It is 958 miles from Runaway Bay, TX to Alpine, TX and back. That is what Eric and I drove this past weekend. Mixed in between were three worship times ending with the Sunday morning service yesterday.
Alpine is beautifully set in a valley surrounded by foothills. I worshiped during my early morning walks looking at the mountains surrounding the city. I walked all over the Sul Ross State University campus. The air was crisp and cool Saturday and Sunday. Perfect weather.
First Baptist Church Alpine meets in an one hundred year old facility. The architectural design captured my gaze for a long time. Noticing every intricate detail I marveled at the craftsmanship. Absolutely gorgeous. What an honor to get to preach in such a historic place. I have preached in many places but none more unique than in Alpine. A town of culture, art, natural beauty, as well as beautiful people. I will not son forget our trip to Alpine.
We met wonderful people from leadership to students. We laughed a lot, prayed for God to move, and ministered. Eric through song and me through the preaching of scripture. We felt the presence of God, especially Saturday night and Sunday morning.
We all met with God in that historic town and sanctuary. Some repented of sin. Others rededicated their lives. Sadly, I cannot report any were saved. I did preach the gospel and I believe lost people were present at every service. There were other very special God moments . Some I cannot write about because they were too personal in nature. I know God worked. I saw God dispensing hope on Sunday morning through His word.
Today I am back in Runaway Bay. We saw a lot of Texas yesterday. We stopped at a road side park near home outside Ranger, TX off I-20 and laughed at where we started earlier in the day and where we were that evening. A little tired. Also very thankful God still lets me preach His glorious truth and work with Eric who leads worship.
Wherever He sends I will go. That is what Isaiah communicated in Is: 6:8. When God looked for someone to go Isaiah made himself available. I do the same, even to remote towns like Alpine. Wherever He leads I will go. The size of the town or congregation do not matter. It is a privilege to meet new people and seek the heart of God for those towns and churches.
I am glad to be home and to have slept in my own bed. I have no other traveling assignments until the first of June for a youth camp. I am scheduled to preach at another youth camp in mid July.
And looking far out looms the Kermit Revival July 23-29. Wherever He sends I will go.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Friday, April 21, 2017
Hitting The Old Gospel Trail Again
The bags are packed. Prayers have been sent in both directions. In just a few moments Eric Adcock and I will hit the road again. He is the minstrel man. He plays that guitar like a battle axe. I have seen God use him to move people from laughter to intense worship with just a few strums of the guitar strings and prayer. I am the preacher often preaching hard prophetic messages. I thank God for putting us together all those many years ago back at Howard Payne University.
Eric is the people person. Never met a stranger. I am a little more reserved until it is time to proclaim God's truth. We are both well past youth but still active. I mowed the yard and got in my workout before this early road trip. I may get older but I will not go down without a fight. At 50 and Eric at 49 I am amazed God still allows us to minister to students. I will keep going as long as God keeps opening doors.
We have over 400 miles ahead of us today driving out west to FBC Alpine, TX. We will minister later tonight, on Saturday and Sunday morning. We have made many such trips and we treasure the time we get to spend together and more importantly the time we get to minister together. It is a privilege and one I do not take for granted.
It is a different scene to go from preaching a revival to a youth meeting. God's truth works in all situations and applies to all generations. I am humbled God would allow me to do this again. It is all Him. Wherever He leads I will go even out to Alpine, TX.
It is never easy to leave my family and I would not except God's command in Matt 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8. So I packed the old suitcase and my trusty backpack. It is time to hit the old gospel trail again. May Jesus be honored and may souls come to Jesus for salvation.
Eric is the people person. Never met a stranger. I am a little more reserved until it is time to proclaim God's truth. We are both well past youth but still active. I mowed the yard and got in my workout before this early road trip. I may get older but I will not go down without a fight. At 50 and Eric at 49 I am amazed God still allows us to minister to students. I will keep going as long as God keeps opening doors.
We have over 400 miles ahead of us today driving out west to FBC Alpine, TX. We will minister later tonight, on Saturday and Sunday morning. We have made many such trips and we treasure the time we get to spend together and more importantly the time we get to minister together. It is a privilege and one I do not take for granted.
It is a different scene to go from preaching a revival to a youth meeting. God's truth works in all situations and applies to all generations. I am humbled God would allow me to do this again. It is all Him. Wherever He leads I will go even out to Alpine, TX.
It is never easy to leave my family and I would not except God's command in Matt 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8. So I packed the old suitcase and my trusty backpack. It is time to hit the old gospel trail again. May Jesus be honored and may souls come to Jesus for salvation.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
The Altar Call
I preached my heart out again last night at the revival meeting. After much prayer I finally settled on the message I felt God wanted me to preach late in the afternoon. God's direction surprised me. In a thousand years I would have never picked that message for a revival meeting. Not my will but His will be done. Acts 16:6-11. This is the passage about Paul's Macedonia vision.
I extended the altar call. I am still old fashioned in my thinking believing we need to preach for decisions. The altar and the altar call have fallen on hard times in many houses of worship. After offering a prayer I took a seat to pray and see what God would do. People do not come forward to the front to pray much anymore. They did last night.
The first person to go to the altar was the pastor. All six foot seven inches crumbled in a bent posture on the steps near the stage. An eighteen year old young man followed next. Soon others came. I took it all. in I barely held back the tears when an eight year old little boy left his pew and knelt down at the altar. I could not take my eyes off him. He bowed his head on the steps and prayed. I immediately thought of young Samuel hearing from God and asking God to speak for he listened. Only that little named Paul and God know what they conversed about. Paul stayed at the front for a long time. The scene moved me because the message did not appear to be one an eight year old would respond to. God can do anything.
I turned my eyes to the left. A mother holding a little baby boy knelt at the altar doing her business with God. Next to her knelt a seventy-four year old man. I looked straight in front of me to see a senior adult lady I've loved dearly for decades praying and wiping tears from her eyes. All across the altar I witnessed people encountering God.
I did not play on people's emotions during the altar call. It was given straight forwardly. All afternoon I argued with God about preaching that message. It did not feel like a revival message. Yet, God moved more in that one service than in all the others. Simply amazing.
Only God could speak to senior adults, young mothers, teenagers, a child, and a pastor all in the same service. I want to imprint that scene in the photo bank of my mind. I don't want to argue with God about what I am to preach. I want to surrender and yield trusting Him to do His work.
There is still a place at the altar for all of us. It is a place of surrender. It is a place of sacrifice. It is a place to come and die to self through the crucified life. [Gal 2:20] It is place to lay your life down as the ultimate act of worship. [Rom 12:1]
With that service the revival meetings ended. Though I still remain open to going back there and continuing the work. Such decisions are out of my hands. I count it an honor to get to minister to such a loving, warm, and hungry group of people this past week. Now, it is on to Alpine TX where I will again minister God's word this weekend with my brother in the Lord, Eric Adcock, who will lead worship.
By the way, God did work in the a/c situation. If you do not know what I am taking about go back and read my blog "God, why didn't You give all the money." Enough has been given now to purchase one new unit. Spring Creek Baptist Church still needs $12,000 to purchase the last two. I will pray until all the money comes in for the glory of God.
I extended the altar call. I am still old fashioned in my thinking believing we need to preach for decisions. The altar and the altar call have fallen on hard times in many houses of worship. After offering a prayer I took a seat to pray and see what God would do. People do not come forward to the front to pray much anymore. They did last night.
The first person to go to the altar was the pastor. All six foot seven inches crumbled in a bent posture on the steps near the stage. An eighteen year old young man followed next. Soon others came. I took it all. in I barely held back the tears when an eight year old little boy left his pew and knelt down at the altar. I could not take my eyes off him. He bowed his head on the steps and prayed. I immediately thought of young Samuel hearing from God and asking God to speak for he listened. Only that little named Paul and God know what they conversed about. Paul stayed at the front for a long time. The scene moved me because the message did not appear to be one an eight year old would respond to. God can do anything.
I turned my eyes to the left. A mother holding a little baby boy knelt at the altar doing her business with God. Next to her knelt a seventy-four year old man. I looked straight in front of me to see a senior adult lady I've loved dearly for decades praying and wiping tears from her eyes. All across the altar I witnessed people encountering God.
I did not play on people's emotions during the altar call. It was given straight forwardly. All afternoon I argued with God about preaching that message. It did not feel like a revival message. Yet, God moved more in that one service than in all the others. Simply amazing.
Only God could speak to senior adults, young mothers, teenagers, a child, and a pastor all in the same service. I want to imprint that scene in the photo bank of my mind. I don't want to argue with God about what I am to preach. I want to surrender and yield trusting Him to do His work.
There is still a place at the altar for all of us. It is a place of surrender. It is a place of sacrifice. It is a place to come and die to self through the crucified life. [Gal 2:20] It is place to lay your life down as the ultimate act of worship. [Rom 12:1]
With that service the revival meetings ended. Though I still remain open to going back there and continuing the work. Such decisions are out of my hands. I count it an honor to get to minister to such a loving, warm, and hungry group of people this past week. Now, it is on to Alpine TX where I will again minister God's word this weekend with my brother in the Lord, Eric Adcock, who will lead worship.
By the way, God did work in the a/c situation. If you do not know what I am taking about go back and read my blog "God, why didn't You give all the money." Enough has been given now to purchase one new unit. Spring Creek Baptist Church still needs $12,000 to purchase the last two. I will pray until all the money comes in for the glory of God.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
God, Why Didn't You Give All The Money
I preached on prayer last night in our revival meeting from I Kings 17:17-24. In this passage a widow who had taken the prophet Elijah suffered immeasurably as she watched her son get ill then die. I cannot imagine the anguish as she frantically did everything in her power to save her only son. In the end it was out of her control.
Life is like that. While we like to think we are in control the truth is we are not. Many things can happen beyond our control. One phone call could change everything. One visit to the boss can send you to the unemployment line. One routine visit to the doctor can reveal life threatening illness. None of us are really in control.
That poor widow turned her grief against Elijah. Her emotions were raw. She had already suffered the death of her husband and lived through extreme poverty. When she met Elijah she made preparations for her last meal with her son and then prepared to die. She trusted Elijah's counsel and saw miraculous provision. To lose her son on top of all the other seemed a harsh and cruel blow from God.
She welcomed Elijah into her home and gave him a place to sleep. In return she expected continued provision and protection for her and her son. Then her son died. A tragic ending to an already painful life.
Elijah asked her to turn over the dead boy to him. He took him upstairs and cried out to God. The mother taught it was over. Elijah believe dGod could do the impossible, even bring the dead back to life. Many of you are facing impossible situations. Many of you think it is over. It is to late. Elijah did not believe this. He interceded and God listened. He put breath and life back into the boy. He revived that lifeless corpse. Fully recovered, Elijah took the boy downstairs to his mother.
What sometimes looks like a tragic ending just might be a miraculous beginning. Let me say that again. From where you sit and what you see that looks like a tragic ending might be a miraculous beginning. Your painful situations could turn out to be a miracle in the making. Is anything to difficult for God? Read Jeremiah 32:17 and Luke 1:37.
That message did not come easy. I wrestled in prayer a god portion yesterday seeking God's direction for the service that night. Once it came so also did some clear directions about how to direct the invitation.
Once the message was delivered I asked people to get in groups and pray for another. We all face trials and tests. We did not have any music. That beautiful sanctuary was filled with the sounds of the fervent intercessions of God's people. A beautiful sound as burners were lifted to the throne of grace. After a season of praying for one another we changed our prayer focus to praying for the local church.
Then the time came to take the message about God's ability to do anything, to overcome any obstacle, to work miracles from theory and put it into practice. I took a huge step of faith in following God on what happened next. We invited God to do a miracle right before our eyes.
Spring Creek Baptist Church is not a large congregation and to my knowledge not made up of rich people. They face a test. They need to replace five air conditions costing $6,000 each. They have raised enough to replace two of the five. My burden last night was to invite God to do a miracle. I explained the need. I asked people to pray for God to do a miracle. Then I asked them to ask God if they were to give and be a part of the miracle. I explained that God might not lead them to give and they should not feel guilty.
People prayed and then I called the ushers forward to take an offering to replace at least one of the air conditioners. We did not have a large crowd last night. We all knew it would be miracle. While they took up and counted the offering we sang and worshipped. I kept praying for God to do a miracle not to prove Himself. God never has to prove Himself to anyone. I asked God for the miracle to encourage the faith of people in that room.
Pastor, Jase Waller, stepped forward later and announced that over $3,000 had be give that night. People spontaneously celebrated and clapped. All but me. As soon as I heard that number I asked God, "Why didn't you give all the money? They need $3,000 more for just one air conditioner and another $12,000 to replace the other two. I ask you for all the money."
The service ended. People were excited. I kept telling people but we asked God for at least $6,000. God is not finished. I mulled hat over all night. Then it occurred to me that this is still a miracle in the making. So I am taking another step of faith. I am inviting you to be a part of this miracle completed.
Many of you who read this know of Spring Creek Baptist Church in Weatherford, TX. Many more know my friends Jase and Tami Waller. This church has faithfully proclaimed the gospel for 135 years. They are not a large congregation but they are loving. They are generous. They also need a miracle.
Now, to those of you who read these blogs I am happy and blessed to write them for you. I am even more blessed that they are free and accessible to anyone around the world. That means a lot to me because the word of God and Jesus are not for sale to me. I do not minister to pad my pockets. I am not a prophet for profit. Today I am going to ask something of you. Not for myself. I am asking you to be the completion to this miracle story. I am inviting you to join God providing the rest of the $15,000 to replace all the air conditioners at Spring Creek Baptist Church.
Some of you could write a check for the whole amount and never miss it. Some of you would sacrifice greatly to send $50. Brenda and I emptied our pockets last night. We do not have the ability to make up the lacking $15,000 or I assure you we would. We gave sacrificially. I am going to ask you to seek God and ask Him if He wants you to do the same thing I asked those people to do last night. I ask you to plead with God to do a miracle for this church. They need $15,000 so I am asking and believing for every penny to be provided. Would you ask God for that too. Then would you ask God if you are to be involved. Ask God if you are to give to this need and if so how much.
Let me boldly enough to ask you to do two more things. First, would you take the time to contact the pastor, Jase Waller, to tell him if God leads you to give? Even if you do not know him would you email him to let him know what God has prompted you to give. What joy it would bring if the total amount was pledged and could be announced tonight in the revival meeting. Before I post this I am praying for God to complete this miracle and for you as well.
The address for the church is:
Spring Creek Baptist Church
100 Spring Creek Road
Weatherford, TX 76087
Jase Waller's email is: waller5@sbcglobal.net
I believe God is not finished showing Spring Creek Baptist Church His faithfulness and miraculous power to do the impossible. I pray God leads you to help. Please pray about your involvement and contact Jase today so we can celebrate what God does tonight.
Life is like that. While we like to think we are in control the truth is we are not. Many things can happen beyond our control. One phone call could change everything. One visit to the boss can send you to the unemployment line. One routine visit to the doctor can reveal life threatening illness. None of us are really in control.
That poor widow turned her grief against Elijah. Her emotions were raw. She had already suffered the death of her husband and lived through extreme poverty. When she met Elijah she made preparations for her last meal with her son and then prepared to die. She trusted Elijah's counsel and saw miraculous provision. To lose her son on top of all the other seemed a harsh and cruel blow from God.
She welcomed Elijah into her home and gave him a place to sleep. In return she expected continued provision and protection for her and her son. Then her son died. A tragic ending to an already painful life.
Elijah asked her to turn over the dead boy to him. He took him upstairs and cried out to God. The mother taught it was over. Elijah believe dGod could do the impossible, even bring the dead back to life. Many of you are facing impossible situations. Many of you think it is over. It is to late. Elijah did not believe this. He interceded and God listened. He put breath and life back into the boy. He revived that lifeless corpse. Fully recovered, Elijah took the boy downstairs to his mother.
What sometimes looks like a tragic ending just might be a miraculous beginning. Let me say that again. From where you sit and what you see that looks like a tragic ending might be a miraculous beginning. Your painful situations could turn out to be a miracle in the making. Is anything to difficult for God? Read Jeremiah 32:17 and Luke 1:37.
That message did not come easy. I wrestled in prayer a god portion yesterday seeking God's direction for the service that night. Once it came so also did some clear directions about how to direct the invitation.
Once the message was delivered I asked people to get in groups and pray for another. We all face trials and tests. We did not have any music. That beautiful sanctuary was filled with the sounds of the fervent intercessions of God's people. A beautiful sound as burners were lifted to the throne of grace. After a season of praying for one another we changed our prayer focus to praying for the local church.
Then the time came to take the message about God's ability to do anything, to overcome any obstacle, to work miracles from theory and put it into practice. I took a huge step of faith in following God on what happened next. We invited God to do a miracle right before our eyes.
Spring Creek Baptist Church is not a large congregation and to my knowledge not made up of rich people. They face a test. They need to replace five air conditions costing $6,000 each. They have raised enough to replace two of the five. My burden last night was to invite God to do a miracle. I explained the need. I asked people to pray for God to do a miracle. Then I asked them to ask God if they were to give and be a part of the miracle. I explained that God might not lead them to give and they should not feel guilty.
People prayed and then I called the ushers forward to take an offering to replace at least one of the air conditioners. We did not have a large crowd last night. We all knew it would be miracle. While they took up and counted the offering we sang and worshipped. I kept praying for God to do a miracle not to prove Himself. God never has to prove Himself to anyone. I asked God for the miracle to encourage the faith of people in that room.
Pastor, Jase Waller, stepped forward later and announced that over $3,000 had be give that night. People spontaneously celebrated and clapped. All but me. As soon as I heard that number I asked God, "Why didn't you give all the money? They need $3,000 more for just one air conditioner and another $12,000 to replace the other two. I ask you for all the money."
The service ended. People were excited. I kept telling people but we asked God for at least $6,000. God is not finished. I mulled hat over all night. Then it occurred to me that this is still a miracle in the making. So I am taking another step of faith. I am inviting you to be a part of this miracle completed.
Many of you who read this know of Spring Creek Baptist Church in Weatherford, TX. Many more know my friends Jase and Tami Waller. This church has faithfully proclaimed the gospel for 135 years. They are not a large congregation but they are loving. They are generous. They also need a miracle.
Now, to those of you who read these blogs I am happy and blessed to write them for you. I am even more blessed that they are free and accessible to anyone around the world. That means a lot to me because the word of God and Jesus are not for sale to me. I do not minister to pad my pockets. I am not a prophet for profit. Today I am going to ask something of you. Not for myself. I am asking you to be the completion to this miracle story. I am inviting you to join God providing the rest of the $15,000 to replace all the air conditioners at Spring Creek Baptist Church.
Some of you could write a check for the whole amount and never miss it. Some of you would sacrifice greatly to send $50. Brenda and I emptied our pockets last night. We do not have the ability to make up the lacking $15,000 or I assure you we would. We gave sacrificially. I am going to ask you to seek God and ask Him if He wants you to do the same thing I asked those people to do last night. I ask you to plead with God to do a miracle for this church. They need $15,000 so I am asking and believing for every penny to be provided. Would you ask God for that too. Then would you ask God if you are to be involved. Ask God if you are to give to this need and if so how much.
Let me boldly enough to ask you to do two more things. First, would you take the time to contact the pastor, Jase Waller, to tell him if God leads you to give? Even if you do not know him would you email him to let him know what God has prompted you to give. What joy it would bring if the total amount was pledged and could be announced tonight in the revival meeting. Before I post this I am praying for God to complete this miracle and for you as well.
The address for the church is:
Spring Creek Baptist Church
100 Spring Creek Road
Weatherford, TX 76087
Jase Waller's email is: waller5@sbcglobal.net
I believe God is not finished showing Spring Creek Baptist Church His faithfulness and miraculous power to do the impossible. I pray God leads you to help. Please pray about your involvement and contact Jase today so we can celebrate what God does tonight.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
My Favorite Part Of The Meeting Last Night
I preached a revival meeting last night. I never feel more alive and like I am living in my sweet spot than when I am preaching or teaching God's word. In those sacred moments I feel I am doing what I was born to do. God burdened my heart with a message for last night. I prayed all throughout the day for His anointing to deliver it. I pleaded with Him to help people.
During the worship I sat on the front pew with my head bowed buried in my hands begging God to help me. After all these years I know I cannot help anyone. I cannot preach. I cannot produce any miracle. After 32 years of preaching I am still dependent on Him to use me. I have no special gifts or talents. It is all Him. He gives the inspiration and insight for messages. He opens the doors of opportunities to preach them. He empowers the preaching. He applies His words to the needs of the people. I am just a vessel.
So on the front pew last night I pleaded with God to help me again. I felt so inadequate to deliver His word. In those moments, as the last song came to a close, I wanted Sherman to keep singing so I could keep praying for help.
The song did end and I did get up before the congregation. Still unsure as to how to begin I prayed a public prayer asking God for His help. Then it happened. I cannot explain it. Other preachers would know of what I am about to explain. I got locked in. I got in the zone where the hand of God touched me and empowered me to deliver His truth. In those moments I feel I am one with the text of scripture, with the Holy Spirit, and His people listening. I feel like I am living in the text. I feel it. I feel the weight of scripture down in my soul.
I get so locked in those moments I lose track of time and distractions. In those moments I can see God working on people. I can see conviction come or tears gently brushed off cheeks depending on the nature of the message. I can see people being drawn to God.
I live for such moments. After such services I have hared people say, "That was a good sermon." Others comment, "That was a wonderful message. That was meant just for me. That was the right message for today." In each case I try to immediately deflect all the praise and glory back to God. It is Him. He does the work. I am nothing and can nothing without Him.
As much as I felt His hand on me last night, as much as I could see Him ministering to His people, that was not my favorite part of the service. Not even close.
After a closing prayer I stood ready to pray for people and more importantly with people. What a precious privilege to minister to people one on one in such settings. I prayed for one carrying a heavy burden. Then another came and we approached the throne of grace about a need.
Then I saw him sitting alone. He was near the front. Others were doing business with God and he sat in his pew all alone. I know this young man. He is a high school student. I could see his heavy heart. While the rest of the church gathered around their pastor and his wife to pray over them I slipped away to this young man. I laid my hands on his shoulders from behind and bowed to pray close to his ears. This big strong teenager started to weep. Deep pain came flowing out from deep within his soul. Heavy burdens were laid before the throne of grace. I don't know how long I prayed. I do know God allowed me to feel his pain in those moments. When I finished praying I hugged that young man and told him I loved him.
While the rest of the church continued praying for their pastor I sunk into a front row pew to the side. Content. Grateful for such a sweet and tender service. Humbled that God would use me again. Thankful for the opportunity to be His minister.
My favorite part of the service was not the worship songs. It was not the preaching. It was getting to pray with hurting heaven laden people during the invitation. That has always been my favorite part of what God allows me to do.
This is a side few people know about me. I often preach hard calling people to repentance. Brenda says when I preach I do so with my whole body. It is intense. Many times people do not feel they can approach me after such peaching. This breaks my heart. What I long for is God to allow me to minister to people one on one after the preaching. I want to be accessible to people even after the invitation.
Many preachers love to be in the spotlight. They can get on stage and perform. They shine under the bright lights. I rarely even preach on stage. I tried this week to stand behind the pulpit I found myself coming down to the floor where I feel more at home like I am on the same level with the people. When the spotlight is on come preachers shine. They are gifted. They dazzle. They amaze. B
What is disappointing is I have seen some preachers disappear after the sermon and the service. They are no longer available once they step off the stage. They are inaccessible. Especially if they are well known. In my estimation the real work of ministry happens after the message and at times after the service concludes. It is those one on one encounters with people that mean so much to me. It is an honor to enter into people's pain and pray for God to help them. I want to be available to people.
My favorite part of the service the night before did not happen during the worship or during the preaching either. It happened even after the invitation. Many gathered to talk to me after the service ended. I noticed a man standing in the back alone. I could tell he wanted to talk to me but would not do so because of all the others.
I broke away from the fellowship of those around me as soon as I could and approached the young man in the back. He had dark hair and a dark beard. He wore slacks and a sports coat holding a Bible in his hand. I shook his hand and introduced myself. Then he began sharing his heart. He is a young evangelist. He told me his favorite verse is Romans 1:16. He told me God called him to preach when he was only 17. He is now 24. He also told me about different sermons he loves to preach.
I could tell he was special, a little different than most people, but He loved Jesus and He loved God's word. He told me about spending hours and hours studying and reading scripture. I didn't know how often God allowed him to preach.
I felt impressed to pray for Him. I prayed for God to open doors for him to preach and for God to protect him and the call on his life. That little encounter in the back of the church meant more to me that night than the preaching of the sermon.
Those precious encounters make it all more personal. That is what I see modeled in Jesus. He walked slowly through the crowds ministering to those He encountered. He did not get in a hurry. He did not brush off little children, lepers, crippled, blind, demon possessed, or sinful immoral people. He was accessible. He prayed with people. He comforted. He delivered. He healed. He loved. And many of those encounters are captured in the four gospels. Those are the stories I am drawn to.
Getting to be used in those one on one encounters by Jesus to help His people are my favorite part of revival meetings, youth camps, retreats, and the Sunday after Sunday ministry among the sheep I lay my life down to shepherd. So next time, go ahead. No matter how hard I preach go ahead and approach me. I would love to hear your story and pray with you. That will be my favorite part of that ministry opportunity.
During the worship I sat on the front pew with my head bowed buried in my hands begging God to help me. After all these years I know I cannot help anyone. I cannot preach. I cannot produce any miracle. After 32 years of preaching I am still dependent on Him to use me. I have no special gifts or talents. It is all Him. He gives the inspiration and insight for messages. He opens the doors of opportunities to preach them. He empowers the preaching. He applies His words to the needs of the people. I am just a vessel.
So on the front pew last night I pleaded with God to help me again. I felt so inadequate to deliver His word. In those moments, as the last song came to a close, I wanted Sherman to keep singing so I could keep praying for help.
The song did end and I did get up before the congregation. Still unsure as to how to begin I prayed a public prayer asking God for His help. Then it happened. I cannot explain it. Other preachers would know of what I am about to explain. I got locked in. I got in the zone where the hand of God touched me and empowered me to deliver His truth. In those moments I feel I am one with the text of scripture, with the Holy Spirit, and His people listening. I feel like I am living in the text. I feel it. I feel the weight of scripture down in my soul.
I get so locked in those moments I lose track of time and distractions. In those moments I can see God working on people. I can see conviction come or tears gently brushed off cheeks depending on the nature of the message. I can see people being drawn to God.
I live for such moments. After such services I have hared people say, "That was a good sermon." Others comment, "That was a wonderful message. That was meant just for me. That was the right message for today." In each case I try to immediately deflect all the praise and glory back to God. It is Him. He does the work. I am nothing and can nothing without Him.
As much as I felt His hand on me last night, as much as I could see Him ministering to His people, that was not my favorite part of the service. Not even close.
After a closing prayer I stood ready to pray for people and more importantly with people. What a precious privilege to minister to people one on one in such settings. I prayed for one carrying a heavy burden. Then another came and we approached the throne of grace about a need.
Then I saw him sitting alone. He was near the front. Others were doing business with God and he sat in his pew all alone. I know this young man. He is a high school student. I could see his heavy heart. While the rest of the church gathered around their pastor and his wife to pray over them I slipped away to this young man. I laid my hands on his shoulders from behind and bowed to pray close to his ears. This big strong teenager started to weep. Deep pain came flowing out from deep within his soul. Heavy burdens were laid before the throne of grace. I don't know how long I prayed. I do know God allowed me to feel his pain in those moments. When I finished praying I hugged that young man and told him I loved him.
While the rest of the church continued praying for their pastor I sunk into a front row pew to the side. Content. Grateful for such a sweet and tender service. Humbled that God would use me again. Thankful for the opportunity to be His minister.
My favorite part of the service was not the worship songs. It was not the preaching. It was getting to pray with hurting heaven laden people during the invitation. That has always been my favorite part of what God allows me to do.
This is a side few people know about me. I often preach hard calling people to repentance. Brenda says when I preach I do so with my whole body. It is intense. Many times people do not feel they can approach me after such peaching. This breaks my heart. What I long for is God to allow me to minister to people one on one after the preaching. I want to be accessible to people even after the invitation.
Many preachers love to be in the spotlight. They can get on stage and perform. They shine under the bright lights. I rarely even preach on stage. I tried this week to stand behind the pulpit I found myself coming down to the floor where I feel more at home like I am on the same level with the people. When the spotlight is on come preachers shine. They are gifted. They dazzle. They amaze. B
What is disappointing is I have seen some preachers disappear after the sermon and the service. They are no longer available once they step off the stage. They are inaccessible. Especially if they are well known. In my estimation the real work of ministry happens after the message and at times after the service concludes. It is those one on one encounters with people that mean so much to me. It is an honor to enter into people's pain and pray for God to help them. I want to be available to people.
My favorite part of the service the night before did not happen during the worship or during the preaching either. It happened even after the invitation. Many gathered to talk to me after the service ended. I noticed a man standing in the back alone. I could tell he wanted to talk to me but would not do so because of all the others.
I broke away from the fellowship of those around me as soon as I could and approached the young man in the back. He had dark hair and a dark beard. He wore slacks and a sports coat holding a Bible in his hand. I shook his hand and introduced myself. Then he began sharing his heart. He is a young evangelist. He told me his favorite verse is Romans 1:16. He told me God called him to preach when he was only 17. He is now 24. He also told me about different sermons he loves to preach.
I could tell he was special, a little different than most people, but He loved Jesus and He loved God's word. He told me about spending hours and hours studying and reading scripture. I didn't know how often God allowed him to preach.
I felt impressed to pray for Him. I prayed for God to open doors for him to preach and for God to protect him and the call on his life. That little encounter in the back of the church meant more to me that night than the preaching of the sermon.
Those precious encounters make it all more personal. That is what I see modeled in Jesus. He walked slowly through the crowds ministering to those He encountered. He did not get in a hurry. He did not brush off little children, lepers, crippled, blind, demon possessed, or sinful immoral people. He was accessible. He prayed with people. He comforted. He delivered. He healed. He loved. And many of those encounters are captured in the four gospels. Those are the stories I am drawn to.
Getting to be used in those one on one encounters by Jesus to help His people are my favorite part of revival meetings, youth camps, retreats, and the Sunday after Sunday ministry among the sheep I lay my life down to shepherd. So next time, go ahead. No matter how hard I preach go ahead and approach me. I would love to hear your story and pray with you. That will be my favorite part of that ministry opportunity.
Monday, April 17, 2017
Admission of Guilt
For weeks the Holy Spirit has turned the spotlight on inside my heart to reveal sin. Much sin. One by one I have admitted my guilt in private prayers. He has revealed sins committed long ago I had totally forgotten about. Just yesterday He reminded me of something I did over two and a half decades ago and He also showed me what I had to do in order to make it right.
There has been shame. I have been broken. Tears have flowed. Like David I have cried out, "Be gracious to me O God, according to Your lovingkindness. According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For my transgression and my sin is ever before me." [Ps 51:1-3]
Everyone is a sinner. We work really hard to hide our sins from one another. We often pretend to appear more holy than we really are. We hide in the shadows our lives of secret sin fearing ever being truthful and discovered for the frauds we really are. David addressed this issue also in [Ps 51:6] "Behold You desire truth in the innermost being and in the hidden parts You will make me to know wisdom. " Who rally wants to ever tell the truth about what is inside their innermost being?
It is not always easy to admit guilt. O we do a pretty good job about the big things in our lives when we are alone with God. It is when He rally turns up the heat to refine us we struggle. When He starts uncovering sins long ago committed and forgotten. When He requires us to make things right and we have to admit guilt to someone we sinned against this forces us to swallow pride. When we had to admit our guilt publicly we feel ashamed.
It is easy to hide our sins from others. We want people to think the best about us. We want to cover up our flaws and failures. We dress up the outside while covering up the inside. We do the religious things externally while concealing the internal things. God wants to bring those things into the light so as to be forgiven, freed, and delivered.
Yet week after week churches go on with business as usual. Ever so often some scandalous sin made public sends shockwaves up and down the pews . Some can't wait to share the juicy gossip. Some pick up stones through social media and heap condemnation. Others shrink back in fear knowing they are guilty of the same things and hope they are never caught.
Face the facts. Sin is in the church but how many admit their own guilt. In the bride of Christ you can find adultery, homosexuality, alcoholism, pornography, fornication, addiction to drugs, theft, lying, envy, gossip, fits of rage, slander, gluttony, lack of love for Jesus, lukewarmness, apathy, prayerless people, sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
I am not writing that out of theory. Those are actual sins committed by actual people. The masquerade continues. People, good people, saved people, live in private shame and condemnation. Many are in bondage and cannot find a way out. They live in private pain. They fear ever being exposed for the frauds they are.
The constant struggle is there. They love God. They want to do right by Him. They hate their sin. Yet, they fall over and over again. Satan whispers, "You will never be free. You will never be delivered. How could you do such things and you call yourself a Christian. God is mad at you." Such people believe these lies and they lurk in the shadows of secrecy of sin nobody knows about.
Recently during a private Bible study I read a verse that quaked my soul. "Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." [James 5:16] I have quoted this verse thousands of times over the years in my prayers and preaching. Well the truth is I only quoted the last part of the verse. I touted this wonderful promise of prayer while ignoring the first half of it. That early morning God pierced my heart with the truth that we are to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another to be healed. The thought occurred, "When do I ever do that? When do people in the church do that?
I had to admit my guilt. I preferred the masquerade than the truth of my inner being getting exposed. I did not want my sin brought to light before anyone. And then God commanded me to admit my guilt publicly. I confess I wrestled with this nightly. I tried to justify not confessing my trespasses to one another. I rationalized and wrestled with this act of obedience. Finally I knew I had to admit my guilt publicly. I had to surrender and obey God.
It was not pretty. I tried to talk myself out of it numerous times. Like so many other things in my life it was a step of faith. I did not know how people would react. I publicly confessed sins like gluttony, depression, and bitterness. I even had to confess sexual sins I committed in my youth.
After one such admission of guilt on so many fronts in a sermon a lady approached me after the service and said, "I know that could not have been easy." She was right. That admission of guilt took more out of me than I thought. After lunch that day I took a nap and slept for over five hours.
You know what I have discovered since admission of my guilt? A new found freedom. Sins that held me hostage in the past are no longer strangling the spiritual life out of me. I no longer have to wrk in the shadows of secrecy. The masks have come off.
Sure admission of guilt is uncomfortable and leaves you feeling vulnerable. It can also be the path of liberty.
Now, let me say this in conclusion. I am just sharing my experience. You may try to throw condemnation on me but I stand of [Rom 8:1] "There is now, therefore, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus." I have admitted my guilt. I have embraced mercy and grace. Based on 1 John 1:9 and II Corinthians 5:21 I know I have been forgiven and declared righteous. I don't deserve this but I need it and so do you.
I am not asking for anyone to go out in public and share your private pain accumulated through sin. Sins committed in private can be confessed in private. Sins committed in public can be confessed in public. That is not for me to decide for you. That is between you and the Holy Spirit.
I would advise caution at this point. I would never publicly admitted my guilt except God forced me to do this. I did so before a flock that has loved me and prayed for me a very long time. I have done so with trusted friends. I certainly would not advise you do this with just anyone. Let God be your guide at this point.
God required this of me for two reasons. For my deliverance from sins that haunted me for decades. He also required my admission of guilt publicly to show others struggling a way out.
I often think of the line in a hymn that hits close to home. " Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here is my heart Lord, take and seal it for thy courts above."I need Him to keep me from wandering. Admission of guilt is one way to do that.
There has been shame. I have been broken. Tears have flowed. Like David I have cried out, "Be gracious to me O God, according to Your lovingkindness. According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For my transgression and my sin is ever before me." [Ps 51:1-3]
Everyone is a sinner. We work really hard to hide our sins from one another. We often pretend to appear more holy than we really are. We hide in the shadows our lives of secret sin fearing ever being truthful and discovered for the frauds we really are. David addressed this issue also in [Ps 51:6] "Behold You desire truth in the innermost being and in the hidden parts You will make me to know wisdom. " Who rally wants to ever tell the truth about what is inside their innermost being?
It is not always easy to admit guilt. O we do a pretty good job about the big things in our lives when we are alone with God. It is when He rally turns up the heat to refine us we struggle. When He starts uncovering sins long ago committed and forgotten. When He requires us to make things right and we have to admit guilt to someone we sinned against this forces us to swallow pride. When we had to admit our guilt publicly we feel ashamed.
It is easy to hide our sins from others. We want people to think the best about us. We want to cover up our flaws and failures. We dress up the outside while covering up the inside. We do the religious things externally while concealing the internal things. God wants to bring those things into the light so as to be forgiven, freed, and delivered.
Yet week after week churches go on with business as usual. Ever so often some scandalous sin made public sends shockwaves up and down the pews . Some can't wait to share the juicy gossip. Some pick up stones through social media and heap condemnation. Others shrink back in fear knowing they are guilty of the same things and hope they are never caught.
Face the facts. Sin is in the church but how many admit their own guilt. In the bride of Christ you can find adultery, homosexuality, alcoholism, pornography, fornication, addiction to drugs, theft, lying, envy, gossip, fits of rage, slander, gluttony, lack of love for Jesus, lukewarmness, apathy, prayerless people, sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
I am not writing that out of theory. Those are actual sins committed by actual people. The masquerade continues. People, good people, saved people, live in private shame and condemnation. Many are in bondage and cannot find a way out. They live in private pain. They fear ever being exposed for the frauds they are.
The constant struggle is there. They love God. They want to do right by Him. They hate their sin. Yet, they fall over and over again. Satan whispers, "You will never be free. You will never be delivered. How could you do such things and you call yourself a Christian. God is mad at you." Such people believe these lies and they lurk in the shadows of secrecy of sin nobody knows about.
Recently during a private Bible study I read a verse that quaked my soul. "Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." [James 5:16] I have quoted this verse thousands of times over the years in my prayers and preaching. Well the truth is I only quoted the last part of the verse. I touted this wonderful promise of prayer while ignoring the first half of it. That early morning God pierced my heart with the truth that we are to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another to be healed. The thought occurred, "When do I ever do that? When do people in the church do that?
I had to admit my guilt. I preferred the masquerade than the truth of my inner being getting exposed. I did not want my sin brought to light before anyone. And then God commanded me to admit my guilt publicly. I confess I wrestled with this nightly. I tried to justify not confessing my trespasses to one another. I rationalized and wrestled with this act of obedience. Finally I knew I had to admit my guilt publicly. I had to surrender and obey God.
It was not pretty. I tried to talk myself out of it numerous times. Like so many other things in my life it was a step of faith. I did not know how people would react. I publicly confessed sins like gluttony, depression, and bitterness. I even had to confess sexual sins I committed in my youth.
After one such admission of guilt on so many fronts in a sermon a lady approached me after the service and said, "I know that could not have been easy." She was right. That admission of guilt took more out of me than I thought. After lunch that day I took a nap and slept for over five hours.
You know what I have discovered since admission of my guilt? A new found freedom. Sins that held me hostage in the past are no longer strangling the spiritual life out of me. I no longer have to wrk in the shadows of secrecy. The masks have come off.
Sure admission of guilt is uncomfortable and leaves you feeling vulnerable. It can also be the path of liberty.
Now, let me say this in conclusion. I am just sharing my experience. You may try to throw condemnation on me but I stand of [Rom 8:1] "There is now, therefore, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus." I have admitted my guilt. I have embraced mercy and grace. Based on 1 John 1:9 and II Corinthians 5:21 I know I have been forgiven and declared righteous. I don't deserve this but I need it and so do you.
I am not asking for anyone to go out in public and share your private pain accumulated through sin. Sins committed in private can be confessed in private. Sins committed in public can be confessed in public. That is not for me to decide for you. That is between you and the Holy Spirit.
I would advise caution at this point. I would never publicly admitted my guilt except God forced me to do this. I did so before a flock that has loved me and prayed for me a very long time. I have done so with trusted friends. I certainly would not advise you do this with just anyone. Let God be your guide at this point.
God required this of me for two reasons. For my deliverance from sins that haunted me for decades. He also required my admission of guilt publicly to show others struggling a way out.
I often think of the line in a hymn that hits close to home. " Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here is my heart Lord, take and seal it for thy courts above."I need Him to keep me from wandering. Admission of guilt is one way to do that.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Revival Meeting
Later this morning I am driving out of town to start preaching a revival meeting. Most would say they were going to preach a revival. I cannot say that because only God can produce true revival. Only He can breathe life into His people and make them come alive again.
That is my prayer going into Spring Creek Baptist Church this morning. I have a special place in my heart for that church. I served as the youth minister there when Brenda and I first got married. We watched God miraculously grow our student ministry from seven to over forty. There were many who were saved. We look back on those days with fondness.
Decades have passed. The church has spiraled downward in attendance. Brenda and I have also faced our share of adversity and are no longer wet behind the ears newlyweds. . God is allowing us to come together as a minister and a church body again for these revival meetings. It is my prayer God does more than just a few meetings. I have tasted real revival on three separate occasions in the past. I long for that again and especially for Spring Creek.
I know the church has prayed. They have prepared themselves spiritually to receive from God. On my end I have prayed. I have sought the Lord for what He wants to say to His church. I have personally repented of sin. I am locked into what God desires to do for these next days.
I recall the last real revival I was a part of. I have talked much about those 23 days when God visited FBC Seminole in a very special way. I gave myself e to prayer, sermon preparation, and preaching. I recently watched a video from one of those services and was moved to tears. The worship music stirred our souls. How God used Sherman and Tami Aten. I get to wrk with them again this week. God also used Sean Decker. I recall the unbridled joy we all felt when Jase Waller began many of those revival services baptizing people. God used the testimonies of several individuals during those days. Many responded in the invitations for salvation, rededication, and repentance of sin. I had forgotten many of the details of those revival meetings. I did not take those days for granted and I long to see God work that way again.
Now I find myself praying, "Do it again Lord. Do it again." How I wish God would come fill those people with the weight of His presence and that old country sanctuary with His glory. We do not need more religious songs and more religious sermons. We desire nothing less than a fresh visitation from God.
It is 3:41 a.m. I cannot sleep in anticipation of what God will do later this morning and week. All night I have tossed and turned. I have prayed and prayed. I am all in for these revival meetings.
I do not have a bag of revival gimmicks. I know full well I cannot produce revival nor can I program it. Only God chooses to send revival. I have tasted the real thing. I know the difference between a revival meeting and the genuine thing. I want real revival.
I nave said it many times. I have preached it many times. I have written it many times. REVIVAL IS COSTLY.
Am I willing to pay the price in prayer and preaching for as long as God wants to pour out His Spirit? Am I willing to keep driving to Weahterford, TX for as many days as God chooses? Are the people of Spring Creek willing to rearrange their lives for weeks on end if God chooses to really show up in power? True revival does not come cheap. I pray we are all willing to pray the price.
I long for more than just revival meetings. I long for a fresh out pouring of the Spirit, power, refreshing, and cleansing work of God. I bow in submission to His will. I bow in submission to His heart and desire for the flock at Spring Creek. May His will be done in these revival meetings.
That is my prayer going into Spring Creek Baptist Church this morning. I have a special place in my heart for that church. I served as the youth minister there when Brenda and I first got married. We watched God miraculously grow our student ministry from seven to over forty. There were many who were saved. We look back on those days with fondness.
Decades have passed. The church has spiraled downward in attendance. Brenda and I have also faced our share of adversity and are no longer wet behind the ears newlyweds. . God is allowing us to come together as a minister and a church body again for these revival meetings. It is my prayer God does more than just a few meetings. I have tasted real revival on three separate occasions in the past. I long for that again and especially for Spring Creek.
I know the church has prayed. They have prepared themselves spiritually to receive from God. On my end I have prayed. I have sought the Lord for what He wants to say to His church. I have personally repented of sin. I am locked into what God desires to do for these next days.
I recall the last real revival I was a part of. I have talked much about those 23 days when God visited FBC Seminole in a very special way. I gave myself e to prayer, sermon preparation, and preaching. I recently watched a video from one of those services and was moved to tears. The worship music stirred our souls. How God used Sherman and Tami Aten. I get to wrk with them again this week. God also used Sean Decker. I recall the unbridled joy we all felt when Jase Waller began many of those revival services baptizing people. God used the testimonies of several individuals during those days. Many responded in the invitations for salvation, rededication, and repentance of sin. I had forgotten many of the details of those revival meetings. I did not take those days for granted and I long to see God work that way again.
Now I find myself praying, "Do it again Lord. Do it again." How I wish God would come fill those people with the weight of His presence and that old country sanctuary with His glory. We do not need more religious songs and more religious sermons. We desire nothing less than a fresh visitation from God.
It is 3:41 a.m. I cannot sleep in anticipation of what God will do later this morning and week. All night I have tossed and turned. I have prayed and prayed. I am all in for these revival meetings.
I do not have a bag of revival gimmicks. I know full well I cannot produce revival nor can I program it. Only God chooses to send revival. I have tasted the real thing. I know the difference between a revival meeting and the genuine thing. I want real revival.
I nave said it many times. I have preached it many times. I have written it many times. REVIVAL IS COSTLY.
Am I willing to pay the price in prayer and preaching for as long as God wants to pour out His Spirit? Am I willing to keep driving to Weahterford, TX for as many days as God chooses? Are the people of Spring Creek willing to rearrange their lives for weeks on end if God chooses to really show up in power? True revival does not come cheap. I pray we are all willing to pray the price.
I long for more than just revival meetings. I long for a fresh out pouring of the Spirit, power, refreshing, and cleansing work of God. I bow in submission to His will. I bow in submission to His heart and desire for the flock at Spring Creek. May His will be done in these revival meetings.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Abandoned To The Will Of God
A true follower of Jesus will be concerned with knowing and following the will of God. I believe God has plans and He chooses to involve us in those plans. As we walk with Him it is imperative that we discover His plans and join Him in them.
Every plan of God does not have a happy ending. History is filled with the stories of and the ground is stained with the blood of martyrs. Many have suffered mightily for doing the will of God. This is clearly evident if you read the entire 11th chapter of Hebrews.
Now here is the truth. You and I are to live abandoned to the will of God no matter where it leads or what it costs. To live abandoned means to live uninhibited and unrestrained. It means not resisting or holding back. It means giving yourself fully to our Father's sovereign plan.
What if you do not know the plan? What if you have asked and sought but the plan has not been revealed to you? You abandon yourself to God by making yourself available to do whatever He calls you to do. That might mean getting stretched. It might include leaving your comfort zone. It might even involve leaving family and friends in obedience to God's will. That plan might include severe testing and trials along the way. It might even include some sorrows.
Abraham knew some of these as he submitted to following God to an unknown place. [Heb 11:8] Paul certainly experienced these things especially as he followed God's will back to Jerusalem knowing chains and afflictions awaited him.
He responded saying he did not count his life as dear to himself. [Acts 20:24] He committed himself to following the course laid out for him to testify about God's grace. Paul was arrested. Down the road he was transported to several other places and eventually Rome. He did testify about Jesus. Eventually he was martyred.
While we concern ourselves with who we should marry, what career we should pursue, where we should live, and worship God is more concerned with our complete abandonment and availability to Him on all fronts. He wants us abounded as children, teenagers, young adults, middle aged, and as senior adults. He wants all of us for all of our days. Like a coach one said I can also hear Jesus saying, "All I want is all you got."
Can you say today you are abandoned to the will of God? Do you really want to follow Him? As I type this I cannot think of a time I felt more abandoned to the will of God and yet less sure where God is taking me. All I know to do is live abandoned day in and day out. This past week that meant leading a group of students at Faith Community through a Disciple Now weekend. In a week I will preach a revival meeting at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Weatherford, TX and then after that make a trip to preach at FBC Alpine in west Texas. Who knows but Him all the things that will happen along the way. He alone knows where and how He will lead any of us six months from now, a year, or even a decade.
Suddenly doors have opened for me to travel and preach all over Texas. Just before I sat down to write this I received another invitation to preach a revival meeting in east Texas. What does it all mean. I have not had this many invitations to travel in preach in years. Many think I should do that full time. I have served Faith Community Church for five and a half years. It is the longest place I ever served in one place. After all our labors the church is still small and the finances are unstable. The spirit is sweet and the people love one another. We have seen the recent addition of a few families. What does it mean?
It means I must trust in God. It means I live abandoned to Him and what He wants. My plans are irrelevant. My desires for comfort and security are not a clear indication I am walking out His will. All that matters is that I hear from Him and follow Him just as you are to do.
So I find myself in the place of abandonment. Not my will but His will be done. Not your will but His will be obeyed. Whether HIs will means to stay or go we must be abounded. If He commands us to wait or to take action we must be abandoned. Whether He calls us to plant deep roots or to uproot we must obey. N matter if He chooses to lead us into abundance or to seasons of sacrifice we must follow with a whole heart.
After five decades on planet earth one thing I can say with certainty. I don't always know what God wills or where He will lead next. It has made life adventurous. I have also discovered God is faithful. I cling to that truth as I seek to be abandoned to His will.
Every plan of God does not have a happy ending. History is filled with the stories of and the ground is stained with the blood of martyrs. Many have suffered mightily for doing the will of God. This is clearly evident if you read the entire 11th chapter of Hebrews.
Now here is the truth. You and I are to live abandoned to the will of God no matter where it leads or what it costs. To live abandoned means to live uninhibited and unrestrained. It means not resisting or holding back. It means giving yourself fully to our Father's sovereign plan.
What if you do not know the plan? What if you have asked and sought but the plan has not been revealed to you? You abandon yourself to God by making yourself available to do whatever He calls you to do. That might mean getting stretched. It might include leaving your comfort zone. It might even involve leaving family and friends in obedience to God's will. That plan might include severe testing and trials along the way. It might even include some sorrows.
Abraham knew some of these as he submitted to following God to an unknown place. [Heb 11:8] Paul certainly experienced these things especially as he followed God's will back to Jerusalem knowing chains and afflictions awaited him.
He responded saying he did not count his life as dear to himself. [Acts 20:24] He committed himself to following the course laid out for him to testify about God's grace. Paul was arrested. Down the road he was transported to several other places and eventually Rome. He did testify about Jesus. Eventually he was martyred.
While we concern ourselves with who we should marry, what career we should pursue, where we should live, and worship God is more concerned with our complete abandonment and availability to Him on all fronts. He wants us abounded as children, teenagers, young adults, middle aged, and as senior adults. He wants all of us for all of our days. Like a coach one said I can also hear Jesus saying, "All I want is all you got."
Can you say today you are abandoned to the will of God? Do you really want to follow Him? As I type this I cannot think of a time I felt more abandoned to the will of God and yet less sure where God is taking me. All I know to do is live abandoned day in and day out. This past week that meant leading a group of students at Faith Community through a Disciple Now weekend. In a week I will preach a revival meeting at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Weatherford, TX and then after that make a trip to preach at FBC Alpine in west Texas. Who knows but Him all the things that will happen along the way. He alone knows where and how He will lead any of us six months from now, a year, or even a decade.
Suddenly doors have opened for me to travel and preach all over Texas. Just before I sat down to write this I received another invitation to preach a revival meeting in east Texas. What does it all mean. I have not had this many invitations to travel in preach in years. Many think I should do that full time. I have served Faith Community Church for five and a half years. It is the longest place I ever served in one place. After all our labors the church is still small and the finances are unstable. The spirit is sweet and the people love one another. We have seen the recent addition of a few families. What does it mean?
It means I must trust in God. It means I live abandoned to Him and what He wants. My plans are irrelevant. My desires for comfort and security are not a clear indication I am walking out His will. All that matters is that I hear from Him and follow Him just as you are to do.
So I find myself in the place of abandonment. Not my will but His will be done. Not your will but His will be obeyed. Whether HIs will means to stay or go we must be abounded. If He commands us to wait or to take action we must be abandoned. Whether He calls us to plant deep roots or to uproot we must obey. N matter if He chooses to lead us into abundance or to seasons of sacrifice we must follow with a whole heart.
After five decades on planet earth one thing I can say with certainty. I don't always know what God wills or where He will lead next. It has made life adventurous. I have also discovered God is faithful. I cling to that truth as I seek to be abandoned to His will.
Monday, April 10, 2017
I See Greatness In You
In junior high I was a pudgy little kid trying to make it as a football player. I was not the fastest, strongest, or most talented. All I had was a dream to play, determination, and a work ethic.
I worked out all the time. I got my first weight set when I was a sixth grader. I often got up early in the morning before school to heave those plastic covered cement weights. Many times I got up early to run before school in the heat and the cold.
My heart sunk in ninth grade when I could not earn a starting role. I practiced hard. I gave extra effort. I sat on the bench all that year. I hated it. I felt like giving up. I definitely lost all self confidence. Sitting on the bench embarrassed me. I also felt like a failure to my grandfather. I wanted to please him more than any person in the world because he been such a great athlete. He died before my tenth grade season. That painful memory still haunts me.
One day Coach Bell pulled me aside. He played college football before coaching. He was a follower of Jesus. I looked up to him. He pulled me aside during that season I sat on the bench and told me he saw greatness in me. He told me he thought I could play in college even though I could not get on the field as a ninth grader. Why did he do that? How could he see greatness in a pudgy little insecure bench warmer.
At the end of the year he signed my athletic award plague. I no longer have it but wish I did because I would love to read what he had to say. He left to coach somewhere else the next year and I never saw him again. His impression still weighs deep on me.
Fast forward 35 years. Last week I ministered in Fairfield, TX to a group of students. No longer an athlete, I am just a heavy set loud preacher.
Before our youth meeting I watched a group of students playing football. I quickly sized up the talent on the field. That is when I noticed him. It was like I was looking at a picture of me back in junior high minus the glasses.
The little boy wore a Houston Texan football jersey. He was short and pudgy like me. He ran hard but not fast. Every play he ran his route as fast as he could but I never saw anyone throw him a pass. That did not deter him. He still ran with all his might. He gave full effort on defense though he could not keep up with the other guys.
I noticed him again when we all assembled for the start of the meeting. He sat alone. He kept the ball in his hand. Tossing it up and catching it again. I could not take my eyes off him. Suddenly I felt deeply impressed I was to walk up to tell him what Coach Bell had told me, "I see greatness in you and so does God."
I approached him but then the service started and he started singing. I asked God to give me the opportunity later. I forgot about the matter and devoted my attention to preaching.
It was a powerful night. God moved. God spoke. Once the service ended I saw that young boy again with ball in hand. I learned latter he sleeps with a football each night. I used to do the same.
I caught him in the hall way. He seemed surprised I wanted to talk to him and the look on his face indicated he thought he was in trouble. He told me his name was Isaac. I simply told him, "I feel impressed to tell you I see greatness in you and so does God. Even if you don't feel like you are great God put greatness in you." He looked shocked.
That was it. I turned to leave. In hindsight I wish I had prayed with him but it never crossed my mind at the moment. I did pray God would plant those words deep in him like God did to me with Coach Bell.
Lord willing I hope to see Isaac again. I have been invited to preach the winter camp for his church next January. I hope he will be there.
Here is the point. I thank God for putting Coach Bell in my life. I don't know how he saw greatness in me. I recall that many times thinking about what Coach told me so long ago. I did get to play in college. I never played great but I did get to live out a dream.
My dream now is to be an effective pastor, preacher, and writer. I don' t feel great a lot of times. But I do serve a great God who resides in me.
Encouraging people is a great blessing. Many have encouraged me over the years as a preacher and writer. I thank God for those people. We are all used to hearing criticisms. We are not near as used to hearing encouragement. It is needed. Who needs your encouragement?
So child of God listen. I don't know your circumstances. I do not even know your age. I do not know what you do, what your talents are, and what passions fuel your steps. I do know this. There is a loving God who went to great lengths to design and create you. He made you unique. He also put greatness in you because you have been created in His image and He is great.
I worked out all the time. I got my first weight set when I was a sixth grader. I often got up early in the morning before school to heave those plastic covered cement weights. Many times I got up early to run before school in the heat and the cold.
My heart sunk in ninth grade when I could not earn a starting role. I practiced hard. I gave extra effort. I sat on the bench all that year. I hated it. I felt like giving up. I definitely lost all self confidence. Sitting on the bench embarrassed me. I also felt like a failure to my grandfather. I wanted to please him more than any person in the world because he been such a great athlete. He died before my tenth grade season. That painful memory still haunts me.
One day Coach Bell pulled me aside. He played college football before coaching. He was a follower of Jesus. I looked up to him. He pulled me aside during that season I sat on the bench and told me he saw greatness in me. He told me he thought I could play in college even though I could not get on the field as a ninth grader. Why did he do that? How could he see greatness in a pudgy little insecure bench warmer.
At the end of the year he signed my athletic award plague. I no longer have it but wish I did because I would love to read what he had to say. He left to coach somewhere else the next year and I never saw him again. His impression still weighs deep on me.
Fast forward 35 years. Last week I ministered in Fairfield, TX to a group of students. No longer an athlete, I am just a heavy set loud preacher.
Before our youth meeting I watched a group of students playing football. I quickly sized up the talent on the field. That is when I noticed him. It was like I was looking at a picture of me back in junior high minus the glasses.
The little boy wore a Houston Texan football jersey. He was short and pudgy like me. He ran hard but not fast. Every play he ran his route as fast as he could but I never saw anyone throw him a pass. That did not deter him. He still ran with all his might. He gave full effort on defense though he could not keep up with the other guys.
I noticed him again when we all assembled for the start of the meeting. He sat alone. He kept the ball in his hand. Tossing it up and catching it again. I could not take my eyes off him. Suddenly I felt deeply impressed I was to walk up to tell him what Coach Bell had told me, "I see greatness in you and so does God."
I approached him but then the service started and he started singing. I asked God to give me the opportunity later. I forgot about the matter and devoted my attention to preaching.
It was a powerful night. God moved. God spoke. Once the service ended I saw that young boy again with ball in hand. I learned latter he sleeps with a football each night. I used to do the same.
I caught him in the hall way. He seemed surprised I wanted to talk to him and the look on his face indicated he thought he was in trouble. He told me his name was Isaac. I simply told him, "I feel impressed to tell you I see greatness in you and so does God. Even if you don't feel like you are great God put greatness in you." He looked shocked.
That was it. I turned to leave. In hindsight I wish I had prayed with him but it never crossed my mind at the moment. I did pray God would plant those words deep in him like God did to me with Coach Bell.
Lord willing I hope to see Isaac again. I have been invited to preach the winter camp for his church next January. I hope he will be there.
Here is the point. I thank God for putting Coach Bell in my life. I don't know how he saw greatness in me. I recall that many times thinking about what Coach told me so long ago. I did get to play in college. I never played great but I did get to live out a dream.
My dream now is to be an effective pastor, preacher, and writer. I don' t feel great a lot of times. But I do serve a great God who resides in me.
Encouraging people is a great blessing. Many have encouraged me over the years as a preacher and writer. I thank God for those people. We are all used to hearing criticisms. We are not near as used to hearing encouragement. It is needed. Who needs your encouragement?
So child of God listen. I don't know your circumstances. I do not even know your age. I do not know what you do, what your talents are, and what passions fuel your steps. I do know this. There is a loving God who went to great lengths to design and create you. He made you unique. He also put greatness in you because you have been created in His image and He is great.
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