Counter-Clockwise Christianity

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

John 6:66

John’s garden consisted of a broad spectrum of fruits and vegetables; from tomatoes and peas to banana and bell peppers; sweet corn and broccoli to melons and potatoes; acorn squash and Brussel sprouts to zucchini and pole-beans. Retirement had its privileges; John could spend as much time as he wanted nurturing each plant, making sure no weeds escaped his notice of eviction.

One day a passerby stopped to comment on John’s hard work, “I love to see someone tending their garden!” he exclaimed. “Those are some of the finest pole-beans I have ever seen! How do you grow them so tall?”

John, pointing to the bottom of the ten foot tripod-shaped bean poles, answered, “When the vines first begin looking for a place to attach their tendrils you have to give them a hand.” He made animated circular motions, indicating how he’d woven the vines onto the poles. “But the most important part is how you wrap them on the poles. You see…” he said, leaning closer as if to say I’m sharing a great secret, “the beans will only grow when wrapped in a clockwise direction. If you wrap them counter-clockwise, the beans not only refuse to grow, they will die within three days.”

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John’s statement is true: pole-beans won’t grow against their nature. They literally get their own way…or rebel and die.

Many Christians are like John’s pole-beans; they thrive as long as they get what they want, yet rebel, leaving Jesus, to die a spiritual death because what He asks is too hard for them.

Jesus knew he would lose followers, yet didn’t try to stop them from leaving. He understood that some people won’t conform to another’s will. Living for Christ requires our voluntary commitment. Understanding this, Jesus gently reaches out, prepared to guide us in the most beneficial direction. Whether He weaves our lives into something beautiful, or we go our own way, is a choice. Jesus candidly asks, “Will you allow Me to tend your life? Or will you leave me too?”

Prayer

“I want to be a strong, healthy servant, Lord. Shape my life, and when I whine about the bending, help me remember that You know what’s best. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Drink Deeper Still!

…let him come to me and drink…streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7:37, 38

Grace Community had been looking for property to build on for three years when a wonderful opportunity was presented to them. A local business owner had decided to sell his business. The rural property consisted of a warehouse large enough to house a sanctuary and several rooms; two showrooms large enough for several more rooms and office space; and a twenty-five hundred square foot home; all well-maintained, sitting on six acres.

Having discovered through a mutual friend of Grace Community’s need, the businessman contacted them, offering his property at an amazingly low price. Before long they had signed a sales contract. A few weeks later, with closing under way, the water well gave out. It would need drilled an additional thirty feet to guarantee a sufficient water source.

After considering the additional cost of drilling, the church decided to proceed, and contacted the owner to let him know. They were astonished to find out he had completed the drilling, at no cost to them. To top it off, he had installed a brand new water pump!

This businessman had been blessed by God many times. As far as he was concerned he could do no less than turn over the property in the best condition possible, at the price they had settled on, handling any after-costs himself. He was letting God’s life-giving water continue its course.

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It may seem unusual to have a deal of this nature find you. Yet, when God is teaching the hearts of men, supernatural things happen. God teaches for the purpose of building relationships. And in seeking to discover His nature He wants us to come thirstily.

The businessman, being well watered, understood the giving-nature of God, and how God uses His children to bless others. God had already established in him a giving heart; doing the upgrade was a no-brainer.

Jesus says, “Come closer; drink deeply!” And as our relationship develops; He beckons us to, like drilling the water-well deeper into its source, drink deeper still, becoming life-giving streams!

Prayer

“Loving Father, when I see the beginning of Your heart, and have experienced some of Your goodness, open my heart, and take me deeper still. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

When Evil Knocks

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion…resist him, standing firm in the faith.

1Peter 5:8, 9

The heavy tapping sounded odd. With the shades drawn, Nora couldn’t see who was at the door. Getting out of the recliner, she drew back the curtain to get a look. Surprised by what she saw, she involuntarily jumped back, ripping the curtain from the window! Standing at the front door was a full-grown, Herford bull!

Regaining her feet, Nora shoved the recliner in front of the door and headed downstairs to alert her mother.

Her abrupt arrival in the kitchen startled Jane, “Honey, what’s wrong?”

“There’s a bull at the front door!” took a moment to register.

“A what?!” Jane asked.

After assuring her mother she wasn’t joking, they ascended the stairs. The bull was nowhere in sight. That was when they heard the commotion downstairs. Descending the stairs, they found the huge bull shoving at a storage bin on the back porch!

Realizing it was the neighbor’s bull, and he not having a telephone, they weighed their options, anxiously discussing what they should do. Finally, Jane snuck out the upstairs door to her car, and went to get the neighbor. After what seemed like forever to Nora, Jane returned. As the man got out of the car he cautioned Jane to wait in the car until he got the animal back in the pasture, because as he put it, “That’s one evil bull!”

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It would be great if everything dangerous to our spiritual well-being could be identified this easily. If so, we could imitate Nora’s response by barring the door, refusing danger easy access. Then we could discuss our options with God.

But, for the most part, Satan does not roar; he prowls silently, using more subtle approaches that we fail to recognize. And once inside the door, he is relentless.

Peter says to be alert in our efforts to recognize Satan’s schemes, and to resist his tempting offers.

The only way to recognize such deception is through a constant connection with the One Who reveals evil’s true nature. Then when evil knocks…we’ll know to bar the door.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to discern the enemy’s subtle temptations, and give me the faith to resist his lies. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Take a Stand

Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

Psalm 94:16

At the beginning of the 2011 U.S. Open, NBC broadcast a lead-in meant to stir the hearts of patriotic Americans. With flags flying in the breeze and soldiers standing at attention, a group of children held their hands over their hearts and recited the ‘Pledge of Allegiance.’

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…” They paused, and the picture cut from the children to soldiers standing at attention, saluting our Nation’s most honored symbol.

“And to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation…” There was a discernible sense of pride on the faces of the children as they took the sacred pledge. The pause lingered, the viewers awaited the declaration of the real reason for our freedom…

“With liberty and justice for all.” the kids proudly proclaimed.

And with that the announcer began NBC’s coverage of the U.S. Open Championship.

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“Under God” had been cut from the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ not once, but twice. Sadly, NBC had removed the most important statement in the ‘Pledge’ on purpose. Within minutes the telephone switchboard had overloaded, and their email mailbox was full from the responses of true Americans.

In their feeble apology an hour later, NBC stated, “Regrettably, a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance that was in that feature was edited out. It was not done to upset anyone and we’d like to apologize to those of you who were offended by it.”

Funny, but no one mentioned that the word “indivisible” had also been edited. The reason? By cutting ‘under God’, NBC was trying to render our United States divided, so they couldn’t use it either.

And in truth, we are no longer ‘one nation, under God.’ We have been effectively divided by godless enterprises and ideologies that hate God.

This hate-filled ideology continues to this day. And it doesn't take much exploration to find even worse.

Unless you are willing to take a stand with God, as David did in today’s text, remain quiet. No one wants your opinion.

I hope that statement makes you angry…angry enough to take action.

Prayer

“God, I am sorry for not standing up for You and this great Nation. I re-pledge my allegiance to You. Open doors for me and give me another opportunity to speak on Your behalf. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

What Do I Know Of Holy?

I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

Exodus 31:13

Standing alone on a secluded stretch of beach, Jen was awed by the vastness of the ocean. She was pondering her pastor’s recent sermon: “What do you know of holy?”

With the surf pounding her legs, she was reminded of God asking Job, “Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb?” Job 38:8

Trying to fathom the implication of all this being spoken into being by a God she didn’t really understand, Jen was convicted of role-playing her way through life.

She’d always held a secret resentment against God for being so demanding. She wanted to do as she pleased, yet retain her right to Salvation.

In this moment, catching a glimpse of God’s true nature, Jen admitted, “I’ve always wanted You on my terms; knew all I wanted to know; had You all figured out.

“But You’re a paradox. Because a God big enough to handle my problems, and small enough to understand, is no god at all.

“You created all this…spoke it into motion,” she said with reverence. “Why should You care about me? Or that I live a holy life?” Which prompted, “Why do You care…and what, exactly, do I know of holy?”

Tossing another shell out to sea she had to admit, “Not much.”

With a never-ending love God continued wooing her, asking for the un-surrendered parts of her life, all the while surrounding her with witness of His nature.

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Holy is the sacred and reverent nature of God that can neither sin, nor abide it.

With our sanctification in mind, growing toward holiness in Jesus Christ, God asks to divinely influence our lives through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Conversely, as He calls, our human nature resists complete surrender, attempting to live partially-holy through the power of self-control.

But holiness is a lifestyle of surrender, unattainable through self-control because of the very nature of sin. In self-control’s place, daily surrender must come, allowing God access to live…in and through us.

Though we may not at present understand it, if we allow Him God will teach us all about holy.

Prayer

“LORD, sanctify me and make me holy. Teach me to surrender daily to Your life presence me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Adapted from the song: “What Do I Know Of Holy” by Addison Road

Change of Desire

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Andrew and Jamie loved ministering to the people of Cedarville, TX. They couldn’t imagine being any place else.

The one August morning, as Andrew was sitting in his office at the church, he suddenly felt a longing to be anywhere but Cedarville. Just two weeks before he’d told someone he didn’t want to be anywhere else. Now, he had no explanation for this about-face. Andrew spent a couple hours in prayer seeking God’s leading, wanting to know why his heart had changed so dramatically. And in answer to his prayer, God told Andrew that he and Jamie would be leaving Cedarville by November 1^st.

Always ready to do as God asked, Andrew went home to tell Jamie wheat God had told him. Upon arriving at the house, Andrew saw a for sale sign in the front yard. That’s strange he thought as he entered the house. “What’s with the for sale sign in the front yard?” he asked Jamie.

“The landlord came by today and said he’s selling the house. We have until November 1^st to be out,” she told him.

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Events and circumstances were order by God to move Andrew and Jamie forward…into the next phase of their ministry. In their case, the Wommacks prepared to move, knowing God had ordained them to minister somewhere else, ending their time in Cedarville.

Following God’s plan for our lives requires knowing God. This is not a casual acquaintance. It’s a relationship that’s prepared to do and go where He calls; be it a change of address, a change of jobs…or just a change of heart.

Like the automatic pilot on an airplane, God suggests course corrections, giving us ample indicators that will bring us to our preferred destination. But we need to be sensitive to God’s leading in order to recognize these course corrections. Otherwise, they just appear as frustration-filled barriers.

A life yielded to God produces unfathomable blessing. Yet, God will not alter our course, Himself. He will only point us in the right direction. The choice to follow is ours.

Prayer

“Lord, make me sensitive to Your leading. Help me put fear of the unknown where it belongs…in Your capable hands. Lead on. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Just Point and Click

I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

1 Corinthians 2:1

Nancy was an amateur photographer. Nature was her medium, butterflies and hummingbirds her forte’. She loved capturing images for posterity, and over the years she had taken some pretty awesome pictures. So many in fact, that she could publish a book, showcasing some of her more dramatic shots.

One picture in particular always caught the eye of those who looked through her extensive portfolio. The bright orange center of each tiny violet bloom contrasted vividly against the deep green leaves of a beautiful butterfly bush. Framed in the center of the picture was a hummingbird moth, collecting nectar from each flower. The tiny moth’s wings beat a thousand times a second as it hovered over the plant. That a moth could so closely resemble a bird was astounding! Its luminescent bronze wings and feathery-looking fan tail were so intricate in detail. The similarities between its namesakes were remarkable. The fact that Nancy had captured its fragile beauty was even more impressive.

When asked how she managed to capture such wonderful images, Nancy replied, “Honestly? I just point and click. The more I adjust the settings and set up for the ‘perfect photo’, the worse it turns out. Every print you see was a point and click picture.”

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Nancy’s approach to photography is a wonderful example of how God wants us to share the gospel, with simple and understandable words, leaving the conviction and revelation to Him. He has good reason.

There is nothing more confusing and frustrating than when someone uses eloquent speech in an effort to display their extensive vocabulary or their grasp of the situation, when simple words would do.

Paul reminded the Church at Corinth that he had not used eloquent speech to woo them. He’d spoken to them about Jesus in simple, understandable terms. And if anyone could have wooed them with eloquence, it was Paul. But he was wise enough to understand that wordy speeches fail to present the true nature of salvation through Jesus Christ.

So the next time you share the gospel, why not give the ‘just point and click’ method a try.

Prayer

“Holy Spirit, help me keep it simple as I share about Jesus. Amen.”