for a very angry man in obvious "soul pain." More on that one for another day.

But isn't it interesting what happens when we offer to pray for someone? Offering to pray for someone can be the most genuine and loving thing you can do for another person. It can be the one means of getting a conversation on a spiritual plane that cuts across religious stigmas, barriers and penetrates to the root of the true issues of life and opens the other person to their true needs, pain and hurt. Simultaneously, the hurting one learns your values and sets the stage for future encounters they can have with you or others who know and love Jesus. God engineers these moments and provides the boldness to step through the door of need right into the opportunity as it presents itself.

Expect God to move in just this way.

So I ask you this, is there anything too small to pray about? Do we, in fact, bother God when we make any request that is not dealing with only the poor in Calcutta or the dying children of Somalia? Paul convey in our passage above that prayer is conversation with daddy God. It's having such a relationship with Him that we can bring anything to His attention.

We've all done the parking lot prayer for a closer parking spot or other such seemingly trivial prayer requests, but are they trivial to God? If God is our closest and most intimate friend, then it will become natural to talk to Him as you would a friend who might be sitting next to you in the car. That is why Jesus came. Our God desires to have such close communion with you and me that we can pray about anything - even a parking spot or a green light.

I'm convinced, today, on my birthday, in 2009 that you are reading this (or a day or two or two years later) you are doing so because God wishes you to engage someone in prayer. Surprise yourself. Change a life. You can do it with arms and legs. Expect your world vision to change as you begin to do this as well. Let God change YOU through action. It's been His plan all along!
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
P.S. Expect to be surprised at what doors will open as a result.

A Midget, A Dwarf or Just a y'Ittle Thing?

Who despises the day of small things? - Zechariah 4:10

Most of our earthly existence is a series of small events that can amount to something enormous!

Take God for instance and His invasion of earth.

Have you ever considered why the God of the universe came to earth and spent 33 years identifying with mankind through work?

Jesus grew up as a carpenter's son and, there is little doubt that he learned carpentry by assisting good old dad. It is likely that from his teen years until age 29 or 30 He worked. And, most likely it was in his father's profession.

When it was time for Him to begin to fulfill His purpose for mankind, He told countless stories of people and their work. He told stories of landowners, farmers, fishermen, tax collectors, potters, clergy and more. He related to the everyday man because He participated and was one of them. This is why it was important for Him to have some personal work experience.

Friends and family we all know that our existence here on the blue marble (er...planet earth) is filled with daily routines. It is true that every now and then, God takes us to the mountaintop to experience His presence or His power in an unbelievable, amazing and stunning display. But let me ask you, is this where we live? Do we live for the next "big thing" from God? Is that your faith?

Well, believe it or not those during Jesus' earthly life, or those at the times of the apostles after Him didn't live daily in a mountaintop. Going back before Jesus but certainly to a time we know God moved mountains (or seas) Moses spent 40 years in preparation. Paul spent a great deal of his life working toward the wrong purpose until a dramatic event changed his life. Jacob spent 20 years working for his future father-in-law (who, while still working, was his father-in-law and still a shyster) Laban.

God uses our daily routines to develop stick-to-it-ness, persistence, focus and character qualities that He plans to use at the appropriate time for His glory and honor.

My experience is that it is in the small things we develop trustworthiness with God. The day-in and day-out grind of huimdrumlife molds you and I and makes us into what the desires of God's heart! How about them apples?

Now, I don't know but that God may still be preparing you for something far greater. For now, however, you are learning the daily lessons of small things. Pray that you will be faithful in a little because the promise of it is pretty amazingly awesome n' cool!

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Are We Self-Made or Is that Un-Made?

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me" - Deuteronomy 8:17

Over the weekend a friend moved into their beautiful new home here in Mesa, Arizona. While we were trying to manipulate some large piece of furniture we had an exchange where the phrase, "Can I ask you a question?" came up. It gave rise to his sharing with me a story that, as an 11 year old in a grain field in Wisconsin he asked that very same question one day to his father. His father's response was, "No!"

He never asked him another question. Ever.

I would say that the hurt his father caused, the hurt this man felt, created a person that was so deeply offended that the concept of self-made man, or, man's man has been his creed. He might feel it deeper than most.

The unapproachable father...

We've all heard someone say, "He's a self-made man." What are they saying in this statement? Usually it is a statement about the determination and the strength of purpose and character someone has shown in the pursuit of their goals, their lifestyle or position? In my friends case he worked hard because often, having gleaned the bare essentials of the information needed, he worked alone and learned the hard lessons in solitude.

Many a person has achieved success through honest hard work. There is a sadness to the story above though isn't there? That little story provides us the backdrop to perhaps create an understanding of those who have a perception that has both strengthened them but perhaps also hindered them in their walk in Christ.

I often smile and many times laugh when someone looks at my resume and exclaims, "My! You've done so much! This is amazing!" They don't know all the people it took to make my resume look like it does; literally hundreds and probably thousands.

There is a danger for any of us who may have achieved significance through our work. That danger is the belief that we achieved it through our own efforts apart from God's grace and mercy. When we're convinced of this and embrace it as a core, personal belief, we internally embrace a kind of personal entitlement, rights and privileges. We have earned and feel we deserve all we have and usually more than that as well!

In the life story that Jesus told of the prodigal (St. Luke 15:11-32), we find the wayward son had a brother. Once the prodigal came home, was restored in his relationship to his father, this other son refused to celebrate the return of his once lost/now found brother's return. After all, he had been the good son. He had stuck it out. He stayed behind. He had never demanded anything of his father. He gave self and not a godly heart and heritage for the reasons he was faithful to his responsibilities. Why was he not being given or why had he NOT EVER been given the kind of attention this loser brother of his was now receiving?

What was his problem? What problem does anyone face who thinks it is their work, their effort, their character, their integrity...?

In the case of this brother he couldn't embrace mercy and grace. He didn't get his brother's failure and the pain of falling into a lost, separated and sinful life. This personal pride kept the "good brother" from experiencing God's real grace and learning a lesson in love; how to extend grace and kindness to those who do not deserve it and see how it miraculously changes lives!

Do you want to know how legalism develops? Have you heard that term in your church or amongst your friends. Well check that story out about the Prodigal Son and his brother. Legalism is the outcome of the continual practice of taking for your own personal credit and comparing it to the actions of others. Comparing ourselves to what others have and get versus our much more righteous life and position is what creates the growth and development of a cold heart and an insensitive attitude toward others who may have stumbled in their lives. This same "righteous" brother did not truly understand the love of his father apart from works; for he felt he gained acceptance only by doing his job.

Is that how you view God? If so, shame on you! Your God is not the father who said, "NO! You can't communicate with me. Do better! Do more!"

Mmmm...no, your Father sent His Son - Jesus and paid off your debt and you did NOT deserve it, nod did I...nor do I deserve His grace and mercy daily though it is there.

Do you feel accepted by God, regardless of what you do? Perhaps a family culture of, "do it yourself, by yourself, for yourself" is the way you were raised. In the breadth of our lives and the narrowness of the calling that God has placed on your life there are dangers, minefields to avoid.

Today, with me, let us be encouraged and realize that God has gifted us to accomplish anything and incredible mighty things! But these are done through and with His grace, and, as His kids, not by our works.

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

God's View of Our Earth Shattering Differences

Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart - Proverbs 18:18

(You might want to categorize this under things that might surprise you about God.)

We prayed about it. We discussed it. My friend had one desire; I had a different one.

"Okay, let's settle the issue the way the early Church settled matters when an agreement could not be achieved. Let's flip a coin."

"You must be joking!" my friend lamented.

"No, the early Church cast lots often to determine a course of direction or even select the disciple who would take Judas' place."

"Okay," my friend agreed.

We flipped the coin and the matter was quickly settled.

In the Old Testament there are many examples of casting lots for determining a decision. We hear little of this method today. Most of us do not want to release the decision process to this seemingly "flippant" process; yet the Lord says, The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord (Prov. 16:33).

Flipping a coin is the equivalent to casting a lot. It removes our own opinions and leaves the final outcome to the Lord. Pray before you take such an action. It will surprise you who is willing to submit a decision to the Lord and who isn't. It removes the element of control from both parties.

Having shared this with you I believe that God revels when His kids get together, use their creativity and create solutions together that are greater than either one would have created alone. I believe in unity in The Spirit in the bond of peace.

I believe the Lord would first have us make decisions through agreement and continued prayer for the decision. However, there are times when casting lots, short-straw/long-straw can be the not just the quickest and simplest resolution, but also help us keep God's perspective on the value and importance of earthly things compared to godly. Casting lots removes each person's temptation to lord it over the other.

Move on! Cast the lot and settle the dispute. The relationship is what matters as long as godly principles and commitment to Jesus reign in the day you can do this with the Lord's blessing. I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Vertical With God Means Just Outcomes

When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly - 1 Peter 2:23

When was the last time "wrongfully accused" was part of your life scenario? I know you've been wrongfully accused. I am also fairly certain you have been on the accuser's side of the equation.

I loathe being told I've done something I had no part in. It immediately brings every negative emotion right to the end of my nerves. Some people worry what others will think. "What will people think if they believe these things are true?" we reason. Not me. I don't get that deep. I just HATE having something said that just isn't so as it relates to me.

There was a point in my life that I was both a franchisee and an executive in a franchise company. I viewed it as the perfect opportunity to understand and speak into both areas. Many of the franchisees simply saw me as a turncoat. Rumors abounded of me as a sellout. It didn't hurt my feelings. It ticked me off and caused me to become sarcastic, cynical and aggressive. This didn't help at all.

Well, imagine what Jesus thought as they hurled insults and threats upon Him. The God of the universe had visited planet earth only to be slandered and accused of blasphemy. My role was nothing comparatively. Jesus came and did nothing but good. His words did nothing but reveal man and bring salvation and his actions revealed God the Father. Yet, He had to endure rumor, speculation, lies, insults and threats against His person.

Jesus might have done any number of things in response. He could have used His power to put the people in their place. He could have responded "horizontally." He could have fixed the problem right then. However, He chose to respond in a different way. He chose to "entrust Himself to Him who judges justly." It requires great faith to entrust ourselves to God our heavenly father in the midst of personal assault. The beauty of it is that if we can do this we will discover a level of grace, peace, personal power and wisdom that will be birthed from this experience that we never thought possible. Trusting our God with things we cannot control directly creates a freedom in God we can only embrace when we accept Him at His word.

Suffering for doing that which is honorable, right, and just without seeking to protect our reputation and rights is a faith act. Faith produces redemption. This activates God's grace in our lives and enables us to experience God's presence like never before.

Ask God to give you the grace to stay vertical with Him. Avoid the temptation of responding horizontally each time some event comes into your life that you want to "fix." Entrust yourself to the one who judges justly. It may be a divine appointment for your growth to another level in grace. It will change your life...some more - in the name of Jesus! Remain with me...

InHISgrip,
~J~

When Planting the Tree Yields Little Fruit

You have planted much, but have harvested little.... - Haggai 1:6

This last week we studied the famous section from the New Testament Book of Galatians: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law - Galatians 5:22,23.

Have you ever been on the front end of a new project or some new endeavor? Have you worked and worked only to realize what seems to be little or even nothing for your efforts? Such was the case for the believers who joined in with Haggai during his time. In this instance, God eventually spoke through the prophet Haggai to inform the people why their efforts were not yielding the desired result.

There was a specific reason this was happening.

You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of My house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands - Haggai 1:9-11

God had finally had enough. His priorities were not His people's priorities. As valuable as they may have been to their group, they weren't shared by their maker. So, He withheld in order to get their attention. Zerubbabel was governor of Judah at the time. He was a godly man who sought to do God's will. He listened as the prophet gave these words; then he responded.

Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord - Haggai 1:12

Our God is proactive. He is a God that will stir up the spirit of one man to initiate needed change. He will do it even if it is just one life affected. He certainly will do it to an entire people whom He has called. In this case Zerubbabel was that man. Scriptures say, The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel - Haggai 1:14

I believe that God is stirring up the spirit of a remnant of believers throughout the world today. These ones are getting a fresh vision. They are seeing what God envisions for His people to accomplish and they are seeing what breaks God's heart. But more than this they're responding.

Has God placed the spirit of Zerubbabel in you? Are you one who will make a difference for the Kingdom, or are you concerned about building bigger and better barns and gathering more stuff? The Lord is calling forth His people in these days to make a difference. Ask Him what He wants to do through you. Should you need help in figuring it out give me a shout. My vision is to help others find out that sweet spot where God gets you right where He wants you...to use you mightily! I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

It Will Hurt...Let It Heal

And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed - Joshua 5:8

You wake up in the morning, most mornings I imagine, much like I do. I’m not very “self aware” during those first few moments. I mean, I really don’t pause and internally journal what is going on in my heart and head; in what mood or disposition I have made my grand entrance into the day. We wake up, get up and start.

For me, generally somewhere around cup of coffee number two it becomes apparent to me that the great God of the universe desires that I get into His program for the day.

That is, if I am fortunate.

Many days one thing after another occurs (or I make them occur) and the next thing you know I’ve come to the end of the day, mostly baffled at what the day was constructed and where did it go? We string enough of these together, these kinds of lost days, and we end up with what Naturalist Henry David Thoreau called, lives of quiet desperation. Country singer Freddy Fender, in another context, called them wasted days and wasted nights.

We want lives that count. We say we do. We either wish to please God or leave our mark and the great intersection of human fulfillment is when we do both!

The opening verse describes the moment a whole nation had to endure before they could even get to the last chapters of their personal fulfillment. This is about Israel and their going into the land God had promised to them. Before Israel could go into the Promised Land the males had to be circumcised. Guys, if you are like me, you might be doing stuff like slightly bending at the waist or crossing your legs right about now. Why? We know why! Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal. But this was part of the law that Israel had required God provide to them. (And yes, we are all masochists!)

The analogy or life parable we should derive from this is that God requires each of us to be circumcised in heart before we are allowed to enter and receive the life fulfilling blessings that await each believer in their personal Promised Land.

This circumcision can often be very painful primarily because it requires personal awareness; awareness of who we are compared to the great, might, eternal, holy God of all. And as we reflect circumcision of heart requires losing our old way of life. The process of spiritual circumcision may mean a loss in areas that have been a part of our lives in order to draw us to the Savior. It means we are awakened to our day. We are aware of the internal limits of who we have been in areas we have not allowed God to enter. It will be painful but it is also a time of healing.

There is wonderful news in all of this. God understands. Consequently, like the people of Israel, we must wait until we are healed before we begin to be effective in the receiving of our personal promise; our calling. If we launch out too early, we will be ineffective and may risk infection and disease and will not be at our full capacity. God wants each of us to walk in His healing grace.

The people of Israel fought only two battles when they were coming out of Egypt. In the Promised Land they fought 39 battles. Each of us must be prepared to enjoy the benefits of living in the Promised Land. However, we must also be prepared to wage war against the enemy of our souls. I would make a suggestion to you. Wake up, and as soon as you can shake off the fog reflect on your Great God and on yourself. Evaluate the healing. Make sure the Lord has provided the needed healing to your circumcision experience before you enter the next battle to fight in the Promised Land which is your life in Christ Jesus.

I remain…

InHISgrip,
~J~

A Course In Self Defense

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. - Psalm 37:6

Have you come to a time in your faith when you have asked yourself or God Himself, what is the cruelty you are currently going through? If not, you will. It’s simply part of the graduate course in the University of the Kingdom of God.

As a believer grows in trusting obedience and love, God often brings a test that seems uncharacteristically cruel. The test I speak of is specific. It is the test of being wrongfully judged by those close to you; by those whose opinion means the most to us.

It is a test to make you self-aware of something that is killer. It cannot be passed over by simply gutting it out. I have experience with this. The Bible provides many examples.
Supernatural grace is the only means of passing this test; of graduating from this course.

It is one of those tests Jesus had to experience Himself when being tried by the court of public opinion, the religious community, and the government of His day. His response to the government was silence. His response to the religious establishment was silence at the final judgment. To the rest of His accusers He remained quiet and left vindication to His heavenly Father.

Jesus lived out the commandment He gave to the disciples:

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked - Luke 6:35

How do you react when you are accused or mistreated for no reason? Do you listen quietly, or do you justify each and every action? If you are like me it depends on the setting. With people whom I feel superior I can be big-hearted and gracious. After all, they are probably ignorant of my status and position. In situations that might be costly to me, economically or positionally I can mount amazing defenses. How about you?

Most of us take pride in doing what is right and expect the same from others, especially family, close friends and our brothers and sisters in the faith.

Jesus knew that if you and I were to be a true follower of His, we eventually would go through this fire. It is part of the study course. You and I will have ample opportunity to be wronged, misunderstood, and maligned. When God brings a measured assault against one of His children, it is to open our eyes that we find out if we truly believe in the cross and have associated ourselves with it.

What does that mean? The cross is where each of us is given the opportunity to die to our pride, our reputations, and our self-worth. When our heavenly Father allows a measured assault upon us, it is to find out if the cross of Jesus is sufficient. We discover the depths of our faith. Will we seek to rescue ourselves?

Jesus once said if we die with Him, we would be raised with Him.

Here’s my thought to you on this: When God allows Satan to bring judgment from those we value most, ask Him for the grace and perseverance to remain quiet and cling to the cross. Let the pride and arrogance that Jesus wants to remove from our lives be crucified. Thank God for the opportunity to be crucified with Christ. Then your righteousness will shine like the noonday sun and the justice of your cause will be in His hands!

I remain…

InHISgrip,
~J~