Being The Light

I feel I need to offer you all a sincere apology for not writing for the last week and a half. There really is no excuse other than being extremely busy and tired. I suppose those are valid excuses, but the reality is when you are in the middle of a God process, it's hard to get out in words all you are feeling, thinking, and experiencing. I've seen so many things over the last 10 days or so that have impacted me in ways I can't explain. Through all of it, I know the enormity of the miracles to come are beyond my comprehension.

In one of my last posts I explained the importance of the concert called Invasion that is happening in Charlotte on June 30. In addition to living my "normal" life of working as much as possible and being a single mom, I have been doing everything I possibly can to spread the word about this event. I've asked my girls to view last week and this upcoming week as if mom is on a missions trip, but they do get to see me for a few hours every day. There are some serious bills I need to get paid (insurance, register my car, electric, etc.) so I am doing everything possible within my own strength. To God's glory He has constantly provided me with the strangest ways to earn money. In addition to cleaning houses, I've performed secret shopper mystery shops and been selected for market research studies. I've sold things on Craigslist. I've also had people hand me money for no reason other than God told them. I've also witnessed a direct correlation between the more I give and serve God and the more blessings are arriving. Not that I do any of it in order to receive. The reason I do it is because God has already given me so much through His grace, forgiveness, and death on the cross, how could I NOT choose to live for Him fully?

I shared the above information not in an attempt to gain sympathy, but to share that no matter what battles or issues I may have in my life, I can say I have peace about it all. My comfort and my rest is in Christ. However, the reality of our world is most do not have this same peace and hope. As I've been out on the street passing out tickets for Invasion, I've seen hurt up close and personal. I've talked to prostitutes, strippers, addicts, alcoholics, and gang members. We were in one of the worst neighborhoods in Charlotte last night passing out tickets to men who had guns on their waistbands proudly displayed and at the ready if needed. We saw a girl about 15 walking alone at night on these streets wearing a bikini top and shorts. When we stopped to talk to her I saw the face of my 6 year old daughter and she spoke with even less confidence than her. When I handed her the ticket I held her hand for just a second and looked into her eyes to ask her name and told her how much I hoped to see her there on Saturday. She replied with a softly spoken "yes ma'am." As I drove off Amy and I looked at each other with looks of pain for this precious child of God who doesn't even know how treasured she is to Him.

Of all the faces I've seen and conversations I've had, there are certain ones that I can't forget. We are expecting over 25,000 people on Saturday and as crazy as it sounds, there are specific faces I will be looking for in that crowd. When you are out in the darkness you receive a new revelation of what it means to be in the light. We are not called to sit in our comfortable houses keeping the light all to ourselves. Nor should we expect the darkness to come to our door asking to come inside. Darkness does not have the ability to penetrate light. We are called to GO out into the darkness. Our light is to be carried into the darkness to show those living there that there is another way and there is one who is greater than any darkness they face.

" This is what God the LORD says-he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." Isaiah 42:5-7

I will try to write again this week, but the reality is I may not find time to do so. Please keep myself and the others who are going out into the streets in your prayers. It is likely there will be people out every night or day this week. Please also keep the entire Invasion leadership team in your prayers as we are finalizing all the last minute details. Please keep the artists in your prayers. Satan is very well aware of the threat we pose and in the past we have battled serious spiritual attacks in the days and hours before the event. Charlotte will be no exception, but we serve the ruler of everything and the one who has already defeated satan. Please also pray for more volunteers. The greatest tragedy in this would be for people to step into salvation with no one available to hold their hand or welcome them home.

Answering The Call To Battle

I am currently reading the book of 1 Chronicles. If you have not read the first few chapters word for word, name by name, I recommend you give it a try. It's not as easy as you might think. Today I read chapter 12 which describes the first warriors who came to join King David when he was banished by Saul. The names are given in addition to their skill levels. There were archers who could use both hands skillfully. There were men who had been trained for battle. Some are described as having faces of lions and swift as gazelles. These were no ordinary warriors.

More names are listed and are said the least of them could take on 100 men themselves and the greatest could take on 1,000. These men crossed the Jordan to be at the side of King David when the river was overflowing its banks. They risked their own lives in order to answer the call to battle alongside David. Then, in the midst of listing all those who rushed to his aid is a verse that stopped me in my reading.

"And some from Manasseh defected to David when he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away by agreement, saying, He may defect to his master Saul and endanger our heads." 1 Chronicles 12:19

Even though thousands were willing to come alongside David in battle, there were still those who were fearful and doubted his cause. They were worried David's battle would fail or he would have second thoughts on his commitment and that would come back to harm them. I have seen this happen in our own lives when we are facing a battle. It could be one of a spiritual or an emotional nature. There are those who are willing to risk being hurt themselves (ie those who crossed the Jordan at its highest time of year) but there are also those who will refuse to become involved because it could cause them to look badly in the future.

My favorite part of this chapter is that after this verse it continues telling of those who join David's side. It does not dwell on those who have refused to be there during David's time of need. It does not say David was devastated or called off what he knew God was telling him to do. How do you react when those whom you thought would be there for you disassociate themselves from you during your time of battle? Verse 22 says "At that time, men came day after day to help David until there was a great army, like an army of God."

Because of Jesus' death and resurrection we are always surrounded by an army of God. The Holy Spirit is always with us in any battle we face. Focus on those who stand with you, not those who are absorbed in their own needs. I think David's story ended pretty well without them.

King Josiah

I was reading last night in 2 Kings the story of King Josiah. His story is refreshing after you have read through the book of 2 Kings and read of all the kings who were disobedient to God. Reading the story of Josiah is an example of what happens when we are no longer ignorant. While repairing the Lord's temple the book of the law is found. The way this is discussed leads me to believe it had been missing. Were generations of kings and citizens disobedient simply because they no longer read the law?

The court secretary tells the king the book has been found and reads the book to the king. Upon hearing the words read, the king is so distraught he tears his clothes in agony. He wants to find out what to do to repent for his ancestors not obeying the word of God. I love what happens in response to the heart change inside of Josiah. This is long, but important to see all that was done.

"And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the articles that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.5 Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.6 And he brought out the wooden image from the house of the Lord, to the Brook Kidron outside Jerusalem, burned it at the Brook Kidron and ground it to ashes, and threw its ashes on the graves of the common people.7 Then he tore down the ritual booths of the perverted persons that were in the house of the Lord, where the women wove hangings for the wooden image.8 And he brought all the priests from the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; also he broke down the high places at the gates which were at the entrance of the Gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were to the left of the city gate.9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brethren.10 And he defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire to Molech.11 Then he removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the Lord, by the chamber of Nathan-Melech, the officer who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.12 The altars that were on the roof, the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord, the king broke down and pulverized there, and threw their dust into the Brook Kidron.13 Then the king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, which were on the south of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the people of Ammon.14 And he broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images, and filled their places with the bones of men.15 Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high place and crushed it to powder, and burned the wooden image.16 As Josiah turned, he saw the tombs that were there on the mountain. And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar, and defiled it according to the word of the Lord which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.17 Then he said, What gravestone is this that I see? So the men of the city told him, It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things which you have done against the altar of Bethel.18 And he said, Let him alone; let no one move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.19 Now Josiah also took away all the shrines of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord to anger; and he did to them according to all the deeds he had done in Bethel.20 He executed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned mens bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem.21 Then the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.22 Such a Passover surely had never been held since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah.23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was held before the Lord in Jerusalem.24 Moreover Josiah put away those who consulted mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord.25 Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him." 2 Kings 23:4-25

When I read this I see a picture of many who encounter Jesus today and there is a complete change in everything in their life. When we have a genuine with God, the evil that exists becomes offensive to us. We rid our homes of those things that are offensive to God. Our ears can no longer hear the things we used to be comfortable with hearing. Our eyes can no longer look on the things we used to with ease. The idols we have built in our lives begin to crumble. It is not because we have been TOLD to do these things, but because our love and reverence for God is greater than anything this world has to offer us.

Are there things in your life that need to be torn down and destroyed? I pray for God to reveal to you the idols you have built in your life. There are possibly things in your home that need to be thrown out and destroyed. Just as there were people removed from the temple there may be people and relationships you need to remove from your life. I pray for a true God encounter for you this weekend so these things will be revealed.

Grace Not In Vain

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Corinthians 15:10
I read these words this morning and had to share them with you. They were written by Paul as he is explaining his reasoning for preaching the gospel. He refers to himself as not worthy because of the persecution of Christians he committed before his supernatural encounter with Christ. The more I read this verse, the more I love Paul. I feel much like him when he says it is by the grace of God that he is what he is. I know I would be nothing without God's grace to me.

The second part of his statement gives me pause. "His grace toward me was not in vain." How is God's grace towards me being used in my life? How is it being used in yours? Is His grace towards you being used in your labor for Him or is it something you are holding close to your heart like a little secret between you and God?

Most of the people I know who "labor abundantly" are those who, like Paul, were once the worst of the worst when it came to sin and blasphemy towards God. There is something that happens when we are living a life of absolute rebellion and then God's grace floods into our lives. There is nothing they will not do to proclaim His name. As we step out to labor for Him, His grace is with us. The Holy Spirit will never leave us. It is up to us to listen to Him. Paul says it is not himself that labors, but through God's grace in Him. When you step out in faith to labor for God, it is His grace that will carry you.

My prayer for you today is to examine the evidence of God's grace in your life. How do you show your appreciation for that grace? Don't make His grace in vain.

Naaman's Tantrum

I hope it is okay if as I am reading through the Bible I share with you my impressions on what I have read. I know that is usually what I do here anyway, but as I'm reading through I will be sharing scriptures you may not be familiar with hearing. Last night I was reading in 2 Kings 5 the story of Naaman, a commander of the army for the king of Aram. Naaman was viewed highly by the king and was described as being very brave. However, Naaman had a skin disease. In the culture of the time, this was a great tragedy. Word had spread of Elisha the prophet and Naaman requested to travel to see Elisha for healing of his disease. Not only did the king give his permission, but he sent Naaman with silver, gold, and clothing as a gift.

Naaman eventually arrives at Elisha's door with his horses, chariots, and gifts. A messenger comes outside and instructs Naaman to bathe seven times in the Jordan River to heal his disease. This is where the story becomes interesting to me. Although Naaman is told how to bring about his healing, he becomes angry. The cure was not delivered via the method he expected.

"But Naaman got angry and left, saying, "I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and will wave his hand over the spot and cure the skin disease.Aren't Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and left in a rage.But his servants approached and said to him, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more [should you do it] when he tells you, 'Wash and be clean'?" So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the command of the man of God. Then his skin was restored [and became] like the skin of a small boy, and he was clean." 2 Kings 5:11-14

Have you been believing for a miracle or a healing in your life? Are you willing to do whatever God says in order to receive your miracle? I think many of us miss out on a miracle of God because we are given instructions that do not align with our human thinking. Just like Naaman, we would be willing to do something BIG for God, but become angry or frustrated when asked to do something small. Yet, in God's kingdom there is nothing small. Just as in 2 Kings, God can work miracles even in the small areas of our life. And just like Naaman, we may have to travel away from where we are comfortable in order to find that healing.

I also love how it was Naaman's servants who talked sense into him when he was in his rage. It was his servants who provided him with the wisdom to give this cure a try. I admire Naaman for his willingness to listen to what his servants had to say to him. So often we reject the wisdom of those who serve with us. This story is a reminder to me that I should always be open to how God speaks to me. I can have a picture in my mind of how God will work, yet his ways are usually different than how I would work things out. I must never be closed off to how God wants to move in my life. I must also be willing to listen to the voice of wisdom in those around me.

Has God given you instructions that make no sense to the human mind? I would love to hear your stories of what happened when you listened to that voice!