Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! (Matthew 10:8)
Prompted by Donna Partow's book, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be: A 90-Day Guide to Living the Proverbs 31 Life, I decided to write a mission statement for my the remainder of my life. Here's what I wrote:
LIVE OUT LOUD Matthew 10:8.
That's why I named my blog Matthew 10:8. Writing a mission statement for your life and living it are two different things. Today, at least, I'm asking the big, age-old question: Why? Why did I do it? Why is it so hard? Why do I want to quit every other day and why can't I? I've really been challenged a lot lately. I've been confused, questioned, misunderstood, beaten down, crushed, mocked, and accused. I've been on the mountain top, in the valley, on a roller coaster, and on an adventure and thrill of a lifetime. I always come back to the question WHY? Why am I not seeing the dead raised, the lepers cleansed, demons cast out, and ALL the sick healed?
And then someone very wise gave me some counsel and perspective. If God allows me to make a difference in just ONE person's life. If He uses me to heal one ailment, cast out one demon, cure one case of leprosy, or raise one person from the dead (physically or spiritually), it will be a life well-spent. As someone who has received healing from an incurable disease, I know how important for me that ONE moment was and continues to be. It has literally changed my entire life. It is the reason I can't quit. It is the reason why I have to get up every day and give it another shot. It is the reason why I must continue to lay hands on every sick person I encounter. It is the reason why I must keep striving for the standard set by Jesus: 100% healed! It is the reason why I must strive to LIVE OUT LOUD Matthew 10:8. Freely I have received. Freely I must give. It burns in my bones (Jeremiah 20:9).
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Honor the Point
In Bill Johnson’s book “Face to Face with God” he talks about how when we recognize God's presence through others and we "mimic" their actions, or step out in faith believing that God has shown up, that we will also experience God's presence. He writes:
"It's possible to be right next to God and not know it! I often see this truth played out in life. It never ceases to amaze me that in the same meeting one person can be experiencing a powerful touch from the Lord, and at the same moment the person next to him is wondering when the meeting will be over so he can go to lunch.
There are two things that we should learn from this fact. The first thing to realize is that it is possible to position ourselves to encounter God by learning to recognize the signs of His presence, not only as we experience them but also as others experience them. My hunting dog is trained to 'honor the point' of the other dogs he is hunting with. That means that he 'points,' even when he has not yet picked up a scent of his prey. He assumes the same posture to give me a signal that he has found something. He takes the same posture that the other dogs have. As a result, he eventually picks up the same scent that they have picked up. Likewise, when we recognize that others around us are connecting with the presence of God, even when we are not yet aware of Him ourselves, we set ourselves up to become aware of Him by acknowledging His presence on the basis of others' experience.
The disciples learned a challenging lesson in Mark 16:14 in this regard. Jesus rebuked them because 'they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen.' Learning to believe God through another person's experience is one of the most difficult yet important, lessons in life. Because the Holy Spirit lives within us, we are required to recognize when someone is telling us the truth even when we don't understand.
"It's possible to be right next to God and not know it! I often see this truth played out in life. It never ceases to amaze me that in the same meeting one person can be experiencing a powerful touch from the Lord, and at the same moment the person next to him is wondering when the meeting will be over so he can go to lunch.
There are two things that we should learn from this fact. The first thing to realize is that it is possible to position ourselves to encounter God by learning to recognize the signs of His presence, not only as we experience them but also as others experience them. My hunting dog is trained to 'honor the point' of the other dogs he is hunting with. That means that he 'points,' even when he has not yet picked up a scent of his prey. He assumes the same posture to give me a signal that he has found something. He takes the same posture that the other dogs have. As a result, he eventually picks up the same scent that they have picked up. Likewise, when we recognize that others around us are connecting with the presence of God, even when we are not yet aware of Him ourselves, we set ourselves up to become aware of Him by acknowledging His presence on the basis of others' experience.
The disciples learned a challenging lesson in Mark 16:14 in this regard. Jesus rebuked them because 'they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen.' Learning to believe God through another person's experience is one of the most difficult yet important, lessons in life. Because the Holy Spirit lives within us, we are required to recognize when someone is telling us the truth even when we don't understand.
The second thing to realize is that when God does lift the veil of our senses to perceive what is going on in the spiritual realm, we are not spectators who have stumbled upon something that has nothing to do with us. God is communicating with us and allowing us to see what He sees in order to invite us to know Him and partner with what He is doing.
It is a mistake to think that only certain people with unique gifts can hear and see God. If I think that it's only for others, then I will disqualify myself because I know I'm nothing special. In doing so I remove myself from active faith. One of the essential gestures of faith is to live with the expectation that the God who said that His sheep hear His voice and who gave His live to restore relationship with each of us would like to communicate with us. This faith leads us to lean into His voice--to learn as the prophet Samuel did to say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Significantly, it was as soon as he learned to take this posture that he gained access to the greater revelation that God had been inviting him into."Thursday, June 25, 2009
Doorkeeper
"I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." -- Psalm 84:10
God knows we need more doorkeepers than we do kings or presidents. We need people who know how to access God's presence and open the door for the glory of God to come into our homes, churches, cities, and nations.
"Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up you everlasting doors! And the King of Glory shall come in." -- Psalm 24:7
What does it mean to be a doorkeeper? Think of holding up the heaviest garage door you can imagine. Your arms are lifted upward in praise and worship. The breeze of God's presence is blowing through the open door. Doorkeepers are in the best position to catch that breeze. They are literally the gateway for the rest of the world to have an encounter with God.
We often miss the mark when we prefer to go inside and let the door swing shut behind us. In that mindset, we don't care about the world as long as we get it. A doorkeeper props open the heavens; invites others to enter in; stands in the gap and keeps the door open. The doorkeeper gets the richest blessing just by standing at the point of access.
The Lord is standing at the door and knocking. The oil of His presence is on the doorknob. The doorkeeper gets to touch that doorknob over and over and over. The anointing is transferred to the hand of the doorkeeper.
Today's prayer: "God, I want to be a doorkeeper for you, in this city."
God knows we need more doorkeepers than we do kings or presidents. We need people who know how to access God's presence and open the door for the glory of God to come into our homes, churches, cities, and nations.
"Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up you everlasting doors! And the King of Glory shall come in." -- Psalm 24:7
What does it mean to be a doorkeeper? Think of holding up the heaviest garage door you can imagine. Your arms are lifted upward in praise and worship. The breeze of God's presence is blowing through the open door. Doorkeepers are in the best position to catch that breeze. They are literally the gateway for the rest of the world to have an encounter with God.
We often miss the mark when we prefer to go inside and let the door swing shut behind us. In that mindset, we don't care about the world as long as we get it. A doorkeeper props open the heavens; invites others to enter in; stands in the gap and keeps the door open. The doorkeeper gets the richest blessing just by standing at the point of access.
The Lord is standing at the door and knocking. The oil of His presence is on the doorknob. The doorkeeper gets to touch that doorknob over and over and over. The anointing is transferred to the hand of the doorkeeper.
Today's prayer: "God, I want to be a doorkeeper for you, in this city."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Short Leash
“Everything is permissible for me – but not everything is beneficial.” -- 1 Corinthians 6:12
I once decided to write a book entitled “Living on a short leash with God and loving it!” Other than the title and a couple starts at chapter one I put it to rest. It’s in the book graveyard with other great titles such as .... “Unity: What can we learn from the ant?” or “Have you lost your first love and become religious?” Maybe someday these book titles will become sermons. :)
The concept of the “short leash” is one I practice daily. I propose that the shorter my “leash” is with God, the better my life gets. Once we come into salvation through Jesus Christ, we usually begin refining our practices. For example, we may stop doing certain things or going certain places. The deeper our walk gets with God, the more we discipline ourselves, and the leash begins to shorten.
First, it is important to note that the leash was not put on me by God. I put it on myself out of love for Christ. I want to please him. I want to choose the best. There is safety in a short leash because the choices become few. I love that! No longer do I have to decide if it’s okay to do “x, y, or z”, the decision is already made and I’m restrained by the “leash” (or by my word or by my decision to manage my decision).
Second, as the leash becomes shorter my proximity to HIM becomes closer. And, I would also propose that the shorter the leash is, the closer I am to HIS voice; the easier I recognize those slight tugs of adjustment; and the easier it is to be overshadowed by HIM. There is definitely safety in a short leash with God and I’m loving it!
Today’s prayer: “God, everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial. How true that is! Thank you for the ability to make choices. Today I choose you! I choose to be bound to you as tight as a belt around your waist. Thank you that you will never let go of me. Amen.”
I once decided to write a book entitled “Living on a short leash with God and loving it!” Other than the title and a couple starts at chapter one I put it to rest. It’s in the book graveyard with other great titles such as .... “Unity: What can we learn from the ant?” or “Have you lost your first love and become religious?” Maybe someday these book titles will become sermons. :)
The concept of the “short leash” is one I practice daily. I propose that the shorter my “leash” is with God, the better my life gets. Once we come into salvation through Jesus Christ, we usually begin refining our practices. For example, we may stop doing certain things or going certain places. The deeper our walk gets with God, the more we discipline ourselves, and the leash begins to shorten.
First, it is important to note that the leash was not put on me by God. I put it on myself out of love for Christ. I want to please him. I want to choose the best. There is safety in a short leash because the choices become few. I love that! No longer do I have to decide if it’s okay to do “x, y, or z”, the decision is already made and I’m restrained by the “leash” (or by my word or by my decision to manage my decision).
Second, as the leash becomes shorter my proximity to HIM becomes closer. And, I would also propose that the shorter the leash is, the closer I am to HIS voice; the easier I recognize those slight tugs of adjustment; and the easier it is to be overshadowed by HIM. There is definitely safety in a short leash with God and I’m loving it!
Today’s prayer: “God, everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial. How true that is! Thank you for the ability to make choices. Today I choose you! I choose to be bound to you as tight as a belt around your waist. Thank you that you will never let go of me. Amen.”
Monday, June 22, 2009
Destiny
"Destiny. You've dreamed about it. You've longed for it. You've dreaded it. You've run from it. You're so nervous that the butterflies in your stomach have become vultures, and you can feel their claws all the way to your toes. Your life is about to change . . . one way or the other. It could be your best day or your worst, but it cannot be a normal day. Destiny has not come knocking at your door. It's come mauling you like a bear." (excerpt from Beth Moore's Esther study)
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -- Jeremiah 29:11
God will not fulfill my destiny without me. There is a certain responsibility on my end. If I seek God, God's will for my life will find me. That about sums it up. Destiny. And still, I want to run away from it, but also toward it, all at the same time. It intrigues me. It scares me. It's what invades my sleep and whispers my name through the pages of His WORD. It's a package tied up with a bow ... too pretty to unwrap; too mysterious to leave inside. I can't. I won't. I must. I will. Destiny.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -- Jeremiah 29:11
God will not fulfill my destiny without me. There is a certain responsibility on my end. If I seek God, God's will for my life will find me. That about sums it up. Destiny. And still, I want to run away from it, but also toward it, all at the same time. It intrigues me. It scares me. It's what invades my sleep and whispers my name through the pages of His WORD. It's a package tied up with a bow ... too pretty to unwrap; too mysterious to leave inside. I can't. I won't. I must. I will. Destiny.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Friend of God
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)
"This is true perfection: not to avoid a wicked life because like slaves we servilely fear punishment, nor to do good because we hope for rewards, as if cashing in on the virtuous life arrangement. On the contrary, disregarding all those things for which we hope and which have been reserved by promise, we regard falling from God's friendship as the only thing dreadful and we consider becoming God's friend the only thing worthy of honor and desire." -- Gregory of Nyssa (331-396)
"This is true perfection: not to avoid a wicked life because like slaves we servilely fear punishment, nor to do good because we hope for rewards, as if cashing in on the virtuous life arrangement. On the contrary, disregarding all those things for which we hope and which have been reserved by promise, we regard falling from God's friendship as the only thing dreadful and we consider becoming God's friend the only thing worthy of honor and desire." -- Gregory of Nyssa (331-396)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Life Coach
"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." (John 10:10, The Message)
I'm changing my title to Life Coach. One of the most common conversation starters is: "So, what do you do?" or "What is your title?" Honestly, my title doesn't come anywhere close to describing what I do M-F; 8-5. Like most people, I need money to survive, but that "day" job doesn't define me. It enables me to do my real job. My real job on this earth is to help people discover new life, abundant life, in Christ. I'm here to point people in the right direction; coach them to salvation and life in Christ; come along beside them and help carry the load; stand in the gap in prayer; lay hands on the sick; set the captives free; and every now and then offer a challenge to help them grow. As Christ Followers, we are all "Life Coaches." So, the next time someone asks, "What is your title?" My answer will be "I'm a Life Coach."
I'm changing my title to Life Coach. One of the most common conversation starters is: "So, what do you do?" or "What is your title?" Honestly, my title doesn't come anywhere close to describing what I do M-F; 8-5. Like most people, I need money to survive, but that "day" job doesn't define me. It enables me to do my real job. My real job on this earth is to help people discover new life, abundant life, in Christ. I'm here to point people in the right direction; coach them to salvation and life in Christ; come along beside them and help carry the load; stand in the gap in prayer; lay hands on the sick; set the captives free; and every now and then offer a challenge to help them grow. As Christ Followers, we are all "Life Coaches." So, the next time someone asks, "What is your title?" My answer will be "I'm a Life Coach."
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Grass
"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 18:14)
Live as a low-blade of grass because our God is always mowing.
The thing about grass is this: grass does not look or function well when it is tall. It needs to stay low to the ground, become thick, and habitate in close quarters with other blades of grass to choke out the weeds. Weeds grow tall, they don’t congregate as well, and they’re always trying to be seen.
The same is true with us. In God’s economy the way up is down. And I mean down on our faces in humility. We cannot and should not promote ourselves. That’s God’s job. I like to picture God as a lawn mower sometimes. He regularly comes along with the mower and cuts down anything that tries to exalt itself above the knowledge of Him. Best to stay low so you don’t get your head cut off.
Live as a low-blade of grass because our God is always mowing.
The thing about grass is this: grass does not look or function well when it is tall. It needs to stay low to the ground, become thick, and habitate in close quarters with other blades of grass to choke out the weeds. Weeds grow tall, they don’t congregate as well, and they’re always trying to be seen.
The same is true with us. In God’s economy the way up is down. And I mean down on our faces in humility. We cannot and should not promote ourselves. That’s God’s job. I like to picture God as a lawn mower sometimes. He regularly comes along with the mower and cuts down anything that tries to exalt itself above the knowledge of Him. Best to stay low so you don’t get your head cut off.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Signs That Make You Wonder
I attended a Joyce Meyer conference in Columbus this past weekend and a very peculiar thing happened. It was peculiar to me because I'm forever believing that God is speaking and demonstrating his power in big and SMALL ways.
On Thursday evening, Joyce was preaching on the condition of our hearts. She then veered off briefly into a discussion on the supernatural. She claimed that although she has many friends that see angels and other sorts of supernatural phenomenon, her eyes have not been opened to these things. Just as she was finishing up those thoughts, a piece of confetti-type paper (about 1" x 3") came floating down from the top of Nationwide Arena and landed right on her podium. The audience burst into hysterical laughter. Now, if you know Joyce at all, she is hysterical! She grabs the piece of paper and says, "Oh my, a message from God!" And then she said it would take all night for her to read it because it was written in invisible ink. I guess you had to be there. It was priceless.
But, here's my point of the whole experience. Nationwide Arena is quite large, seating up to 20,000 people and what are the odds that one single piece of confetti would float down at that exact moment and land on the podium right as Joyce is discussing supernatural signs? I believe that these kinds of things are happening all around us if we would just take notice. I call them "kisses" from God. Oh, that he would kiss me with a thousand kisses!
Today's prayer: "God, I love your ways! They are not my ways. They are much higher. I want to see you in every sunrise; feel you in every breeze; hear you in every rustle of the leaf and note of the cricket; taste you in every drop of honey; and perceive you in every sign that makes me wonder. I am in love with you, my God, my King, my Rock, and my Redeemer."
On Thursday evening, Joyce was preaching on the condition of our hearts. She then veered off briefly into a discussion on the supernatural. She claimed that although she has many friends that see angels and other sorts of supernatural phenomenon, her eyes have not been opened to these things. Just as she was finishing up those thoughts, a piece of confetti-type paper (about 1" x 3") came floating down from the top of Nationwide Arena and landed right on her podium. The audience burst into hysterical laughter. Now, if you know Joyce at all, she is hysterical! She grabs the piece of paper and says, "Oh my, a message from God!" And then she said it would take all night for her to read it because it was written in invisible ink. I guess you had to be there. It was priceless.
But, here's my point of the whole experience. Nationwide Arena is quite large, seating up to 20,000 people and what are the odds that one single piece of confetti would float down at that exact moment and land on the podium right as Joyce is discussing supernatural signs? I believe that these kinds of things are happening all around us if we would just take notice. I call them "kisses" from God. Oh, that he would kiss me with a thousand kisses!
Today's prayer: "God, I love your ways! They are not my ways. They are much higher. I want to see you in every sunrise; feel you in every breeze; hear you in every rustle of the leaf and note of the cricket; taste you in every drop of honey; and perceive you in every sign that makes me wonder. I am in love with you, my God, my King, my Rock, and my Redeemer."
Monday, June 1, 2009
Laughter
"The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them." (Psalms 2:4)
I love to laugh. Sometimes, I laugh when I pray. Some might say that laughter is not very "HOLY." But holiness means "wholeness" and "set apart." It also means "uncommon." I'm sure you have been in meetings, or even by yourself, when the spirit of laughter just hits you for no apparent reason. The Bible says that God looks on His enemies and laughs and holds them "in derision" (Psalm 2:4). So, if God laughs then He must be laughing because of the victory that is assured. I'm committed to joining in on that laughter any time it comes. :)
"Laughter is the Echo of the Vacant Grave..."
(Borrowed from Mabel Andlers)
Laughter—uncontrollable joy.
Laughter—the outward manifestation of being more than a conqueror.
Laughter is the sound of Resurrection Morning echoing throughout eternity.
Laughter is seeing our Captain of the Hosts, holding the keys!!!
Laughter does a heart good, like a medicine.
Laughter is an exceedingly, abundant, above and beyond attempt by the physical body to express a full picture of redemption.
It is diving into and swimming the breadth, the length, the height and depth of His love.
Laughter = spasms of uncontrollable God laughter, incapacitating the physical body.
When enabled, laughter walks on the wings of the wind...upon clouds, and is carried in God's arms. Unknowing and uncaring of where it's been or for how long.
It is the garment of praise unleashed into a broken world.
Touch these vessels with much care, fullness of JOY may contagiously overflow.
Laughter is the echo of the vacant grave...
Amen.
I love to laugh. Sometimes, I laugh when I pray. Some might say that laughter is not very "HOLY." But holiness means "wholeness" and "set apart." It also means "uncommon." I'm sure you have been in meetings, or even by yourself, when the spirit of laughter just hits you for no apparent reason. The Bible says that God looks on His enemies and laughs and holds them "in derision" (Psalm 2:4). So, if God laughs then He must be laughing because of the victory that is assured. I'm committed to joining in on that laughter any time it comes. :)
"Laughter is the Echo of the Vacant Grave..."
(Borrowed from Mabel Andlers)
Laughter—uncontrollable joy.
Laughter—the outward manifestation of being more than a conqueror.
Laughter is the sound of Resurrection Morning echoing throughout eternity.
Laughter is seeing our Captain of the Hosts, holding the keys!!!
Laughter does a heart good, like a medicine.
Laughter is an exceedingly, abundant, above and beyond attempt by the physical body to express a full picture of redemption.
It is diving into and swimming the breadth, the length, the height and depth of His love.
Laughter = spasms of uncontrollable God laughter, incapacitating the physical body.
When enabled, laughter walks on the wings of the wind...upon clouds, and is carried in God's arms. Unknowing and uncaring of where it's been or for how long.
It is the garment of praise unleashed into a broken world.
Touch these vessels with much care, fullness of JOY may contagiously overflow.
Laughter is the echo of the vacant grave...
Amen.
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