"JUST DO IT!"

REMEMBER THAT FAMOUS NIKE SLOGAN?

I have spent time over the past few weeks enjoying dvds that I just randomly chose from our church library. They were movies about men that I knew little about, so I decided to watch them and learn. As I began to watch these movies one by one, God began to show me that the movies that I had chosen were not just random choices at all. Every movie that I had chosen gave thorough detail of men who had devoted their life to making a difference in the world. Not just part time or on holidays, but literally full time commitment to reaching a lost and hurting world with the truth and hope for a better life.

In the past week as I was talking with my most confident friend, I shared my inner most feelings about the things I had seen in the dvds and how it made me feel. I have to say openly that I felt as though I had done so little for others in comparison. My life has been mostly devoted to the building of my own security and gain up to about two years ago. God got a hold of my heart and allowed me to see how uncaring the world and the church in general could be to those in desperate need. God showed me this by allowing me to experience what life felt like on the other side of the fence where the grass doesn't even grow and the rivers are dried up. Through the valley of disappointing experiences where I shared my need with others and received only a pat on the back or a promise to pray, I began to see what God wanted to reveal to me. Every one of the people who didn't respond to help with my or my families need for food, shelter, medicine, comfort and compassion reminded me of myself! That's right!  That is exactly how I acted for many years when anybody else shared their needs with me. When it finally sunk in that what I was experiencing was the same way I had treated others for so long, I got down on my knees and cried out to God for forgiveness.

From that moment forward, whenever I saw other people turn and walk away from a person in need of help or encouragement, my God would emphatically remind me, "DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT!", "DON'T LET THAT PERSON CRY OUT TO ME WHEN I HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO GIVE, ENCOURAGE OR PRAY WITH THEM!".

Since then, I have had the blessing of helping and encouraging others who are going through a crisis or spiritual battle in their personal life, but my actions haven't even scratched the surface of what God can do when I, like those men who surrendered themselves totally to His service in this world, do just that!

God wants me to give all I have to His service on this earth and for His glory on earth as it is in heaven. Our reward is promised in heaven if we don't make our treasure on earth.

 God has his own way of showing us the way we should go and the things we should do, but we all have a commission by Jesus to spread the word and care for the hurting. Some will be able to buy the seed, some will plant it, others will water it and a few will go out and harvest it. Jesus knew that the word was already out there when he told his disciples that the fields were ready for harvest. That's why he also said that the world will know his disciples by their love for each other.

What can I say today that would cause my brothers in Christ to show love, except to check your hearts and see if there really is love enough to make a difference. I would exhort you to really seek God to be used to make a difference and God will reveal His will to you. When He does, as Nike urged the world for years, "JUST DO IT!" Here is a short video of a man who has done just that. His movie is available at Redbox called "Machine Gun Preacher". You may not totally agree with all of his ways , but God said, "your ways are not my ways". What will You do?

DAY 4 - "WHEN HEART ACHES COME"

Meditations of the Heart

By Rob Bailes

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the cock shall crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.Luke 22:62

Jesus had told Peter to be strong for the rest of the disciples just the day before and to resist the temptation of the devil. Jesus cared and spent time talking to Peter, yet he was betrayed by him when the going got tough. Peter was afraid of the possibility that he would have to suffer the same punishment as Jesus, if he stood up and told the people what he believed, who he loved and even more importantly that Jesus was innocent of the charges. He hadn't stood up for his closest friend! I'm sure Jesus experienced heartache like never before to know and experience this total abandonment of his fellow believer and pupil.
How about physical hurt and pain? Do you have memories of this type of treatment? Maybe someone you know has been through this in their past or going through it right now? How well did you deal with it?

Maybe your mom or dad was physically abusive or called you names and mocked you. Have you carried your hurt and your tattered heart full of holes with you each day of your life since this happened? There is hope for your damaged heart. Stay with me until we finish this series on heart aches and you will see.

There is hope for your heart and mind! Jesus gave us hope for the hurting and I will show you how.

Maybe you had someone attack you in an abusive relationship and really hurt you in a effort to try to control who you made friends with or talked with outside of your home. Were you or someone you know attacked physically as a teen and violated by someone you thought to be a nice person, finding no way of escape as they overpowered you. They didn't even seem to care how much you cried and begged them to stop! Maybe you've never talked to anyone about this attack on your body, mind and character.
They just would not stop attacking until you finally gave up the battle to maintain a remnant your dignity and some sense of self protection. They just had to be in control of everything!

Even your very thoughts were attacked and conquered by filling them with fear! Have you or someone you know experienced this type of barbaric attack of mind and body? The huge holes that are left in our hearts when this happens leaves us with a tattered and torn adrenal system, shot nerves and an emotional zombie long after the attack is past. These holes can seem to be impossible to heal even after many years! Did you realize that our Lord and Savior experienced this too and He knows exactly how you or your friend are hurting? That's right! Jesus has personally felt our pain! It may not be easy for you, but look at the following passage with me,

And the men that held Jesus, mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously they spoke against him. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, and the chief priests, and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, Saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, ye will not believe. Luke 22:63-67

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was mocked, spit upon, blindfolded and struck in the face over and over, as they each asked Jesus to tell them the name of the person who had hit Him. Jesus could have scared them all and named not only them, but their entire family too if He wanted, but He chose to endure the pain and continue in His Father's will, BUT WHY? That you and I would find freedom from our sinful flesh!

His suffering was endured because His Father loves each of us equally. No matter what anyone else may tell you, it's true my friend! God loves you as much as He loves anyone else in this world!

Now the Spirit can come and live in us all, if we believe in Him and seek Him! If you haven't ever really made this choice, I reach out to you and invite you today. Jesus can be trusted and He will hear your voice where ever you may be!

DAY 3 - "WHEN HEART ACHES COME"

Meditations of the Heart

By Rob Bailes

And while he was yet speaking, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, Do you betray the Son of man with a kiss? Luke 22:47-48

At times we may find our character under attack by associates, church members or maybe even people we don't even know!

If not prepared, it will cause us critical damage and leave large tattered holes in our hearts. Have you ever experienced being rejected by someone you counted as trustworthy, because you chose from a moral standpoint to do or make the right choice? Maybe even your closest friend? Someone that you invested much time with or had even built a close relationship? The Lord Jesus Christ who came to give mankind life can relate to this totally. You'll see, as we look at the following passage,

Then they took him(Jesus Christ), and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed at a distance. Luke 22:54

Peter wasted no time looking out for his well being when he slipped back into the shadows so he wouldn't be noticed! Have you ever started into a mission with someone, only to find that they were no where to be found when the tough challenges came? It was a shocking experience, wasn't it? You probably felt a bit of disappointment deep down inside, didn't you?

It's ok to admit it. We all feel these things when we get surprised! But it's up to us, as to what we do with those feelings after that disappointment strikes. Have you ever thought that maybe the one who disappointed you might have felt remorse or guilt later? Maybe they were too embarrassed or proud to admit it to you. Maybe they do it so often that they just got tired of apologizing to people for hurting them. Just maybe they want to be different, but don't know where to find help.

You may say, "There's no way this person would have ever felt sorry for what they did!".

Are you so sure of that? Maybe it is our own pride and bitterness that keeps us from turning them over in prayer to the all powerful hand of the Lord Jesus Christ, who can do all things. Just look at what happened next to Peter!

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the cock shall crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61

Be careful not to underestimate the power of the Creator of all mankind. Jesus is equal with God, Invite Jesus to work in the minds of people who disappoint and hurt you. Let's concentrate on keeping our roots away from the bitter water, lest we begin to bear a bitter, useless fruit in our own life. Selah

"YOUR FAITH WILL CARRY YOU" - CONTINUED. . . Part 3

Posted on March 9, 2011 @ focusontheheart.org
For the "hope for the heart" page

Remember, it's so very important for us to be used of God and live a life, free from sin's bondage!

Why would anyone want to remain bound by sin?

The next passage we'll look at is about a woman who had been experiencing a continuous flow of blood for twelve years and she had been to many doctors trying their remedies and she spent all that she had, but on this day she had heard that the Lord Jesus was coming and she knew if she could only touch His robe, that she would become healthy and have a normal life again! She had come this day with unwavering faith; faith in the power of the Lord Jesus. She believed it with all of her heart! Imagine the joy that filled her life this day!

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, "If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole."
Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said,"Who touched my clothes?"
His disciples said unto him, "You see the multitude thronging thee, and you say, "Who touched me?". He looked round about to see her that had done this thing, but the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth and he said unto her, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague". ~ Mark 5:25-34

There was a woman of Canaan who had heard that Jesus was going to be at the coasts of Tyre and Sidon and she believed that Jesus could perform miracles and that He was the Lord. She also knew that she was not of Israel, like others who followed Jesus. Yet she knew what she believed and she wasn't going get discouraged and give up because of her ethnic origin, as often times this could be a major social and religious barrier in this region of the world. She knew Jesus could help her daughter who was controlled by a devil! She had to go in faith.
Her "friends" probably warned her that she wasn't going to be able to be helped, as she was not socially accepted by the nation of Israel. She likely had battled with those thoughts as she made the journey to where Jesus was, but by the time she had arrived she was so sure of His power that she knew if she could just get a few crumbs from the true Bread of Life, that her daughter would be free from being possessed by demons! Let's look at this passage in Matthew and see what happened,

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil".
But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and besought him, saying, "Send her away; for she cries after us". But he answered and said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel".
Then she came and worshipped him, saying, "Lord, help me".
But he answered and said, "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs".
She said, "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table".
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt", and her daughter was made whole from that very hour. ~ Matthew 15:22-28

Men and women who were made whole or who were freed from evil spirits were all changed forever! What I'd like for us all to focus on now, is what made the difference in the lives of the men who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus, what made the difference in the life of the woman who had spent at least a quarter of her life in pain, sorrow and doctor's offices trying to find an answer and what made the difference in the life of the mother and the daughter who suffered from control of a demon that had planned to destroy her body, mind and soul.
The thing that made the difference in the lives of these people and others throughout the Word of God, is that these men and women had come to an understanding; a major realization of the hope that was found only in the Lord Jesus, who had come to earth as a man to seek and to save that which was lost.

You see, they had all come to understand the fear of the Lord's Power through respect and reverence; they had come to understand the love of the Lord in His grace and willingness to forgive people of their sin. That realization was what brought each and every one of them to the understanding of His compassion on them all, as He always recognized their faith and trust in Him as their Savior!

Your FAITH in GOD will carry you through the difficulties and bring you amazing deliverance from the circumstances and troubles of this world.

You will be able to live above the times of crisis and sorrow, when you trust GOD to CARRY YOU as Your Faith will also make You Complete in Christ Jesus!

Many are facing disasters and troubes beyond their imagination internationally today , but my friend, I assure you, "Christ is there for You!"

Let's learn from and take comfort in the words written and passed down to us by David the psalmist.

"Cast your (troubles) burden on the Lord and He will (keep) sustain you! He will not allow the (to live & do right) righteous to be (weak) moved!" ~ Psalm 55:22

Also the words of Isaiah the prophet will give comfort, strength and guidance for you in this time when things may seem so hopeless! You can rely on this prophecy of hope!

Have you not known? Have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?

There is no searching of his understanding.
He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.

Even the youth will faint and be weary, and the young men will utterly fall:

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.

~ Isaiah 40:28-31 ~

"MY HEART'S SONG"

God has truly given me a New Life! By the renewing of His power He has transformed me that I might, as a common man, be able to do the good and perfect will of God along my journey in this world! Join in "My Heart's Song" of Praise to Him.

On 2/16/11 (God gave me these words whereby I was able to praise my LORD for a New Life that's available to All )
We're still working on the music, but use your imagination for now and praise our Lord God Almighty with me today!

God saved my Soul & Life from sin,
Transformed my heart, renewed within.
Leaving behind the things of past;
Living my Life for Christ.... at last!

Oh Praise the Lord! New Life He gives..;
Gives Life abun..dant..ly......;
no not I, But Christ in me....be glorified E..ter...nal...ly..!"

So now I live this life for Him;
His balm so faithful heals and mends.
And when He took His final breath,
His grace He gave instead of death.

Oh Praise the Lord! New Life He gives..;
Gives Life abun..dant..ly......;
no not I, But Christ in me....be glorified Eter...nal...ly..!

FOCUS ON FORGIVING

Posted on January 24, 2011 @ focusontheheart.org

You may be asking yourself, "How can I forgive?"

Paul said, "Ye ought rather to forgive him and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with too much sorrow. For this reason I beseech you that you would confirm your love toward him." ~2Corinthians 2:7-8

We all need mercy, because we all stumble and fall and require help getting back on track. We need to offer mercy to each other and be willing to receive it from each other. You can’t have fellowship without forgiveness because bitterness and resentment always destroy fellowship. Sometimes we hurt each other intentionally and sometimes unintentionally, but either way, it takes massive amounts of mercy and grace to create and maintain fellowship.

Again in the book of Colossians, the apostle Paul says, “Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so should you do”. ~Colossians 3:13

The mercy God shows to us the motivation for us to show mercy to others. Whenever you’re hurt by someone, you have a choice to make: Will I use my energy and emotions for retaliation or for resolution? You can’t do both. Many people are reluctant to show mercy because they don’t understand the difference between trust and forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past. Trust has to do with future behavior. Forgiveness must be immediate, whether or not a person asks for it. Trust must be rebuilt over time. Trust requires a track record. If someone hurts you repeatedly, you are commanded by God to forgive them instantly, but you are not expected to trust them immediately, and you are not expected to continue allowing them to hurt you. They must prove they have changed over time.

The best place to restore trust is within the supportive context of a small group that offers both encouragement and accountability. Find a church or support group in your area and invite the person you are forgiving to go along. Selah.

"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." Colossians 4:6