The ministry of reconciliation, the gift of grace and forgiveness.

"One of the "strange" things about the Christian understanding of sin is that Christians become more aware of sin in proportion to their growth in holiness. The more we love, the more we know how much the lover is offended. The great saints really knew about sin. St. Francis of Assisi, as he lay dying, claimed he was the greatest of sinners. At one time I thought this was just the pious rambling of an unearthly man; but now I see that this was the honest realization of a great lover."

Are we working it out?

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

What blows my mind is the "work out your salvation" and then the "fear and trembling" parts. We don't often think we have to work out anything , we receive what Christ did for us on the cross and then, We kinda relax , waiting for His return or for our departure. However, the word of God says we need to work it out. This reminds me of what Paul meant when he said " I die daily" and John the Baptist said " He must increase I must decrease. Is there more of me today or more of Jesus in me today? Am I really trying to die to myself and live for Christ every moment? Do i still seek after what i want? Lord Jesus change my heart fill it with an overwhelming love for you!

Where are you going?

Well, today I was walking around work and looking at everyone and thinking about how so many people don't know Jesus Christ. It's a bummer when you think about people you know might end up in Hell. You want to tell everyone about God and stuff but they will just think your weird, but what will happen when they pass from this earth and have to face God? It's a bummer. If your reading this and you don't know Jesus Christ ask Him into your heart and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and do your best to live a life that pleases Him! In the end you won't regret it!

Mercy for A heart waxed cold?

 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

                                                                                         Matthew 24:12-13 (KJV)

        Lord Jesus have mercy on me and all who read this. Surely the times of increased lawlessness are upon us and the cold winds of the days chill our bones and our souls, tempting us to grow lax in our love for you. Touch our hearts Lord Jesus fill us with your love and life so that on the last day we can bow before you unashamed! For passion must not only be remembered, but it must continually be had!     
        Mercy! 
        Mercy! 
        Mercy!
        But how can one stand in these last days, it seems our flames are small and our lights are dim. Like homeless beggars  we strive to warm our cold numb fingers around small, dim lit, candles hoping to obtain full warmth for our bodies and souls. Many delights of this present world offer us warmth but none seem to satisfy us for very  long. And after awhile, our hearts bring us back to remember you, your love, your companionship.
        In the midst of death I remember life.
        In the abundance of many things I remember the joy of abiding only in you.
        In the roar of all these present voices, I long for your word.
Remember me oh Lord, look upon me once again, remember your child and have pity. for I do need your presence in my life. 
Can a man and woman in love live apart? No! Now that they know each other things are not the same, and things cannot be as if they never were. The longing for each other would be too great, and if the wait is too long, then the vexation would break them!
        Yea Lord, I desire your flame. Do not forget me lest I be broken too deep. I fear, that if I wander alone in the cold dark woods too long I will be forever lost. Save me Father!  Call my name!
         Mercy!
         Mercy!
         Mercy!
             

brotherly love

I sat behind two brothers today in church service. Their story brought me to tears as I watched them.....Its quite a remarkable story actually, you see, not too long ago one of the brothers was dying.
One brother had a blessed life...good wife, great kids, good career and following Christ.
The other brother was not doing so well...you see...years of  living a hard life style in a hard world had done its toll on his liver, and now in the end, he was dying.

Here is where the story gets awesome.
Brotherly love.

The one brother took the sick brother into his home...he did not reject him or cast him off..he did not close himself off from him...he didn't say "You made your bed now lie in it!"......instead he opened his arms and he loved him. He not only accepted him into his family, he brought him to the family of God...
..and in his dying days the sick brother hears the good news of Jesus Christ and receives Jesus into his heart!

Here is where the story gets incredible.
The family of believers start praying......

Father God steps in and the sick brother gets the medical help he needs and liver transplant...it was rough at first..but after a while...both men, two brothers are in front of me healthy and whole...in church ....worshipping God...because one man didn't give up on his brother...because brotherly love prevailed.

funny..it got me thinking....the liver cleans our blood...too much pollution in the blood  and after a while it kills the liver and then the person dies...that's actually all of our stories
the pollution is our sin..it poisons our life flow, our blood...but Jesus comes and he gives us a transplant...a heart transplant...he takes our sin ...so we may live...to stand and worship and love Him forever!
Its all because of love!

Back to Him

Somehow i got lost in the middle of it.
In the beginning it was pure....it was about being loved and accepted,   being called....a messed up sinner who did not deserve it..... and my heart responded with gratitude and passion.
At some time I was given my draft card and I willingly signed it!
I'm in the Lord's army now!

But somehow, over time my service became stale and  worship became a pattern....it became about attendance and proving to others that I loved Jesus ...proving it to myself .
I found myself feeling guilty or afraid if i didn't meet up to the expectations of others, if i didn't do what I was supposed to do.
Maybe things didn't feel perfect, but that's OK...after all I was doing what I had to do for God...right?
I looked to my fellow recruits for advice. Some got angry with me for not being committed to the plan. The machine must be fed.  Others were tired, just trying to hang in there until the Lord called them home or returned here.
But a few understood my heart, that the machine,  like the Tin Man needs a heart to be complete, to truly live.

I'm finding out that In true worship our motivation and actions spring forth from love and gratitude to our Savior.
In the institutionalized state our actions and deeds are often propelled by feelings of obligation, guilt and fear of criticism.
Crazy how the institutional pattern removes the zeal and love motivation....most people try to solve the fellowship gap with more activity, more works.
Just stay busy until or Lord comes or until we go to Him.
if things don't feel right do more....your service will be rewarded.

but its not about religious business....its supposed to be a love relationship...a friendship, deep and personal.
...not a work contract.
In the fellowship and abiding the Lord will whisper to His bride  once again "come away with me"
The Lord will show His children how we were created to glorify Him!
How we each have a special and unique calling.
so why is the body of Christ copying each other....copying the past?
Lost in a pattern the bride has become an institution....but many are hearing the Lord calling them back....back to Him.
........Jesus has our marching orders and duty assignments and they won't lead us away from Him.
..........Holy Spirit speak to your church...fill us with your love..revive us...ignite us with your fire!
............Father we need your presence, by your Spirit may we always abide in you, empowered and motivated by your love.

John 4:23  (ESV)

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

the heart of a hero and the call of God

      What is it about stories of heroes and battle that thrill the hearts of men? The brave warrior who wins and rescues the beautiful girl. No matter how much the same story line is repeated, it is loved. Brave heart, Gladiator, 300,  the matrix, John Carter,  the list goes on and on, it is endless. There is something in us that wants purpose, and not just to have it, but to win at it. To have battle and struggle and in the end to overcome it. To have love and to be loved, to be needed by the ones we cherish. To be admired by the crowd around us. To be the rescuer, the hero!
       Why is this hidden away in the hearts of men?
        I would say because it is the unseen story of our lives. We have a day to day battle to overcome the evils around us, and not become that which we despise. Its harder then it sounds. The hurts of living in this world weary the strongest of men. If we live long enough we will all feel the temptation to carry a bitter heart. To give into temptation for temporary pleasure. To allow the lines of morality to be blurred for personal gain, after all, everyone else is doing it. Right?
        But, the heroes heart calls us to more, to stand against the tide. To confront the enemy and bow our knee only to truth. To do that which is right, even at the cost of our comfort. To not let the light of our souls to be stamped out by this dark world. The question is, are we brave enough and strong enough to go against the grain of our society? To live righteous, dare I say holy?
        There is a God, and he is calling the men and women of this world. Calling us with Him and His purposes. Calling us to be heroes, calling us to love. Calling us all to live for more than a moment... but for eternal glory with Him.  Whether we realize it or not we are all living out a story, an adventure, and Jesus Christ wants a heroes ending for us all.
          When I depart from this life and move on into eternity, I pray that that the people who knew me on my journey will say simply "Here was a man after Gods own heart, who dared to love God  in this dark world. Here was a man loved by many, because he was a hero"
              Galatians 6:9
              And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.