GOD Never Writes You Off!

As I was growing up, I remember seeing a friend receive a very nice gift from his parents for his birthday. He was so excited. But, when he disobeyed them a short time later, they took it away from him and sold it. It kind of irked me that they did that because he was really hurt and I saw over the years that he never really forgave them; rather, he began to follow a path of drugs and alcohol and I finally lost contact with him as he drifted further away.

As a believer in Christ, you may have had a time in your life or, you might be living through a time right now where you feel disconnected from GOD due to sin or disobedience. You may feel GOD will never forgive you or lift you back up to the place you would like to be in Him. The feelings of disconnectedness seem to be driving you even further from GOD. You may have even gotten to that place where you feel you have lost everything you ever had in GOD. Consider what Paul wrote in Romans 11:29: “God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable.” (HCSB). 

GOD doesn’t give up on you. He doesn’t write you off because of your sin; rather, He desires to bring you back to Himself where He can once again pour His gifts and calling into your life. GOD doesn’t retract His gift of salvation just because you stray. His gift is yours. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift-not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation-created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” (HCSB).

I have gone through times where I felt very distanced from GOD because of sin. I have even allowed myself to begin to believe GOD could never use me again. Yet, that word in Romans came back to me and I recognized that the gifts and calling of GOD are irrevocable. He didn’t write me off but waited for me to return with open arms. Paul assures us of our position in GOD when He wrote: “we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ-seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:16-17 HCSB).

As a child of the King, He will never write you off! No matter how far you have drifted; no matter how “BIG” you think your sin is. It simply doesn’t matter. GOD loves you and stands waiting to draw you back to Himself. Perhaps, you have kids who have drifted away from GOD. GOD doesn’t give up on them and neither should you. If you have hurt them by your words or actions, do everything you can to rebuild that broken relationship in order that they may recognize true love and forgiveness and know that GOD’s love and forgiveness are even greater.

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace!

We are living in very volatile times. Marriages are collapsing. Homes are falling apart. Churches are closing their doors forever. Murderous acts beyond human comprehension occuring all around us.

The fate of our nation is hanging in the balance. We have given our approval to the murder of over 56 million babies as an act of convenience. We have accepted the LGBT lifestyle as a norm. Terrorist organizations are setting up on American soil and there is little we do about it. Our current government is selling us out to foreign governments and their foreign gods.

As a people of GOD, we have a responsibility to speak up and speak out about our concerns. We have a responsibility before GOD to choose those who represent us very carefully. When you vote for a party instead of voting your Christian beliefs, you stand in opposition to GOD and He will one day judge your actions. When you cast you vote for an individual that mocks GOD, that believes in abortion, that is shown to stand against the truths of GOD’s Word, you will be judged by GOD for your actions.

The time has come to rise up in unity as a people who uphold GOD’s truths. It is time to tell those opposed to GOD that we will not vote for them; we will not listen to them; we refuse to be bound to a party because our party is the Kingdom Party and as children of the living GOD we are obligated to follow His commands and His Word.

The Jews stood at a crossroad in their history. Their destruction was inevitable. But, GOD raised up an individual, Queen Esther, He placed her in the right position to speak out for her nation’s concerns. Her uncle reminded her of this when he said to her: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 HCSB).

Christian brothers and sisters, we must speak now or forever hold our peace. We must rise up as a people of GOD and take a stand against those who oppose our GOD and His Word. When you step into that voting booth, you are not alone. GOD is watching your actions and He will hold you accountable for the choices you make. GOD has positioned Christians in a place to make a difference in our world. We must determine what we will do. Speak now or forever hold your peace!

Walking Toward Eternity!

A great deal of our lives is spent setting goals and then attempting to achieve them. Whether it be in a sport, a job, a relationship, or a hobby–a great deal of our time and efforts go into succeeding or finishing on top. All for something temporal; an achievement that will one day pass away and be forgotten. Even those who have achieved what the world may consider as great will one day be forgotten.

As Paul was nearing the end of his life, he was writing to a church that he had an intense love for. He was reminiscing about his past. In the beginning of Chapter 3 of Philippians, he tells his readers about all his great worldly achievements from his early life. But then he concluded: “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7). In verse 8, he went even further by saying: “I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

You may have had a past of greatness or maybe just a simple past with nothing at all to reminisce about. As Paul said, it really doesn’t matter as it will all soon pass away. Life is a walk towards eternity. The choices we make, the things we carry out, every action of every day is one step closer to eternity. When it’s all said and done, all that will matter is the decision we have made to either follow or reject Christ.

And as followers of Christ, our every day should be consumed with building our eternity. Consider what Paul said: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14 NIV).

We are headed to eternity. Every human will depart this earth one day by death or rapture. All will stand before the judgement seat of Christ to answer for the walk made towards eternity (Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10). Paul strained ahead with eternity on his mind, always understanding his responsibility to live a life for Christ and to share Christ everywhere he went.

Today, you are walking toward your eternity. You may not think about it much, but you should. Life is short; eternity is forever! Do you know Christ as your Savior? If not, turn to Him today. Believers, is your eternity and its rewards forefront in your heart and mind. Is it the dominating force that directs your daily steps? Are you sharing the love of Christ and His free gift of salvation everywhere you go? The judgment seat of Christ sits on our horizon. Everyday is a closer walk to your eternity. What preparations are you making for your day in His court? Think about it!

Speak Life Into the Deadness!

As I look around at America today, my spirit grieves for what she has become. As I look at the condition of many churches today, it becomes easy to see why America has become as she is. The still deadness that exists among so many churches is frightening.

Certainly, on the outside, they have the appearance of being alive but on the inside they are filled with dead bones. The luxuries are flowing. Entertainment for everyone. Sugar-coated preaching creeping out of the mouths of false teachers and preachers making everyone feel real good about themselves even in the midst of their sinning.

Perhaps, I am talking to you today? Maybe you feel this same dryness and deadness? You are experiencing a hungering and thirsting for truth? You are leaving church every Sunday wandering why you waste your time going? The deadness around us is causing a stench to arise to heaven. Many are turning away from their churches, some to never return. People are sick and tired of the appearance of life that is obscuring the deadness that lies underneath.

GOD commanded Ezekiel to “SPEAK LIFE” into the dry, dead bones (Ezekiel 37). As he did, a rattling was heard and life came forth. I am often asked if there is any hope for America today. My response is always, the only hope for America is JESUS and the only hope for America to find JESUS is for the church to arise in truth; to become a house of truth, repentance, and a total re-dedication back to GOD’s truth no matter how offensive it may seem to be to our lives.

Israel stood at a crossroads, a defining moment in their history. As a nation, their future hung in the balance. But GOD, in His great love for her, sent Hosea with words of truth and revival. He said: “As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth” (Hosea 6:3). GOD has a desire to fall fresh on America in the same way. He desires to rain down His power and presence on us in a fresh way; if, we will turn away from our sinfulness, our wickedness, and the contentment that has been allowed to fall upon us.

1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us to: “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” I want to encourage you to look to the LORD, look to the strength of the LORD, and to seek His face while there remains an opportunity. Find your hope in Him. Today, I speak life into the deadness that is surrounding us. I speak life into your life today as you seek Him in spirit and in truth!

Call It Done!

Our lives can become consumed and overwhelmed with big problems and issues. Perhaps you have a financial problem, a problem with your marriage, issues with your kids? Or maybe your problem is much bigger; perhaps an addiction that is destroying your life, a sickness or disease that is claiming your life? Whatever it may be, thoughts of it consume every waking moment of your day.

Thoughts of your problem or issue have overwhelmed you to the point that this giant now controls your life. I’m reminded of little David. Just a shepherd boy. No experience in warfare of any kind. Simply a belief in GOD that all things are possible to him who believes (Mark 10:27). A single giant was controlling the entire Israeli army. His taunts and threats kept them living in fear.

David refused to allow the fear of this giant to control his people any longer and took matters into his own hands. He approached King Saul with these words: “Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God. Then David said, The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37-37 HCSB).

David understood the power of Almighty GOD. He wasn’t relying upon his own abilities but the abilities of GOD. The one who has delivered me time and again will deliver me this time. And David went out, stared the giant in the fact, declared him defeated by the power of GOD and the giant came down with a single stone.

Your giants are destroying your life today. It is a tactic of Satan to keep us fearful, to hinder our progress, and to bring insult to the name of our GOD. The word tells us it is: “Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6). David called it done in the name of the Lord before the giant ever fell. It is time for the people of GOD to understand the principle of the power of GOD and to utilize it. Call it done in the name of the Lord!

It is time to call down your giants in the name of Jesus Christ. It is time for you to take authority over whatever is gripping your life, holding you at bay, or hindering your progress. Claim your victory today and overcome that giant in Jesus’ name!

Break Free and Move On!

It’s very easy to get hung up in routine. Whether your routine is good, bad, positive, negative, you can easily become accustomed to it and thereby encumbered by it. Routine will prevent you from breaking free and stepping out into new horizons and new adventures.

The Israelites had a bad habit of living in the routine. They would get to a place in life where they were comfortable and then just sit there. The LORD scolded them for this in Deuteronomy 1:6 by saying: “You have stayed long enough at this mountain” (NASB). By Deuteronomy 2:3, they had once again settled in and got comfortable. Again, the LORD spoke to them and said: “You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north” (NASB).

You can easily find yourself in a comfortable place in life. Then, you just sit back and enjoy the ride. You can become lazy in the ministry work GOD has called you to be engaged in. You can find yourself sucking in from those around you and never giving back out. Routine can be a killer, if you are not careful.

I have also seen those who are in physically harmful relationships who have simply accepted the abuse and hurt as the norm. Some will even go so far as to accept the physical, mental and emotional abuse of their own children because of the bondage routine has put them in. Anytime you allow yourself to become entrapped in routine, whatever form it may take, you are in bondage to that routine. 

GOD is calling His people to break free and move on. I have a saying: “If you are not moving forward, you are slipping backward.” That is something to think about. Don’t get settled in. Don’t allow yourself to find a comfort zone and hang out there. GOD has so much more for all of us. Quit circling that mountain and move on out into the great adventure GOD has for you. Become a mover and shaker for the Kingdom of GOD by refusing to get stuck in any routine!

Discover His Strength In Your Weakness!

Living peaceful in today’s world as a believer in Christ is becoming increasingly difficult. The world is becoming harsher, more critical, even abusive at times toward us. We read about fellow believers in other countries and the intense hostilities they are undergoing and hope we never encounter such extremes in malicious behavior against us.

The Scripture tells us that we will undergo persecution in one way or another if we are true followers of Jesus Christ. Our Christian faith stands in opposition to the kingdoms of this world. Paul briefly shared his adventures in persecution and hardships with the Corinthian church in his second letter to them. He was readying them for the increasing hostilities he knew they would encounter. He spoke words of encouragement to them based upon what he had learned from his own experiences.

A People of Compassion

Matthew tells us: “Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:35-36 HCSB). How far have we drifted from this example?

We see that Jesus recognized the helplessness and hopelessness of the people out on the streets as He travelled from town to town. He recognized the heavy weight the people were under from the pressures of the government upon them and their lives. He also recognized the tremendous stress and duress the religious society had imposed upon the common people making the road to finding GOD almost impossible.

His heart was pricked with compassion. His heart was broken to see the people hurting, tired and wornout. He recognized the people needed someone who would guide and direct them with love; protecting them, overseeing them, guiding them in the light and truth.

As I look out on America today, I see such a lostness, such a hopelessness engulfing people. I see churches propagating the prosperity doctrine, lying to people about what GOD wants to give them and what He requires from them. I see men standing in pulpits today deceiving the people into believing false doctrines and lies of Satan. Where is the compassion? Where is the truth? Where is the help for the people?

So many churches have lost the path they should be walking down. Jesus went about preaching th good news of the kingdom, not lies about how rich and prosperous GOD wants you to be right now. He went about healing the sick and diseased rather than the false teachings today about gold flakes and feathers falling from the ceiling.

It’s not about the preacher or the pastor or the church today. It is all about Jesus! When we stop pointing people to the Great Shepherd and start pointing them to what they can have right now, we have eliminated the good news of the coming kingdom. It’s about the Kingdom to come. It’s about building up His kingdom rather than building one’s own little kingdom here and now. Many who have chased after the frills of this world and what they can have right now will discover the truth when they stand before Jesus on judgment day and hear Him say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you!”

CHURCH, you need to check your motives using the works of Jesus as your standard; determine your real reason for being. Are you a place of compassion reaching out and touching the hearts and lives of the people or is your church a reflection of the principles of this world? Many have bought into and are propagating the lies of the world today. The world needs a Church that will be a place of compassion, a place they can run to for safety and security from the harsh world we now live in! We, as believers, need to be a people of compassion!

It’s Not My Fault!

I was teaching a class of high school seniors recently. A young man sitting near the back of the class was chatting with some other students in the area. It seemed every other word coming out of his mouth was a cuss word. One of the young ladies sitting close to him told him I was looking at him and he turned and looked at me and said, “I can’t help it. It’s not my fault. If you were raised by my parents you would cuss all the time too.”

I thought about what he said for a while and I thought about how that “It’s not my fault” idea has perpetrated the fabric of our society. I can remember back when the actor, Flip Wilson, often said, “The devil made me do it!” Once again, I recognize how that lying philosophy has entrapped the thinking of many in America.

I also recognize the lie and deceit found in that idea. The devil or one’s parents or one’s environment or one’s whatever does not make that individual act one way or do a particular thing. It really is the fault of the individual as each of us is given choices to make. We are each responsible and will one day be held accountable for the choices we have made as well as the path we choose to follow in this life.

Consider the temptation of Jesus for a moment. The Scripture tells us: “Then Jesus returned from the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over, He was hungry. The Devil said to Him…” (Luke 4:1ff HCSB). The devil could not force Jesus to do anything. He could make suggestions. He could toss out ideas and possible “other” paths to follow, but he could not nor can he now make us do anything.

We like the blame game because we think it takes the responsibility off of our backs; but, it really doesn’t! Ultimately, the responsibility for the choices you make is in your hands and on your head. Blaming others for who you have become is destructive behavior. Maybe, you recognize you have issues and problems because of your past upbringing but you also have an ability to put a stop to it now; even going so far as refusing to impose that same idea into your kids as you have had placed upon you.

Accept responsibility for who you are! Quit blaming others and start turning your own life in the right direction. It’s not my fault! is a destructive lie. Quit living by it and start living by the truth.

Running the Other Way!

I vividly remember the call of GOD upon my life to preach when I was 13. Over the next few years, I wandered towards then away from that call. The draw of the world became stronger and it wasn’t until I was 24 that I finally submitted and committed to four years of Bible college training and instruction.

Today, as I look back, I can relate well to Jonah’s experience. I can see myself in that first chapter of Jonah and chances are, you can too. The Scripture tells us: “The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because their wickedness has confronted Me. However, Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence” (Jonah 1:1-3 HCSB). Up to the moment of his call to go, we know nothing. However, we do know that when GOD said “GO!”, Jonah took off the other direction.

I wonder how many times GOD has told you to go do something for Him—to share Jesus with somebody, to help a person in need, to step out of your comfort zone—and you have run off the other direction. Maybe you felt incompetent. Maybe you felt the situation was not conducive to your lifestyle. Maybe you just felt like somebody else needed to do that. Maybe, maybe, maybe! Life becomes a world of “maybes” which create a world of “could have beens.”

We miss out on a great deal in life when we run the other direction. GOD is wanting to take us on the adventure of a lifetime but we choose rather to submit to the routine of the day. Running the other way creates negative life situations for all of us. The storms you are going through. The problems and difficulties that seem to abound in your life are because you refused to follow the direction GOD wanted to take you in. Jonah ended up in a mess when he disobeyed. You will as well.

Trouble finding happiness? Contentment? Excitement? Maybe it’s time for you to re-discover GOD’s direction and run that way. Seek GOD out and begin running with Him and discover real life is right where GOD is and wants you to be.