Inspiration

Post for November 13, 2012:  Inspiration
This year, our Men’s group is going through the third series of lessons in The Men’s Fraternity, titled “The Great Adventure”.  At the end of the fifth lesson, one of the discussion questions asked us to share a dream or two with the others.  I shared my dream of being an inspirational writer who would help draw others closer to God.  They asked me how that was going and I told them I had started a blog, but had been challenged lately seeking material to write about.  Our group leader asked me to write something and bring it to our next class.  After a fair amount of ribbing regarding how inspiring my effort would be, someone else suggested I ask what God would have to say to inspire the group.  Class ended and I had my assignment.

I woke up in the middle of the night and thought to ask God what He had to say.  It may sound odd, but I often find that the middle of the night is one of the best times for me to talk to God.  I think for me, it’s because the busyness of the day isn’t running around in my head and I can hear from Him better.  It’s also easier to have an informal conversation.  So I said, “Lord, what do I write about to help the class draw closer to you?”  Jesus said this, “I love you”, and “I have a place for you.”  When He said those words, I felt such a sense of completeness come over me.  I felt solid and anchored and strangely satisfied in my soul.  The closest analogy I can think of is the way you feel after you’ve eaten a substantial meal.  Not stuffing yourself to the point of discomfort, but that point where you can feel the weight of the meal inside you and a sense of fullness spreads through your body.  You have satisfied your need for food and you are content.  That’s how my soul felt.

With those words, Jesus addressed two of our most basic needs:  the need to be loved and the need to belong.  We find it first in our families as we grow up, but as we mature, the desire to be loved takes on a different meaning and our development as an individual causes us to seek an identity outside of the family.  So we look for love in others and we try to fit in with those around us.  But all too often, we go through life feeling unloved and alone because we haven’t sought the love of our Creator, nor felt the sense of belonging that comes from a relationship with Him.  In Genesis, we learn that God created man for fellowship with Him.  Even though man betrayed that trust, it didn’t remove the desire within us, and it certainly didn’t change God’s desire for relationship.  Quite the opposite happened.  God so loved us that He sent Jesus to die in our place, to pay the price for our reconciliation with God.

If you’re feeling alone and out of place, call out to Jesus now.  You will know you belong to Him, He will fill the void in your soul and He will bring you Peace.

P.S.:  I don’t usually add post scripts to these writings, but there were a couple of other things that happened while writing this that need to be included.  First, when I was receiving instruction from God, I could sense anticipation on His part.  Then He said, “I’ve got great things for you to do!”  At first I took it personally, but after reflection, I believe it’s what God has for every one of us.  He is not a God who thinks small and none of us are disqualified from mighty deeds in His eyes!

P.P.S.:  Just one more thing and then I’m done.  It was two nights later, and I again woke up in the middle of the night.  I said, “Hi Lord,” and He responded with “Hi Chris!” with such excitement in His voice that I had to ask why.  He said, “I know our future and it is glorious!”  My human side took over and I started to mention the uncertainty everyone was feeling.  I was quickly corrected when He said, “There’s no uncertainty in Me!”  It made me think of how we miss out on so much because we fail to trust in the God who exists outside of time and who knows the end of all things.  I look at this as a call to all of us to take our eyes off the world and put them back on God!  It’s time to live the adventure God has prepared for us!  Remember what it says in Philippians 4:13: “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!  Now, get out there, be amazing and live the adventure God has for YOU!

The Pharisee in me

Post for October, 2012:  The Pharisee in me
(Note: I was going to post this in early October, but a couple of things intervened and this is the first opportunity I've had to put this out there. My apologies.)

Writing this isn’t pleasant for me, but if I am not honest with you, my testimony is worthless.  Last week I gave in to offence and anger due in large part to my expectations.  Here’s what happened.  My wife and I were attending a church service and towards the end of it, the Minister conducting the service, (who has a prophetic gift), came up to us and said “I have something for you, but now is just not right.  Will you be here tomorrow night?”  We said yes. Going home, I was flying inside.  First because of the service and second because, God had a word for us and we would receive it tomorrow!  That night I had dreams of being blessed and I just sailed through the day.  That evening we got to the meeting early and found good seats on the front row.  During the service, the Minister informed us that he would be laying hands on everyone there and providing an impartation.  Things were just getting better and better!  At the end of the service, we cleared the chairs from the room and folks lined up to receive the impartation.  My wife and I were standing together and my excitement was building as he drew nearer.  What did God have to say to us?  What would be unleashed in our lives through the impartation?     The moment was at hand…he stood before us.  He put his hands on our foreheads and said something like “Receive in the name of the Lord.”  Then he moved on.  No personal prophecy for us, and even worse, I felt nothing from his touch.  I was stunned, and then I was angry!  I felt lied to and cheated.  I was angry with the Minister, but even angrier with God.  Then I sank into depression, because I knew in my heart that I could never really turn my back on God.  I remembered the passage in one of the gospels where a large number of Jesus’ disciples have just left Him.  He’s looking at the 12 who stayed and asked them if they were going to leave too.   I think it was Peter who responded, “Where else would we go Lord, You have the Words of Life!”  That got me to tone down the angry rhetoric in my head, but didn’t do much for the hurt feelings.  That got me thinking of the Pharisees and how much my actions were like them.

They knew the Law and the Prophets.  They knew they were God’s chosen people, and they knew the Messiah was coming to save them and establish His kingdom here on earth.  I think they had an expectation that Christ would praise them for their righteousness and exalt them when He restored the Kingdom of Israel and freed them from Roman control.  Instead, they were chastised, challenged and ridiculed before the common people.  Nor did Jesus take them aside and explain to them what was really happening.  Small wonder they took offence.  In similar fashion, my expectations were not met, nor was there any explanation.  I, like the Pharisees, lost sight of the fact that God is God.  His ways are not our ways and He is under no obligation to explain Himself to us.

But that is not the end.  A day later, I was at our Men’s Night Out dinner at our local church.  We were singing worship songs and I could feel my heart softening.  I was still hurting a little, when I heard His voice inside my head.  He said, “Let it go, Chris.  I still love you and I always will.”  And that was the end of that!

We may never know God’s reasoning, but we can always be certain of His Love.

Post for August 17, 2012:  Breakthrough!

Today I get to write from the perspective of a victor on the battlefield of life instead of a cheerleader on the sidelines urging on others in the fray.  I had a breakthrough the other day and I wanted to share it with you all because I’m pretty sure I’m not the only person alive who deals with this.  My hope is that I don’t lose you in the back-story and that this is coherent enough to help somebody else.

Last year, my wife and I began to read and learn from the materials produced by Dr. James B. Richards of Impact Ministries, http://www.impactministries.com/.  We had been feeling “stuck” in several areas of our lives and were looking for some insight into why as well as how to break free.  We read one of his more influential books titled, “Wired for Success, Programmed for Failure”.  One of the tenets of the book is that the beliefs of our heart influence our sense of self-worth and act almost like a thermostat to regulate our lives and keep us within a range where our external lives line up with our internal image.  If our success or our personal relationships threaten to take us out of our idea of what is “normal” for us, we do things subconciously to restore us to that “normal”.  (Honestly folks, get the book!  There’s way too much information backed by lots of research and his personal experience for me to accurately sum up in a few sentences!)  As I processed that information, I began to see times in my life where I had sabotaged previously happy relationships.  When I looked at my career and finances, it occurred to me that I had always obtained good employment and enough money to pay my bills and obligations with a little left over for enjoyment, but I never really prospered. 

Eventually, I got fed up enough to actually seek out the root of my problem.  My first assessment was that I was undeserving of success and happiness; a typical case of low self-worth.  But this time I went deeper, because I realized that there had to be a trigger event.  I found it.  What it was doesn’t really matter because it’s mine, but suffice it to say there was guilt and shame on my part compounded by condemnation and hurtful words by someone in authority.  Okay, I knew what the source was, but I still felt powerless to deal with it because I couldn’t forgive myself for my actions.  That’s when the Holy Spirit stepped in.  He reminded me that Christ died once for ALL SIN for ALL PEOPLE for ALL TIME!  What right did I have to reject His gift of forgiveness when He paid such a heavy price for it?!  So Tuesday night before I went to sleep, I asked God to help me forgive myself and receive the forgiveness for my sin that Christ died to provide.

Wednesday morning when I awoke, I felt different inside and I did something that day that I had been unable to do as late as Monday of this week:  I asked someone to consider advertising their business in our Chorus’ September Show program.  It may not seem like a big deal to you, but in the past, I had failed every attempt at sales because I didn’t believe I had anything to offer.  I compounded things by taking the rejection personally and then feeling guilty when I didn’t try to sell!  The physical stress and fear over selling anything brought me to a point where I couldn’t even approach people I knew well and I could barely talk to my own family! 

Okay, so I’m doing better, but what should you take away from this?

1.  If you’re “stuck” in any area in life, you may unknowingly be the cause.
2. Look for your trigger event(s).
3. Receive God’s forgiveness for every sin and learn to forgive yourself!
4. If you struggle with self-forgiveness, ask God to help.  His Love prompted His sacrifice in the first place and He will not leave you to struggle and flop around in your mess…but you need to ask Him!

DISCLAIMER:  It pains me to have to do this, but here goes… I am not, nor ever have been, a licensed therapist, counsellor, psychiatrist or doctor of any kind.  What I have written here is based upon my personal learning and experience.  The steps I have listed should NOT be considered as “medical advice” in any form.  Your life experiences are different and your results may be as well.  I do declare that Jesus Christ is the ONLY ONE who can heal everyone in body, mind and spirit.

Live in His Forgiveness

Live in His Freedom

Live for His Glory

God Bless You All

Post for August 9, 2012:  If you want to abound…

About ten days ago, I woke up and these words literally popped into my head.  “If you want to abound, look up, not around.”  I hadn’t even had time for a conscious thought, let alone the formation of a sentence.  I’ve been thinking about it a lot since that day and the more I think about it, the more “right” it sounds.  When I look around me, what I see for the most part are people with problems, not solutions to the problems I have.  But when I look up, I am reminded of God, His Love for me and His promises to Bless, Prosper and Protect me.  I am reminded of the wisdom found in His Word and of the power of prayer.  My heart grows lighter and my attitude and approach to whatever is before me changes.  It’s like the lyrics of the worship song…

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace”

I confess I am not able (yet) to maintain an attitude of worship, or be constantly, consciously aware of His presence.  However, I have learned a few things to do that help me recover my peace when I’m stressed.  First, I look to nature.  It never fails to fill me with a sense of awe and wonder when I think about the intricacies and the beauty of His creation.  We are especially blessed here in Anchorage, because we have the Chugach Mountains that rim the city to the East and are constantly in view.  I see them every morning on my way to work and I also get to watch the seasons change upon their slopes.  They are a constant reminder of God’s majesty.  When I’m stuck in my office and need some inspiration, I go to the Astronomy Picture of the Day website, (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/).  Within moments, I am lost among the galaxies, stars, and planets, giving praise to the God who has created all this yet chooses, no actually desires to have relationship with you and me!  I never fail to feel blessed and I know my problems are no problem for our God!

So if you want to abound, look up not around!

July 23, 2012:  Passive Christianity?

I listen to a lot of Christian music on the radio.  It helps keep me upbeat, positive and a little more focused on God.  There’s a song that’s been on the airwaves for awhile that has a catchy refrain but the more I think about it, the more I think it’s missing the point of being a Christian.  Here are the words to the refrain.  (I believe the group is Building 429, but can’t remember the name of the song.  My apologies to the band if I’ve mistaken them for another group.)

 

            “All I know is I’m not home yet

            This is not where I belong

            Take this world and give me Jesus

            I am not where I belong.”

While I like the idea that they’re choosing Jesus over the world, the rest of the words make me think of someone who’s retreated from the world and is only waiting to die or for Christ’s return.  What happened to Matthew 5:14-16?  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  And what about the “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28:18-20?  “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe the things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’  Amen.”

There’s nothing in either of those statements that can be interpreted as, “Sit tight, chill.  Don't do anything.  I gotta go up to heaven for a little while, but I’ll be back for you shortly.”  Although I do have to say that I can understand where they’re coming from!  When I consider the world around me, there’s a strong urge to grab my lampshade and hide out until I hear that trumpet sound!  But, I believe in a God of purpose.  I believe in a God who sees the end from the beginning and who prepared the plan for mankind’s salvation before He ever created the world.  I believe in a God who has given me skills and abilities to fulfill His plan for my life.  And I believe He has a plan for everyone.  Even you!

I also believe that it is precisely at times like these when Christians everywhere need to rise up and show the world the tangible Love of Christ that lives in us!  So how about if we throw off the rags and the cares of this life and reveal the Peace and the Hope that we have in Christ to a world hungry for the real thing!

Post for July 6, 2012:  For, Against, or With

It wasn’t too long after I came back to Christ that I decided I wanted to “do something great for God”.  My motives were good, my ideas were biblically based, and my heart was sincere, but nothing really happened the way I envisioned it.  I was frustrated and discouraged, but I didn’t quit the church because I knew in my heart, even as Peter responded in John 6:68 after many of Jesus’ disciples had left him and Jesus himself said to the twelve. “Do you also want to go away?”   Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.”, (NKJV).  However, I did withdraw into myself and pretty much limited my involvement in ministry to prayer and financial contributions.  The thought of stepping out for God was quickly squashed by the memories of past failures.

Has that ever happened to any of you or am I the only one?  If so, how did you respond?

Something that has only recently become really clear to me is that when I say I want to “do something great for God”, if I haven’t sought His desire, His plan for my life, then I’m stepping out of His Grace and Empowerment and trying to do it on my own strength.  Now if I do something on my own, I may have some results, but they won’t be supernatural because it’s my effort and in essence, my attempt to glorify myself before Him through my works.  God will not honor or support that.  As He says in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the Lord; that is My name; and My Glory I will not give to another,…”  I don’t know that He actively opposes such actions, but His support and His Presence will be lacking and you will know that He is not with you. 

When you come right down to it, there really is nothing we can do for God in our own strength.  We couldn’t keep God’s commandments on our own and we sure couldn’t redeem ourselves from the curse of the law.  God had to send Christ to fulfill the law and be mankind’s propitiation for sin.   As Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.”  But here’s the encouraging part!  Reading on in verse 10, Paul says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  Isn’t that cool?!  God already has something for us that we have been specifically equipped and prepared for! 

So here’s the deal.  If you want to do something great for God, try doing something great with God.  Partner with the Creator of the Universe and see where it takes you!  I know it will be far beyond what we can think or imagine!  And just in case some doubt tries to sneak in there, remember that as believers, we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2Cor. 5:21) and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13)!

Be Blessed!

Post for May 14, 2012:  Then and Now

Wow!  Hard to believe it’s been almost two months since I last wrote something.  There’s been a lot of stuff going on in and around me.  Fortunately for you, the reader, you get the condensed version!  Rather than try to string things together into a coherent whole, I’ll just lay things out in subject paragraphs.  I hope some of them speak to you.

Compare and Despair:  One of the reasons it has taken me so long to write again is that I found myself comparing my writing and thoughts against the daily inspirational emails I was receiving from Andrew Womack, a Minister/Teacher of the Gospel for over 30 years, (you can check him out at http://www.awmi.net ).  I did not measure up in my estimation and was considering abandoning the blog.  I’d lost sight of my original purpose which was to write about my personal relationship with Christ and the insights I receive as I try to grow in Him.  Each of us has a gift to give this world and no one can give your gift better than you!  This past weekend I had the honor of interceding in prayer during the Windwalkers International “Awakening” Conference here in Anchorage.  I will talk more about that later, but during one of the sessions, I was looking out over the people and thinking about our place and I felt the Lord speak this to me,

“No one in My Kingdom is insignificant and neither is the part I give them in My Plan!”

Remember that you have a destiny and a calling that no one else can fill and when all else fails, remember the value placed upon your life as well as your immortal soul.

Grace, Grace and More Grace!  I finished reading a book by Pastor Joseph Prince last week titled “Destined to Reign”.  Fantastic!  He really opened my eyes to the totality of God’s Grace and I have honestly not felt so spiritually free and uplifted in years!  I urge you to check it out and discover it for yourself.  What really resonated with me was what he called the “Ministry of Disqualification”.  Personally, I have been praying for years for miraculous healing in several areas of my body.  I haven’t received it yet despite receiving prayer from powerful healers.  I kept wondering why, because I know God doesn’t change or fail, and I know His Word is forever true.  The only answer I kept coming back to was that there was something wrong with me.  This led me down a road of internal condemnation and failed attempts at doing something to earn my healing from God.  This was the same sort of teaching Pastor Prince had been doing in his church.  God challenged Pastor Prince on this one day, “Stop disqualifying My people!  My blood has already qualified them.  Stop disqualifying them!” (from Destined to Reign, © 2007, pg 272).  Pastor Prince went on to write that once he stopped pointing out what began pointing out to them what was right with them because of Jesus; healing miracles broke out in the church.  The first time I read these next few words, I broke down and cried because I really needed to hear this.  They still bring tears to my eyes as I write them for you now, (again from pg 272 of Destined to Reign, © 2007).

“There’s nothing wrong with God, nothing wrong with the Word and through the Blood of Jesus, nothing wrong with you!  Receive your miracle!”

Christ's sacrifice has already qualified us for ALL of God's promises.  There is nothing you or I can or need do beyond believing in Him and in His sacrifice.  It's amazing how lighthearted you get once you remove the sel-imposed burden of performance and rest in Christ's completed work!

I was going to write about the Windwalkers’ Awakening Conference today, but will save it for another post.  I need more time to organize my notes and present you with something more than random observations.

Be Blessed!