Monthly Archives: July 2013

We must experience Him for ourselves…

23 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by in Faith, Intimacy with GOD, Relationship with GOD

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beautiful parisI am a book lover. I read a lot of books. I know that in the home GOD has already prepared for me there is a library with a huge comfy chair nestled smack dab in the middle of the room for every person to plunk in and enjoy a good book. I’ve learned however that books have a tendency to only take you so far. I’ll never, ever understand the beauty, wonder, and lavish of Paris, France no matter how many books I read, stories I hear, or pictures I see until I fly to Paris and immerse myself in all of it’s beauty and experience it for myself.

My friend, many people have sadly only gotten to know GOD intellectually. They may be able to quote scripture, give you the explicit details and dimensions of Noah’s ark, and run down all 66 books of the Bible both forward and backward. But when you ask them to describe their relationship with GOD their eyes gloss over. Because surely the information they just laid out or regurgitated demonstrates a knowing of GOD. But my friend, a personal relationship with GOD transcends mere intellect. It’s also about the heart (Ephesians 3:19, Psalm 119:11, James 1:26, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:8,18, Matthew 5:8, Matthew 6:21, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Deuteronomy 6:5).

GOD is to be experienced and not viewed, analyzed or awed from a distance, like some pricey statue on display. Through the blood of Jesus the Bible says that we can go boldly to the throne of grace and receive His mercy (Hebrews 4:16). GOD further promises that when you draw close to Him He will draw close to you (James 4:8). GOD created us for relationship with Him and everything else pales in comparison (Book of Ecclesiastes). He is indeed a doting Father (1 John 3:1, Psalm 68:5), a Friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 8:24), and the Lover of your soul; loving you unconditionally with all of your quirks, imperfections, and idiosyncrasies. And it is His will that we seek intimacy with Him daily.

gwh2One of my favorite movies is Good Will Hunting. In it Matt Damon plays Will, an incredibly intelligent young man who has the talent to absorb volumes of information in one reading and solve difficult mathematical equations. He is also an orphan who has never ventured outside of his small town.

In one scene Will tells his therapist, played by Robin Williams a joke about a pilot and flight attendant on a plane. The therapist asks if Will had ever been on a plane before. Will is offended. But the therapist in a later scene goes on to say that Will could probably describe in great detail anything he’s read in a book. For example, if asked about art Will could probably ‘give the skinny’ on the painter Michelangelo’s life’s work, political aspirations, relationship with the Pope, etc. But does he know what it smells like inside of the Sistine Chapel or looked up in breathtaking awe at it’s grand and opulent ceiling. He was poignantly pointing out the vast difference between ‘knowing’ and ‘experiencing’. And it is indeed tragic, my friend to merely know facts about GOD and miss out on the experience of having a personal relationship with Him.

I can tell you in great detail about my relationship with GOD. The glory, wonder and inexplicable joys; as well as the mistakes, bumps, pains and heartache. But I promise you. It will not be enough. Because honestly intimacy with GOD exceeds any descriptive word that exists in the human language. It can only be aptly described in a language spoken from your heart to GOD’s (John 4:24).

My friend, when was the last time you experienced sitting quietly in GOD’s presence or hushed the world so that you could hear His voice? How about the last time He gave you a vision you felt was way too big for your feet to fill or told you to step out on faith and trust Him despite what you see?

This week let’s go beyond the head knowledge of knowing GOD and spend time in His presence. It is not enough to believe Him with our heads we must also believe Him with our hearts and this can only come by spending time with Him. My friend, carve out time to humble yourself and sit before Him. Glorify Him and let Him speak to your heart. Listening to everyone else’s stories of GOD’s blessings, revelations and how He’s brought them through difficult situations is great because it strengthens our faith. But until you walk, talk and spend time in His presence daily you will only be experiencing Him vicariously through someone else’s GODly encounters. And you, yourself will never understand the depth, height and breadth of His love for you (Ephesians 3:17-18). Don’t cheat yourself of this miraculous, jaw dropping, heart exploding experience of having a personal relationship with the Alpha and Omega. Let’s resolve to experience Him for ourselves.

I truly pray that this message blesses you. I see you going into your secret place and closing the door behind you (Matthew 6:6). I’m so very excited for you because I know that as you draw close to GOD He is drawing ever so close to you! And that, my friend is as they say “priceless.”

When GOD interrupts your plans and sends you to Nineveh…

02 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by in Faith, Obedience, Relationship with GOD, Surrender, Trust, Uncategorized

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Jonah in black and whiteI am very certain that you would agree with me that there are times when life turns ‘left’ when you’d hoped it would go ‘right’. Well, I know all too well. I had recently been given news that I was not all too happy about. And I must admit that I was very disappointed. In my disappointment I felt ‘filthy’ so I ran to GOD. I wrestled with the idea of having to do things, deal with people and go places that were completely out of my comfort zone. I mean life had been going pretty well, then… This!

My friend, there are times when the plans we set and the life we envisioned don’t quite pan out the way we’d hoped. We may have come to establish a rhythmic lifestyle that appears to take us in a certain direction. Or we may have come to believe that life would run smoothly, our plans would be accomplished, and we’d comfortably sail into the sunset. But, this is not always the case because GOD, in His omniscience, may interrupt these plans to show us that He has bigger, better and more dynamic plans (Isaiah 55:8-9). Often times these plans do not look, sound or feel as we thought or hoped and this may cause us to worry, stress, and panic. We may even find ourselves doing things to avoid these unexpected, undesirable, but inevitable changes.

This reminds me of our biblical friend Jonah. Whatever plans Jonah had arranged for his life were disrupted when GOD told him to ‘get up and go to the city of Nineveh.’ We learn that instead of obeying Jonah ran in the opposite direction. He had refused to go to Nineveh, a city known to be powerful and wicked, because He did not like the people of the city. Jonah eventually finds himself in a tight situation (belly of a fish) where he surrenders and is given another chance. In his obedience we see that while in Nineveh Jonah is used mightily by GOD and witnesses the miracle of the entire city being saved and their lives are spared. (Jonah 1-4)

Nineveh is not necessarily a place of comfort but a place where there is a need of your presence. Nineveh is a place you do not understand, a place you do not have all of the answers and a place of potential conflict (personal or otherwise). It is outside of your comfort zone and definitely not your first place of choice. But Nineveh is absolutely, positively necessary.

So, my friend what is your place of Nineveh? What situation(s) are you fighting and avoiding knowing it is where you must go or what you must do? Is it an unexpected change in employment or location? Or have you been placed in a hostile home or work environment? Perhaps, it’s the moving towards forgiving the unforgivable? Or maybe it’s humbling yourself and asking for forgiveness from someone you’ve deeply wounded? Could it be that GOD has asked you to surrender your grasp on something that no longer serves Him? Or maybe GOD has called you to preach to those who are hostile towards the things of GOD?

Whatever your Nineveh represents you’re going to need the grace of GOD to endure and overcome. But GOD is faithful and He would not send you there unless He knew that you could handle the pressure, the calling, and accomplish it’s purpose. Your presence in your Nineveh is bigger and greater than you. You see when GOD sends you to Nineveh He has already made a way for you (Isaiah 42:16). He knows the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10) and He is a GOD of generations (Genesis 17:7, Psalm 146:10). When He sees you He sees those who are connected to you. Your obedience may open doors of favor for your children and generations to come, bring salvation to your family members, change the hearts of your enemies, or even shed light on the love of Jesus in your city or beyond.

GOD has equipped you with every single thing you need to accomplish your task at Nineveh (2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Timothy 3:17). You will come to see that Nineveh will turn out to be your biggest challenge but also your greatest blessing. It will exceed your expectations and you will find yourself experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6), and a clearer understanding of your GODly purpose.

My friend, it’s time to stop running and humble yourself before GOD. Surrender your fear of the unknown to Him and allow Him to guide and direct you confidently and boldly into your Nineveh. Let Him take you by the hand and lead you into the place of your blessings and breakthrough. I know it’s scary. Boy, do I know. Believe me, fear has caused me to retreat one too many times. But I tell you that this is not a time to retreat. It is a time to trust Him like never before because you’ll need Him like never before (Proverbs 3:5-6). While in Nineveh, if you would stay close to Him He will reveal Himself to you in mighty ways and show you spectacular things that are to come (Jeremiah 33:3). He desires for you to receive His revelatory guidance and direction because you’ll need it. GOD has extraordinary plans for you there (Jeremiah 29:11). I see it! And I promise that you will be beyond amazed at what GOD is going to do for, to and through you.

I truly hope this message blesses you. On your way to Nineveh I see you surrendering, fasting, praying and committing to being used by GOD no matter how difficult the task. And with this you will accomplish more than you can ever imagine and reap more than you ever desired! GOD is going to blow your mind. Now say it with me, “Nineveh, here we come!”