Sa.Sa.Sa..Saturday Night....

Thought I might inject a little Bay City Rollers in title of the posting today. Sorry about  that.
Here we are in the middle of an Alabama Summer.
Hot, humid...sticky....sweltering....Typical Summer.
Today is visitation at Rapha. We have so many new guys here now that it should make for an interesting visitation. I always enjoy this day as families come to see their husbands/ fathers/sons/brothers (in other words fill in the blank). Should be a good day.
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Acts 1:4 -  ........"But wait for the promise of the Father which you have heard from me."

Such a small word.
Four letters.
But the thought and meaning of this word drives us crazy sometimes.
We fight against it.
We verbally say, "I'm not good at this."
What word?
WAIT.
The simple act of not pushing ahead with our agenda.
The process of remaining still until we receive whatever it is we are waiting on.

Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
According to this, there must be benefits from waiting, the most obvious is a renewing of strength.
If I am waiting, then I am not exerting myself uselessly.
If I am waiting, then I am at rest.
If I am waiting, then I am in a place of trust. A place where I am believing that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.
Rest!Wait!
Waiting for the promise of the Father. Doesn't that sound incredible? God has promised to send something and all they had to do was wait for it. I'm sure the group in Acts 1 were like little children on Christmas eve.
"What do you think it is?"
"How will we know when it arrives?" (Unaware that it wasn't an "IT" but rather "HIM" as in the Holy Spirit)
I know this.
Because this group waited, they were never the same.
On the day of the promise, everything changed.  Not a little but topsy-turvy, world upside down kind of change.
Waiting on God will do that sometimes.
I'm waiting on Him right now.
I'm waiting on Him to turn to His Son and say,"Go get your bride."
Jesus, come quickly!

God on you....
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Oswald Chambers "My Utmost For His Highest"

Today's reading in Oswald Chambers devotion caused me to see God in a new way. I guess more than that, I saw myself in a new way that has caused me to rethink some old suppositions I have held on to.

Chambers writes about the disciples listening to Jesus describe what must happen to him when they arrive in Jerusalem.
Luke 18:34
And they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.

Seems to me that I have allowed myself to build upon my relationship with Jesus with my own understanding and the prideful thought that I am smart and can discern the great mysteries of God. How foolish I am to think that in my own human effort, I can dissect the intents and wisdom of God. God has no need to divulge the secrets of the Kingdom to me. His is to simply say, "Follow me." My part is simply to follow resting in the knowledge that God is in control.

Chambers writes:
There comes the baffling call of God in our lives also. The call of God can never be stated explicitly. It is implicit. The call of God is like the call of the sea, no one hears it but the one who has the nature of the sea in him. It cannot be stated definitely what the call of God is to, because His call is to be in comradeship with Himself for His own purposes, and the test is to believe that God knows what He is after. The things that happen do not happen by chance, they happen entirely in the decree of God. God is working out his purposes.

This is why Jesus' call to "FOLLOW ME" is so strange to us. My lack of trust in Jesus propels me to ask Him, "Where are we going? What will we do when we get there? How long will be gone." If truth be known, my questions reveal the selfishness that burns in my heart. In my own little dark world, it is still all about me. "I'll follow Jesus but you have to fill me in on all the particulars."
Jesus' call is very simple.
Leave everything and follow.
Jesus led his disciples to a place where their hearts were broken.

Chambers goes on to write.
Jesus Christ's life was an absolute failure from every standpoint but God's. But what seemed like failure from man's standpoint was a tremendous triumph from God's because God's purpose is never man's purpose.

If we are in communion with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, we shall no longer try to find out what His purposes are.
We will simply trust and obey. There is rest and peace in ceasing from our striving as we walk with Jesus. There is a calmness that will be given to us as we simply assume the pace and receive the grace of our Lord.
Find that place today.....
And live.

God on you....
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The Main Thing Is The Main Thing

Seems like everyone is looking for the next big thing. The next generation of smart phones. The next luxury car. The next new restaurant to eat at. The latest fashion. We become caught up in the chase as we discard what was to embrace what will be. Sometimes I think we discard what is perceived to be the "Old Religious" things of God, so we can embrace the new improved things of God.

I was listening to a message the other day on line from a pastor I really like and respect. As they were sharing they came to the story of Jonah, they began to share it like it was a nursery story. As though the people in the congregation had not heard it before. As the pastor continued in the story the reference was made to how people really don't read the Bible any more.  How can I know the promises of God if I don't read His word? How can I follow God if I don't know His word? God's Holy Spirit that resides in me tell me when and where to do God's desires. The Word of God tells me how.

I am inclined to believe that there is a benefit that many do not see or are not aware of when reading the Scriptures.
Psalm 107:20 -  He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
He --- God
Sent-- gave direction and purpose to
His---denotes ownership and a willingness to share with others
Word -  the communication that allows us to understand and be aware of God's intentions
And healed--  To make well. To strengthen. To bring from a place of darkness into a place of light.
Them- mankind. Not based on race, sex, socio-economic background. Based on who receives the word and embraces the finished work of Jesus. In other words, salvation.
And delivered -  To move from one situation that does not present favor or good standing. A place of danger or pain or slavery. To move into a new and better place spiritually, physically and emotionally.
Them - Once again mankind who embraces and receives this invitation from Jesus.
From their destruction - The end result of living a life of sin. All sickness is a by product of sin in this world. God never created cancer or aids or herpes..they are the mutant result of sin and lifestyles lived outside of God's will. But praise God...he didn't create disease and sickness but He does have the power and authority to remove it.

Scripture says to let the word of God dwell in you richly. If you don't have a hunger or desire to read the Bible, ask God to give you one. Then start slowly. It isn't the amount your read as much as it what you understand. You may be surprised as to what happens.

God on you....
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You Must Be Born Again

Why do I write day after day here in this blog? It's not for recognition, for I know that you will not remember me. It's not for personal satisfaction, even though I am touched when someone leaves a comment. I do it because God has called me to.

If you don't remember anything else from reading the postings....know that God loves you and desires to reach out to you and have this relationship. A relationship that has been separated by our sin and rebellion against God. Oh, let's be real here............the focus is on those who are trapped in addiction, but the power of addiction is found in the power of sin. Yes! There are some chemical changes that take place in a user's brain and there is physical damage done to the body through the use of drugs and/or alcohol.........but you know what? My God is in the healing business.

I guess one of the things I don't see in the lives of people we are trying to help is desperation. A desperation to be healed at any cost. A desperation that screams out..."No more! I cannot go on living like this!! I have to have Jesus or I die. Part of my prayer every time I speak is that God would break through the hardness and apathy that seems to surround so many who are addicted.

The thought of recovery is very simple.
I don't have a drug and alcohol problem. I have a living problem. I have a broken relationship with Jesus.
Recovery is about walking humbly, righteously and mercifully with God while accepting and doing His will. In our old lifestyle, we have opposed God's will by hurting ourselves, our bodies, and our loved ones.

Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to lover mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

In other words, we look to God for direction in what to do in our life. We no longer demand to be in control, to have the reins in our hands so we can guide the situations and circumstances that pull our life along. I give up!

I give up and find true freedom. Why would I want to keep on living in the old, destructive lifestyle? I see so many who just want some relief from the pressure and stress that they have brought on themselves by their bad choices. I don't want to change, I just want to be left alone. My friend, if that is the mindset you possess, God will let you along and he will leave you to your desires and wants. Unchecked and without God's help, you will rush head long to your destruction with no one to blame. You can't blame God, for it is you who demanded to be left alone. You can't blame others, because in your mind, you weren't hurting anyone. No, enraged and driven by your own appetite for sin, you chose to shake off the love of God to feed that dark appetite that can never be satisfied.

Oh that you would wake up from your darkness and understand what an incredible offer that God has extended to you. Through the shed blood of Jesus, the power of sin has been broken in your life. Through the shed blood of Jesus, the penalty of sin has been removed from your life, and through the blood of Jesus the presence of sin is no longer the slave driver that demands your obedience.

The work of Jesus is a finished work.
There is nothing left to do but for me to repent.
Nothing left to do but for me to confess and turn from my sin.
Nothing left to do but cry and receive the forgiveness of Christ.
Nothing left to do but allow God's Holy Spirit to come and fill me completely.
Then...................................
Live this new life daily, falling more and more in love with Jesus.

Fall in love with others who love Jesus....
Fall in love with those who don't know Jesus....

God on you....
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I have just down loaded Shane Elmore's Testimony from our Saturday night meeting. You will not want to miss listening to this. It truly is evidence of what God can do in the life of someone that many had given up on....
Check out the message in the pod cast section of Greene Street Letters....
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Hope

Romans 4:18
In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your descendants be."

Abraham....
Old and growing older by the minute.
God has promised him a son to fulfill the promise He made.
The clock is ticking.
Every morning, when Abraham got up, he felt the years in his body. With every ache and groan...with every sore muscle and physical problem, Abraham was made painfully aware that time was moving on and there was no "Son of promise."
Every time Abraham looked at Sarah, he saw a woman who was beyond child bearing years. Yet, in all of this physical evidence that piled up against a promise that had been made by God, Abraham never waved in his faith in God.

That is where I want to be in my relationship with Jesus.
I want to, as the verse puts it, "Hope against hope."
There is a hope that the world confers on humanity.
An empty hope.
A pie-in-the-sky kind of hope that has no basis for reality. We hope simply because that is the thing to do.
Kind of like when I hoped I would pass my Algebra II test, knowing full well I had not done anything to make it a reality. But boy did I hope! My hope was founded on nothing and, as such, that is what I received...a boatload of nothing.

There is a hope born in the heart of God that is passed down to those who are followers of Jesus. It is a hope that is deterred or defined by this world. IT is divine hope. IT is heavenly hope. IT is real hope. Hope that looks at two people whose bodies are incapable of having a son, then proclaims, "YES! There will be a soon. Hope that defies the impossible and scoffs at those who make fun of it. Hope that builds an ark before the flood. Hope that shuts the mouths of lions. Hope that raises people from the dead and gives sight to the blind. Hope that transfers people from the clutches of hell into the glorious living of the Kingdom of God.
That is HOPE!

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frain but wholly lean on Jesus name

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

God on you...

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We Are Laster Than We've Ever Been

The title of the posting today comes from a statement made by John Wimber. When asked if he thought we were living in the last days, he replied that he did believe we were in such a time. When pressed about the return of Jesus, John replied, "I don't know about that...I just know that we are laster than we've ever been."

I Timothy 4:1
Now the Holy Spirit tells us that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe. They will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons.

I really never thought I'd see the day when the teachings of the church was become so distant from the Word of God. Now before you think I'm crawling up on a soapbox or a high horse, believe me when I say that I'm not trying to be the spokesperson for the Church. I simply want to point out one of the oldest lies ever perpetrated on the human race.

If you turn on your television....
If you go to any Christian Bookstore....
You will find the following in some shape, form or fashion.

Unlock The Door To Your Destiny.....
10 Steps To Your Hidden Blessing.....
Find Your Hidden Blessing To A Better Life....
The Mysteries of God Revealed......

The idea behind such books and DVD's is that you, as the average Christian, are missing out on something that God has kept hidden from you.
Now call me strange, but that sounds a lot like what the serpent told the woman back in the garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:5 - God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything both good and evil."
Do you see the subtle way the serpent infers that God has been holding out on the woman?
"God doesn't want you to eat the fruit because when you do, you'll be just like Him."
Of course the rest is history.
She ate.
He ate.
God came down.
"Everyone out of the pool."
Here I sit today in a fallen world.
But mankind still suffers from wanting to be like God.
I call it the Jesus "+" system.
Knowing Jesus Christ and acknowledging Him as my Lord and Savior isn't enough. There has to be something else that will get me closer to God. I don't want to be an average-everyday-run-of-the-mill believer. I want to be SUPER Christian. I don't want to do anything to get there...just show me the short cut.
I don't believe there are such things as Super Christians. People with inside knowledge on the workings of God.

You are either a believer or your are not.
If you are a believer then certain behaviors and attitudes should be evident because of it.
Paul kind of hints at what it takes to follow Jesus.
He writes in Verse 10 - 
We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.

Did I read that right?
"We work hard."
"We suffer much."
Wow! How do you think that would look on a book cover in the local Christian Bookstore?
Imagine walking through the front door and there on a display you see....
"Key's to successful living in Jesus: Work hard--Suffer much".
Think there would be a run on that best seller?

How about simply love the Lord You God with all your heart, with all your strength, with all your mind, with all that is within you."
Then, love those around you.....but do so as you love yourself.
Simple isn't it?
Don't be lead astray by promises of something beyond what the Scriptures say.
The devil simply wants to deter you into looking for the easier, softer way to Jesus.
The way to Jesus is found at the cross...no where else.

God on you.....
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