A Melancholy Heart

This morning I woke up with emotions of joy, sadness, and a longing to press forward. I had a dream that involved many of the youth, men and woman that the Lord has brought into my life and allowed me to teach and train over the years. There was joy because I was able to see some of the wonderful things that were now being accomplished because of the seeds that were planted in their hearts, through our relationship and how they have grown. There was also sadness because some of those seeds did not grow properly and some of those people in my dream were struggling and making bad decisions. I remember in my dream beginning to cry. I truly cared for these people. Each of these decisions they were making were showing the world the condition of their heart. Then before my dream was over, one of the youth that I pastored for some time stepped forward and encouraged me by showing me his life decisions. I found those tears of sadness began to be tears of joy and I felt a pull to step forward and make sure that I planted more seeds.

This was an interesting dream because as much as I have dreamed in the past and the Lord has used these dreams to speak to me, I can never remember feeling these emotions before.

I do not know where you are at or what you are doing but please allow my dream to also encourage you.

#1 Remember that the Lord puts each person you come in contact with there and you have an opportunity to plant good seeds of who the Lord is.

#2 Not every seed planted will grow correctly, but the Lord sill continue to guide and prune each of those people’s lives. He cares for them enough to give His life and has a great plan to bring wholeness and redemption.

#3 The actions we partake in give those surrounding us a very accurate view of the condition of our heart. Work on the heart and the actions will change!

#4 Keep pressing on! If you have had disappointments, do not allow them to stop you from doing what God has asked of you!

#5 Do not allow yourself to stop caring for people as a defense mechanism. Sometimes when we get hurt it is easy to shut down and not allow people within arms reach. While you and I are still alive we have a responsibility to point people towards the only place to find hope- Jesus Christ. This can only be done if they are close enough to see what is really happening in your life.

It is weird because I am still being touched by a few of those emotions that I felt in my dream. For those of you who have allowed me to speak into your lives over the years, I thank you for the trust and pray that there have been good seeds planted that have pointed you toward your Creator. If it seems your life is not where it supposed to be, it is never to late to run to the Lord and allow Him to once again shape and direct your life. I believe the emotions I am feeling are just a small understanding of how God feels towards each of us. He has great plans for us and I encourage you to run to Him. If you feel lost, I hope you are comforted by the fact that the Lord is with you, just waiting for you to turn and surrender once more.

Matthew 18:10-14
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

True Wisdom

John 8:9
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 standing there.

This is such an amazing story and I think it is significant to point out that this is not parable or a story told by Jesus to cause people to think. This was an actual true-life account of just one of the situations that Jesus encountered while on this earth.

The story begins when these Pharisees found a woman caught in the act of adultery. Yes, this whole scenario is a bit strange, if she was caught, then where is the man that she was with. However, to continue with the story they dragged her in front of Jesus in order to find a way to trap Him in His message of love, hope, and mercy. The Pharisees knew the law stated that she was to be stoned to death and had every intention of seeing it fulfilled. It is important that we do not get stuck on the sin of adultery. Yes, adultery is a very difficult sin to deal with that has far reaching repercussions but if we were to equate sin to poison it doesn’t matter which brand of poison is chosen as it will all bring death. How did the Lord deal with all of this sin? The sin of adultery of the woman and the sin of pride and arrogance from the religious men were all sitting before Jesus awaiting His judgment. He took a moment and wrote in the dirt. No one knows for sure what He wrote. I wonder if He drew a cross, wrote some of the Pharisees sins, or maybe just needed to put Himself in a time out in order to respond to these Pharisees, as He should. After looking up from His doodling Jesus made one statement that would cause the whole group to disperse.

“If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Then Jesus went back to drawing his picture in the dirt.

This is where we see Jesus’ words break through the hard hearts of these religious men. Scripture tells us that beginning with the older ones each of the accusers dropped their rocks and walked away. Now why do you think the older ones were first? I see only one true reason for this response- they have lived longer and have had time to realize their own shortcomings and sinful moments.

After all of the accusers left there was only one person there who could throw the stone with a clear conscious and He chose to die for the woman’s sin instead of allow death to rule. Jesus did tell this woman to go and sin no more.

So what lessons of wisdom can we walk away with from this story about Jesus and His love for you and I?

#1 Jesus is very serious about the love and forgiveness He has for us

#2 Do not be so quick to pick up stones and throw them at others- we all have much more in common than we like to admit

#3 Jesus’ love does not give us the freedom to do what we want- He made it very clear that the woman was to go and sin no more

#4 The freedom Jesus gives is to be able to walk forward in a peace that only comes because He gave His life away

#5 Notice the story does not say that the woman picked up the rock and began stoning herself to death- she accepted Jesus’ forgiveness as should you and I


Dear Lord,

Please help us understand, accept, and embrace your love and forgiveness. Protect our heart from becoming arrogant and judgmental. Fill us with your Spirit to the place that if we are cut open that we will bleed of your love and mercy. Thank you for your love and for being patient with us in those moments where we take our eyes off the hope that you created for us as you gave away your life.

Amen

In God's Time

At this they tried to seize Him but no one laid a hand
on Him because His time had not yet come.
John 7:30

During this life there will be moments where we find ourselves basking in the radiant sunshine only to turn the corner and feel entrenched in the darkness of shadows. There are lessons to be learned during each of these stages. However, it is crucial to our existence that we have the understanding that in both situations our God is present and unchanging.

On many occasions the Bible speaks of situations where the main characters in the story were about to be killed, maimed, and wounded, but the Lord did not allow the destruction to befall them. Scripture after scripture speaks of times with Jesus where He was able to walk untouched through the crowds of those who desired to harm Him. Other examples are Daniel, Gideon and his army, King David, the three brothers Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo and many others. Have you ever thought of adding your name to that list? That long list of heroes of the faith, that though they were human, loved their God and served Him valiantly. Adding your name to that list has nothing to do with the word hero or the rush of pride that comes with that title. The ability to add your name to that amazing and miraculous list has everything to do with our God and His most wonderful love. In truth, there is not one person mentioned in scripture, besides Jesus, that deserved the love that God offered them. They each had sinful desires, moments where fear overtook their faith, acts of disobedience, and a tendency to self-destruct. Our God did not look at them and disqualify them. Instead, He took their weaknesses and used the person in spite of themselves. Their name is on that list because God made it so and made the decision to love the unlovely.

Though I hope this conversation brings you to a sobering realization of what we are really made of, there is not a stone of judgmentalism hidden behind my back waiting to be launched. This realization should bring each of us to our knees and remind us of our need to run to our only hope. I am so thankful that the Lord has placed my name on His most protected list. This doesn’t mean that the lion’s cannot devour my flesh or that I will not be burned in the fiery furnace. But it does assure me, that like Jesus, there is no one or nothing that can overtake or consume my life until the right time- which is God’s time. And when that time is to come it will not lead to destruction but to a perfect graduation.

Scripture also gives us many examples of God’s people laying down their own desires, painful moments, scarred memories, and ultimately, their very lives, to follow and honor their God. As I have grown older and served the Lord, my biggest fears are not found in the possibility of losing this life or the pleasures that surround it, my fears are wrapped up in the idea of whether God is or is not in control. On those days where I can bask in the rays of His presence and I am able to sense His guidance, my fears are subsided and I can raise my head high. However, on those days where the voices that are hidden in the shadows keep screaming my name and the waves of fear seem to be rising higher than the foundation I am standing on, my faith begins to crumble. As I read out of John today the Lord reminded me that my life is in His hands- even in those moments where my worries have blinded me to the truth of His overpowering protection.

Whether you feel that your life is basking in the sun or walking ominously through the shadows, nothing can steal you away from the loving arms of God. Run to Him! Allow Him to renew your hope and give you strength. He is an amazing God with an amazing plan. The shadows that may seem to be controlling your life may only be there to remind you how desperately you need the sweetness of God’s embrace.

You do not want to leave too, do you?

Has the Lord offended you?

Are there questions that have gone unanswered?

Have you been pushed to the limits of your faith and understanding and had to make a decision to still hold on?

In John chapter 6, Jesus finishes sharing a difficult teaching for his followers to understand and many people begin deserting him.

Verse 66
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

This is a very strong life statement. What happens in someone’s life that would cause them to make a decision to turn and run from the Messiah? There is a part of me that has always thought these people must be crazy. However, once life begins to take more than you were you were ready to give and you find yourself standing on ground that is foreign, it usually always seems like a good time to run. The Bible guarantees that we all will face these types of struggles in one fashion or another. So, then how do we stand strong during some of the hardest times in life? How do we follow the admonition of Ephesians 6 that tells us to keep standing and ward off the enemy?

I believe we find the answer in verse 67 and 68 of John 6.

You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know you are the Holy One of God.”

The disciples did not even think of running anywhere else because they were sold out and had nowhere else to go. This doesn’t mean they were stuck with Jesus, but that they put all of their stock in the person and message of Christ. This is a way of serving the Lord that is not lived out very often. Most of us trust the Lord, but have a plan B, and C- just in case he doesn’t come through. There is a big part of who I am that has always relied on my own skills and ability to get me through if the Lord didn’t function like I thought he should.

This pride has been my folly. This pride assumed many things over the years that were nothing but seeds of destruction. I long to be like the disciples and when the weather shifts and life begins to get scary I have nowhere to run but to God.

If the Lord allowed the worst to happen and then asked me
“You do not want to leave too, do you?”
that I would be able to say in response,
“Lord, to whom shall I go? I have placed all my hope in you and trust you for my survival.”

Thought for the day
It is safer to be in the most difficult storms resting in the arms of God than to be sitting in what may seem like a safe harbor far away from God.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your guidance and for your word that reminds me of who I am and who I need to be. Forgive me for my pride. Please continue to strip me of anything that does not allow me to place my whole trust in you. I know the safest place I can be is in the "Lion’s Den" with you sitting next to me.

I love you Lord,

Kristopher

Looking for a Sign

John 6:25-27

When they found him on the other side of the lake , they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “ I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

This scripture brings to light a very sad part of our humanity that if we are not careful can and will easily rule our lives and poison our relationship with our creator. Jesus had just finished doing an amazing miracle where he took five small barley loaves and two fish and fed 5000. There was even enough food that people were full and there were many baskets left over. Following this miracle, many of the people believed that Jesus was the Messiah.

What happened between the day before, where the people were ready to believe in the person of Christ, and the next day, that Jesus himself felt the need to point out that those present were only their to fill their stomachs once more?

#1 Time
We tend to forget so easily how amazing the Lord is.

#2 Hunger pains
Too many times those things we hunger for will only mislead us. This is why the Bible tells us to hunger for righteousness.

#3 An easy way out
This is a hard truth but the longer I live the more that this can easily rule my day.

Before we begin to judge and think of how crazy these people must have been, let’s take a look at our own lives and evaluate how and why we run and look for our Savior. To begin the introspection, please allow me to share an example out of my own life where my broken humanity tried to win the day and rule my motives.

The Lord has sustained our family in some of the most amazing ways. He has shown us grace and mercy, provided solid friendships, lead us through turbulent waters, opened the hearts of friends and family to give us a roof over our head and food on our table, and at times even given us what we needed before we knew we needed it.

If the Lord did all this and more, then why do I keep running to him and accusing him of being distant and non-responsive. Just the other day I was taking a quick peak into my checking account and was saddened by the numbers that were present. I went to the piano and began playing one of the songs that I have added to my personal worship favorites, We Will Remember, by Tommy Walker. As I played it and sang this song to the Lord, (I was trying to draw near to Him) I felt the Lord ask me a poignant question.

Would you be seeking me like this if you did not have a need?

He then said something like this to my heart…

Kristopher,
I love you and have been with you every step of the way. I have no plans on leaving you. In fact, I am hoping that we can continue to grow in relationship and walk this path of life together. However, please come to me because you simply love me and enjoy my presence and not just because you feel desperate and have run out of places to find hope.

This was a shameful and real God conversation for me. As we seek Jesus, may it be with pure motives. Jesus is not our meal ticket, He is our creator, redeemer, savior, and friend.

He longs to spend time with us and allow us to understand Him in new ways that will help stabilize and strengthen our lives.

My challenge for today…

Spend time with Jesus, simply because He is Jesus.

Taking a Step back

This weekend I had the opportunity to spend time with a group of youth and watched how the Lord started breaking into the lives of these young men and woman. He started by getting them to take a 2-day hiatus away from the regular routine of their life. Then while away from the stronghold of habits and familiarity, He began His work. The youth went from staring at each other and the leaders, to smiling a bit more. They went from a distant look of a person who knew of a God that loved them, to a group of people who believed once more that God is walking with them. The Lord touched lives on all levels, some in small ways and I truly believe that some of the youth decided to walk on a whole different path after they had this time of drawing near to the Lord.

So what can we learn from this group of youth?

How can we take their experience and be reminded of who we are supposed to be?

#1 Make the time for God
We cannot keep running around in circles claiming that God is our source of strength without setting aside a part of our life to actually spend time with Him.
#2 Take moments away from the familiar and comfortable
I believe strongly that finding ways to break our daily routine helps us from being stuck in places that we do not even realize is a trap. When you take time to retreat and ask to show up the most wonderful thing will happen, He will show up.
#3 Allow the Lord to help you take that next step
When we look at the lives of youth it is easy to somehow think we are more mature than they are and that we deal with real problems compared to them. These youth that I spent time with are no different than you and I. They are dealing with life and watching their humanity attempt to control them. Does this really sound any different than the normal grind of your day? Each of these youth are on their own journey and God is asking them to not worry about the whole journey- just take that next step and when that is done then deal with what is around the corner. I believe He is saying this same thing to you today.

When is the last time you have asked the Lord what step He would want you to make in your life to honor Him and look His ambassador? I promise when you do their will be ideas that arise of what the Lord might just be asking and has been asking for some time if you were listening. Once you feel that that you know of a couple of things then pray and ask the Lord for clarity and strength. He will guide you and strengthen you to step into all that He has for you.

While Jesus was on this he often took the time to retreat and renew His mind and heart. What a great example to follow.

Mark 1:35-37 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"


Dear Lord,

I thank you for each of the youth that were at camp this weekend. I pray that you keep their hearts soft and their eyes focused on you and what you are asking. I also ask that you help me, and those reading this, to truly seek you and allow you to guide our steps. When we want to make excuses of why we are running in circles please find a way to get our attention and bring our focus back to the path that you have laid before us.

Amen

Living Out Our Faith

This morning, my wife and I read in James chapter 2 and pondered on the idea of what it means to have faith with deeds. This idea of needing to watch our deeds causes a problem for many people.

If we are saved by grace and the Lord has truly done everything that was needed to bring wholeness, what deed must be done, besides surrendering to Him?

Can we somehow make God’s redemption better by our actions?

The answer is easy.

There is nothing you can do to be more complete in Christ once He has miraculously taken your brokenness and made you whole and pure.

If this is the case, then why are deeds important? Another way to look at this is to understand that every moment we are alive and each breath we take is living out our faith. If my deeds are honoring to the Lord and the amazing commitment He has made to me, then it is the direct result of a faith that is strong. If the actions of my day and the attitudes that I form dishonor the Lord then that also speaks very clearly of what my faith looks like and will only prove that my faith is faltering.

For example, this week as a family we are going to tithe and give to the Lord as He has asked. There is a part of my brain, that if I allowed it to rule, may talk me out of tithing and spend the money on one of the many “needs and wants” that we have. If I chose to do that, the Lord will still love me, but it is a good litmus test of where my faith in God is and if I truly believe that He can supply for my life better than I can. Then, let’s say that I do tithe. This does not make God love me more or less. Remember, the Lord loves us completely right now with every doubt, attitude and problem that may be present. The action of tithing this week will only be the faith that is already resident lived out.

This is important as we grow in the Lord. I hope and pray that my life will daily shine as a man who doesn’t just speak about faith or profess faith, but whose actions speak louder than anything said. May the Lord help each of us increase our faith, so the actions we put our lives to will honor the amazing love that God has given us.


James 2:14-19 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.