SEIZED BY THE POWER OF A GREAT AFFECTION

 

Over 100 years ago, people in the south, who where in a relationship with Jesus Christ used the phrase, “I was seized by the power of a great affection.” (Google it) Brennan Manning quoted it often. I was seized by that power In 1978.

Let’s face it, 2020 sucks. But we need not live in fear. We must come to grips with the fact, whether we believe it or not, God is in control. He’s allowing all of these things to bring the church closer to Him, individually, and corporately as His Body.

We MUST NOT blame God, or see Him as the master of puppets behind all this craziness. If we indeed have spiritual eyes we will see the truth of Satan’s assault on our country and the world today: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus in John 10:10

The heart of God is to give us a full and abundant life. What a glorious promise! But we are in a sin-sick world in which Satan (for now) has limited freedom to accomplish his purposes of stealing, killing, and destroying.

There a so many voices (Christian and Secular) today screaming for our affections. But God’s Word is truth. Not believing it is truth doesn’t change the fact that it is.

• If we’ve been seized by this power, then we can relate to this passage from Isaiah: "Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5

Have you really seen the King with your spiritual eyes?

• If we’ve been seized by this power, then we MUST live by this rallying reminder from the Apostle Paul: "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”   Titus 3:1-3

We MUST pray for this country’s leadership.

• If we’ve been seized by this power, we will not be blinded by the truth of these verses that are holding our country captive: "He (God) said, “Go and tell this people: “ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Isaiah 6:9-10

We MUST understand that the church is under attack. We MUST be praying for the church.

• If we’ve been seized by this power, we will acknowledge that God is the only One to be feared (revered) and stop worrying about conspiracies: "Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.” Isaiah 8:12-13

There are so many conspiracy theories out there. We MUST pray for God’s truth to be revealed. Pray for discernment.

• If we’ve been seized by this power, we will experience TRUE FREEDOM to love and work for a free world. And yes, I’m an idealist.

“Freedom belongs to the core of the spiritual life; not just the freedom that releases us from forces that want to oppress us, but the freedom also to forgive others, to serve them, and to form a new bond of fellowship with them. In short, the freedom to love and to work for a free world.” Henri Nouwen

There are many in our culture and the world who consider Christians a disease. There is an old Russian proverb: "Those who have the disease called Jesus will never be cured.” In Jesus name, may we never be cured!!

Putting Humble Back in Humility

Take a Bite of Humble Pie

A recent article in Rolling Stone magazine sparked a fire in my heart regarding humility. It’s a cover story regarding an in-depth interview with U2’s Bono. In the context of humility, Bono says, “Humility is a genuine sense of your place in the universe and understanding that it is OK to play a quiet, supportive role in the lives of others. Greatness as a person comes from not pursuing it.”

If you think about it, what Bono says really ties in with what the Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:5 – “And all of you, serve each other in humility, for ‘God opposes the proud but favors the humble.’” Also, with what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4 — “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

At the same time, I’d been reading the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. I’ve probably read the account well over 30 times and have heard numerous sermons about his life. The one thing that stuck out to me this time around was Joseph’s humility. Joseph is an interesting study. As we read the entire account (Genesis Chapters 37-50) we see that Joseph was a shepherd, a slave, a convict, and finally a ruler…in that order. He was the 2^nd youngest of 12 sons of Jacob. He was his father’s favorite (even though most parents today say they don’t have favorites!) and that didn’t bode well with his other brothers…especially when his father gave him that special multi-colored robe. It says in Genesis 37 that his brothers couldn’t even say a kind word to Joseph. It seems like Joseph was young and naïve without much of a filter. It also seems that God had to purge Joseph of his youthful zeal by allowing the events that followed in his life to bring humility and dependency.

I also sense that Joseph got a life-lesson in pride when he shared his dream with his brothers: “Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” (Genesis 37:6-7) Hmmm…maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to share that with older brothers who didn’t like him that much in the first place! When he shared the dream with them, they obviously weren’t very happy about it! They thought he was saying that he would rule over them. So, they decided first to kill him, but upon further thought, realized it would be better to sell him into slavery. Maybe, just maybe, if Joseph wasn’t so proud to share that dream, and he didn’t learn humility through many trials over many years, his family would have never been blessed the way they were by the end of the story. Truly God’s ways are not our ways.

If we fast-forward Joseph’s story of slavery, imprisonment, false accusations, integrity, positive attitudes, humility, non-vengeful behavior, leadership, dream interpretations, and obedience, we see how he reacts to the way his brothers formerly treated him and how God used it all for the blessings of his family when God raised him up to be the most powerful man in Egypt, save Pharaoh (Genesis 41):

Genesis 50:19-21 — “¹⁹But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? ²⁰You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. ²¹No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.”

Wow…talk about humility!! Through all his years of humiliation and ultimate exaltation, Joseph was able to say to his brothers with all integrity and humility, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

Chuck Swindoll once wrote about greatness and humility, “Greatness is not revealed in one-time grand actions but in daily positive attitudes. If you’re under the impression you are going to be great because of some great action but you harbor wrong attitudes, you’re in for a terrible jolt. Greatness comes from a sweet spirit, humility, forgiveness, and support for fellow human beings.”

One of the things that I learned about humility a long time ago was this: As soon as you realize you’re humble, you’re no longer humble…pride creeps in to make you proud of your humility. Once again, “Greatness as a person comes from not pursuing it.”

Some humbling thoughts…

•  2Samuel 22:28 — “You rescue the humble, but Your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.”

• Proverbs 11:2 — “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

• Proverbs 15:33 — “Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.”

• Luke 14:11 — “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Jesus

• Colossians 3:12 — “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

There are stories after stories in the Bible of how God blesses and restores those who humble themselves before Him. Listen to what God does for those who are humble: He leads, rescues, hears, guides, cares for, supports, crowns with victory, is gracious to, fills with fresh joy, blesses, provides inheritance of the earth, exalts, delivers from enemies, and ultimately enables one to see God!

Brennan Manning once wrote, "What is humility? It is the stark realization and acceptance of the fact that I am totally dependent upon God’s love and mercy. It grows through a stripping away of all self-sufficiency."

Those statements beg a few questions: Am I absolutely, totally, unequivocally, dependent on God’s love and mercy? Do I really understand the depth of His absolute and unconditional love He sacrificially expressed to me on the cross? Do I really believe that His mercy far outweighs and removes all the sin-soaked stains in my life? Are His love and mercies really that simple?! “Simple?” you ask. Yes, they are that simple. Yet so very profound. Oh friend, let those truths soak in!

And what about all my self-sufficiency? Am I really willing to “put on the altar” all the things I am naturally good at in order to allow His power to work in and through me so that my weaknesses shine because only He can get the credit and the glory?! Oh yes. I would much rather be an empty vessel for Him to fill, an empty canvas on which He can paint, a lump of clay that He can mold, or a piece of dirt that He can breathe His life into.

Yes Lord, strip me away from me to total nakedness only to be clothed with the person of Jesus. No matter how cold it gets. No matter how much I try to cover myself. No matter how much I try to draw myself to the wrong fire of desire.

Please God…be patient and let not my self-sufficiency clothe me with garments that will get singed or wear out. Only in my nakedness will I be truly humble. 

LABELS

I’m sick and tired of “ists”: Leftists, rightists, extremists, lobbyists, political activists, Wall Streetists, Hollywood and media elitists, racists, abortionists, anti-abortionists, masochists, feminists, hedonists, nihilists, narcissists, atheists, religionists, animal activists, spiritualists, gay activists, and any other “ists” you can imagine. Frankly, I’m sick of all of it. What this world needs is more “Jesus-ists.” A people who live non-judgmental, unconditional lives of love, forgiveness, mercy, grace,  and compassion. And more people who are willing to “give up their own lives” and agendas for Jesus. When we look to Him, we will find the Truth. But it is so unfortunate that our own agendas blind us to the Master’s agenda of providing true peace, hope, love, freedom and reconciliation. Let’s stop making God in our own image and live lives conformed to His.

“The terrible thing is that our society, which pretends to be Christian, is in fact rejecting the word of God, enabled to do so by the all-pervading, suffocating noise of its own propaganda, able to make itself believe whatever it wants.” Thomas Merton

Matthew 10:34, 39 "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword…If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Jesus

And yes...I'm an IDEALIST!

Depression Slapped in the Face! PLEASE First Read Sunday July 21 "Game Plan" Blog for Context!

Monday, July 22. Wow…God is faithful! After my rant on Sunday, this is especially powerful. The next day, Monday morning during my time with God, I read the passage below (during my daily Bible reading) from the Gospel of Luke. He knew I needed this! Now this all may sound manic but it’s awesome to me how God’s timing has pinpoint accuracy, especially considering my blog/journal from Sunday. Every day, before I read my Bible, I also read from four different daily devotional books. At the end of this blog, I included from the same date, what Brennan Manning wrote from the collection, “Reflections for Ragamuffins.” My God, who knows me better than anyone else does, heard my heart’s cry. The bedrock of my worry, fear, and depression is lack of faith and trust. As I read the words in Luke I was comforted and convinced that I have nothing to worry about! He will meet all my needs. Again…I’ve known and experienced His supernatural provision for years . So why does it seem the older I get, the more faithless I get? 

I guess I’m learning that I must react differently to each little challenge that comes my way. It’s kind of like each little test is like adding one little pebble to another little pebble that morphs into a seeming insurmountable wall. The challenge really is “one day at a time.” One pebble at a time so it doesn’t even reach the heights of a curb. And to continue with Sunday’s analogy of “game plan”…stay on the field during the game because if the game plan changes, I need to be ready to pounce. One play at a time to victory.

Luke 12:22-34 ²² Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life- whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. ²⁴ Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! ²⁵ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ²⁶ And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? ²⁷" Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ²⁸ And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? ²⁹ "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. ³⁰ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. ³¹ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. ³²" So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. ³³ "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. ³⁴ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

When will I learn?! Worry is a sin because it is a lack of trust in God and putting myself in the driver’s seat. I worry because I’m trusting in me and I know I can never manipulate life and events to go in my favor. Only God can do that as I walk in submission to Him and His will. And I would so much rather Him be driving than me. HE REALLY DOES CARE! His GPS will never lead to a wrong turn.

Brennan Manning, Reflections for Ragamuffins, July 22 -- “Let me  make  a  suggestion.  Each day take a little time to pause and pray, "Jesus, I thank you for everything ." In this simple prayer there is humility, a deep trust in his love, surrender,  and thanksgiving. It glorifies Jesus and pleases the Father. It is a cry of abandonment. Actually, it is nothing more than what Paul asked of the Ephesians in chapter 5, verse 20: "Always and everywhere giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ .” As you pray daily in this way, I believe you will hear the Father say something like this: ‘My child, fan the flame of your confidence in me. Keep it burning . I want you to be happy, to come back again and again to this feeling of trust until you are never without it. Trust is an aspect of love. If you love me and believe in my love for you, you will surrender your whole self into my hands like a little child who doesn't even ask, 'Where are you taking me?' but sets off joyously, hand in hand with his mother. How many blessings this happy confidence wins for you, my little one." 

I have practiced Brennan’s suggestion for two days now and I’m telling you, it’s turning things around. With each moment of stressors or conflict before my mind reacts with mental cussing or complaining, I actually say/think, “Jesus, I thank You for everything.” All a part of renewing the mind and creating a heart of gratitude to the One with limitless Love.

Poverty Stricken

“Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.” Colossians 1:22-23

To believe this truth and stand firmly in it, I must be totally and absolutely emptied of self. Poverty stricken. I’ve known this theologically since I’ve been a Christian…almost 35 years. I’ve preached it, taught it, tried to live it but my meager attempts were all wrong. There was little room for grace. I was too hard on myself when I didn’t “live up to the expectations” of the religious people I was surrounded by. Even my own efforts to be good and do the right thing always came up short. I feel like I can never measure up. That is such a difficult place to be. I wasn’t standing firm in the truth that Jesus; because of His shed blood, sinless life, and taking on my sin; is the One whom all my righteousness is cloaked. I was living on my own merits….wearing my own “good deed doer” cloak. You would think after 35 years of this “knowledge,” I would have walked in the truth of His grace. NOTHING I do that is good will ever be good enough. The prophet Isaiah said it: Isaiah 64:6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. And the apostle Paul said it: Romans 3:9-12, 18 “… for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.  As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous-not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.’… They have no fear of God at all.’"

Now I am beginning to be free from the bondage of the cloak of “good deed doer.” Jesus dealt with my sin once and for all on the Cross. I am beginning to live in His grace…His righteousness…His freedom. Now this doesn’t mean I can do whatever I want and God will forgive me (of course He will!). What it does mean is that love is my motivation to wear His cloak. To live in His cloak and never take it off. Love others in this cloak (whether or not they love me). Judge not in this cloak. Serve others in this cloak.  Be gracious in this cloak. Be merciful in this cloak. Forgive in this cloak. Be compassionate in this cloak. Be thankful for all things in this cloak. Jesus’ cloak of righteousness will always be pure. And that frees me from becoming a people pleaser to live for an audience of One. I may get dirty, but His cloak is pure and righteous and holy and still covers me. The Father sees me in the righteous, blood soaked cloak of Jesus…no matter how smelly my undergarments may become.

Brennan Manning writes about this poverty: “The awareness of our innate poverty, that we were created from the clay of the earth and the kiss of God’s mouth, that we came from dust and shall return to dust, pulls away the mask of prestige, of knowledge, of social class, or of strength—whatever it is we use to command attention and respect…Poverty of spirit breaks through our human pretenses, freeing us from the shabby sense of spiritual superiority and the need to stand well with persons of importance…Poverty brings us to the awareness of the sovereignty of God and our absolute insufficiency. We simply cannot do anything alone. Any growth or progress in the spiritual life cannot be traced to our paltry efforts. All is the work of grace…I am convinced that without a gut level experience of our profound spiritual emptiness, it is not possible to encounter the living God.”