Lord, whateverYou ask and wherever You lead I want to obey,
To follow Your directions willing to traverse wherever You say,
I want to follow by faith no matter how difficult what You ask,
To take on any challenge and willingly tackle any ordained task,
I don't care to be famous - my name in neon lights or on a stage,
I want to be found faithful to bring You glory on every life's page,
So I surrender, my will, my dreams, my family, and my very life,
A fragrant offering to you - a holy, pleasing, and living sacrifice,
Do with me as You please - Like Isaiah I am willing to be sent,
To live my life for You by faith with head bowed and knees bent.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
When No or Wait Finally Becomes Yes
Everyday millions of prayers get lifted up. The answers to many of those prayers is either a "no" from God or a "wait." When God gives a "no" it is for our own glory and our own good. We may not see it that way. So many of us really think we know what is best for our lives. We have our plans, our desires, our hopes and dreams. We ask, plead, knock, and seek. And God at times responds with a no.
The healing does not come. The new job opportunity goes to someone else. While asking and knocking on doors to be opened they remain firmly closed. While we may plead and even believe for a "yes" from God, He often gives a "no".
I think as much as any other response to my prayers over the years has been God saying, "Wait." We wait for days, weeks, and even months. In some cases we wait for years. In our fast paced lifestyles we don't like waiting for anything. Not at the drive through. Not at the doctor's office. Not for the test results. Not for a student waiting for a birthday or to get a driver's license.
God uses the tool of waiting to reshape His children. In the waiting seasons people are given the choice to give up or to keep believing. In this way faith is strengthened. During the waiting periods people also learn the character of God. They learn God is infinitely wise. They learn He is firmly in control. They learn God is faithful.
God followers still do not like "no" or "wait." I think of young adults seeking and asking God for a spouse. I think of one young lady I met a couple of years ago. She is a dedicated disciple of Jesus serving Him and waiting on a spouse. The Lord awoke me early during a revival in her church to pray about this on her behalf. Since then the burden returns from time to time. She looks. She asks. God has said "no" to all potential spouses. Why? Because He does not love her? Or could it be God has negated other choices because His best is better than all of them if she will keep waiting.
Some people in the same situation get tired of hearing "no" or "wait" and take matters into their own hands. The results are usually painful.
Maybe God has said "no" to something you really wanted. What will you do next? Will you trust and wait in expectation for the day He says "yes"? Will you give up and do what you think is right in your own eyes?
God's "nos" and "waits" are for our own welfare. It may not seem that way. It may not appear God has our best interest at heart.
If anybody knew about this it would be Abraham. God promised him a son. Years went by without a son. Finally Abraham took matters into his own hands and had a son through a servant girl. We are still reaping the devastating results of that decision to this day. Finally the day came when God said yes. Genesis 18:1-15 (ESV)
1 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.
2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth
3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.
4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,
5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”
6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.”
7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.
8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.”
10 The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”
13 The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
Two elderly people well past child bearing age conceived and gave birth to a miracle child named Isaac because God eventually said "yes".
Joseph wanted his freedom. God said "no" and "wait" for a long time. Things went from bad to worse. God eventually said "yes" and the impossible happened. He went from the dungeon to the palace overnight. He became second in command as a foreigner and former slave. Only God could do that . When God gave His "yes"it was was beyond anything Joseph could have imagined.
Keep trusting and waiting for God's "yes". He knows best. His "no" and "waits" are preparing us for His better "yes". Praise His name when He affirms His will and direction.
The healing does not come. The new job opportunity goes to someone else. While asking and knocking on doors to be opened they remain firmly closed. While we may plead and even believe for a "yes" from God, He often gives a "no".
I think as much as any other response to my prayers over the years has been God saying, "Wait." We wait for days, weeks, and even months. In some cases we wait for years. In our fast paced lifestyles we don't like waiting for anything. Not at the drive through. Not at the doctor's office. Not for the test results. Not for a student waiting for a birthday or to get a driver's license.
God uses the tool of waiting to reshape His children. In the waiting seasons people are given the choice to give up or to keep believing. In this way faith is strengthened. During the waiting periods people also learn the character of God. They learn God is infinitely wise. They learn He is firmly in control. They learn God is faithful.
God followers still do not like "no" or "wait." I think of young adults seeking and asking God for a spouse. I think of one young lady I met a couple of years ago. She is a dedicated disciple of Jesus serving Him and waiting on a spouse. The Lord awoke me early during a revival in her church to pray about this on her behalf. Since then the burden returns from time to time. She looks. She asks. God has said "no" to all potential spouses. Why? Because He does not love her? Or could it be God has negated other choices because His best is better than all of them if she will keep waiting.
Some people in the same situation get tired of hearing "no" or "wait" and take matters into their own hands. The results are usually painful.
Maybe God has said "no" to something you really wanted. What will you do next? Will you trust and wait in expectation for the day He says "yes"? Will you give up and do what you think is right in your own eyes?
God's "nos" and "waits" are for our own welfare. It may not seem that way. It may not appear God has our best interest at heart.
If anybody knew about this it would be Abraham. God promised him a son. Years went by without a son. Finally Abraham took matters into his own hands and had a son through a servant girl. We are still reaping the devastating results of that decision to this day. Finally the day came when God said yes. Genesis 18:1-15 (ESV)
1 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.
2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth
3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.
4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,
5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”
6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.”
7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.
8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.”
10 The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”
13 The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
Two elderly people well past child bearing age conceived and gave birth to a miracle child named Isaac because God eventually said "yes".
Joseph wanted his freedom. God said "no" and "wait" for a long time. Things went from bad to worse. God eventually said "yes" and the impossible happened. He went from the dungeon to the palace overnight. He became second in command as a foreigner and former slave. Only God could do that . When God gave His "yes"it was was beyond anything Joseph could have imagined.
Keep trusting and waiting for God's "yes". He knows best. His "no" and "waits" are preparing us for His better "yes". Praise His name when He affirms His will and direction.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Wherever You Go - He Is With You
Moses died. Joshua succeeded him. God wasted no time in instructing Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan to the long awaited promise land.
I wonder what that must have felt like. For forty years they had wandered in the wilderness. Before that Israel lived in bondage to the Egyptians for four centuries. There was always the promise of God to build a mighty nation and have their own land. Generations came and went without ever possessing the promised land.
Finally the day came. What must have gone through Joshua's heart. Were there reservations in his ablity trying to fill the massive leadership void left behind by Moses. Then there was trying to get a massive group of whiners, complainers, and rebels to all get on the same page to go forward in faith to possess the promised land.
I think I know what Joshua felt. I think the huge responsibility made him weak in the knees. I think he had self doubts. I think far gripped his thinking about all the nations that would have to be defeated in order to possess the land. I wonder if he entertained the thought of staying on the safe side of the Jordan river.
That is where many of God's people choose to reside. They prefer the security of the safe side of the Jordan than the preordained plan of the promised land on the other side. I am convinced right now as I write this and as you read this, God is leading some to possess new land. It will require multiple steps of faith. None will be any harder than the first one. That initial step of faith means saying no to fear, ignoring weakness, and rejecting cowardice.
That first step to leave the safety and security of the known can be unsettling. Even if the known is filled with hardships at least you can comfort yourself that the hardships are known. Over time you learn to live with them. You learn to manage. To leave would mean forsaking the familiar.
Multiple times in the first chapter of Joshua God told His new leader to be strong and courageous. It seems like either Joshua was not taking the message to heart or God wanted to leave no doubt. Maybe it was both. Either way Joshua could not miss the message.
Neither can we today. As you look to what God is calling you to or where He is directing you the same message is applicable. Be strong. The invitation of God to possess new territory is not for the weak of heart. There will be challenges. There will be obstacles. There will be opposition. There will be battles. BE STRONG in the face of all of it. One of the meanings of the word strong is be obstinate. Refuse to turn back. To put it another way be resolved. There are things God wants. Things He wills. He calls you to the other side of the Jordan. He calls you to numerous tests of faith. Your response to all of it must be remaining strong and obstinate through Him who gives you strength. [Phil 4:13]
Remaining obstinate means refusing to quit or be denied. Quitting is often easier than finishing. Giving up is a path of less resistance than completing the mission. BE STRONG.
Then, God commanded Joshua to be courageous. That means to be stout of heart and steadfast. You must choose faith over fear. Not just once. Over and over again you will have to courageously choose faith when it seems all odds are against you.
It is easier to give into fear. It is way easier to doubt than to cling tenaciously to faith. Fear paralyzes people to live beneath God's best. Fear cripples people to live on the safe side rather than to live the adventure of following God wherever He leads.
Why have faith? What is the assurance? Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
I wonder what that must have felt like. For forty years they had wandered in the wilderness. Before that Israel lived in bondage to the Egyptians for four centuries. There was always the promise of God to build a mighty nation and have their own land. Generations came and went without ever possessing the promised land.
Finally the day came. What must have gone through Joshua's heart. Were there reservations in his ablity trying to fill the massive leadership void left behind by Moses. Then there was trying to get a massive group of whiners, complainers, and rebels to all get on the same page to go forward in faith to possess the promised land.
I think I know what Joshua felt. I think the huge responsibility made him weak in the knees. I think he had self doubts. I think far gripped his thinking about all the nations that would have to be defeated in order to possess the land. I wonder if he entertained the thought of staying on the safe side of the Jordan river.
That is where many of God's people choose to reside. They prefer the security of the safe side of the Jordan than the preordained plan of the promised land on the other side. I am convinced right now as I write this and as you read this, God is leading some to possess new land. It will require multiple steps of faith. None will be any harder than the first one. That initial step of faith means saying no to fear, ignoring weakness, and rejecting cowardice.
That first step to leave the safety and security of the known can be unsettling. Even if the known is filled with hardships at least you can comfort yourself that the hardships are known. Over time you learn to live with them. You learn to manage. To leave would mean forsaking the familiar.
Multiple times in the first chapter of Joshua God told His new leader to be strong and courageous. It seems like either Joshua was not taking the message to heart or God wanted to leave no doubt. Maybe it was both. Either way Joshua could not miss the message.
Neither can we today. As you look to what God is calling you to or where He is directing you the same message is applicable. Be strong. The invitation of God to possess new territory is not for the weak of heart. There will be challenges. There will be obstacles. There will be opposition. There will be battles. BE STRONG in the face of all of it. One of the meanings of the word strong is be obstinate. Refuse to turn back. To put it another way be resolved. There are things God wants. Things He wills. He calls you to the other side of the Jordan. He calls you to numerous tests of faith. Your response to all of it must be remaining strong and obstinate through Him who gives you strength. [Phil 4:13]
Remaining obstinate means refusing to quit or be denied. Quitting is often easier than finishing. Giving up is a path of less resistance than completing the mission. BE STRONG.
Then, God commanded Joshua to be courageous. That means to be stout of heart and steadfast. You must choose faith over fear. Not just once. Over and over again you will have to courageously choose faith when it seems all odds are against you.
It is easier to give into fear. It is way easier to doubt than to cling tenaciously to faith. Fear paralyzes people to live beneath God's best. Fear cripples people to live on the safe side rather than to live the adventure of following God wherever He leads.
Why have faith? What is the assurance? Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
He is with you and me wherever we go. He was with Joshua and Israel each step of crossing that Jordan. Let that sink in today no matter what God is calling you to do or where He is calling you to follow Him. HE IS WITH YOU. He will accompany you. He will travel alongside you. God will go in the same direction. He will even go before you to prepare the way.
That is the source of our strength and courage. He goes with us. He does not send us out on our own. We do not have to battle alone. He knows the way and will show us how to get to the end destination. He has already been there. He is not only with you now, will be with you along the journey, but He is already waiting at the end. If He walks with you what do you have to fear? If He already knows the future what do you have to be anxious about?
Let that promise sink in. God is with us. He is with you. This very moment He is with you. Walk with Him. Rest in Him. Rely on Him. Follow stout heartedly and obstinately. There is new land to be possessed and He is with you.
Pressing Into More Of Him
The morning dawns bright, crisp, and filled with new expectation of meeting alone with my Father. We visit together daily. What joyous times we share. I ask and He listens. I listen and He instructs and reveals great and mighty things I do not know.
There is nothing I desire on this earth than to draw closer to Him and to hear His voice. I do not read His word dutifully. I do so delightfully full of anticipation that He will show me something I have never seen before, like He did this morning. Maybe He will reveal some new truth I have never understood before. Many times He reminds me of things I learned long ago but have neglected. Sometimes He shows me things He will do in the future.
I love to be alone with Him. No other sounds. No distractions. Just an open Bible, a prayer journal, and uninterrupted time to seek, pray, and listen. A thousand things can compete for my attention. The telephone. Email. Other people. Text messages. Television. And yet time communing with my Father is more enticing than all of them.
I have met alien with Him in my living room, my home office, walking around the neighborhood, walking across pastures, through forests, on top of mountains, and in offices a corporate worship facility.
I live for those moments when I get so lost in God's presence I lose track of time. Often I am reluctant to leave when other responsibilities call. What a privilege God has given us to be able to walk with Him and to commune with Him.
How could the Creator of the universe ever truly want to commune with us infinitely lesser beings like us. Do our thoughts, complaints, concerns, and conversations not bore Him who knows all things. Do our questions and doubts not tax His patience. Yet He desires us to commune with us. He desires our private devotion and worship. He longs for us to forsake the company of others to keep company with Him.
He is loving, kind, patient, merciful, compassionate, and slow to anger. We don't deserve communion with Him but I hope wecrave it. More and more I crave more of Him. More time alone with Him. More fresh words from Him. More encounters with Him. Most everything I write, preach, teach, and share comes from my private times alone with God. I can still remember a man named Lynn Sasser who taught us teenagers about the importance of having quiet times back in 1983 at a youth camp. That is where it began for me. Only God knows where our times together will lead and eventually end.
I have walked with God for over three decades since then. I see I have so much more to learn, discover, understand, and to know of God, about Him, and His ways.
It is a lifetime pilgrimage. A relentless quest for more of God. An adventurous journey. One sadly so few followers of Jesus are taking full advantage of. May we press on into more of Him.
There is nothing I desire on this earth than to draw closer to Him and to hear His voice. I do not read His word dutifully. I do so delightfully full of anticipation that He will show me something I have never seen before, like He did this morning. Maybe He will reveal some new truth I have never understood before. Many times He reminds me of things I learned long ago but have neglected. Sometimes He shows me things He will do in the future.
I love to be alone with Him. No other sounds. No distractions. Just an open Bible, a prayer journal, and uninterrupted time to seek, pray, and listen. A thousand things can compete for my attention. The telephone. Email. Other people. Text messages. Television. And yet time communing with my Father is more enticing than all of them.
I have met alien with Him in my living room, my home office, walking around the neighborhood, walking across pastures, through forests, on top of mountains, and in offices a corporate worship facility.
I live for those moments when I get so lost in God's presence I lose track of time. Often I am reluctant to leave when other responsibilities call. What a privilege God has given us to be able to walk with Him and to commune with Him.
How could the Creator of the universe ever truly want to commune with us infinitely lesser beings like us. Do our thoughts, complaints, concerns, and conversations not bore Him who knows all things. Do our questions and doubts not tax His patience. Yet He desires us to commune with us. He desires our private devotion and worship. He longs for us to forsake the company of others to keep company with Him.
He is loving, kind, patient, merciful, compassionate, and slow to anger. We don't deserve communion with Him but I hope wecrave it. More and more I crave more of Him. More time alone with Him. More fresh words from Him. More encounters with Him. Most everything I write, preach, teach, and share comes from my private times alone with God. I can still remember a man named Lynn Sasser who taught us teenagers about the importance of having quiet times back in 1983 at a youth camp. That is where it began for me. Only God knows where our times together will lead and eventually end.
I have walked with God for over three decades since then. I see I have so much more to learn, discover, understand, and to know of God, about Him, and His ways.
It is a lifetime pilgrimage. A relentless quest for more of God. An adventurous journey. One sadly so few followers of Jesus are taking full advantage of. May we press on into more of Him.
A Heavy Burden
We are told in Ps 55:22 to cast our burdens on God. We are also told the same about our cares in I Pet 5:7.
Psalm 55:22 (ESV)
22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Psalm 55:22 (ESV)
22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
There are some burdens that cannot be cast off. God puts them there. Burdens, cares, concerns He places on our hearts and deep in our minds. Burdens for lost people. Burdens for revival and spiritual awakening. Burdens for countries or communities. Burdens that may intensify the more you pray about them. Burdens that grip the heart and bring a person to tears in fervent prayer.
I carry such burdens. One of many is the burden I carry for Kermit, TX. I do not understand it. I was solicited to pray for Kermit over three years ago by a lady named Joan Adams. I agreed I would. In that time the burden has intensified. I find myself thinking about Kermit at different times throughout the day. Many times I awake with the burden to pray for Kermit again. I pray and plead with God to show me how to pray. Several times I have driven to Kermit to pray, lead a few Bible studies, and plan a revival meeting.
The more I pray for Kermit the heavier the burden becomes. The deeper the desire to see God move in that town grows. The only way to get relief from this heavy burden is to pray through it and to obey God concerning what to do with it. It is a heavy burden I bear for Kermit but one I do so willingly for the sake of God's purposes being fulfilled in that town.
I hope God will lay similar burdens on His people for Kermit and other towns and people all over the world. May these be burdens we are willing to bear in prayer.
I am convinced the burdens are a reminder for us to intercede. They fuel the fire of our fervent petitions. The burdens are only a small part of how God feels about such communities or people. I believe God gives heavy burdens to share His heart with us about what He wants to do. If that is true I believe God will visit Kermit in a very special way soon.
The Funeral Nobody Attended
I have preached many funerals over the years. Some were attended by many. Others much smaller grave side services.
I preached one funeral several years ago for a lady I did not know. Her and her husband were homebound and not members of any church. It was a bitter cold January day. I can still remember the bite of the chilling winds blowing through my suit coat and pants. Those clothes were no match for icy temperatures. It is the smallest attended funeral I have ever preached. In attendance were the husband, his caretaker, the funeral home attendants, the singer, and myself. It was sad that after such a long life this lady had so very few to remember her.
I have never preached a funeral where nobody attended. I recently read about one though. What is surprising is the man who died had been a leader. He seemed to be well respected by many. He also at times tended to be a loner. He would often disappear for days. People speculate he just wanted to be alone with God. He would hike off into the mountains and remain there for a few days and sometimes even a few weeks.
Even when he stayed home he would often walk away from people to find a quiet spot to pray and meditate. People knew this man walked with God. They knew he also heard from God. Many times he would return from a prayer retreat and relate new direction for the organization he led.
When I read about his death it surprised me nobody attended his funeral. You would think such a man would be revered and honored in his death. Yet the record is clear. Nobody attended this man's funeral. He had outlived his wife. I am not sure where his children were. I know he had one very close friend who would have attended if he had known. He did not even have a preacher present. No loved ones. No close friends.
It is true he died suddenly. Though advanced in years he was still energetic, sharp in his mind, and could see well enough he did not need glasses. Nobody expected him to die so suddenly. He had slipped off to a mountain like he was prone to do. Only this time he never came back down. People wondered what happened. We would not know except there was one eye witness.
Yahweh Jehovah, God Almighty was the only witness. He drew His servant Moses up on a mountain to look over at the promised land. Moses would never set foot on that land but God allowed him to see it. Then at 120 years of age Moses died alone with God. That seems fitting considering all the time the two of them spent alone together. Then a strange thing happened.
God buried Moses. God conducted His own private funeral service for His beloved servant Moses. Nobody attended. The service was so private to this day nobody knows where God tenderly laid Moses' body to rest.
I am sure others would have loved to have been at Moses' funeral. Israel would grieve the loss of such powerful leader and prophet. He was mighty in prayer. His death was such a precious thing to God, He kept those last moments alone with Moses for Himself. He celebrated the life of Moses alone. There was no preacher. There were no singers. There were no throngs of people. God preserved that last private prayer and funeral moment for Himself alone.
We know God loved Moses. We also know there has never been another prophet like Moses. You can read the whole account for yourself in Deuteronomy 34:5-7
None of us know how many will be at our funerals should we live that long and the Lord not return. It would be just fine with me if nobody was there except God. He could bury me anywhere as long as He and I were together until the end.
I used to think a great way to die would be either during preaching or right after preaching a sermon. I have since changed my mind. If I could choose the way I die I would choose for it be in prayer. I want my last moments on earth to be in private prayer. I would not even mind if it were on a prayer retreat on some mountain enjoying deep communion with God alone. Afterward, I will not care how many or how few attend my funeral. I will not even care where I am buried. . Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
I preached one funeral several years ago for a lady I did not know. Her and her husband were homebound and not members of any church. It was a bitter cold January day. I can still remember the bite of the chilling winds blowing through my suit coat and pants. Those clothes were no match for icy temperatures. It is the smallest attended funeral I have ever preached. In attendance were the husband, his caretaker, the funeral home attendants, the singer, and myself. It was sad that after such a long life this lady had so very few to remember her.
I have never preached a funeral where nobody attended. I recently read about one though. What is surprising is the man who died had been a leader. He seemed to be well respected by many. He also at times tended to be a loner. He would often disappear for days. People speculate he just wanted to be alone with God. He would hike off into the mountains and remain there for a few days and sometimes even a few weeks.
Even when he stayed home he would often walk away from people to find a quiet spot to pray and meditate. People knew this man walked with God. They knew he also heard from God. Many times he would return from a prayer retreat and relate new direction for the organization he led.
When I read about his death it surprised me nobody attended his funeral. You would think such a man would be revered and honored in his death. Yet the record is clear. Nobody attended this man's funeral. He had outlived his wife. I am not sure where his children were. I know he had one very close friend who would have attended if he had known. He did not even have a preacher present. No loved ones. No close friends.
It is true he died suddenly. Though advanced in years he was still energetic, sharp in his mind, and could see well enough he did not need glasses. Nobody expected him to die so suddenly. He had slipped off to a mountain like he was prone to do. Only this time he never came back down. People wondered what happened. We would not know except there was one eye witness.
Yahweh Jehovah, God Almighty was the only witness. He drew His servant Moses up on a mountain to look over at the promised land. Moses would never set foot on that land but God allowed him to see it. Then at 120 years of age Moses died alone with God. That seems fitting considering all the time the two of them spent alone together. Then a strange thing happened.
God buried Moses. God conducted His own private funeral service for His beloved servant Moses. Nobody attended. The service was so private to this day nobody knows where God tenderly laid Moses' body to rest.
I am sure others would have loved to have been at Moses' funeral. Israel would grieve the loss of such powerful leader and prophet. He was mighty in prayer. His death was such a precious thing to God, He kept those last moments alone with Moses for Himself. He celebrated the life of Moses alone. There was no preacher. There were no singers. There were no throngs of people. God preserved that last private prayer and funeral moment for Himself alone.
We know God loved Moses. We also know there has never been another prophet like Moses. You can read the whole account for yourself in Deuteronomy 34:5-7
None of us know how many will be at our funerals should we live that long and the Lord not return. It would be just fine with me if nobody was there except God. He could bury me anywhere as long as He and I were together until the end.
I used to think a great way to die would be either during preaching or right after preaching a sermon. I have since changed my mind. If I could choose the way I die I would choose for it be in prayer. I want my last moments on earth to be in private prayer. I would not even mind if it were on a prayer retreat on some mountain enjoying deep communion with God alone. Afterward, I will not care how many or how few attend my funeral. I will not even care where I am buried. . Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Breaking The Silence
Have you ever endured the long dark night of the soul? I am referring to periods when God chooses to remain silent. Silent to your cries. Silent to questions. Silent concerning future direction. This is what happened to Israel. Not for a few days, months or years. God remained silent for centuries.
Israel still had Levitical priests. They still had the law. They still had their religious ceremonies. What they did not have was any fresh word from God. Nor did they have prophets. Nobody stood up and declared, "Thus says the Lord." Nobody got fresh words from God for the nation.
Picture this. For centuries one generation came and passed and God remained silent. Surely stories resurfaced about Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and David. Elijah's prophetic ministry must have been a topic of study and conversation from time to time. In each case God spoke to those men about His purposes and plans. He revealed to them what He wanted done.
I wonder if those generations cried out for God to speak to them. I wonder if they pleaded and begged God to come visit them or to send another prophet. God remained silent.
Suddenly, without warning God chose to break the silence to a man named Zechariah concerning a son he would have. We know that son as John the Baptist. He was rough around the edges. He did not fit into the professional priest status. He dressed out of fashion. He ate like a barbarian. He did not get educated like priests but received the Master's education in the desert as God prepared Him to prepare the way for His Son.
John came preaching fiery messages of repentance. He offended the religious experts. He baffled them as well when the crowds heard God breaking the silence with a new prophet on the scene. They heard John's message and they repented as well as following in baptism.
What is the point? You may endure seasons when God is silent. You may not understand but God has His reasons. He will break the silence in His time. When He is ready and when it serves His greater purposes God will break the silence. Keep seeking. Keep asking. Keep knocking. Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Israel still had Levitical priests. They still had the law. They still had their religious ceremonies. What they did not have was any fresh word from God. Nor did they have prophets. Nobody stood up and declared, "Thus says the Lord." Nobody got fresh words from God for the nation.
Picture this. For centuries one generation came and passed and God remained silent. Surely stories resurfaced about Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and David. Elijah's prophetic ministry must have been a topic of study and conversation from time to time. In each case God spoke to those men about His purposes and plans. He revealed to them what He wanted done.
I wonder if those generations cried out for God to speak to them. I wonder if they pleaded and begged God to come visit them or to send another prophet. God remained silent.
Suddenly, without warning God chose to break the silence to a man named Zechariah concerning a son he would have. We know that son as John the Baptist. He was rough around the edges. He did not fit into the professional priest status. He dressed out of fashion. He ate like a barbarian. He did not get educated like priests but received the Master's education in the desert as God prepared Him to prepare the way for His Son.
John came preaching fiery messages of repentance. He offended the religious experts. He baffled them as well when the crowds heard God breaking the silence with a new prophet on the scene. They heard John's message and they repented as well as following in baptism.
What is the point? You may endure seasons when God is silent. You may not understand but God has His reasons. He will break the silence in His time. When He is ready and when it serves His greater purposes God will break the silence. Keep seeking. Keep asking. Keep knocking. Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Monday, January 23, 2017
An Open Letter To Kermit
Dear Citizens of Kermit,
I have never spent an entire day in your community. I have never spent an entire night among you. I been there less than two dozen times. Yet I have been there numerous times though in my prayers over the past three years.
In that time my burden for your community has grown. My love for your town has not only begun but blossomed over these past several years.I cannot say I even know a dozen people by name in Kermit. I have never met another pastor from your town.
I have driven up and down your streets. I have sat in one of your parks praying. I have visited you weekly in my prayers for the past three years.
Here is what I am convinced. God loves Kermit. He also has Kermit on his heart and mind. I believe God will soon visit your town in a very special way this year. I've been praying for that specifically. I know many of you have been praying the same thing for a long time. Pastors have prayed and labored faithfully. God has heard those prayers. He has not forgotten them. I trust the answer will come soon.
My encouragement is for you to keep praying. I would like to encourage the local churches to consider beginning a Community Prayer Room ministry if one does not currently exist. This is a simple prayer ministry where on Thursdays from 11:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. a different local church would open their facilities for a come and go prayer meeting. The only need would be to provide prayer request cards and to pass on the prayer requests to the next church hosting the meeting. In addition a local church is needed to open the doors of your facilities for people to come and pray on their lunch hours. Hopefully this will resonate with someone reading this from Kermit and you will put this into motion.
I am trying to solicit much prayer for your community. Soon I will be passing on a business card that reads, "Pray For Kermit. Acts 4:31]." I hope to get these into the hands of people both inside and outside of Kermit. please pray for Kermit, GTX.
I am convinced days of refreshing will come to Kermit. Prayer is the key. I pledge to keep praying for you myself.
I have never spent an entire day in your community. I have never spent an entire night among you. I been there less than two dozen times. Yet I have been there numerous times though in my prayers over the past three years.
In that time my burden for your community has grown. My love for your town has not only begun but blossomed over these past several years.I cannot say I even know a dozen people by name in Kermit. I have never met another pastor from your town.
I have driven up and down your streets. I have sat in one of your parks praying. I have visited you weekly in my prayers for the past three years.
Here is what I am convinced. God loves Kermit. He also has Kermit on his heart and mind. I believe God will soon visit your town in a very special way this year. I've been praying for that specifically. I know many of you have been praying the same thing for a long time. Pastors have prayed and labored faithfully. God has heard those prayers. He has not forgotten them. I trust the answer will come soon.
My encouragement is for you to keep praying. I would like to encourage the local churches to consider beginning a Community Prayer Room ministry if one does not currently exist. This is a simple prayer ministry where on Thursdays from 11:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. a different local church would open their facilities for a come and go prayer meeting. The only need would be to provide prayer request cards and to pass on the prayer requests to the next church hosting the meeting. In addition a local church is needed to open the doors of your facilities for people to come and pray on their lunch hours. Hopefully this will resonate with someone reading this from Kermit and you will put this into motion.
I am trying to solicit much prayer for your community. Soon I will be passing on a business card that reads, "Pray For Kermit. Acts 4:31]." I hope to get these into the hands of people both inside and outside of Kermit. please pray for Kermit, GTX.
I am convinced days of refreshing will come to Kermit. Prayer is the key. I pledge to keep praying for you myself.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
A Day At Denman Avenue
I went home this past weekend. Not my current home. I went back home to the Piney woods of east Texas. Back home to Lufkin where I was born and grew up. Back to my home church - Denman Avenue Baptist Church. I was invited to preach to the students there this past weekend.
I saw so many people from the past. So many people who invested in me, supported me, encouraged me and whom God used to help me not only in being discipled but also in ministry. What a great weekend. I ate at a Lufkin staple called Ray's. Best burger I've ever had. I ate Mexican food at Cafe Del Rio. I drove by my old home on Cunningham street. Many times I dreamed of buying that house and living there. I saw the yard I played ball in. The trees I climbed. Even the pine straw I used to rake.
I drove in awe of the towering Pine trees that grow so tall they overshadow two lane roads. I stayed in two different homes of people I love more than I can ever put into words. My mind swirls with memories of prolonged conversations mostly about God and the Bible.
I sat in a Sunday School classroom this past Saturday night to pray before preaching. Thoughts of the grace of God in salvation, connecting me with Denman Avenue Baptist Church, with Charles Roberts, Eli Bernard, and scores of people that have influenced my life in profound ways overwhelmed me. I could not hardly take it all in God did in connecting me with so many wonderful people who loved me, prayed for me. embraced me, and invested in me. The Denman Avenue people took in this troubled teen, an unbridled young adult, and now a middle aged pastor. I love my home church and owe them a debt I can never repay.
I had the chance to worship with my home church this past Sunday morning. What a blessing. I was deeply moved by the music. I met with God. I saw people I have not seen in years. It has been close to six years since my last visit to Denman Avenue.
I am thankful for the chance to go back home. I cannot remember a trip over the past decade back home that meant anymore than this last one. Thank you Jesus for your amazing grace.
I saw so many people from the past. So many people who invested in me, supported me, encouraged me and whom God used to help me not only in being discipled but also in ministry. What a great weekend. I ate at a Lufkin staple called Ray's. Best burger I've ever had. I ate Mexican food at Cafe Del Rio. I drove by my old home on Cunningham street. Many times I dreamed of buying that house and living there. I saw the yard I played ball in. The trees I climbed. Even the pine straw I used to rake.
I drove in awe of the towering Pine trees that grow so tall they overshadow two lane roads. I stayed in two different homes of people I love more than I can ever put into words. My mind swirls with memories of prolonged conversations mostly about God and the Bible.
I sat in a Sunday School classroom this past Saturday night to pray before preaching. Thoughts of the grace of God in salvation, connecting me with Denman Avenue Baptist Church, with Charles Roberts, Eli Bernard, and scores of people that have influenced my life in profound ways overwhelmed me. I could not hardly take it all in God did in connecting me with so many wonderful people who loved me, prayed for me. embraced me, and invested in me. The Denman Avenue people took in this troubled teen, an unbridled young adult, and now a middle aged pastor. I love my home church and owe them a debt I can never repay.
I had the chance to worship with my home church this past Sunday morning. What a blessing. I was deeply moved by the music. I met with God. I saw people I have not seen in years. It has been close to six years since my last visit to Denman Avenue.
I am thankful for the chance to go back home. I cannot remember a trip over the past decade back home that meant anymore than this last one. Thank you Jesus for your amazing grace.
Fools
1 Corinthians 4:10 (ESV)
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.
The word "fools" means stupid, dull, and blockhead. Not very flattering. We prefer words like honor, respect, noble, and intelligent. Nobody wants to be thought of as stupid, dull, and a blockhead.
Paul minces no words. He and his companions stated it clearly. He saw them as fools for Christ's sake. FOOLS.
How many prefer to look dignified as opposed to a fool in following Christ? Following Jesus wholeheartedly can appear foolish. Most faith steps look foolish. Just read the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Noah looked foolish building an ark. Abraham looked foolish moving to a place he did not know. Sarah looked foolish believing God for a child well past her child bearing years. Abraham again looked foolish offering his son to be slain to God. Each of these did these foolish things in obedience to God's leading.
Are you willing to look like a fool in obeying God? I have numerous times. I am well on my way to doing that again. In the end I would rather look like a fool and hear God say, "Well done," than for the world to see me as highly respected and displease God. Many times people have doubted and been skeptical throughout history when people obeyed God by faith.
Call me a blockhead, dull, stupid, even a fool. For Jesus it is worth it.
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.
The word "fools" means stupid, dull, and blockhead. Not very flattering. We prefer words like honor, respect, noble, and intelligent. Nobody wants to be thought of as stupid, dull, and a blockhead.
Paul minces no words. He and his companions stated it clearly. He saw them as fools for Christ's sake. FOOLS.
How many prefer to look dignified as opposed to a fool in following Christ? Following Jesus wholeheartedly can appear foolish. Most faith steps look foolish. Just read the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Noah looked foolish building an ark. Abraham looked foolish moving to a place he did not know. Sarah looked foolish believing God for a child well past her child bearing years. Abraham again looked foolish offering his son to be slain to God. Each of these did these foolish things in obedience to God's leading.
Are you willing to look like a fool in obeying God? I have numerous times. I am well on my way to doing that again. In the end I would rather look like a fool and hear God say, "Well done," than for the world to see me as highly respected and displease God. Many times people have doubted and been skeptical throughout history when people obeyed God by faith.
Call me a blockhead, dull, stupid, even a fool. For Jesus it is worth it.
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