buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

Archive for the tag “spiritual journey”

23 Jul 2014
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Let It Go!

“Let it go. Let it go.” Is the song in your head yet? When I was at the beach with my family, I finally had the opportunity to see the movie “Frozen.” I had heard the song “Let it Go” everywhere, but I didn’t have the context of the song. My niece told me I should write a blog about it, and I laughed it off. Yet, here I sit writing away! But it’s more than a song; it’s a verse in the Bible. It’s about running our race without anything hindering our progress. I was challenged in a sermon recently about throwing off those things that hinder my progress in my walk with Jesus. Is there an area of temptation that is keeping me from experiencing a deeper relationship with Jesus?

I remembered the song. Forgive me, I don’t remember the “star” in the film, but the woman with the icy touch was hurting the people she loved. She froze her sister’s heart and only an act of true love could unleash her to live. But instead of loving, she fled and locked herself into a protective ice castle so that she wouldn’t hurt anyone else. She determined this was the best thing for all concerned. But it was not the case. She did hurt the world even though she didn’t realize it.

After contemplating my own condition, I wondered if I have also locked myself in a protective environment that is unintentionally hurting those around me. We are meant to be out in the world loving the people God places in our lives. But I isolate myself with the church crowd. I really don’t have opportunities to witness to others about the love of Jesus. I don’t place myself in those places where I am called to minister – outside my walls. True love unleashes us to offer love to others. His true love is placed in us not only to benefit those within our walls, but it’s to reach out and love those around us – our neighbors, our co-workers, those we meet in the street. I have failed in this commandment too many times to count.

The past is behind me – let it go. I don’t want anything hindering my walk. I need protection too to keep me from tripping on this walk. I need to pick up the armor of God as I walk out my door. I want to be in the world but not of the world. I need the full armor on. I will put on the helmet to protect my thoughts. I cover my heart and soul with the breastplate of righteousness. My feet are ready to carry me to those places God wants me to go. The shield of faith is lifted up to keep Satan’s attempt from making me stumble or fall on this walk. And I am wielding the sword which divides the soul and spirit – not in judgment of others because I have no right to judge. The sword which is the living word of God is active and will do the work but we have to be the ones carrying it forward. How will they know if we don’t go?

So I am challenging you too. Let it go. Throw off that thing that is hindering your race. Only true love can release us to do more for His glory but first we have to lay “it” down before Him. Then pick up the full armor and get busy. I’m up for the challenge, are you?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

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04 Jun 2014

Daybreak

I love sunrises, but I don’t see them much. I am not up at the crack of dawn on most mornings. Occasionally I will see the breaking of the day. However, my morning usually begins long after the sun has made its appearing. The breaking of the day is seen as a new beginning, but I was struck recently by a couple of sermons that pointed out that daybreak was the end of the night; not the beginning of something, but the end of something.

The first passage was taught from John 21:1-13. It was the end of the time when Jesus walked the earth, but before the Holy Spirit descended. This is the passage where Peter decided to go fishing and some of the other disciples followed him. After Jesus rose again but had yet to ascend back to heaven, Peter went back to what he knew to do. Jesus was not with the disciples on a constant basis anymore. There was uncertainty of the future now. I assume Peter had no clue what he should do next. So he went back to what he knew to do. Peter was unsuccessful in that night’s fishing expedition though. They caught nothing. Now what?

Scripture says it was early in the morning when Jesus showed up on the shore (verse 4). The disciples were not in the place where they were supposed to be. Jesus found them doing what they knew to do at that time. Jesus directed them to fish the other side of the boat. All night long they had been fishing their favorite spots and caught nothing. The blessing happened at the end of the night after they struggled with those nets all night long. One word from Jesus redirected their efforts, and they were surprised by the abundance; so surprised that they counted the number of fish and recorded it!

The second passage was taught from Genesis 32:22-31. This passage finds Jacob about to encounter his brother whom he had deceived. He sent all his possessions and family across the stream so that he could be alone. That night, a man from God wrestled with Jacob; all night long they struggled against one another. Day was breaking and the man wanted to be released, but Jacob would not let the man go until he received a blessing. Jacob was touched by the man and received an injury that caused him to limp. But in that interaction, Jacob received a new name. No longer was he going to be called Jacob which means “deceiver” but Israel which means “he struggles with God.” The man blessed Jacob there, at the end of the night or daybreak. It was the end of the old and the beginning of the new.

The thing that has been suggested through these passages is that God has His own timetable. He is never late; He is never early, but He is always there at the time we need Him. He always is there when we are at the end of ourselves. When we finally come to the end of ourselves, God will meet us there. Sometimes we find ourselves like Peter wondering “now what?” Jesus came to him to redirect Peter’s path. The next section in John talks about that redirection. Peter was no longer going to fish at the lake, but fish for men. Peter was going to catch them, and Jesus was going to clean them.

I think that’s what we’re all called to do. We have to get rid of all our baggage; the things that keep us from experiencing a greater presence of His Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came to Peter, the fire of the Spirit changed the landscape of the face of discipleship. The Holy Spirit changed everything. We have to quit wrestling with God over keeping our lives separate from Him. That’s not who we are supposed to be. We are to be set apart, but it’s with the Holy Spirit’s help that we do these things. Personally, I am tired of fighting. I am ready for daybreak, aren’t you?

And he (Jesus) said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)

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27 Nov 2013

Selah

Selah – pause and reflect. I think that’s what Thanksgiving is all about. To take a moment and just reflect on the many blessings we have. I think we’ve missed the point in the last few years. We have forgotten what it means to pause and reflect. I have been in the reflecting mode for the last couple of years. I have been attempting to put my story on “paper.” However, it mostly has been remembering the times past where God has worked wonders to get me to a new place in our relationship. It’s been mostly a good experience as I have been tracing my steps to the place I am today. I was brought to my knees on more than one occasion when I contemplated on events where I needed to repent and ask for forgiveness. In the times where I have paused long enough, God has brought light to my circumstances to reveal His character to me.

Selah – pause and reflect. I am grateful for who God is. Even in the uncertain future, I can know Him as He is – faithful, trustworthy, Sovereign, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, Almighty God, Creator of life and breath. I remember He loves me more than I could ever imagine. He is my Holy Father. He is my Provider, my Protector, and my Refuge. He is worthy of all my worship and praise. There is no one like my God. There is no other name than Jesus that chases darkness away and brings light to my heart. His name has the power and authority that every knee shall bow, every healing takes place, and every life is given abundance through Jesus. That’s the promise for the future. The promise for today is that He will never leave me or forsake me. I will never have to walk alone in whatever circumstance comes my way. If He leads me to it, then He is faithful to lead me through it.

Selah – pause and reflect. My eyes have seen how He has led me through some tough times. Yet, I got through it by His grace and mercy. I can trust Him to do the same in the future. I have seen my family lose our center – my Mom. My heart ached with a new sadness I didn’t know was possible. I didn’t know love was supposed to hurt like that. Yet, my heart has healed and grown more solid since the center is now filled with the greater presence of Jesus. My love has grown deeper and stronger. My love comes from my God, my Jesus. I love only because He first loved me. I know the hurt, but I know the hope; the hope that Jesus gave when He defeated death.

Selah – pause and reflect. I am so grateful for my family. I am grateful for their love of Jesus. I am truly blessed to know them and love them for the great men and women of God they have become. I know God will use each of them mightily for the Kingdom. I am looking forward to celebrating the years of grace and mercy God has shown. And knowing He is not finished yet, there is still more to do. Thank you to my friends as well. Thank you for investing in me and being a part of who I am and who I am called to be. Thank you for praying and keeping watch with me. Thank you for being examples that I can follow. Thank you for patience and understanding. Thank you, dear friends for being my friend.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100

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13 Nov 2013

Ready to Show

I had a strange occurrence not too long ago. I had a call from a realtor about a client interested in my house. I had prayed a few weeks prior to this phone call that God would have to tell me when it was time to sell my house. I asked Him to have someone knock on my door who was interested in my house. The phone call started with a letter that was sent out to my neighbors. I think that’s pretty close to a knock on the door. I have actually been getting ready for this day for quite some time. I went through a cleaning process a few years ago. I got rid of a lot of stuff. Back in 2011, I thought I would put the house on the market and move to another city. Instead God had other plans. But in preparation for this day, I had painted the outside and inside, replaced windows, updated the bathrooms and kitchen all in preparation for the day I would show my house. I did all these projects within the last seven years.

When I got the call, I looked around the house to see where I would need to put away; to make the best effort to show the house properly. After some initial straightening up, the house looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. The house is ready to show with very little effort. I don’t know what will come of the showing. Okay, the house is ready, and I think I am too. I too have been preparing for the next move. But I feel there is still more to do where I am. So is this call from God to move or is this a distraction to keep me from pursuing the things of God? That’s still to be determined so I will wait to see if the client is interested or not, and if my price is met or not.

God gave me this house back in 1999. It is His to do with it what He wants. I am just the manager of His property. As I recall living here, I can see how God has used this house as His protection. Within six months of my moving in, a storm came through; lightning struck the house and caught fire. At that time, I was without a job. I realized the fire was actually God providing for my needs. I was reduced to a house payment and that’s about all. I could live on the unemployment pay without any problems. The insurance took care of the rest of my bills. A tornado came through my neighborhood in 2011; what a scary time! God protected me in that storm as well. I had very little damage to my house. My neighbors hadn’t been so lucky. I had been prepared as God motivated me to make changes throughout the last few years.

If God feels it’s time for a new place, then I know He has already prepared another place for me. Whatever storms I will encounter next, God is already at work preparing me for it. I am ready to show what God has already done and can’t wait to experience all He wants to show me. Whenever the time comes, I am ready – physically, mentally and spiritually!

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 4:24-25

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11 Jul 2012

Opportunity Knocks

I find it annoying, when going about my business on a Saturday morning, someone knocks on my door. Most of the time it’s the Jehovah Witness’ doing their thing. Most of the time, I ignore those knocks. It happened again on this particular Saturday. I didn’t answer the door. But this time I felt the Holy Spirit disagreeing with that decision. I was convicted this time that I missed an opportunity. I don’t know what that opportunity was at this point. I stopped what I was doing and went to the window to see if there was a car on the street or whatever other indication I could find of what I had missed. No car, no neighbors out and about, no one walking around. Did I miss an angel visiting me? Did I miss someone in need that I could have helped? Did I miss an opportunity to minister to someone who did not know Christ? I will never know now what God wanted to do through me on this particular day. It could have been a divine appointment. Or maybe someone giving me a check for a million dollars (doubtful) – but I’ll never know.

I say I want the power of the Holy Spirit to work through me. In order for that to happen, I have to open the doors of opportunity. The Holy Spirit needs a place to work. If I stay in my nice comfortable place, the Holy Spirit is not needed. Sometimes I feel like I am not ready. But if I ever feel ready, the Holy Spirit is not needed. If this is about me, what good is it anyway? If opportunity comes knocking again, I’ll let the Holy Spirit work as He wants.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6

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