get out of my way...

I want more...

I cannot fathom that this is it. I cannot and will not believe that this day-in and day-out routine that I have fallen into so conveniently is the climax of what I am to learn about Who He is and what He wants to show me.

I refuse to be complacent. I refuse to allow the society in which I live to dictate my thoughts, my behavior, and my actions. I am constantly rubbing elbows with contentment and pleasure- leading me to nothing but the shallow slums of the bawdy, indecent, and contaminated world of darkness the enemy hopes for me to wallow in.

I am annoyed and distressed at the numbness created by my frequent social interactions and flirtation with darkness coupled with the infrequent saturation and submersion of light.

I was created by Him and for Him. When I ponder the phenomenal and ingenious ideas produced within this holding-cell called "earth" I realize that I was created for purposes much higher and beyond anything that can be dreamed here!

As I become wearisome over why I can't seem to be satisfied, and why I am so frustrated at my serene and unconcerned outlook toward Christ at times- I realize that absolutely everything in me that desires change points to my obedience.

If am to graduate from this state of stagnant and lifeless muck to at least something that is mobile and shifting, I have to overcome where I am... and the only way that I can see to do that is through complete obedience to Him. 1 John 5:3-5 states: "This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

I want to step it up. I want to push in. I have to have more of Him. I am not living here for temporary pleasures that lead me astray from my destination. I want to be obedient in everything I do. I choose to abstain from worldly pleasures, even ones that are not considered "sin" because if I go astray- I --have --nothing.

I need more of You, Lord. Let people call me crazy, freak, intense, fanatical, whatever... I want to be sold out for You... Let my life- the masterpiece in me You created- be a reflection of Jesus Christ...

I want more... and so do You...

Words...

Words are so powerful.  

It is interesting how certain words, when spoken, can alter the atmosphere in a room... change the mood of a person instantaneously... and on the spot destroy or resurrect something that has been labored on forever.

Words have the innate ability to spontaneously unlock and activate the joy in one's heart.   Words are also so potent, that they can obliterate the outward appearance and inward feelings of passion and zeal immediately. 

The bible states that "the tongue is as sharp as a double edged sword."  And, because of that, we are encouraged to consider what is being spoken at all times- before we speak.

I often get caught up in busyness that sometimes my words (or lack thereof) are not at all what I intend them to be.  But, even in the hype of life, I have to step back and consider what I am saying and how it is affecting those around me.  

Furthermore, words can be very destructive to self.  I often times will counteract an encouraging word with a negative word- and I am in turn nullifying or bringing discredit to the word that was intended for good.  

Frankly, the world is filled with enough negative and decitful words.  Why as Christians, do we add to the already daunting task of combating a world whose words are truly intended to kill, steal, and destroy.  Instead, let's call each other to task in what we allow ourselves and others to say.  Maintaining "truth" in our spoken words and building each other up by reiterating what God has already said about us will help us go forward boldly with one of the most powerful weapons we have been given- our words.

I have to learn to listen more than I speak, because my words can bring life or death... 

"Lord, let my words be used for the building up and the encouragement of the saints.  I want to glorify you in all I say."

The Altar Space(Part One)

Freedom. What does that word really mean?

Galatians 5:1 states that "it was for freedom that Christ set us free..." If that is true (and it is) how do we as Christians access and exercise this freedom in Christ? What exactly are we being set free from? And, furthermore, why so I see so many "free" Christians in the chains of bondage?

When my dad was growing up and in his teenage years, he would often ask his parents for money to go out and do certain things. Being one of thirteen children, my grandparents did not have a whole lot, but they were able to provide for their family. My dad would go to his dad and ask for $5 or $10 to go to a movie or buy the latest gadget. His dad would reply, "yes," and give him the money. Time would pass, and my dad would ask for money again. He would get the same answer. As time went on, it became easier and easier for my dad to ask for money because every single time he asked the reply was "yes." Interestingly enough, the more comfortable my dad became with asking for money the more frequently he would ask and the amount would steadily increase. Eventually, his parents gave him a credit card. My dad took the credit card and began using it moderately. As he began to use the credit card more and more, he realized that he could purchase whatever he wanted without any type of penalty.

My dad met my mom, and they married. They received all types of gifts from family and friends. However, much to their surprise, the gift given to them from his parents was a bill totaling the amount of money asked for since he was a teenager. It was in the thousands. It was not until that moment that he realized that all of his foolish spending was met at a high cost of two parents with multiple kids. This price was now his to pay.

When Christ sets you free, He is not giving you a license to do whatever you want whenever you want to do it. Quite to the contrary, the moment you accept Christ, He creates in you healthy boundaries in which true freedom can be expressed through joy, hope, and peace. It is when the Christian takes advantage of this freedom that he breaches the boundary lines and treats himself to the prodigal land.

We have to understand that our freedom is IN Christ Jesus. We are no longer slaves to sin, but we are truly set free to glorify and live for Him within His boundaries.

As I examine my heart, I need the Lord to illuminate the areas of freedom that I have taken advantage of. What areas of my life have I re-enslaved myself to? What relationships have I decided to be in that take away my joy and peace? What hinders me from truly being free?

The answers to these questions are found in the altar space. The altar space is the only place that death and life co-exist. The altar space is a place of exposure, because it is a place of repentance. The altar space is a place of mercy, because it is a place of redemption. The altar space is a place of victory, because it is a place of freedom.

It's in the altar space that God Himself is revealed. And where God reveals Himself- there is true freedom.

See you in the altar space...

The Ugly Truth About a Beautiful Portrait

Wow! Life can be challenging at times.

Lately, I have been pondering how insignificant God's commands have become to Christians. I know that this is a very bold statement as it almost seems like a total contradiction. But is it?

In a message I heard last week, it was stated that Christians are to paint a beautiful portrait of Christ, yet we settle for a very gray, white, and distorted picture instead. I believe that this is attributed to the lack of obedience among the Christian population, coupled with the fear of defending and sharing the faith with others. In the same message, it was explained how very ready we are to listen to others share their point of view opposing Christianity, yet we are often very silent and non-confrontational. How true.

This is what 1 John 2:1-6 states:

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands." As I read this, I begin to understand that the underlying problem is not that Christians shy away from defending their faith for sake of embarrassment alone. No. It's our disobedience that hinders us from really knowing HIM. And there is no way that we can defend or feel strong enough to defend someOne or something we know nothing about... selah (think about it...).

The challenge that I am making to myself is to begin identifying those areas in my life in which I have become complacent, content, and disobedient so that I can plunge into the great tapestry of colors that will paint a far more attractive and illuminating picture of Christ to both myself and others.

I want to know Him so that I can defend Him. I want to defend Him because He loves me. The way that I will get to know Him is by obeying His commands.

Flesh vs Spirit

Whenever I am around Pastor Ronnie, and I hear him pray, he often prays "flesh gives birth to flesh...Spirit gives birth to Spirit..."  When I heard this for the first time, I remember thinking to myself, "well that makes sense."  Thus, I began to say that phrase often in my prayer time.  

It is amazing how God works, because this past week while on vacation, the Lord was speaking to me regarding this phrase.  And, of course, in God's sometimes hilarious way, the message this Sunday was focused on flesh vs Spirit.  I never understood really what the phrase meant until this week.  

This week, God illuminated certain situations, circumstances, and mainly relationships in my life in which the origin was the flesh or of the flesh.  This is not to say that these areas were not or are not "ordained" by God, but my approach and my initiation or engagement of these began in the flesh.  

I often wonder why there are certain things that I have an easier time handling or dealing with than others- specifically in regard to my emotions and feelings.  Why do I tend to get angry or impatient in this relationship, but not as much in another?  Why do I tend to feel like I do not have a good handle on a problem, when I have handled far worse?  

The truth is that when something begins without the Holy Spirit's involvement, then it only stands to reason that when the time comes to encounter problems and issues with that something, the reaction is from the flesh.  Thus, flesh gives birth flesh.  This includes fleshly reactions,  fleshly emotions, and fleshly feelings.  In many ways, this is where insecurity sets in and takes form.  

The opposite can be said regarding the Holy Spirit.  When something begins with the Holy Spirit's involvement and control, then our reaction to that something in times of conflict is much different than when coming from the flesh.  It is when the Holy Spirit has control that you find it easier to have patience with people, love the unlovely, walk in humility, and exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in your life.  

So then, I am learning more and more that it is important daily to die to my flesh and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me.  When I follow His lead, I find true joy and true peace that passes understanding.

I encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit to be involved in your everyday choices and decisions, because flesh gives birth to flesh, and Spirit gives birth to Spirit.

Kevin