YOU'RE Still Good...

 YOU'RE Still Good...

There I sat in the dimly lit room in the morgue, holding her hand, angry and bitter.  I was so furious.  I thought I felt warmth coming back into her hand. I wanted that so badly. She died anyway. I prayed as hard as I could, then I cursed. I cursed her so hard.  I cursed God so much.  This was so wrong. How could this happen, without notice.  It was so sudden, and definitely too soon.  This was not how it was supposed to end.  So abruptly. So unprepared I was.  We'd just spoken two days ago.  No one told me it got complicated.  She never told me it got complicated.  I could have come sooner. I could have dropped everything and come sooner.  It hurt so much, even now it still does.  An entourage met me at the airport, but I didn't think anything of it.  I mean, it was thanksgiving right.  No one said anything about it. But once I opened the apartment door I just knew.  The gut wrenching pain I felt in my stomach, like someone was playing tug of war with my insides. The pull, the tear, the pain. I bellowed so hard.  Somehow I just knew.  I sensed that she had died, and I let them take me to the morgue to see her.   

It was a normal checkup, a regular checkup.  They made a mistake, and just like that, she's no more.  A simply wrong dosage. A small error, and she was no more. I literally just spoke to her. Why didn't she tell me to change my flight? We'd talked about things we were going to do, like make her perfect tiramisu for thanksgiving, etc...  This was just too much.  The walls came tumbling down. There I stood in a Jericho moment. Have you ever had one of those?  The moment everything that's supposed to be stable, powerful and perfect comes crashing down uncontrollably. Imagine, maybe your:

• Perfect marriage
• Secure family
• Beautiful children
• Super relationship
• Awesome friendship
• Secure job
• Financial security

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You just can't imagine your life otherwise. Especially if it happens suddenly. Death, no matter how anticipated is always painful for those left in the aftermath.  1 Samuel 31 David's best friend Johnathan dies in battle.  He'd been there for David and saved him from his father's wrath on several occasions.  Yet David couldn't save him and it broke his heart tremendously.  Several years later, David's son dies at the hand of God.  He had coveted a man's wife and got her pregnant.  Then he got the man killed to cover it up, and married the man's wife afterwards.  God killed the innocent child. 2 Samuel 12.  Then God sent a prophet with a judgement proposal for David.

2 Samuel 12: 15 - 20

15 After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

18 On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”

19 David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”

20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

Samuel 24. Again, David sinned by taking a census of his soldiers.  He had forgotten that his victories were not as a result of his army, but God's power.  He was taking the glory for himself.  God is a jealous God.  Exodus 34.  David had done something that God did not authorize.  Be careful not to do those things.  Especially when you come into power, stay humble.  Only God deserves the praise. 

Proverbs 21:1

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own.

John 19 During HIS trial, Jesus told Pilate , "You would have no power over me at all unless it were given you from above". This is a reminder that all earthly power and authority is permitted by God. Jesus voluntarily submitted to his crucifixion as part of a divine plan, not because of the inherent authority held by Pilate.  Power to God is like oxygen to man. It's innate.  It doesn't marvel God and it shouldn't marvel us.  We were made in HIS image and likeness. Infact from the very outset, in Genesis 1 God gave man power to dominate.  HE commanded us to dominate the earth.  What HE expects from us is reverence, honor and humility.  We're supposed to love on each other, not lord things over each other.  That was God's original intent for mankind. There was only supposed to be one Lord, and that would/ should be HIM.  However, we got the wrong memo. We keep trying to outdo each other, not understanding that we have different assignments.  Each life has a unique role, just as each body part serves a different purpose.  Sometimes we re-assign or reconfigure our roles.  (That's why we need the Holy Spirit to teach us).  But God is patient with us.

Despite our errors, God understands that we're HIS children.  As a father, HE gently guides us by the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Especially when we hurt, we need to maintain an attitude of submission.  This is learnt.  When we come to realize God's love and affection towards us, inspite of ourselves.  Sometimes our wounds can lead us into dark spaces.  Even when HE punishes us like David, HIS arms are always open towards us.  HIS arms are always ready to craddle us.  Romans 5.

Romans 8:32 

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

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Not until you've been backed into a dark space like the prodigal son in the pig's pen.  When you realize that your own efforts caused you to choose wrongly.  When you understand that you are powerless to make it right.  Then you will begin to appreciate God's unconditional fatherly love for you.   As HIS child, you'll allow yourself to experience HIS eyes searching for you; HIS arms waiting for you, and HIS wealth ready to enfold and smother you with HIS honest affection.  God isn't fickle.  Sure HE punishes us. But that's just a very small part of the process.  Our father in heaven, inhabits our praises.  Like David worship HIM.  After David's son died he chose to worship God.  This is the remedy.

When my sister died, I ran so far and hard.  But HE waited.  And everywhere I turned I kept hearing this song in my head: 

I Trust YOU Lord..

 

I had a Jericho moment. It's one of the hardest things I've ever encountered. Over the years, Our Father God has proven HIS faithfulness to me, over and over again. Sometimes I ran off like the Prodigal son Luke 15. And sure enough, there HE was looking out, and waiting with open arms. Sometimes, God chases you.  HE waits patiently in the background for you to wake up.  Love forgives without condemnation.   There are consequences, but it's just a part of the process.  The goal is reconciliation.  Sometimes like Job, my friends have accused me of things they don't understand. Job 4. Another Jericho moment. People are people! And Life is lifing! Jericho moments are the ebb and flow of it all. The only thing constant is the love of Our Heavenly Father towards us. No matter how many times we get it wrong, HE'S still good. HE'S still the most loving encounter we'll ever experience in our lifetime. Today, as I stand in yet another Jericho moment, I'm not running away. Instead, I've learnt to seek HIS embrace. It's safe, it's peaceful and it's rejuvenating. Are you hurting? What have you lost? What do you feel powerless to change or save? If you do, know this, HE forgives! HE heals! HE resurrects! HE'S the G.O.A.T. on restoration. Ask David, ask Paul. Better yet ask Jesus.

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

After over 30 years of a relationship.  My testimony is... HE'S STILL GOOD! 

Let HIM show you!

Which Brother Are You?..

 Which Brother Are You?..

Before you throw the next stone, stop! Think back to a time when you needed that same grace you're refusing to give. Sometimes so subtly, we get on the wrongside of a situation.  Like the Pharisees, we think we're doing good; when all we're being is self righteous. We need to try to remember to extend more grace to others, for freely we have received. God doesn't ask us to do anything to or for others that HE hasn't already done for us. If we truly appreciate HIS love towards us, HE commands us to go and do likewise. Give because we have received. Forgive because we've been forgiven. Restore, because we've been restored.

Luke 15 This is the story of a wealthy Jewish ruler who had two sons.  The younger requested his legacy from his father and went abroad.  He wasted his wealth and was soon without.  While being hired to feed pigs, he remembered his former rich lifestyle and decided to return home to his father's house to beg for forgiveness.  The other brother didn't leave.  He stayed home and worked for the father all the while. When he realized that his young brother had returned home, he was angry and unforgiving.  Rather, he condemned him, and refused to join his father in celebrating his brother's return.

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Matthew 18 It's the story of a king who forgave an enormous debt from one of his servants.  However, the same servant refused to forgive a much lesser debt from a friend. Matthew 20 Or the story of the hired servants who agreed to work for a particular wage.  But got angry at the landowner for deciding to pay other workers the same rate, even though they got hired much later.

God is God.  HE is not our equal. Whatever HE chooses to do with HIS resources is HIS priority. We are just one of HIS eons of resources.  HE created us.  HE does not require our counsel, nor does HE need it.

Job 42: 3

3You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me to know.

All the father wanted was for HIS son to return home.  HE kept looking out for him at the watchpost. Even though HIS young son had done a foolish thing, the father did not hold it against him.  Neither was he angry when HIS eldest son condemned his brother.  HE just simply explained that HIS wealth was more than enough for both.  HE explained that the eldest son had nothing to worry about, and that the most important thing was that his younger brother was now back home.  He had a celebration because restoration was most important.  Both of HIS sons were home with HIM.

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What is your position? You can be in the right place with the wrong attitude. Do you think you're more entitled than others because of their type of sin?  Are you angry and bitter at others or at God for what others did?  Do you think that you're better than anyone?  Do you think you can earn your way into God's kingdom? Be very careful of pride. For we cannot save ourselves.  Salvation is a free gift from God to us. 

Ephesians 2: 8 - 9

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God

John 3:16 - 17 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Do you think you know what's best for your life? Have you taken the gifts and talents that God has given you and gone off to fulfill your own desires? Is God in agreement with how you are using the resources HE'S given to you? Are you living in HIS will, accomplishing HIS plans for your life? Are you being a good steward?The younger son was wrong for taking his wealth and leaving. But the older son was also wrong for thinking he had to earn his legacy.

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God's resources are free for all of HIS children.  The only qualification required is the choice to live in obedience to Christ. Romans 5 HIS death on the cross has restored our relationship with the Almighty God our Father.  Jesus' righteousness is what makes us able to claim access to God and what HE has to offer us. We're just not good enough to do it on our own. No one can work his/her way into the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.  

The human soul is the most valuable thing on earth. It is very important that we realize that we cannot save ourselves.  We should be careful not to condemn others, nor ourselves when we do wrong.  Instead, we should look for opportunities to restore and be restored.  When you fall, get back up again. The angels celebrate for every new soul which chooses to follow Christ.  Let us try to be more like our Father God and focus on what matters:  

• HE kept looking out for the young son to return.
• HE was the one who saw him from a far way off.
• HE was the one who ran to HIS young son. 
• And when the older son wouldn't go in to be a part of the feast. HE was the one who went out and got HIM.  

HIS heart was full of compassion towards both of HIS sons. HE was just overjoyed that HE had them both together again with HIM. Everything ever created was made by God.  There is no lack in HIS presence. There's nothing that we can give to HIM that HE cannot create.  It is because of HIS love for us why we are and have anything. Know that whatever situation you find yourself in, you cannot save yourself. Romans 8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Instead of finding reasons to keep others away or personally staying away from the Father, come home.  Give restoration. Find restoration. Go inside! ALL God wants is for you to be home, near to HIM and HIS provision.  

WORSHIP: Charles Jenkins My God is Awesome

TESTIMONY: Iranian stabbed for sharing his faith, miraculously made it across the border without a passport!

Just Come Home!

Sometimes You're It..

 Sometimes You're It..

Sometimes you're it! Sometimes you fall behind. Sometimes you get distracted by your own desires, ideas, emotions, lusts, etc...  Sometimes you get stuck. Stuck in your own ways, a ditch you didn't see; a ditch you thought you could cross safely; something you thought you could control or manipulate. A bad situation, relationship, investment, habit, loss. Life happens, and you get lost.  Fears creep in, and it's more than you can bear or want to.

Luke 15 Imagine the story of the lost sheep.  Left behind from the pack, maybe he fell into a ditch; got caught in a fence or maize; just caught.  Caught by a situation that was more than he could manage. He needed help. He needed finding.  Or imagine the story of the lost coin - falling into a really dark place, a dark situation, a helpless situation.  Imagine being deceived.  Being cornered or manipulated by someone you trusted. Sometimes you can get hurt in a very familiar place where the pain and the hurt causes you to cocoon and morphe into such a delicate position that you need to be sought after to become restored.

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You are not just another number. God knows you by name. Before you were formed in your mother's womb God knew you.  He carved out an entire plan for every moment of your life. Jeremiah 1 Inspite of HIS supremacy, HE'S meticulous about you. HE knows every strand of hair in your head. Luke 12 You are unique.  God doesn't make mistakes. Only humans do that. HE provides for the swallows, and the lillies are adorable. But you exceed them all.  HE is filthy rich and HE wants nothing more than to lavish you with more than gifts.  HE wants to share HIS space, HIS kingdom with you.  It is HIS intention to smother you with inconceivable wealth of life.  The things that you seek, the things that you chase after - HE wants to give them to you and so much more. Matthew 6: 25-34  Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. John 10  You are not forgotten! You are not hopeless! You are priceless! You are always priceless!

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Like the shepherd who intentionally went searching for the one lost sheep and rescued it from it's captivity, so too the Lord Jesus rescues us from our ditches.  Like the woman who lost the one of her ten coins, lit her lamp and searched vehemently until she found it; so too God is careful to shine HIS light into our cocoons.  Being found isn't just a story for the unbeliever, but for the saint as well.  It's the story for the one who is already familiar with Saviour.  The one who has already encountered Jesus, but chose to leave on his own accord like the prodigal son.  He grew up with his father and chose to leave early against the norm and laws of his heritage.  He soon discovered that his choices were wrong, and his father's ways and regulations were right after all.  His father's outlook of the path for his life was right on point. He came to his senses.

Luke 15: 17 - 20

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

My plea to you today is to 'come to your senses'.  Allow God to restore you like the father did his son. Or the woman with her coin. Or the shepherd with his sheep.  The attitude isn't one of condemnation, but restoration.  You may have gone off on your own free will. But remember this, you're human. You cannot ever save yourself, nor block all the traps the devil sets for you.  1 Peter 5 The father was the one who was looking out for his son.  Everyday he was on the lookout for him.  The shepherd chose to leave the other 99 sheep and go after the lost one.  The woman chose to light the lamp and sweep until she found the lost one.  Sometimes you're the lost one.  Sometimes you will get distacted, deceived, lustful, proud, stupid, etc... Sometimes you will lose your way.  It's what we do as humans. Don't be too hard on yourself. 

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God is a restorer. That's why Jesus came from heaven to earth. HE came to reconcile us to the father. Psalm 23 HE is the shepherd.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

God's attitude towards us is always from a place of love.  HE knows we can't save ourselves. Sheep are dumb. Coins are lifeless and young sons are stupid. Stop trying to live in your own strength. You will fall, fail, sink, drown, cocoon. Cry out to God and let HIM rescue you.  When you find youself in a dark place, Don't run from God, run to God! Let go and let God take you into HIS arms. Feel HIS palm enclose around you. Isaiah 41 God made Jesus become human and give up the wealth and royalty of heaven to give us the opportunity to experience and enjoy HIS lifestyle and love. 2 Corinthians 5 Give God a chance to restore you. HE'S so excited to have you back, like the rich father of the prodigal son  who has a feast. Or the woman who calls her neighbors. God throws a party in heaven. The angels rejoice.  

And remember, when you've been restored, extend grace to others.  From time to time others fall behind and or in a ditch. Sometimes, others are the lost coin. Sometimes you're it!

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WORSHIP: 

Why (Live From The Loft) | feat. ELEVATION RHYTHM | Elevation Worship

TESTIMONY:

Don't stay lost. Come to your senses!