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Focus forward…

28 Monday Oct 2013

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

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0101-rev21.5_I saw it coming and I should’ve better prepared for it but like a train coming slowly down the track… it happened. My darling Noah, in all the beauty and glory of her terrible twos, had a temper tantrum. And not just any temper tantrum, my friend. This one was the tsunami of all tantrums.

The day had started off sweetly enough. We’d gone to Babies ‘R’ Us to buy a gift for her friend’s 3rd birthday party. Noah saw something she wanted, a seemingly innocent and innocuously cute toy. However, the warning label read that no child under 8 should handle it because of small pieces that could chock younger children. She initially asked for it politely. Seeing the perils of having such a ‘toy’ I told her no. Then came the begging and pleading. “Please Mommy! Please!” Then promises she surely couldn’t keep. “I promise I won’t ask again.” But I was lovingly firm. So when all else had failed Noah proceeded to lay on the floor kicking and screaming. I tell you, it was like right out of the movies.

Let’s admit it my friend, this is how we’ve responded one time or another to an unfavorable answer or a closed door. Perhaps you didn’t fall out on the floor kicking and screaming (or maybe you did), but we are all guilty at one time or another of blaming GOD, others, or ourselves, becoming angry and bitter or refusing to forgive. Perhaps, you got passed over for a position, the financing for the housing fell through or a relationship came to an abrupt and unexpected end. Whatever it was the door to an opportunity was closed shut.

pulling on closed doorI’ll be the first to admit that I have knocked, banged and pulled on closed doors. I have pleaded with GOD to open it, made Him promises, and looked longingly at it until I’d eventually come to accept it’s closure. But as I’ve mature spiritually I’ve come to understand the purpose and absolute necessity of closed doors. And today I am able to thank GOD for closed doors; past, present and future. In fact, some of the best opportunities came right after a huge disappointment.

My friend, what door has been closed for you?  Is it a foreclosed home, a lost job, or missed opportunity? Or could it be the ending of a relationship or the termination of something you’d given your all to? I am here to tell you that you no longer have to look angrily, sadly or longingly at the closed doors. GOD has extraordinary plans for you in the near future. The Bible says that we are not to look behind us or long for the ‘good ol days’ (Luke 9:62, Ecclesiastes 7:10, Isaiah 43:18-19). Our friend, Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt; missing out on the blessings set before her (Genesis 19:26). So let’s give GOD glory for the good that we experienced within the door but focus forward in expectation for new doors (Psalm 32:8, Philippians 3:12-14). That which is behind you no longer requires your attention, time, investment and effort. GOD is doing a new thing and He is beckoning you forward, not backward. That which GOD has for you does not exist behind that door but lies ahead. Reach for it, my friend! Focus forward.

brand newClosed doors are actually preparations for where GOD wants to take you. Do not be angry, irritable, and down ridden. Do not blame the bank that misplaced your paperwork or your ex-spouse who didn’t meet your expectations. Let it go. GOD is beckoning you forward. He has arranged new opportunities, new possibilities and new relationships. He is opening doors that can’t be shut. Humble yourself before Him and allow Him to lead and direct you to your place of purpose, blessings and deliverance (Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:9, James 1:5). My friend, let‘s resolve to trust GOD when doors close. As we come to view them through His eyes we are able to see that closed doors are actually an indication that something brand spanking new is springing up. 

My friend, I pray that this message truly blesses you. I see you going humbly before GOD. And although you are entering His presence with a heavy heart I see you coming out with joy, peace, and a new found hope in Almighty GOD, who is able to lovingly usher you forward to where He is making all things new.

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.”