Myron Speaks

I love this scripture. It is the life, the hope, the expectation, the reality of the Believer proclaiming the name of Jesus and living a life surrendered to Him. Our prosperity comes from the truth and hope that is Jesus Christ. Recognize that Jesus told his disciples “the World with hate you” prior to ascending to Heaven. This is still true today. Take heart, be emboldened, walk confidently knowing that who the World hates, the Father loves and who the Father loves, lives a priceless life of purpose and assurance.

“We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:3-9 (ESV)

God is with you. God is watching over you. The World has no influence over you when your mind, your eyes and your heart are focused on the Father.

You’ve got this because He has you.

“Some people cannot be cured, but everyone can heal.” Author Unknown

We remembered the unimaginable terror that was unleashed on our fellow Americans 22 years ago this past 9-11-2023 and post after post stating “we will never forget” showed throughout social media. The annual, and beautiful, recognition of the victims, the heroes and those left to live on with massive, life-sized wholes in their lives occurred in NYC, in Washington, on Pennsylvania. For several hours on 9-11-2001, life stopped.

Anyone old enough to remember the attacks of 9/11 can and will tell you exactly where and what they were doing when the towers were attacked and fell, when a section of the Pentagon was destroyed and when the heroes on Flight 93 took matters into their own hands, sacrificing their lives for the greater good of the Nation. I grew up hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, the assassination of President Kennedy, Nov. 22, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, April 4, 1968. To put time in perspective, 22 years after Pearl Harbor was 1963, after JFK’s death, 1985 and after MLK’s 1990.

I remember that from horror came honor. From destruction came cohesion. From death came determination to protect and restore life. We faced our enemies but more importantly, we embraced our fellow Americans.

When the massive clouds at ground zero began to clear, I remember an America whose clarity of purpose and responsibility was never more laser focused. Caring for one another. Exhibiting patience as not seen for generations. Encouraging one another. Walking beside one another. Holding one another. Hugging each other. Understanding the value of tactile and presence. We cared for the greater good and released the petty, self indulgent selfishness that blessed lives so often become ensconced. We were a nation first and individuals second.

I remember in those days and weeks and even months later, an America who was not afraid to say and pray “In God we trust.” A Nation whose citizens refused to allow the pettiness of political views, religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, skin color or opinions to divide us. I remember walking to Ground Zero one month after the attacks and the acrid smell of sulfur that permeated the air, thinking to myself, ‘this is what Hell must smell like.’ I remember standing there, viewing the holes where towers and life once stood, the only sound being the machines continuing the clean up, the 24/7 lights that illuminated where unimaginable darkness had occurred and seeing people to my left and right, all focused on what had happened, what was happening and our fellow citizens/brothers & sisters dealing with the aftermath through resolve and unity. I remember those tragically beautiful days, weeks and months. We were united.

I will never forget the smell of Ground Zero as I visited. The comparison of hell on Earth that occurred that day. Now 22 years later, I recognize that the evil of 9/11 cannot be compared to Hell because hope still reigned. Hell is the eternal absence of hope and any relationship with God. If you are breathing and reading this, hope remains. And where hope remains, anything is possible.

“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26

I wonder what the victims of 9/11 would say today, 22 years later? Would they say it was worth it for the America that is today? Or would they say, “America, we’ve been hijacked.”

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1

How would you choose to start each day if you clearly understood and accepted this day and every day that the Father lavishes us with His great love? I ask this because I believe most of us choose to listen to the noise of a broken World rather than the truth and promise of the only everlasting, never-changing, always loving, ever guiding, Lavisher of love, hope and promise.

The Oxford Languages dictionary struggle to properly define lavish as to “bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on.” Think of what lavishes you with love in this World and then multiply that by infinitely more to try and grasp the Father’s love for you. What does a small child laughing, playing, hugging, kissing you do to your heart? How does a puppy playing, jumping, licking you brighten moments of a day? Laughter is called ‘the best medicine” because it literally enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.

Today and every day we have a choice. We can choose to focus on that that is good for our heart, our mind, our soul and our life, A life created for purpose. Or we can choose to pursue the fleeting and fickle accolades of a World full of people and situations that delights in minimizing what is important, discounting what matters and discourages belief in the only truth that stands the test of time.

Choose wisely today. Be thankful that God loves you so much that he gave you the choice to love and be in relationship with Him. Recognize that you are created in God’s image, so much that He desires a genuine, one on one relationship with you based upon your choosing Him as He has chosen you. Live expectantly for the love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Galatians 5:22) that God freely gives each of us through the Spirit.

Today you have the choice. To live in the lavish love that God gives each of us as His children. Or, to wallow in the mire of pursuing hope and happiness in a World that has proven over and over again its inability and unwillingness to affirm and encourage its inhabitants. The saying goes the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. Choose wisely.

You are worthy of the Father’s lavish love. You can believe this because He lavished His love on us as His Son died on the cross. You can look in the mirror and know without question that you are His beloved daughter or son, whose value only He can properly define…if you’ll just trust and allow him. Your choice.

You’ve got this.

“This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” Isaiah 48:17 (NLT)

What if you and I became tone deaf to the lies of the World and solely listened to the only truth that exists, the truth of God’s redeeming, never-ending, never changing, steadfast truth and love?

I have had several friends over the past few years take the step of silencing 24/7 news, minimizing their social media exposure, guarding their inner circle of trusted friends, while expanding their time and focus on reading God’s Word and talking with Him through prayer. They universally found that more joy, more peace, greater optimism and expectation of the future grew within them, showed through them and outwardly they became a source of optimism and encouragement to people that God placed in their path.

Habits, good and bad, are formed over lifetimes. I tell our kids constantly the phrase “junk in, junk out,” to which I receive eye rolls with an every now and then comment of “you’re right dad” when some junk causes pain or confusion. We don’t put on an extra 30 lbs during a single weekend of bad eating habits. We allow bad habits to become lifestyles and lifestyles that allow junk in, begin to produce junk going out.

I encourage you to choose deliberate living. To live a life of in all things placing Christ first. Accept who God says you are and remove those voices and channels that tell you otherwise. I encourage you to get up every morning, look in the mirror and affirm that you are God’s beloved daughter or son, who He created for significant purpose every day. I encourage you to walk with head held high and hands held out in faith and serving.

Take some small steps this week to begin walking into the example, influence and impact that your were created by the Creator of all things to contribute:

• Wake up 20 minutes earlier and read your Bible for 15 minutes.
• Pray for 5 minutes with focus on thanking God for this day, for your Christian sisters and brothers and for the opportunity of a new morning.
• Minimize your exposure to 24/7 news and all media channels spewing the lies and anger of a broken World.
• Tell one new person every day this week that your are thankful for them and grateful to them…and why you are.
• Pray for 5 minutes mid-day, thanking God for the morning (good or bad) that you have had and for the opportunities coming this afternoon. (We’re working towards 1 Thessalonians 5:18.)
• Finish your day by reflecting on things that occurred this day that you are thankful for and earnestly pray for the things God is placing in your path tomorrow.
• As you lie down, read a chapter in Proverbs and pray expectantly that the wisdom of these passages become the expectations of your heart. Replace fatigue of what has occurred with rest that comes from our Savior.
• Each next, new morning, make Psalm 118:24 the mantra of your life.

Prepare for the battle that will rage inside you as you become the positive, influential, encouraging, loving and serving person that God designed each of us to be. Satan does not surrender. He just unleashes different tactics to drive us down. Remind yourself that Satan has no power where doubt, darkness and secrets do not exist. He has lost you (if you are a Believer in Jesus) for eternity. Every day he is one day closer to ultimate defeat. His desperation grows while you walk more boldly as the daughter or son of the only Truth. Surround yourself with Believers who encourage you, walk with you, stand in the gap for you and love you.

“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

“I will live in them
    and walk among them.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
¹⁷ Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
    and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
    and I will welcome you.
¹⁸ And I will be your Father,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
    says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

You’ve got this.

There’s an African proverb that says when an old man dies, a library burns down. My library burned down 30 days ago.

It’s been 30 days today since you left us for Heaven. I miss you. I miss the routine of calling you. I miss your calls, always saying “Myron, it’s dad,” even after decades of telling you that the Caller ID let me know it was you. I miss telling you about how Megan and the kids are doing. How Kensley is progressing in her learning and gifts awarded her through dyslexia. I miss asking you about scripture, about theology, about life, about fatherhood, about leading, about serving, about the innumerable things that only a man of 90 years could have experienced and understand. I miss you.

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.  Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” Titus 2:1-2 ESV

Dad, the recurring image of your strong hands has come to mind these days you’ve been gone. I remember as a little boy when in situations of uncertainty, in moments of fear, in unfamiliar environments, when walking into school, the Dr., meeting new people…in any situation, your hands were always strong, always steadfast, too large for a little boy to hold so you offered your two fingers that were the right size for little hands to firmly grip and feel safe and secure. Your hands guided me. Your hands disciplined me. Your hands held me. Your hands fed me, clothed me, tucked me into bed. Your hands stabilized life for me. Your two fingers provided me the grip that I needed to hold onto and now the memory sustains me in this time of remembering.

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4 NLT

Dad, all is good here. You taught and prepared us well. Your daughters watch over their families with grace, beauty and love like mom did. Megan is the fierce protector of me and our family that you loved so much. Your grandchildren are flourishing in their marriages, lives, careers, school and expectation. Your great-granddaughters are truly great and a joy to everyone. There is laughter in the stories you told, the adventures you led, the things fixed with a rock and a knife (as only a Kentucky boy can do – according to you). So many things I would love to tell you but will leave with this. Your legacy is secure and your family knows the Creator of all things. You led us well and you left us well prepared with understanding, priority and peace that surpasses all understanding.

“Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31 ESV

I miss you. I miss those two fingers. I miss your holding my two fingers as I helped you move across the room, climb into your truck, ascend stairs. I miss being the stability and security to you that God allowed me with in your last days. You were and are a good father and I am eternally grateful for the always present two fingers. I am grateful that God allowed you to live long enough to see your son’s hair turn gray (and gone).

I love you. I love the knowledge of where you are. I love that I will see you again someday. I miss you.

Can I say to you that it is not the issue of the rainbow being used as the reflection of “Pride” in our culture today but rather the sin of pride and the destruction of self, caused by a false arrogance driven by man recognized accomplishment instead of God ordained purpose. God’s plans and purposes for your life are enough. He loves you and that is so much more valuable than the deceit of pride.

“Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.” Proverbs 21:4

“The first and worst cause of errors that abound in our day and age is spiritual pride. This is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ. It is the chief inlet of smoke from the bottomless pit to darken the mind and mislead the judgment. The Pride is the main handle by which he has hold of Christian persons and the chief source of all the mischief that he introduces to clog and hinder a work of God. Spiritual pride is the main spring or at least the main support of all other errors. Until this disease is cured, medicines are applied in vain to heal all other diseases.” Jonathan Edwards 1737

“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

I had an interesting conversation with our son recently when I told him that I was proud of him. He replied, “why are you proud of me?” That question stopped me in my tracks! My thoughts raced to things such as ‘I want to encourage you,’ “I want to empower you,” “I want to build your self-esteem,’ “I want you to know that I love you,’ and so many other reasons why I was “proud” of him.

The truth is that I am so thankful for my son (and daughters). The truth is that I am humbled that God entrusted my children and wife to my care, knowing full well my limitations, failures and especially knowing my heart. The truth is I love my son’s whole heart. The truth is I am thankful that God instilled within him a heart that loves, that encourages, that gives, that trusts and a heart that willingly allows the risk of hurt in order to invite others in to his life. I am thankful for my son (and daughters, and wife) and humbled to be his father.

Whenever I research pride in scripture, I am immediately guided in scripture to humility. When Jesus was baptized, his Father, the God of the universe said in Matthew 3:17 “…This is my son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Amplified Bible says it so beautifully when it says “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!”

In a World that is pushing pride, seek Christ. In a World that is justifying all level of sin through pride, act humbly and love as Christ loves the Church. In the confusion of pride, recognize the consistency of Christ. Allow thankfulness and gratefulness to replace the misnomer of pride in your life. Surrender the lies of pride for the truth of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. He, He alone is sufficient. He alone meets every need.

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),
And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?”He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),
And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?” Micah 6:8 AMP

God loves you exactly where you are and accepts exactly who you are right now. He invites you into the only true and meaningful relationship that matters. That is enough.

He knew the high price that his Father required for the redemption of the very people that were ripping the flesh from his body, exposing his ribs, his organs, his muscle tissue with 39 lashes, ensuring not to inflict a 40th lash because that was the number that killed a person. He knew the high price that God required for you and me.

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.” Luke 18:19 NLT

Jesus knew today was coming. He knew the injustice that would be aimed at him. The rage that would be unleashed upon his body. He knew the fickle nature of the mob and sin’s effect on the desperate and hurting. He stood silently as they shouted at him, as they mocked him, as they spit upon him, as they slapped him, as they chose a career criminal in exchange for him. He endured the unimaginable. He knew the impact of sin, of desperation, of godlessness, of fear, of life and lives devoid of hope.

“He pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face.” Luke 22:42 MSG

Today, this day, this Good Friday is the greatest of lessons of purpose above preservation. This Good Friday teaches us the value of sacrifice versus self. This Good Friday reflects God’s willingness to offer His love of you, of me, of every human that has ever been or will ever be in the form of His son. This Good Friday teaches that life is not fair and thankfully, we are the children of an unfairly loving Father. This Good Friday shows us just how far from holiness we are, without a relationship with God. This Good Friday provided the pathway to eternity in Heaven with the Father. This Good Friday caused the curtain to be torn from top to bottom, creating a direct relationship with the Father. This Good Friday slaughtered God’s beautiful, sinless, loving, only begotten Son, so that sinners like you and me could rest in the Father’s arms. This Good Friday shows us that momentary pain, suffering, injustice and fear have no hold on the beauty of eternity that awaits when we surrender to the opportunity of life that Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection provides.

“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.” Luke 23:34 NKJV

Even with death impending, Jesus taught us love. He reflected forgiveness. As death crept in, He petitioned his Father on our behalf. “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:22 NLT) Through excruciating pain, Jesus’ actions reflected his words. He petitioned his Father on our behalf and on behalf of his tormentors. Jesus knew and knows the horror of an eternity apart from his Father, our Father, the God of the living. Jesus knew with heavy heart the fate that awaited Judas as his betrayer saying “For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” Mark 14:21

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

So Good Friday is so, so, so good because of the price it pays. The immeasurable price of life. Of hope, Of forgiveness. Of direct relationship with our Father in Heaven for those who call upon His name and are born again because of the death and resurrection of His son. So today is good because God is good. His son’s death, while horrible delivered good. In a broken World, the promise that this good day represents is the enough that we each can hold to as we await Sunday. This Good Friday was necessary for the greatness of Sunday. Have a good day in the arms of a good, good Father.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 NIV

Do you think that Peter, James and John would like a do-over? Just another night with Jesus after a day of accolades, feasting, unimaginable wisdom being conveyed and inconceivable miracles occurring. Just another night of exhaustion after a day of impact. Another night of deserved rest and Jesus honoring these three pillars of Christianity by saying “sit here while I go over there and pray.”

“Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Matthew 26:36-41 NLT

In Pete, Jim and John’s defense, they were invested. They were committed. They had left all that the World said mattered, job, home, family, security to follow Jesus. Isn’t security an interesting and oftentimes misleading word. Any “reasonable” person would say they were justified in their exhaustion and sleep because of the hard day’s work they had just completed.

“Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.” Matthew 26:42-43 NLT

The momentousness of the event escaped the three guardians of Jesus, as I am sure they saw themselves. Willing to forsake all the things that the World placed value. Willing to cut off a man’s ear. Proclaiming with absolute sincerity that “I will never deny you,” then doing exactly that in the seminal moment of eternity. Jesus told them three times what was to come (Mark 8:31-33; Mark 9:30-32; Mark 10:32-34)…yet their ears did not hear.

“So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” Matthew 26:44-46

It would be very easy to say “Pete, Jim, John, you blew it.” In fact, the World rushes to say “your name here, you blew it!” Understand that Jesus knew exactly what would happen in that garden with the three human men that he chose to go with him. He knew they would sleep. He knew they would fail in the moment. He knew, as with every event in his ministry, that the failing would lead to teaching and learning moments. He knew theses three who seemingly failed so miserably in the moment, would take away from this an intensity to share the Gospel all the way to their deaths for the life of the Church. His Church. Christianity.

Our Father mourns when we label our stumbles as falls. He desires that we live full, more meaningful and impactful lives from the learning, too often defined as failure. Experience is one of God’s greatest gifts if used to guide, direct and instill hope in others. We cannot properly reflect the hope and life of Christ when mired in the lies of past failings, aka stumbles. God knows every step you will take and He has plans to marvelously use every failing you have made for His good. Wake up, the ‘betrayer’ is all around us spewing lies and hopelessness to a broken and desperate World. But Sunday is coming, when darkness was forever defeated.

“I wait quietly before God,
    for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will never be shaken.“

I wait quietly before God,
    for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will never be shaken.

 So many enemies against one man—
    all of them trying to kill me.
To them I’m just a broken-down wall
    or a tottering fence.
 They plan to topple me from my high position.
    They delight in telling lies about me.
They praise me to my face
    but curse me in their hearts.

 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
 My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
 O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind,
    and the powerful are not what they appear to be.
If you weigh them on the scales,
    together they are lighter than a breath of air.

Don’t make your living by extortion
    or put your hope in stealing.
And if your wealth increases,
    don’t make it the center of your life.

God has spoken plainly,
    and I have heard it many times:
Power, O God, belongs to you;
    unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you repay all people
    according to what they have done.” Psalm 62 NLT

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

I am not taking a position here but this article raises very compelling questions through excellent points. https://g3min.org/christ-or-chords-the-manipulated-emotionalism-of-hillsong-asbury-and-pentecostalized-evangelical-worship/?fbclid=IwAR2KIpEununA_wd1I2oW8rj5vZvUKobZN_LZPqg1wVC879cAhGG4LyG5RR8

I have heard and read wonderful, and correct, sermons, articles and books about emotions and the misdirection that can occur from them. We must be very cautious to interpret emotion as truth and ask ourselves is this ‘chords over Christ?’ John MacArthur takes courageous positions of truth based upon scripture, sans emotion, and his comment about the defined revival at Asbury of ‘shut off the music and see what happens’ is a compelling statement worthy of consideration and analysis.

In 1 Corinthians 3:2 the Apostle Paul correctly writes “I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,” and we as mature Believers should zealously protect and accept our role to properly lead new Believers and those seeking a relationship with Christ through careful, thoughtful and with limited emotion, guidance to true relationship with the Father.

Think of it this way. A surgeon may have been influenced to become a surgeon because of the deep emotions she felt when seeing a person traumatically injured. Those emotions drove her to the years of schooling and residency necessary to achieve the title of Dr. and Surgeon. The surgeon is taught that she must remove all emotion when performing her job. So too we must surrender the emotion of introduction to Christ, to the commitment of learning and preparation that when called upon to introduce Jesus to someone, we do it with ability, knowledge and love devoid of adolescent, emotional immaturity exhibited in too many Christians today.

I attend and am deeply involved in a church where contemporary worship is an integral part of the experience. Some call this type of church a Seeker Church. I define ours as a Refuge Church, because of the sheer numbers of people that I meet who have experienced church hurt, church abandonment and/or disillusionment with a church’s body. I will say, if you are part of a dysfunctional church, don’t leave. Be a part of the solution. Be a voice that brings Christ back into the center of the church. For our church, many people are being introduced to Jesus through emotional worship and from there, the responsibility of our church begins, to introduce them to deep, meaningful relationship with Jesus, not based upon emotion but based up real, genuine, sold-out love and surrender.

Too many of us never mature beyond the puppy love of adolescence, either in our personal lives or in our new life in Christ Jesus. I had a friend who went from relationship to relationship then to marriage after marriage, saying to me “that I just want the emotions that I feel in the first six months to last forever.” The euphoria of emotional connection lied to him. Ask anyone who has been in a long and genuinely meaningful marriage and they will tell you that there are reasons why “for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer” are words included in a traditional ceremony. These statements speak truth that lasting relationship has no place for immature, emotion because they are fleeting and seldom last beyond the next season of seeking and disillusionment.

The grass is never greener and the lies of Satan never ending. “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 (NLT)

So my encouragement to you today is in the form of a question. Is it the temporary, emotional high of worship upon which your relationship with Jesus is built, or on the never shifting sands of a love built upon what the Bible says is a relationship with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit and the life purposes defined in scripture?

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it 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 bedrock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.” Matthew 7:24-26 (NLT) Jesus speaking to his Disciples.

Be the source that introduces and exemplifies the stability and protective rock that is Jesus. Never swaying to and fro, but solidly anchored in truth and love.

I am at the marvelous place in life where God is allowing me to meet many, many amazingly talented and gifted people. It is incredible to see and hear the things that God has placed in peoples hearts and many times beyond that, the appointing He places on their lives to fulfill a specific purpose. Most times they toil in anonymity, content in what they are doing, who they are doing it for, driven by what they are accomplishing and joyful in life because they are aligned with the Father’s Will for their life. An indescribably awesome place to be.

I also meet many earnest and wonderful people who have ideas for serving God through some type of ministry or good works that they never seem to quite get up and running. Most times, to great frustration and in some cases, profound sadness. When we talk and I struggle to listen (listening is not my greatest gifting), I often ask how they came up with this idea and urge prayer. Much, much prayer. I ask if this came from a revealing and if so, what they were instructed to do in preparation for this ministry. I ask because I know if we seek and listen, God will make clear His Will, anointing and appointing.

“So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials. But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along, Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again.  Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all.  This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff.” Numbers 22:21-27 (NLT)

The story of God’s prophet, Balaam, is one of the funniest in the Bible to me. Can you imagine watching a man who is widely recognized and known as God’s vessel, on a road beating, yelling, pleading with his donkey out of frustration and confusion? Balaam was indignant because in his mind he was doing God’s work. He was going to see King Balak to deliver whatever God told him to say to the King. As context, the King wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites before he and his army attacked them. Balaam understood who the Israelites were, God’s chosen people.

“Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent me this message: ‘Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come and curse these people for me. Then perhaps I will be able to stand up to them and drive them from the land.’ But God told Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they have been blessed!” The next morning Balaam got up and told Balak’s officials, “Go on home! The Lord will not let me go with you.” Numbers 22:10-13 (NLT)

So before the donkey beat-down on the road to see the King, God told Balaam not to go with the King’s men. He heard God’s clear voice and instruction and relayed to these men that he would not go with him. All good, right? Wrong! The tenacity of King Balak to have Balaam come showed up and must have triggered within Balaam the sin of ego and arrogance, hidden by thoughts of importance and purpose because ‘the King keeps pinging me to come and give him my wise advice and service.’ Well, maybe Balaam thought something like that. Even though God had already told him not to go.

“Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam. “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!” “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?” “No,” Balaam admitted.  Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him. “Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.” Numbers 22:28-31 (NLT)

For many who know me, I have been a mediocre entrepreneur for decades, achieving modest success in some things and spectacular failure in too many other endeavors. God has blessed me from time to time to work with companies in some form of consultancy, which proves the statement “those who can, do, those who can’t, teach.” If you were to ask me what separates the successful from the unsuccessful ideas, I would say with certainty born out of a lifetime of observation that laser-like focus, the curiosity of a 3 year-old and the flexibility of a gymnast are the variables that separate two very similar ideas and the satisfaction when an idea becomes a reality.

So why do I write this? I urge you to approach life, ideas and effort with laser focus on the Will of the Father. I encourage you to pray without ceasing, continually seeking the Father’s clear direction, unquestionable anointing and the dogged determination to achieve what He has awarded you with. Asking ‘why, how, when, where’ and then circle around and ask again. I encourage you to surrender your ideas to His clear and perfect vision for what He has entrusted to you, recognizing that Satan desires to derail your life by all means necessary, including frustration and confusion of why the Father’s work within you is not succeeding.

Balaam was God’s man. God’s vessel. His anointing and appointing was clear. He understood he was God’s prophet. (BTW, do you ever wonder if God’s prophets today define themselves a ‘profits.’ Ah, I digress.)

“Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I didn’t realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going.” But the angel of the Lord told Balaam, “Go with these men, but say only what I tell you to say.” So Balaam went on with Balak’s officials.” Numbers 22:34-35 (NLT)

My encouragement to you today is to never doubt the love of God, nor question His authority and swift and fierce punishment of His children when they/we step outside of His direction, Will and appointing. God sent His angel to kill Balaam for his disobedience. The angel was laser focused in his understanding of what God sent him to do. And even in this, God loved Balaam enough to use his donkey to protect him, to correct him and to carry him.

So, who is your donkey? Who says things that you interpret as blocking your assignment? Who lays down in your path, impeding your ability to do the work that you have told God is important…and for Him? Who has God placed in your life for the specific purpose of causing you to seek, to slow, to change and to trust that the appointment God has for you may be look different than the idea that has been embedded within you for the specific purpose of confusion and futility. To be clear, confusion and futility are not words to ever be associated with God. He makes His plan clear when we are ready to receive.

“Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,
“Clear the way through the wilderness
    for the Lord!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland
    for our God!” Isaiah 40:3 (NLT)

I often suggest that people, businesses, churches, etc., should stop trying to push a limp rope through a tight hole. Our God of eternity is also a God of seasons. He gave us the very different beauty of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter as examples of changing seasons, all intertwined to create a more beautiful Earth and ecosystem. Similarly, God will bring changing seasons in your life. What was important or worked in another season, now has no value, relevance or effectiveness. This does not change your value or relevance to your/our Father. His changing season within us is to sharpen us, expand us, use us for this specific time. You are never discounted or discontinued in the Father’s eyes. You are His marvelous creation and He desires your heart first, your eyes and ears second, your effort third and your humility and willingness to change in all things.

So Balaam disobeyed God and he was corrected. The story here is that God used Balaam for His purposes despite Balaam’s disobedience. The truth here is God knows our human limitations and He loves us regardless, often times correcting our efforts through amazing people and situations He places in our path. He will use us for marvelous things, if only we trust and obey, with the marathon of expectation. Look around and wonder, Father who is my donkey and am I treating them with anger or resentment that needs to be replaced with gratitude and thanks.

“When King Balak heard that Balaam was on the way, he went out to meet him at a Moabite town on the Arnon River at the farthest border of his land. “Didn’t I send you an urgent invitation? Why didn’t you come right away?” Balak asked Balaam. “Didn’t you believe me when I said I would reward you richly?” Balaam replied, “Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth.” Numbers 22:36-38 (NLT)