GOD Has a Specific Purpose for You!

If you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, GOD has a specific purpose for you today in the building of His kingdom. He used Paul to challenge all believers to discover and fulfill that purpose when he wrote these words: “We make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10 HCSB).

Stop everything and think about that for a moment! Have you ever been challenged to discover and fulfill your specific purpose? Has your pastor or church leaders ever challenged you to do so and then worked to help bring it about? I can tell you that GOD has a great deal more for you right now than simply occupying your specific pew on Sunday morning! In fact, if that is all you are doing to develop and to fulfill what GOD has you here for; you are living a life of failure!

Paul said: “We make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.” Bringing pleasure to God requires a great deal more than simply absorbing what you can get from a church service. It goes beyond taking part in singing praises and offering up worship unto GOD. Certainly, these things are of great value in your own spiritual strengthening but this is not what Paul was referring to.

Paul was talking about stepping out of that comfort zone and the safety of the pew. He was talking about involving yourself directly in ministry work. He was talking about you becoming a true kingdom-builder! That is what truly pleases GPD—what you are doing for the sake of building His kingdom!

Paul continued in earnest by warning us that we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Let me clarify that this is not the Great White Throne Judgement that non-believers will stand before as their final judgement before condemnation to hell.

He is making reference to the “Bema” Throne Judgement where all believers will be required to stand before the Lord to give an accounting for what we have done for the sake of the kingdom since our conversion.

Paul addresses this issue further in 1 Corinthians 3 where he tells us: “We are God’s co-workers… each one must be careful how he builds…with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work” (vv. 9-13).

We have a responsibility to be building our lives according to the truths of the Word as well as building the kingdom.

Paul continues: “If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire” (vv. 14-15).

Let’s consider this from another angle for a moment. In Matthew 25, we find Jesus sitting among His disciples at a time very near His time of crucifixion. He was in the midst of sharing His expectations of all who would choose to follow after Him in the years to come. Jesus shares a parable about the Master who will soon leave for a time, speaking of Himself. He distributed talents to all His servants with the expectation that they would be used accordingly until He returned.

As the story goes, when He returned, He found that two had put their talents to work for the kingdom and had doubled their value. To these, He excitedly responded: “Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!” (Matthew 25:21 HCSB).

The third servant hid his talent, failed to fulfill his purpose and in today’s way of looking at things, he simply sat on a pew taking it all in without giving anything back out. To this one, the Master furiously responded: “You evil, lazy slave!… throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (vv. 26-30). Seems harsh until we consider the price Jesus paid for us!

Do you ever think about what you will tell the Lord on that day? Do you ever consider that everything you have done since your conversion experience will be laid out and examined by the Lord? Do you ever think about how disappointing it will be if all you have done is sit back and soak in everything you can get without giving back out? Do you understand that telling Him that you were a Christian for sixty years and were faithful to attend church often will not suffice?

Paul understood this principle well when he said:  “I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 HCSB). He determined to discover his purpose and to live it out, knowing the eternal consequences for the choice he would make.

I want to challenge you today to discover GOD’s purpose for your life and to live it out. Remember, the only things you will take to heaven with you are the individuals who you had a part in getting them there with you—that is Kingdom-Building!

Scripture Reading: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How welcome are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things! But all did not obey the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message? So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ” (Romans 10:13-17 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I now realize that I have never really lived out my purpose according to Your will. I have struggled to live right; I have struggled to attend church regularly and to worship and praise You but I am realizing that although these are all important to my Christian walk; they are not enough. You have called me to share Jesus in what I say, what I do and how I live. You have called me to be Jesus to the lost world around me and I realize that what I have done falls short of Your expectations for me. Please help me to dig in and get busy as the days are short. I want to be a kingdom-builder! I love You and thank You for sending others to share Jesus with me. I desire to do the same for others. Thank You, Lord, for all You do for me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

A Special Touch—Desperately Needed!

As I look around, I see a look of hopelessness on so many faces. I see so people secretly, inwardly crying out for help but outwardly living on with life as though nothing is wrong. I receive messages almost daily across the social media network from individuals in desperate situations—their world caving in; their life falling apart; their hopes and dreams shattered—living in absolute hopelessness with nothing on the horizon to look forward to.

Maybe that is you today? Maybe you are struggling through life and no one seems to care? Maybe your world has taken a drastic downturn and your future offers nothing but despair? Everywhere you turn for help, you seem to get rejected—no one has time to care anymore; no one puts out the effort to care anymore; and you discover quickly that a great many churches have simply lost sight of their true purpose, so finding hope there has fizzled out as well! You need a special touch—and you need it in a very desperate way!

I am reminded of a lady who had suffered a tremendous health problem for many years. She had been to all the doctors, spent every penny she had for some sense of relief, yet continued on living in her pain every day. The Scripture tells us that this woman “approached (Jesus) from behind and touched the tassel on His robe, for she said to herself, ‘If I can just touch His robe, I’ll be made well!’” (Matthew 9:20-21 HCSB).

It was almost like a last-ditch effort for this woman and yet there was something that caused this woman to carry out an act that was frowned upon by society—to reach out and touch a man, in this instance, Jesus. What was that something? What was it that would drive this woman to do such a thing? Her intense desire for relief from her pain! You know very well, if you are suffering in any way today, that you would go the extra mile for relief from whatever it may be.

But, what was it that drove her to Jesus? Mark records an event that helps us to understand this better. We read: “As they (Jesus and His disciples) got out of the boat, people immediately recognized Him. They hurried throughout that vicinity and began to carry the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He would go, into villages, towns, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him that they might touch just the tassel of His robe. And everyone who touched it was made well” (Mark 6:54-56 HCSB).

Jesus’ reputation of caring for and granting healing to those who were hurting preceded Him. The people far and wide had heard of Jesus and knew that His touch was all they needed in their desperation.

Why are there so many people around us today in desperation when there are churches on nearly every street corner? Is the church truly the hand of Jesus extended? Is the church “being Jesus” to those in need? Is the church carrying out its true purpose? Has the church forsaken the power of the Holy Spirit that fell on the day of Pentecost which enabled that church to turn the world upside down?

Too many churches have turned inward. The selfishness of the church has destroyed the work of the church. The country club “me-first” mentality has swept through and there is no longer a hem of the garment to touch! The light shows, the ear-piercing music, the politically-correct message have all served to drown out the true purpose of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We are no longer His hand extended—reaching out to those in desperation. Fact is most churches don’t even wish to go there anymore. Leave your problems at the door, we don’t have time for them. Leave that to the professionals! Is there any wonder why almost half of America is unchurched today? The church has quit being the church!

The reputation of Jesus drew people to Him. The reputation of the early church drew people to them. However, the reputation most churches have today has turned people away. What has happened? Simple—the church quit being Jesus to a world in desperation!

As you make plans to attend your weekly worship, keep in mind, it is not about you! It is about Jesus—it is about being Jesus. Quit demanding that the church meet your needs or else and start looking around and discovering how you can touch someone else’s life in a spectacular way as Jesus would’ve done!

Scripture Reading: “I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him. Although my spirit is weak within me, You know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me. I cry to You, Lord; I say, ‘You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.’ Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Free me from prison so that I can praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me because You deal generously with me” (Psalm 142 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, as I go about my day, may I ever be mindful of those around me that are hurting. May I be willing to go out of my way, as Jesus did, to make an impact in these people’s lives with Your love and goodness. May I be the hand of Jesus extended out to these regardless of how much of my time and effort it takes. I pray that my church would be the hand of Jesus extended so we may once again rise out of the ashes and become the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray for my pastor and our church leadership that they may acquire a fresh anointing of the power of God to faithfully fulfill their responsibility before God. Lord, for my needs, I ask for a special touch from the Master today as well and I do thank You for all these things always…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!  

He Will Always Stand Up for You!

How often do you find yourself seemingly having to take on the whole world? It seems like everyone is out to get you? Appears your world is crumbling all around you as people attack you for what would appear no real apparent reason? You need some relief? You need some peace? Yet, you can’t seem to find it?

You have doing everything right in your life. You have followed after the ways of the Lord. You pray; you read your Bible; you attend church—yet, around every corner you discover another evil being brought against you. I have found myself in such situations more often than I would really like discuss.

You seem to be doing everything right; yet, the world has laid siege against you. I have discovered that in and through all these things, GOD is working things out for His glory. Out of the midst of the chaos, victory will emerge. Simply hold the faith and trust in GOD’s divine providence to bring you through to much greater things in your life—spiritual strength, spiritual wisdom, spiritual insight—these things that will better equip you as a worker for the King.

Consider the word of the Lord that came down to Jeremiah. GOD was preparing to pronounce judgment on the Jews for the evil they had allowed to infiltrate their lives and Jeremiah was chosen to make this known. The Jews would not take what he had to say lightly. They turned against Jeremiah and attacked him with vengeance.

The LORD told Jeremiah: “I will pronounce My judgments against them for all the evil they did when they abandoned Me to burn incense to other gods and to worship the works of their own hands. Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them” (Jeremiah 1:16-17 HCSB).

The LORD placed Jeremiah in a very precarious situation. He did not have a choice in the matter. He was chosen for a task and expected to carry it out. There are times you will find GOD placing you in a situation you won’t be comfortable in—times where you will be challenged to take a stand for what is right—to speak out for what is right. Maybe He is leading you to speak to someone about the wrongs they are committing in their life. You fear their reprisal.

You know they won’t take what you have to say in a positive way. You could possibly destroy a friendship over what GOD is leading you to do. So, what do you do? How do you respond? Have you ever been in such a situation before?

You must realize that your task is to rescue those who are perishing in their sin and it can be a messy situation at best? But, if you can snatch that individual from hell, you have saved them for all eternity. If you fail to speak up, they may never have another opportunity to hear the truth. What do you do?

GOD encouraged Jeremiah with these words: “Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population. They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue you” (vv.18-19). GOD told Jeremiah not to worry about what he had to do. He would be given the strength to endure no matter who he might be led to speak to. And when things got tough, GOD assured him that He would be there to rescue him from the hands of the enemy.

Things might be really tough for you right now. You may be wondering if GOD even knows you exist. Everyone seems to be against you. The world seems to be against you. Your struggles seem to be increasing. Where is GOD? In the midst of all the chaos, GOD is working things out for His glory. He will rescue you. He will take care of you. Simply trust Him today! Know that GOD has not nor ever will give up on you! He will always stand up for you.

Scripture Reading: “The Lord will not forsake His people or abandon His heritage, for justice will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. Who stands up for me against the wicked? Who takes a stand for me against evildoers? If the Lord had not been my help, I would soon rest in the silence of death. If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your faithful love will support me, Lord. When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy. Can a corrupt throne- one that creates trouble by law- become Your ally? They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord is my refuge; my God is the rock of my protection. He will pay them back for their sins and destroy them for their evil. The Lord our God will destroy them” (Psalm 94:14-23 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father GOD, in the midst of my chaotic life, I know You are here. I know You are working to enrich my life for Your glory. I know that the things that come into my life do so to strengthen and prepare me for all that You still have in store for me. I understand that even when things aren’t looking good in my eyes, that You seeing the big picture and what You see reveals Your glory and honor and that is all that really matters.  Strengthen me and help me to stand tall in the face of my crisis situations. Help me to confront the enemy head on and to know You will be there to carry out the battle. I love You and praise You and place myself securely within You. Lead and direct my paths so I may fulfill Your plan for Your glory in and through it all…in Jesus’ name, I pray…AMEN!

Security in the Face of Overwhelming Odds

How often do you find yourself struggling to come to grips with a situation that appears to be beyond your escape? Maybe it’s an addiction? A financial situation? A marital or family problem? A struggle in the workplace? Whatever it is, it seems to control your life no matter how you try to shake it off. You just can’t seem to break free no matter how hard you try? You love and serve God. You read the Word. You attend church regularly, but the problem remains in your life.

The Bible speaks of a man in a similar situation. King Hezekiah had been born into the household of an evil king. He was reared in an atmosphere of evil immersed in a home filled with the worship of many different gods. But, when he became king at age 25, he turned the nation of Judah around. His heart and life was dedicated to the one true God. He tore down all the temples and places of worship dedicated to the foreign gods. He cleaned up the temple of Almighty God and led the nation back to God (2 Kings 18:3-4 HCSB).

The Bible tells us: “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord God of Israel.. He held fast to the Lord and did not turn from following Him but kept the commandments the Lord had commanded Moses. The Lord was with him, and wherever he went, he prospered” (vv. 5-7). It appeared everything was on the up and up for Hezekiah. He appeared to be secure in the Lord.

But, he awoke one day only to discover a vast enemy had invaded the land and was encamped around the city. His security was now in question. From his vantage point atop the wall, he saw nothing but enemy so invaders prepared to capture or kill everyone in the city. He found himself confronted by overwhelming odds.

The enemy leader attempted to provoke Hezekiah by shouting out to him: “What are you relying on? You think mere words are strategy and strength for war. What are you now relying on so that you have rebelled against me?… how is the Lord to deliver Jerusalem?” (vv. 19-20, 35).

Hezekiah made no attempt to answer rather we are told he “went into the Lord’s temple” (2 Kings 19:1) and directed the priest to go and tell the prophet Isaiah of the desperate situation the nation was in. Isaiah assured them that God would take care of the desperate situation.

Once again, the enemy leader sent Hezekiah a message telling him: “Don’t let your God, whom you trust, deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria” (v. 10). At this point, you would think Hezekiah’s fear would be greatly compounded; but, he took it back to Isaiah who assured him of God’s plan to intervene at just the right time.

Maybe you have given up. Over time, you have allowed your situation to get the best of you and you have finally just given up on God intervening and have succumbed to the fact that your cause is lost. Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop trusting God. He has a plan for you and He will not allow your situation to destroy you.

The Bible tells us: “the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning-there were all the dead bodies! So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and left. He returned home and lived in Nineveh” (vv. 35-36). Just when things couldn’t get any worse, God stepped in. In the face of overwhelming odds, God moved through His angel and destroyed a vast number of the enemy as they slept. Fear overwhelmed the others when they awoke and discovered all the dead bodies lying around and they hit the road back home.

Hezekiah didn’t have to raise a hand in the battle. God took care of the enemy. Hezekiah simply trusted in the word of the Lord to take care of the nation. He remained faithful to God regardless of how desperate the situation appeared.

Regardless of your current situation, you can rest in the fact that God is there for you. You may not see Him acting. Things may be getter worse rather than better; but God is there for you. Simply trust in Him and in His plan and purpose for your life.

Scripture Reading: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever. Jerusalem-the mountains surround her. And the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever. The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not apply their hands to injustice. Do what is good, Lord, to the good, to those whose hearts are upright. But as for those who turn aside to crooked ways, the Lord will banish them with the evildoers. Peace be with Israel” (Psalm 125 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I am crying out to You in desperation today. My life seems overwhelmed by the problems and situations that are confronting me. The odds seemed stacked heavily against me and the enemy continues taunting me. I am not sure how much more I can take. Please help me. Please grant me peace and security in my heart to know that You are in control and I will not be overtaken nor destroyed. I am placing my trust completely in You today and I know You will take care of this in Your way in Your perfect time. I love You and thank You…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

When it’s Time to Go—GO!

The internet is ablaze with the recent decision by Pastor Pete Wilson to step down from the pulpit from a church he founded 14 years ago. The church, Cross Point Church in Nashville, has been a phenomenal success. It has grown at an astronomical rate with a current attendance of over 7,000 people. It has impacted the lives of countless multitudes for the cause of Christ. People seem beside themselves why Pastor Wilson would just walk away? Many are wringing their hands worried about Cross Point’s future without Pastor Wilson leading it.

From a true pastor and ministry leader’s standpoint, Pastor Wilson did the admirable and right thing. By his own admission, he is tired, broken and desperately in need of rest. He has been going full-steam ahead for over 14 years for the church and is now convinced in his spirit that if he should continue on the same path, he would become a hindrance rather than a continued help for the church. Pastor Wilson rightfully attributes everything that Cross Point has become to God. He was merely the vessel God used for the season to take it to where it is today. God has someone else prepared to step in and take it the next step.

Pastor Wilson admitted he had been “leading on empty” for some time and he said: “Leaders who lead on empty don’t lead well.” As a student of church growth and church planting, I am constantly observing the ebbs and flows of churches across America. My heart breaks every time another church falters, fails and closes the doors as I am certain God’s does as well. He loves His church. It was His idea and plan from the beginning.

I have seen the effects a pastor can have upon a church when he continues to lead on empty. When his anointing has departed, when the Spirit is leading him elsewhere, when he has simply become too old to continue to lead full-steam ahead, when he needs to just step back and take a breather—the church suffers! I have witnessed churches fall from greatness because a pastor has outlived God’s plan for him in that particular ministry.

Too many pastors become comfortable in the salary, the job, the position; so, in disobedience to the leading of the Spirit they refuse to do what is right and step aside choosing rather to continue down the path of slow destruction. The church suffers. The numbers begin to fall. Strife grows among the members. People get hurt, some leave to never return to a church again. The church soon becomes the laughing-stock of the community. Too often, we credit Satan with what has happened when the real problem started in the heart of the pastor.

I love true men of God. I love pastors to love their congregations. I love the church. It is my intense love for God first and His church second that motivates me to urge pastors away from becoming too comfortable, away from considering themselves the only thing holding the church together, away from believing that the church will fall apart if they were to leave, away from the idea that this is “my church” and I am not going anywhere, regardless of what happens.

Pastor Wilson is great man of God and his decision to resign was motivated by his love first for God and secondly for the Lord’s church. He clearly understands that Cross Point Church is the Lord’s church and that in his current state of physical duress, the church would suffer should he continue to attempt to lead them. He loved that church too much to allow that to happen. He knew the only answer was to step aside and simply let God be God over the church so it may continue to flourish for the sake of God’s kingdom.

The church board recognized the situation and though I am certain they were extremely saddened by his decision, they understood his heart and his love for them and the church. They recognized that the church must march on and did not attempt to sway Pastor Wilson’s decision.

Pastor Wilson left the comfort of his church, his salary, his position and stepped out into the unknown in search of a season of relief knowing God would be with him. I have no doubt God has carried this out in order to begin preparing Pastor Wilson to undertake another ministry endeavor that will flourish greatly in building up and enlarging the kingdom of God. Pastor Wilson has simply obeyed God’s direction for his life.

I have never personally met Pastor Wilson (I do hope to someday), but I am praying for he and his family. I am praying that God’s Spirit will greatly encourage, lift up and strengthen them as He prepares and equips them to further the kingdom of God in another work.

I pray also for pastors across America who are hanging on to something they should’ve released a long time ago. The Spirit has departed from their ministry and the repercussions are reverberating across the church that is suffering. Too these I say, the time to go has come, quit hanging on. Let God have His church back so He may work through the next individual He has groomed and prepared to step in and lead.

GOD’s Hand in the 2016 Election Cycle?

A great deal of chatter has been going down lately concerning Hillary Clinton’s physical condition. Is she really sick? Is she really suffering through some condition that should cause her to be removed from the presidential race? The situation that occurred on 9/11 where she was rushed away from the 9/11 service she had been attending indicates a serious issue exists but her campaign crew speaks otherwise.

GOD spoke these words to His prophet Daniel: “He (GOD) removes kings and establishes kings” (Daniel 2:21 HCSB). The Apostle Paul wrote: “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God” (Romans 13:1). Jesus told Pilate: “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it hadn’t been given you from above” (John 19:11). From all Scriptural indicators, GOD retains the ultimate responsibility for raising up and putting down those who will serve in leadership positions.

Now, I certainly believe GOD allows man to make choices and GOD honors those choices for a season—often so we will learn a lesson from the evil greediness and actions of many of these leaders. However, the time comes when GOD must intervene and take control of the situation so His ultimate plan falls into place. So, are we seeing this played out before our eyes today? Are we witnessing the intervention of GOD in this election cycle?

Consider, for a moment, Hillary Clinton’s view on abortion. Please read on, this is important, don’t throw stones yet! I really don’t care about anything else she stands for or against because to the heart of GOD, this is the single most important aspect of this election—the mass murder of innocent unborn lives! America stands on the cusp of GOD’s judgment for what we have allowed to be done to these innocent lives.

Hillary has declared herself in full alignment with Planned Parenthood who we know, and the evidence proves, is the nation’s largest abortion provider. She has declared her stand for abortion and she will see that America murders even more babies through the Supreme Court justices she would have the power to appoint. Just maybe—GOD is moving in a special way in this election and has determined it is time to put a stop to this grievous crime against humanity. Maybe He has determined to put down her rise in order to save the lives of babies?

Hillary can quote all the Scripture she wants. She can talk about her Sunday school experiences all she wants. BUT, her heart is bent towards evil and judgment from GOD will fall and it will be harsh.

Now, I know there will be many of you, if you made it this far, who stand against and even speak out against what I have written, declaring your reasons not to choose TRUMP. Certainly, there are a great deal of them, but his actions reflected in choosing a GOD-fearing man as a running mate who is a strong pro-life candidate indicate to me that he will most probably take the high road when it comes to securing the lives of the innocent.

I really have to admit that I am not nearly as concerned about who is in the Whitehouse as I am about who that person puts on the bench of the Supreme Court. I am not nearly as concerned with whether the president is a strong military individual as I am in his choices for justices—as Abraham Lincoln said: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

This election cycle has the power to make or break America—from the inside out! Christians across America need to wake-up and hear from GOD before our last religious freedom is stolen from us by an out-of-control government!

I pray Hillary’s heart changes before she meets her Maker. I pray she realizes the preciousness of life and changes her stance. I pray especially for America today that the Spirit of GOD will open the eyes of all Americans to the seriousness of our situation and we will align ourselves with the principles of GOD’s Word in all our choices and decisions! GOD BLESS AMERICA!