God's Tour Of The Human Race

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.....for it is light that makes everything visible.
Romans 13:11

Over the Thanksgiving holiday season I have met up with quite a variety of people. They ranged from the most devout Christians to atheists with prison records. I pondered each group of people that I had been in contact with and was pretty impressed by the diversity. What I really became aware of was how each person had some quality that was pure gold. Then I started to get a sense of God showing them off to me like a proud Papa. I remembered that he is the Father of us all.

I know that he tells us to not judge and he tells us to think about the good things. Instead of criticizing, he has asked us to pray for others. When he says to having nothing to do with the darkness, it means nothing. He doesn't want us to focus on the darkness in others. He wants to take us on a tour and show us good qualities in people. I think that this is one of our calls as God's children, to enjoy the good in others as our Father in heaven does. In some way, it is an encouragement to them. It is even more empowering if you actually speak it to them. Regardless, they will feel it if you have a positive frame of mind about them. Remember how when you are with someone that has a good attitude, you feel free and happy. This is a gift that you can give to others. If you honestly can't find something to like about a person, ask God to show you how he sees them. You will be pleasantly surprised. In the midst of this, remember that he is proud of you. As you know his love and approval, you will be able to see it more towards others. Have fun with your new outlook on the human race. You will be such a blessing everywhere you go. Your light will shine brightly. This light will expose the darkness. This light will set others free.

Awake

Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
Ephesians 5:12

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1

Yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent. We are now officially preparing for Christmas. During this time we remember that Jesus came to earth and why. We also remember that Jesus will return and are reminded to stay awake and be prepared for his return.

This morning, as I pondered this, I remembered a vision that my friends and I had together. In the vision, we were standing out on the street shouting, "Wake up. Jesus is coming."

All up and down the street people opened their windows and shouted, "Shut up! We are trying to sleep!"

We are truly called to encourage others to stay awake or to wake up. This morning, I feel God challenging us to ponder our own wakefulness. That's all. We are to each go to God and ask him where we are asleep. We are to ask him to wake us up and give us the ability to stay awake. I know that through this process he will reveal himself to us in a new and beautiful way.

Gifts From Our Father

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all .
Ephesians 4:6

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

Last night I became really aware that God is the Father of us all. That means all, not just those that know him and call on his name. He is showering us with gifts because he is so kind and generous. I had the sense that as we were sleeping, he was getting a whole bunch of gifts together to give us today. He is doing this for every one, constantly. In fact before we were even created, he started planning the gifts that he will give us. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful Father.

Give Thanks To The Lord

[1] O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
[2] O give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
[3] O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[4] to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[5] to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[6] to him who spread out the earth upon the waters,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[7] to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[8] the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[9] the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[10] to him who smote the first-born of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[11] and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[12] with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[13] to him who divided the Red Sea in sunder,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[14] and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[15] but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[16] to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[17] to him who smote great kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[18] and slew famous kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[19] Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[20] and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[21] and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[22] a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
[23] It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[24] and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[25] he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
[26] O give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
Psalm 136

Pleasing God

"I long just to please you" (Jeremy Riddle

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, and more than a bull with his horns and hoofs.
Psalm 69:30-31

As I sang the line from a song by Jeremy Riddle, I was aware that God loves me. He doesn't just love himself and his agenda. So part of what pleases God is to bless me and that I know his love for me.

We do not prostitute ourselves to God. He wants us as a bride; to be his friend, partner, soul mate. I know my spouse is my best friend. We do fun things together. We work together, laugh together, cry together. We talk about life and confide in each other. As time goes by, we love each other more and more deeply.

This is what God wants with us, and more. So pleasing God isn't just being good. He wants us to be his bride in every way. This would please him more than anything.

God is For You

No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame.(3) Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long.(4-5)Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.(8-9)The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.(15) Psalm 25

Our hope is only in God. He did a perfect job creating us, and he has a plan that is perfect for us. We must continuously seek his face and he will guide us in the direction we should go. Others have lots of opinions of what is right for you. You may have even decided on an agenda for yourself. Lay it down and seek God's face. While you are at it lay don all of your "I shoulds." He will show you a better way. If God is for you, who can be against. I am so comforted to know that God is on my side. Even my mistakes can't ruin my life when God is on my team. He wants us to be at peace and trust in him. He wants to guide us into the amazing plan that he has for us. You were born for "such a time as this." You don't have to be the responsible one. God will do that job for you. You can rest in his love and let him carry you. It will really be exciting to see where God leads you. He will open up doors that you never even considered an option. He has a much higher and glorious plan than you can image. Hop on God's train. His train is bound for glory.

Our God Is For Us

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:28-31

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

All of us are in a battle of some sort. Today, I am fighting for my health and God's truth. Some people I know are fighting for their marriage, their children, their finances, their health, and even their lives. The list could get pretty long.The good news is, "If God is for us, who can be against us." We are not alone in this battle. God is for us. God will give you strategies just like he did the children of Israel. "The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."As I write this, I get the impression that some of you are having trouble believing that God could actually be there for someone like you. Others look at the struggles that they are going through and can't see evidence that God is for them. I declare it. I speak it over you. God is for you. You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. You will win this battle.

God Will Gather You And Bring You Back

Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. Deuteronomy 30:4

This verse really touches my heart. It speaks to me of God's faithfulness to me. In this case, he was speaking to the Israelites about being banished to another country because of their disobedience. He won't just leave them there. He will bring them back. It comforts me and endears me to God because he is so good to me, even when I mess up. One of my weaknesses is to worry that I will make a bad choice and mess everything up. God says that no matter what, he will come after me and bring me back. I can't out mess up God. His love and goodness are bigger than anything I could ever do wrong.

From My Journal

God told me that, like the moon reflects the sun, I am a reflection of him. I don't have to be a reflection of what others think of me. It's so subtle when men put their expectation in a world that fits in their box of life, rather than in God. It always takes me by surprise.

I almost never fit in anyone's concept of how life should be. I voice radical ideas that they try to stomp out like a fire. I address concepts that they have decided cannot exist. They state their beliefs forcefully, as if by them speaking with aggression, it will push away what I have just spoken. They have a rulebook of who God is and what his children should be like. When I speak of God and of who I am, it generally doesn't fit their agenda for life. They say, either silently or out loud, "No, No. This cannot be. Go away. We don't want you in our lives unless you believe like us."

I walk into a room, wearing no mask and no pretenses. They do not want to be associated with me. They want their fairy tale world and pretty costumes. I want life with both the sorrow and the joy. I want the adventures God takes me on and the beautiful things he teaches me. I want this more than being embraced by mankind. I want the truth even if it doesn't fit anyone's rule book. I want God for who he really is. The God who loves me for who I really am. He calls me his delight, the apple of his eye. I want this more than the approval of man.

So I will continue to walk through life on this earth. I will look up to the God who loves me and says that I am making a difference.

Come and walk with me on this journey of life. Be free to be yourself and be loved by the one whose love matters the most.

Stand

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13

Yesterday morning, God kept saying to me, "After you have done everything stand." He was equipping me for an encounter that I had later in the day with a very rude woman that's comment went right to a very vulnerable spot in me. I tried everything to get rid of the yuck of it all. I forgave. I chose to not be offended I prayed blessings over her. I invited God to fill my wound with his glory light. Nothing got rid of how awful I felt. So I stopped and spent some time just standing in God's love. Then he reminded me again, "After you have done everything, stand." I sensed his love in a super powerful way. I saw a vision of attackers all around me and Jesus pushing them aside and coming to gather me in his arms. I was so aware that nothing can separate me from his love. Then the following song came to me.

Carry The Beauty In Your Heart

to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3

I was just thanking God for the beautiful worship service that we attended Sunday. I heard him say, "Carry the beauty in your heart." I am understanding that God has beauty, joy and praise that he is continuously offering us. He wants us to be aware of this and to receive it. Yes, there is ugliness, despair, and disappointment out there. God does not deny that. If you are mourning, let him comfort you. Let him provide beauty and gladness and praise. You may feel like you have earned the right to focus on what is wrong in your life because it feels like there is so much that is wrong. The price is just too high! It will only lead to despair. Look up and notice the goodness that God is offering you. Receive it, savor it and carry this beauty in your heart.

Light Inoculations

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
John 1:5

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29

This morning, God showed me a new strategy to use against the darkness within and around me. He can inoculate each of these areas with his light. When Jesus came into the world, he came as light in the darkness, and the darkness couldn't overcome the light.

So my new prayer today has been for God to inoculate every place of darkness within me. Then I started asking him to do the same with the darkness around me, especially in the lives of others. I am really excited! The darkness can't intimidate or discourage me any longer.

Such A Time As This

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30-31

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.
Esther 4:13

God is still looking for people to stand in the gap on behalf of others. He looked for someone to intercede for the Jews, and because he found no one he had to punish them. Yes, they deserved punishment, but God didn't want to do it. He wanted someone to cry out for mercy. Remember how there were times when the Israelites deserved to be punished and Moses, an innocent man, asked to die in their place. As a result, God had mercy.

We are royalty like Esther. We have been given permission to approach the throne of God. Lets ask for mercy on those that deserve to be punished. Let's stand in the gap on their behalf. You can relate to many of them. You struggle with the same issues, either because you are guilty of them or they are being directed at you. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus already took your punishment. The enemy has an agenda against you and your your fellow humans. You exist at such a time as this. Intercede and help lead the world to victory.

Time For Sowing Lessons

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:37-38

He said to give and it will be given to you. I always thought that this just applied to finances. God is showing me that this applies to every area of our lives. If we give forgiveness, we will be forgiven. If we give mercy, we will receive mercy and so on. I hate to say it but I think that the pagans are better at this than me. They call it Karma. That's why I love hanging out with pagans, no offense all you non pagans. The fact of the matter is, I like the way they treat me. Jesus said that we reap what we sow. This could get really fun. Think of the wonderful gift that God has given us. We can go all over planting seeds of goodness.

Peace and Prosperity

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you will prosper.
Jeremiah 29:7

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

This scripture is speaking to the Jews about being in exile in Babylon. They weren't there willingly and the city belonged to their enemies. Yet God is asking them to pray for peace and prosperity for the whole city, not just themselves. I believe that God asks the same of us today. What place are you in exile. Are you sick, in a difficult marriage, in debt, depressed, in a nasty job, unemployed, or some other hard situation? I believe that God is asking you to cry out on behalf of others in the same difficulty, whether they deserve it or not.

God wants to prosper you, but he wants you to pray big prayers so that he can prosper others too. It's actually really cool. It is so fun to watch others be blessed by God.You get to have a part in bringing that about. How fun is that!

Boldly Come To God

Therefore, since we have a high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of needs. Hebrews 4:14-16

Some of us are in some pretty miserable situations. It is so tangled that it is difficult to tell where we messed up and where we are innocent. Of course none of us wants to mess up, but it is a fact that we do. Sometimes our tendency is to not ask God for help because we feel like we deserve where we are at. Of course, at the same time, it is pretty easy to find people that agree with this verdict.

The above scripture begs to differ. God says that we can boldly approach his throne. We have a high priest that doesn't condemn us. He sympathizes with our weaknesses. Come to him now with your problems whether they are your fault or not. Ask for forgiveness and receive his help. He wants to give you mercy and grace to help you in your time of need. Both mercy and grace have to do with receiving when we don't deserve it. Come because Jesus is asking you to. God says to ask and you will receive. I truly encourage you to call on the name of the Lord and be saved from whatever difficulty you find yourself in.

God Has A Double Portion For You

The Spirit of the Sovereign
Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach 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,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's
favor
and the day of vengeance of our
God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in
Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of
beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of
righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long
devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for
generations.
Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and
vineyards.
And you will be called priests of the
Lord,
you will be named ministers of our
God.
You will feed on the wealth of
nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double
portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their
inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double
portion of their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.

For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant
with them.
Their descendants will be known
among the nations
and their offspring among the
peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the Lord has
blessed.

I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments
of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of
righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head
like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself
with her jewels.
For as the soil makes the sprout come
up
and a garden causes seeds to
grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make
righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.
Isaiah 61

God Inspires You

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Ezekiel 26:37

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

God is saying that his Spirit within us has been leading us our whole lives. He has never left us and never will. Each of us will not be like any other person. I am remembering that Jesus was perfectly led by God and yet, I can hear the crowd yelling, "Crucify him!" He wasn't what they expected. Neither are you. You are part of a peculiar people.

I have always admired the quiet, reverent appearing people. They always look so holy. This is how God made them. I am just not one of them. I am adventurous and curious. I talk, sing and tell corny jokes. I walk up to total strangers and start talking to them as if I've known them my whole life. I am not a quiet, hidden person. I am unconventional and always out of step with others. For example, Monday was a feast day; God had me fast. Go figure. Throughout my life I have shocked and horrified many people. They say to me, "It's just not done that way." Much of my life I have been shamed and taught to believe that if I am out of step with the people around me, then I am out of step with God.

God is showing me that, not only has he stood by our sides in our uniqueness, he has inspired it. He is so excited to take us beyond status quo. He has so many cool things that he wants to do with us. He wants us to trust that he is leading us. We are not left to our own devices. He will never leave us. This is going to be fun.

Self Imposed Agenda

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 22:3

I have always been unique. As I write this, I can hear my friend Randy in a puppet show saying, "Be unique like everybody else." I guess we are all unique. Anyway, my point is that I have always felt out of sync with the world. I was led to believe that this was a defect. So to compensate this, I have created a self imposed agenda. Since this isn't who I really am and it is not God's will for me, I have failed miserably. Then of course, I felt like I was a failure. God is asking me to let go of my self imposed agenda. He is doing things in the lives of his children that have never been done before. He created us each so wonderfully. We cannot listen to what man thinks we are to do, although he does speak through people. Ultimately we need to seek his face and let him guide us, even if it is in a unique direction. He is so looking forward to the wonderful things he wants to show us. There are treasures out there that have never been seen by man. He wants to show them to us. This is going to be so exciting!

Self Imposed Walls

With my God I can scale a wall. Psalm 18:29

You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 139:5-6

Yesterday, God showed me that he had set me free, but I chose to have self imposed walls. This freedom was just too scary to me. I wanted to be hemmed in by walls that I created so that I would feel safe. God said that these man made walls needed to be torn down. I keep remembering a movie called, The Truman Show. In it the actor thinks he is living a normal life of freedom until he realizes that he is stuck in a movie set. In the end he escapes. When I pondered escaping my self imposed walls I felt afraid. I didn't know how to be free. It's a big world out there. The above scripture is very comforting. I don't need my self imposed walls.God is surrounding me and keeping me safe. So my prayer has been, "Yes God, you can remove my self imposed walls. I want to be free"

You Are Called

His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
"Neither this man nor his parents," said Jesus, "but this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:2-3

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:4-7

God gave me the beginnings of a revelation today that I hope I can put into words. Did you notice that the man was born blind. It wasn't his fault or the fault of anyone else. It wasn't a generational curse or because of wrong choices on anyone else's part. His blindness had a purpose. It was so that the work of God could be displayed in his life. I want you to also notice that when Jesus came to this earth lots of horrid things happened to him. This wasn't because he messed up. He didn't live in a mansion and have servants so that he could just play. He was poor and eventually even homeless. He went through all of that so that the work of God could be displayed. There is one more element. His life was an intercession for the world. His life was a prayer for us. He went through it so that we could have intimacy with God, be healed, delivered from sin and death.

Our lives are filled with circumstances that are not of our choosing. We have issues in our lives that we can't get rid of. If you are like me your focus has been to get well and to be set free. If you are like me you have felt guilty because you just couldn't get free. You felt like a failure. Was the blind man a failure? Was Jesus a failure? What God seems to be saying to me is that he literally calls us into these difficult things so that his name can be glorified and so that our lives can be an intercession for others in the same circumstances. He is asking us to look up and trust in him. He is wanting to do a great work in and through our lives. We are the body of Christ. He said that we will do even greater things than he did. We share in his sufferings and as a result share in the redemptive work. Quit blaming yourself or others for who you are. Put your hope in God. You will not make a difference in the world in spite of your circumstances. You will make a difference because of them. You are not a failure or disappointment to God. He is proud to call you his own. I quoted part of Psalm 84 again because it makes this exact point. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make a place of springs. If you could look behind you right now, you would see that everywhere you have been has been made better because you were there. Springs have been created so that others can drink of them and be refreshed and healed. Shine little light. You are a joy and a blessing.

You Are Righteousness

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:21-6:2

You are the righteousness of God. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Your identity is not "sinner." You are justified, remember that means "just as if I never did it." I know that you are thankful that Jesus paid the price for your sins and that he died in your place, so you can have eternal life. This is truly awesome. Now is the time of God's favor. Now is the time of God's salvation. Shame and striving to be good want to rule. Don't let them. Jesus gave you his righteousness. Receive it. Walk in it. Rest in it.

You will continue to fall short. In fact there is a scripture that says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus wants you to confess and then move on. I am only beginning to truly learn about this. So this is how I have been putting it into practice these last few days. I do a blanket confession each day for all of my sins in general. Then I look up at righteousness. At the same time I am resting in God's love and approval. They seem to go hand in hand. All I know is that this is of utmost importance. Jesus asked us to seek first his righteousness. He didn't say to seek first your own righteousness. In fact, he said that our righteousness is as filthy rags. God made a huge deposit of righteousness with your name on it in the bank of his love. Don't let it be in vain. Withdraw it and live in it. It will never run out.