The last few days I've really been wanting to write. I enjoy it so much and love looking up scriptures as I do. The problem was I didn't really feel that there was anything specific that the Lord had put on my heart, so I knew that I would just be filling up space, so every time I went to the "new post" area, I would end up clicking back out of it. I'm thankful I don't have to do that today. Last Sunday in church during worship I had a quick vision that included a major download. I haven't been able to forget it and when I woke up this morning I had this sense of urgency that it was time to tell you about that vision. The time is right.
A ship breaking the ice. That's what I saw during worship. An icebreaker. Not the fastest ship, but steady and powerful. An icebreaker is a ship, or boat used to break up the ice and open the the water. They aren't always big ships, but the one I saw was a larger vessel. What stood out to me the most was it's power and how it's steadiness allowed it to accomplish what it was built to do. I looked up some information on ice breakers this week and I've found that even the nuclear powered ones usually go no faster than around 10 knots (12mph) when they are breaking ice. What is impressive about them is how they use their force and momentum to push the bow of the ship up onto the ice so that it is crushed under the weight of the ship.
The vision was quick and the download was instant. We are in the days when it has become very important, even urgent, for us to become spiritual icebreakers. If you are a Christian it is more important than ever to be purposeful and steady in your walk with Christ. I've seen Christians who become so emotional and full of adrenaline for Christ for a period of time, only to see them a week later compromising their walk, hurting their testimony somehow, or showing signs of defeat due to some trial that comes their way. This often can become a pattern unless we become really grounded in our faith. Early on in a Christian walk it's almost normal to see that happen to a new believer. It's part of the maturing process, but for those of us who have professed Christ for awhile we need move past that. Our walk needs to be steady and our faces need to be like flint, unable to look to the left or the right, but only fixed straight ahead on Jesus. Daily time in the word, prayer and working on taking "every thought captive" will help us to keep moving in the right direction.
Here are two scripture passages. Which category of these two examples do you fall under?
IN FACT, THOUGH BY THIS TIME YOU OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS, YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TEACH YOU THE ELEMENTARY TRUTHS OF GOD'S WORD ALL OVER AGAIN. YOU NEED MILK, NOT SOLID FOOD. ANYONE WHO LIVES ON MILK, BEING STILL AN INFANT, IS NOT ACQUAINTED WITH THE TEACHING ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS. BUT SOLID FOOD IS FOR THE MATURE, WHO BY CONSTANT USE HAVE TRAINED THEMSELVES TO DISTINGUISH GOOD FROM EVIL. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
THEREFORE MY BROTHERS, STAND FIRM. LET NOTHING MOVE YOU. ALWAYS GIVE YOURSELVES FULLY TO THE WORK OF THE LORD, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)
In that vision God was telling me that the need for "icebreakers" is now, maybe even more than ever, and if we become like an icebreaker we will be given the grace and strength to stand when others, along with their hopes, will fall.
There are people who are becoming scared and getting scared fast. A young mom told me not too long ago that she was afraid. Afraid that the world was ending. I think I was able to give her some peace. I read an article the other day by someone in the mainstream media who wrote, "With signs that the apocalypse could be approaching....." He went on to talk about the reports of birds dropping from the sky, dead fish, and 200 cows being found dead in a field. A year ago we were hearing of the earthquakes. Now it seems to be horrible flooding and mudslides in the recent months. People more than ever need to see the Jesus that you and I serve. Friends, these things should not shake us, they should not move us to fear and our faith in Christ should not be wavering, but increasing in faith.
To become like an icebreaker we will be able to help people work through their fears and see past the news headlines. When devils of evil plot, scheme and attack we will be able to pierce into the darkness opening up a path for the Light. That's what we should be doing. Piercing the darkness of this world, pushing it back, crushing it with the power and steadfastness of Christ. An icebreaker. Steady and showing the power of Christ over the testings of life.
............"STAND FIRM, LET NOTHING MOVE YOU......................"
I am neither trying to be arrogant or boastful, but I am excited to be living in these times. We may be living in what will become the church's finest hour as we come together, get back to the early church basics and show Christ for who He truly is. A Savior for all mankind! We may need to be more stubborn in our faith and show more resolve at times, but God will also provide increased grace for those who are determined to be the "icebreakers." "For the Lord God will help me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint and I know that I will not be ashamed." (Isaiah 50:7......one of my favorite verses) With the increased struggles and shaking heard of in the earth, so also the heavens are shaking and the glories of God, signs and wonders have also increased and coincided, being made available to the struggling generations that exist on the earth today.
I am not afraid. With the power of Christ living in me, I am determined to do my part in piercing any darkness that keeps the eyes of people blinded from seeing the glory of God's kingdom and the benefit of an offered eternal life. I am determined to crush the ice and open the waters so many can make it safely to the Lighthouse that once saved me from darkness and death.
How incredible it is to understand the mysteries of God.
Sharing in His glories,
Mark S.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
RAIN COMES AND THE WINDS BLOW
(ONCE AGAIN THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RECENT EVENTS IN THE WORLD THAT HAVE SHAKEN MANY PEOPLE. MANY ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS MORE THAN EVER. I HAD TROUBLE SLEEPING TONIGHT, SO I GOT UP AND DECIDED TO PRAY AND SPEND TIME WITH THE FATHER. SUDDENLY SOMEONE CAME TO MY MIND AND AS I STARTED TO PRAY FOR HER, I FELT THE LORD NUDGE ME TO SEND HER SOMETHING THAT I WROTE BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR. AS I WAS SENDING HER THE LINK, I BELIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT URGED ME TO POST THIS ONCE AGAIN. I'VE LEARNED IT IS BETTER NOT TO QUESTION THE HOLY SPIRIT, SO HERE IT IS. GOD ALSO LED ME TO PREACH ON THIS AT A FUNERAL THAT I RECENTLY OFFICIATED.)
"Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash."(Matthew 7:24-27, New Living Translation)
I've been thinking about this passage a lot the last couple of days. Do you notice that the house built upon the rock and the house built upon the sand are faced with the same storm? If you read this passage in the New Kings James even the wording for both is identical. Exactly the same. Usually when I have read that passage I think about the foundation that the two houses are built upon. Yesterday I started thinking about how each house is up against the same thing. This world shows no favoritism.
During my years as a Christian and in ministry I think about the times I have heard someone say that sometimes they don't know why they bother trying to be a Christian. How life is hard and no different than before going to church or coming to faith. If you go back and read the passage above you see that it is pretty much a given that the follower of Christ and the one who doesn't follow Him are going to face many of the same things. Even most Christians will at least acknowledge that being a Christian doesn't mean that life will be a breeze. I think some may say that just because it sounds good, because often when trouble and trials come, many either forget or choose to forget their very own words.
Jesus wasn't afraid to tell it like it was and He surely didn't hold anything back when He told the disciples, "In this world you will have many trials and sorrows." (John 16:33, NLT) Should we expect anything different? However, it is in that same verse that we find where Jesus shows us the difference for the believer, for before He spoke of the trials He first said, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me." Then immediately following the statement about the trials He said, "But take heart, because I have overcome the world. Ahh, so Jesus doesn't allow us to escape trouble, but He sure does show favor on those that follow Him by being there to gracefully bring peace, strength and even show us how to obtain victory in our trials. I find much relief in knowing that I have an advocate who I can fall back on when struggle comes. Please let there be no misunderstanding; With or without Jesus we would often face the same storm, the same wind and the same rain. God allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust, (see Matthew 5:45) but it's in how we react to the situation that will make the difference. It is much easier to face the storms with Jesus than without, so use every effort to stay away from that "so what's the difference" attitude. There is a huge difference. Take a look at what Jesus does for those who love Him:
(For today, all scripture quoted is from the New Living Translation)
.......He is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us. Romans 8:34
.....despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25
And how about this encouragement offered to us by Jesus? "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30
If Jesus was to promise that if we followed Him there would never be one more problem or tough issue in life, can you imagine how many people would follow Jesus for all the wrong reasons? They would do it for self instead of love of God. They wouldn't really be following Jesus anyway and I doubt if we would ever see any good fruit being produced by them. It would be more like a cult following, but Jesus is way too wise for that. We need to love Jesus simply because He is worthy. The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords.
Remember, God is in three persons, so no matter if you are thinking of Him as the Word Made Flesh, God the Father, or the Holy Spirit, He longs for people to love Him just because of who He is, just like a dad longs for his children to love him simply because he is "Dad." God wants to honor us when we honor Him. One of my favorite verses from the Old Testament scriptures is 2 Chronicles 16:9, "The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."
Because of my love for Jesus, He lives in me. With Him in me and the more I try to walk like Him, talk like Him and go to the Father like Him, the easier it is to live a victorious life, even when storms are faced. I have faced a lot of trials and there is very little that stresses me out anymore. I'm not being arrogant or boastful and I sure don't think I'm better than others, I certainly am not. I do know who my God is, though and my confidence lies in Him and He IS one to be proud of and I do boast of Him. There is no one like our God!
Is your foundation built on Christ? The next time the rains comes, the next time the floods come, the next time the winds blow and beat against you, remember.............Christ is in you and with Him you can stare adversity right in the face and keep right on standing. Your God will deliver you!!!!
"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." John 10:10
Longing to be more like Jesus,
Mark
"Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash."(Matthew 7:24-27, New Living Translation)
I've been thinking about this passage a lot the last couple of days. Do you notice that the house built upon the rock and the house built upon the sand are faced with the same storm? If you read this passage in the New Kings James even the wording for both is identical. Exactly the same. Usually when I have read that passage I think about the foundation that the two houses are built upon. Yesterday I started thinking about how each house is up against the same thing. This world shows no favoritism.
During my years as a Christian and in ministry I think about the times I have heard someone say that sometimes they don't know why they bother trying to be a Christian. How life is hard and no different than before going to church or coming to faith. If you go back and read the passage above you see that it is pretty much a given that the follower of Christ and the one who doesn't follow Him are going to face many of the same things. Even most Christians will at least acknowledge that being a Christian doesn't mean that life will be a breeze. I think some may say that just because it sounds good, because often when trouble and trials come, many either forget or choose to forget their very own words.
Jesus wasn't afraid to tell it like it was and He surely didn't hold anything back when He told the disciples, "In this world you will have many trials and sorrows." (John 16:33, NLT) Should we expect anything different? However, it is in that same verse that we find where Jesus shows us the difference for the believer, for before He spoke of the trials He first said, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me." Then immediately following the statement about the trials He said, "But take heart, because I have overcome the world. Ahh, so Jesus doesn't allow us to escape trouble, but He sure does show favor on those that follow Him by being there to gracefully bring peace, strength and even show us how to obtain victory in our trials. I find much relief in knowing that I have an advocate who I can fall back on when struggle comes. Please let there be no misunderstanding; With or without Jesus we would often face the same storm, the same wind and the same rain. God allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust, (see Matthew 5:45) but it's in how we react to the situation that will make the difference. It is much easier to face the storms with Jesus than without, so use every effort to stay away from that "so what's the difference" attitude. There is a huge difference. Take a look at what Jesus does for those who love Him:
(For today, all scripture quoted is from the New Living Translation)
.......He is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us. Romans 8:34
.....despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25
And how about this encouragement offered to us by Jesus? "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30
If Jesus was to promise that if we followed Him there would never be one more problem or tough issue in life, can you imagine how many people would follow Jesus for all the wrong reasons? They would do it for self instead of love of God. They wouldn't really be following Jesus anyway and I doubt if we would ever see any good fruit being produced by them. It would be more like a cult following, but Jesus is way too wise for that. We need to love Jesus simply because He is worthy. The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords.
Remember, God is in three persons, so no matter if you are thinking of Him as the Word Made Flesh, God the Father, or the Holy Spirit, He longs for people to love Him just because of who He is, just like a dad longs for his children to love him simply because he is "Dad." God wants to honor us when we honor Him. One of my favorite verses from the Old Testament scriptures is 2 Chronicles 16:9, "The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."
Because of my love for Jesus, He lives in me. With Him in me and the more I try to walk like Him, talk like Him and go to the Father like Him, the easier it is to live a victorious life, even when storms are faced. I have faced a lot of trials and there is very little that stresses me out anymore. I'm not being arrogant or boastful and I sure don't think I'm better than others, I certainly am not. I do know who my God is, though and my confidence lies in Him and He IS one to be proud of and I do boast of Him. There is no one like our God!
Is your foundation built on Christ? The next time the rains comes, the next time the floods come, the next time the winds blow and beat against you, remember.............Christ is in you and with Him you can stare adversity right in the face and keep right on standing. Your God will deliver you!!!!
"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." John 10:10
Longing to be more like Jesus,
Mark
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
WITHOUT LOVE................................
As we have moved into the New Year it seems like I am continually reminded of "without love, I am nothing," which of course is found in 1 Corinthians. Somebody will say something, or I will suddenly read something that reminds me that even though I may desire to do and see the "greater things",if I don't truly love as Jesus loved then it means very little or even nothing at all.
Last year, Kay and I enjoyed learning how to hear God's voice more clearly so that we could in turn bless people with words of God's love and His words of knowledge for them. There were also times when I experienced hearing prophetic things and had some very vivid dreams and when I awoke was left with no doubt that they had been sent by God. That had been a desire in my heart and I am reminded of how our dear friends, Larry and Ginger, prayed over me one early summer night in Wilmington, North Carolina for God to allow that to happen.
Kay, on the other hand, always seemed to have a gifting where God would show her a picture as she way praying for someone, which in turn would help her minister, or speak words of encouragement. There were times when that gift would lay dormant in her, but in 2010 as she opened up her heart to really seeking all that God wanted to develop in her, that gift exploded in her, even to the point to where I became kind of envious. (As I use that word I mean it in a good and humorous way. I'm not really jealous of my wife's gift.........well, maybe, sort of.......ha ha ha) I remember asking her one day, "Ok, while we were praying you said you saw a pine tree. Was it kind of just an image or an outline of a pine tree, or did you really see.....a pine tree?" To which she replied, "Oh no, I really saw a pine tree." That is just one of many examples. I remember thinking, "Oh my gosh, that is soo cool. God can I have that, too?!!" All these things have been so much fun and I mean really FUN. I truly believe God wants His kids to have more fun and enjoy the gifts and things that He gives us. There are times to be serious and there are times when ministry can be difficult, but there are many times to just laugh and enjoy. God knows what it takes to make the perfect balance.
However, as much fun as that all has been, the Lord seems to keep really driving home to me that without loving His people like Jesus did, all of that other stuff isn't worth anything. Let's be very honest here. It's easy to love family and friends. Even when one might do something to upset you, it usually is forgotten or forgiven relatively soon. However, when someone just grates and grates and grates on you, is mean, sometimes even almost hateful, wouldn't it be easier to just want to kick them in the teeth? How about when something goes wrong for them, isn't it much easier to think, "See, that will teach you. Think about THAT for awhile before you come talking to me!" Now, don't you dare raise a self righteousness hand to me and say, "Gosh, I'm above that. I never even have had thoughts like that!" You say that and God will get you next............ha.
Seriously think about it. We often say we love people, but it's love on our human terms. That love does have conditions. God's love isn't human, though. I used to think that no matter how hard I tried I would never be able to love like Jesus, because after all, Jesus is...well...God. That is a LIE OF THE DEVIL. To operate in the gifts of the Spirit isn't human either, is it? Yet we have no problem with that. I can't walk up to someone in a restaurant and say, "You are very soft hearted and I get a sense that because of that, people either take advantage of you, or you feel that they often do," which actually happened on Mother's Day last year in Pennsylvania. I wasn't able to do that with human understanding. Being able to minister to that young woman that day was heaven sent. I don't have the ability to just do that on my own. I could try, but I would end up looking like a fool. It's the same with love. I could try to unconditionally love people with my own understanding, but that would be a fool's dream. I need Jesus to teach me how to do that. I often comment that the Word teaches that we are to act just like Jesus. When I say that I often think about how Jesus laid hands on people; healed people; cast out demons in people. That sounds fun and exciting, but how about the many times that Jesus was simply moved with love and compassion. How about Jesus being able to look with love on those who were killing Him and truly have the look of love? That's what made Jesus so compelling to the common man. Would I be able to do that at the point of death?
We often hear of families that lost a loved one who was murdered. It is very rare, but every once in awhile you will hear of say a mother, who in the court room looks at the one who murdered her son or daughter and says, "I forgive you." To be able to do that is not human. That kind of love can only come from God. Could you love someone who would murder a son or daughter? It's better that we not even think about that right now. It's better that we start by thinking first of the people who really irritate us, or maybe don't like us and they let you know that they don't like you. How do we react to them? Will we pray for them? Isn't is easier to think, "You will get what you deserve......just wait."
I really want to be just like Jesus. I'm supposed to be. I really want to have that love which Christ had on the cross. I'm not just spewing words out just to sound good. God knows my heart and in His wisdom I believe that He sometimes allows opportunities to be stretched and to grow. Sometimes the learning can be hard, but in the end it is so well worth it. Recently, I've had a few occurrences to where I know in my heart that I received some very unjust treatment. It happened twice in one day in fact and they were both two completely different situations. To be honest, I felt kind of beat up. To be honest the man within the body of Mark was very angry when this happened. Instead of love, there was bitterness, especially because one of the situations could bring some hardship, not only to me, but also for my wife and son. Remember when I said that God knows my heart about wanting to love? I know this to be true, because instead of leaving me on my own to stew about this, the Holy Spirit went to work on me. I hadn't been driving very long after the one incident and I sensed the Holy Spirit remind me that this was my chance. Instead of deep in the secret places of my heart (that nobody else can see) wanting justice or revenge, would I instead desire love and blessings for someone? Instead of wanting for others to know how badly I was wronged, to just be quiet about it never to let it be brought to light. It was like God was saying to me with a loving chuckle, "Son, I know what you want, but it's not going to be easy. Sometimes the learning is going to be hard."
I know that I am growing, though. I know that I am reaching for the goal and that God sees the sincerity. There was a time where in those deep secret places of my heart where nobody can see, that I would have been wishing for revenge. The anger would have festered on the inside, but on the outside people would have seen the face of someone trying to look like he had it all together. The always caring shepherd, so gently loving. Yea, ok, whatever....ha ha ha. This time though, I am allowing the Holy Spirit to cut and carve out the things in my heart that the flesh doesn't want to give up. It is not easy. There is a battle of wills to want to hold on. But the will of the flesh has begun to lose. Maybe I haven't completely arrived, but I am on my way and God is saying, "Let's go! You want to be more like My SON, so.....keep moving!"
............after all, without love I am just making a lot of noise.
Remember, this kind of love often comes with a price. But it is a price well worth the effort. Love involves action that is needed when we see the oppressed, homeless, desperate, sick and poor. Loving with Jesus' love knows no bounds.
"Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke te oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:17
Love, God's love, will conquer all. Maybe the result won't be seen immediately, but eventually it will and when we allow that kind of love to exist, everything else will just fall into place.
Blessings, love and growth for all in 2011,
Mark S.
Last year, Kay and I enjoyed learning how to hear God's voice more clearly so that we could in turn bless people with words of God's love and His words of knowledge for them. There were also times when I experienced hearing prophetic things and had some very vivid dreams and when I awoke was left with no doubt that they had been sent by God. That had been a desire in my heart and I am reminded of how our dear friends, Larry and Ginger, prayed over me one early summer night in Wilmington, North Carolina for God to allow that to happen.
Kay, on the other hand, always seemed to have a gifting where God would show her a picture as she way praying for someone, which in turn would help her minister, or speak words of encouragement. There were times when that gift would lay dormant in her, but in 2010 as she opened up her heart to really seeking all that God wanted to develop in her, that gift exploded in her, even to the point to where I became kind of envious. (As I use that word I mean it in a good and humorous way. I'm not really jealous of my wife's gift.........well, maybe, sort of.......ha ha ha) I remember asking her one day, "Ok, while we were praying you said you saw a pine tree. Was it kind of just an image or an outline of a pine tree, or did you really see.....a pine tree?" To which she replied, "Oh no, I really saw a pine tree." That is just one of many examples. I remember thinking, "Oh my gosh, that is soo cool. God can I have that, too?!!" All these things have been so much fun and I mean really FUN. I truly believe God wants His kids to have more fun and enjoy the gifts and things that He gives us. There are times to be serious and there are times when ministry can be difficult, but there are many times to just laugh and enjoy. God knows what it takes to make the perfect balance.
However, as much fun as that all has been, the Lord seems to keep really driving home to me that without loving His people like Jesus did, all of that other stuff isn't worth anything. Let's be very honest here. It's easy to love family and friends. Even when one might do something to upset you, it usually is forgotten or forgiven relatively soon. However, when someone just grates and grates and grates on you, is mean, sometimes even almost hateful, wouldn't it be easier to just want to kick them in the teeth? How about when something goes wrong for them, isn't it much easier to think, "See, that will teach you. Think about THAT for awhile before you come talking to me!" Now, don't you dare raise a self righteousness hand to me and say, "Gosh, I'm above that. I never even have had thoughts like that!" You say that and God will get you next............ha.
Seriously think about it. We often say we love people, but it's love on our human terms. That love does have conditions. God's love isn't human, though. I used to think that no matter how hard I tried I would never be able to love like Jesus, because after all, Jesus is...well...God. That is a LIE OF THE DEVIL. To operate in the gifts of the Spirit isn't human either, is it? Yet we have no problem with that. I can't walk up to someone in a restaurant and say, "You are very soft hearted and I get a sense that because of that, people either take advantage of you, or you feel that they often do," which actually happened on Mother's Day last year in Pennsylvania. I wasn't able to do that with human understanding. Being able to minister to that young woman that day was heaven sent. I don't have the ability to just do that on my own. I could try, but I would end up looking like a fool. It's the same with love. I could try to unconditionally love people with my own understanding, but that would be a fool's dream. I need Jesus to teach me how to do that. I often comment that the Word teaches that we are to act just like Jesus. When I say that I often think about how Jesus laid hands on people; healed people; cast out demons in people. That sounds fun and exciting, but how about the many times that Jesus was simply moved with love and compassion. How about Jesus being able to look with love on those who were killing Him and truly have the look of love? That's what made Jesus so compelling to the common man. Would I be able to do that at the point of death?
We often hear of families that lost a loved one who was murdered. It is very rare, but every once in awhile you will hear of say a mother, who in the court room looks at the one who murdered her son or daughter and says, "I forgive you." To be able to do that is not human. That kind of love can only come from God. Could you love someone who would murder a son or daughter? It's better that we not even think about that right now. It's better that we start by thinking first of the people who really irritate us, or maybe don't like us and they let you know that they don't like you. How do we react to them? Will we pray for them? Isn't is easier to think, "You will get what you deserve......just wait."
I really want to be just like Jesus. I'm supposed to be. I really want to have that love which Christ had on the cross. I'm not just spewing words out just to sound good. God knows my heart and in His wisdom I believe that He sometimes allows opportunities to be stretched and to grow. Sometimes the learning can be hard, but in the end it is so well worth it. Recently, I've had a few occurrences to where I know in my heart that I received some very unjust treatment. It happened twice in one day in fact and they were both two completely different situations. To be honest, I felt kind of beat up. To be honest the man within the body of Mark was very angry when this happened. Instead of love, there was bitterness, especially because one of the situations could bring some hardship, not only to me, but also for my wife and son. Remember when I said that God knows my heart about wanting to love? I know this to be true, because instead of leaving me on my own to stew about this, the Holy Spirit went to work on me. I hadn't been driving very long after the one incident and I sensed the Holy Spirit remind me that this was my chance. Instead of deep in the secret places of my heart (that nobody else can see) wanting justice or revenge, would I instead desire love and blessings for someone? Instead of wanting for others to know how badly I was wronged, to just be quiet about it never to let it be brought to light. It was like God was saying to me with a loving chuckle, "Son, I know what you want, but it's not going to be easy. Sometimes the learning is going to be hard."
I know that I am growing, though. I know that I am reaching for the goal and that God sees the sincerity. There was a time where in those deep secret places of my heart where nobody can see, that I would have been wishing for revenge. The anger would have festered on the inside, but on the outside people would have seen the face of someone trying to look like he had it all together. The always caring shepherd, so gently loving. Yea, ok, whatever....ha ha ha. This time though, I am allowing the Holy Spirit to cut and carve out the things in my heart that the flesh doesn't want to give up. It is not easy. There is a battle of wills to want to hold on. But the will of the flesh has begun to lose. Maybe I haven't completely arrived, but I am on my way and God is saying, "Let's go! You want to be more like My SON, so.....keep moving!"
............after all, without love I am just making a lot of noise.
Remember, this kind of love often comes with a price. But it is a price well worth the effort. Love involves action that is needed when we see the oppressed, homeless, desperate, sick and poor. Loving with Jesus' love knows no bounds.
"Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke te oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:17
Love, God's love, will conquer all. Maybe the result won't be seen immediately, but eventually it will and when we allow that kind of love to exist, everything else will just fall into place.
Blessings, love and growth for all in 2011,
Mark S.
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