Stop Ahead

Road blocks are common. They occur for different reasons. One road block may be set as a Road Closure, while another set for a Spot Check, or as a Search and Seizure.  Road blocks are not always bad but they often present as a hindrance to progress. Not being able to see our way forward makes the encounter look worse than it really is.

• A Road Closure could be set because the thru-way is washed out or emanate danger lies ahead.

• A Spot Check may be used to identify persons traveling the same roads in an unsafe manner who could endanger the lives of others.

• A Search and Seizure may be set because there is a threat and in order to proactively prevent further damage the situation has to be contained.

God creates road closures in our lives in much the same way. He opens doors that no man can close (Rev. 3:8). Just as important is His power to close doors no man can open. We love to find an open door but we scoff at a closed one because it presents as an obstacle instead of a protection mechanism.
He introduces Spot Checks to keep us aware of the dangers of life. We are told to walk circumspectly in the earth or with a watchful and wise demeanor (Eph. 5:15). We should examine our steps to ensure they are within the guidelines of scripture and if not humbly to take corrective action (2Peter 1:10).
Thirdly, He may do a search and seizure to rid us of the dangerous and sinful habits that corrode our relationship with Him (Rom. 13:14). Whatever we bind on earth will also be bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matt. 18:18).
Regardless of the reason, being stopped is not a bad thing. The protections God has in our lives are there to ensure He is glorified in all things and that we are saved from destructive behaviors and the sins that will quickly and easily surround us (Hebrews 12:1).

Give Them Liberty (Acts 16:16-32)

Paul and Silas were imprisoned for casting a daemon out of a young lady that was employed to be a physic and provide income for powerful men. They were falsely accused and beaten. Afterwards, they were cast into the depths of the local jail. While there we are told they prayed and sang praises to God. One thing I often overlooked was the important fact that the prisoners heard them. The scriptures reveal them being in a situation that would have made it easy to voice there innocence to all those in confinement and those employed to keep them.  Instead they used the opportunity to glorify God.

One way life presents us with the opportunity to assess how we have been wronged is by comparing our situations with others.  That comparison can sometimes lead us to desire that we be vindicated above all else. Paul and Silas showed their desire to keep the God of all creation front and center while they went through this ordeal. When the doors were opened they took the opportunity to minister, not escape the confinement. Their perspective was not the prison they were in, but the bondage of sin that held their audience in captivity. They cried out to the jailer when they could have allowed him to execute himself. They observed the right time to reach out in love to their perceived enemy. Falsely accused and imprisoned for serving God does not meet the expectation of modern day Christians. Neither does it fit the modern day model of prosperity and power we suggest to each other because of our faith. Paul and Silas were more concerned with the salvation of others than they were with the comfort of their own reputations and success. Being falsely accused and imprisoned did not distract them from the task of being a light in a dark place (Matt. 5:19). Will the cares of this world and the wickedness of men keep us from revealing the grace of God to a dying world? Give them the opportunity for liberty before they taste of death.

Water Marks

There are times when I deal with specific incidents and determined I have taken all I am able to take, reaching my wits end. I go to work to confront the issues of daily tasks and unplanned situations just to find that something has been overlooked. At home the demands of fatherhood providing correction, oversight, protection and wisdom for teenagers.  As the situations mount and the storms continue I begin to establish a point in my spirit where I determine the fight is over and I spiritually check out. 

I place everything on auto pilot assuming it will go away if I ignore it, only to retain the feeling that I am losing control. The reality is that I never had control.To reach the full extent of what my intellect can handle causes feelings of instability and fear as if the world is falling apart. Not being able to throttle situations to suit my ability to handle them reveals my weaknesses and limitations. I have learned that the feelings of security we get from thinking we have it all together can produce false hope and a fake security. In the book of Mark chapter 4 we see how seasoned fishermen were found to be in a situation that caused them to see their lack of control and understand the threshold of their faith and ability to trust that things will be well even when they are unable to control the outcomes.  These men were very familiar with the dangers of being on the sea.  A single storm caused them to be fearful for their lives and feel completely powerless. Calling on Jesus makes up for our inability to weather the storms and to manipulate the outcomes. We need times of weakness to reveal our water marks to be able to press for the true Mark (Phil. 3:14) that will provide the prize in store for those who believe.

Beyond My Reach

Have you ever made an attempt at something you wanted so badly to succeed that you found yourself grasping at straws? The feeling of not wanting to start over, or not being able to face failure can be overwhelming. To prevent these impostors overtaking our hearts we reach for anything to comfort our minds and calm our spirits. This is ironic in that "grasping at straws," means trying to find some way to succeed when nothing you try is likely to work.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippian Church stated, "Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to the things which are before I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14). 

We reach for things that are temporal and satisfying to our natural affections. These things tend to be like moving targets. Today it is my finances, maybe tomorrow it will be my health. I am not attempting to down play the need for either but if we could just gain a focus on the things that will never move. The calling of God is without repentance. But as the people of God we can not walk into our calling without repentance. Reaching for that unmovable peace that can only be provided by relationship with God is a noble effort that will be both successful and worth all of the effort.

Know the Word

As the weather changes and the warm months return, outside noise levels increase. Earlier this week I came to a stop at a traffic light. I heard the sound of secular music coming from a car sitting in traffic with me. I noticed the music was so loud that it made it difficult for me to hear my own music playing inside my vehicle. Although I had my windows closed tightly, those sounds still bled through. I would have drifted into listening to the words of the song being played outside if I had not concentrated on the words of the songs playing through my own speakers.

I began to reflect on the situation. I notice that spiritually we are challenged by the very same things. The sounds of the world are all around us. Those sounds are sometimes so loud that they threaten to drown out the sounds of God's Word speaking to our hearts.  If we allow the sounds of the world to infiltrate our environment and we begin to listen, we will find that we no longer have the ability to defend against the tricks and stumbling blocks of the enemy. Sometimes our finances are stretched to a point of being insufficient. We may not always feel our best. We may even find that we have been stricken with sickness or disease. Our loved ones may continue to live apart from God. We must remember that we are considered the brothers and sisters of Christ (Mark 3:35). We are called the chosen (John 15:16). We have access to the promises of God through Christ Jesus our Lord (Gal. 3:16). And most of all, God is sovereign (1Cor. 8:4). He is in control of every situation that seems in or out of control to us (Matt. 28:18).

His Word says, to repent and be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). These are the words that define who we are and how we are to present ourselves to a dying world. To be born again and no longer feeding the desires of our flesh. Being crucified with Christ, makes us aware of an old life and the acceptance of new life in Christ Jesus.  The Word of God in our hearts makes us aware of the dangers in the world and power to be protected from them. We must meditate (purposely think) on His Word day and night. When the sounds of the world began to ring louder than the Word that proceeds from our hearts we can do a few things to help us endure. We can increase the volume (Isaiah 58:1). We can remind ourselves that we know the Word even if we can't hear the music (Ps. 119:11).  And we can trust that the Word we have is able to keep us above and beyond all life's situations (Ephesians 3:20). Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not to your own understanding and He will direct your paths (Prov. 3:5-6).

Complete the Course

It was a cold winter morning. We were gathered outside in the early morning air. We waited anxiously for the formation to be called to attention; standing there shivering in thin sweat pants and a light jacket. While we were waiting the question traveled through the crowd, "How far are we running this morning?" One person would say, "I heard two miles." Another would chime in, "I heard five." No one really knew. All we could be assured of is that once we started we were expected to finish. It did not matter how far the finish line was from the starting point. A soldier is expected to complete the course regardless of the terrain or distance. Soon the company is called to attention. The instruction is given to turn, "right, face." And the run begins. With great anticipation we watch the turns and route choices to figure out how far we are going and as a result how long we will have to endure the climate before we return to the warmth of a shower and clothing more suitable for the temperature. Down the street towards the front of the post we go. If we turn left the only destination is off post into the streets of Mannheim to return 30 to 45 minutes later. If we turn right it is only a short time compared to the alternative. Fifteen minutes at the most. We follow the direction of the Sergeant in charge listening to the cadence and singing along to distract us from the conditions in under which we are subjected. We carry on only to pursue the finish at this point because there was no looking back.

Much of our Christian journey is marred by the questions, Where? When? How long? Regardless of the place, season or length of time we are encouraged to complete the course (Acts 20:24). Today we face a trial that has never been seen before, but we do know there is a finish line. The soldier is encouraged to look forward to an objective (Phil. 3:13). When that is done he is then expected to use his energy and apply his effort towards meeting that objective thereby bringing his course to completion (1Cor. 9:26-27). Believers have one goal. That goal is to get to the place in God that has been established in Christ Jesus, Heaven. We strive to be in His presence; having peace with God our Father which is obtained through Jesus' shed blood. This we know can only be done through faith. That is mark the Apostle Paul set before himself. That is the goal he placed before those who ran as he encouraged them to turn towards Christ and pursue the finish line of Heaven. The cadence of the Preached Word and the melodic sounds of the promises of God are enough to distract us from the conditions under which we exercise our faith. If we have repented of our sins and applied our hearts to faith, keep running. The end is nearer than it has ever been (Rom. 13:11). He is able to give the strength and endurance to complete the course He predestines for us all.

Make it Happen

Necessity, who is the mother of invention.

This quote by Plato, Greek author and philosopher, from his work The Republic has served as inspiration to many. Necessity is defined as, an imperative requirement or need for something: the necessity for a quick decision. Something weighing heavily on the heart with no visible means for a solution creates an opportunity to take action. There are fire stations in our communities because there was a need to have local emergency assistance. There are hospitals because there was a need to address sickness and disease. Shelter is provided for the homeless and programs are started to address the needs of our society. Each an idea born out of necessity. In the Word of God men were moved to address glaring issues but not in their own power or authority.  

(Mark 6:34-37a) And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat.  

The disciples of Jesus were able to see a potential problem. They approached Him in a proactive manner. They wanted to address the issue by sending the people away. Instead Jesus instructed them to take action. This situation opened the door to one of the most notable acts of Christ, feeding the multitude. Your concerns, the issues you see as potential problems have the power to present the God of all creation to a lost, hungry and dying people. That thing God has placed on your heart is not just an idea. It is an opportunity draw people to God through faith in Christ. Let us turn our hearts towards Christ in obedience and make things happen that will glorify His most holy name.

Be blessed.