Discipleship Network Forum

"For everything there is a season,

a right time for every intention under heaven -

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot...."

• Ecclesiastes 3:1,2

Today's generation is obsessed with time. Everyone is claimoring for more time. But everyone has the same alloted time each day. No matter how much you fret, you cannot add one second to your life; nor can you prolong your alloted time on this planet. In the business world, many experts offer seminars or courses on time management. Businesses invest much on managing the time of each employee. Companies conduct time and motion study on each specific job description so as to optimize daily productivity. Whether on business or for every human, there is one factor that determines how much time is invested, the person himself. And because each person is unique, productivity varies accordingly.

Generally, we were taught to think of time in linear terms – the past, the present and the future, with each passing day, we go forward in time. From the day we were born, we perceive time as going forward or advancing. But is that what the Scriptures teach? Are we suppose to focus ourselves in counting our days and dispense of what is old and desire what is new? Are we to be preoccupied with prolonging our stay on earth and striving to look young? According to Scriptures, what is the point of time?

The Psalmist cried, "Teach us to count our days, so that we will become wise." (Ps 90:12) The span of a man's life is short and even with advanced medicine, the average age has been 70 years. There is no time to waste. As St. Paul said, "Make use of every opportunity." The point is not to consume our time with all the magic potions to make us look young. Or to concentrate on making more money so we could enjoy "life" as we view it. Preoccupying oneself with improving one's outward appearance may prove fruitless because everything and everyone that we see around us is wilting and decaying and eventually dying. This is not to say that we should not improve our appearance or dress well; but what am saying is, should a person be so preoccupied with all the frivolous things in our short life and miss the more important aspects of living?

Yes time can be spent counting numbers but time is well-invested in building relationships; especially, relationships that are eternal. This is the very reason why the Scriptures say "there is a time for every intention under heaven..." In the beginning, Adam's time was spent in communion with his Father. I do not mean that that's all he did, but that even when he was tending to the garden of Eden, h.e did it with the Father. When he named all the animals, he did it with the Father. Whatever Adam did, he did it to the glory of the Father. It was always school time for Adam under the tutelage of the Father and they spent it in eternity. Until, he rebelled.

To redeem time, we must determine what activity to pursue that is of more value, not it terms of money but of eternal impact. For time only means something when consumed with a view of eternity. Money is man's invention whereas time is GOD's idea to teach us stewardship of all creation. Our life is like a vapor that appears for only a moment in eternity so that it is too valuable to be wasted in vain pursuits. Whatever you're doing today, you need to ask yourself, am I building my own kingdom or GOD's kingdom? Are the little things I am doing purposeful and leading to the grand design of my Creator? Chances are, if you are continually stressed and worried and busy with a lot of activities that do not seem to jibe with your eternal purpose, you are missing the point of life. If all you've got to show is a balloning bank account and a high position and honor among men, then chances are, you are not satisfied and do not feel significant as a human being. Because if you lose your money and are no longer in an influential position, all the semblance and trappings of human glory will be lost and all that will be left are memories of a past ill-spent.

So how can we ensure that the "things" we do are indeed important even in eternity? I remember what the LORD YESHUA always said to his disciples, "Follow Me..." When I was in ROTC training, we were taught to follow orders. Whatever the platoon sergeant ordered we obeyed, no questions asked. We understood that the sergeant was obeying a higher authority who had "intelligence" we didn't had. So everyone obeyed. Trust is of utmost importance and the understanding that our officers knew what they were doing gave us a lot of comfort. Trust or faith flows down from above and the true knowledge of GOD makes us confident that when we live for the glory of the Father, we are a significant part of the whole plan of GOD. Since the beginning, man was made for GOD and he was equipped to relate. Relate to GOD and relate to man. Life is all about relationships.

Gadgets are good only if they help us fulfill our purpose. But if they hinder us instead, then we're better off without them. Almost everyone uses a smartphone these days and they are very useful in keeping us updated with our daily activities; but when a person is too preoccupied with his smartphone to talk sensibly with his spouse, then obviously, that smartphone has become a hindrance to the relationship. If you really like to get connected, then communicate person to person. Whether business or personal, in the end, it will be more appreciated. By the way, you can always connect with GOD. His bandwidth is the biggest and fastest and you'll never get a busy signal. His is the original wireless and faster than the speed of thought.

YESHUA was always successful because He was always connected to the Father. He only said and did what He heard and saw the Father doing. To those who are led by the SPIRIT of GOD, we are sons of the living GOD and the SPIRIT always guides us, if we only listen carefully to His gentle voice. To redeem the time as it was intended in the beginning, we must get connected and hear the voice of GOD from within. Do not be in so much hurry, but relax and enjoy GOD's presence. I am sure you will begin to see things in a different light – GOD's light! Then you'll never walk alone and you will not fear. You will know what it means to be blessed with all the blessings in the heavenly places! This is not about money, although GOD will bless you financially. It is all about contentment, knowing that all you really need is GOD. You know whose you are and who you are. YESHUA is enough.

What is Time? Totally Immersed in Messiah Eternally, that's what it is!

מלאך

As it is with most everything, starting a new project is a bit nerve racking  until one settles into the norms of a group and gets to know the members.

My goal is to begin to get to know other members that are growing deeper in the knowledge of Truth, especially as we watch and observe the signs that point to the second coming of our Saviour !

My expectation is that we keep our points of view in the full  context of scripture as we share in the fullness of Truth the burdens of our heart ! For me I find there are so many interpretations on scripture that creates division in THE TRUE FAITH !

  I extend my right hand of fellowship to you and pray that we will  grow in Faith and Love as we share the wonderful knowledge and experiences we have had with the "Bread of Life", Yeshua, as we walk with Him on life's narrow path to everlasting life.

"Fight for Joy!"  I love that phrase.  It is not original with me, it comes from my friend John Piper.  But I love it because it characterizes every day for me.  Each day I get up and face a day that has tremendous challenges.  Challenges to fight for a strong and healthy marriage, challenges to fight to raise godly kids, challenges to fight temptation and lust, challenges to fight disappointment, challenges to fight suffering, challenges to lead people to a greater understanding of God’s grace.  These challenges can seem overwhelming at times but that is why we have to fight.

I use three main weapons to fight for joy.  The first is God’s Word.  The Bible brings me the true truth about life, God, who I am and how I am supposed to live.  The Bible tells me the unbelievable story of God’s relentless pursuit of me and His unconditional grace He floods my life with everyday through Jesus.  Thanks to my old Young Life leader, Casey Dunn, I memorized Psalm 119:9,11 in high school and I still remember it today.

“How can a young man keep his way pure?...I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  Hiding God’s Word in my heart enables me to fight for joy and to believe that the promises of  God are far better than the promises of the world.

The second weapon I use to fight for joy is prayer.  I am terrible at prayer.  I can’t sit still for more than 35 seconds.  Prayer is hard work but it pays great dividends.  I try and pray throughout my day, attempting to constantly keep the Lord on my mind.  Asking the Holy Spirit to fight for me when I am tempted or frustrated or feeling down.  Sometimes I put these two weapons together and pray through a passage of Scripture.

The third weapon I fight for joy with is friendships.  I have a couple of guys that I can share absolutely anything with.  I can call them day or night, ask them for help, advice or prayer. They have always been there for me.  If I am feeling like a complete failure then I know I can call one of them to help me work through it.

So, my challenge to you is simple, grab your Bible, speak directly to God and make sure you have some buddies that will fight this battle with you.  The battle is of utmost importance, it has eternal consequences.

All for Jesus,

Fletch

Bread, warm, crusty, nourishing...the staff of life.  So much is evoked by this word, and the reality it stands in for.  Very few homes with the means to buy it are without it.  It is the foundation or compliment of nearly every meal.

"This is my body, broken for you."  The loaf is raised, the matzo is broken, and we take in again the reality of Jesus as our Bread of Life.  He paid the ultimate price so we could have, without price, His sustaining nourishment for our starving souls.

If starving and offered bread, we would take it.  If we had bread, and someone stood before us, ravenous, we would share it.

"This is Christ's body, broken for you."  Take it, share it along with all His people.  There is never a lack.  It keeps being broken and shared out until all are more than satisfied. 

"Come, for all has been made ready."  You are welcome at this feast.  There is a place for you at the table named Whosoever Will.

Yet, the Bread is unopened, unbroken, uneaten, unshared...

The very Words of Life lay neglected or despised.

October 12, 2011

I am listening. What will GOD, ADONAI, say?

For He will speak peace to his people,

to his holy ones -

but only if they don't relapse into folly.

His salvation is near for those who fear him,

so that glory will be in our land.

Grace and truth have met together;

justice and peace have kissed each other.

Truth springs up from the earth,

and justice looks down from heaven.

ADONAI will also grant prosperity;

our land will yield its harvest.

Justice will walk before him

and make his footsteps a path.

• Psalm 85:8-13

Salvation is viewed by many people as deliverance from harm, especially, from Hell and the granting of eternal life in Heaven. Different religions have different ideas but salvation always involves deliverance from a life of hell. Everyone has a different idea depending on where you were born and what your religion is. Some even claim that their version is the truth. The only problem is that the very idea of truth is exclusive and unique. Not all roads lead to GOD or heaven. If you're going to New York, you can't take the plane that ultimately lands in Frankfurt. One has to choose the right path. That means that there is only one Truth!

But is Truth a path? If it is a path, then, each person has to choose to take the path by himself on his own effort and merit. If everyone is left to decide by himself which alternative path to choose, then how do you know it's the right one? Are you confused already?

The Psalmist said, “I am listening. What will GOD, ADONAI, say?” He doesn't ask other people, because they obviously have no clue. After all, they don't even know where heaven is, much less, what heaven is all about? Who owns heaven anyway? That's the right person to ask!

The LORD of Heaven did not leave us without a clue. In fact, He, himself came to speak to us the word of the heavenly Father. He said, 'Pray to the Father, saying “May Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”(Matt 6:10). YESHUA the Messiah, was hung between heaven and earth to reconcile us to the Father. At that very moment, grace and truth met together; and justice and peace kissed each other. Yes, in the most significant moment of time, YESHUA shed his innocent blood for the life of the guilty, the righteous for the unrighteous, so that justice will be carried out and believers may have peace with the righteous Judge. At that very moment, Truth sprung from the earth and justice looked down from heaven and made peace with men.

Salvation is for those who trust in the finished work of the LORD YESHUA. Truth is not a path so that a person can walk the way and overcome all challenges by himself, by his own strength. That is the path of the ungodly, who prefers to walk his own way, on his own terms. The Father has provided the Way, the Truth and Life in the LORD YESHUA. Only then, can we have prosperity in our land. The Father has promised that when we love Him by doing His Word, He will love us and YESHUA and He will come and make their home with us (John 14:23) so that as YESHUA is united with the Father, we also are united with Him (John 14:20). YESHUA said,”Whoever trusts Me will do the works that I do” (John 14:12). Yes, then at that time, Justice will walk before him and make his footsteps a path.

We are the workmanship of GOD in Christ and He has prepared good works for us so that we can walk in them. The Word of GOD is the path of the righteous and when we place our feet on his footsteps, the glory of GOD shines forth. In this way, the Kingdom of GOD has truly come to earth as His will is obeyed by His people.

I am listening, LORD! I hear and obey...

מלאך

The Theme for GEMS this year is wisdom.  We are looking into Proverbs a great deal.  This is a book I have not tended to dig into much because it seemed like a big "to do" list, especially Proverbs 31.  I always had the unsettling feeling that I didn't measure up and might just be the fool Solomon the Wise and your mother warned you about.

Wisdom really does not get a lot of press these days.  People are smart or savvy or intelligent, but no one talks much about having wisdom or discernment.  Yet, these things are highly valued by God.

I am feeling right now like I lack wisdom in a lot of areas.  I can't seem to get a handle on finances.  Money just seems to be running through my fingers lately.  So many things I depend on, like cell phones etc.  that cost money to replace, just seem to be self-destructing on me. 

I am stalled in my "career" but have no idea how to move ahead.  I cringe at sending out the resume I have, and I don't seem to have any "feet in the door" anywhere at the moment.  I also don't seem to interview well.  I do seem to make a good impression when I actually am in a situation, substitute teaching or volunteering, but when more long term or permanent opportunities come along I always either miss them or am passed over.

These and other situations seem like sorts of things I "should" be able to work on and "make better."  However, when I try, I just spin my wheels and get more anxious and frustrated.

When I go to God and ask for wisdom, He offers me the wisdom of the branch.  "Abide," He says.  "Rest and remain firmly grafted.  Accept with joy the seasons of your life; spring budding and growing, summer fruit and harvest, then the riotous release of beautifully lifeless leaves to the wind." 

Strange, that they are most beautiful at the moment of their death and separation from the branch that nurtured them.  Yet, it is no use to cling to last year's leaves when spring buds come.

"Except even, the bleakness of winter, stretching bravely toward the sky and accepting the chillingly exquisite burden of snow and ice.  It is a season of resting in the promise of spring to come."

So, I am seeking to relax and let the sap flow from the trunk that is Jesus, let the Wind of the Spirit blow me and my leaves where He will, and dig deep into the sustaining soil of the Word and prayer, so I can wave joyful leaves of verdant life in praise and bear fruit in season.  Silly me to try and bear my own fruit, when I am just a branch.

October 9, 2011

Iron Man vs NuMan

“...put on the new man who has been created in God's image —

in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.”

• Eph 4:24

I was born in the age of comic books when DC and Marvel comics ruled the world of kids. In those days, boys roamed the valleys, ran over hills, climbed trees, swam rivers or seas and fished to our hearts' content. We were adventurous and our games were team plays involving the neighborhood gang. We were very interactive and develop a lot of friendships. We compared our heroes and pitted them against each other in our imagination. Who was the strongest, the most awesome and most gifted? Never were there superheroes who were not romantic, strong and dependable and even spoke poetic Shakesperean English! They were all muscle-bound and handsome; yea, even the female counterparts!

Today, the new generation of kids are more into cyberspace than anything. Their games are interactive and are played even against teams from anywhere in the world through the world wide web. They interact but only with their fingers, eyes and minds – if you can really call it a mental activity. The adventure is purely virtual “reality” and nobody actually gets injured or die, just stressed out and exhausted, because many times they play over 24 hours. Their superheroes are still the same old DC and Marvel heroes, only retrofitted and enhanced with computer graphics and animation, but now acted out by actual human actors endowed with theatrical grace and supported with life-like animation. They have outgrown the Shakesperean lingo but replaced it with street-savvy language like “with great power, comes great responsibility”-Spidey, or “My actions define who I am”-Batman.

There is one common thread, though, that runs through the whole plot. These superheroes are always capable of great destruction in their pursuit of doing “good” while wearing briefs over their 'tutus', never revealing their true identity for fear of retaliation against their loved ones. Their mask seem to embue them with super-confidence and extraordinary power; but as always, there's a lot of collateral damage everywhere they go and everytime they save someone. The plot is always the same – save the damsel in distress, maim or kill the bad-asses, come out unscathe and be the hero of the day!

The superhero is masked and is living a lie. Yes, he saves the downtrodden but also destroys much of those around him. It's always about him and his ego. But wait! There's a new twist! Tony Stark is not afraid to make himself known as “Iron Man”! He is not shy to tell the world that he personally, as Iron Man, enabled the human race to achieve world peace. Yes, he still dons his electronic body armor complete with the latest virtual and real weaponry. He dares all his enemies to fight against him in the name of peace and destroys them, in the name of peace. Tony Stark is a self-styled messiah who professes to be a genius in physics and becomes all-powerful when clothe with beyond-nuclear techno-armor. He wants to redeem mankind from its destructive tendencies by destroying those who appear to threaten his personal agenda.

Somehow, there's a need in man to want a Messiah. We all want a hero. In fact, we all want to be a hero! Do you know you can be a hero? And you don't have to wear briefs over your tutu. You don't have to wear a mask either. You can desire to be Iron Man, or you can be real. You don't have to look like Mr. Universe, or be cool. But you have to do something.

Once upon a fullness of time, a baby was born in a House of Bread. A feeding trough was his crib, the earth was his playground and the animals were his playmates. The angels called him, YESHUA, Immanu-El. He grew up as a carpenter's son and apprentice. Life was hard because his people were oppressed. He experienced the sorrow and hunger common to poor folks like him. His father died early, so he had to become the head of his household and support his many brothers and sisters. But he was happy. He didn't blame his circumstances nor did he blame his parents; and he did not blame his GOD. He was content with his trade. He knew he was different. He was waiting for his call. Meantime, he did what he could to learn from his GOD. He devoted himself to following the Torah and was always in touch with YHWH. Many of his people did not want to even mention the Name for fear, because they were taught that GOD was too holy for anyone even to call his Name with defiled lips. But he knew YHWH like no other. He always walked with Him.

In the fullness of time, YHWH called him out from the slums of Nazareth to serve his people and to proclaim the Kingdom of YHWH. The Torah was not only in his heart, but it was in his eyes, on his lips and in his hands. Everywhere he went, he performed the works of YHWH – he healed those who were sick, he gave sight to the blind, made the deaf to hear, the mute to speak, demons to flee and the dead to rise. He never lifted a finger to destroy anything or harm anyone. His words brought comfort to the soul, his touch cleanse the leper and his command stilled the raging storm and sea. He operated in the supernatural kingdom laws of YHWH that transcended the natural laws of physics.

His only fault was that he did what was good even on the Sabbath and called YHWH, his Father. But even the Torah teachers could not find fault in him when he challenged them to convict him of sin. Though mistreated, he was submissive; he did not even open his mouth. He had done no violence nor did he ever said anything deceptive. YHWH was pleased to crush him for our sins to see if he would present himself as a guilt-offering.

Then he said, “Here I am: I have come – it is written of me in the scroll of the book – to do your will, O YHWH.”(Psalm 40:7,8) He laid down his life for the life of many so that their sins will be forgiven.

There are two kingdoms in conflict. One is a lover of self and only does things to feed self. All his knowings and all his pursuits are for one purpose only – self-gratification. The other is a lover of YHWH. He breathes and lives for YHWH and only does the things that pleases YHWH. The Torah is the light of his life and day by day, his life is being transformed by the power of the Word.

The former steals, kills and destroys; while the latter gives life – abundant life! What kind of hero do you want? What kind of hero do you need? Do you want to clothe your heart with iron? Or do you want to be molded like clay in a Potter's hand? Do you want to destroy? Or do you want to build and make things new?

Do you want to be cool? Or do you want to be real?

καινὸν (nu man)

As D. O. C. Outreach Director, I've been ministering to broken men and women for 7 years through personal letters and a monthly newsletter. There are no words that adequately describe how God uses such little things to bless and sustain His children.  I am as much a recipient of the blessing as are the prisoners who interact with this ministry.  We have just over 3,400 members in 19 states and they generate a lot of letters!

Should you be praying for a way to be a blessing to another, to show God's love to a hurting person, to be light and salt, a letter once a month to a prisoner is a wonderful answer.

I don't have much time to be here on the Network, which I regret, as there is much to learn here.  Thanks to all of you who comment and question.  And to those of you who have gathered us together, thank you!

Well, this is it! The discussion is concluded, the decision is made, our comfortable congregation is embarking on a journey of Discipleship, at Penrallt (its Welsh, say it as you find it but learn how to get your tongue around that 'll' when you visit us). We are blessed with many very bright and highly educated folk, plus a big group of students from the nearby university, we'd value your prayers as we embark on this ticket free ride. Sadly there are a few who will unintentionally pour cold water on the burning oil of the Spirit and they may just throw a collective spanner in the works; so if you could remember them too please, we want to have their support.

There is a measure of complacency among middle class professionals that surprises me and it is to do with the apprehension of taking more on than they're already doing. I know as you do, that it's more than likely to be taking less on and pointing one's efforts more thoughtfully and being more aware of the effect of living alongside Jesus; rather than using him as a desirable add-on. But in the early phase the groundswell of opinion seems to point to that attitude. So watch this space, here we go 'God bless us everyone'.

There are two types of people; those who have surrendered their life to Christ and those who are still putting up a fight.  Some people think that those who surrender in battle are cowards.  I don’t think this is always true. Surrendering in battle actually takes courage.  When you surrender you are placing your life in the hands of your enemies.  You are hoping they will treat you fairly and with dignity and that one day when the war is over, you will be set free.  Cowards are the ones who run from the battle and hide. 

The thing about this war with God is that we can’t win.  There is absolutely no hope to beat God.  He is just too powerful, too just, and too loving.  So I am encouraging everyone who is still fighting against God to surrender.   It will take courage, especially since you have no idea how God is going to treat you and whether or not you will ever be set free from His captivity.  But let me assure you…God will treat you with dignity, He will love you unconditionally, He will show you mercy and He will set you free.  Freedom with God is different than what most of the world thinks though.  Freedom with God is when He sets us free to be who He originally created us to be.  You see, for those who are still battling against God, putting up a good fight, you are actually enslaved.  You are enslaved to a lifestyle that focuses on yourself, which is actually pretty pathetic.  Why would anyone want to settle for something so little when you could have so much?  Why settle for a purpose in life that centers around a creature who is so limited?  We were created to live in relationship with the eternal God.  We were created in His image and our purpose is to worship Him and glorify Him in all we do, say and think. 

I know this sounds absolutely crazy for those who are battling against Him, but just think about it.  God created us to live in this awesome relationship.  He gave us the entire world to have dominion over and to rule.  He said that He would walk through life with us, every step of the way.  But we have chosen to rebel against God, run away from Him and then try to rule the world without Him? What is that all about?  Why would we give up so much to attain so little?  It doesn’t make sense.  What does make sense is when we realize what we have done, how stupid and self-centered it is and then return to God.  God uses this word called “repent”.  This just means that God wants us to turn away from our old way of living, our old way of thinking and turn back towards Him.  Only when we come back to God will anything in life begin to make sense or have meaning and purpose.

But how in the world is this possible?  If God is really just then it would go against His perfect and holy character to let me, His enemy, go free without punishment?  God has made it possible by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to take your penalty upon Himself.  Jesus lived a perfect life, perfectly fulfilling every law that God demanded.  God sent Jesus to die for you, in your place.  So God really is just and His justice was taken out on His own Son, Jesus.  So surrendering to God means believing that Jesus died for your sins and giving your heart over to Him.

So, you may be a coward and run away from God, you may have the gall to stand and fight God or you may have the courage to surrender to God through Jesus.  But ultimately, God is going to win the battle, whether you like it or not and whether you believe it or not.  So my suggestion is to surrender to God.  Believe that Jesus died for you, that He rose from the grave and now sits at God’s right hand.  Believe that He will send His Holy Spirit to come and live in your heart, to walk through every moment of life with you.  Come back to God and let Him take you captive.  It is His great desire to have you back, to show you mercy and grace, to love you unconditionally.  Surrendering to God has no regrets.

All for Jesus,

Fletch

Unfortunately, we will, at some point in our lives, run into someone who's experiencing an unanticipated pregnancy.  I hope this story may be of some use when you counsel her.  -----------------------------------------------------

I know that many women who become pregnant will feel that, for whatever reason, this is not the right time for them to raise a child.  I know that, for many, the idea of giving their child to someone else to raise may seem impossibly difficult.  I hope, through my own story, to encourage others to at least take another look at the option of adoption. 

I had not expected to become pregnant in 1990.  I could tell you about our struggles, and try to justify my decision. This is not a story about our hard times, though; suffice it to say that I knew we were barely able to provide the necessities for the child we were already raising, and I couldn't figure out how we'd feed two. And, as Solomon understood, I was more willing to let  the child go, than to see it harmed.

For the first time, I heard about the concept of “open adoption.”  I went to a few informational/support meetings for people involved in open adoptions, and realized quickly that the term covers a wide range of situations.  For some, the only contact after the baby’s birth was the birthmother receiving a letter and picture once a year.  In one family, the birthmother actually became the family’s friend and babysitter, and chose to bear a second child for the family.  Most were somewhere in-between.

Open adoption seemed to offer a lot of positives. For me - I could choose a Christian family, a good family, who would raise this child, and I could know about her during her life. I could know she was alive, and not wonder if every child I saw was her!  For the adoptive parents – they could be involved with her even before her birth, take her straight home from the hospital, and be able to receive ongoing updates to my family’s medical history.  For the baby – she could have as much or as little contact with me as she desired, and ask questions at any time, whenever she wished.  For my family – there was also the possibility of having some relationship with her.  There were also some risks involved, for each person, and we had to be able to develop trust in each other.  But this sure seemed vastly preferable to just watching a nurse carry her away and never knowing what had happened. 

Was it hard?  Absolutely.  There was judgment - like the snide comment from a coworker that she would certainly never just give away one of her babies. There were all the little decisions  – did I want to explain myself to all my bare acquaintances? Pregnancy is an obvious condition, and strangers want to share your “joy.” Those little hurts and decisions paled, of course, next to the pain of THE decision itself. I could only do it because I was absolutely convinced that this was the best choice, for the toddler I was struggling to feed, and for the child I carried.   But once the decision was made, I thought of her as the child I was having for them, the adoptive parents I’d chosen, not as my own baby, and it… helped.  Some. I’ll never say it was easy. But it was right.

How did it work out for us?  J’s new mom-to-be was my birth coach, and was the first person beside the doctor to see her.  My parents, my sister, and I were all blessed to be able to meet with this child and her parents two or three times a year, to celebrate Christmases and her birthdays. The visits were bittersweet, but still a blessing. She and my son were especially blessed to grow up knowing each other as brother and sister.  Issues did arise in later years that made it helpful for her parents to be able to ask more detailed questions about certain aspects of my family’s medical history.  And J grew up knowing that she was NOT unwanted; just unexpected, and loved enough to be given a better life than I could have given her at that time.  And it was a sweet blessing when she chose to come visit for a week after her 18^th birthday; I got to teach her to knit.  And really amazing when she came to me when she thought she might be pregnant herself.

Was it worth it?  Oh yes!  When I get to the Judgment Seat, I know that Jesus is my only hope of salvation. Yet I will also answer for what I've done with what He gave me - and among all my faults and failings, if I’m asked if I ever did anything pure and unselfish, I can answer, “Yes – there was one time that I know I did the right thing, for all the right reasons.” 

Just over a year ago, I was at a writers' retreat, trying to figure out what to do next. I had big aspirations to write fiction, and had started five or six manuscripts, but never felt good about them. God used the ladies at that retreat to confirm not only what God had gifted me to do, but what He had called me to.

Confirmation in our Christian lives is HUGE! Sometimes, I think it would be so much easier if God would just whisper in my ear what I'm supposed to be doing. And then I realize that He is . . . He's just using other Christians to say the words.

Yesterday I taught a Bible study on Ephesians 4. A couple of ideas stuck out for me: Believers are brought together to be the body of the church, to help each other grow in spiritual maturity, and to work in unity with one another. Then I had dinner with an old friend and a new friend last night. And God used them in a mighty way to speak to me.

God's confirmation is all around . . . when we listen.

How have you heard God's confirmation for what you're doing?

Margie Williamson

Community manager

Good Heavens!

The heavens declare the glory of GOD,

the dome of the sky speaks the work of His hands.

Every day it utters speech,

every night it utters knowledge.

Without speech, without a word,

without their voices being heard,

their line goes out through all the earth

and their words to the end of the world.

• Psalm 19:1-4

If you live in a highly urbanized area with plenty of neon lights and electronic billboards, you would not be able to appreciate a moonlit night sky or a star-filled horizon. Too much nightlife, would ensure that you would miss GOD's spectacular star show. If you work too hard or if you would rather work than take a much needed vacation out in the boondocks, you're missing all the fun watching birds and butterflies, even your children frolicking with farm animals and fishing and swimming in rivers or sea.

Imagine, GOD made the garden of Eden just for Adam so He could fellowship with him in the comfort of 'home'. Imagine GOD walking in the cool of the day with Adam, showing him all the sights and all the wonders of His garden. Imagine GOD lying on the grass with Adam as they watch the clouds go by and GOD pointing out the Orion and the Pleiades hanging on nothing, designed as part of GOD's universal order.

Indeed, the heavens declare the glory of GOD in all His wisdom and magnificence. One cannot help but appreciate the exactness and “order” of things. There is no speech but we observe the seasonality and continuity of order in the universe. The sun will come out tomorrow and day will give way to night. You will never see a tree or any plant for that matter, grow upside down. Every plant will always reach out to the unseen Creator. Unseen, but not uncaring as we can see by the way He pours rain on the land and irrigate its furrows with streams and rivers. He feeds every creature and commands them to perform their assigned task. For each creature has an assign task with a view to help man maintain the fertility and beauty of His earth.

Have you ever watch a baby sleep? A sleeping baby is a picture of beauty at peace. A baby has no troubles. A baby trusts his father and mother completely to provide everything, to protect him at all times and to nurture him at all times. A sleeping baby is a wonderful picture of faith at work in a child of GOD – complete, unwavering trust.

Seeing the vast universe and realizing how orderly all of GOD's creation is, I can't help but know that my GOD is real and completely loves me with an unconditional love. They utter no speech but their words are so loud, they ought to awaken every man with delight, and a longing to know GOD!

All of creation naturally worships and obeys GOD, but only man has the choice to reject the word of GOD. The Word of GOD created all that we can see and all that we cannot see. The Word of GOD is GOD. He sustains the universe by the word of His power.

YHWH wants to create a garden in each of our hearts. A special garden where the Tree of Life grows with all the other wonderful plants full of fruit. A special garden where only you and GOD can frolick and have fun. A special place where GOD could teach you wisdom direct from the mind of YESHUA the Messiah. A beautiful garden nurtured by the Word of GOD's promise. In this garden, your spirit never sleeps and often hears the words of the SPIRIT say, “Come away with Me....!”

You can decide to receive His word and be blessed; or reject His word and be cursed. Once you hear His word, you have an obligation to do it. This is what divides the children of GOD from the children of wrath. The Word is the golden thread that connects us to an abundant life.

Do you want to have the real thing; or are you contented to play religion? It's your choice!

ἀγγελος

In the history section of the Old Testament there is buried a literary gem called the book of Ruth. Long touted as a writing masterpiece, the book of Ruth includes all the makings of a great and timeless love story. You can read through it at lunch, but it can take a lifetime to grasp the depths of its lessons.

Most commonly, when reading the book, our focus is drawn to how God cares for two widows named Naomi and Ruth. We see God’s hand in Ruth’s faithfulness, in the widows returning to Israel, in Ruth’s godly romance, and in her eventual place in the bloodline of the Messiah. But, as you read it, be sure to slow down enough to consider the first character mentioned. His name is Elimelech, he’s first referred to simply as, “a man of Bethlehem.” Elimelech had a real “grass is greener” complex, and he gets credit for starting all the trouble that we see God work through for the rest of the book. His “grass is greener” decision sets the black back-drop on which the vibrant threads of the book are sewn.

The first verse of the book of Ruth starts out, “In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land.” That is a very telling sentence. The days of the judges were very dark spiritual days for Israel. Twice in the book of judges the writer tries to describe the spiritual condition of the nation with these words, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Israel was spiritually drifting aimlessly, further and further away from God. Unfortunately, God had told the nation that if they turned away from Him that he would bring a famine to help turn them back to Him. They had turned away, and God had brought the famine. Bethlehem, whose name means “House of Bread”, was now an empty bread basket, and Elimelech had a decision to make.

Warren Weirsbe says this about trials in our lives, “When trouble comes into our lives, we can do one of three things: endure it, escape it, or enlist it.” Elimelech could have enlisted this trial for his good. He could have recognized his need to turn back to God and done so. God had put Elimelech and his family in Bethlehem. God had a plan and a purpose for them there, and Elimelech could have stayed and allowed God to use this trial for good in his family’s life. Or, at the very least, Elimelech could have just hunkered down and endured the trial. This may not be the best use of a trial, but Elimelech knew he was where God had put him, and so he could have just held on and trusted God to bring him through the difficulty.

Instead, Elimelech chose the escape hatch, the back door, the easy way out. Moab was not too far away, and there was no famine there. He knew the grass was greener there. And he was right, the grass was greener. But does that mean Elimelech should be there? Moab was an enemy of Israel, they had oppressed Israel and drawn them away from God and into idol worship. It was an adversarial environment with no support structure for Elimelech and his family. But, the grass was greener. So, Elimelech pulled up stakes, took his wife and two sons, and headed for greener pastures.

Ruth 1:2-3 says, “. . . They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.” Now, I’m not saying death is the normal consequence for chasing the “grass is greener” syndrome, but I do believe this makes a pretty strong point. And the point isn’t finished being made yet. Ruth 1:5 says, and both [her sons] died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. Okay, now I think the point is made.

Guys, if we are in a place where God has put us, we need to be very careful about running off to where the grass is greener. It may very well be greener, but does that mean you should be there? If you are where God has put you (and that may need some reflection of its own), then you have three options when trials and difficulties come your way; First, you can enlist them. Meaning, you can look for how God wants to bring good out of this difficulty (see Rom 8:28). Next, you can just endure them. But, a word of warning here, just hunkering down and enduring trials tends to make us hard and bitter, so be careful. Or, you have that third option; you can try to escape your trials. You can jump ship, throw in the towel, hit the eject button, head for greener pastures.

But know this, very often, when we choose the escape route, we miss the good that God had planned to bring through that difficulty. We circumvent what God wanted to do for our good. When we do that, I assure you, God’s plan is not derailed, as the book of Ruth attests. God is still at work. His plan will still come to pass. But we miss out on the good that God wanted to bring, right through that trial, for us. So, if we are where God has put us, let’s beware of the “grass is greener” syndrome.

You can receive Pastor Dave’s teaching on the book of Ruth, one CD a week in the mail, at no cost. Just sign up at www.wordbymail.com.

On Tuesday night at 1:30am my next door neighbor was robbed at gunpoint. They stole some of her jewelry and her cell phone and of course scared the daylights out of her.  This is obviously quite disturbing.  We live in a very nice, quiet and (usually) safe neighborhood.  But this happened next door!  Literally 25 feet from where I was sleeping.  You can’t ignore it now that it has happened.  So the big question is, what do we do now?

First, I am thanking God that my neighbor was not physically injured, although the emotional scar will be
there for some time and I am praying that God will heal that. Secondly, we will be more vigilant about keeping our lights on at night, our doors locked and try to be as aware as possible of our surroundings.

But am I really surprised that this happened?  Yes and no.  Yes I am surprised because these things don’t
normally happen in our neighborhood.  There has always been the occasional car break in or vandalism but I
have never heard of someone being robbed at gunpoint.  I am not surprised though that people have
the will and desire to rob other people.  It is in our nature to do whatever we want regardless of the
consequences and regardless of anyone else.  We live in a culture that believes in “the survival of the
fittest.”  It only makes sense that if someone wants something someone else has then they will just take it.  Originally, we were created by God, to live in a relationship with Him.  But, we rebelled, we decided that we wanted to live life the way we wanted to and said,  “The heck with God, I’m going to live life the way I want to.”  The problem is that living this way has created a pretty chaotic world.  One in which people lie to one another, cheat on their taxes, start wars, say mean things to each other, think evil thoughts, and even rob each other at gunpoint.

The real answer to all of life’s problems is to return back to God.  Because God created life and He’s the one who designed it, then He is going to be the one who knows best how to live it.  God has this intense desire for us to enter
back into this awesome relationship He originally created us to live in.  Some of you have done this already and you
understand what I am saying. Some of you are not exactly sure who this “God” is or what it means “to have a relationship with Him.”  My suggestion is for you to pursue God and get to know Him a little better.  But how?  There are two main ways: First, read what God says about Himself in the Bible.  God has chosen to make Himself known in the Bible.  Actually, God has made Himself known through His Son, Jesus Christ.  The Bible says that Jesus is the exact
representation of who God is.  God chose to communicate to us in the flesh, through a human, Jesus, who was both God and man.  So I encourage you to dust off your Bible and check Him out.

The second way to know God is to talk to people who really know Him.  I have a personal, intimate relationship with God.  I know Him.  I have read the truths about God in the Bible and then have experienced
those truths in real life.  I know about God’s unconditional love, His mercy and compassion, His justice.  I know that He is with me all the time.  I am available to talk to anyone who wants to know more (Plus I have this blog where you can get more information and resources to understand God more. Tomorrow you can read about Cowards vs.
Courageous people).

And I am not the only one, there are others who have this same relationship with God through Jesus.  So I encourage you to talk to them, get to know them, ask them questions about who God is.

The best is yet to come,

Fletch

September 23, 2011

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

have the wisdom to show restraint.”

• Proverbs 23:4

Recently, the LORD blessed our business with a lot of orders from customers and my wife and I found ourselves so tired with all the activities, trying to fill the peculiar needs of each customer. It was good to be so busy inspite of the short sleep and long hours. Tonight, the LORD reminded me of Proverbs 23:4. This is one proverb that is easy to understand. GOD exhorted me not to “wear myself out” in pursuit of riches.

As a child, I was often impatient whenever we were on our way to the beach on weekends, wanting to reach our destination as soon as possible so I can enjoy the ocean. I just loved to swim and dive and also gather shells to show off to friends. Growing older, I haven't lost my impatience in “getting to my destination.” I want to finish a project as soon as possible so I can reap the harvest. The pursuit of riches in itself is not wrong but to be so focused on the activity that you lose your joy is not good. A major part of the blessing of work is the journey of accomplishing that work. If we do not learn and become a better person during the journey, then we would have missed the point. Much of life's lessons are learned during problem-solving.

We often think that the journey is a path that we must take by ourselves so we can work out the situation and arrive at a fruitful solution. If we take this route, we would miss the adventure. We were never meant to take a path alone. We can take other friends along and we can probably solve some problems quite well; but still, would it be the best solution? Would I have learned from the best? The only person who would be the best companion for any journey is GOD because He holds the future in His capable hands. In fact, He has prepared good works for us so we can walk in them (Eph 2:10). This is the only way we can have a life and enjoy it too!

GOD exhorts us to exercise wisdom in balancing work with living an enjoyable life. Our spouses and children should have equal time to enjoy life with us. As we enjoy GOD's presence, our family should also enjoy our presence. When they see Immanuel – GOD with us – then they will truly see that our GOD is real and loving.

The LORD also reminded me that “the plans of the diligent lead only to abundance but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty”(Prov 21:5). As we pursue riches, we must do it with all diligence and excellence, but we must never forget that it was GOD who gave us work so we may enjoy our lives on earth. Godly work is our spiritual worship to our excellent GOD. Work performed under GOD's direction is not mere 'work' but a mission that leads to a glorious destiny.

Godly work results in contentment, whatever the circumstances.

ἀγγελος

     I’m a rule follower. I know it’s kind of silly but I like rules. Rules help me know when I am staying within the bounds of what I’m supposed to do. I somehow find comfort in knowing that I am being responsible if I follow the rules. (Jay walking is dangerous. I saw a kid yesterday barely escape getting run over by a car because he was jay walking.) But sometimes when I think I’m being responsible, I’m actually being prideful. I take pride in following the rules. This is a problem when it comes to our spirituality and our relationship with God. We can follow God’s rules, well, at least most of the time. And we can become prideful about it too. We can become so prideful that we believe that God loves us based on our rule following and that He is either happy or disappointed with us when we follow or break the rules. But that is exactly not the way God relates and acts towards us.

Listen to what John Piper says in his book, Fifty Reasons why Jesus came to die:

     “This is why the Bible says that the new way of obedience is fruit-bearing, not law-keeping. ‘You have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God’ (Romans 7:4). We have died to law-keeping so that we might live to fruit-bearing. Fruit grows naturally on a tree. If the tree is good, the fruit will be good. And the tree, in this case, is a living relationship of love to Jesus Christ. For this he died. Now he bids us come: ‘Trust me.’ Die to the law, that you might bear the fruit of love.”

     I am praying that I will be fruit-bearing today and not just a rule follower (law keeper). I don’t need to earn God’s love, Jesus already did that. I need to bear fruit of who I am on the inside. May you think and ponder deeply that one of the reasons Jesus died was so that you do not have to keep the law perfectly but so that you will bear fruit for God, for His glory. I think your relationship with God through Jesus will be much more joyful if you do.

All for Jesus,

Fletch

“The hearing ear and the seeing eye – ADONAI made them both.”

• Proverbs 20:12

Many doctors would agree that the most marvelous and complicated part of all man's senses are his pair of eyes. The eyes are the windows to a man's soul and he forms his opinions of everything that he sees through his perception based on previous stored knowledge. But his perception would be flawed without the keen awareness of sound gathered through his ears. They compliment each other in forming an accurate image of the world around them.

Yet man is the most unique creature among all lifeforms because he has the ability to conceptualize images through his creative imagination. But as intelligent as man could be, he utilizes only ten percent of his brain most of the time. He has been endowed with much, but much is left uncultivated because the god of this world has blinded his carnal mind to the Good News about the glory of the Messiah who is the image of GOD (2 Cor 4:4). He can see the natural order of the world; but it is only when GOD energizes man's spirit with His SPIRIT, that he begins to see the spirit realm also. The 'image of GOD,' because of man's union with the Messiah, enables the new man to see and hear, with sanctified imagination, the many things that GOD has in store for him.

What can be seen through the natural naked eye is self-explanatory, but what can be seen through the spiritual eye is subject to the revelation of GOD himself. Even though much of the spiritual realm is already revealed in Scriptures, these are not easily open to all believers. The spiritual eye only operates by trusting the holy word of GOD; that is, the Scriptures in the original Hebrew language. Why? Because there are so many translations, most in English, and much of the original thought and meaning have not been accurately revealed. Much of the translations are replete with the Greek style of thought process plus being americanized. Since GOD revealed His will through the Word, then we must know the Word accurately according to original writings. I do not mean that you and I must become Hebrew scholars before we can understand Scriptures, but I do mean that as serious students of the Word, we have to ensure that what we are digesting in the spirit is Truth. There are a lot of research materials such as concordance, dictionaries, encyclopedias, lexicons, etc. in print and also available through the world wide web so that no one has an excuse.

Cultivating spiritual sight is only practiced through meditative prayer using the Word of GOD. Without trusting, it is impossible to please GOD, because whoever approaches Him must trust that He does exist and he is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him (Heb 11:6). GOD does not demand that His people trust Him without evidence or substance. The whole of creation declares the glory of the Creator. Has He declared and it was not? He declares the end from the beginning so that all may see that GOD knows all and sees all, because He caused it all and it became.

The building blocks of creation is GOD's Word. From A (Aleph) to Z (Tau), ELOHIM created all with the Word of His mouth in all its fullness. The LORD YESHUA, himself, said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will certainly not pass away”(Mk 13:31) “I have not come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets but to complete it. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a 'yud' or a stroke will pass from the Torah – not until everything that must happen has happened”(Mt 5:17,18). He sustains everything by the word of His power. YESHUA is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Knowing that the building blocks of creation is GOD's word, we also use it as building blocks of our sanctified imagination so we can see the limitless possibilities of GOD's kingdom. Particularly, the promises of the FATHER to us, His children, are the foundation of our trust and destiny. Living the abundant life depends much if we believe his specific promises and proclaim it as real in our lives.

So, unless YESHUA the Messiah is in you, you cannot perceive the Kingdom of GOD. He is the basis of all creation and all of creation depends on Him for its existence. In Him, we move and exist and live! To believe in YESHUA is to trust His word and to trust that He is the Word. To trust the Word is to do it as YESHUA did it. To truly 'see' is to trust that YESHUA is true to His word and proclaim it as if it already were. Like Abraham, who saw, not an earthly city but a city whose architect is GOD, we are to declare that which is not, as if it were because GOD says so.

Hearing and seeing was given by ELOHIM so we could see Him!

ἀγγελος

Last week, a prayer request was submitted to me. The caller explained her daughter has chemical dependency addictions and psychiatric problems. Therefore, she repeatedly advised her to ascertain some medical care.

In the meantime the court , gave custody of her only child to her husband. Thus the daughter refused medical help, and kidnapped her child from preschool. I prayed with her and the child was returned safely two days later.

 Praise the Lord....

May I pray with you?

diane