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Dare To Face It

(Below is an excerpt from Pastor’s book, “How to Find Life in Dead Situations”)

All around us are dead situations; situations that, except for God’s grace and a miracle, nothing can be done.  As a minister, I face these kinds of situations quite often.  Maybe it is a marriage in which one or both partners have given up.  Some are frustrated, because it seems hard to find the right job.  Some need healing in their body.  But I am telling you, Jesus is greater than any circumstance you face.

I am convinced that some of the greatest healing that needs to happen in the Body of Christ is the healing of emotions.  Some people are so wounded that they have never been restored.  Some people have had a divorce and its 24/7 instant replay.  You say one wrong word and it raises all of the hostilities of the past.  I was on an airplane once around New Year’s and the flight attendant was very cheerful and had on a party hat.

“Well, everybody’s happy,” I said to the man who was sitting beside me.  He replied, “Yeah, she’s just like my ex-wife, she got happy occasionally, but she always got over it.”  There are situations all around us that need resurrection.  Some churches are dead.  Some people’s attitudes are dead.  Have you ever seen the expression on someone’s face when it looks like they have died?  There is no life.  It is like life is so boring and they are just going through the motions.  There are a lot of dead situations, or potentially dead situations that surround all of our lives, but the Bible tells us that God has the answer to dead situations.

Jesus said in John 11:14, “. . . Lazarus is dead.”  But the first report is not the last report.  And I am telling you the last report is not the last report when your faith is in God.  Dare to face a dead family situation.  Dare to face a dead relationship with a child.  With God many times there is the reuniting of relationships that were dead, or that were strained.  Dare to face a dead situation God’s way.

“Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)  Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.  When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.  Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.  When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.”  (John 11:1-6).  It was very interesting that Jesus took His time and said it was for their benefit that they might believe. “Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already” (John 11:17).

Lazarus has already been in the grave four days.  Then Martha said in verse 21, “. . . Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.  Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die…  (John 11:21-26).  Continue reading with verse 37, “And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?”

The Bible tells us that Jesus said, “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Many Jews believe because of the things He did Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.” (John 11:43-45).

This is a powerful story and the more I read it the more I realize it can show us how to find life in dead situations. Now, when I say a dead situation, I mean something that is impossible.  The first step that I would share for victory is; dare to face a dead situation.  Dare to face it – do not run from it; do not hide from it; do not let it ruin your day or your week, but dare to face a dead situation.

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Keep Revival Alive In Your Heart

(Below is an excerpt from Pastor’s book, “How To Triumph in Troubled Times”)

There is one more that I can give you about triumphing in troubled times.  Keep the fires of revival burning in your heart.  The news media does not inspire the fires of revival.  We must never forget an event like 9/11, but on the other hand, we cannot let that kind of event ruin the rest of our lives.  We must remember that our world needs revival now more than ever before.  If I serve the right God and I believe in the right Bible and I have the right fruit in my life I will come out on the high side of victory.

I am talking to you out of a pastor’s heart.  I am talking to you out of over forty years of experience of being a pastor.  We must have spiritual revival.  I will take the true spirit of revival anytime.  I want something that will keep me stirred.  I want something that will change my life and keep me changed.  I want something that will hold me when the storms of life come.  We need a spiritual revival that is founded on the Word, not just emotions.  Have a strong faith in God now, and your faith in God will bring you through anything.

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A Sure Word

(Below is an excerpt from Pastor’s book, “How to Find Life in Dead Situations”)

When you face a dead situation be sure to get a Word from God.  As believers, some people reach out to try to find some different way of looking at their problem. There is nothing wrong with a positive outlook in tough times.  However, there is nothing stronger than receiving a Word from God that everything is going to be all right and God is going to see you through.

When my church began in 1964, God gave me Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

I know one thing; a Word from God in your spirit is stronger than any circumstance you face.  We have had glorious years and challenging years, but the thing that sustained me was that I have known in my spirit that God’s promises are sure.  It is not the word of man but the Word of the living God.  Our opinion is not changed by the news, because we have a sure Word from God.

In order to find life in a dead situation you must refuse to see anything as dead that God wants to bring back to life.  Now there are some things you need to let stay good and dead!  I mean, there are relationships that do not need to be part of your life.  Just leave them alone.  If God has broken you out of a bad association, just leave it in the hands of God.  Forgive them and go on down the road.  Do not try to revive what God has dissolved.

You face a dead situation by getting a sure Word from God.  Remember Paul was on board the ship in Acts 27:23, “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve . . .”  Paul said I have heard from God, and I believe God, and Paul spoke what was about to happen.  It did happen, because it was a sure Word from God.  Paul spoke to his dead situation just like Jesus had spoken to Lazarus.  He received the same kind of resurrection results.  What looked like a dead situation was turned to good by a sure Word from God.

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Prayer is Key

“You will see more when you pray more.”

 

3Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:3

 

13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

John 16:13-14

 “The more you pray, the less you’ll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You’ll feel more patient and less pressured.”
― Rick Warren

Prayer is an opportunity to work with God to accomplish His will on the earth. It may be His purpose for the nation, your city, your family or your life that you are praying about. Whatever the request you won’t see answers to prayers that are never prayed. If you want to see revival in your church, pray. If you want to see your family saved, pray. If you want to hear God’s voice clearer, pray. J. Edwin Orr said, “History is silent about revivals that did not begin with prayer,” No prayer, no results.

Victory Action

I will purposely set aside time daily to work with God in prayer.

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Choose Quality

“Much is not always good; go for quality.”

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:  Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Matthew 13:45-48

We have heard the expression, “choose quality over quantity.” It isn’t always better to have a big quantity of cheap stuff over one quality item that will serve you longer. God wants us to have a quality life. So we have to learn to choose the best thing.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.

Deuteronomy 30:19

Victory Decision

I choose to go for quality, not quantity, in my life.

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Love Everybody

“To out love everybody is a good principle for every believer to pursue.”

10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;  11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:10-11, 14, 17-18

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved [a]you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God [b]as a fragrant aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB

Scripture tells us to imitate God like a child will imitate a parent. If anyone is the supreme example of walking in love it is God. He has been reviled and slandered. He has be rejected by untold numbers of His children. Yet He still extends His love to us. Love is a seed. Give it away to others and it will return to you.

Victory Decision

With a heart motivated by genuine care, I strive to “compete” with others by seeking opportunities to express love even more deeply. My goal is to be intentional, always aiming to love others as much as, or even more than, they love me.

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Trust God

“Where God guides, God provides.”

There are many examples in the Bible where God gave instructions to his children. We find that when they obeyed His instructions they found the provision they needed to accomplish God’s plan. But often they had to take steps of faith to see the provision.

Genesis 22:1-13 tells us the story of Abraham and Isaac. This story is a type and shadow of what God would ultimately do through the sacrifice of Jesus. God told Abraham to take Isaac and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Wow! That is pretty brutal on the surface. Can you imagine what would happen when Abraham returned to Sarah and told her what he had done if he had sacrificed Isaac? That would not have been pretty. Abraham had to consider all the outcomes when he was on that long trip to Moriah. But he was determined to obey God. Isaac was the son of promise. He was the son from which all the nations would come from. I am sure none of it made sense to Abraham.

God had a plan and was only revealing part of it to Abraham. This meant that Abraham had to trust and obey in faith. So Abraham did as instructed. He went as far as to raise his knife to kill Isaac before God stopped him.

And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.  12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.  13And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. – Genesis 22:11-13

Like Abraham, we must choose to trust God and take Him at His word if we want to see His miraculous provision. It takes faith!

Victory Decision

When I know God is guiding me, I can completely trust His provision.

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Answered Prayer

“Pray about what you pray before you pray it.”

How do you “pray about” what you pray about before you pray it? Sounds tricky doesn’t it? When you pray about it aren’t you already praying? It really isn’t that hard. Hopefully you are setting aside a time everyday for prayer. When you go into that dedicated time of prayer just make sure your first prayer is asking God for wisdom on how and what to pray. Every prayer you pray will be much more productive if you praying out the will of God and now your own.

While prayer should not be complicated, because after all at its foundation is about communication with God, it should be done with some wisdom. If you want to pray for God’s will in your life you first must know what is His will. You have to find God’s character and nature in the Word of God. Your prayer should be based on the Word of God. If it isn’t then you might be praying the wrong thing for the wrong reason and that prayer will not be answered.

James 4:3 says, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” So don’t waste your time there! Find out what the Bible says about your situation and pray that.

For example, if you need finances you could pray in faith according to Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God confirms HIS word! So pray HIS word! If you want His power working in your prayer life then you need to pray His Word! Because God confirms His word not our opinion.

Victory Action

God can see the whole picture and wants to give what is best for me in the long run.  I will seek God’s will through His Word and in being open in prayer.  When I experience His peace in my spirit about the matter, I will know how to pray specifically.

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No Vision, No Direction

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” –  Proverbs 29:18 

Thousands of framed vision statements hang on the walls of companies all over the world. It is a trendy thing to do in our modern society. These vision statements are the products of eager, optimistic people who work hard to convey to employees and to the public what the company intends to do or to be in the future. But for every vision statement that is hung in the lobby of a successful business, there are many vision statements that are written but will never be achieved. Somewhere along the way, regardless of how good the vision may sound, it is shelved. Perhaps the cost of achieving the vision is underestimated, or maybe too much work is involved, or possibly the excitement that was evident in the beginning cannot be maintained. Unfortunately, businesses are not the only ones that sometimes abandoned the original vision. Many Christians allow the vision to fade or disappear as well. In order to understand how a God given vision can be forgotten, we need to explore the limitations of a vision. 

What exactly is a vision? A vision is a compass providing steady guidance along the path that God is leading you. It is a divine point of reference that steadies you and keep your eyes off the present circumstances and allows you to see the prize ahead of you. When difficulties arise, the vision reminds you of your future success. The Bible has many things to say about the importance of a vision. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  Without a vision, a plan for the future, there is no sense of direction. The vision is vitally important to the believer, but it does not guarantee success. The problem with a vision is that it can be put on a shelf or forgotten altogether. A vision is optional. If the glamorous vision becomes too difficult to achieve, it can easily be put aside. A vision is needed but there is something more. 

In Acts chapter 26, Paul is testifying before King Agrippa about his encounter with Jesus. He tells the King about how Jesus changed his life and how he knew he had to accomplish what God wanted him to do. A vision was birthed in his heart on the road to Damascus. In verse 19 of chapter 26, Paul tells the King that he had not been disobedient to the heavenly vision. Paul kept the vision before him. He knew his duty was to spread the good news and his vision kept him on track. His vision provided a reference point that encouraged him to, “Continue pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14). Paul was given a vision on the road to Damascus, but somewhere along the way there was a shift that took place. He knew his vision would not come to pass unless he went to work! The vision that God gave to Paul on the road to Damascus became a passionate cause.  

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God is not finished with you!

“The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

Romans 11:29

A vision is a great thing. It is a blueprint. It is a compass that helps guide you in the right direction. But the vision must be put into action. It must graduate to a cause. God has given many of you a great vision. He also wants to help you move into your cause. What is it that is burning in your heart to do? What problems do you see that you can help solve? These are probably indications of your cause. 

It’s important to note that everyone can have a cause. You do not have to be in full-time ministry to have one. Regardless of your vocation, God wants you to pursue a passionate cause. If God has given you a vision for something, start taking steps toward putting it into action. That is when you will become effective.

Move in the direction that your vision is pointing you. Don’t despise small beginnings. God honors steps of faith. You may be asking, “What if I have already put my vision on the shelf?” or “What if I missed my opportunity?” I have good news for you. It is not too late! I want to remind you of Romans 11:29 which says, “The gifts and calling Of God are without repentance.” God is not finished with you! He is NOT sorry that He has called you. He is NOT disappointed in you. He wants to see you burning with a passionate cause for Him.

Perhaps you were passionate about a cause earlier in your life, but it has now died somewhat or completely. I have good news! God is not finished with you! He is just beginning His work in you. Do not be discouraged. Your defining moment is still ahead of you. David’s defining moment didn’t take him by surprise. He was prepared for it. When it presented itself to him, he recognized what it was. God is preparing you for your defining moment. It is ahead of you.

Everything you have experienced up to this point is preparation for what God has in your future. God’s best is still ahead of you. Take what you have learned and let it ignite a new desire to step into your cause. Let it prepare your heart for what God is going to do in your life. Look beyond your present circumstances, see where God wants you to be, and then move in that direction. Before you know it, your vision will become a cause.