Tag: Bible

Love, Exciting and New

Posted on by pastorunity

When we fall in love with the love of God, everything changes for the better.

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People and things have come and gone from favorite cars to good friends and loving pets to the hair on my head throughout my life. The other day as I took stock of my current circumstances, it dawned on me afresh and new something that has never left, that had remained even when I didn’t deserve its presence in my life; the love of God. 

So, in my attempt to articulate this love and its persistent presence in my undeserving life, I decided to write a poem or Christian rap if you want to have someone lay down a beat while you read aloud. Here we go;

The Love of God
 
It’s a love that takes you higher than a kite 
Because its origin is supernatural might
 
Goes deeper than our woes and the bruises from enemies blows
It’s a love that covers our very scars and delivers us from the Friday night bars
 
That reaches down to our sin and feeble frame and removes all our guilt and even our shame
It’s a love that speaks to our heart even when we are falling apart 
 
It’s a love that when cancer is fresh in our sight that shouts to our hearts, it will be alright
It’s a love that hears our cries from the valley to the alley, under the spire, or in the mire
It’s a love that stays put when we are left, let go, let down, let loose, and spun around
It’s a love that overcomes, overtakes, overwhelms, and remakes
It’s a love that fills in the cuts, covers the scars, heals the hurt, and catches our tears in jars
 
And, it is this love that will never fail, never bail, designed to eternally sail
Into our minds, our hearts, our dreams through our smiles, and our screams
Breaking our chains, changing our names, busting us out, replacing our doubt, countering the devils lie that we are lost and will die because this love will propel us like wings as we launch into the sky to be with our Lord and Savior in our mansion on high
 
As I wrap this thing up like Jared in a Subway store, please consider the reason for this spiritual esprit de corps: that it is you, through it all, that God chose, so let His love cover you from your head to your toes
 
With a warning for those that may reject because they think they are too smart; this love doesn’t come from a book in a nook but from the throne of God’s own heart
 
So, when your life feels like a salad tossed, think back to this message and consider the cross

Scripture: “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.  When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” -I Cor. 13:8-13, ESV

Question: Do you ever find yourself spending more time focused on what you don’t have instead of what you do?

Prayer: Father, help me see how, through it all, your love has prevailed in my life. Even when I mess up or purposefully walk paths that lead away from you, your love remains an active force in my life. Your love freely gives patience, longsuffering, kindness, grace, and mercy. Thank you for the life-changing love that rescued my very soul from a deserving separation and continues to inspire me to be better. Help me spend time rejoicing in this supernatural love, and may I allow that love to excite my life and propel me to be more for you. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

David and Goliath; A story that didn’t have to be?

Posted on by pastorunity

Fear of man always diverts the godly to paths of dishonor.

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The stage was set for one of the greatest battles of all time. On one hill, the Army of God, and on the other, the Philistines gathered, both surveying a great valley dividing the two. The Philistines sent out their champion, Goliath, to challenge Israel’s greatest soldier. Every morning for forty days, Goliath would leave his camp, stand in the valley facing the Army of God, and shout, “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other”, with only silence birthed from shame as the response. While the Philistines stood firm, as if the victory was already theirs, the Army of God, led by the spiritually embattled King Saul, remained frozen on the opposing hill “dismayed and terrified” (I Sam. 17:11, ESV).  

Four miles away, a young David had been called in from his shepherding duties, by his father, to pack and deliver food for his three older brothers who were serving in King Saul’s army.  Upon arriving at the Israelite camp, David overheard Goliath’s daily challenge. Filled with confusion and anger, David said to his brothers, and all in earshot, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

I am sure you know the rest of this story, but let’s rewind a bit because I don’t believe this was a battle that ever should have happened. Every single commentary, Bible lesson, and sermon I have ever read, studied, or heard, overlooks verses one and two of this account and immediately rushes to the David and Goliath encounter. What if God has another nugget to be mined revealing a more powerful treasure?

According to I Sam. 17:1-2, “Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines.” King Saul had been abandoned by the prophet Samuel for his rebellion against the will of God. Probably hearing this news, the Philistines-one of the oldest enemies of the Nation of God-decided to take advantage of this weakness by launching an attack. Yet Saul seemed to regroup, and with courage marched to meet the Philistine army and “drew up in line of battle,” ready and willing for war.

Picture if you will a Civil War depiction of the battlefield; both armies facing off, ready for the trumpet to blow, calling soldiers to arms as they charged to meet their opponent. A much different picture than what we see by the time we get to verse 11, where King Saul and his entire army were marked with fear, cowering in the shadows with no hope. What happened? One large man with a loud voice of opposition. That’s it. One person struck so much fear into the hearts of God’s people; they even chose to follow his commands and change their direction. Just when King Saul was about to give the order to “charge,” Goliath shouts, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” Why didn’t King Saul shout “charge” anyway? Why did he listen to this smelly, large, blasphemous giant, instead of saying, “Who do you think you are?! Step aside or be trampled upon, God is on our side, and He never loses a battle!” I believe if King Saul and his army had the same attitude as young David, the Army of God might never have even known the name Goliath; as the moment he stepped out of the Philistine ranks, an arrow would have dropped him followed by the feet of a thousand soldiers stomping his flesh to the ground. 

We must not be quick to judge, though; we also struggle with the same temptation that faced King Saul, having a fear of man over trust in God. And, frequently, it is usually only one loud voice of opposition that strikes fear into our hearts, ultimately crippling and rendering us useless in the Army of God. It happened with Elijah when Jezebel sent a letter. It happened when a few families filed a lawsuit to stop prayer in public schools in 1962. Or a year later, in 1963, when one parent complained about the Bible being read in the classroom. How many times in our history have the voices of a few struck fear into hearts that conformed to their commands?

I wonder what would have happened on the battlefield that day if Saul would have trusted in God more than he feared a man. I indeed wonder where we would be as a country today if more of us would have trusted God over our fear of man. Would we still be enjoying the Bible-based curriculum in our schools? Would our children still stand and say the pledge of allegiance followed by morning prayer in our classrooms? Perhaps we are struggling as a nation because we remain on a hill defeated in fear instead of in the valley fighting in the name of God. 

Scripture: “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” -Proverbs 29:25, ESV, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” -Psalm 118:6, ESV

Question: Have you allowed fear of man to dictate your actions or justify your inactions? 

Prayer: Father, please open my eyes to your power. There are so many in our current culture that opposes you, your Word, and your people. They are attacking our beliefs, disputing the truth, and persecuting your children. Please give me the strength to stand firm in my faith, no matter how loud the opposition is or how strong they may be. May I rise every morning ready to put on the armor of righteousness and prepare for a battle that you have already won. Father, I want to be a faithful soldier that never cowers or retreats, but one that trusts your promises, relies on your power, and remains in your presence. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

People Are Watching

Posted on by pastorunity

Professing Christians have directed the traffic to Hell more than any other group.

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In the sixth century, a young man was born into this world, his dad dying before he was born, and his mom dying when he was seven years old. He was then raised by his grandfather, who also died, which left him in his uncle’s care. Despite this dysfunctional and unstable background, he became a young man of excellent reputation: honest, hardworking, driven, and passionate. Every year, he would go off in isolation to a cave, praying and fasting from dusk till dawn. During one of these trips, an “angel” came to him, declared him a messenger of God, and told him to start a new religion. He ran home scared and told his wife and family to cover him for protection. When he questioned this “angel’s” message from God- for him to become a messenger and start a new religion- his wife brought him to her cousin, who was known as a Christian savant, someone who had a reputation for being informed and educated in Christianity. This “Christian” confirmed his calling, declared him a true prophet of God and encouraged him to start a new religion. This religion is now the second-largest and fastest-growing religion in the world. I am talking about Islam and its founder Muhammad.

In 1869, Mahatma Gandhi was born in India and eventually became a leader and voice of the third-largest world religion, Hinduism. Had he been exposed to genuine Christianity; he would have had the potential to influence and convert millions. There was a time in his life that he researched and investigated other religions, ultimately embracing some aspects of Sikhism. After his research, this is what he stated of Christianity: “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

In 1930, a brilliant man was born in Chicago. He had a troubled upbringing, dropped out of high school, ran away, and joined a carnival. He was exposed to, and considered, many religions, even dabbling in the occult; he was what we would call a seeker. He was drawn more to Christianity than to any other religion and even started playing the organ for traveling preachers on Sundays at the carnival where he worked. Of Christianity, he writes,

“On Saturday night I would see men lusting after half-naked girls dancing at the carnival, and on Sunday morning when I was playing the organ for tent-show evangelists at the other end of the carnival lot, I would see these same men sitting in the pew with their wives and children, asking God to forgive them and purge them of carnal desires. And the next Saturday night, they’d be back at the carnival or some other place of indulgence. I knew then that the Christian Church thrives on hypocrisy, and that man’s carnal nature will win out!”

Anton LaVey

Disillusioned and frustrated with Christianity’s blatant hypocrisy, he decided to write a book and start his church. His name was Anton LaVey; the book he wrote was the Satanic Bible. The church he created was the church of Satan.

Professing Christians have directed the traffic to Hell more than any other group.

But not all cases are as blatant and apparent. What about the “Christian” parent who is more committed to sports on the Sabbath than church? Or the “Christian” who honks and yells their way through traffic while displaying a fish magnet on their car? Or the employee who tells inappropriate jokes around the water cooler, gossips about their demanding boss, complains about every pain and ache, yet sings in their church choir every Sunday celebrating the power and presence of God? 

While not seemingly as destructive as writing a satanic bible, are these not examples of “Christians” who point people away from Christ by lives that declare Jesus is not enough? What would this world be like if more Christians were hungering and thirsting after righteousness? What would you be like if you were hungering and thirsting after righteousness? 

Scripture: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” -Matthew 5:6 ESV

Question: Have you recently considered that while God wants to use your life as an example, so does Satan?

Prayer: Father, sometimes I get so caught up in my life that I lose sight of my testimony, forgetting how influential I am to those around me. Please help me to live a life that seeks after you, a life worthy of emulation. Thank you for your patience, and may today, I strive to be holy and pleasing to you, leaving the scent of your glory with everyone I am around. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen.

*Modified from the book, Being the Believing 2.0 available on http://www.beingthebelieving.com*

 

The Edge of Glory

Posted on by pastorunity

The End of Your Rope: Isaiah 59:1

The End of Your Rope

The week had been long and trying, and in addition to the “new normal” life associated with the Coronavirus, I had several professional burdens come through my door; a broken marriage, a wayward child, the loss of a job, and a disgruntled church member. In addition, personally I was struggling with my physical health; issues severe enough that the church leadership had to intervene and force me, for my own benefit, into a three month sick leave.  By the end of the week, I collapsed in my bed, let out an audible sigh, and before I knew it, said aloud, “I am at the end of my rope!”. 

It was then that God reminded me that it is here, at this very crossroads that something great is about to happen.  Looking back through the Word of God, we find story after story of men and women of faith coming to the end of their ropes only to find that is where God’s rope begins.  Story’s like that of Joseph who found himself in a dark prison, separated from his family and friends, accused of something he did not do, and certainly, “at the end of his rope”, yet God’s rope was about to be lowered down into that very prison.  Joseph recognized the end of his rope was the beginning of God’s; that only when he was willing to rely only on God could God fully take over.  And, take over He did! That lowered rope not only lifted Joseph from that prison but ultimately placed him as the right hand man to the most powerful leader in the known world-the Pharaoh of Egypt! 

How about you? Perhaps you can identify with one of those who came through my doors last week experiencing a job loss, broken marriage, or relational conflict.  Or, you might be that parent that is heartbroken over the direction of a wayward child.  Whatever it is that brought you to the “end of your rope”, might I suggest you stop viewing it as a negative, rather that positionally, you are on the very edge of glory!  Be careful, that next step is crucial.  Will you reach up and grab God’s rope; fully trusting and relying on Him to take you higher than you could on your own? Or, will you like Abraham, “go down to Egypt” continuing to trust in your own resources and the many offerings of the world? 

How did my week end? What did I find at the end of my rope? As I stood on the rooftop the following Sunday to bring a message, The Power of Was: Overcoming our Past!, I spoke from experience when I reminded hundreds of anxious ears, “Our end is where God’s power begins”.  While I may not be second in command of the worlds greatest nation, I am forgiven, redeemed, renamed, remade, and changed.  I am loved.  All because one day, many years ago, I found myself in the prison of sin and when I was at the end of that rope, I grabbed hold of His rope and was rescued. I’ve never been the same since. 

You see? The end of your rope is a very good place to be; God has your attention there.  You my friend are on the edge of glory, what will you do next?

Scripture: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear” -Isa. 59:1

Prayer: Father, it can be very scary coming to the point where all of my resources have been exhausted and my problems are still present. Please remind me that you are in contol and that you desire me to seek you first and trust you most.  And, when I get to the end of my rope again, please remind me that is where your presence and power are the most demonstrated.  Thank you for loving me. I love you. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.