ACE #433: What Do Your Ears Hear?

I remember being younger and hearing my friends say mean things to each other, especially in high school and later in college.  When the comments were directed toward me, I would often ignore it or just laugh it off because it became so uncomfortable.  One of my friends would constantly have something to say about my hair.  Another would go out of the way to tease me for being smart. Then every now and then someone would say something sarcastic because I had a car at 16-years-old, all the while in the next breath, they would ask for a ride somewhere.  As I got older, some people around me would take verbal jabs about my possessions...material things I had.  I would think, I work everyday; so whatever I have...I earned it.  But, truthfully, their words began to kill my spirit because they were actually hurtful. It often made me ashamed or embarrassed to have nice things or to share my accomplishments.  It also made me think about how the power of life and death really is in the tongue.

But as I matured, I began to realize a few things about the character of people and the power of my inner circle; some people really are your enemies and you don't even know it.  I came across an old Facebook post that read:
 
Pay attention. People always reveal themselves. We always focus on what our eyes can see, but give less value to what our ears hear.

What comes out of the mouth is usually a reflection of a person's heart...their jealousy, their bitterness, their competitive spirit, their insecurities, their brokenness, their covetousness, even their true dislike of you. The wool wasn't pulled over your eyes, it was over your ears.

Listen closer next time...and then you'll see more clearly.

So, now, I pay attention...and make the adjustments...to the things that come out of my own mouth and to the things I allow to enter my ears.  If necessary, make some adjustments or at least listen up...it will keep the enemy out of your camp.

ACE #432: True Evangelism Has No Limits, No Boundaries

e·van·ge·lism

əˈvanjəˌlizəm/

noun

noun: evangelism 

the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness; zealous advocacy of a cause.

Like most, our local community has spent the last week preparing for "Back to School".  This past weekend, we participated in the Praise in the Park.  It included several local churches coming together to give out school supplies to students, but also to worship through song and to minister about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Several young people stepped on the stage and told their life stories.  They ranged from drug addiction, drug sales, promiscuity, idolatry, alcoholism, depression, suicide, and other forms of demonic attack.  While I cannot say I was listening intently to all of the testimonies, I was observing my surroundings. 

As I looked from one tent to the other, I watched a young girl walk across the field.  As I watched her, I noticed that she was walking toward our tent.  She began to talk to someone standing near me.  All of a sudden, tears started to flow.  There was an immediate call for intercessory prayer.  I watched ministry leaders surround her in a circle, touching and agreeing for a change for her.  It was then that I realized what true evangelism looks like in action.  There was an official program or agenda, but it didn't matter.  Everyone stopped what they were doing to minister to this young lady!  She gave her life to Christ right there on the spot.  The pastor in charge left the event and took the girl to his church immediately to be baptized - no fanfare, no formal program, no pomp and circumstance, no limits and no boundaries - just a young lady accepting Jesus...on the spot.  That is true evangelism!

Brothers and sisters, we are to be the salt and light.  We are instructed to go and make disciples.  We are encouraged to go outside of the four walls of the church.  And we are to be unashamed in doing and being all of it.  But we have to do the work...and do it differently to reach the unsaved and the unchurched.  Let's get back to the basics...just like Jesus said.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...

Israel Houghton & New Breed - No Limits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5gMiYGG5AE

ACE #431: Are You Determined to Do Good Anyhow?

The other week, a lady stopped by our church and asked for gas money to get to her son. None of us had any way of knowing if she was telling the truth or not. Some said we should have driven her to the gas station and pumped the gas for her. Others felt we should have questioned her more.


But this is how we responded:
1. We asked her what her need was.
2. We granted her request exactly.
3. We prayed with her.
4. We ministered to her.
5. We gave her some Christian literature and a gospel CD.
6. We blessed her coming and going.

Here's the thing, if YOU do something out of the goodness of YOUR heart, then THEIR motives don't matter. Basically, we gave the lady whatever we had.  

Every gesture does not have to be GRAND to be good.  God blesses the cheerful giver...it's part of your seed!

 So, today, just DO GOOD unto others...anyhow!

Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)

The Widow’s Offering

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

ACE #430: Another Spiritual Boot Camp Experience

This past weekend, our Women's Ministry hosted the Women's Spiritual Boot Camp 2 celebrating the theme, "Refreshed, Renewed and Refined for the Journey".  It was the second installment of a series that God led me to organize for spiritual growth - not just for our church, but also for the community.

The last two weeks have been tough for many communities across the United States and for the nation as a whole.  We have been a nation divided against itself where #BlackLivesMatter, #BlueLivesMatter, and #AllLivesMatter.  I find myself weary of the divisiveness, but equally weary of the level of hatred, racism and vengeance that has permeated the atmosphere for even those of us that call ourselves Christian.  In times such as these, I am always mindful to search the Scriptures for answers.

The Word of God says:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

I still believe that prayer makes the difference. I still believe the latter rain is available to God's people.  No matter the level of the destruction, the pain, the disobedience, and the divisiveness - I still believe God.  

But the people of God must fall prostrate in His presence in humility and in submission to His perfect will and His way...and begin to pray for the healing of the land.  

In the words of Dorothy Norwood:

When the church begins to pray
God will have His way
Chains will be broken
Doors will swing open
Oh oh, something is bound to happen
When the church begins to pray

The "church" is the body of Christ, not the building.  WE ARE THE CHURCH...all of us.  

So, let us pray, Church!

 

Latter Rain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VAkdvTxfGQ

ACE #429: So You Don't Like Being in the Second Place Position

For the past few months, we have watched our daughter compete in Track & Field.  She has done exceptionally well in her first year of competitive sports.  For some strange reason, she always comes in second or third place in her events.  Nevertheless, she has received medals and ribbons.  We have expressed to her that there is nothing wrong with not coming in first in everything. Just do your best.  But it also made me mindful that second place has its place.

Joseph was appointed as  second in command even after he had a felony conviction.  God made it so that people had to bow down to Joseph whenever they were in his presence.  But it was Joseph's second place position that gave him the authority to make life and death decisions on behalf of Pharaoh and all of Egypt.

David was a shepherd first, then an armor bearer, then a warrior, and THEN a king.  David was anointed while in the low position - a shepherd - which was often a job for servants.  Did you catch that?  If you have a problem being in the second place position, then you are not fit to be in the high seat.  Until you are content with being a servant...you are not truly deservant.

Even Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).  And if it was good enough for Him...

Genesis 41:37-44 New Living Translation (NLT)

Joseph Made Ruler of Egypt

³⁷ Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. ³⁸ So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” ³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. ⁴⁰ You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”

⁴¹ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” ⁴² Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. ⁴³ Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. ⁴⁴ And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.”

ACE #428: You Can't Win In Hand to Hand Combat

Last week, my husband and I went to the movies to see Captain America: Civil War.  I have been a Marvel fan for many years, but my husband is new to this world.  Captain America has always been my favorite even though he was running a close race with Thor.

In one of the last fight scenes, Captain America (aka Steve Rogers) and Iron Man (aka Tony Stark) were engaged in heavy combat.  Iron Man's computer told him that he could not beat Captain America in a hand to hand battle.  "Cap" would always be stronger and quicker because of the weight of Iron Man's suit; yet Tony was still swinging...as hard as he could.  


It reminded me that there will be times when our enemies will test us.  They will be functioning from a dark place while we are walking in the light.  We are always supposed to be mindful that we, Christians, don't fight dirty or try to match them; we are to fight in the Spirit through prayer, fasting, and studying the Word of God.

In the end of the movie, it was the use of Captain America's shield that won him the battle. Iron Man had everything he needed in his suit...but he didn't have a shield. Cap's shield protected him from the powerful blows and the fiery beams of Iron Man and every other enemy in the movie. As long as he had his shield, he stayed much more confident while in the fight. It was his shield that ultimately handicapped his enemy and ended the battle.  

We can't win against the enemy in hand to hand combat if we are not properly equipped.  We have to fight from our vantage point - in the Spirit and dressed in the full Armor of God.  So, put your shield up and keep fighting fearlessly!

#faith

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

ACE #427: Put Your Stone Down

John 8 (NIV)

8 ¹ but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³ The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴ and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”



This morning as I was contemplating what to write, a song came on the radio, "Pray For Me."  I listened closely to the song and went to John 8 to read the story about the woman caught in adultery.  The people were so willing to put others in front of a group to call out their sins.  And I immediately thought, How did they catch her in adultery unless they were meddling...tipping around her front door...

But it was amazing to me how quiet the Savior was.  Two times it said he bent down to write on the ground.  What did He write?  I have no idea by this particular text.  But it would seem to me that just maybe He could have been writing down her sins, just so that He could have blotted them out easily with His hand or His foot...because that is why He died for our sins, right?  Or maybe He was writing down all of the sins of the people who were standing before Him accusing someone else...tending to someone else's shortcomings...and not their own.  It was amazing to me that not one person in the crowd acted in forgiveness, grace or even love. Nobody even tried to intercede on her behalf to save her life.   Well...the ONE did.  Because He represented the new law of love.  


If you see your brother or sister struggling with sin, put your stone down. Don't be like these people and call them up in front of a group and shame them.  Jesus addressed the woman alone.  And even when He did that, He didn't condemn her...He blessed her!


I am grateful today for the love of Jesus Christ.  I am not perfect, but I take seriously the very last sentence that says, "Go now and leave your life of sin."  I encourage you to take your petition to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to give you the strength to overcome your sin.  If you do not have the strength, ask someone to intercede for you and pray on your behalf until your strength comes.  

We all have sinned and fall short...some of us still live in a life of sin purposely...some of us struggle more than others, but are trying to come out of sin...some of us are working daily to live to be more Christ-like.  That is the goal after all...to be more like Him.

Pray For Me - Dawkins & Dawkins

How many times have you been the one
Sittin' in the judgment seat
Or sweepin' 'round somebody else's door
When you live 3 blocks down the street
Don't be so quick to tear your brother down
'Cause it might have just been one of them days
It doesn't take that long to tear somebody down
But it takes less time to pray
If you see me doin' wrong
Why don't you pray for me, pray for me?
There's no need to cast a stone
Why don't you pray for me, pray for me?
If you just happen to see me fall just
Pray for me, pray for me?
Why not be the one that I can call
To pray for me?
Don't make a habit of lookin' for faults
If the motive ain't love
The only reason you're where you are
Is somebody decided to help you up
It'd be a shame for you to close your eyes
Turn your back and just walk away
Just take the time to care enough
To go down on your knees and pray
If you see me doin' wrong
Why don't you pray for me, pray for me?
There's no need to cast a stone
Why don't you pray for me, pray for me?
If you just happen to see me fall just
Pray for me, pray for me

Why not be the one that I can call
To pray for me?
Don't forget where you came from
Remember, you were that someone
Take the time to think about
The hand that pulled you out
And on your way up to the top
Stop and forget me not
If you see me doin' wrong
Why don't you pray for me, pray for me?
There's no need to cast a stone
Why don't you pray for me, pray for me?
If you just happen to see me fall just
Pray for me, pray for me
Why not be the one that I can call
To pray for me?
You're my brother, you're my sister
Won't you pray for me?
In the name of my Father
Won't you pray for me?
In the name of my Father
Won't you pray for me?