Sea of Uncertainty

This is among some of my first explorations into writing and is from a month long devotional I have never published. The reason I share it today, simply: It follows the theme of re-establishing a vibrant relationship with God.

Lost in a sea

of uncertainty.

The cold wind

slices to the bone,

and here it seems

that only pain is

 known. Unable

 to see why I have come here, or what I am to do. Nothing that

I hear makes it any clearer. The fog is thick, but my compass

appears in fine order. Yet, nothing that I do ends the way I

plan. This storm blew up from nowhere; and minutes before

 it, hit my course was charted and well planned. The storm has

come and with it uncertainty;

why can't my course be clear

 to me? I do not

think I have forgotten

anything. I have not

misplaced any point.

Or, have I not done

something that is

important to the

sailing of my ship?

I am doing nothing

differently, still

nothing is the same.

No matter what I do; my ship

will not respond as it once did. Can someone tell

me what I have forgotten? Oh, yes I remember. Christ died for me.

         I've been a Christian for several years. The last few of those years have been increasingly difficult. It seemed that everything in my life was upside down. My Christian walk started smoothly, but as I pressed on toward the mark of the high calling, things became a little confused. My walk seemed to become cyclical and the same lessons reappeared again and again.

         As I continued in Bible study, I found that I was not the only one to suffer this type of circular walk. The Israelites have, through the course of history, always gone back and forth, round and round, up and down in their relationship with God. Even the disciples had problems with their faith. I guess I thought it should be different for me. After all, that was then and this is now. Everything in our society is instant.

         The issue we face is this: God does not change to fit society. We, as his children, are called to line up with His program; however, we are still under construction in matters of faith. The question, which shapes our lives, must be answered by a personal response to the word of God. Our faith will be expressed in our unique cultural context, but our response must reflect biblical truth.

         We must all learn the same lessons, exercise the same belief in God and His promises that any other generation has; however, modern faith will not re-establish ancient culture.  Our faith will reflect our life situations based on divine truth and personal relationships. It is one thing to know the Bible, and it is quite another to practice what the Bible teaches. When we begin to realize that this life is a Faith walk, and NOT a Cakewalk, or as we begin to practice all that the word of God teaches, we will learn the secret of the easy yoke. I must confess — I have not arrived at that destination yet, but I am beginning to work out my salvation. Uncertainty only comes into my life if I begin to doubt God cares and is involved in my life.

         We all act like spoiled children when the trial we face persists longer than we think it should. As I stated before, this is not a new problem. Just take a look at the reaction of Jesus' first disciples while they were making their way through the Sea. The story is recorded in Mark chapter four.

         Remember they had been with Jesus all that day and had heard Him teaching about the Kingdom of God. His closest followers did not even recognize His authority over the natural world until they had a serious, even life-threatening, problem.

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” — Mark 4:35-38 (KJV)

         Although the disciples asked the question we all need the answer to: “Do You not care?” Reading the rest of the story reveals the eternal truth: Jesus is concerned and will take action in all the events of our daily lives. This truth has brought me to understand in greater detail the passage beginning in Isaiah 43:16. God in the past moved with signs and wonders to come to the defense of His chosen people. Will He do any less for us today?

Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. — Isaiah 43:16-19 (KJV)

         There is not a single situation in our culture to which God will not, or has not already, provided the answer. God has continually worked at calling His people back into right relationship. And, that relationship is one of faith and trust. It is also a lovingly close relationship, as father and son. When we live out our faith in that relationship we are posed to experience life in a new vibrant way. The power and presence of God demonstrated within the context of our lives will refresh us, revive us, and clear up all our uncertainty.

"Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory." — Isaiah 46:12-13 (KJV)

         We have God's promises; isn't it time we begin to act on them? The only way we can respond is to dig deeper into the storehouse of God's wisdom, which is the Bible, spend more time in prayer, and believe God to move with supernatural power on our behalf. I am calling on any believer who wishes to see this society changed, for the better, to step out, lift high the banner, and join the spiritual battle. The battle for the minds and hearts on this generation is won or lost in our commitment to scripture, and relationships with God and fellow Christians.

         As we respond we must remember these four things. 1. Don't join the fight on the

Devil’s terms. 2. Don't get caught by the enemy of your soul fighting in the natural — This is a Spiritual battle. 3. Spend time with the Lord, and allow Him to direct your actions. 4. God has the wining battle plan.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. — 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (KJV)

            Spiritual battles are never won when they are being fought according to conventional wisdom. The problems of our society are spiritual; yet, we attempt to overcome them with weapons crafted in the natural realm. Rather than addressing the root problem — Sin, we boycott bookstores that sell pornographic materials rather than upholding the standards of righteousness, peace, and love. We resort to violence to overcome abortion. All of this is done while we misquote, and mishandle the word of God. For me it's too much, I need to rediscover Christ. I need to look back and find my first and greatest love. My mind is plagued with this one searing question. Why don't I understand the mission any more? The answer for me may be found in the fact that there has been no purpose in all my striving. Even now I am taking the first steps toward rediscovery. Will you join me on this journey?

Fading Hope or Sweeping Revival

The church is at a fork in the road. We have been standing at that fork for a few years now. We must decide which road we want to be traveling. The title of the message this morning is, Fading Hope or Sweeping Revival. The fact is our nation has already chosen its path. Now the church, or should I say churches are making their choices. Even within churches every individual Christian is making a choice.

Are we going to be a fading hope or a sweeping revival?

We must choose wisely and with the benefit and guidance of the Holy Spirit in prayer.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (NASB)

Every nation, tribe and people throughout history has been influenced by its people. Great and small, wise or foolish – People impact their nation.

Great nations are built by great men and women…

Great men & women are the people we remember…

Who are those people for you?

A few years ago now, Focus on the Family, put out a list of their top 100 influential people of all time. I admit there were people on the list that I would not have chosen because, frankly, their influence upon History was, to say the least, NEGATIVE! However, their impact was HUGE. A single person can change history.

Great churches are also built by great people. The “Body of Christ” should be the world’s largest collection of extraordinarily great people. Do you know any of them? Do you see yourself as one of them?  

Who are they?

What makes them great?

God expects us to be a people of great faith. He is still transforming us into great people. God is still looking for unwavering faith to activate within His people. He wants us to become people of WORLD CHANGING FAITH.  Grab your Bible. Read about the exploits of the children of God! Repent, Believe, and Press-on!

“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30 (NLT)

As I said before, the church is standing at a fork in the road. Do you and I have the faith we need to rebuild the wall of righteousness – Will we turn back toward God?

Pentecostal churches are becoming less and less Pentecostal and churches that adhere to Biblical standards are few and far between today…I’m not suggesting we turn back the hands of time and live without the modern comforts we are invested in. I’m shouting…FIND GOD AS THE SOURCE OF your RIGHTEOUSNESS!

“Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.” Ezekiel 33:12 (KJV)

What is that Scripture saying?

Are we scratching our heads yet? Isaiah 64:6 will clear up the confusion for us.

“We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.” Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)

Our Righteousness Filthy Rags…

The only person who saves us is Jesus. The only power that transforms us belongs to God. Most of the saints that moved in the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit as I was growing up in the church have, by now, had a change of address and are living in Heaven. If we do not step up to the calling we have received from God, and step out in ever-increasing trust and reliance upon God; we (the church) will become a fading hope. 

Fading Hope or Sweeping Revival: Do we have the desire to make the choice?

We are at a fork in the road today. The church seems to have lost its influence. We seem to be hanging on by a thread. Are we going to live or die?

Christ made two statements in the New Testament that I have been really puzzled by this week…

Matthew 16:18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

Luke 18:8 “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

If the gates of Hell cannot stop the church, why are so many struggling to hold on to faith?

Turn with me to Isaiah 38:1-3. Keep that question in mind because we will answer it. If the gates of Hell cannot stop the church, why are so many struggling to hold on to faith?

Isaiah 38:1-3 (NASB)

In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Isaiah 38:1-3 (NASB)

All the promises of God are conditional upon our participation.

Repent and live.

The church may be on its death bed. But, if we awaken faith, cry out to God, and get our house in order, God will hear and answer us. Ok, I realize to some this may sound like doom and gloom theology – I’m sorry if you don’t like to hear it! But, I am called to preach the messages I believe God has given me. This one is burning within my soul… Repent and live!

Let’s continue reading.

Isaiah 38:4-6 (NASB)

Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, “Go and say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city.”’ Isaiah 38:4-6 (NASB)

There are still two possible outcomes – Fading Hope or Sweeping Revival.

 We need to look at Isaiah chapter 39 to see how this ended for Hezekiah and hopefully we won’t take the wrong fork. Unfortunately, we seem to make the same mistakes again and again.

Isaiah 39:1-2 (NIV)

At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

Whenever God is at work, everyone wants to come around and see for themselves the extent of His blessings upon our lives. Resist the urge to be a showoff. I read somewhere, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Verses 3-4 (NIV)

Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, “What did those men say, and where did they come from?” “From a distant land,” Hezekiah replied. “They came to me from Babylon.” The prophet asked, “What did they see in your palace?” “They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.”

Some of the things God accomplishes in our lives is really not for public display. The Holy Spirit will direct us if we LISTEN to His leading. God uses our testimonies and He desires our gifts to be used for His glory, but everything follows His schedule and His purpose.

Verses 5-6 (NIV)

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord Almighty: The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.

Have we lost what we once were given because we did not hold the blessing of God as sacred and holy? Is the next generation of Christians being led into captivity now because we have abandoned our willingness to be moved by the Spirit of God?

Can we hear the Holy Spirit calling us to repentance and renewed faith or is the noise of comfort and prosperity too loudly ringing in our ears? When everything is said and done, there will be nothing left but God, and He will be glorified. Do we want to be a fading hope, or will we become a sweeping revival?

Verses 7-8

And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”  “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.” Isaiah 39:1-8 (NIV)

Hezekiah made the mistake of showing off the blessings God gave him. He made the mistake of accepting “gifts” he should not have. In the end he said, “It’s all good because the captivity and loss won’t happen in my lifetime.”

Oh, BTW that’s a paraphrase.

Has the church done the same thing? I believe God wants His people to depend upon His power. We are paying the price NOW and the generation following us will continue to pay the price for lack of dependence upon God.

Repentance and faith will make all the difference.

Consider these passages of Scripture in closing. Allow the Spirit of God to speak to your heart. This is not a High Pressure Sales Pitch – It’s a loving call to action.

John 1:12 (KJV)

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 (KJV)

Titus 3:7 (NLT)

“Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” Titus 3:7 (NLT)

We can celebrate eternal life but we cannot soak up the blessings of God – just to leave the next generation – High and dry!

Sometimes we do not realize what we have because we fail to activate the power by faith. The gifts God has given us never lose their value or their power. We just need to remember they are given to be used. We must all understand and apply –

2 Corinthians 4:6-8

“For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;” 2 Corinthians 4:6-8 (NASB)

Fading Hope or Sweeping Revival:

It’s up to each one of us to make the choice.

God’s Purposes for Miracles

God’s Purposes for Miracles – Does our Miracle Meet God’s Purpose

Setting the stage for miraculous intervention by the hand of God in our lives, is more easily accomplished when we review how He has dealt with others. To be sure, God is well able to work in any way He chooses, but our faith can be exponentially increased if we study His purposes for supernatural intervention through the use of the miracles.

Examine the following scriptures. Seek understanding and insight from God Himself by asking: “Why?” God is not offended by our questions if we are truly seeking a deeper relationship with Him. The bold text provided is my limited yet expanding understanding and answer to the “Why” of God’s actions – Not that any explanation offered this side of eternity will be complete or perfectly accurate. It’s only my best attempt in this moment.

God has given us great and precious promises. He expects us to grow in our knowledge of Him. By faith I want to be a mountain mover – Do you?

Does our Miracle Meet God’s Purpose? That is the question we will explore today.

Exodus 6:6-8 God’s deliverance of His people promised

Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the Lord.’” (NASB)

Exodus 8:9 & 10 God’s sovereignty established

Moses said to Pharaoh, “I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile.” “Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said. Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God. (NIV)

Exodus 16:12 God’s presence revealed

“I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” (NLT)

Joshua 3:10 God’s strength demonstrated

And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. (JKV)

1Kings 18:37 God’s commitment re-established

Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again. (NASB)

Isaiah 45:3 God’s blessing & provision promised

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. (KJV)

Joel 2:26 & 27 God’s blessing & provision – Not a one-time deal

And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people shall never be put to shame. And you shall know, understand, and realize that I am in the midst of Israel and that I the Lord am your God and there is none else. My people shall never be put to shame. (AMP)

Zechariah 4:9 God strengthens His messengers

The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. (NLT)

John 14:12-15 Jesus’ promise “Whatever we ask”

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments.

James 4:3 The condition of Jesus’ promise “For the RIGHTEOUS reason”

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (KJV)

God’s purposes for miracles fall into seven categories. The way I understand them, Miracles … 1. Reveal, 2. Confirm, 3. Answer, 4. Renew, 5. Demonstrate, 6. Affirm, and 7. Strengthen.

Miracles Reveal God’s power. We know that God is ALL POWERFUL. He is EVERYWHERE PRESENT, and He is ALL KNOWING. Yet as humans, our limited memory from time to time must be prompted to recall Who God is and what He is able to accomplish form NOTHING. The miracle of creation, the vastness of Space and the beauty of nature each reveal the awesomeness of God’s power.

Miracles confirm God’s purpose in our lives. Each of us has a calling and a gifting that God has given for His purpose. He uses miracles in our lives to move us to respond to His plan.

Miracles answer complaints. Let’s face it we can all be childish. God sometimes addresses our childishness with a miracle. God uses miracles to show us just how much He loves us.

Miracles renew our faith. The road of life is full of twists, turns, pitfalls, and stony places. As we walk the road our faith occasionally wanes. Experiencing a miracle breathes anew the “Breath of Life” into our lives and rekindles the fire of faith within us.

Miracles demonstrate God’s care for us. Making a way through the mighty waters, seeing that the flour barrel or the vessel of oil never ran out, sending a disciple to catch a fish and remove a coin to pay a tax ALL are miracles that show God’s care for us. Those are biblical examples, but God’s care for us can be expressed through countless examples from our daily lives. Think about it. You have examples. I know I have several.

Miracles affirm God’s authority. None but God can meet a need through the use of miracles. If it can be explained it’s not miraculous.

Miracles strengthen us to … believe God’s Word, build God’s Kingdom, and bless others.

Does the miracle you and I need meet God’s purpose?

Is it for His glory or ours?

Believe!

Build!

Bless!