Independence Day

Last night I enjoyed one of those surreal moments you would think originated in a Hollywood movie. Three families went out to eat after church and we decided to travel to a neighboring town to watch fireworks in a football stadium since it was July 4^th.

The wind blew gently creating a cool evening for us to enjoy the brilliant display of fireworks. Brenda sat to my left and a four- year old boy sat to my right. Patriotic music played in the background as the fireworks lit up the night sky.

I chuckled when I saw the four-year old boy’s face wide eyed with wonder. He had the biggest grin on his face. Each new boom and radiant display brought him new levels of delight. He thrilled with giggles, squeals, and laughter. I honestly do not know which I enjoyed more; him or the fireworks.

The thunderous booms scared Turner who had run off to sit at the top of the stands to view the show. He came scurrying into my lap where he spent the rest of the evening arms wrapped around my neck and head buried in my chest. In that moment I felt as contented as I have ever been simply enjoying my family, friends, the blessings of God, and being a patriot. As the wind blew across my cheeks I sat back and relished the moment. I wanted to drink it all in. Life does not get much better than what I enjoyed last night.

We laughed a great deal together on the drive to the show and laughed without stopping on the way home. The evening played out perfectly. We celebrated our veterans. We sang the Star Spangled Banner. They even played the old song, “I’m Proud to be an American.” My chest swelled with pride as I listened and began to sing along.

On top of all that I reveled in the remembrance that twenty –five years ago last night I surrendered my life to preach at a youth camp in east Texas. The whole evening felt scripted. For days on end it rained in Seminole. The rain stopped on Sunday allowing us to enjoy the show in perfect weather conditions.

Last night I enjoyed one of those experiences that lasts a lifetime. We are a blessed people. God blessed us with freedom but some take it for granted. Last night and today I have not. I am humbled and grateful the Lord allowed me to be born in this country. I am thankful for freedom. I blessed with Brenda and the boys. I am privileged to pastor a great church. I enjoyed a July 4^th tradition with family and new friends while thinking about my old friends in Paradise and the annual Clayton July 4^th celebration and fireworks show. I will not soon forget the Independence Day of 2010. I hope you enjoyed yours too.

Soul Agony

The worship services this past week at Beach Camp were intense. I sensed the presence of the Lord powerfully. I preached my soul out. It had been soul agonizing days. Seldom have I ever felt more inadequate to preach than I have at that camp. Messages did not come easy.

I wrestled with the Lord about what to preach every night. The day before I had no clarity until around 5:30 p.m. Yesterday, I had no direction at all for the message until 4:30 p.m. and it went in a direction I would have never predicted before the start of camp. I never know what He wants me to preach. At times I feel stressed but God always reveals what He wants preached in the nick of time

People have no idea how I agonized with the Lord in prayer to hear the messages He wanted for those students. It was spiritually exhausting but worth it all when I saw those students on the edge of their seats hearing the word of the Lord. Hours I wrestled with God crying out for His heart for each night. When each service ended and students began filing out there was no silly chatter. The students were silent, deep in thought, some under conviction, and all a little dazed from the evenings. God met with us and spoke to us at camp.

I left the worship center to come back to my room. The battle for the souls of the students dropped me to my knees to pray next to my bed for them while they were debriefing the evening in their small groups. I agonized over tbose students wrestling with matters of eternity. I later learned several were saved.

I agonized over every message. The Lord alone knows the time I spent in my room during camp crying out to Him for His word for the students and for Him to move. In many ways it was the most difficult camp I ever preached. It was difficult trying to hear from the Lord and pleading with Him to move powerfully. I did not get direction before camp started and persevered to hear from Him while at camp.

One night in the middle of the service tears came to my eyes as the pain of the students hit me forcefully. I kept thinking of all they have to endure and I kept crying out on the inside, “It’s not fair!” This gave me greater motivation and passion to deliver the word of the Lord. The difficulty ended each night as I mounted the platform and opened the word of the Lord to those students. I preached my heart out. I left contented each night that I had preached exactly what the Lord wanted preached.

This is why I prayed after the last night of camp for God to keep opening doors for me to preach other camps as long as he gives me breath. My soul aches for this generation of students who are confused, broken, wounded, and many without hope. They know I love them and I care but I do not preach easy messages. I preach what God gives me.

I cannot say it is easy or enjoyable to live with your soul in agony with God’s burden. I can say it is necessary. It is necessary so that I do not drift into a cold, callused hearted preacher who no longer feels. I never want to quit feeling.

As I finish this I am back in Seminole. It is Sunday morning and I have been up for an hour and a half finishing the message for this morning. My soul again hurts for the people God has entrusted to me. I ache for them. Many of them are hurting. Many are heavy laden. I come today to offer them the hope of God’s word. I love these people. I am more than their preacher. I am their pastor and as a result I care about their wellbeing. Whey they hurt I hurt. When they endure trials I agonize with them.

Lord, thank you for the agony in my soul. Thank you for allowing me to feel what moves your heart. Thank you for using me to communicate your truth to people who are afflicted and distressed. Thank you for allowing me to preach at camp this past week and behind the pulpit at FBC Seminole. Thank you for allowing me to hear from you so I can communicate your heart to those who need to hear it. May you empower me to do so again today.

Day Thirteen "The Arrogance of Knowledge"

“…Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” [I Cor. 8:1b]

We live in an educated society. We place a premium on a good education. The old saying goes, “Knowledge is power.” This is not necessarily the case in the church. There are many Christians who have devoted their lives to studying the scriptures. Through disciplined studies they have become Bible scholars. This is good only if, with this knowledge of the mind in knowing the scriptures, comes a heart to know the God of the scriptures.

I never knew that people could make the study of the Bible so cold and boring. This is what I encountered in many of my Bible classes in college. I sat at the feet of learned professors but some of them did not have fire in their souls. They may have had knowledge but this did not translate into burning in their hearts. Truth be known, some of these professors carried an air of arrogance and superiority.

Knowledge can make us arrogant. In your life does that describe you? Do you know a lot about the Bible but know very little of the God of the Bible? Do you walk around self-satisfied with your mastery of Biblical themes and yet have no heat in your soul. Do you look down on others as inferior in their Bible knowledge? If this describes your attitude you need to stop what you are doing and repent.

Knowledge can be wonderful in the church when accompanied with the heat of love for Christ and other people. [Matt. 22:37-38] In no way am I advocating less study of the scriptures. I am simply stating that if that is all we do it will not produce a revived life or church.

Think about it. We have endless sermons, Bible Studies, Bible Conferences, and study tools. Have any of these things produced revival? Revival is born out of hearts set ablaze and hungry for more of Him. This will not come when hearts arrogantly think they know it all. No man or woman has ever discovered all there is to discover about God. No person past or present has ever plunged the depths of scripture to study and gathered all the knowledge that can be gathered. There is no room for arrogance. We should prostrate ourselves in His presence repenting of thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought.

There is a knowledge of the holy. Do we dare to venture there? Do we dare go past the knowledge in our minds and pursue knowledge of experience in encounters with the living God? This is the kind of knowledge we need more of but is so sorely missing in far too many lives. Let us pursue knowledge but let us do so with the desire to pursue fresh encounters with the Lord as well. When we have feasted on both, let us prostrate ourselves in humility before God and people adopting the attitude of John the Baptist who said, “He must increase and I must decrease.” [Jn. 3:30]

Steps to Revival

1. Do you have areas of arrogance in your life? What are they?

2. In what ways have you acted superior to other people?

3. What evidence of humility can be found in your life?

4. Do you love God more than knowledge? Are you content to know about Him rather than to know Him?

5. In what tangible ways is your love for God translating into edifying people?

Day Twelve "Life on Fire"

“They said to one another, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us.” [Luke 24:32]

To have a life on fire you have to walk with Jesus day in and day out. It is that simple. Did you catch the testimony of Cleopas and his companion? When Jesus joined their journey and conversation they commented that their hearts burned within them.

The word “burn” can be defined as to set on fire, kindle, and consume. When we take the time to really walk with the Lord He sets our hearts and lives on fire. This results in a flaming soul that is consumed with knowing Him and making Him known to others.

We cannot shortcut our walk with the Lord. Many do and it does not work. How many professing Christians are hollow on the inside? They may go through all the external motions of worship and service but there is no flame on the inside. Again I say you cannot shortcut a personal walk with the Lord if you want to have a life on fire.

The fellowship of burning hearts occurs when a congregation habitually walks with the Lord and allows Him to reveal the truth of Scriptures in their hearts and minds. When Christ reveals Himself and His purposes to a group of people who make walking with Him a high priority, lives will be set aflame.

This is so simple and yet the implications are so profound. A life set on fire needs the daily fuel of walking with the Lord. I am writing this in an isolated cabin located near Palestine, TX. I love this place. I come here two or three times a year to pray, soak up God, and to saturate my mind and heart in scripture and prayer. These days are the highlight of my year spiritually. I am not distracted by television. I am totally alone for hours on end which allows me to give myself to extended times with the Lord. I will be here for two and a half more days.

No matter what I experience here I cannot go back to Seminole on Friday and rest on the experiences here. I have to continue to walk with the Lord day in and day out over the course of a lifetime if I want to have a life on fire. What concerns me equally is ever becoming a cold hearted and dry-eyed preacher. My only hope is to keep walking and talking with the Lord.

I enjoyed my time with the Lord this morning. We enjoyed a beautiful sunrise together. I poured out my soul to Him. I interceded for the church and for our community. I prayed over this book and asked for His inspiration, anointing, and strength to write and make the most of my time in this prayer cabin. Above all that I enjoy my time with Him here. I sit and listen for His voice and relish in the times He reveals the truth of scripture to me. Walking with the Lord is the key to living a life on fire. There are no shortcuts.

Steps to Revival

1. How would describe your walk with the Lord? Is this something you do consistently?

2. When was the last time you had an unhurried time with the Lord?

3. What things do you desperately need to converse with Jesus about today? Take that time to do so now.

4. Set aside some time to go on a prayer walk with the Lord. You may do it around your neighborhood, at a park, or out in the countryside somewhere. Take this time to enjoy the Lord and have Him speak to you.

Day Eleven "A Burning Heart"

“I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” [Revelation 3:15-16]

Why is it that so many Christians are apathetic? How have so many become lukewarm in their faith and not maintained burning hearts. One writer of old talked about the fellowship of the burning hearts. Where is such a fellowship in the average church? Are there burning hearts in the pews? The bigger question for us today is whether our heart burns for God within us?

It would be easy to justify being lukewarm in our hearts if it were not for this scripture. Imagine the horrific picture of Christ spewing out lukewarm religion from His mouth. That is not the picture I want for my life or for the church. I want to burn in my soul for the Lord and to pastor a church with hearts that are set ablaze for Him.

I think one of the reasons we become lukewarm is because we do not take the time to linger in the fire of His presence. If you and I were to go camping and start a fire and then go to bed, it would be foolish to get up the next morning and to try to warm ourselves by the ashes. If we found embers we could stir them and get a fire going again but it would not last long without more fuel being added. We would have to find some fresh firewood to keep the fire going.

Many Christians have become lukewarm or cold in the faith because the fire went out a long time ago and they did not put more fuel on the fire. Worship experiences of yesterday will not suffice for today. We must have the fresh fuel of private worship day in and day out if we are to burn and boil for the Lord.

This is not new but it is tragic how many in the church today are still trying to warm themselves beside the ashes of yesterday’s fires. For many even the embers have died as well. “O God, I plead with You to blow across the ashes of our lives and rekindle Your flame within our souls. I plead with You, blow across those embers until they ignite and cause us to burn for You once again. Please allow the fuel of Your word and prayer to add more intensity to the flame in our souls. May our private worship enhance the heat and fervor of our corporate worship”.

Steps to Revival

1. What is the condition of your soul? Are you burning, cold, or lukewarm?

2. Are you trying to warm yourself beside the ashes of past experiences?

3. If you are not burning spend some time asking the Lord to fan the flames of your heart.

4. What new fuel do you need to keep the fire burning in your heart?

Day Ten "Satisfied with God's Likeness"

“As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.” [Ps. 17:15]

To behold something is to gaze upon it, contemplate it, and get a vision of it. You might do this with a piece of art. It might be a stunning nature scene. You can even behold beautiful people by staring or gazing awkwardly.

When did you last linger in the presence of God to behold Him? Have you ever stayed in His presence to gaze upon Him in your secret room? [Matt 6:6] Have you ever caught a fresh vision of Him in the sanctuary as you beheld His glory and power? [Ps 63:2]

We do too little beholding and gazing. When we do, we too will discover a satisfaction that cannot be equaled or rivaled. Being satisfied means being filled, to have enough, to be given plenty, and to suffice. That is what God does for the soul that is hungry and thirsty for Him. God is the source of plenty, enough, and the source that fills the deepest cravings of our souls.

Do you know what happens when we behold Him long enough? We become like Him. We are shaped in His image. We become the similitude of Him in everyday life. Our heart becomes like His heart. Our words become like His words. Our love is deepened like His love. When people see us they see a reflection of our God. That is how it is supposed to work.

Since we so often foolishly quit seeking Him and chase after the fleeting pleasures of this world, we begin to look like the world and we become shaped in the image of the world. Here is the crazy thing. The world and all it offers never satisfies. It only leaves us hungry for more and more. We never get filled, we never have enough, and instead of plenty our souls are left wanting.

It is time to redirect the focus of our gaze. What is it that has captured your gaze? I ask you to contemplate the spiritual implications of what you are beholding. Is it satisfying? Is it making you more like Christ? If not, today is the day to direct your gaze on Him who alone can satisfy and make us in His likeness.

Steps to Revival

1. What are you spending your time beholding? If there is more than one make a list.

2. Are these things satisfying you or leaving you wanting more?

3. Do you feel you are living in the likeness of Christ?

4. Since God alone can satisfy will you take time to behold him today, to gaze upon Him and contemplate Him?

5. Ask God to satisfy your soul in Him and to make you in His likeness.

Day Nine "Fullness of Joy"

“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.” [Ps. 16:11]

One Christmas as a little boy a burning desire consumed my thoughts and heart. I wanted a “Mr. Quarterback.” Mr. Quarterback was a machine with a mechanical arm that would launch a football pass. I could rarely get people to play catch with me and Mr. Quarterback was the answer to my problem.

I could barely sleep Christmas Eve. Around 2:30 a.m. I could not stand it. I threw the covers off to see what I could find under the Christmas tree. There it was shining in green glory. Mr. Quarterback. I could hardly contain myself. It was too dark to go outside but I had to try it out.

As quite as I could I pulled the mechanical arm back without reading the instructions. I pulled it too hard. My mother told me she awoke to these heart wrenching words from my mouth, “Oh no! I broke it.” I never did get a pass from my dream gift. It never worked.

Life is filled with such disappointments. Not with God. The Psalmist testifies that in the presence of God is fullness of joy. The word “fullness” means plenty, or excess. The word “joy” can be defined as meaning gladness, delight, and extreme pleasure. Let’s put all of that together. In the presence of God a person can find plentiful excess of gladness, delight, and extreme pleasure. WOW! That’s what people are looking for. They are looking in the wrong places. God says the source of that gladness and delight is in HIM! We spend years looking everywhere under the sun but never lifting our gaze to Him.

He is not through though. In the bottom part of that verse it says, “In your right hand there are pleasures forever.” The word “pleasures” means surpassing beauty, endless delight, and lovely. This echoes the recurring theme over the past several days. Seeking God produces in us pleasures, delights, joy, and plentiful excess of all the aforementioned. Sadly few take Him up on this offer.

My challenge for all of us is to find out if this is true. Let us give ourselves over to this pursuit of God and remain in His presence and see what happens as results. What do we have to lose? We have everything to gain.

Steps to Revival

1. Will you pursue God with a new passion through reading scripture, prayer and worship?

2. Do you believe God is the ultimate source of joy and gladness?

3. If you truly desire pleasure, why not go after that pleasure in God?