Radically loving Christ=Thanksgiving!

As a servant journeys through this life heaven-bound, listening for the voice of the Father is all important. Many wonder how to hear it, or why they do not hear it. Many times we do not because we are not truly listening. Our mind is too full of what we want or need or expect, rather than being openly submissive to Christ the King. We forget basic principles of being the child of an extravagant God whose love is ever-present & never dependent upon our behavior...however...our behavior very well may, and most likely does, determine our answer to prayer. Our devoted creator knows what is best for us, and his answers are not always yes. A no, a maybe, a wait a bit answer IS nevertheless an answer. What about all those "bad" things that happen? Why does he allow it? We live in a fallen world, where sin begets sin, BUT the Lord will use everything for good that we will turn over to him. This may be particularly hard in some instances, but once we learn that character is built in such times we can take those times and turn them into ministry to others in pain.

Many books are written, many songs are penned, and many poems are put to paper because of the Savior bringing someone through a tough circumstance. Likewise, much is said of many due to the revelation of the extravagant love of Christ. Being quiet before the Lord, pouring out our deepest thoughts, desires, dreams, and fears we find a God who cradles us in his bountiful love and speaks gentle words of favor to our waiting hearts. We can live without fear or guilt in this life, and seek eternity with great joy and expectation. All that is required of us is to return his extravagant love.

What does extravagant love mean really? It is love abandoning all else, it is love that moves you to desire only goodness in your behavior, abiding worship of the Lord of all, and loving those in this world with Christlike genuineness. True "religion" is caring for others as Christ cares for us, usually in many practical ways-feeding the hungry, helping the poor, and serving the orphans & widows in this world. "Church" is where we hear the word, worship the Lord God of hosts, and connect with other believers. The world outside the church doors is where we practice our "religion". We have come to think dutiful good works, the observance of man-made rituals and the legalistic following of God's commands is religion. It is not. TRUE "religion" is the boundless desire to do good, the radical love of a matchless God, and the freedom to follow God's commands out of deep desire to please him. The Bible says where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. It is a "get to" mentality, not a "have to" one.

Our salvation is an option...we can choose eternity in hell (the total absence of a loving Dad forever), we can choose to give back to God in whatever % we want of what he has given to us (tithing once was a legalistic command, but has become a love-filled option in the presence of a saving Christ, wherein we sow seeds that are reaped accordingly),we can choose to worship as we wish, pray as we will, enter the waters of baptism as an act of obedience or not, and the list goes on. Radically loving Christ is an option-a wonderful, glorious, mind-blowing option in life that is surpassed by nothing else in this world. God is a God of grace, mercy, and everlasting patience with creation. He is an all-loving God, a just God, and a God of graciousness. The Holy Spirit never forces us to do a thing, but will overwhelm us with radical, extravagant love when we simply acknowledge our total lack of real control in life without the help of God almighty. Nothing in this life is worth anything without the love of the creator guiding us through it.

There is a place for the deep reverence of God and a place for the unbound excitement in loving God. Thus we have the extremes of denominational boundaries and non-denominational freedoms. I have seen in recent days that these extremes are learning to not just be tolerant of one another, but to be involved with one another, and to learn and adopt from one another. We are learning that reading the scriptures and tracing the meaning of the words written there brings us to a place of understanding and radically loving a God we never fully knew. Above all, seek not the gifts of God, but God himself. Never seek to please man before God. As we immerse ourselves in the Word he reveals himself to us and we find that place of radically loving an extravagant God. As he says "shhhh...be still and know that I am God" and we abide in his presence we come out the other end ready to shout to the world that we serve an all powerful God that we love so radically that nothing can hold us back from serving him and worshipping him with all that is in us.

It is nearly Thanksgiving time in America, where we give thanks for a God of great blessing. My Thanksgiving prayer is that all would come to know the heart of God, the overwhelming joy and peace in radically loving him, and would celebrate this love of God by being a willing servant in a fallen world. Thank you Jesus, for loving us so much you allowed yourself to be broken and spilled out in radical, extravagant love for us!

Going through...

If you are "going through" some things...remember that means you are "on your way out" of them. Please feel free to direct anyone to this blog at wwwjourneytoheaven.blogspot.com (NO dot after w)and to www.divineappointments.vpweb.com for online counseling or a devotional on basic Christian accountability. Several devotionals have found their way into prisons, overseas, and to women in need, and the needy. Please pray that they will bring people to a closer walk with God, and if they have never accepted Christ, to do so...for "we know not the hour"....did you know the 21st century ushered in the 3rd day of the Lord? Do you know the scripture that tells us that? There is a little mind teaser for you.

I want to just share a little personal story...I have had some enjoyable weeks of late at that place we call church...where the body of Christ meets to worship the Lord and receive instruction. (I have just applied for membership at an empowered & spirit-filled church.) One of my most enjoyable evenings was catching glimpses of a young African American man about maybe 10, worshipping God with all his heart. I had to introduce myself to him & tell him that he was very special. I watched as he raised his hands in worship to God, and as he stretched out his hand toward the sick, as we prayed for a lady to be healed of Cancer. What was it Jesus said about the little children? I have always believed this is exactly what he was talking about. Think about what that means. It meant more than let them come here so I can talk to them...it meant to never hinder their growth in God!

Be blessed, and be empowered. Remember, Jesus said greater things would we do...he said that because we have the Holy Spirit, the counselor, the comforter...what did Jesus do? He will do them through you too! He left us the Holy Spirit so we could do that which he did. When he left, he told us that the Holy Spirit would come, and He did! He is the one who convicts and convinces, but we are the vessels he uses. It is us that share the gospel of the good news of salvation. It is us that pray healing prayers for the sick. It is us that can ask miracles of Abba Father, our Daddy, & believe they will happen. We all have spiritual gifts to use in the world we live in for the kingdom of God. Every member of the body is an essential part of the body. Just like that little boy-you are special!

Finally, for this time I would like to direct you to some powerful teaching of the word. If you have never heard the teaching of Joseph Prince, see if you can find him on your TV. This man knows his Bible and he can apply the word to your heart in such a wonderful way. I find him to be very intelligent and down-to-earth. If you want some fresh teaching, give him a try.

Pain, Problems, Wants, Miracles, and the communion of the body of Christ

That may have gotten your attention. The following is based on a message at my church. See Luke 24. Do you recall the Emmaus Road? Were the disciples experiencing the pain and problem of what they perceived to be a loss? Of course they were! So much so that it eclipsed the person and presence of Jesus himself. My question for us is...do we do that when the pain and problems of life become so overwhelming that we lose sight of the Lord in our life? Yep!

Pastor also reminded us of something I don't think I ever noticed that way before...Jesus' first miracle was for a want, not a need! Does that mean he actually cares about the desires of our heart? I am thinking it does. Do you know what his first miracle was? I'll give you a hint...it involved a celebration of love. :) We also are reminded that God often gives instruction as opposed to "stuff" when we ask for something, so think on what you are asking for and see if there is something you need to do?

I have long known & often counseled that God uses the trials in our lives to help others. I like the way I heard it put today...God takes, he blesses, he breaks, and he gives. Perhaps when you receive communion you will recall that. He takes us, blesses us, breaks us, and then gives us to others to help them.

Have a blessed week!