Uninhibited

Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, "How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!" So David said to Michal, "It was before the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor." 2 Sam 6:20-22 (NKJV)

Are you inhibited by what other people might think? I am sad to admit that in my case it might be true... (Talk about finding it hard to be transparent) IT IS TRUE! Herein is the problem; it is difficult, if not impossible, to be an effective leader if you are always worried about what people might think. A spiritual leader is not called to be a politician, trying to make decisions based on how it effects one's popularity. A spiritual leader is called to be obedient and to lead as God instructs them.

When the Ark of the Covenant was being returned to King David's hometown, he, in a moment of great passion, threw his inhibitions aside and danced before the Ark. It was quite a spectacle as David cast off his clothes and danced with reckless abandon. As the parade came to an end, David was met by the disapproval of his wife, Michal. Her words dripped with sarcasm: "How glorious was the king of Israel today..." LESSON NUMBER ONE: If you step out in uninhibited faith--you will face criticism from some.

David responded to his wife's critique: "I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight." LESSON NUMBER TWO: When you step out and lead, realize that it may only be the first step of doing more of the same. You may be even more undignified--and mortify your critics. However, there are two benefits that overshadow all else: The fruit of humility is given a great opportunity to grow in our lives. Secondly, God is glorified through our acts of obedience and passion. We need to continually weigh the question: Are we trying to please man or God?

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, You know my heart and so You are already aware of my need to be liked and accepted by others. It seems to be a driving force in my life; and yet, I want to see Your Church experience revival. Please bring a new courage to my heart, so that I find the where-with-all to step out of my comfort zone and lead by example. May my passion for You break through the inhibitions that tie me down and hold me back. I want to be a useful vessel and walk in obedience. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen"

Safe

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. Psalms 91:1-6 (NKJV)

I was raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho--which was recently ranked as the 18th coldest city in the United States. Dad turned the thermostat down at night, which made scrunching down under the covers a glorious event. In the mornings, Dad would turn up the furnace and warm air would blast up through the vents. Behind the stereo system in the living room was such a vent on the floor. I would sneak up to that secret spot every morning and cover the vent with a blanket and bask in the ensuing heat wave. I would have liked to have stayed there forever. Safe...warm...satisfied...peaceful...happy...

Then real life occurred. I found out that the world is not safe, warm, satisfied, peaceful or happy! I don't think that it takes a genius I.Q. to look at the happenings of our little planet and to accurately conclude that something went wrong. Too much violence--too much conflict--too much greed--too much laziness--too much exploitation--too much foolishness--too much self-destructive behavior--too much abuse--too much tragedy. It's OK...it really is, because, as a Believer, this world is not our home. So, what do I do in the meantime?

I need to go and dwell in the "secret place" where God is. I need to abide under His shadow surrounded by the warmth of His presence. Please understand, I'm not dwelling in this secret place to "run away" from my responsibilities or to deny the reality of the world's true nature. "No," I go to this place of refuge to be strengthened and to be filled with courage, so that when I do out into the darkness I will be absolutely unafraid. That in the midst of all that is crazy and wrong in our world--inside of me--in a secret place--God and I continue to have fellowship; and I face the world...safe...warm...satisfied...peaceful, and happy!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, it is good to know You--it is good to be one of Your children--it is good to hear Your voice and feel Your touch. No wonder Your Word declares: 'Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.' You are the difference between victory and defeat. The difference between being lost and belonging. The difference between joy and sorrow. The difference between purpose and confusion. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen"    

Secret Place

"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matt 6:5-8 (NKJV)

In the movie, "The Hollow Man," (A movie that I would highly NOT recommend) Kevin Bacon makes a blood chilling statement as a man who happens to be invisible: "It's amazing what you can do... when you don't have to look at yourself in the mirror any more." No doubt, it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to fully understand ourselves. We seem to have a fuzzy notion of who we are and are sometimes compelled by internal forces that we do not comprehend.

Not only do we have secrets, in many respects we are a mystery to most of the people who know us. That brings us to God--who is in middle of our secret places. He understands us--fully comprehends what makes us tick--knows what we have need of before we ask or possibly know to ask... He is the mirror that reveals the real essence of who we are. How can we become self-actualized and begin to understand the complexity that is us? Well, you have to meet in the secret place with God.

Jesus suggests that we find a place where we can be sequestered alone with God. A place where we can shut the door, turn off the cell phone and spend some uninterrupted time alone with our Creator. What happens in that quiet time alone with God is between you and God; however, you will find that God is indeed a transforming power that is unmatched by any other in the known universe. Indeed, the time spent alone with God is time well spent!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I need you to continue to remind me of my great need to meet You in the secret place. The place of communion, where I am grafted into a place of Your provision and forever changed by Your mighty provision. Lord, come into my heart--unlock all the hidden places and bring the cleansing of Your blood to bear. Thank you for being there for me and for caring even in those times when I seem a hopeless case. Your love makes the difference! Amen"

All In

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." Matt 16:24-27 (NKJV)

I have a friend who did not grow up attending a church, but had a measure of faith in his heart that caused him to believe in God. He did not have a relationship with God, but he believed that God existed. He started attending meetings at a church and became a Believer. He recently told me the following: "When I started attending church I was clueless--I didn't realize that this was an all or nothing proposition--I didn't realize the magnitude of the changes that God would make in my life. I'm all in!"

Can I even say that, "I'm all in?" Or do I have closets in my heart that I've locked away from God. O--I already know that God can see inside those closets--He knows exactly what is going on in my life. Is it possible that I am still grasping to maintain control of some areas in my life where I do not want to change--places in my heart where God has not been given permission to clean me up? How long will I hold out against the Holy Spirit and not realize the full measure of His blessing?

What does a surrendered life look like? You surrender to God--deny yourself, pick up your cross and walk in complete obedience. What are the possibilities? Ask yourself this question: "Do I have a better plan for my life than the plan that God has for me?" That has got to be a rhetorical question, because the answer is obvious. My plans cannot measure up to the destiny that God has in mind for me. Time to surrender--time to go "all in."

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I have too much in common with the prodigal son. I want to have my cake and eat it too. The areas in my life where I fight for control are the exact areas where I need to surrender to Your love--Your wisdom--and Your plans for my life. I want to be an ardent follower holding nothing in reserve. I want to serve Your purposes and build Your Kingdom. Lord, help me...help me to surrender...help me to transform into a son who finds his meaning in Your purposes. Amen"

Treasure

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:19-21 (NKJV)

The "No Fear" clothing line used to have a T-Shirt that read: "He who dies with the most toys is still dead." There it is--the truth--all unpackaged and laid bare. Solomon took a hard look at this truth--weighed in the sum total of the way he spent his time on earth and concluded that everything in life was "vanity." Once again--Solomon was wrong. If there is no life beyond the grave--if our lives have no impact on the people around us--if there is no Kingdom to build--and if our real treasure is left behind when we die...then Solomon would have been right in his assessment of life.

However, there is life beyond the grave. The witness and example of our lives can have a great positive and lasting effect on the lives that surround us. The life of a Believer is filled with purpose as we build His Kingdom. The treasure that we have found in our relationship with God is only enhanced as we leave this world behind. The Christian life is not vanity, it is a life full potential, promise and eternal value!

It all boils down to this--how are you spending your life? Are you pursuing an eternal treasure or are you living for the sensual purpose of satisfying the cravings of the flesh. What are the sensual purposes of the flesh? To be seen and known--like a celebrity. To obtain material wealth for the sake of having it. To have the power to be in control of my life and the lives of others. To get whatever I want--when I want it--regardless of the consequences. O--trust me, life can be Solomon's nightmare of vanity; but, it can be so much more. We can pursue God, just as He has pursed us. We can lay up treasures in heaven. And ultimately, we can give ourselves to a cause that is worth dying for--and better yet--worth living for!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, Your is the Kingdom, the power and the glory! My treasure is found in the realm of Your heavenly Kingdom and not in the things that shout out to my flesh. May I concern myself with business of Your cause and not get sidetracked by the foolish cravings of my flesh. I pray that You would crucify those desires and that I would indeed lay up treasures in heaven. May my heart be secured by the treasure that I have found in my first love. Amen"

Confusion

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18 (NKJV)

In his book entitled, "People of the Lie," author, M. Scott Peck talked about the difficulties that are caused by an individual who is playing by a different set of ethical rules.. This person seems to thrive on controversy, loves a good fight, and is continually sowing seeds of trouble through gossip and slander. The reaction of a normal person is confusion. "What is going on? What did I do wrong? How did I get in this situation? I just don't understand?"

We have probably all been there. The object of an unwanted adversarial relationship. On the receiving end of an unwarranted rejection. In a situation that causes amazing emotional pain. All of it unexpected--landing where we are vulnerable--creating another opportunity to grow in humility, patience and forgiveness. How can we guard ourselves from these "people of the lie?"

Start with this understanding: You will not be able to avoid these situations as long as you are living on planet earth. Jesus suffered as the object of Satan's wrath. He was accused of sin that He never committed. He was betrayed by a close friend and deserted by the rest in His hour of need. The lesson to be learned? LIFE IS NOT FAIR! So, where does that leave us? At times, confused--but, all the more dependent upon the Lord. It also gives us an opportunity to be "people of peace." We do not fight fire with fire. We do not fight against flesh and blood, and our weapons are not carnal. We meet the challenge of confusion with all that is Godly and good.

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, cause me to be Your instrument and a warrior of Your peace. May I not give in to the urge to fight back in the midst of hurt or confusion. Instead, keeping my eyes on You--may I express Your good character and the fruit of Your Spirit. Remind me of the real enemy when I start to struggle with flesh and blood. May I be as harmless as a dove and in Your wisdom--smarter than the enemy. Amen"

Longing

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. Psalms 107:8-9 (NKJV)

Years ago I was working on a musical track for an album. It was late at night--everyone else in the house was asleep--and I was putting on the finishing touches. It was a song called, "There's a Longing in My Soul." The lyrics to the chorus go like this:

There's a longing, in my soul--there's a longing, in my soul,
And there's nothing in this world that can touch my soul,
Like the Spirit of the Lord.

There's a hunger, in my soul--there's a hunger, in my soul,
And there's nothing in this world that can fill my soul,
Like the Spirit of the Lord.

The song ends with a repetitious vamp that states over and over, "The Spirit of the Lord is touching me, the Spirit of the Lord is touching me..." The track was finally completed and I sang with it. When I came to the vamp, the Spirit of the Lord literally descended on me and the personal prayer and worship service was on! If any of the family members had stumbled upon my "studio time" in the prayer closet--they would have known that God was at work in my soul.

I was moved to tears--my hands were lifted towards heaven--and only the angels were witnesses to the personal touch of God on my soul. I found out that night--and well as many other times in my life--that God is able to satisfy the longing of my soul like nothing else found on this plane of existence. I have also found that James was right. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, thank you for not hiding away from me. Even in my times of failure, I feel You nearby. Even as Adam and Eve hid away, because of their shame, You called out to them. You are gracious, kind, merciful and continually demonstrate amazing patience with Your sons and daughters. I love You Lord--and there is nothing in this world that can touch my soul, like the Spirit of the Lord! Amen"

Sorry for my time away from writing... Most of you know that I am a pastor by vocation, which means that there are times when I get very busy. Over the last few months Believers Church, where I serve as the Lead Pastor, has required a lot of time and effort. We are entering into a city-wide spiritual campaign called, "Explore God," which is requiring my attention; we are making a number of renovations to our Church Campus, I am mentoring a pastoral intern, and putting the materials together to raise awareness of our Church in the community of Leander/Cedar Park. This is all in addition to and on top of the general duties of my job. I do plan to resume writing very soon--thank you for your patience, prayers and encouragement. RJ