Hear My Voice

Acts 3:6-10 - Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Heavenly Father, this is what You desire. You desire we look to You as a Church for our healing. You ask us to take Your hand and rise up and walk. When we do we will be healed. This is not just physical but spiritual. We need to take action, to shake off those things that cause us to be deaf, dumb, blind...and lame. When we allow this in our lives we will recognize Who has done the work. We will rejoice in our healing, be renewed in our spirits. Lord, people will take notice and be filled with wonder and amazement.

I ask that this happen to the Church. Tear down walls of deception and denomination. Bring us who believe in Jesus Christ into unity. As Acts 3:15 states, we have killed the Prince of life. We have allowed ourselves to do this; we have strayed from right principles and allowed...allowed...self to control. Let that time be finished. Let righteousness begin to rise up once again in Your Church. Let our faith and worship in You once again become the focus in Your Church.

As a Church we have become ignorant in our understanding of Truth. Let us repent of that ignorance and refusal to shed our pride and arrogance and man's ways over Yours. Let us come to the altars of our churches and repent of those sins of disobedience and ignorance. Open our ears to hear what You have told us, like You did in Revelation 2 and 3: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes:
I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God...
He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death...
I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives  it.
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—and I will give him the morning star....
He...shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels....
I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall  go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name...
I will grant (him) to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

These were spoken to the churches that would be in these last days. Only the faithful church was good in Your eyes. The others needed work. I pray that we would heed these words and do as You say that we would become THE Church You desire. Let us become that faithful church.

Today You are standing at the door of all hearts and knocking, offering these gifts and promises to all who have ears to hear. You call out to us, "Hear My voice, let me in so I might heal you who are dead, have grown cold or lukewarm, loveless, persecuted, have compromised or become corrupt. I knock at your hearts as well as those who do not believe at all. It is time to rise up and walk. Let your lameness be no more. Do not allow yourselves to be destroyed by your self will. Let not yourselves be destroyed for lack of knowledge...and truth. The days grow short and darker. Seek me. Seek unity with the brethren for My sake."

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit, cause the hearts of the Church to return to You and the truth of Your Word return to the Church pulpits. Let repentance and revival come forth. We need to hear what is expected of us in these days. We need to hear Your voice and submit to Your will. We need to understand the power we have through Your Holy Spirit and that we need to be so dedicated as to be willing, through that power, to give our lives up for You for our faith just as You gave up Your life for us.

There must be a restoration within the Church. That begins first with me, then with each and every member of every church. Restoration comes after repentance...church-wide. We need to hear what You have spoken. We need to share what You have spoken.

You will be sifting and shaking Your Church. Who will be righteous enough to survive? Who will be willing to let go of self and lend an ear to Your Words and be obedient? Who will arise and act on Your wishes?  Let us remove the stains of sin and guilt. Let us heed Your call. Let us rise up and walk in Your ways, O God.

1Peter 4:17 - For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Stretched But Not Snapped!

Mark 13:11 - ...do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 

Those who know me will understand what I am about to write. God has given us all certain gifts. I have mentioned in past blogs a desire for a voice although my gift is writing. I don't do well speaking in public, even smaller groups. I have things to say but the words don't always come out in a way that is interesting to others.

So...today I was stretched. I spoke. But it was not really I who spoke. It was definitely the Holy Spirit who had been prompting me all morning. These words came smoothly, despite shaking hands and voice!! We are, after all, called to witness. It just don't matter whether we are eloquent or not; we are called to be obedient. This was a small step.

I attended a book club meeting and was the leader of the discussion of a book I chose. Most liked the book and the conversation was full. It was better than I imagined it would be.  

The book was Angels of Morgan Hill by Donna VanLiere, about a black family in the late 40's, early 50's who moved to the small community of Morgan Hill where they were the only black family, causing people's true selves to really surface. The book showed how bad things happen to good people but sometimes those bad things have to happen in order for good to come about. And how the people in our lives shape our character, whether good or bad.

A fire to the home of this new family causes Milo to lose his entire family. The cause of the fire is not exactly known, but it was suspected to be arson. There were several characters in the book: Jane, the young girl narrating, her once-abused mother Fran, whose husband had died, and who promises Milo's mother on her death bed she would take him in as her own, Milo who turns the community upside down just because of his color, Henry, the owner of the general store and Joe, Fran's new love. 

After reading the book I thought about the characters. For some reason I couldn't shake that Henry the grocer was to me the central character. And I knew this was the basis for my review. You see he knew what everyone was going through, what they needed, could supply their needs if they allowed (or without their even knowing), was a father figure to Jane and a comfort to her family and probably others. It was his way. 

As I was reading the book, I didn't see what I'm about to share. It only came later. What I felt in my spirit was Henry being like God, omniscient, all knowing, knowing everything about us and what exactly we need, supplying those needs if He is the central figure in our lives. He is our Father and can be our Comfort if we allow Him. 

But just hours before I left I felt led to add Joe. I questioned why. I think I knew I was questioning the Holy Spirit. The answer came in an instant...he was a Savior. It was made known in the book that Joe had always loved Fran. From the time they were small children till now. He had never married and had returned to the town occasionally to help in his parents' tobacco field at the fall harvest and auction. It didn't matter that Fran made some wrong choices and suffered for them; he loved her no matter what. And he wanted to give her a better life to allow her to realize she was worthwhile. He wanted to be her husband.

Jesus does that for us. He has loved us with an everlasting love. He doesn't care what we've done as long as we turn to Him and allow Him to be our Husband. He forgives all things and makes us new. Just what Joe wanted to do. 

All the bad situations were turned around for good. Lives changed for the better. Milo was accepted in the community. People's hearts changed. There were those people who fought against evil and did good despite others and evil did not prevail. 

God allowed my voice today. I don't know how everyone felt about it but it doesn't matter. If I had not been given the two ideas, it would just have been another book
club review. But God had other plans. I know this may seem a not-so-big thing to many, but it was for me. And, sadly, it shouldn't be. I was stretched but I did not snap! I just followed through. One comment was: That was a great analogy. 

I thank God. I cannot take credit for any more than opening my mouth and being obedient to speak. Lord, bring it on!!!

Galatians 1:10 - For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Arms Outstretched

2Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

I was reading a devotion about morality this morning and how society has defined it in these current days. How society has changed moral values, even making laws regarding them, and continues to do so, as they see fit. Laws that need to be adhered to. The Bible is very clear on all issues, but I'm not so certain all our leaders understand this. Well, one thought led to another and as I started putting my thoughts on paper, even those thoughts evolved into something unexpected, yet related (I think).

What stood out in the article for me was Jesus' mission. He came to earth not to mingle with the so-called elite but with those of less standing. He came for you and me and to proclaim what is true. But, you might say, I'm a good person. I'm a good husband/wife/father/mother/employer/employee/provider, etc.  I know others who are not so good. Which law tells us this? We are not to compare ourselves with others...because none are righteous! All need Jesus. All.

Jesus was looked upon by the religious leaders as blasphemous. Can you imagine that? Jesus! They were pretty high and mighty in their thinking that their knowledge of the laws of God made them superior. So much so that they could not see Jesus for who He truly was. Who was HE to think He was better than they...and yet somehow they knew He spoke with authority and wisdom, which infuriated them and threatened them.

These leaders commanded everyone to adhere to their laws, though they, themselves kept having to create new laws to prevent the original law from being broken, or putting a fence around the law. They, too, struggled. If they had listened to Jesus they would have understood that even they were not capable of maintaining their so-called goodness/righteousness. No one is righteous...not one. Jesus was proclaiming even they needed a Savior, which fell on deaf ears, as happens today. And the laws of morality keep changing to suit the current demands of the day so as not to offend or cause anyone to feel guilty or "bad." Because, after all, we are all "good" people, aren't we?

No one is NOT in need of Jesus. No one. He spent His time with sinners and included religious leaders in this mix. And He gave of Himself for them...for us. He selflessly gave of Himself. He reached out to those in need. He did not turn anyone away, although He would rebuke those who thought they knew better. He's still doing that. 

Until we know Jesus in the depths of our souls, He will keep poking our spirits. I have been thinking these past few days for some reason about something I know I've written about before. The day before I received Christ I was still believing very adamantly that I didn't need what I didn't know then was called a relationship with Christ. I knew of Him, believe He lived, died and rose again. But the idea of getting any closer was not on my agenda. What for? 

I can mentally see my arms stretched as far outward as possible pushing Jesus, who was calling me, wanting me to become His, away. Pride, I know now, was the reason. I was doing fine on my own. What was all the hullabaloo about Jesus? I could manage my own problems, which just wasn't true. I didn't need to be any closer. I didn't need anyone prompting me to come to church, to just give it a try. I didn't need anybody telling me what to do. I just didn't! So I pushed away. 

But like Saul who became Paul, a change was to take place in an instant. In an instant. An instant. Like the Damascus Road experience. I remember the agitation I felt about (what I perceived as) the confrontation with my sister-in-law. She was gentle in her words, as she always is, but I viewed them as nagging. Stop bringing this church thing up to me, was probably what I was thinking.

Then the words that changed me from resisting to giving in happened, without warning and with great confusion, she said: I hear God's voice. In that instant, those outstretched, pushing arms became almost an inward collapse to my knees with tears and words I cannot believe I said: I want that! Where did that come from? Who could have ever guessed my resistance could have been broken in an instant. I was toast!! The next day despite how strong I thought I would be in that church service, I melted like wax. Jesus became my Lord, my light and my salvation. Replacing my outstretched arms were His outstretched arms welcoming me into His kingdom, to my kinship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This can happen to anyone at any time, and not even in church! Why some resist, or how, is beyond me. It just ain't their time, I guess! But that's okay. The Lord's timing is always perfect. He's always right on time. All the struggling, all the resistance, only brings a greater fall. Either we fall into Jesus' arms or to our own devices and failure. Which is it we want to do? Jesus is not the crutch so many believe He is. He is our strength, our wisdom, discernment, peace...and most of all our salvation.

I'm thankful He didn't give up on me. His timing IS perfect. It always will be.

Titus 1:1b-3 - ...according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at His appointed season He has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior...

Don't Believe Me

John 4:42 - Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." 

Yes, don't believe me! Believe what Jesus Himself has said. Get into the Book of John and listen to Him speak. Jesus speaks the truth because that's all He knows. He speaks what His Father has spoken to Him. It's hard to comprehend these things sometimes...that the words that were spoken so long ago are just as relevant today. The Word of God is timeless. It's for all people, not a select few. He did not send His Son Jesus for one group of people but, according to His Word, all.

Delve into John. Read it slowly and let the words of Jesus speak to you. John seems to have listened intently. He captured a very concise view of his Savior. When I need a good boost I return to this book.

The truth is told in love and in conviction. He minces no words. He tells it like it is. Listen carefully and you will hear the Savior's voice. Listen with an open mind and heart and you might hear Him calling you. Don't believe me, though. See for yourself. This relationship with the Lord, with Jesus Christ, is something you must seek yourself. When you seek, you will find...or better yet, Jesus will find you. He will reveal Himself personally to those who earnestly seek Him.

The deaf will hear, the blind will see. A new world awaits those wanting to know this Jesus more intimately than just knowing who He is. You will no longer be blind, no longer be deaf. A whole new world awaits you. You will understand things you never did before...you will hear and you will see like never before. I have seen His power in my life and I have heard Him speak. My desire is to share that with others. But don't believe me, see/hear for yourself.

Jesus opened the eyes of a sinner such as the Samaritan woman in the above scripture. She immediately shared her knowledge with many people and they came to see and hear for themselves. When they heard, they believed. He's still in the business of doing that...but you need to act on it. Reading is an act. When you read the Word, if you are open minded it might seem like the words speak to you. They may be words of love or words of conviction. But they are His words to you.

There's a lesson here. The Samaritan woman was tired of her life, of being an outcast in her community because she had been divorced many times and now lived with a man not her husband. She had gone wrong somewhere in her life and perpetuated it, seeking happiness and never finding it, only finding backs being turned on her. Imagine the loneliness she felt. And then there was this Man who was willing to do what was not typical, talk to her, and even offer her living water that she would no longer thirst, would no longer feel lonely, whose sins were washed away simply by her acceptance of Him. She chose to believe this Man and was set free from all her guilt. Even if those in her town did not, the important Person did.

The road we take in our quest to know Jesus doesn't promise an easy life. It's what we do with our life after accepting Him and it's the final reward when our life ends. It's filled with highs and lows, rejoicing and tears, confidence and doubt, but Jesus never stops loving us...even if we falter. He's always there to pick us up when we fall. He's there with not only the sad words, "Where have you been?" or "Why do you cry?" but words to show us how we've failed. He speaks in judgment and love in a way we can understand. 

I think of God's words to frequently backslidden Israel, the apple of His eye. First comes the rebuke: Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel, for the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land" (Hosea 4:1). God seeks repentance: ...I will return to my place until they admit their guilt and look to Me for help. For as soon as trouble comes, they will search for Me (Hosea 5:15).  God's plea: Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for your sins have brought you down (Hosea 14:1).  Then comes the loving word: The LORD says, then I will heal you of your idolatry and faithlessness, and My love will know no bounds, for My anger will be gone forever! I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven (Hosea 14:4-5).

As I read these words, I thought of our country. Surely they speak to us as a nation as well as to us as individuals. He will have specific words for each of us. He loves us no less but there are times when a rebuke is in order. Listen and obey. Hear the word of the Lord. But don't believe what I say. Seek it for yourself.

1John 1:3 - That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.