Help I’ve fallen and can’t get up.

In reading this passage in John 5 all I can hear is “help I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” There have been numerous times I can remember when I had fallen down and needed some help getting up. Some of the most funniest times was when I was walking to the front door from the grocery store and right when I got out of the car I got a crazy painful cramp in my leg. I immediately fell on the ground, my wife was inside and I was calling out for help. Because I was outside she couldn’t hear me,(go figure lol) so I began to crawl to the front door in excruciating pain. When she opened the door I said please help me up I can’t walk. 

What would’ve happened if she wasn’t there? That’s the question.

John 5:1-15 

In Jerusalem there was a pool named Bethesda, surrounding the pool were multitudes of sick people (lame,blind,and paralyzed). During a certain time when an Angel comes and stirs the water, whomever would step in it first will be made well (healed). There was a man who was lying on his mat for 38 years and on this day Jesus had seen him. When Jesus approached the man he asked “Do you want to be made well?”

After reading just that part I said to myself what kind of question is that? The guy has been like that for 38 years, don’t you think he wanted to be healed? Of course he does, right?

v.7 The man said “sir I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred but while I am coming another steps into it before me”

Wrong, after 38 years this guy had given up. He accepted that this was it for him and nothing can change it. Nobody wants to help me, and since I can’t get up myself and get there first I’ll just be like this til I die. 

v.8 Jesus said to the man “Stand up, take up your bed, and walk” v.9 and immediately the man was made well he took up his bed and walked, that day was a Sabbath day.

One of the hardest things this man had to do was trying to stand up all on his own (trust in Jesus alone) Nobody there to help him, then he picked up his bed (all the stuff we have identified as hinderances in our lives) and walked (moved on by God’s grace). Doesn’t mean those things are not a part of our lives they are no longer hinderances or handicaps but now they are the very thing that God uses to bring His Name glory. So that people will see the testimony of His goodness.

v10-15 The Jews(milk cravers) who saw this well man who was once sick got a bit offended and the only bucket they could pass was that it was a Sabbath day and the man shouldn’t be carrying his bed. The life of Jesus was offensive to these Jews(milk cravers) because the man was doing what he was told to do (the meat), he didn’t just hear but lived and did what Jesus said to do. Jesus said that the Son can do nothing of Himself but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in the like manner. Puffed up by their knowledge the Jews sought even more to kill Jesus. Religious people (milk cravers) will always try to make the miracles that God does seem out of place and too big to be done, why? Because their knowledge can’t wrap around God to make any sense. The moment they are questioned in their mind they know they have no more control. It was great the man was physically healed but greater when Jesus saw him again and said “now that you  are well (forgiven) don’t keep sinning lest anything worse happen to you” he was restored spiritually. 

Now how can this affect my life? Well the question is the same do I want to be well (healed)? Of course I do Lord, the only problem is I’ve done this and I’ve done that and to top that all off nobody is here to help me. I’m waiting for someone to pull me along and say hey look the waters are moving get up. Why do I stay there all the more, while the excitement is building on the inside my outside (body) is not responding. I’m tired of giving the same excuses, the TRUTH is that I’m scared, I don’t believe in myself, I feel alone, I don’t want to be let down by people. But Your TRUTH is you have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. The power is not in myself but in Jesus. Your Love lets me know you are near so I’m not alone. Having a sound mind (identity in Christ) will keep me from the needing the acceptance of people. Jesus had one mind (His identity) with His Father no matter if anyone approved of Him, He knew where He stood with the Father. I don’t want this Truth to be puffed up in my head but lived daily. I need the meat that comes from doing your will. 

Jesus, thank you for forgiving me of my sins. Sins that once separated me from knowing you. Thank you for allowing me to see myself as a sick, lame, blind, and paralyzed man. The pool right in front of me but still chose to stay on my bed. I choose to accept my position as a healed man, please take the bed that once hindered me and use it for your glory.

At the top I posed the question What would’ve happened if she (my wife) wasn’t there?

Here is another question What would’ve happened if Jesus wasn’t there at the door?

Answer: I’d still be lying on the ground waiting for someone to do something for me.

GET UP, PICK IT UP, AND WALK.

Psalm 23

 

Psa 23:1	A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
Psa 23:2	He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
Psa 23:3	He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Psa 23:4	Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Psa 23:5	You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Psa 23:6	Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  I’ve read this Psalm so many times and again something is sticking out that has been encouraging me. I have this problem of trusting God. I don’t know if you can relate but if so I’m sure you’ve experienced some of the same issues I face. I’m thankful for the job God has blessed me with. Today was a tougher day than anticipated my good friend who is also my pastor, was the outside salesman for my job. When I first hired him I knew that this time would surely come but the problem was I didn’t expect it to be this time. For months when he became the salesman we were seeing growth and production, lately I’ve been pressured by my boss to get more production from him. We started to figure a way out to keep him employed for lots of reasons, and most of them accompanied by fears, but no matter how many times we said “but” it wasn’t going to work out. We were both saying the same things but had a hard time saying it. My pastor challenges the guys in the church to produce fruit and allow God to cut back things so more fruit can come. So with that being said both of us only had peace that God was doing this because he was going to bring more fruit for him and myself. Up until this past Sunday’s message I was battling with the thought where did I go wrong and was I supposed to hire him in the beginning. Obviously I was trying to control the issue. Not going to happen. God really encouraged me that I was blessed with this job to be a blessing to others including my friend. I went into work today and said goodbye. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of obedience.  David said it all in verse 1. The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.  It doesn’t seem like that when we are faced with the fears that choke our faith and hope in trusting God. Reading this comes from a different attitude in my heart now. I say with confidence that first God is my shepherd and I have everything I need. Thank you Father. Now reading the rest of this really adds to my faith verses 2-3 he lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. The meanings behind all these are phenomenal, 1. a rest in green meadows, how many days do I go through being restless because of lack in my trust in God. In green meadows, the color green shows life and growth, in a meadow, all I can think about is Little House on The Prairie that huge grassland that the kids and dogs would run through. 2. He leads me beside peaceful streams, one of the coolest things I love about camping or hiking in the woods is when you come to a flowing stream of water, the water is active yet it gives a  peaceful sense to you. When I sleep at night I love hearing the waters run it is so calm and peaceful. Rest and Peace is being given and available instead of restlessness and havoc created by worrying. My thoughts are to be at rest and peace when I trust God. Verse 3 Strength is renewed  and my paths are right bringing honor to his name. If I could do it on my own I would have no strength and I’m sure my paths would be wicked because it would only seek to please me, trying to bring honor to my own name. Not cool at all. I am strengthened when I wait and trust the Lord, it brings honor to his name. Verse 4 It’s only a “shadow” of death. Shadows are created when an object interferes with the light. Our fear blocks the truth that is in the Light. Following Christ never came with a “pass card” when we come to valleys of the shadow of death. He said he is right beside us or close to us. We are to go through these valleys but we aren’t going by ourselves. Trusting God is there takes the fear away. His rod (discipline) and staff (guidance) protect and comfort me. Now this is crazy I’ve never really embraced discipline until now. It’s not to be taken as a slap on the hand it’s to be taken seriously and willingly. God is just when he disciplines so it’s going to be stern and it will hurt, but just for awhile. Discipline is exercised when there is a wrong done. I’ve done many wrongs in life and I don’t know what kind of a man I would be if God didn’t discipline me. Hebrews 12:5-12 really explains what Godly discipline does and how we are to respond to it. I need His hand of discipline upon my life to keep me from evil. I never looked forward to getting disciplined by my parents, but my attitude now is one of being ready and willing to receive what discipline God gives to me for my sins. Being just like one of the sheep I’ve got to hear his voice, and follow it. If I get far away from His voice it becomes more distant, making other sounds “false voices” to be heard. Lord cue my ears to your voice that I may be comforted you are near. Trusting in God will show in how disciplined I am in word and deed. Not just saying it but acting in faith. Verse 5 I have seen so many movies when the loser or the less fortunate go to a party that was intended for them and out in the crowd are the people that hate them. That has got to be the most sickening feeling for a person having hatred for someone and then to see them aspire to new heights or being blessed. Thats the picture I get when the enemy sees the children of God obeying Him. I think about the prodigal son who came back to his father. In the same way when we come back to God, he throws this huge party and we are the guest. We ourselves cannot achieve any greatness without God. Humbly and repented do we come to you God. This party isn’t to proclaim that we are great but that You and only you are great. Lord anoint my head with your oil and fill my cup to overflowing. Trusting in God will blow the enemies of God away because of the favor we have, it shows we know our purpose (being blessed) in life. Verse 6 Goodness and unfailing Love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. It’s Gods goodness that leads us to true repentance and His Love that has offered grace to be available. An unfailing love, that proves His grace can never fail to be enough to redeem all sinners. For with that we will surely live in the house of the Lord forever. Thank you Jesus for the sacrifice done through obedience you gave your life for my sins, and to establish relationship with me. Let my life reflect the lifestyle you lived, not for my profit but for the advancement of your Kingdom. When we struggle to trust God his goodness and unfailing Love pursues us. Lord through life’s unexpected turns I believe nothing surprises you so I ask in Jesus name that my trust in You will cause me to activate my faith in You. You alone are in control and I repent of trying to figure things out and the times I try to control the circumstances. Holy Spirit lead me in all truth, search my heart and sanctify my heart. Your holiness is what I desire and I surrender all my will. I admit my lack of faith but You promise that the Word has the power to teach us what is wrong and right and to equip us for every good work So I pray your Word to be a rod and a staff in my life so that I can do your work. Grow my faith increase it I pray, I thank you for the grace you have given me the ability to continue to stand. May I not rely on my self righteousness but the righteousness found in Jesus. I rebuke any lie that comes against the truth that is in my heart. You are there right beside me Lord. I pray that you will receive all honor and praise from my lips. In Jesus name amen.

Where has our “voice” gone?

I’ve never really lost my voice before, but I’ve met people who have experienced that. It is probably hard to communicate and get the point across to someone who hears but doesn’t understand especially when you can’t hear what the person is trying to say. Today there are so many voices being exercised and some of the biggest issues in our society have been accepted as the “right” way of living. For example California has made it legal for same sex marriage (homosexuality), I was reading this article and there was a line that said “the ruling was greeted with loud cheering and whooping when it was released at the high court’s headquarters here Thursday morning.” It seemed like there was a shout of victory according to these people in favor of same sex marriage. Obviously a “voice” has been shouting and heard among these people. I tend to think what has happened to the voice of the church? Why have we been silent on issues of adultry, homosexuality, abortion, and all other sin that has infultrated the church and it’s believers. There are now churches that accept homosexuality and have covered up sexual immoral acts by leaders and it’s followers. 

I know this may be a bad analogy but have you heard the saying when someone is breaking wind they say “the silent ones are deadly?” In some funny way I agree, silence is deadly. We have so many teens in today’s society thinking abortion is a right to have, that homosexuality is just the way they were born, and that faithfulness is not necessary for a marriage to be successful. All of them are lies, lies that the enemy is shouting as he runs rampant through our streets, neighborhoods, schools, and sadly the church. 

We have been given one of the most important functions a person can have. The ability to speak. I’ve never really thought about it that much, but lately the Lord has really challenged me to open my mouth and speak up. I have been given a sword which is the Word of God and a mouth to exercise it. Have you wondered why in so many churches you see the things above mentioned going on? Someone isn’t speaking up and the silence is killing the church. The church that should be an example of life is non existence because the people of God are trying to please man and what they want to hear.

Isaiah 40:3-5 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 

This was a prophetic word that was fulfilled by John the Baptist. But it still rings prophetically today. A voice needs to be constant so that the hearers can move to what is being said. Only through the Holy Spirit and speaking His word can our hearts be prepared. A clearing of a way through the wilderness, wasteland, valley, mountains, hills, crooked places and the rough places, all of these places represent barren or lack. When you think of a wilderness you sense a wandering or a place where cycles are created. A wasteland is simply what it is a wasteland, no growth. Valley’s are the low places in between mountains and hills though the mountains and hills seem impossible to get over so are the valley’s that tend to challenge our faith even more when we are at our lowest of places in life. The word crooked alone gives you the idea of false or lies.  

Just like the voice that has fought for homosexuals to have rights, just like the planned parenthood people have exercised their voice to cover murder. In the same way the church should rise up and let the “voice” of the Holy Spirit be heard in our society, schools and homes. There is no doubt people stand up against homosexuality, and abortion clinics, and men who have committed adultry but is it God’s voice or just a voice of basic moral believes. Until we have His voice ringing in our hearts as a church then we won’t see changes in our society. We need to move beyond basic moral beliefs to true Holy Spirit conviction. Repentance that allows grace to bring true change.

In our lives the issues of our heart seem to be wilderness’s and wasteland and valley’s even mountains, hills, and just straight out crooked. As children of God our “voice” needs not to be silent, sin will paralyze us and keep us from speaking the Truth. Truth that sets people free. 

In my life God convicted me about my prayer life and speaking His Word into my life situations. I desire true growth and if I keep silent the lies of the enemy will get louder and louder. Prayer and His Word are only effective when used hand in hand. My prayer life must increase so that His Word will be declared. 

Father you alone are God in heaven, I pray that you will hear from heaven the cry of Life Connection Church to be pure and holy and a place where your justice is evident. You alone can change the hearts of man. Your Holy Spirit whom you gave to us searches and reveals the Truth that leads to freedom. I pray that freedom and righteousness will be restored to Phoenix and that the lost will hear the “voice” crying out.

 

 

 

What are you waiting for?

Here is the question. “What are you waiting for?” You may have heard this saying so many times in your life.  The most memorable that comes to my mind was my years of playing organized basketball.  Being a point guard (a short one at that) was a demanding thing to do for your team. You were the leader on the floor, you started plays and at some points finished plays. Running a fast break successfully was hinged on a precise pass at the right time. I could hear it already “what are you waiting for?” another team mate would say or even the crowd echoing the same question.  At that moment you realize that one of two things are happening A: Your waiting for the player to be wide open and then pass or B: You just missed the opportunity because you didn’t do what you were supposed to do with the ball. 

13 years later and I’m hearing this same question and no I’m not playing organized ball anymore. This time it’s related to what God has called me to do. Tonight I was challenged big time. In a way that caused a detailed evaluation of my life. What has God told me to do and “what am I waiting for?”  There are two types of waiting A: waiting based upon what others are doing first and B: a waiting that is expecting of things to happen, being prepared for any given moment. I’ve asked my self this question and found that unless I act out of obedience to what God first told me to do then I am like the point guard waiting for someone to do something before I pass the ball to them. I should be like a point guard thats running a fast break and I see the goal and because I have the ball (instructions from God) then I can expect the play to be executed precisely because I’m preparing for at the right time to deliver the ball to the right player for a score. So am I waiting because I need something to happen first or am I doing something to be prepared while I wait, and when the right time comes I’ll be ready.

While we wait on the Lord he promises to renew our strength, we will mount up with wings like eagles,we will run and not grow weary we will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

But our waiting should be a one of expecting and preparation so when the call comes you’ll be ready to deliver. 

My waiting was based on God having to do something first instead of doing the first thing He said to go and do. No wonder my waiting seems to be so boring and dull it’s because I haven’t done the first thing. Now that the Holy Spirit revealed this, my wait has become active and I’m excited about what God is going to do through obedience. I’ve got to be ready and it starts by hearing what God says to do and to do it. I will do what He said to do and wait to see the results. If we don’t do anything with the initial instructions from God then we should expect to miss the opportunities of reaching the lost.

Lord I pray that you will cause me to remember the calling that has been placed on my life and to not forsake the things you have said to do. Colossians 4:17 I will take heed to the ministry you have given to me that I may fulfill it. The ministry of discipleship. Amen. 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

v.12-13Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.Father I thank you for the leaders in the house of Life Connection Church, I pray that you would by your grace allow them to speak your Word of Truth to these people and by the power of your Spirit bring the revelation of your redeeming power. Use all of the leaders to the fullest that You may receive all the glory in this encounter. Give them wisdom and strength, protect their hearts and minds while they minister these next 3 days.   AmenGuys I’m honored to be apart of the encounter through my prayers and I am excited to see the power of God at work during this weekend. Love you guys and I will be praying for you all.v14Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.We have a responsibility to  warn our brothers and sisters in the Lord about getting lazy. (I totally believe in this blog posting thing that challenges me not to be lazy in my prayers and reading of God’s word) Encouraging those that lack confidence in what God has called them to do.(I can’t stop using the analogy of when Kyle encouraged me to act out of my wholeness and not from my brokenness in my life) Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy that has allowed wholeness to be restored in my life. Patience is something that is at work in my life especially when it comes to my children and how I raise them. I need your Spirit to produce in me the patience that is needed so that it would be evident in my life.v.15 See that no one pays evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.Lord let your justice be apart of my daily life. When evil is done to me or others let my response be filled with your grace and justice. Thank you Lord for being just and holy.v.16 Always be joyful.v.17 Never stop praying.v.18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.Wow, full of joy always, I honestly can’t say that I’m joyful all the time. Only by the Spirit can I produce this fruit of joy. How do I do it? v17&v18 answers that for me, by prayer and thankfulness in all circumstances. Lord give me an attitude of prayer that will be endless through my day so that when circumstances seem to be of no hope I may find my joy knowing that you are there and will get me through it. The joy of the Lord will be my strength.v.19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.Lord teach us not to prevent or constrain your Holy Spirit and the gifts that you have given us as a church. I pray that as the church we would not prevent you to move in our lives through your gifts that have been given to us by your grace. Romans 12:6. v.20 Do not scoff at prophecies, v.21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.When the prophet speaks let us not scoff at what has been said but test everything that was said and hold onto what is good. I pray that the prophets of the house will not be silent or stifled by their own fear,but instead boldly declare the word of the Lord.v.22 Stay away from every kind of evil.Keep my feet in balance to your word. Let your grace always be in view so that my life will reflect worship to you in all that I do.  The endless pursuit of me has given me an understanding of your grace extended to me while I was in sin. So I ask that my pursuit of You will be endless and my life a testimony of what you have done for me. No words can speak of your greatness but my life’s example to people can and I want you to receive all the glory in my life…..Amen   

Thankfulness

How many times during a day do you say thank you?  Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins. Sunday’s message caused such a deep examination of my heart and how I viewed God’s amazing grace.  Is my thank you’s to life’s scenarios meaningful and if so what motivation is behind them? I can only imagine how many times my thank you’s have been tainted with anything but a view of God’s grace. Can people truly see a man who responds by having a view of God’s grace? Well that is what I strive to do, so that my thank you’s and any response to life’s scenario’s will be an act of worship to God and not to the circumstances. Thank you guys for loving me and believing in me I really mean that. It’s a blessing to have all guys in my life. Love you all. Thank you Lord.

Keep the Light on.

1 John 1:5-9….I get this picture of a heart divided in 3 parts, my heart is where Christ dwells in according to Revelations 3:20 in a house is a Living Room, Bedroom, and an Attic. Each room is designed for specific reasons a Living Room is where your friends and people out in the open fellowship and hang out. Bedroom is a bit more intimate and only for certain people to be in there. The Attic a place where things are kept, saved,or even hidden. Now that this is established I could see a flashlight, if you take a flashlight to a piece of paper that has a heart drawn on it look how the light gets wider when you pull the flashlight back to expose the whole heart.  If you were to concentrate in one place the light will only expose what is in that one place.  God was showing me how there are sins in my life that are out in the public the ones that are done with other people(Living Room) the ones everyone seems to be ok with because we all do it right? Then the (Bedroom) sins that only a certain few know about and participate in. Then last but certainly not least the (Attic) sins that have been saved and held on to for years. Also some of these could be brought out certain seasons of life if you get my drift. Obviously no one knows much about these ones. God however says that he is the Light in a mans heart and it exposes us for who we are. I continue to press forward and allow God’s Light to bring any hidden or public sins in my life so that I may have fellowship with others and ultimately God. How great is his loving kindness in while we were still sinners He gave himself for us, to redeem us from the curse of death. God I pray that the Light never goes out in my heart examine my heart and bring your healing truth in my life.  

Devoted or Not

 Colossians 4:2 How challenging is this? Devote-to give all or a large part of someone’s time. Prayer, should be an all the time or large part of our time to God. Wow, this is convicting and prompts an inner examination of prayer in my life. Sometimes it’s easy to stop praying for things especially if we don’t see any results, the kind we think should be. But God says we should not be anxious for anything but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7. God has impeccable timing. How many nights of sleep have I’ve missed on because there is simply no peace of mind. So the peace only comes through my prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to God. Sounds easier said than done right? Well I will continue to pray for my lost friends and co-workers, and I will continue to pray that God’s Will be done in my life to it’s fullest no matter how long it takes or how it unfolds. I think the key is our thankfulness in our prayer. What are you thankful for and is it showing through our obedience to Christ. Love you all and I will continue to devote myself to pray for you…….neeg