Meet you in the War Room

"Fight for It!"  Don't Surrender!  It is worth everything you have within you to keep.  You must do everything that you can do to keep it.  It is a coward that surrenders and let's it all go away. The Love you had is worth it, as is the memory of that feeling of being complete.  The decision of giving up on the relationship is being a coward.  It is truly a miracle that Jesus didn't give up on us.  Oh, He could have and think of all the testing He got in fulfilling the purpose and plan of His Father.  

Every relationship has trouble and difficulties.  I know, I was most of the difficulties in my relationship with my beautiful wife.  I was a control freak and didn't even realize it.  I thank God that He isn't one.  Why do you think we have free will?  How can you love someone or something without free will? It is the ultimate freedom to Love.  Controlling someone or something is just so wrong in any relationship. So is giving up! I know that I'm going to touch some nerves here and that's okay.   The Lord showed me that He was in control and that for me to understand His Love I had to bow down to His Will.  His words to me as I let my controlling issues pass. "I will bless you and I will still Love you."  

For Jesus loved me First, and I really believe that will all my soul.  My key to freedom was forgiveness.  I was able to truly forgive myself and others through the Lord.  After all, He was beaten and tortured mercilessly for me and you.  He Fought for it. He didn't surrender!  He gave it all in His nakedness on the cross.  Our lamb of God, our redeemer.  It didn't end there, He was buried in a Tomb and rose again in Victory, but wait, He ascended into the Glory of Heaven promising His Return.  He Promised!  He didn't surrender with His relationship with me or anyone else.  He told me that He loved me and that He wouldn't abandon me.  I believe Him.  Shouldn't you?  

So why do we treat the ones we love with such distaste, is it because we can't change them to what we want?  Or is it because we see in them the things that remind us of our failings.  Are we jealous of each other because he/she does something so much better than we do?  Why do we do that?  It  is due to our own insecurities and issues.  I know because that has been me.  When people find out how long I've been married , often the response is, "Really, how could you stay with someone that long, or how did you find someone to put up with you that long?"  I laugh.  It has nothing to do with me or my wife.  It has to do with the Lord.  Oh, I'll give my wife most of the credit because it's true.  She fought for me, She didn't surrender. She always  prayed that I would be the Man that God desired for me to be. She saw the potential for a Warrior King, a Legend in His own Mind, she saw it in me, even when I couldn't.  

Relationships need nurturing and care.  The Lord uses His Word and our Prayers to reach His inner most chamber.  The War Room, where He reassures His creation. Yes, we are His creation.  He wants us to fight for our marriages and our families.  It is the legacy of His Love for Us.  I'm going to continue to Fight for marriages and relationships and be the Leader that He has called me to be.  I won't surrender for the Savior is with me.   He is waiting for you to pray and fight for Him and this world.  Don't be remembered as a coward.  Stand up and fight for your current situation.  If you believe in the Lord you will do it with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul.  

See you in the War Room.

How crazy is this?

How crazy is this?  We spend our lives walking around in a daze.  Not paying attention to the real world around us.  I'm guilty.  When you leave the sanctity of your castle, you glance at the neighborhood quickly as you hurry to your car.  All is good.  The checklist in your head is checking off all the items that you know need to be taken care of as you progress.

Door locked, check.  Glance at it to make sure.
Neighborhood Free of People, check.  Look around once more to see if anything is out of place. Nope, good.
Glance at car before entry, check.  Dang it's dirty, note to self, wash this thing please, check.
Unlock door, check.
Climb inside, insert key, check.  Oh, put on the seat belt, it's only a short trip, put it on, check.
Check the station, volume and rotate to desired mood setting station,  check.
Turn on key, check.  Glance around inside then outside, listen to car sounds, check.
Put car in reverse, check.  Slowly back up toward street, check.
In the street, watching for other vehicles, children, or distractions, check.

Mind blank, body on full auto, check.  Driving, check.

We don't engage. Check, no really check.

Now let's engage not enrage one another.  Yup, let's engage NOT enrage one another!  We live in the best country in the world. The best!  Everybody wants to come to America and have the Freedom we have.  Our founding Father's built this Nation.  Our History shows the struggle to maintain it.  We have had disagreements and arguments between our ideals before.  It has even caused the Civil War.  Our families have banded together to make this a land of opportunity.  When things haven't gone the way we expect them to go we have all had the opportunity to vote and make a change.  We have engaged the process.  We are facing a difficult time.  The economy is not good. Look around you.  How many businesses are no longer there that were there four years ago?  I'm not placing blame here, I'm wanting you to engage.  Each time you go to the gas station to fill your car up, is it more or less than four years ago?  Engage with me.  I'm still not placing blame.  What has the government done for you in the past four years?  Should it have done all that for you?  In the past four years have you left a job for any reason and are no longer receiving any help?  Are you working two jobs now that don't compare to the job you had four years ago?  Engage with me.  I'm still just asking questions.  Do you really know the inner circle of the White House?  Really?  Can you name the Advisers to the President?  Do you know the members of the Senate?  The members of the Legislature?  Are you scared of what will happen to our country after the election?  Why are you so scared?  There are three branches of government and there are checks and balances in the system.  In the past four years who had control of the Senate?  Who had control of the Legislature?  Why couldn't they and the President build a budget?  Please still engage with me. Do you think that the next four years are going to be better if the present folks, the Senate, House of Representatives, and the White House stay the same?  The nation voted four years ago for change, it changed. Was the result today the answer you were expecting?  If it was, so be it. If it wasn't then who should be changed?  Do you know which President has used the most Executive Orders in the History of the Nation to gain unlimited power without using the other branches of the Government?  Do you think that is a good thing?  Why is the use of fear driving this election?  Do you actually think that women are going to become second class citizens and have no rights after this election?  Why?  Don't women in the countries we are currently fighting in have great freedoms?  Don't get enraged, just engage.  Don't we have more citizen rights than other nations?

Please engage this voting season.  Please don't enrage.  We have done that in our History before and it hasn't been good for anyone.  We may disagree, but we should have more to agree on together than anything.  When we think that one party is fighting to take away rights, look at the big picture.  Where else in the world could people have the opportunity to do pretty much everything and complain about it?  No where else.  If you think that it is better somewhere else, then please move there, cause I've been there and someone there would love to take your place.  Don't  enrage just engage.

So Engage with one another, Don't enrage one another. Check.

Time to Worship

God, what kind of service are we having here?  I'm just not feeling it Lord.  Can't the lights be better? Can't the music be more moving and inspirational?  Why don't more people sing joyfully? Why is the Worship team look like they are just doing a chore?  What is going on here Lord!  I'm just not feeling it, and look there are so many people missing this morning.  They're probably spending time traveling or sleeping in.  Man, I'd sure like to do that on a Sunday. Why doesn't the Pastor preach more from his heart. It's the same ole thing, Lord I'm not getting any meat here.  What am I supposed to do?  Please tell me Lord cause in fifty minutes everyone will be rushing to head out the door to do all the activities that they have planned.  You know Lord we are even studying in our small group about not rushing around and getting caught up in the world.  I wonder how my fantasy football team will do today?  I should have paid more attention to the sports shows this week as my Wide Receivers aren't really getting me any points.  Oh, yes dear, I'm paying attention.   What's this?  You want to recognize us and give us credit for our Service to our Country.  Oh my God, there are so few of us left and we look so much older.  Why do I feel this way?  

The Lord begins to share His Grace with me.  It isn't about what I desire in the message or service or the singing.  It isn't the fault of anyone else that I feel the way I feel because I have missed it this morning.  I have done the Lord a big disservice.  I am not Worshiping!  What?

"STOP!"   What?  "STOP!"   What!  "STOP!"  Whoa, Is that You Lord?  Oh, My God, it is You!  Your Holy Presence has come upon me.  Worship!  Worship!  Worship!  For He is Holy, Holy, Holy!   Forgive me Lord!  I am so ashamed, Father that I would have my mind running wild and being so disconnected to you.  I adore You my Father!  YOU redeemed me, forgave me, and died for me and here I am to worship You and I am withholding Your Grace from me this Morning.  Forgive Me.   I rend my garment and throw the dirt and ashes on me Lord for such Shameful Behavior.  I am so unworthy for all your Grace and Love.  

Lord make in me a New Heart!  Change me Father as only You can.  

"WORSHIP ME!"  I am  Lord, I raise my Soul to You and Thank-you for letting me See You this Morning!  Oh Father!  I See the Joy that the Worship Team has for You!  They are singing Holy Words to You!  I praise You Father! Yes, I hear the Word from the Pastor that You want me to Hear!  Oh, Father I cry out to You!  The tears I shed are the offering to You this morning in WORSHIP!  You are showing me that I need to come prepared to Worship every moment that I come to you.   Thank you Father for showing the Words that I need to read and place on my heart this morning. 

1 Peter 4:12-19

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His Glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him be not ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.  

For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  Now

"If the righteous one is scarcely saved,

Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Let me Worship You my King!   Thank-you Lord, for showing me through Your Holy Spirit what I need to be the example of Grace you have given the Church.  In 1 Peter 5, You speak to me, that I need to Lead by Example. That we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt us in due time, casting all our care upon Him, for He cares for us.  Yes, Father we all will read these powerful words and understand that we are to Exalt and Worship You!   And as we greet one another with a kiss of love, Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

My desire is that you take this message to heart. That it isn't the fault of anyone else but you, if you aren't prepared to Worship the Lord each and every moment you go to Him.  Be Thank-full for the Servants of the King that prepare and humble themselves when they Worship the Lord and share with others. So give them Thanks for they are here to Serve the Lord with Joyful Hearts.  So the next time you come to Church be Prepared to Worship, because He is God and He will know.