Impossible!

                        "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
                                                                 Matthew 19:26




Right now, do you have a dream in your heart that supersedes your abilities or giftings? You know, a dream that is so big that there is no way that it could ever happen unless God shows up in  such a way where everyone around you would have no doubt that it could be only God. Do you pray about a God-sized dream that would extend His kingdom and bring others to know the Lord? Do you have  vision that extends beyond the natural realm and partners with heaven for the good of others and the glory of God?

If not, do not feel bad. Instead, seek God's heart and ask Him for what His vision for your life is. He most definitely has one and it is my opinion that too few of His children seek to find out what it really is. We too easily limit Him and what He wants to do because we are comfortable in our lives and, truthfully, we resist stretching beyond that comfort zone. Yet, there is so much more!

When you think about the times in which we live, it only makes sense that God would have an agenda that is far bigger than our minds can conceive. Honestly, it is His heart that all would come to a saving knowledge of Himself and spend eternity with Him. And that is only going to happen when we reach out to others in need. If you think about all the problems in the world, it is God who has the solution to them and we are the ones who get to participate in that solution.

The Lord said to Habakkuk, "Write the vision and engrave it plainly upon the tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read it as he hastens by" (Habakkuk 2:2). He was a prophet and probably a priest who led worship and he was awaiting an answer to a dilemma he was having. His dilemma was that God was using the wicked nation of Babylon to chasten the people of Israel, and he wrestled with Him so that he could understand. His name literally means "to wrestle" or "to embrace".

For a long time, he had been praying for a revival, but now it seemed that the opposite was occurring. Not only was there a national problem, but now Habakkuk struggled with a theological one. His query lamented that a holy God could use such a wicked nation and why wouldn't God just act and make all things right?

It was in this wrestling that God caused Habakkuk's faith to grow. He was learning to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord, and, eventually he would have understanding that could only come from above. God graciously responded and gave Habakkuk a vision that would turn his heart to one that worshipped and trusted in God. This vision also included the revelation of God's glory and would point to a time in the future where His glory would cover the earth (Habakkuk 3:3).


He was now completely on board and he prayed for God's work to be accomplished. He prayed and asked for God's mercy and took comfort in knowing that his people would not be destroyed. God spoke to him and reassured him "the just shall live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4).

When you walk in the level of faith that believes for a God-sized dream, realize that fear is the thief that will try to rob you from seeing it to fruition. The enemy of our souls will try to deceive and torment for the sole purpose of wearing you down. It is his hope that you will get tired and give up your hope and faith. While he may be relentless, remember that God has already given us the victory in Christ. Do not give up!


Today, God is looking for His children who will live by faith and make His ways known to others. He is looking for those who are grappling with a problem in their lives to look to Him so that He can make known a solution that is far bigger than what your mind can conceive. He is looking for those who will give Him all the glory so that He can be glorified in the earth in such a way that many are drawn to Him.

God wants those who dare to dream and seek Him for a vision that will extend beyond our natural realm. Don't be afraid to wrestle with Him over the injustices in the world. Don't be afraid to wrestle with Him over the injustices in your life.

Just be prepared for what He might reveal to you because it will be more encompassing than you imagine.  It will require every ounce of faith that you possess. But, it also will make possible the things you thought were totally impossible!


               "Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse."
                                                      Philip Yancey



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Break The Box!

"And while He [Jesus] was in Bethany, a guest in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at a table, a woman came with an alabaster box of ointment (perfume) of pure nard , very costly and precious; and she broke the jar and poured the perfume over His head.

But there were some who were moved with indignation and said to themselves, 'To what purpose was the ointment (perfume) wasted? For it was possible to have sold this perfume for more than 300 denarii [a laboring man's wages for a year] and to have given the money to the poor.' And they censured and reproved her.

But Jesus said, "Leave her alone; why are you troubling her? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me [praiseworthy and noble]. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you will not always have Me. She has done what she could; she came beforehand to anoint My body for burial. And surely I tell you, wherever the Good News (Gospel) is proclaimed in the entire world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."
                                                               Mark 14:3-9




It was six days before the Passover, which means the date was the Friday before the triumphal entry (John 12:1). This story is placed right in the middle of Judas' betrayal and the account of the plots to arrest Jesus. Mark does this to contrast the treachery of Judas and the religious leaders with the love and loyalty of Mary. It's as if the ugliness of their sins and actions highlights the beauty of her sacrifice all the more.

John tells us that this is Mary of  Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary was very close to Jesus and she loved Him very much. She wanted to express this love because He was going to the cross for her. She prepared His body for burial as she anointed His head and His feet.

Her sacrifice was lavish and expensive. At that time, spikenard was imported from India and a whole jar would have cost the equivalent of a whole year's salary. Yet she unashamedly worshipped and loved her Lord. As a result, Jesus commended Mary and willingly accepted her extravagant gift.

There was absolutely no other explanation for this unselfish act except for the true love and devotion that Mary had towards Jesus. Faith and love propelled her to give her very best and she was content with only His approval, knowing that he understood her heart and was blessed by her sacrifice. She broke the box and it is that sacrifice still today that blesses and continues to perpetuate a sweet aroma to all who remember.

Just as Mary of Bethany lived in a unique time in history, so do followers of Christ today. Whether we recognize it or not, we are very close to ushering in the Second coming of Christ. As we witness events in this world growing increasingly wicked, we, too, have the opportunity to shine brightly in contrast to the darkness around us.

Sacrifice seems to be a concept that eludes many. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word sacrifice means, "the act or ceremony of making an offering to God; something offered;  the act of giving up something for the sake of someone or something else, especially to help others". The Latin word sacer means "holy", so true sacrifice is that which is offered up to God typically for the sake of others.

In a "me-centered" culture, we somehow have lost the essence of sacrifice. Many habitually consider themselves and their nucleus of concerns as all that exists in this world. Yet, there is so much more! The extension of God's kingdom is paramount in this time and we would do well to focus on that.

If self is the focal point, then there is a barrier between our desires and the purposes of God. Imagine that the barrier becomes a box that self-contains and keeps out the truly important plans that God has for us. The box that houses our brains must be broken in order to shift from a mind that serves self to a mind that seeks to serve God. We were not placed on this earth to be consumers of Christianity; we were placed here to advance and extend the Kingdom of God. And that will not happen until we learn to effectively sacrifice unto the Lord.

Because God placed His Spirit within us, "His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue)" (2 Peter 1:3). This means that we are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10), and, as we mature, we exemplify more and more of the characteristics of Jesus. Therefore, each day we should reveal His beauty and grace in increasing measure.

We do this by sacrificing our time, service, praise, submission, and even our tears. We do this by realizing it is not about us. We do this by truly understanding the times in which we live and what we need to do in light of that knowledge.

Being Spirit-minded and mature is who we are called to be. Whatever journey God has given you to traverse, remember that every bit of it is designed to bring discipline and greater spiritual mindedness. This occurs so that we may share in His holiness and it will ultimately "yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

We have to think about the future and what it will be like 100 years from now. If it won't matter then, it shouldn't matter now. Thomas a' Kempis said, "Set aside the things of time, and seek those of eternity."

When the apostle, Paul, wrote, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according too the Spirit set their minds on things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5), he was referring to our thoughts, affections, and desires. So, either we walk in unity with the desires of God or we find ourselves in rebellion to His will and His ways. Too many believers today think they are in unity with God, when, in fact, the very god that they serve is themselves.

There are three practical ways we can break the box of carnality in our lives:
               1. We fill our minds with God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16)
               2. We ask for the help of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:18)
               3. We practice the presence of the Holy Spirit, remembering He is with us always
                   (John 14:16)

We live in exciting times and I believe it is "all hands on deck". Not one of us are here at this time and season by chance, and not one of us have an insignificant role to play. We are chosen, called, empowered, and accompanied by an Almighty God. Like Mary of Bethany, all we have to do is to "break the box"!


"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most about the next."
                                                              C.S. Lewis

Resurrection Joy

"You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For Your dew [O Lord] is a dew of sparkling light [heavenly, supernatural dew]; and the earth shall cast forth the dead to life again [for on the land of the shades of the dead You will let Your dew fall]."
                                                                  Isaiah 26:19




Easter is a beautiful time of renewal and new life. It is celebrated during a season of new growth in the earth, where trees and foliage begin to awaken after the dormancy of a long winter. It is a new season of hope and joy and when you add to that the supernatural power of Jesus' resurrection, it is a time that should fill our hearts to overflowing. This, to the follower of Christ, is the very essence of our faith and God intentionally and divinely gives us this gift after the winter season.

This year, both Easter and Passover occur simultaneously. Passover is what happened to the Israelites when the angel of death passed over their homes because of the blood that was over the doorposts. The angel passes over that which has died and averts the judgment of God. This is a reminder to each of us that we are dependent on God for deliverance and that we are in constant need for renewal in our lives.

Jesus celebrated the Passover, but He also added to it the importance of His impending death and resurrection. The Cross, for believers, is what Passover was to the Israelites. Without Jesus' death and resurrection we would never have been saved or given the gift of eternal life with God. It is always is love and grace that provides a joyful way forward for those who are in Christ.

John Piper says, "The best news of the Christian gospel is that the supremely glorious Creator of the universe has acted in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection to remove every obstacle between us and Himself so that we may find everlasting joy in seeing and savoring His infinite beauty."

When Isaiah penned the prophetic words above to the nation of Israel, he was speaking to a people who were buried in the dust of their former glory. They had been hand-picked as God's chosen people but 70 years had lapsed since they really knew God or had heard Him or experienced the joy that only comes from Him. He spoke to their spiritual condition and admonished that this drought was about to end.

Restoration was in sight for these beleaguered children of God. Isaiah had already announced God's great victory over death (25:7-8), and now he was reassuring them that God would supernaturally give them life-giving dew to resurrect them from the dust. He assured them of the new life that would spring forth as a result of God's faithfulness.

God was indeed answering the prayers of the remnant that continued to seek after Himself. He offered them comfort and assurances of His promises and protection. Divine providence would provide the life-giving nutrients they needed to once again become the dynamic force in the earth that God had created them to be. He would resurrect what was dead and had been buried.

When God resurrected Jesus, He was assuring us that one day we, too, would be resurrected. It was a promise He gave that should daily bring us joy. The apostle, Paul, echoed this when he said, "Every time you plant seed, you sow something that does not come to life [germinating, springing up, growing] unless it dies first... So it is with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable and decays, but the body that is resurrected is imperishable [and immortal]" (1 Corinthians 15:36,42).

The point he was making is that the seeds that are initially sown when we plant grains are not the exact harvest that occurs later. The harvest is more beautiful than what was planted and it achieves the purpose and fruitfulness for which it was intended. The seed must break down and die, however, before this occurs.

This is why God requires that "You must be born again" (John 3:7).  Being born in the natural is not the same as being born again spiritually. God rejects the flesh but accepts the new life He gives to us spiritually. We have to die to our old ways of doing things and come alive to the things that God has ordained for us. In this, we conform to the image of Christ until, one day, when we are resurrected, we will bear the image of our Savior when we share in His glory.

Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal life. While we live in a culture that insists there are many paths to heaven, that is not what the Bible tells us. Jesus chose to leave His throne in heaven, endured much pain and suffering, and then forgave those that inflicted such horrific abuse. It is this kind of unexplainable, crazy love that God has for each of us, as well as the provision we need to spend eternity with Him.

God sent Jesus to us to die for a sinful people so that we sinful people could come back to life. It was love that was the catalyst and it will be love that completes the redemption process. Only God could take something this gruesome and turn it into something as beautiful as our salvation and eternal life in Him.

He does the same thing for us in our day to day lives. He takes that which is dormant or dead and He breathes new life upon it and uses it for His glory. When we are "crucified with Christ and no longer live [then] it is Christ who lives in us. The life we live now in the body, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loves us and gave Himself for us" (Galatians 2:20). Jesus died to give us this kind of resurrection life.

Because we are "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37), we can confidently walk in the newness of this resurrection life, knowing that we are: unconditionally loved, completely forgiven, fully redeemed, a new creation, and totally transformed from the inside out. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and gives us the gift of His indwelling power. Therefore, dead things must come alive in the name of Jesus.

This week, as you reflect on the beauty of what Jesus has done for you and made available to you, focus on any areas that need resurrection life and power. Let faith arise to believe that God will breathe on these places in our life and make them alive and powerful. Seek God in your prayers and petitions and remember that He is always faithful to complete what He has started.  This will bring the resurrection life and joy that Jesus provided for us long ago.


                                      HAVE A BLESSED RESURRECTION DAY!!!!!!