Lets discuss becoming....

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 John 1:12-13

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

The context of this lesson is not about this, but in order to help to make a point here, I must say the following:

The phrase sons of God in Genesis and twice in Job refers to angelic beings that left their position and place with God in rebellion with Satan. They were, beforehand, God's choir. Satan had been their leader in heaven- second only to God himself. But the sons of God followed Satan into open rebellion and were cast down to earth to become demons. 

But, as born-again saints of God, we have been given the opportunity to take their original place in the cosmos and become God's new choir. 

But, being born again does not automatically make us part of the group! 

Being born again only gives us the opportunity to BECOME that. 

What we do with that opportunity will determine where we spend eternity. 

Matthew 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

In order for a person to do many wonderful works in his name they must be filled with his spirit. (Part of the new birth). Evidently, these people will be born-again believers. Yet Jesus says, "I never knew you." 

First, what does that mean? 

Jesus was God in human flesh. There's nobody that God is not acquainted with or does not know better than they could ever know themselves! If there were, then he's not all-knowing and therefore not God. 

The answer lies in Genesis:

Genesis 4:1

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.

So Adam had an intimate, loving relationship with Eve and she conceived. 

So Jesus is saying on judgment day, "Yes, you received my spirit, but you never developed an intimate, loving relationship with me. Therefore, because you never developed our relationship, depart from me." 

But, brother Winskie, how could they have operated in the gifts of the spirit and not been right with God?

Easy.

Romans 11:29

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

In other words, If I get born again, and God gifts me and calls me in ways he can use me (worship leader, teacher, preacher, etc) and I do not keep up my relationship with him like I should, the gifts and callings will still work- even if I'm in need of renewal and repentance! 

And he could use me to heal thousands and teach millions because his gifts are still operating when I'm around someone who needs it! It's not because of me. It's because I'm a tool he can use to help a hungry soul- even if I myself am not right! If I stay in that state, I will hear him say depart from me when I die! 

So if I'm not a son of God when I'm born again, and he's only given me the power to become a son of God, how do I become a son of God? 

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

So, when we are born again, we receive his spirit. But, we must pray and actively work on our relationship with him to the point where we can a) hear his voice and b) are willing to obey his voice. 

And please do not try and tell me that we don't hear his actual voice. Really?

Two points:

1) The prophets and some people of old heard his voice and they weren't even born again!

2) Let's hear from the Lord himself:

    John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

So, if the prophets heard his voice and Jesus said we are supposed to hear his voice, then WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HEAR HIS VOICE!

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

There are many, many voices in the world. As a writer, we are constantly being told that we must find and market "our voice." Now, if every writer in the world has a voice, (and there are thousands) and if every singer has a voice (thousands more), and if every political person and group has a voice, and if every company has a voice, then there are literally millions of voices in the world! Movies and TV shows have voices. Even religious groups and personalities have a voice!

It's a cacophony of voices in this modern world. And all are vying for our attention, our support, our money, and our adherence to their ideals! 

It's no wonder that the voice of God is called a "still small voice." His voice is constantly having to compete with all the other voices in this world that try and lead and guide us. But, he doesn't use the tactics of the world to get our attention. God simply speaks to us and tries to get our attention, love, and obedience. 

In other words, other voices want something from us. But God wants us! Our whole hearts and our whole selves. He wants a real relationship with us.

Therefore Jesus says his sheep KNOW his voice and won't follow another.

But in order to KNOW (be intimately acquainted with and know well- with no doubts) his voice, and be able to differentiate between his voice and the millions of others out there, we must actively work at getting close enough to him to be able to hear his voice clearly! 

And in order to trust his voice, we have to allow him to talk to us actively and often. As we hear and obey his voice, we learn through experience that his words are true and his ways work best. When we do this, then when we hear other voices telling us to do things that God's voice and written word say are wrong, then we won't follow those other voices! (This is called discerning of spirits, by the way. When Paul heard the demon-possessed girl yelling out the truth about him, he recognized the demonic voice behind the truthful statements and cast the demon out. Why? Because he knew the voice of Jesus!)

Then we are his sheep. And guess what? We are sons of God because we are being led by his spirit! And as long as we are listening to, and following his voice, then we will remain sons of God. So, how do we gain that level in God? 

Philippians 4

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

This is where the vast majority of us live. We pray and ask. We offer thanks. We drift away. Then we find ourselves in a crisis. We begin to really cry out! We repent and ask God for forgiveness and deliverance. He then comes through and delivers us. We find ourselves at peace in the world because of his intervention in our lives. Then, we chill and begin to fall away again. 

Read the book of Judges. 

This is the same seemingly endless circle that Israel followed. And most of them didn't make it! Their country and promises wound up being lost because they continually stopped listening to and obeying the voice of God. 

The same can happen to us if we stop with being born again and do not actively work at our relationship with God so thatwe can become what we were recreated to become! 

So how do we get out of the endless cycle of chaos that becomes a slippery slope to losing out with God? 

Philippians 4

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

It's simple really, and to the world, it seems harsh. 

We continue praying to and praising him. But, instead of only doing that at church or in rough times. We do that daily. Paul said, "I die daily." He "put (his) flesh under subjection."

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

How do we keep our body (flesh) under subjection?

It begins in our thought life, but that begins in our actions. 

Psalm 101:3

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

That means we keep his word foremost in our minds ("whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."). And because of that, we will not purposely set anything evil (according to God's definition) in front of our eyes. 

Yes, we will sometimes accidentally come into contact with evil. We are to reject those influences in Jesus' name and go on with him- leaving those things behind.

Why? Because the eyes are the window through which we see the world. And what we see affects how we think. And how we think affects how we act. And how we act, affects how we live. And how we live affects our eternal destiny! (Thank you Bishop Jeff Arnold for burning that thought process into my mind!)

So, we are to be careful what we look at, what we watch, what we read, what we listen to (for hearing adds another element that makes what we see that much more powerful), who we hang around (because they can influence how we think and act), what we become involved in, etc. 

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

So we are to judge what we see, hear, etc by the word and voice of God. If what we see/hear disagrees with what God says in his word and to us (note: his voice will never disagree with his written word), then it is exalting its ideas against what God says is true and just. We are to understand that and cast down that idea out of our thoughts and lives in favor of God, his word, and his ways. 

As we learn to obey his written word and rid ourselves of nonbiblical distractions, the other voices begin to lose the hold that they once held on our lives. This has the effect of having the voice of God grow louder to us. 

The more we practice this, the more we cut out the world's voices and cling to his word and his voice, and the more we can be led by God. 

If we will saturate ourselves with the things of God, prayer, and working at hearing his voice, then the world will lose its grip on our lives and we will become what he wants us to be (the sons of God). We will have not just the peace of God, but we will have the God of peace actively working in and through us to change us and reach out to others!

That's when miracles begin to happen. That's when people begin to be reached. That's when cities, towns, and individual homes begin to be changed into what God wants and ordains.

Lord Jesus, grant us repentance to the acknowledgment of and obedience to your truth. Help us to become.... what you have called us to become! 

In Jesus' name, we pray!

The Joy of the Lord comes through active relationship with him.

 Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

I've had an incredibly good morning. 

It started on my way to my short work day. On the way to work, I grabbed my wife's hand and began praying. My customary short prayer for protection for us and our family back home turned into a long prayer of intercession for many folks. 

Then, as we loaded our truck and worked the stores we had to work this morning, the feeling of God's presence that I'd felt all morning began to blossom and I felt what can only be described as "the Joy of the Lord." It was like a fountain of Joy bubbling up from the inside where God lives. I could hear the whispered voice of God. I could feel his presence like I haven't felt in years! 

I felt like crying (and did some) but it was tears of Joy. I wasn't sad at all! I was just reveling in the feeling of being in his arms and enjoying hearing his whispered words! It's incredible! 

Recently I've been praying for God to teach me to hear him and teach me how to truly walk with him. And he's begun to answer that prayer! 

It's simple for him. God is always speaking. It's our spiritual ears that need to learn to become attuned to hearing his voice. But there are many voices out there that are all vying for attention. On top of that, there are many voices that we purposely go looking for. That, I believe, is why God's voice is referred to as a "still small voice." 

Enoch walked and talked with God. I'm sure that God's voice wasn't constantly being interrupted by Enoch saying, "Lord, can you please repeat that? I didn't quite catch what you said." 

Moses and the people of Israel heard God's voice and it was powerful and loud enough to shake the mountain and sounded like lightning and thunder! 

But, somehow we have a hard time hearing him. Oh, there are times when his voice is very clear. I believe that's because he's emphatically trying to make a point. But the rest of the time, hearing from God is a bit more difficult. 

Yet, his word says, (Isaiah 30:21)

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

So it can't be as difficult to hear from God as it seems to be for us. God does speak. He desires to walk and talk with us. 

So taking a page from Enoch (not that I'm anywhere close to that level of communication), I've been praying "Lord, let me walk in your spirit and talk with you." I want to be able to hear from him all the time. I don't just want to get snippets from God. I want to have an in-depth conversational relationship with him! 

Marriage is supposed to be a picture of God's relationship with us. Unfortunately, the way most of us handle our relationship with our spouse doesn't come anywhere close to holding up that picture. But, in theory, it's true. 

I don't know about you, but I don't talk to my wife in short, seemingly random snippets and then walk away to do my own thing. We talk- probably not enough- but we have in-depth conversations, light-hearted conversations, and everything in between. We interact with each other and get to know each other very well. 

The more I learn of her thoughts and feelings, the easier it becomes to act and speak in ways that please her. I can stop a comment from coming forth that I know will hurt her because I know how she thinks. I can rephrase my comments in a way that will be pleasing to her. I can interact with others in ways that I know my wife will have no issue with because I know how she thinks. 

It's the same with God. When we read his word, we gain a sense of his thoughts, but when we hear his voice, we have a direct line to his brain! From his brain to his lips to our ears to our brains, to our actions and words. That's what Enoch had! That's what many of the saints of old had! 

That's what I want and that's what he came to regain. 

Jesus said that he came to "seek and to save THAT which was lost." He didn't say those who were lost. So what is that which was lost?

What God had with Adam before the fall. What he had with Enoch for a bit. He saves us from our sins so that we can learn to walk and talk with him just like they did. Day in and day out. Night in and night out. 

I'm tired of guessing. I want to know that I know that I know. That requires walking and talking with him. So that's become my prayer. 

God began that answer by answering another prayer. 

You see. I've heard about calvary all my life. I know why he went to calvary. What he did for us on Calvary. I can explain a lot of the ins and outs of calvary from a scriptural and theological basis. But somehow, the facts of calvary had become old hat to me. It was a list of facts that I had become accustomed to and too comfortable with. 

In other words, I could regurgitate the facts, but it no longer touched my emotions. It didn't pull my heartstrings. 

When I thought about it, it bothered me. 

An unemotional response to the sufferings of our savior is like a spoiled pampered child who doesn't appreciate how hard daddy has to work to take care of him. We get angry over things not being given to us. We are upset by not having our way because "daddy owes me."

So, I've been asking God to allow me a renewed picture of Calvary.

And boy did he! 

Through a statement my wife made twice, I was reminded of an old Carman song. After that song, we began listening to a few others. Then we came across this one. Please give it a listen. If ever there was a song that paints a vivid portrait of Calvary, this one does: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fGHTL9E0nE&ab_channel=SarahSouth

When I heard that song again and the Lord enabled me to picture in my mind just what he had to go through to purchase my redemption, I was (and still am) brought to tears. I don't deserve the pain he endured for me! I don't deserve the love that held him there! I don't deserve one drop of his precious blood that he shed to pay my ransom! 

But he did it all. He endured it all. He took on ALL MY SIN that I might have a chance to put on his righteousness! 

What an amazing love my God has for us! He did that for us all! 

This renewed experience has enabled me to pray differently. Rather than a list of "I want this," it's now, "what do you want, Lord?" This has helped me to live differently. It's helped me to live each day with a heart of flesh rather than a heart of stone. My desires are changing to come in line with his. 

But, more importantly, his voice has become easier to discern! 

I'm not where I want or need to be yet. But, I could feel him praying through me today. I could hear him speak a few things. And when it was over, his presence stayed with me! And I could feel his joy emanating through me. I felt like a young boy being picked up and carried by his strong, but loving father! And when he spoke, it was still soft, but it felt like he was whispering in my ear directly! 

I am convinced that I want more of him! He must increase and I must decrease! 

Help me Lord Jesus to walk and talk with you all day every day. Teach me your ways and your paths! Show me your will and give me the strength to do it! I want to know you more and more each day! 

I'm hooked, Lord! Reel me into your arms and keep me there! 

We spend our whole lives looking for happiness. We turn over every leaf to try and find it. We experiment with this and with that, hoping to find fulfillment and joy. We feel like a puzzle piece trying to find the place where we truly fit. 

The truth is, our fulfillment, our happiness, our place where we truly fit, is found only in a real relationship with Jesus. Our joy comes from feeling his approval and knowing we are where we're supposed to be - in his arms. 

It's truly a wonderful experience that I have just been allowed to scratch the surface of. 

I want more and more! 

Don't you?

...the Word of their testimony!

 Revelation 12:10-11

King James Version

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Read these verses carefully. Opinions vary as to when this event will take place, or has taken place. But, did you catch the significant phrase in verse 11?

Satan is cast down to earth finally and totally. It says that we (the brethren) overcame him by a) the blood of the lamb, b) the word of our testimony, and c) we loved not our lives unto death.

I've been born again since 1990. 

One of the major parts of our services that used to happen was euphemistically called, "testimony service." 

People would stand and give testimony to what God was doing, and had done in their lives. Excitement would grow in the service as people would praise God for all he was doing in their midst. People's faith would grow! 

As a result, some folks would receive more miracles. Others would receive strength to push on through just a little longer, knowing that somehow, God would make a way for them, too- or at least give them the strength to carry the load. 

This used to be a big part of an Apostolic church service. 

While no one would've looked down on anyone who went to a doctor, it was understood that all healing comes from God, regardless of how he chose to bring it about. Thus, there were many more healings and many more personal miracles than we see now in our midst.

What happened? 

Somewhere along the way, leadership decided that:

a) services were too long and therefore some things needed to be cut out. So, at first, rather than letting people stand and testify as they felt led by God, the preacher would pick out a few that he would ask to testify. The message was clear, if I don't ask you, don't stand up and speak. Then, they stopped asking a few and brought it down to one. Finally, the testimony service, in most places, simply went away. After all, we got to keep the service short! 

Incidentally, the most powerful service I was ever in lasted six hours! And so much was going on that it felt like 30 minutes! Not one person complained about the length of the service. Everyone left excited about God and where he was taking us. There were songs, many testimonies, and many healings. Several received the Holy Ghost and all repented of our sins. 

b) Another reason testimony service was stopped was that the leadership had more control of the service and kept long-winded sister so and so from droning on about the same thing she talked about several times before. Sometimes, well-meaning saints would speak of things that could have been worded better or had been said many times before. This was embarrassing to the leadership, so they began to cut the whole service out. 

Now, most of our services are streamlined and very professional. But, the personal impact of what God is doing in brother or sister so and so's life- the person that we know- is lost. Yes, the music and the singing may sound better. Yes, the teaching is more professional sounding (especially since most places use Sunday School books printed by the organization) and is being taught by someone trained in how to do so. 

But, we're losing something in all this sleek professionalism. 

God's word says we overcome the attack of Satan in our lives, in part, by the word of our testimony. 

These testimonies lift the faith of us all-including the new person who knows nothing about what God can do! As faith rises, God responds and does even more in our midst. 

Church, stop worrying about the time. Let God decide how long the service will be.

Stop worrying about how sleek and professional we look and sound. Some of the greatest moves of God have started with a stuttering saint who can't carry a note, but God shone through and a move of God was born! 

The early church was filled with the power and glory of God. And most were uneducated and decidedly non-professional. Yet, they turned their world upside down because they stepped back and allowed God to move.

Now, we have very little of the power of God but we're all educated and professional. 

The secret to Biblical revival is prayer, prayer, prayer, and more prayer! They prayed until God moved. Then, they told people how God had just moved. Then, they prayed some more! 

Let's follow the same formula and watch God turn our world upside down! 

In other words, as the old saying was, it's time to "let go and let God!"

A heart problem

 

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 15:8

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

This world is getting crazier and crazier. 

In my grandparent's generation, killing a child on purpose whether in or out of the womb would have been unthinkable. Now? Many consider it a Constitutional right to murder a baby in the womb- and some even advocate that we should be able to kill a child up to 2 years old for any reason at all! Never mind that children are a precious gift from God no matter the situation or how the baby got there.

In my generation, it was still considered taboo to be gay- and it was still a crime in many states. Now, not only is it not criminal to be so perverted, it is considered criminal to speak out against anything LGBTQ in many places. It doesn't matter that these lifestyles lead to death, depression, disease, etc, we're supposed to stand back and approve. 

I learned the other day that a young girl I know through my work is proudly moving to another town soon to "move in with her boyfriend." I couldn't help but think, "Doesn't anyone get married anymore?" 

Everyone is hollering about their own rights to do what they want, politicians are promoting crazy policies, and people are killing each other over stupid stuff. 

What has happened? How did our once somewhat pure society get this bad? 

The answer is a simple one:

"All we like sheep have gone astray..." 

We've turned from the principles of God and turned to the principles of "if it feels good, do it."

Everyone keeps pointing to Government, education, philosophy, and new ideas as ways to protect our society and keep us going. But those are the very things that have gotten us this bad off in the first place! 

The early church was largely uneducated and somewhat poor. But they followed Jesus and experienced and lived his truths. As a result, they changed the world they were living in into a much better place. 

Now, we have educated preachers and teachers in churches in almost every corner of the western world, but can't seem to do anything to stop the deepening decay of our world.

Why? 

To use an argument the gun rights people use (and I agree with), we don't have a gun problem. We don't have a law problem. We don't have a drug problem. We don't have a crime problem.

WE HAVE A HEART PROBLEM!

We go to church to check our religious blocks and say we are believers. Yet, we spend our days and nights pushing things that God says are abominations! We allow music and movies into our lives and homes that promote all the ungodly things that drove God to go to the cross in the first place! 

We can't change our world through political action- though we should vote.

We can't change our world through programs and policies- though helping people is never a bad thing. 

But as an old-time Pentecostal preacher once preached- WE NEED TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING!  

What is that main thing? 

 Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We need revival! We need an old-time move of God to sweep over our world and bring us to real repentance! 

The real answer to all our ills is found on our knees!

 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If we want to see people being kind to one another, helping one another, and living the kind of lives the scriptures say we should, it starts with us falling on our faces before our merciful God in real repentance!

Repentance is not saying, "God I'm sorry," and then continuing to do the same things! 

Why are young people leaving the church in droves? Because they're looking for something real that they're not finding in the religion they're being given. 

But, if we will fall on our faces and let God clean us out and refill us with his powerful Spirit again, then start living what we're teaching- then we will begin to see people begin to turn to Jesus again! 

Why? Because they will see him living through us! They'll see the changes he's making in us! They'll see the miracles of the Bible coming to life before their very eyes! 

Come on church!

Stop playing politics and vying for tax dollars, bigger buildings, and religious degrees! 

Start praying! REALLY PRAYING for God to cleanse us- and then the world around us! 

He's the answer that our world needs- but they won't see it unless we begin to pray and truly repent! 

For God's sake, and for the sake of our world, let God change our wicked hearts! Let him turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh once again! 

The God of the universe became a man and allowed his own creation to nail him to a cross made of wood he created, using nails made of metal that he spoke into existence, all to shed the cleansing blood that his righteousness required to save us from our own sins! 

He gave his all and defeated death in order to allow us a way to become the sons of God! 

What we've given him lately is far far less than he deserves! 

Let's give him our all! Let's truly let him live through us! 

Let's truly Repent and turn back to him and his ways! Then, let's watch the changes he brings to a lost and dying world! 

Another lesson from my dog: The call of the Father

 John 6:44

King James Version

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

This is Angel. Her nickname from me is Angel Cakes. She's a sweet little girl who's currently 5 years old. About 4 years and 8 months ago, Angel and her brother (Teddy Bear) both came down with the deadly dog disease, Parvo. We knew they weren't feeling well but we weren't quite sure what the problem was. 

One stormy night, Angel didn't come in with the rest of the pups. She stayed out in the back of our backyard, in the rain, just lying in the grass. Others in the family called and called her but got no response. Finally, my wife came to me with desperation in her voice saying, "Honey. Something's wrong with Angel. She's out in the rain and won't come when we call."

I was alarmed and went and opened the back door. I stepped out onto the back deck and called out into the storm, "Angel Cakes!" 

No response. 

Again, "Angel Cakes, come here girl." 

No response.

Knowing that when dogs feel they are about to die, they will (many times) seek a dark place apart from others, I went and got the huge flashlight we had and shined it out into the storm. When I located her with the light I again shouted, "Angel Cakes. Come here, girl!"

She looked toward me, slowly stood up, and began to make her way to us as fast as she was able (which wasn't very fast since she was not feeling well at all). 

The next morning, we took Angel and Teddy Bear to the vet and they were diagnosed with Parvo. They were given IVs and shots and were sent home with us. 

They both survived, thank God. 

But, what if Angel hadn't heeded the call and stayed out in the storm in her sickness?

She probably would've died that night- alone in her storm. 

But, she did respond. And she received the love and treatment she needed to bring her through her sickness, enabling her survival. 

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Jesus said that his purpose in coming to this earth and being lifted up on the cross was to draw all men unto (him). He further stated that he came to "seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

Many of us like to say that we "found God," like he's lost somewhere and we had to look really hard to find him. And to us, it may have seemed that way. We were lost in our sickness (sin). We were at the end of our ropes. We thought it was too late for us. When suddenly, a light shown around us and we were able to see the way home out of our storm. And we thought, "this is what I've searched for all of my life."

But, the truth is, Jesus was calling to us. In the middle of our sins. In the middle of our storms. Jesus saw our predicament and was calling to us- drawing us. He shined his holy light of love around us and illuminated our path home. 

We thought we were looking for him, but he was looking for us. 

We thought it was all over, but he showed up and brought us out. 

When we, like Angel, got up out of our sickness and storm and made our way to him following the path he showed us (repentance), we began a relationship with him that is unlike anything in this world. 

Sometimes, when I'm letting the dogs inside, Angel will deliberately hang back. She waits for me to open the door and call her name. Then she excitedly comes in all smiles (yes dogs can smile) and wagging nearly her whole body because I once again proved to her that I'd come calling her. Then she knows she is still loved and important to me. 

Just as, when I get a little bit lost in this big old world, my savior calls me back to him. And he proves one more time that he loves me and he'll still leave the 99 behind to come looking for the one who's gotten a little lost (me). 

So, I love you, Angel Cakes. 

And I love you, Jesus for continuing to prove how much you love me. 

How do we "see God" in all situations?

 

Matthew 5:8

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

I've always heard this scripture taught from a futuristic standpoint. In other words, If we become/stay pure in heart, we will one day see God when he calls us home and tells us "well done." And I'm not here to refute that interpretation.

But, what if there's more to it than meets the eyes? Are there things we can do that will enable us to not only see God on that future day but that will also enable us to "see God" working within whatever situation we find ourselves in daily? 

And I'm not referring to just the everyday acts of kindness that show God's hand working through us. While it is true that when we "feed the hungry, visit and pray for/with the downtrodden, etc" then we are showing the love of God in action to a lost and dying world. This is not the "see God" I'm talking about.

I'm talking about seeing God on a much more personal level.

This famous scripture that has blessed and encouraged so many people can also become an impediment for some. 

Why? 

Because many do not look at it and say, "If I can just hold onto Jesus, I'll see him one day in the end (meaning when I die or am raptured out of here)." 

No, many read this scripture in the light of the world that they live in right now- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Many look around at the chaos in the world, the violence in the world, the utter dog eat dog attitude that is embraced by the "it's all about me" philosophy that seems to run everything and think: If there's a God, I sure don't see him in all of this! 

In truth, many Christians (including myself) have reacted similarly. We find ourselves dealing with struggles (lack of finances, relationship issues, sickness, stress, death, and so on) and we look around and wonder. 

We wonder "where is God in all this? I thought he said he'd never leave me or forsake me? I sure feel forsaken and alone. It's all I can do to try and hold everything together. I've got no help. I've got to work harder to shape my world into what it's supposed to be." 

There's a frustration pattern there that all humans fall into:

 

A) We focus on our problems.

B) Frustration sets in.

C) We start trying to figure out solutions to solve them.

D) We act on our plans.

E) When our plans fail (as most do because we are fallible humans), we reevaluate our plans to tweak them in order to fix what went wrong.

F) We act on the adjusted plans.

G) We focus on the problems that still exist.

H) More frustration sets in. 

I) Repeat steps B-H (probably many times over)

J) Frustration turns to anger and/or despair.

K) We give up.

But, it's in those times that we need to change our vision. 

We need to stop looking at our difficulties. This is because we tend to walk toward what we are focusing on. And it's very easy to try and fix whatever we're focusing on- including other people. 

We need to stop trying to fix things (and others) and start allowing God to fix us.

It's been said that if you have difficulties no matter where you are then the problem is not where you are, but who you are. YOU are the common denominator in all your life's problems. Put more succinctly, No matter where I go, there I am!

It is true that Jesus told us that in this world we will suffer tribulation. There is a certain amount of things we go through that are a direct result of us living for and being dedicated to Jesus. 

However, many of the things that we go through that cause us suffering are a direct result of our own focus and efforts.  In everything that we go through our true efforts should be on "what does God want in this situation?" 

SEEK YE FIRST

The first thing we have to remember is to seek his kingdom (his desires and his plans for ourselves, our families, and our communities) FIRST.

That's a tall order in and of itself. How do we seek his kingdom in the midst of trying to build our own?

The truth is that we should not try to build our kingdom. Yes, we have needs to take care of. But, Jesus said: 

Matthew 6:7-8:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

Our focus tends to be on our needs, wants, and desires. But Jesus says we should be God-focused. 

His needs. His wants. His desires. 

That's not to say that we shouldn't pray for our needs. But, we should focus on what he wants to a much greater degree than we focus on what we want. When we do, then he will take care of our needs in whatever manner he chooses. 

SEEK GOD

But, the first thing we must do in order to seek his kingdom first, is to seek him first. The essence of prayer is not a list of things I want. The essence of prayer is communication and communion with God. When we pray, it is in order to build our relationship with him. The closer we get to him, the less likely we are to fall into that frustration pattern. Why? Because the closer we get to him the more we trust him. The more we trust him, the more we rely on him. The more we rely on him, the less frustrated we become!

AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

This goes along with the fact that the pure in heart shall see God. God is a holy God. He will not walk in close relationship to sin. So in order to see God, we must first become pure. 

Oh, we can see evidence of God in the world through his creation. And, if we're honest, everyone has seen a miracle that could only be God at some point in their lives. In fact, I believe, probably several miracles. I could name several I saw BEFORE I was born again. But, that didn't mean I was right with God. It just meant that God was drawing me in so I could become born again. 

But, to really SEE GOD. To really discern God in all things, we must become pure. 

As humans, that's impossible for us. But, with God, ALL things are possible. 

He became a man, lived a perfect life, allowed himself to be crucified to shed the blood required to pay for all of our sins, was buried, rose up from the grave, and lives forevermore as king of kings and Lord of Lords!

So all who obey Acts 2:38 are made pure and holy in his sight.

If we fall after being born again, scripture tells us that "If we confess our sins (to God) he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness." - 1John 1:9 

The first thing we must always strive to do is be in and maintain the right relationship with God. 

James 1:21

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."

Hebrews 12:1

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"

As we get into the word of God and pray, we must humbly ask God to show us ourselves. And as his word illuminates our faults, rather than try and make excuses for our sins, or rebelliously hold onto our sin and pride, we must turn to him, bend our wills to his, and repent (confess and turn away). When we do that, he forgives those sins (washes them with his blood) and we then stand righteous in his eyes once again. 

The word for engrafted here, in Greek, means implanted. In other words, we are to allow the seeds of his word to be planted in our hearts and minds. These seeds are watered with his word by his spirit and through prayer. So the more they're watered, the more they grow. And the more we humbly submit to his will and allow him to correct us, eventually, we will begin to display in our everyday lives, the "peaceable fruit of righteousness." (Hebrews 12:11) 

Why is all of this important? What does this have to do with seeing God? 

Well, first we practice seeking him and his kingdom, through prayer and study. 

Then, while continuing that, we humbly repent when we are corrected by him. 

Then, whatever situation we find ourselves in, whether good or bad, we will be able to "see God." 

We will have a much better understanding of God and his ways because we are walking in relationship with him and studying his word. We will be able to see his undeniable footprints walking through the situation. And even if we don't understand what's going on, we will trust him to take care of things. 

But, and more importantly, if we absolutely cannot see God working in a trial, we will still have enough faith and trust in God that we probably will not resort to trying to make things work out. We would rather wait on him to move than try and fix it.

Recently, we were in a very grave trial. We were in a situation that absolutely required a move of God to fix. Rather than just live, pray, and trust- only moving when he told me to, we (especially I) tried our hardest through many different possible avenues. The more these avenues didn't pan out, the more frustrated we (especially I) grew. Finally, when every other human effort had failed, THAT IS WHEN GOD MOVED. 

I really had to repent.

All my worry fixed nothing. All my efforts solved nothing. All my anger and frustration just made ME a worse person and had NO effect on the ones causing the problem. Nor did my manipulations cause God to move on my situation one second before he was ready to. 

But, when he did move, it was as if he had leveled a mountain! It was done in a way that only he could arrange and do. 

We can't change our situation without God. 

God's goal for our lives in every situation is to "conform us" into what he wants us to be. 

So every situation and trial we go through is allowed by God for our good and his glory. So, hold to God's unchanging hand, as the old song says!

And always remember as my pastor Stanley Lane quotes:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. And lean not on thine own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge him. And he shall direct thy paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6