Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. Genesis 4:7

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Lord, please help me to know what this situation is about and whether or not it actually poses a threat…

Even if it does pose a threat, help me to remember that I have the armor of God to protect me and You Yourself will be my fortress, shield and defender…

Help me to remember that even in the face of a threat or feeling out of control or attacked that I do not have to malign the person in front of me or lash out at them in a reckless or uncontrolled way.

With Your help Lord, may I remember that I do not have to be unkind, short-tempered or in any way fleshly, carnal, worldly, selfish or wicked.

In fact, with Your help Lord I can even love my enemy and pray for those who persecute me. Even what Satan has intended for evil You can use for good. In the midst of this situation that threatens to shake me within and upend my life (even temporarily) You are present. I can listen without reacting, I can process and pray about and consider their words and their actions without immediately lashing out to make them stop saying/doing something that I don’t like.

Lord help me to practice long-suffering and to let Your perfect-patience be at work in me.

The next time that something happens or that someone says/does something and anger shows up at my heart’s door like a rage-filled lion trying to come in and devour me (or devour others through me) may I recognize that I can keep the door closed to rage and instead pause, wait, pray, listen to You, meditate on what You say about it and then respond out of the peace and calm you have placed in my heart and the wisdom You give by Your Spirit and Your Word, so that what transpires is beautiful and gives glory to Your name.

Lord, may rage not have a foothold in me and may I not slay people with my reactions (whether looks, words or attitudes) but instead graciously listen and prayerfully, mercifully and lovingly respond. May even those who hurt me, surprise me or attack me, feel the gentle wind of your love flow from me to them.

IN JESUS NAME,

AMEN

God meets us where we are

God accepts us as we are

God loves us so much He doesn’t leave us where we are or as we are

God’s words intersect our actual everyday real life stuff

• When God says “don’t do that” it is because He know what is best for us
• When God says “do this” it is because He is seeking to make us holy
• When God says “go this way” it is because it is part of His plan to transform us and use us
• When God says “hold on, wait a minute” it is because He is making all things beautiful in His timing

Remember, we don’t come to God to make our lives easier or more comfortable. We come to God because He died for us and is drawing us by His love and asking us to commit for the rest of our lives and for eternity to worship and serve Him only!

So many people are disillusioned with church and drifting from God because God isn’t doing what they want or acting the way they think He should or saying the things they want Him to say.

But God’s ways are perfect and God’s wisdom is perfect. 

We come to God because He is really who He says He is. He really is the Creator and He really is the Judge. He really is Sovereign with no one higher, smarter, stronger or more capable than Him. We come to God because what He says goes and what He does works and lasts. 

So please, draw near to God, ask Him to show you any selfish or wicked way in you, and then follow Him and live according to His holy and loving ways. Don’t try to tell God how to do it and don’t try to manipulate the Bible and theology to fit what you want God to be like. Instead come to Him as He is, and let Him have all of you, and then commit to do whatever He says, waiting, watching and anticipating the glorious things He will bring to pass!

In this life there are many things that end up changing or blocking our plans. I remember one time when my wife and I were trying to go to visit a new church but every single road that we took had an accident or construction on it. We ended up going to a different church that Sunday morning. But it might have actually been easier to just turn around and go back home. If I told you all the details you would laugh and possibly think I was embellishing the story a bit because of how many obstacles there were. 

So, what are the obstacles that are keeping you from coming fully to Christ and to His church? 

We might say “I don’t have time right now” or “I don’t know anybody at that church” or “Jesus and me are good” but in reality how many of these are excuses or platitudes? We make time for that which is most important, we go all the time to new stores and restaurants where we don’t know anybody and if you are judgment day honest, is it really well with your soul, or is there something in your heart or life that you know God is talking to you about? Are we willing to drill down deep into our heart and soul to discover why we are putting Jesus and His bride on the back-burner?

• Could it be that we have adopted the idea that Christianity is there for us when we need it, but if it things get super busy or difficult it’s okay to just drop it until life settles down a bit?
  
• Could it be that we have seen other people who claim Christianity yet their life doesn’t measure up to what we think it should so we decide that we are doing well enough without hanging around them?
  
• Could it be that God hasn’t been answering our prayers the way that we want so we are kind of giving Him the cold shoulder until things start turning around in our lives?

Whatever it is that is keeping you from Christ, I can assure you that the obstacle is not insurmountable and in fact the reward of being with Christ far outweighs the cost of getting past the hurdles.

Furthermore whatever it is that is keeping you from church, whether it is the pastor, the worship style, your own lifestyle or business or any other reason, the church is a priceless gift from God to His children and we need to do whatever it takes to plant ourselves fully within it. 

One final thought: very often anger, bitterness, frustration and temporary circumstances/feelings are what keep us from Christ and His church. Is there really any “good” reason to not draw near to the One who died for us and who can bring us full salvation and abundant/eternal life? Is there any “good” reason to not band together with the other imperfect but faith-filled people who are journeying with Christ towards a life of holy love? 

There really is no “good” reason. Let us see the obstacles as what they are: evidence of spiritual warfare and an enemy that hates you and want to do anything in his power to destroy you and keep you from Christ and His church. Take a firm stand against the devil’s attacks in your life and simply draw near to God in faith and make every effort to be in His Word, in prayer and in His church. 

The eternal blessings are greater than you could ever ask, think or imagine!!

So here’s the thing I know…

People around me have seen and known my imperfections.

They have been the recipients of my awful attitudes, biting words and harsh looks. They have had to deal with the times I have let them down, left them hanging or made them feel unwanted, unappreciated or unloved.

Now I constantly hope that they see my heart and know that it is good and that I didn’t intend to hurt them.

I hope that they see my desire is to help people and to honor God, but I don’t know if they do know that. And is it possible that some of the times my behavior or words came out exactly as it originated: as selfishness, rudeness and unkindness?

I wish that I could say that when I have hurt other people it was only a misunderstanding or that it was always unintentional but that simply is not true. When selfishness acts, people get hurt, and to be selfish is a choice.

Most often I think to myself that people see past my imperfections to the deeper love and goodness (of God) within me, but I also need to make a significant effort at letting God’s fruits within me flow outwardly to those around me. 

And finally here is where my heart is grieved and I have a deep and abiding concern: what if the prevalence and pain of my imperfections has kept others from knowing or believing the gospel of Jesus Christ? What if people have heard my words and seen my actions and decided that either gospel isn’t true or if I am an example of Christianity then they don’t want to have any part of it?

This grieves and concerns me and I don’t exactly know what to do about it. 

I know I need to apologize to every person I have ever hurt and by building those bridges perhaps lead them to (or back to) a belief in Christ, but I don’t always know who I have hurt or how I have hurt them.

So here I say: If I have ever hurt you by my words, attitudes or actions, I am sorry and I beg your forgiveness. I hope that you will in no way doubt the gospel of Jesus Christ or the character of God because of my failings. I hope that in spite of my sins and offenses towards you that you will still be able to live in the fullness of peace, joy and love that God offers. Although I cannot take back what I have done to hurt you, I hope that with your prayers and the help of the Lord that I will not continue to hurt you or the kingdom of God. 

I pray that each of us will somehow be able to serve as signposts pointing people to God instead of stumbling blocks who keep them from Him.

Remember this: the devil is the father of lies, he is a roaring lion prowling around seeking whom he may devour. Remember too that the devil comes only to steal, kill and destroy and that he is an accuser of people, always judging, always condemning and always deceiving.

The reason I mention this now is because many people have been deceived. Paul even states the the devil has blinded the minds of the unbelieving (2 Cor 4:4)

I believe that countless people in this world and even some who may call themselves Christian and sometimes attend church are deceived.

Many people believe that church is optional, when the Bible is clear that when we are born again we are born into the church. We don’t have a choice, to be a Christian is to belong to the church and to bear God-given responsibilities to serve the church, to bear one another’s burdens and to love one another. 

Many people believe that somehow we can be Christians without pursuing holiness. Nothing could be farther from the truth. To be a Christ follower is to pursue love and holiness. It is to think on these things. It is to receive them from Christ and share them with others. 

The list could go on. But here is the point: Be on your guard against the devil and false doctrine/teaching. Don’t be taken in by the god of this age. Don’t allow yourself to be led astray.

Instead if you desire to be a true Christian get in the Word of God, meditate on it, memorize it, obey it. If you desire to be a true Christian, be present and engaged at church: worship, learn, serve. If you desire to be a true Christian pursue love and holiness and reject any watering down of the faith that somehow accepts Christ without rejecting sin or somehow claims Christ but only half-heartedly.  

Remember this: God loves you and His plan is to deliver you, save you and make you holy. He is looking throughout the earth to see  who is fully committed to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9) Receive this word from Him and please believe and obey it today!

Dear pastor,

I really want to make a difference. 

I can’t stand the idea of wasting my life. 

The doubts and fears that encroach on me as a pastor can at times be overwhelming:

• Why have they stopped attending?
• Why do they insist on acting that way?
• We just can’t keep going the way things are…
• Why are so few willing to help?
• Why can’t I seem to say or do the right things to really make it work?

I’m sure that you like me have thought these things and perhaps 1000 other discouraged and negative thoughts as well. 

I believe that we each want to truly make a difference and we want to serve in a place and in such a way that we can make the most impact possible. 

But it seems like no matter how hard we work, or what specifically we do, that people still insist on putting God on the backburner and pursuing whatever else (anything else sometimes!) that catches their interest. 

And although it seems that we are getting nowhere, we also know that we cannot quit because we have been called to this and we have this passion like a fire inside of us simply driving us to tell people the good news!

So what is the answer? 

Books have been written on this, so what can I say briefly that will encourage, empower and equip?

Let me keep it simple:

• Open the Bible, read a chapter (or more) and simply trust that God is speaking
• Get on your knees and conversationally tell God all you are thankful for and all that you are concerned about
• Pick up your phone and call 5 people asking them what God is teaching them  and if you can pray for them (and then pray with them right there over the phone)
• Tell people with excitement and joy all that God wants to do for them if they will simply trust and obey

Does this seem overly-simplistic? 

Yes!

But if everything else were stripped away and this was all you did, would you make a difference? 

YES!

So whatever else you are doing these days and no matter what you are thinking about or what weight you are under, please do the 4 things above and then make sure to notice and praise God for whatever He does along the way!

Thank you for making an eternal difference for countless people by your faithfulness and perseverance!

Christ is with us, Christ is in us!

Mike J

Dear Pastor,

I have a confession to make: I don’t really know what I am doing. 

Don’t get me wrong. I have been trained. I have completed A LOT of schooling and I regularly read books and articles. On top of that, I have over 20 years of ministry experience.

But the reality is that I don’t know exactly what it takes to reach a lost person or lead a particular Christian to a point of full surrender and consecration to the Lord and I don’t really know the perfect way to schedule my day or how to build a church.

I have a lot of ideas. And some of them work (and many don’t!). I have had the privilege of praying with people to be saved and to surrender to the Lord and I have seen groups/churches grow, but I have also seen my efforts fall short and I don’t always know why. 

Furthermore, when things seem out of my control and beyond my ability, I am tempted to get angry or reactionary or even to doubt my call and second-guess my personal value. 

But God reminds me that I don’t have to know what I am doing, and I don’t have to have it all in my control but I just have to trust Him and take it one day at a time.

I have to be careful to learn from others but not to compare myself to them. 

I hope that you and I as God-called and God-ordained pastors, will trust God and pray for and minister to the person God puts in front of us. I hope and pray we will not lose our hope or joy and that we will trust God for the outcome. 

Please know that whatever you are facing you don’t face it alone (God and His church and His under-shepherds are for you!) and lastly I want you to know that you are accomplishing more than you think you are simply by being willing and available. 

Keep anticipating great things from our miracle-working God!

Christ is with us, Christ is in us!

Mike J

What can or should we do when we become overwhelmed?

It seems like life itself is overwhelming. Almost like the very nature of life is to weigh humans down. We ultimately know that is not the case because God created us and gave us life so that we could experience fullness and abundance from Him, but our feelings many times tell us there is no hope.

The circumstances of life multiply and like trying to swat at gnats swirling from every side it’s as if our efforts are futile and that there is no hope of getting away. We know we can’t stand there and do nothing, we have to try to walk or run away or swat as many gnats as we can away from our faces but are all our efforts in vain?

So is life bound to be a futile effort of swatting at gnats or a blowing into the wind?

Or can it be different, can it be something more?

Let’s take a quick moment and address 4 reasons why life is overwhelming:

1. There are just too many things going on simultaneously, too many voices clamoring for attention, too many choices and too many fires to put out
2. The pain is unbearable, the pain is relentless, the pain seems like a constant companion and there is no end in sight
3. Unpleasant, bitter, broken memories of the past keep echoing through our minds and hearts stealing any possibility that this moment can be fully experienced and enjoyed
4. The guilt and shame of our own mistakes, sin and failures seem like a cloud of doom which will not only envelope us but will surely suffocate the breath and life out of us, leaving us with nothing but a hollowed out shell with no life, no meaning and no fulfillment.

I know of course that there could be other reasons why you are overwhelmed, but these four seem prolific in my life and according to what I see and hear from those around me.

So how indeed can we keep from suffocating under the avalanche of too much, and/or the harsh and unyielding pain and/or the resounding noise of past trauma and/or the crushing load of guilt and shame?

Let me give you 4 suggestions:

1. If there are just too many things, voices, choices and crises: stop everything, get into a quiet place, turn off your phone and simply kneel or lay in prayer before the Lord. Let me clarify what I mean by prayer: in this situation I don’t mean filling the time and space with your words, concerns and complaints but instead simply waiting in complete silence before the Lord with the simply prayer, coordinated with your heartbeat and/or breathing: “Lord, help….Lord, help….Lord, help”. And don’t be a hurry to hear something or have a mental epiphany. Let there be silence, go slow and wait, God makes all things beautiful in His time.
2. If the pain is like unending torture in your body, mind or spirit: the most important thing is to actually find the root cause. Treating the symptoms or simply covering up the pain will not ultimately help. Find a doctor, a therapist, a counselor and/or a pastor to help with the pain in your body, heart, mind and/or spirit. Track your pain and what causes it to flare up. With prayer and wise counsel try and connect the dots to determine what triggers the pain and then carefully follow the treatment plan. It’s not enough to know what is causing the pain, do the difficult and disciplined work of changing patterns of behavior or circumstances, etc that are consistently trying to shipwreck your health.
3. If the past is like a broken record: pray and then try and practice a type of “temporary amnesia”. Consider how you might respond to this situation if you didn’t have any past experiences (positive or negative) with said situation. Try and look at the present moment as an adventure to be had and the possibility that you are getting ready to receive a moment full of delectable tastes, soothing sounds, majestic views and satisfying/uplifting experiences. If you had not past experience to compare it to, let us consider the possibility that this forthcoming moment could be a gift from God for our joy or comfort or growth.
4. If guilt and shame are smothering and suffocating you: remember that guilt can be a tool from God to lead you away from painful, sinful and unhealthy behaviors and that shame is most often a weapon utilized by Satan to try to accuse, condemn, steal, kill and destroy. The answer to both shame and guilt is found in the gospel and person of Jesus who will take our burdens, forgive our sin, cleanse us from unrighteousness and remove any decrees or accusations against us. Jesus disarms all of our enemies and sets us free; we can receive this freedom as we pray and confess, give thanks and praise to the One who loves us, died for us and saves us and as we walk in His holy ways instead of in the ways of darkness.

Remember in all these things to look at situations and people like Jesus does (with a heart and eyes full of love and desiring the Father’s glory and redemption for all creation). Also remember to believe whatever God says about us personally and accept His conviction, promises, warnings and commands. We must always remember that God is who He says He is, and He does what He says He will do and we are who God says we are and we can do what God says we can do.

There is no way that these few brief words that I have given you today will completely deliver you from the crushing weight and overwhelming oppression that you feel in life, but what I hope my words will do is point you to Jesus and His Words (the Bible!) and to the prayer room and to Godly professional helpers (seek out Christian doctors, therapists, counselors and holy pastors) so that in partnership with God’s people you can be lifted up, set free, made new and then you can live each moment in joy and peace and fulfillment in and with Jesus Christ, our friend and our Savior!