LIFE IN THE SON (Part II)

LIFE IN THE SON (Part II)

It is mission critical that we recognize and receive JESUS CHRIST, Who is THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE.  Because whoever gets THE SON…GETS EVERYTHING! 

I John 5:11-12 offers clear affirmation:  “And this is the record…that GOD has given to us eternal life, and this life is in HIS SON.  He that has THE SON hath LIFE; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.” 

And Ephesians 4:13-15 should be the end-goal of every believer:  “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love may GROW UP INTO HIM in all things, which is the head, even CHRIST.”

Let’s take an honest look in the mirror, shall we?  Do you know why the majority of people do not live well-balanced, productive and joyous lives?  Because most seek to discover happiness by plugging into sources that are NOT real.  Most of the sources of happiness we seek are mere illusions, dim and distant shadows of what THE CREATOR originally intended and designed for us.

Key Question: Haven’t we learned yet that the possessions, the pride, or even the people we are tempted to center our lives around are transient images, mere mirages and meager substitutions for true fulfillment?  Yes indeed, all of us are THIRSTY for something (and we ought to be) while traversing this sometimes barren desert called life.  And at times, we THINK we have spotted a thirst-quenching oasis that is overflowing with life-giving water, but when we actually change course and travel there, we discover one more dusty, dead and dry place.  Does this ring familiar or resonate with any of your own life experience?

                                                                                                             

Sisters and brothers, do you want to know what JESUS has to say about this?  The Master teaches that we CAN achieve true and lasting fulfillment…genuine happiness…lasting peace…limitless joy…but it is not of this world.  Yes, we may find it IN this world…but it is certainly not OF this world!  That’s why the Bible says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” because what we are searching for is not really IN this world…it is IN JESUS!  (I John 2:15)  Perhaps you have seen the old television commercial that promotes Prego spaghetti sauce.  The commercial simply says this about Prego: “IT’S IN THERE!”  According to them, everything you need to create a delicious spaghetti sauce is inside the Prego jar.  Maybe…maybe not.  But that assertion is entirely true when one considers JESUS.  Whatever you seek, whatever answers you need, just remember: IT’S IN THERE!  YOUR FUTURE is already present and absolutely possible via your sure covenant connection and intimate sibling relationship with THE SON, JESUS CHRIST! 

How so?  The Bible clearly teaches that JESUS CHRIST is our ELDER BROTHER.  That is, JESUS CHRIST is the ELDER BROTHER of EVERY BELIEVER.  According to Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST.”

All right, let’s think this through.  We believers are HEIRS of GOD, THE FATHER, and we are JOINT-HEIRS with GOD, THE SON.  As you know, a FATHER is the BENEFACTOR of an estate and a SON (not a gender specific reference) is typically the BENEFICIARY or the HEIR of an estate.  Therefore, since we believers are JOINT-HEIRS with THE SON, we receive through THE SON all that THE FATHER WILLS TO US AND FOR US.  And, since JESUS CHRIST, THE SON, came BEFORE US …does it not follow logically that JESUS CHRIST is our ELDER BROTHER?   

Consider this.  Every parent knows how important it is to get THE FIRST CHILD walking along a righteous, respectable and responsible path.  If THE FIRST CHILD is respectful and right…the children born afterwards have a MODEL to emulate and duplicate.  First natural truth, then spiritual.  According to Romans 8:29, JESUS CHRIST is “the FIRSTBORN…among many brethren.”  Our ultimate goal, according to Ephesians 4:15, is that we believers will become just like our elder brother.  That is, we seek to “GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS…which is the head, even CHRIST.” 

So during my prayer time, I often gazed over at JESUS (with a spiritual eye) and whispered to Him: “WHEN I GROW UP…I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE YOU!”  Because, as the scriptures mandate, I am striving diligently every day TO GROW UP INTO HIM, i.e., TO BE JUST LIKE HIM when I grow up!   Every person on this planet should have that same spiritual aspiration.

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

LIFE IN THE SON (Part I)

LIFE IN THE SON (Part I)

It is mission critical that we recognize and receive JESUS CHRIST, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE.  One of my favorite stories tells us why, in an eloquent and memorable manner:

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.  They owned many rare and precious paintings, from Rafael to Picasso.  Often during the evening hours, they would sit together to admire and discuss those magnificent art treasures.

When the Vietnam War broke out, the son was drafted into the U.S. Army.  He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.  When the father was notified, he grieved deeply and inconsolably for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door.  A young man stood in the doorway holding a large package in his hands.  He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life.  He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart.  He died instantly.  Often he spoke of you, and your love for art.”

The young man held out his package, wrapped in plain brown paper.  “I know this isn’t much.  I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would want you to have this.”

The father opened the package.  It was a beautiful portrait of his son, which had been painted by the young soldier standing at his door.  He stared in awe at the way this soldier had captured the spirit and personality of his son in the painting.  The father was so drawn to his son’s eyes that his own welled up with tears.  He thanked the young man repeatedly and offered to pay him for the portrait.

“No sir, I could never repay what you son did for me.  He saved my life.  It’s a gift.”

The father immediately hung his son’s portrait over the mantle.  Whenever visitors came, he took them to see the portrait of his son before showing any of the other great works he had collected.

Unfortunately, the father died a few months later.  There was a great auction of his paintings.  Many influential people gathered, excited about the opportunity to purchase some of those great paintings for their collections.  On the platform, center stage, stood the portrait of the deceased man’s heroic son.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel.  “This evening, we start our bidding with the picture of the deceased’s son.  Who will bid for this portrait?”  Absolute silence prevailed.  After a few moments, a voice from the back of the room shouted, “We came to see the famous paintings.  Just skip over this one.”

But the auctioneer persisted, “Will someone bid for this painting?  Who will start the bidding?  $100?  $200?” Another voice, more angry this time, boomed out: “No one wants to buy this painting.  We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandt’s, and the Picasso’s.  Get on with the real bidding!”

But still the auctioneer continued.  “The son!  The son!  Who will take the son?”

Finally, a meek voice spoke from the rear of the room.  It was the longtime gardener of the deceased father and his son.  “I’ll pay ten dollars for this painting.”  And being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

“We have ten dollars.  Who will bid twenty?”  Someone else had grown tired and inpatient.  “Give it to him for ten dollars, and let’s get on with it!”  The entire gathering had become quite agitated.  They didn’t want the picture of the son.  They were seeking more worthy investments for their art collections.  So the auctioneer pounded his gavel and announced, “Going once, going twice, sold for ten dollars!”

One man seated down front remarked, “Now we can get on with the REAL collection!”

But the auctioneer laid down his gavel.  “I am sorry,” he announced, “but this auction is over.”  Someone shouted in shocked disbelief, “What about the other paintings?”  The auctioneer explained, “When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the deceased gentleman’s will that could not be revealed until now.  You see, only the painting of THE SON would actually be auctioned.  It had been arranged by THE FATHER that whoever bought the painting of THE SON would inherit his entire estate, including the priceless paintings.  The man who takes THE SON…gets everything!”

What an awesome story!

OUR FATHER freely gave HIS SON, approximately two millennia past, to die on a cruel cross.  Much like the auctioneer, HIS MESSAGE for all of us today is: “THE SON, THE SON…WHO WILL TAKE THE SON?”  Because whoever takes THE SON…gets EVERYTHING! 

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

GOD STILL WORKS MIRACLES

GOD STILL WORKS MIRACLES

I was inspired by the following Teaching-Testimony, which seems quite beneficial to share.

Have you ever been in a state where it seemed that God had gone mute to your prayers?  As a promising young businesswoman, I served God faithfully and was committed to doing his work early in life.  As I journeyed through my Christian life, many suitors came seeking for my hand in marriage, but none met my requirements for the kind of man I wanted.

After waiting a while, my husband-to-be showed up.  He was a very caring and lovely man.  We dated for a few months, he proposed and we got married.  It was a joyous moment for me, but little did I know that my happiness would be so fleeting.

My husband, who at first had been so faithful and God-fearing, became a hand-tool of the devil.  We waited two years for the Lord to bless us with children.  However, our situation only worsened when the doctor discovered I had a tumor and might be unable to conceive.

Our marriage soon fell apart.  My husband ended up sleeping around with strange women.  Eventually, he got me infected with HIV/AIDS and then forced me out of the house.

Those tragic moments destroyed my confidence and embittered me against him.  “What am I going to do with my life, and what am I living for?” It was all I asked myself day after day as I dampened my pillows with sorrow and tears.

Two weeks later, I visited the doctor for a checkup.  At the end of his investigation, I was diagnosed with a tumor and with cancerous cells in my blood.  He advised me to go home and set my house in order, for I had only three months to live.

At that point, I knew that my end had come.  Like the prodigal son, I had to rely on the Father for forgiveness.  I fasted and prayed for weeks, believing that God might somehow make things change.

But how could my blood cancer, tumor and HIV/AIDS disappear?  As I made up my mind to put my house in order, I heard a preacher on the radio.  He started by asking a question: “Whose report do you believe?  Who says you can’t fulfill your destiny?  If you have tried all prayer doors and none seems to work or open for you, WHY NOT TRY THE DOOR OF PRAISE?  God is found in praise, which gets Him committed into any situation.  When you pray, God assigns angels to answer.  But when you praise, God Himself steps in.  God is not through with you yet!”

When I heard those powerful words, my heart melted and I knew immediately that God was truly committed to restoring my lost glory.  Instead of giving up, I immediately declared seven days of dancing and praising God.  On the final night, a spirit of praise and worship swept through me.  I praised God as never before: I danced, shouted and praised Him.  It was a night of restoration and completion that I shall never forget.

After such joyous dancing, the peace I had been longing for saturated me like the cool morning dew.  While still in my mood of celebration, like a dream, a man walked into my room and greeted me:

“Peace be unto you, oh woman of praise!  Your day of celebration has finally come!”

“Who are you?  And how did you get in here?” I asked with my lips trembling.

With a smile on his face he said, “I am he that has been sent to present your packaged blessings.  I came to answer your prayer requests, but was held back by evil spirits in your house.”

“Spirits?  Did you say spirits?” I asked while looking around to see if I could see any myself.

“Yes!  Evil spirits.” he responded.  “They are the spirits of bondage, unforgiveness and unbelief.  The unforgiving spirt you have long held against your husband is now after you.  The unbelieving spirit came at the point when you focused solely on your illnesses, and limited God’s healing ability over you.  They both tried to stop me, BUT when you praised and danced in the presence of God, He had to fulfill His Word.

Congratulations!  Every year you counted a waste has now been restored.  Those who viewed you as a source of mockery shall return to celebrate you.  Today, you have been made whole.”  It was right then and there that I knew my deliverance had started.  It was a night to remember.

Two days later, I went back to the doctor that had declared me a walking corpse.  After running several tests, he could not find any trace of blood cancer, tumors or HIV/AIDS.  PRAISE GOD!  The mystery of praise turned my life around for good.  Soon afterwards, that doctor and his co-workers gave their lives to Christ because they had never seen such a miracle.  “What a mystery!” was their constant refrain as they celebrated with me.  Our God is indeed faithful!

Life Lessons:

-Never give up on yourself when God has not said so.

-The thickness of the night will never prevent the sun from rising and your spirit from shining.

-When you’ve tried other doors, never forget to try praise because God is faithfully committed to fulfilling every promise concerning you.

Amen!  Amen!  Amen!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

HEY YOU...THERE'S GREATNESS INSIDE!

HEY YOU…THERE’S GREATNESS INSIDE!

Traversing this journey called life, all of us run into occasional roadblocks or hurdles.  Sometimes we fail.  At other times, we manage to exceed our own expectations.  Each of these experiences is fundamentally necessary for our personal development. 

Now hear this!  Take a look INSIDE because, quite possibly, the primary terror weapon on this Earth is internal (not external) in nature. 

My sister, my brother, consider this: ARE YOU AFRAID OF YOURSELF?  Are you somehow terrified by your own possibilities?  Have you been gradually conditioned by your environment (or your associates) to believe that you could never break free from any restrictive chain that paralyzes you in place?  Or are you like the proverbial elephant, tethered since birth to a tiny tree – never realizing your power and potential to break free – because you are incarcerated in misinformation and memories of a distant past when you were so much less than your present self?

At the end of the day, it is the resolute power of your human will (augmented and assisted from Heaven above) that grants you the capacity to boldly declare, “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.” (Philippians 4:13)  Know this: YOU are infinitely MORE than any societal norms or human associates declare you to be!

Marianne Williamson writes in A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles:  “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Wow!

Start today…right now.  In your arena, be as fearless as David, because Goliath is no match for you.  Be as courageous as Mary, unafraid to embrace your God-ordained destiny, with full knowledge that some may fail to discern the origin or significance of “the holy thing” seeded within you. (Luke 1:35)

Hey you…there’s greatness inside!

“FEAR NOT!” It’s a profoundly powerful phrase, oft repeated in The Holy Writ.  It challenges us to transform dismal days into bright tomorrows.  It summons us to sojourn outside of ourselves to a higher plane of knowledge and being – into awesome appointed spaces where the perfect will of God resides.

Today, I feel the power.  I will not doubt.  I will not resist.  It is THE LIVING CHRIST, Who is resurrected and animated in my heart and spirit.  So I will BE.  I will BECOME.  I will STAND.  I will TRIUMPH!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THINK AND DO

THINK AND DO

King Solomon, the sage, penned these powerful words about the connection between one’s thoughts and one’s destiny: “As he THINKS in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)  It is the foundational truth undergirding one of his more memorable insights: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)  When we carefully reflect upon our lives, we recognize that every single thing (both good and bad) emerges from the generator of thinking.  Indeed, personal decisions spring from conscious thought processes, and the actions that follow are merely reflections and realizations of what we TRULY think.

It naturally follows that our thinking should be (and must be) judiciously regulated.  Nevertheless, how are we to accomplish this when our senses are overwhelmed daily by a tidal wave of worldly inputs via the prolific output of mass media and our constant interactions with others?

Firstly, we must adopt a HIGHER COMPASS by which to navigate and govern our lives.  King David’s prayer concerning this is key.  He petitioned God to “ORDER MY STEPS IN YOUR WORD, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” (Psalm 119:133)  It is the logical and practical way for us to fully embrace Solomon’s advice to guard our hearts.  ONLY THE “WISE GOD” is consistently “able to keep you (and me) from falling.” (I Timothy 1:17 and Jude 1:24)

Why not ask GOD for help in filtering all of the background noise, the worldly distractions, the confusing voices and the media’s assault on our senses, so we will be able to think wisely and super-naturally?  This is absolutely essential since the Word declares that “the carnal mind [the natural or unredeemed mind] is enmity [an enemy] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)

Let’s resolve to embrace this scriptural solution:  “Do not be conformed to this world, but BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)  This may only be accomplished in the life of one who seeks to fully surrender to her/his Creator.  Thus David’s prayer: “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.  Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law.  Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:33-34)

Paying attention to what we are THINKING first involves paying attention to what we are hearing, what we are reading, what we are watching and what we are ultimately internalizing.  Back in ‘The Stone Age’ – when I was an elementary school student – we had English grammar workbooks entitled “Think and Do.”  It was an effective way to learn the basic fundamentals of language.  Those practical workbooks taught us how to read and write proficiently.  In truth, all of us would be better positioned for life if we would adopt a similar model to navigate our time and space on the planet.  TODAY…AND EVERY DAY…THINK...AND DO!  As one of my dearest friends (and you know who you are) reminds me from time to time: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste!”  So let each of us use our thinking faculties wisely.  Let’s prayerfully reflect on the right things, and then follow the right path.  Our lives will be infinitely better for it.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

IF I WERE ONLY 'ME'

IF I WERE ONLY ‘ME’

Some time ago, I encountered a perfect stranger at the mall.  He walked up and enthusiastically greeted me as if we had been lifelong friends.  My first thought was “What is he selling?”  Nevertheless, because his candor and intellect intrigued me, and since I had no pressing engagements, we conversed for quite some time.  This young man, likely late-twenties in age,  rattled on and on, sharing personal insights and opinions on politics and religion, family and friends, failures and successes, a full menu of life experiences.

One memorable remark caught my attention.  He casually referred to himself as “Chameleon Man.”  When I asked why, he responded “I have the uncanny ability to change myself completely, to totally adapt to any situation.  In fact, I can BE anybody…so I AM everybody!”

I paused to reflect and then countered, “That’s an interesting point of view.  However, since you change so significantly and so often, do YOU ever get lost in the sauce – carried away by your own extensive repertoire of emotional disguises?”  He laughed loudly.  “That’s clever!” he replied with much more volume that our environment warranted.  “Come to think of it,” he continued, “yes, there are times when I’m not sure WHO I am.”  We talked a while longer; I prayed with him and invited him to church.

During my drive home, I contemplated our wide-ranging discourse and came to the realization that there are multiplied millions who could honestly self-identify as “Chameleon Man,” or “Chameleon Woman” as the gender case may be.  Indeed, most of us try a bit too hard to fit in neatly with the masses.  Let’s be clear.  I’m not advocating for anyone to adopt a rebellious or contentious spirit.  But it’s apparent that so many do not embrace our God-created distinctives due to some vague notion or need for conformity and the societal pressure to FIT IN.

This mindset is synonymous with FEAR.  It deprives us of uniqueness, erodes self-esteem and produces a herd-mentality, i.e. what I call “GROUP THINK.”

GOD FORMED YOU FOR HIS PLEASURE AND THEN THREW AWAY THE MOLD.  During my twenties, I worked for a financial service company that had this marketing slogan: “There’s nobody else exactly like you!” I like the sound of that, do you?  Consider this.  Fashion marketing seeks to dictate conformity to this season’s colors, fabrics and styles.  YOU are infinitely much more than that, so stay out of the imitative and superficial lane when it comes down to identifying and actualizing your God-ordained reasons for being alive and engaged in your time and space.

Hey YOU…show up!  HUMAN LIFE, from Heaven’s perspective, is a CHAMELEON-FREE ZONE!

Why?  Firstly, GOD custom designed YOU, and ironically, GOD is glorified by YOU.  Secondly, while sitting on your rocker in the twilight of your earthly years, you would never want to languish in regret, looking back and thinking “IF I WERE ONLY ME”…

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

NEVER LOSE HEART

NEVER LOSE HEART

No matter what happens in or around your life, endeavor to maintain faith, balance and perspective.  During your crisis moments, consider the story of the shipwrecked survivor who was the only one person left alive on a remote Pacific island.  He prayed fervently every day, asking God to send someone along for rescue.  Day by day, he looked for God’s help, but he simply could not find it.  Growing weary of waiting, he decided to construct a crude and meager shelter in order to protect himself and his few possessions.  But then one evening, after foraging the island for food, he returned and found his shelter completely consumed by fire.  Everything he owned was now burned up.

The castaway sailor was totally confused and terribly angry with God.  In despair, he shouted at God: “WHY?  Why did You do this to me?”  Then he fell into a deep sleep on the sandy shore.  Before dawn, he heard the sound of a boat rapidly approaching the island.  At long last, his rescuers had arrived!  He asked them how they knew he was on the island.  The rescuers said they saw the huge fire and smoke signals he had made the night before. 

Often our apparent accidents and incidents are divine providence in disguise.  It is so easy to feel angry, confused or hopeless whenever things seem to go wrong.  But we should never lose heart, because GOD IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING BEHIND THE SCENES.  So remember…the next time your HOUSE IS ON FIRE, it just might be a SMOKE SIGNAL that God has orchestrated for your personal deliverance.  As the Apostle Paul stated so eloquently, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Finally, we must reflect prayerfully on the example of JESUS, and draw inspiration from it.  He suffered the agony and humiliation of public crucifixion.  Yet, while “despising the shame,” HE “endured the cross” and won ultimate victory for humankind.  So during your darkest moments, “Consider HIM who endured such opposition from sinners, so that YOU will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3, NIV)

In closing, we are constantly comforted and sustained by the promises, plans and purposes of God.  His Word is our beacon, our bounty, our rescue and our reward.  “For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!