Thursday, July 3

Just some thoughts.......

"Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:23-24 NASB

I sat amongst my fellow brothers yesterday at a bible study at work, as we talked about evangelism. There is a group on a campus somewhere that did a study of evangelism and how to reach people. Establish a relationship, start a conversation, and then use a transitional question to turn it towards spiritual matters: i.e., Salvation. I brought up my young neighbor's loss and asked the group how I should have handled it, and how to maximize God's purpose in the interaction left in the day. I was humbled, as I realized throughout the discussion what I had missed, and grateful as I realized how easy it would be to reengage this opportunity to this soul.

I cannot boast of anything I've done in this ongoing conversation with this young guy. There is many things I've said wrong, didn't know, or failed to deliver. I cannot say that I've been strong in the face of adversity, because there are times when the sheer arrogance of this man's pride in himself feels like caustic acid removing the skin from my body. And, if one looks at the amount of toys this young guy has compared to little old me, I am by far much much poorer than he is, regardless of the living situation that he has.

But, I do have something to boast about and it is this that I can boast without any qualifier on my own; that Christ, through His sacrifice on the Cross, came to pay the price for a sinner like me who couldn't stand in the prescense of the Abba Father without condemnation for the sinful nature of which I took part and was justified through His own Holiness to judge me so. But my advocate, the Son, has and will stand before God in that day of Judgment and declare, "He is mine, bought through My blood shed for his sins."

I was asked last night if I was happy, even admist the struggles with fiances, home, health, and employment. Being in a position where I cannot make a mistake, for disaster looms within arm's reach. Where I will have to move into yet a smaller place, if things go well, just to put a roof over my children's heads and then have to face the lawsuit for the lease agreement breakage. Where I will be adding a half an hour to my drive to and from a job that I might not possibily have in a few weeks.

In the mist of all these things, can I honestly say that I am happy.

Despite the struggles, God has provided those who have faithfully kept me alert and aware of the movement God calls me to despite the sheer size of the mountains and the endless amount of the mountain range looming before me. God has given me those who point to those blessings I have missed in the day of being dealt blow after blow after blow. These saints recount to me my personal call, the blessing of fruitful spirit that God has bestowed upon me to do what He has designed and purposed me to do. He has given me those who will stand; amidst the failures, the worries, and the self-condemnation and say.....

"Who are you to reject God's love?"

And, being in the midst of this time, this season, has brought me to seek God more and more, easier and easier as I step forward towards His grace and fall flat on my face. He beckons me onward, His eager and delighted voice echoing in my heart and soul, "Just one more step. Just one more stretching of your arm." Much like a toddler taking his first steps, my Abba Father calls me towards His grace-filled, love-strong arms. And, as I get closer to God, I understand more and worry less and think more about........not getting home, but.........

What I do during the journey there............

Luke 11:5-8 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

We aren't sales agents, selling God to those who we come across in our walk. We aren't manipulators, who use the things in a person's life to make them believe in God. We have no goods to sell which we ourselves have not used.

We are called, often in the middle of our own struggles, to help a friend in need; those who don't know Christ's love because of lies, distortions, and mistruths. We are called to give loafs of life, that eternal source of nourishment and vitality.

No matter the cost.....or inconvienance....

We are here to teach the Good News, train disciples, and release them out into the world to make more. Sitting in church is not the destination we should be comfortable being at.

As we celebrate the patriots both old and new who gave and continue to affirm this country's freedom, let us realize the historical truth of what was meant to be and what greater freedom we have than man can give........

Given by a man who was fully man, fully God.

Perfectly and without reservation.

And let us realize.......

There is more.

It is simple.......

Know God.

The rest, they say, is history................