40 days with Cup...

I have been reading the book, "The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta" as of late and been doing some writing about some of the incredible insight this woman of God had in her life. I am going to start feeding my blog readers some of these revelations but this one would not wait. Here is a question she asked, "If only one little child is made happy with the love of Jesus, will it not be worth… giving all for that? – Mother Teresa

Wow seems like this year every time I turn around somebody is praying and fasting for 40 days! Tomorrow Children's Cup (http://www.childrenscup.org/) is embarking on 40 days of prayer for the kids in Africa. Cup bases in Mbabane, Swaziland which has the highest HIV positive population in the world. Earlier this year I was in Swazi and I was stunned to know that 50% of the whole population is infected with Aids. So I just wanted to communicate to our network and the blog world to get on board with the Cup folks in prayer.

Well this is the last of the 21 questions I have been working through the past couple of months. I am seriously hungry for the Lord to "make all things new" in my life. The more I seek him, the more of his love is poured out. Sometimes we don't realize how dry we become and need of his love soaked rain to refresh our spirits. Thanks for hanging with me through this season of writing and seeking his face. I really appreciate the comments…

21. Is Christ real to me?

Last of the questions… I think I may do this once a year just to rewrite my thoughts. We are lively stones and where we are at today will definitely be different a year from now. But I KNOW one thing that never changes… The Word of God! Jesus died on the cross, the perfect sacrifice, and he never changes (Hebrews 13:8). He changes not; his Word never has grey areas and is always simple enough for even a child to understand.

Today's question is a simple faith. Is Christ real? To believe in a God we can not see… but my friend we can experience. My answer to this question is YES, YES, YES! The Lord is so real to me, so alive and not dead. Jesus is my friend, my lover, my LORD and he is more real to me now than when I became a born again believer 25 plus years ago. Jesus just continues to get tweeter and tweeter…

My prayer today is that Christ is REAL to you…

Mary had just returned from summer camp @ the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. MO and we were debriefing with her. She told me how radical the people at IHOP were with prayer for the unborn and repentance for America for the sin of shedding innocent blood. Honestly she was kind of taken back as Mary is sweet her personality not aggressive to this point... yet! I looked at her, smiled and began to tell her the story of our days of involvement with Operation Rescue in the late 80's and early 90's. The look on her face when her daddy told her that I had been arrested nine times and carried to jail for abortion protesting will forever be etched in my mind. The reality of the issue came rushing upon her...
So this morning again I am stirred for a "Call" to action with the issue of abortion in America. I want to make an appeal to mobilization to attend "The Call" in Washington DC. Get your bags packed and make the effort to attend this I sense in my spirit a moment in history event.
Below is a website that is responsible for the organization of this event led by one Lou Engles. Recently I had the pleasure of spending a day with this man watching him in prayer for literally 12 hours at IHOP. He is the real deal and passionate after God's heart. Watch the video that was made to promo this event and it will get your attention. If you need more info, just contact me as my son, Andy and I are set to stand with the multitude in fasting and prayer for America on August 16th in our nations capitol. My prayer is God would shake all our hearts...

www.thecall.com

20. Do I grumble or complain constantly?

There seems to be always something to complain about… is there ever enough or why does something have to break or tear up? Life will always give you challenges and something to work on. This is why I am thankful to be married to Sandy… she seems to always be positive and full of hope. In our early days of marriage I recollect her believing in me and to a point I understand her devotion but all that changed the 2^nd week of our marriage. Funny… she has learned to put her trust in the Lord no matter where we are living or status in life. I literally marvel at her faith and she exemplifies this with patience and a deep confidence that prevents her from being negative. She is one of the most positive and happy people I know on this earth. I am truly blessed!

One thing I have learned by serving God is that HE is our sufficient one! The things of this world will never satisfy us. When this is all we seek after and worry about, the fruit of our lips is murmuring and complaining. I have found the more time I give to worship, reading the Word and prayer brings a satisfaction that eliminates lack in my life. To have the peace of God in my heart in what so ever state I am in is paramount. At times I have failed miserably at contentment… The more I seek him I have learned that I will have more than enough. The problem is a divided heart or maybe a mixture of heart brings bitterness of soul. So many subtle ways for this division or mixture can get us so negative and our heart become negative. When we seek after the things that are temporary we begin down this road of murmuring and complaining. May we go to Jesus who is rich and mercy to give us grace to keep our heart pure and single…

I need more of you Lord Jesus to be Lord of my heart.

Today I have been stirred about the shedding of innocent blood in America. 50 million babies blood cries out for justice. Proverbs 31:8-9 states... "Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves;ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice".
August 14-16 there will be a huge gathering for fasting, prayer and repentnce in Washington DC. A million people are expected to travel, yes sacrifice to stand up and speak for the sins of our nation for shedding innocent blood.
Check out the info on the web at www.thecall.com.

19. Is there anybody whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?

Relationships… Jesus is the best example on how to handle difficult relationships with so many different types of people. He had 12 disciples that he hung out with for his time of ministry on this earth. There was conflicts abound with these guys as you see where they about who would be ranked above each other. Jesus knew it too and addressed them that to overcome these problems of conflict they had to serve one another.

I will be honest and tell the truth that I just don't like everybody I come across. I detest people that brag on themselves and all that they have accomplished… I find myself being quiet around these people as I can't measure up. What surprises me are the ugly vindictive "something is going to happen to you thoughts" that hit my mind as I smile that hypocritical way. Oh don't tell me you think this way too… oh the need of the cross. The need for God's love to be shed abroad in our heart!

But why does it seem that those closest to us we hurt? We get so familiar to our family and friends that we forget the little things we can do to show our love. This question is a do something about the situation challenge. The first thing we can do is ask the Lord to forgive us and heal us of our offenses. Then we can ask forgiveness of others… Since I started writing these 21 questions I have made some mistakes but interesting enough I have found the strength and resolve to go and ask forgiveness whether I was right or wrong. My relationships with people are high on the Lord's list for us to keep straight.

Lord my prayer today is for you to change my heart from being hard and vindictive to a heart of Love!

#18 Do I thank God I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?

My great friend and missions mentor Jack Harris and I were walking on a dirty street in North India. This street in particular I remember had hundreds of dung fires lit preparing the evening meal. Jack and I were enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of India when he asked me this question… "Why was God so good to you that you were born in America?" As I have thought about this question Jack asked me so many times again my memory raced back to that moment when I read and pondered today's question. One of the educations I received from international living and travel was to how Americans/Christians were perceived and or rather how Americans/Christians represented our country. My family and I were determined to do our best with our family creed… You represent the Lord, your country, family and church. Sandy and I felt the importance of training our kids to be a witness in word and deed. We realize too that only Jesus can give us the power to be this kind of witness (Acts1:8). Our main objective was and is to present ourselves as Christ followers and not religious zealots from a heart of love and not finger pointing do this or that attitude. Then we got to see that when living this witness before people that had zero Bible background we may be the only Bible people ever read…

Well of course there are many answers to Jack's question but I know Americans which includes me as to the attitude of "better than others" at times. The Bible makes it clear that there is no respect of persons and we should not think more highly than ourselves. We should not justify decisions and actions to fit the moment. This is why Jesus raised the standard from the letter of the law to a relationship out of love.

May the Lord give us grace to be a witness for Christ out of a heart of love… and not Pharisee type religion.

#17 Am I proud?

Ouch! God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble… one litmus test of humility in your life is quickly revealed when you are corrected or challenged about your actions or words (The Lord's chastisement). Submission to authority is paramount as a believer I have experienced as these authorities over my life "watch out for my soul" and keep me accountable for my actions. Not in a controlling way but in love which covers a multitude of sins (James 5:20). I am thankful for a great pastor and friends that have and are being used over the years to keep me humble and love me enough to check the motives of my heart. You see pride is an issue of the heart. This is the very thing that got the devil kicked out of heaven… Pride will destroy your life left unchecked.

Over time I have noticed that if we over react to situations we disagree with it shows the signs of pride and resistance or even to the point of rebellion. This is a great opportunity to take the low road of humility and wait on the Lord. Oh this has proven me benefits and I have learned is so pleasing to the Lord. He took the low road for us! He humbled himself and became obedient even to the death of the cross to put into action the ultimate act of humility. He choose to become the sacrifice… he chose to taste this ultimate humility and shame for you and I. Thank you Lord Jesus!

James 4:6-7

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Lord I ask you to remove the pride from my life and to renew my heart with your love.

16. How do I spend my spare time?
Waste not want not is the old cliche… God does not like slothfulness period! I sign off my emails and letters with "Daylight's Burning". The reason is my dad would come wake me up for daily chores before daylight when I was a teenager. Back in those days I was like what is the deal… it is still dark outside. Little did I know how the Lord was using this great man to train me in the simplest of ways to have a good work ethic and to make full use of the time given to me from the Lord. He understood that the simplest of choices I made with my time would affect the quality of my life and eventually my destiny.

Time is the only thing on this earth that is an eternal investment. We can spend it away or make full usage to maximize its potential. I am convinced that even "spare time" can be quality moments of God's blessing upon our lives. The Lord has given us the choice to steward what we do with this precious gift called time. May we use it wisely!

Lord I pray for wisdom to use this gift of my "spare" time…

r

15. Am I defeated in any part of my life? Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?

This morning I awoke with the Lord speaking to me about rebellion being the as the sin of witchcraft and how demonic spirits will return with seven spirits more wicked to try and reestablish itself where they once dwelt. These thoughts rushed me to before I was saved and how demonized my life was and how glorious Jesus delivered my wicked soul from the clutches of hell. How good Jesus was and is to me as he personally cast these unclean spirits from my life and set my feet on the Rock of my salvation. But to stay free… to stay moving forward in his perfect love is a challenge because even stagnation is not moving forward. Times of testing and demonic assault weigh you down and make you feel defeated. But the Bible says… the devil tested Jesus for a season, then he left as he can't be in all places at all times like the spirit of God. Samson even shook himself and his hair began to grow back as God desire is for his power to be revealed in us. The Lord will not allow us to stay defeated as he is a God of mercy. When we call on the name of the Lord will be saved, delivered, set free… Oh how good Jesus is to us.

Thank you Lord for setting me free of my sin and keeping me free!

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:17KJV

14. Do I insist upon doing something for which my conscience is uneasy?

Again God is moving on my heart… The condition of our heart is what Jesus dealt with the most when he was training his disciples and dealing people in general. The young rich ruler was confronted with a heart issue and where his "treasure" was invested (Luke 18:18-23). When Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give to the poor and come follow me, it struck a heart issue with this young man. Jesus pricked this young man's conscience and the Bible says he went away sad.

Now we all have this tendency to be self preservationist in our approach to life. This tends to lead to a life without Faith… and without Faith it impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The blessing is "God is bigger than our heart and he knows everything" (I John 2:20) and loves us so much to forgive us when we do things that are shady to our conscience. But a continual neglect to allow God to prick our conscience leads us to a hard heart. The Holy Spirit gently deals with us to live life guilt free and worthy of he who call us but he will not demand his right. He gives us a choice to decide and this will determine our quality of life.

Lord help me to live guilt free and to make wise decisions!