And A Time of Peace

And a time of peace.  (Eccl.3:8d)

4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—  Ephesians 4:1-4 (ESV)

How fitting is it that when King Solomon was closing this part of his lisitng of "a time to or fors" that it ended with " and a time of peace."  You know at the end of the day, that's all many of us want.   Truthfully we probably would take it at the begining of our day, during our day, as well as at the end of our day too!  But the reality is.....peace is somewhat hard to come by, simply because we are in a fallen world.   There are forces and voices constantly working against what God designed urging us to do & say things that don't necessarily bring peace, but rather inject confusion.   This is the very reason why Paul, while imprisioned is writing to those that are free in the congregation of Ephesus that he begins Chapter 4 with "urging" the reader to walk in step with GOD has it relates to their calling, and to do so with gentleness, patience, perserverance through love, and an eagerness to maintain unity of the Spirit in what keeps us together, peace. 

People take of work to get peace.  They go on vacations to get it.  They shut off their phones, take sabaticals, they, we are sometimes willing to do anything to escape to get peace.   If peace were a drug we'd all be addicted.  If peace were food, we'd be obese because we simply can't get enough of it.  Even the most outgoing extroverted person even wants a little peace everynow and then.  There's this saying that use to hang in my cube, it read " Some people bring peace when they come, others bring it when they go."  So my question to you...is which are you?  Do people generally enjoy your presence?  If no, why not?

TODAY you will probably leave the house, and as you prepare to do so lemme urge you to be peacekeepers.  Some of us are in your face, sometime even confrontational and there is a place for that, but let's seek to maintain unity on the job (because you are all there to do one, and if no one else is...you should be the one pointing what you do, and why you do it towards GOD.) unity in your home...(be patient with your spouse, your kids, your neighbors especially, and even your pets.) unity abroad ( don't feed into political negativity, don't be found complaining while waiting in line, don't look for ways to divide people but be ruthless in bringing them together) and lastly within yourself (how.....control your thoughts by 

Philippians 4:8-10 (ESV)

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE  (thank you all for bearing with me these last weeks through this A Time For Devotional Blog; I love you all.)

A Time of War

A time of war, (Eccl. 3:8c)

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,  2Cor.10:3-5

The war that I am speaking of today is not the war in Afghanistan, or Somalia, or Kabul, or Israel, no.  I'm talking about the war that was waged upon God and the people of God long before you, your parents and even your parents parents breathed their first breath.   I'm talking about the war against the rulers of darkness, and wickedness in high places.  I'm actually talking about the war occurring in the world that the movie The Matrix speaks of that is just beyond the 20/20 eye's sight.   We are at war with the forces that are behind every terrorist act and ponzi scheme.   We are at war against the forces that promote murders, lies, cheating, child abuse and abduction.  We are raising our voices over & against those that chant wickedness into our society.  We are fighting the forces that love divorce and hate marriages.   WE are silence the gossipers and back biters with the truth in love.  We are fighting the forces that desire to keep us slave to our fears and our pasts, and we are setting captive the will and desire to live for GOD our SAVIOR  & REDEEMER.  WAKE UP people....we are truly a world at war.  Simply because your soul is at stake.  Your children's children are at stake.  Your neighborhood, your job, your church are all collateral damage if we don't take up the whole armor of GOD & stand affront these forces that desire nothing more than to see us turn against God, one another, and ultimately ourselves. 

GOD has not left us defenseless, but equipped us with His WORD (which assures us...He fights for us, and we have to trust that He is fighting for us, and He WONT BE DEFEATED).  He's dealt to every man a measure of FAITH (no need to pray for more faith, but rather you'd tap into the ability to TRUST in HIS PROMISES and not view of your current situation) and lastly and most importantly THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (by which we can DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST who STRENGTHENS US.  It's by the very same power that rose CHRIST from the dead, that's alive in You & Me.)

So put on the whole armor of GOD and a smile because we are more than conquerors, and GOD is our deliverer, He has declared victory over our enemy.  Our job our daily tasks here on Earth is to LOVE GOD enough to devote our lives to serving & trusting Him, and LOVE people enough to serve them in His love.  LGLP

HATE

And a time to hate; (Eccl. 3:8b)

The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate. Proverbs (8:13)

Yesterday I saw something quite interesting.  I saw a reflection of myself in my daughter during a basketball game in a way that I don't think I noticed it before.   They were playing a team that came focused and ready to play.    Some of the key players on her team had essentially lost their cool, and began to turn on each other.  She wasn't apart of the off the court confusion, and the coach put her back in, and as she played "focused" things got worse on the bench, and to the point the ref called the game.  She so busy, so focused on trying to do well noticed things falling apart and wanted to fix it all, but I called her to myself and began to encourage her for being a good team member.  She began to drift into weeping and I noticed how she loved this team, this game called basketball but HATED CONFUSION, HATED PEOPLE GIVING UP, and HATED NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, because she was willing to give her love to the success of the team.

As weird as it may sound to say it....Christians are permitted to, encouraged to Love what He loves, and hate what God hates.  So let me try to keep this short:  You will find in scripture that GOD hates (Psalms 11:5, Proverbs 6, Malachi 2:16) acts, not His people.   Search yourself....I mean that, really search yourself.....Have you allowed your heart to hate certain people?  Seriously....how do you feel about homosexuals, blacks, whites, republicans, democrats, liberals, rich, poor, homeless, affluent, Bosnians, Russians, Africans, Catholics, Baptist, Pentecostal, Drug Addicts, Drunks, pedophiles, murderers, ex-convicts.....you get it???!!!?!?!

The only way to truly WORSHIP GOD is learning to LOVE HIM and ALL OF HIS PEOPLE (ALL THE one's HE CREATED...and since SATAN isn't, can't, and has never been a creator...this means every breathing soul) and hate behaviors.  Proverbs challenges our thinking....do you really hate evil?  Do you discourage pride & arrogance when you see it budding in yourself or others?  Do you encourage bad jokes or back biting (talking behind peoples backs- gossipping)  or do you love them enough to tell them to their face your feelings regarding their actions?  SATAN wants to pervert GOD's way and His Word.   He wants you to HATE PEOPLE...instead of ascribing your hatred towards their actions that are prompted in part by him.

Here's my parting encouragement: (John 4:20) If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?  LGLP

Love

A time to love, (Eccl. 3:8a)

And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, (Hebrews 10:24  AMP)

Pictured is a young female lifeguard watching over a pool of people.  You know lifeguards are special people.   They risk their lives everyday for the sake of our fun and recreation.  They are willing to jump in what appears to be a desperate situation with the purpose of preserving one's life & ultimate safety.  Today's verse is about there being a time to love, and what better picture of love that according to scripture is the true mark of friend, a believer, or follow of Christ is there love for God, and others.  Lifeguards aren't partial regarding who they save.  They save whoever they see are in need.   Life is like a big swimming pool, some people are wading in it, some are swimming enjoying it, some are goofing off, and some are literally drowning in it.   We need to be watchful like lifeguard when it comes to living a life that displays an active love that we'd give our lives to save another one.    What about you and loving others?  Ok so you say....." I love God....." but you treat your co-workers like???????  Or you treat your next door neighbor like??????   How is it that your wife knows you love her?  Please.....save the what all you do.....I'm asking do you speak her love language, do you communicate love in the way that she can understand it recieve it, and be filled by it?   What about your kids?  Do you know their love language? Your friends?  Your co-workers?  Do you even know your neighbors?   OK DO YOU EVEN HAVE THE BOOK  (The Five Love Languages)?

Our secondary scripture asks us to be careful to watch, study how we can incite, excite, inspire others to love and demonstrate acts of good deeds.  So how will you do it today?  How will you demonstrate love to each person on the job today?  How will you be intentional in inciting and inspiring others to jump right in and join the mission of loving God, and loving people?   The secret is........just jump right in!  There will be multiple opportunities today to buy someone lunch, or just sit down with them at lunch and learn about who they are.   There will be opportunities for you to devise a way to celebrate a life; not just because it's their birthday or anniversary, but rather just because you love them.  Pick a person in your office....get somebody else involved....make it a big deal...and then next week or whatever choose another person until everyone feels valued cause in God's eyes....they areLGLP! 

Speak

And a time to speak; (Eccl.3:7d)

Then the angel of the LORD stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. ²⁵ When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. ²⁶ Then the angel of the LORD moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. ²⁷ This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff.
 ²⁸ Then the LORD gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.
 ²⁹ “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”
 ³⁰ “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?”
   “No,” Balaam admitted.
 ³¹ Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.  Numbers 22:24-31

When was the last time your dog or cat spoke to you?  I know probably never....and if you have a parrot, well....that doesn't count, but imagine trying to do what you want to do, and it seems no one is cooperating, not even the animal you rode in on.  Funny isn't how we have our own will and sometimes, ok many times.....it's not the same as God's will.   We want to go to this school, and God is desiring us to go to that school.  Or you really like this guy/gal but you don't understand why they don't feel the same.   Or maybe you go on an interview and it went super, but despite your prayers they choose someone else.  Balaam was a prophet of the Lord and was being asked to do something that was against the will of God.  Balaam had prayed and God even told him not to go and attempt to curse what He had blessed.   But Balaam was being pursued by a king that was offering him "things" making it harder for Balaam to "just say no."

So Balaam set out to curse the people, and one of the most amazing fetes happen; a donkey spoke.  No this isn't a scene out of Shrek, but rather since Balaam hadn't listen to God, God decided to really grab his attention.  As you read Balaam had begun to beat the donkey because He wouldn't go forward as he was commanding/steering him to go.  It was only when the donkey spoke, pleaded with him, and then Balaam saw the Angel of the Lord opposed to his will.   Balaam realized that he was wrong on many levels.  He had allowed his heart to chase the wrong things.   He began to beat an innocent animal, and ultimately he was going against God's will.   

Who's speaking to you?  Who are you allowing to speak into you?  Who are you speaking to?  Is what you're saying leading people into a deeper relationship with Christ?  With everyone talking, with voices from the radio, television, all around in the marketplace, I'm just curious who is it that you are really listening to?   Contrary to public opinion I believe that when we all stand before God in judgement there won't be an opportunity or a need for us to speak, or plead our cases.   Simply because GOD knows it all.  He knows why you did what you did, or said what you said.  He's the discerner of our hearts, so that being said it won't be this back in forth regarding you getting into heaven or not.  See I believe your life....will have spoken for you.  No matter who the speaker is at your funeral, they can't preach you into heaven if your life, your time on Earth didn't point you or anyone in that direction.  Each day whether you are talking or not you're living.  You are living out your faith, which speaks for you. 

So in closing this devotion today....

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)  ²¹ The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. 

It's time to speak...what will your life say today?  LGLP

Keep Silence

A time to keep silence; (Eccl. 3:7c)

Silence:

1. absence of any sound or noise; stillness.(noun)

7. to put (doubts, fears, etc.) to rest; quiet.

 verb (used with object)

 

Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

 

It was Mark Twain who said " it is better to be thought of as a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."  If there is one thing we love to do is talk.  I mean beit women in a hair salon, or men at a sports bar, or kids during class....we all have something to say about something.   I am sure the church is no different.  Beit what's going on at Connections, or what great things are happening in the lives of it's attenders, it's like a drug....we are hooked. We can't or we find it extremely hard to quit talking.  We do it in movie theatres.  We do it at the Dr. offices.  We do it church during the message or praise.  We do it behind clothes doors.  We do it in front of people's faces.  EVERYONE IS DOING IT!    Everyone has an opinion....and you know what Jesus was careful not to really EVER give His.  Whenever He was polled by the religious leaders or by people He was strategic in keeping silent and then giving them the what the WORD of GOD said answers. Let's take note, and cues from Christ. 

 

The bottom line and point I want to quickly make is this, there is a time to speak, yes....but let's embrace the time of silence, why simply because your name can't be mentioned in gossip.  Why, because you learn more actually listening than you do speaking, because you can't do both at the same time.   Why, because sometmes what's in our hearts or heads just don't need to come out of our mouth....verbal vommit I call it.  Why because in the verb since, we need to put our fears and doubt to rest....so that we can stop wRESTling with the WORD of God and simply REST in the WILL of God. Why, because if we do...keep silent that is.....we actually might hear the still small voice of GOD instructing us for the moment, or the day.  

 

My challenge to you is not to take a vow of silence, but rather create pockets of silence in your day.  An easy one is turn your cell phone & radio off on your ride to work or home from work......and see what happens.  What did you see, or hear?  LGLP

SEW

A time to sew; (Eccl. 3:7b)

Proverbs 31:10-13[ Hymn to a Good Wife ] A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.

So yesterday we talked about it being time to tear, and today it's about mending or sewing.   Think back to a favorite garment you had; maybe it was a coat, or a shirt, or pair of slacks....whatever it was remember how you felt when you notice it was ripped or torn?  Remember how you prayed and hoped mom/grandma would be able to sew it back together or patch things up?  My belated grandma was a jack of all trades....she was really (thinking about it now) was a Proverbs 31 woman.  She was a maid ( a nicer way of terming a slave) and before leaving in the morning she would get up early to prepare my grandfather breakfast, she'd even sew or hem pants for anyone in the house, even put patches on things....but she even knitted all before 7 am.    Sewing is more than about getting some yarn or string and weaving something together.....at it's core it's about repairing something that was ripped or torn apart.

This devotion is about more than fashion and design, but really it's about how do you fashion or design your day to give Glory to God.  Do you spend your day knitting and sewing your faith into the fabric of every relationship & every divine appointment?   Do you seek to sew love in your marriage so that it would stay intact?  Do you look for opportunities to weave in the fruits of the spirit so that what you essentially leave your children, your husband, your co-workers, and  your community with something that will point them back to the creator, GOD?  It's not about whether you are great in home economics or not....but are you great in sewing together the things that matter most; relationships.  

It's a time to sew......it's past time....we should sew as Christ sewed.  Christ was skillful in weaving and sewing men and women's hearts to GOD through loving them.   We should desire to do the same each day!  LGLP

Tear

Eccl.:  3:7a  A time to tear;

JOEL 2:12-14

¹² That is why the LORD says,
      “Turn to me now, while there is time.
   Give me your hearts.
      Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
 ¹³ Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
      but tear your hearts instead.”
   Return to the LORD your God,
      for he is merciful and compassionate,
   slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
      He is eager to relent and not punish.
 ¹⁴ Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve,
      sending you a blessing instead of this curse

In Biblical times the proper and acceptable way to show one's anger or grief was to tear your clothes.   This was demonstrated when you grieved the lost of a loved one, and even when the judgement of God was against you or your people.  But the prophet Joel instructed the people of God to consider tearing their hearts....and not their clothes.  One of the definition of tearing: is the act of  violently dividing and disrupting...and when you think of how our hearts mislead us to doing things that our flesh wants....what greater picture is there than disrupting this pattern of thinking.   What is it that your heart is really set on?

Whatever it is, in most cases it's selfish and selfishness.  You want what you want, when you want it, how  you want and you don't want anybody telling you any differently.  Does that sound like the heart of Christ?  You have roughly about 14-18hrs left in this day, and your heart will try to tell you what you want for lunch and lust.  I submit to you today these scriptures and that you try to steer your heart towards GOD.   Feed your heart devotion with Him.  Change your radio listening programming to maybe JOY FM, or BOTT radio, or even Gospel 1600.   Tell your heart that you're gonna spend time repenting over your thoughts, or how you've treated others, because GOD has given you today to come clean...to give Him your broken heart, so HE CAN MEND IT, and soften it towards His will and His ways.

People don't be decieved....GOD gave you this day for a reason....and just maybe you too, need to tear your heart away from the things that will cause you death....not bring you life!  LGLP

Throw Away

And a time to throw away; ( Eccl. 3:6d)

Ezekiel 20:7
Then I said to them, ‘Each of you, throw away the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Hebrews 10:34-36(ESV)³⁴ For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. ³⁵ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

I'm sure each of you know that there are just some things that have to go!  I'm talking about the things that cannot be recycled; you know things like spoiled milk, meat that has gone bad, dead pets, destructive relationships, or even destructive habits.  All of these things have a way of stinking up your life and you just have to get rid of them.  When you think about it, or review some the things I listed they are all things that are dead, or decaying....keeping in theme with today's topic the truth is WE ALL GOT STUFF WE NEED TO THROW AWAY!  I mean if you've seen one episode of HOARDERS the whole time you are thinking to yourself or even talking to the screen saying THROW IT AWAY!  You can't believe what it is that people hold on to, you think to yourself that is ridiculous they know they need to get rid of some of that junk.  But what about  you?   If GOD (cause he really is) looks at your life, are there somethings that HE thinks you need to throw away?

See the second scripture is GOD speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people asking them to , no telling them they need to throw away the things that are gross, stinky, stale before the Lord...and I too had to wrestle with this many years ago when I decided to get rid of music and movies that I knew were not the things I wanted to watch or listen to with my kids or or GOD.   Cause the truth is...if it's not good enough for them....we need to evaluate why is it we even have it, and why are we treasuring it...even hoarding it.....let's get rid of it. 

Choose today to choose GOD!  Choose holiness over hoarding.  Make sure that you're discarding those things that hinder your ability to worship and allow GOD full disclosure of your life.  Now there are some things that don't spoil and shouldn't be discarded; love, patience, meekness, kindness, righteousness, faithfulness, endurance to name a few....that are non-perishable....that we can hold on to, so that we can continue to rely on GOD for o help us LOVE HIM, and LOVE PEOPLE!  LGLP

Keep

A time to keep; (Eccl. 3:6c)

Ephesians 4:2-4(NIV)

² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

 

keep:  1. to hold or retain in one's possession; hold as one's own: 

2. to maintain (some action), especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise, etc.:

 

I think all of us can agree that there is a time to retain something or maintain something's state as long as we possibly can.   If you think about food, we do all that we can to hold it in an edible state.  We don't want milk to spoil, or bread to mold because we have a purpose for it.  Parents want to keep their kids safe, because they don't want harm to come to them, so they create or try to create healthy boundaries for them to operate in.   Much like what GOD has done as it relates to everyday living; in the creation of the commandments.   We are blessed to have vehicles to go where we please, but even they require us to keep them running, by getting regular maintenance.   Some families are hesitant to remove other family members off or life support because they desire to keep that loved one with them for as long as possible.

 

The truth is THERE IS A TIME TO KEEP things, and today focusing on the secondary scripture which is really primary in everyday living that we have to DO SOMETHING to hold on to, preserve the unity of the BODY of Christ or else what happens is that we become divided in our thinking and practices and we paint a lie to the world about GOD's Church.     In God's church there are imperfect people; some are totally consumers, some are servants, some are teachers, some are seekers, some are addicts, some are singers, some are ......and we can go on an on, but we are all there for a reason.   Let's encourage one another to remain to abide in the vine, understanding that while we have each other.....let's love each other wrecklessly and be imitators of Christ to one another while we have each other.  

 

Some will try to read into this...so let me state this.....THIS AINT ABOUT THOSE THAT HAVE CHOSEN TO LEAVE...this is about US, ALL OF US.....being about our Father's business not giving into ourselves but rather into Christ's desires for His Church and do we reflect that in our everyday living.  So let me end with saying and repeating:  " Make EVERY effort to keep the bond of Spirit through the bond of peace."  How you asked?  Try this.....loving GOD, and loving People in word and deed! LGLP

 

Lose

A time to lose; (Eccl. 3:6b)

Mark 8:35
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.  (ESV)

Philippians 2:16-18

¹⁶ Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. ¹⁷ But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.  (NLT)

In the movie 127 Hrs it is a retelling of a moutain climber who gets stuck in a crevace and after several days realizes that his options of living are drastically limited, and he choses to sever his hand from his body so that he can escape with his life.   He was successful in both, and although he lost his hand, he gained his life.   Today's scripture is about there being a time to lose, and in our culture losing is somewhat unacceptable.  What professional plays the game to lose.....none.   What corporate exec. invest their time and money to lose?   What follower of Christ actually looks forward to losing their lives for Christ's sake?   Really....if we think about it not many.  Especially not compared to the disciples who saw the reality that accepting Christ, and living for His cause, really does mean a loss (of their agendas to pick up His mission) , a departure, a severing off of  __________________ (fill in the blank...pornography, drugs, alcohol abuse, your will, etc) so that you can can gain your life in and of eternity!

Since choosing to truly live for Christ a little over 12 years ago, it's been a slow but constant departure from my selfish self, and losing many things including my time....to be about my Father's business.   People have worried, sent emails, sat with me at dinner or lunch to express concerns of burn out.  Of course after so many times...one can't help to begin to seriously consider their concerns.  Now as a New Pastor, I really have to make sure I remember to keep the first THING first, and remember not to forget my ministries within my home.   BUT for the record.....I'm losing my life and I'm having the time of my life experiencing the WONDERS of LIVING full time (not just on the weekends, or part-time or per diem) for GOD.   Keep me prayed up...that I treasure every moment & I stay full of the Living Water that will provide me with the JOY needed to endure this leg of the race.  THANK YOU & my family THANKS YOU!

Here's my challenge for you: Whether it's weight or things that have or are weighing you down, holding you back (Heb. 12:1) from experiencing the FREEDOM CHRIST OFFERS that you would be relentless in losing, cutting, severing it or them off from your relationship with the Almighty GOD!  Even if that means letting go of anger so that you can really love GOD, and love People!  I DOUBLE DARE YOU!!!! LGLP

 

GAIN

A time to gain...(Eccl.3:6a)

1 Corinthians 13:3
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

Philippians 3:8
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

Yeah I know, "three scriptures today"....I wanted to really make sure I covered as many of the bases I could because it being a time for gaining can be misinterpreted so I wanted people to know I am for some gain as the Bible is, and others....well....look at this picture: Funny or is it really that the BROAD ST (or broad road, or broad path...the one that leads to destruction) is right next to or intersects with WALL ST? So let me just jump right in, do you spend more time on E-Trader or watching the NASDAQ than you do actually studying your Bible?  Do you care more about your gains in this world, or does it really look like you are storing your treasures in heaven by how you treat people down here?

Paul was really onto something as it relates to our busyness and how at the end of the day if none of it is done "with and In" love you really have done and gained NOTHING.  How did your co-workers, your kids, your wife, your family members, your neighbors KNOW that you loved them yesterday?  See....this is why we should be humbled knowing we dropped the ball, you're reading this blog, and GOD has yet given you today, a gift called the "present" to try again. 

In Philippians, it essentially says if you aren't gaining CHRIST, if you not trading in your selfish time, selfish motives, your selfish gathering of stuff and spending more time with Christ, doing Christlike things, just loving people as Christ did....it's (whatever you're doing, or pouring yourself into) all worthless.

Here's my challenge to you....look at your schedule today.  Really look at it!  Do you have penciled in devotion if not this blog can serve as it.  Make sure you pray about what GOD is saying to you through this.   NEXT, do you have underscored in all that your are doing today: loving people?  I challenge you to make that happen no matter where you go, that people can feel you actually care about them.  This may mean you asking the cashier how are you doing in such a way he/she pauses...it may even mean you asking "Is there anything I can be in prayer for you about?"  LASTLY spend time at the end of the day thanking GOD for all of the divine appointments you filled today.  LGLP (not because it's Valentines Day, but because we are commanded to do this EVERYDAY! - This is essentially how YOU change the world.)

Refrain From Embracing

A time to refrain from embracing; (Eccl.3:5d)

¹ Then some of the leaders of Israel visited me, and while they were sitting with me, ² this message came to me from the LORD: ³ “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests?  Eze.14:1-3

So Friday we spoke about embracing, the ministry of hugs...but today this is about not doing that, and when is the right time to not be found embracing, hugging, or holding something.   Simply put, when that something takes you away from the Father.   When whatever that is causes you to sin, is what keeps you from enjoying the true intimacy of GOD and the abundant life that Christ offers.    See the scripture talks about the religious leaders coming to the prophet Ezekial and they just knew that he would have a message for them.    God who knows all, told Ezekial to inform them that because of their idols (anything that you treasure or value above GOD) in their hearts (they hold it dear to them) have made them fall into sin, so He is choosing not to listen to their request and allowing them to be led into a life of despair of their choosing to devote their lives to something empty.  

What is it for you?  The woman at the well needed living water...and traded in her bucket to become a spring of living water.   What are you embracing that you need to STOP EMBRACING?  Is it your past.....?  Is it making money?  Is it your anger about a certain situation?    Is it pornography?   Is it just fear of not knowing what this NEW ABUNDANT LIFE would be or look like?  Is it alcohol or drugs?  Whatever it is, I pray you choose today to REFRAIN FROM _________________________ (you fill in the blank) and replace it with time spent in the WORD of GOD, or with a dear friend in confession (James 5:16) so you can begin to heal, or devoting time to join a small group (men, women, Growth Group bible study).

It's only when you stop embracing the THINGS of THIS WORLD, that you truly get to experience ALL that the LORD has to offer, Adam and Eve traded ALL that GOD offer for the fruit off of one forbidden tree.....are you repeating their mistake?  LGLP

Embrace

A time to embrace, (Eccl.  3:5c)

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him  (Luke 15:20)

No matter whether it's a funeral, a graduation, the birth of a new baby or the wind of a promotion it is amazing how we are passionate, compassionate and physically bound to want to embrace the joyous or the hurting.  It is that piece of God, that strand of DNA of Him in us that our hearts are attached to one another and it draws us to connect if only for a few seconds. 

 The second scripture posted is about the prodigal son's return home, and how the father hadn't washed his hands of him when he was behaving foolish, but rather he waited at the door, or on the porch praying, hoping that his son would return alive.  When the father saw his son still afar off, but making his way back.....he ran to meet him....why?  Simply put, the verse before answers this...."filled with love and compassion he ran to...." So you get this picture of the essence of a GREAT HOMECOMING!  

  Pictured is a what I'd like to think my church, Calvary Church Connections Campus would look like if we were little porcelain statues.     We are a diverse body of marvelous creations of GOD, who love the Lord & Love each other.   Like any family we have disagreements, and sometimes they unfortunately lead to a parting of ways, but my hope is that all that is SOON laid aside, and we focus not on our issues but really on worshipping GOD, and allow ourselves to be filled with the Father's love & compassion and embrace the beauty and splendor of His Creation, our Church, and move forward into serving the nations in this same love.   Love covers a multitude of sins (1Peter 4:8), so let our love for one another be afresh today, and may we stand firm against the enemy, Satan,  who desires to see and propagate division in God's body.  His goal is draw us away so that we find ourselves out of the herd (the fellowship)...then he attempts to destroy us.  Check out this video and decide who are you in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM

My challenge for you today is to pray for someone outside of your home, that you know could use a big ol' hug...and if you find yourself in that person's presence you give it to them....the hug that is!  LGLP

Gather Stones

A time to gather stones; (Eccl. 3:5b)

¹LET ME [as God's representative] sing of and for my greatly Beloved [God, the Son] a tender song of my Beloved concerning His vineyard [His chosen people]. My greatly Beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. [S. of Sol. 6:3; Matt. 21:33-40.]

 ²And He dug and trenched the ground and gathered out the stones from it and planted it with the choicest vine and built a tower in the midst of it and hewed out a winepress in it. And He looked for it to bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.  (IS. 5:1-2)

No matter what; whether you are building something ( a retaining wall, an altar, etc) or clearing stones out...this is a very physically involved task.   In today's scripture regarding a time to gather stones.....in planting a garden it is essential to the growth of whatever it is you're planting to clear the way for the vine or the plant to be able to grow.  What you don't want is stones being the obstacles to hindering the harvest you are planning/planting for.  In building you have to be selective in what stones to use.   You can't build a wall using stones of varied consistencies and expect it to be solid.   You have to pick certain stones when you are making  a necklace vs. constructing a wall.   So whatever your reason....this gathering takes strength and precision....ask a jeweler or bricklayer what does it take...and I am certain they will echo the same.

So what is it for you?  Are you building something or trying to grow something?  I can tell you this....whether it is building a career, a building, a wall to protect yourself, clearing out stones to allow relationships to grow...etc....if it's not to or for the GLORY of GOD...then it's for nothing!  LGLP

Cast Away Stones

A time to cast away stones..(Eccl. 3:5a)

 ⁴ “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” ⁶ They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. ⁷ They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”   John 8:4-7
 
Today let's talk about when is it good to cast away stones.   In this world overwhelmed by sin, when you think about it, we have cause to pick up stones to throw at a multitude of things that are not of God.   Just two days ago a misguided student supposedly contacted the WBC to come & protest at their high school (FZE) against the formation of a gay rights support group, etc.  Upon hearing about this my heart grieved and ached because I knew in my spirit that on that day, NOT ONE SOUL would be saved.  That every atheist or person that has been hurt by the church would have further reasoning to steer clear of the type of (or total lack of) love that this church demonstrated.  

But while this happened today, it happened in a different form thousands of years ago, where a woman had been caught in an adulterous encounter and the "religious" wanted to stone her.  Christ intercepted this moment and quickly analyze the errors in this case against her, albeit she was guilty....he demonstrated grace, mercy and love.  Simply put.....the children & adults who appeared as FZE on early Monday morning acted as Christ would've to meet the religious rage filled poor excuse of a church, with love. See at the end of the day this all goes back to Loving God, and Loving People. The sooner we stop casting stones at people, and loving them....God will be glorified.    In 1John 4:18  it reads There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

So instead of fearing let's start loving.   Whatever that fear is (racism, ageism, prejudices, political) God will mete out judgement in it's time, but we won't win ONE soul operating in fear of who or what they are, or claim to be.  Our goal in life should be solely to LOVE GOD, and LOVE people....not figure out how to change people that think or live differently than us.    Just think if mission work was all about going to Americanize the countries we went to?  Mission work is about spreading the Gospel.   We go....to spread the love of CHRIST in deed first, and in word second.   I challenge you to try to understand who it is that is opposed to your beliefs, or lives contrary to the will of God, and I promise you it will be time well invested in a life that needs to encounter the person of Christ in you!  That is, if He's really in you.  I don't recall Christ hurling one stone, but He did get the religious to drop theirs.  LGLP

Dance

A time to dance. ( Eccl. 3:4d)

David returned home to bless his family. Michal, Saul's daughter, came out to greet him: "How wonderfully the king has distinguished himself today—exposing himself to the eyes of the servants' maids like some burlesque street dancer!" David replied to Michal, "In God's presence I'll dance all I want! He chose me over your father and the rest of our family and made me prince over God's people, over Israel. Oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory—more recklessly even than this. And as far as I'm concerned...I'll gladly look like a fool...(2Sam. 6:20-22a)

So King David has been attempting to transport the Ark of the Lord while at the same time having been attacked, but victorious over his attackers (2Sam 5). Now he has had to deal with the death of one of his men (Uzzah) who touched the ark.  After a period of mourning (like yesterday's post) & and being angered he went before GOD with his emotions.   He then saw the error in his ways, had his men to now carry the Ark instead of it being in an ox cart, he offered sacrifices before the Lord because his anger was in his past and he saw GOD had immenseley blessed the home the Ark was in, and overtaken with the JOY of GOD's favor...danced! 

Every Sunday we, you, me....millions of others come to places of worship and hear songs that minister to, and reminds us of WHO GOD IS, and our relational position to His Greatness, but do we really listen?  I mean seriously.....think of a song from your past that when you hear it; you can't help tap your feet or feel invited to give your body to dancing to it.   For me...that's quite easily any Michael Jackson song almost, but what about songs that are sung on Sunday morning?  Are there any that you lose yourself in?  You know, you lift your hands up, you wave your arms like flags you allow the rythmn & words to move you into the isle again not caring whose watching but rather that you are dancing before your savior, your redeemer, your healer, your banner, your provider.  At C4 (Calvary Church Connections Campus) for a while we would present a praise dance before the Lord, and it's been two months since our last dance....but I get the feeling it won't be much longer because GOD has been too good for us to continue to just warm our seats then leave.   I'm sure.....no matter where you are in life, if you really stop and think about it....despite your attitude, or what you don't have....GOD has been good to you and your family and just that alone makes Him worthy of us singing & dancing for as indignant as David was!  So as a New Pastor...I'll gladly look like a fool to give my GOD all the Glory and I pray you're with me!  LGLP

Mourn

A time to mourn ( Eccl. 3:4c)

 ¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Keeping it real, there was a point in my life in the not to distant past, where I would've told you....I had a serious inability to healthily mourn.   I actual ran & avoided it.  See as a teenager and going into young adulthood, there was a period in my life where we, my family & I became so familiar with death & dying that I'd sit in funerals totally numb.   I'd watch people cry over the body in a casket that while this person had once live, they never treated lovingly.    I sat in re passes and listen to "oh how I'd wish..." stories.    I heard eulogies that preached people into heaven, that lived hell on earth.  So when it came to me losing anything or anyone....I  made mourning a filthy a rest stop restroom, until I lost my first dog to death ( I was 22 years old.).  Then when I  had to leave a job (due to a promotion) and I wept having to leave the people I loved and invested over 8+hrs a day, and over 12+ years of my life with some of which despised me and my faith.

Yesterday was a bittersweet day, and I know THAT'S NOT what GOD wanted for me.   He wanted for me to embrace the blessing/calling  He's placed on my life to do exactly what is stated in Isaiah 61:1-3.  What has hindered me is this thing called mourning.  I find myself overwhelmed with KNOWING that the BODY of believers that I have been called to lead are brokenhearted.  Brokenhearted because the loss of not one, but two Pastors.   Brokenhearted because of this loss & that their friends; other members will be leaving, & some already have.   Because of my relationships with every last person in our body......my heart too is broken.  I too have mourned the loss of my beloved pastors, but I thank GOD they aren't dead, and I can still reach out to them.     I too mourn because some people have left, and there maybe more.     I too mourn because in this semi-Exodus I will then see who was committed to their pastors vs. those committed to His church.    I too mourn because I will see some struggle in their spirituality because they chose not to remain in the vine due to their anger, frustrations, and not GOD's leading.  I too mourn, because the WORD of God is true that we are often times led away by our own desires (emotions)......(2Pet. 3:16-18, Jude 1) and not by His Spirit.    So whereas I was once not acquainted with grief....because of Christ I am, now.    This too; this period of mourning, shall and will pass.........morning is coming soon, so for now please excuse me....I Am Anointed for this, and (my heart is) for these people & those GOD will be sending!  LGLP