In God's Presence

One of the best-kept secrets in the church today is that God had a very special purpose for everyone in His church. He made each one unequaled and with special talents that only they possess. He then placed positions in the church that only that person could handle. Each and every person God made has a reason and a mission in life. He fully expected for us to use what He gave us in His service. Should we decide not to follow what God has planned for us to do then someone will miss out on a blessing and a very important area of God’s work will go undone. God did not make pew warmers He made people with specialized talents to reach a lost and dieing world for Jesus Christ.
Every one was given natural talents at birth that no one else in the universe has. God then designed places for each to use those talents for His glory and to provide a blessing for someone else. Not every one can preach, not everyone can sing nor can everyone plan direct or teach. Yet we seem to place that burden on those who are not gifted to do those activities because we don’t want to get involved.
Often we hear the excuse for not serving God, “I just don’t have any abilities to offer.” This is ludicrous. That would be like telling God He made a mistake. Every ability can and should be used for God. It is the churches responsibility to identify and release your abilities for serving God.
For some strange reason we have gotten hung up on only a very few gifts God has given to only a few. And we feel we should have received one of those special talents so we try to show God we have developed the talent we want. I feel the reason for this is that for the most part the church of today is man made and man controlled, and driven for entertainment rather than service to God.
We should all say,” What I’m able to do, God wants me to do.” He never intended for us to do something He did not equip us to do. You are the only person on the planet who has your talents and abilities and you are the only one who can use those abilities.
Your abilities and talents were not given simply to make a living. God gave them to you to be used in the ministry He designed for you. Others may appear to have similar ministries but only you can do what God wanted you to do. Only you are you there is not another like you on the entire planet.
No matter what you are good at that is what you should be doing for God in His church.
There is an old saying,” It is not work if you love doing it.” The problem today we have lost our first love.
We should each take time and look God square in the eye and ask, “What can I do for you today?” Instead of asking God, “ I need you to give me something.”
If you are serious about doing this be ready for the answer.
As God was preparing to carpet the fields, to give flight to eagles and sculpting the mountains He was thinking about each of us and what we were to do. He placed the detailed design for the mighty oak tree inside the tiny acorn. He also placed within each a complete design for our purpose and mission. Nothing was left to chance. He thought of everything. Gave us tools only we can use. In short each one is a special creation for a specific purpose. Why then is it so hard for us to follow directions?
After twenty years of wandering in the wilderness of religion and tradition I came to the Holy mount of God. As I stood at the foot of Sinai I felt as though I had at last reached my destination. The ground began to shake and lighting flashed and God said come on up I have something to show you. Fear of the mountain caused me to stand back and say, “Lord if I come up there I might die.” Yet something drew me to the top to meet God. Many today say they have had a mountain top experience. If that is true that was a terrifying eye opening experience. For in God’s presence everything is exposed whether it be true or false. All the things we thought we believed may not hold water in light of God’s Holy presence.
So far I have not made it to the top of the mountain. I have made steps toward the top but I know I must get everything in order before I make the climb. I have had to ask myself do I want to set and visit with God? Can I stand where Moses stood and have a conversation with God?
I just don’t know the cost. That fear has held me back. I must truthfully answer I am not ready in my current state. As the priest had to sanctify himself before he entered into the presence of God at the Ark of the Covenant. We each must be cleansed and made ready to meet God. You don’t just go into the presence of God without sanctifying yourself first. You must remove your shoes as you are on Holy ground. In other words you must get rid of all your sin in repentance. As in days of old something must die and blood must be shed so that we can come into the presence of God. Jesus took our sins to the cross and shed His blood so that we might live.
To meet God you must do it on His terms. If you try to do it any other way it will meet with failure. When the high priest entered behind the vale he had to have purified himself of all sin. If he failed to do this when he came into the presence of God he would die. Tradition would not save him. Religion would not save him. Church membership and social standing would not save him. Only by sanctifying and purifying himself the way God directed would keep him safe.
Today if we want a mountain top experience we must take off our shoes. Humble ourselves, be covered with the blood of Jesus and have a repentant heart. Only then can we set down and talk to God.
II Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Freedom

Freedom is more than cities and buildings. Freedom is a state of mind and a way of life. Freedom is not free for it is bought with a price. A price that far exceeds that of putting up concrete and steel. The right to live free and to think free and to disagree comes only when men and women are willing to give their lives to protect that right. There have been many over the years that have tried to put out freedoms light. Each one has failed. For those that try do not understand what freedom is really all about. You see, freedom is walking along a neighborhood street on a Sunday morning and hearing church bells calling you to worship as you choose. It is worshipping God in the way you believe not according to the whims of a ruling government. Freedom is the right to voice your opinion without fear of imprisonment. It is the opportunity to improve your mind by attending whichever school you choose. Freedom allows a man to become what ever he sets his mind to become. The only limits are those he places on himself. In a free land a boy can become president or the owner of a large corporation or a cowboy riding a bull. A woman too can run a company or raise a family or fulfill the desires of her heart. Each is free to choose that path that best matches their ideals. Freedom is setting on the porch in the evening and listening to the nightingale song echo through the trees. Or watching the waves sweep over a sandy beach. Seeing the color change on the hills as nature prepares the seasons to change, is freedom too. Taking a child fishing for the first time and seeing the sparkle in his eyes as he catches his first fish, is what freedom is all about. Freedom is feeling the wind in your hair as you stand on a bluff and look out across a sun painted desert. Freedom is looking on snow-capped mountains and seeing an eagle sore.
Freedom is not bound up in concrete and steel. Freedom is not something that can be killed by knocking down buildings or crashing airplanes. Freedom is not found in gold or silver. Freedom is in the heart of peaceful people who, when pushed, will fight you if you try to take their freedom away. Many men and women over the years have paid the ultimate price to live in a free land. Those same people still hold freedom’s light high for all to see. For their spirit burns in the eyes of every man, woman, boy and girl that stands on freedoms shore. You can knock down our buildings but you can’t put out the light in our eyes or the fire in our hearts. To stop freedom you must understand freedom, and if you understand freedom you won’t want to stop it.
America did not get to be a free and independent nation by accident. It is a nation that was build with faith in God, prayer and hard work. Our money reflects what we believe, “In God we trust”. While we might not all agree we each will defend the right to disagree. We are a family and each time the family has a problem they come together and solve the problem. It happened in 1941, in 1951 and in 1990. It happened in 2001. The American family is together like never before. Freedom will ring across the waves and those who would kill freedom will pay a great price. Freedom has a price and it is not only paid by those who defend it but also by those who would destroy it. The eagle is quiet most of the time but when the eagle screams and spreads its wings freedom will be defended.

Bear Hugs Kettle

I once read an anecdote from the West that carries a wonderful lesson for us today. It goes something like this.
A party of hunters being called away from their camp by a sudden emergency left the campfire unattended, with a kettle of water boiling on it.
Presently an old bear crept from the woods, attracted by the fire, and , seeing the kettle with its lid dancing about on top, promptly seized it. Naturally it burnt and scalded him badly; but instead of dropping it instantly, he proceeded to hug it tightly---this being Mr. Bruin’s only idea of defense. Of course, the tighter he hugged it the more it burnt him, and the more it burnt him the tighter he hugged it. This vicious circle was the undoing of the bear.
This illustrates clearly the way many people amplify difficulties. They hug them to their bosoms by constantly running them through their minds, by constantly telling themselves and others about the problem, and by constantly dwelling on them in every possible manner, instead of dropping them once and for all so the wound can have a chance to heal.
Whenever you catch yourself thinking about your grievances, say to your self:
“Bear Hugs Kettle!” Then think about God and how He can provide you the answers you seek.
Just like treating an open wound, you have to stop picking at it so that it will heal. The fact that you have medication does not mean it will magically heal your wound if left in the tube. You have to open the medication and apply the ointment to the wound. Just like the ointment you have no control of how it will heal you. You simply trust it to ease the pain and cause the wound to go away.
When we apply the Word of God to our problems the same trust must be present. We cannot know how He will sooth our soul or solve our problem, but we must trust Him to do what He said He would do.
To hear what God has to say we must not only open our Bibles we must open our minds and be receptive to His voice. Jesus said we are to love the Lord with all our soul, with all our spirit and with all our mind.

The Good Old-boy Network

One day a very distinguish group of people arrived at the gate of Heaven. Each carried bundles of documents showing what each had accomplished during their lifetime. Among this group were leaders of every religious group, denomination and sect on the earth. The list included doctors lawyers preachers deacons church leaders, social workers and some very devout religious professionals. As each approached the gate they presented their documentation showing what they had accomplished, what church they attended, what social standing they held and requested entrance. The old gatekeeper looked at the identification packages of each and opened a large book. He scanned the pages of the book and begins to have a very distressed look on his face. Once again he scanned the pages of his book and did not find any mention or listing of those who were standing at the gate. He asked if this group would have a seat and he would make some phone calls. As he was reaching for the phone another group approached the gate. This group was dressed in stained white clothes none carried any baggage or held any documentation. Each stated they were there to see Jesus. As the gatekeeper started to dial a number a voice was heard, “These are my brothers and sisters and I have been expecting them.”
The great gates began to open and this group started to enter. As they passed the keeper he asked where had they been and what had stained their clothes and where was their luggage. One stopped and said we were at the cross these are bloodstains and Jesus has all our things.
As the last one crossed the threshold and the gates closed the first group rushed the gate and demanded to be let in. After all look at who they were and what they carried surely there was a mistake.
The gatekeeper made another call and this time a different voice was heard, “ I have no idea who these are I do not know them. Send them down to the red gate. “
So you see the good old boy network is alive and well in Heaven. It did not matter that some in that group had REV or DR in front of their name. Nor did all the letters that followed after their names matter. The church name each carried had no affect on the gate. You have to know someone to get in. You have to know Jesus, been washed in the blood and have your name written in the book. You church affiliation will not get you in. Your college degrees will not get you in. Your good works won’t do it. No matter how much you attend church is not enough to open the gates. There is only one key. Jesus said, “I am the way no man comes to the Father but through me.”
My question is which group will you be in?