Obedience Even in the Midst of Questions

Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all. - Exodus 5:23



Have you ever felt like you have been obedient to the Lord for something He called you to do and all you get are more roadblocks? This is the way Moses felt. When Moses went to tell Pharaoh to release the people because God said so, Pharaoh simply got angry and made the people make bricks without straw. Moses caught the blame for this from the people. Moses was just learning what obedience really means in God's Kingdom. You see Moses had not even begun to release plagues upon Egypt. He hadn't even gotten started yet in his calling, and he was complaining about his circumstances. There were many more encounters with Pharaoh to come, and many more plagues with no deliverances in sight. Why would God tell Moses that He is going to deliver them and not do it?

It was all in timing. God never said when He was going to deliver. He just said He would. In the next chapter, we find Moses arguing with God about not being capable of the job God had called him to:

But Moses said to the Lord, "If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?" Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh, King of Egypt, and He commanded them to bring the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 6:12-13).

Do you get the feeling God was losing His patience?

God had a good reason for His delays. He said, "And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out My hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it" (Ex. 7:5). God not only wanted the people of Israel but also the Egyptians to know Him. It would be the greatest show of God's power on earth.

God often causes delays in our lives that we cannot understand. Sometimes it seems our obedience is not getting rewarded. Jesus said He learned obedience through the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). Imagine that - Jesus having to learn obedience. What does that say for you and me? Sometimes God's delays are simply because He wants more glory in the situation, more recognition, more Christ-likeness in you and me through greater patience and obedience.

Faint not, for the fulfillment promise is yet come

I Love My Church

Realizing that there will be several individuals that will read this blog who are attendees of my church, Life in Christ Fellowship, I am tempted to misstate my feelings in this post. However, I will resist buttering up my people and just tell the truth from my heart.

As the title states, I do love my church. I daily thank and praise the Lord for such an awesome privilege of serving them as their pastor. I have been here for almost 1 year now. The days have gone by very quickly and for the most part smoothly. Has it been all a bed of roses? No, it has not. There have been days and situations that have irritated me, as flies do horses on a humid summer day. There have been days in which I pulled the window shades and locked the doors because I needed recovery time.

But, the whole balance of all days has been totally awesome and fulfilling. It is amazing how just a year ago, both Debbie and I were totally drained by the abandonment and rejection that we went through at our previous pastorate, but now we both feel whole. I can truly say, I am now longer just content in the place of ministry but I am truly and completely happy. What an amazing feeling that is!

I have been praying and searching my heart to make sure I am in balance with God’s will for the path of LICF. He has so graciously burdened my heart and soul deeply for these people. The burden goes beyond just those who are a part of our congregation, but I can honestly say without any reserve, it goes to those who WILL be a part of our church. Does that make sense? It is different that the burden for the whole community. I wish I could explain it further.

Because of this burden, it brings me to some restlessness dealing with the ministry of the church. I just want my people to deeply and freshly experience an invigorating moving of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I deeply believe that God wants to pour down upon us and do a mighty thing in our midst. So often through the account of the early church this happened only when the people were gathered together in a central location with their hearts, souls and minds united in focused upon God. I am greatly perplexed by the lack of commitment that people have at times to the gathering together of the Body of Christ. I know God can bless and move in people’s lives in their private times of individual worship, but why is there the abandonment of the Body gathering? I have asked a few other pastors about this, and they too have the same question.

Offer food … and they will come. Have music practice they will come to that, but leave prior to the studying of God’s word. Why?

To my people who read this. Please know and hold on to this thought. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL THAT I AM. I just desire that we all experience together (all of us and those who come along later) the awesome, glorious, refreshing, empowering, cleansing, leading, healing, equipping and so forth power of God! If today, this point of time in the history of our church, we who are the current people of the church do not make a re-focusing desire to the ministry and events of the church, what will that tell those who come along later? If they see us sitting in the second chair instead of the first chair, they will be taught that it is ok to remain distant in their commitment.

It was explained to me this way some time back. Today’s church people (I am not just referring to those who attend LICF) treat their commitment to the church and its ministry like leaving a tip on the table. I ask … how long could we get away with the paying of our restaurant tab by just leaving a tip in the table? Once … twice? NO we have to pay the total of the bill or we will be in trouble.

Why is it so often believers feel they can get away with just leaving a tip and not paying the whole tab? (No I am not talking about paying tithes).

There is a great debate among many church leaders about the church not being relevant to the world around her. But I ask are you as a believer making yourself relevant to the church? Maybe that is the question that should be addressed 1st? If the world could see that the believers believe in the local church and its ministry, they may ask, “What is going on that makes people so committed?” If the world could see the Church excited about being the Church, I believe that they, the world, would get interested and feel that they too need to be a part. You see, it is human nature to go where the excitement is taking place. I am not talking about pure emotionalism. I am taking about the church getting excited about being the Church. Being excited to be the messenger of the Message. The world around the local church needs to experience that is still the tool of God’s design to exclaim the truth to those with out the truth!

Yes I love my church. Because of this love, it brings me to my knees daily as I intercede for them before the throne. I just want us all to experience together; all that God wants to do in our midst. I simply refuse to believe that we have seen, heard or experience it all. I believe the best is yet to come. But are you going to be there to experience it together or will you have to hear about it in the 6 o’clock news report?

I love you, LICF. I am blessed and honored to be called your pastor.

Make Me A Sycamore Tree

One of my favorite accounts of Jesus’ ministry is where he interacted with Zacchaeus. I can strongly relate to Zacchaeus because I see a lot of myself in him. I am not referring to his physical stature, because I am almost 6’2” and as the children’s song describes him as a wee little man. Nor am I referring to his profession as a tax collector and his journey to acquiring that position.

What I see in Zacchaeus, was an individual that was empty, alone and disconnected in the midst of his important and busy life. He was a man who needed to find his identity or at least re-discover it. A person who seemed, among some groups, he had it altogether but yet wondered where the road he was on would eventually lead to. While he did not know where he was heading, he was well aware of where he was. He knew he was standing in the consequences as an outcast from the “fold” because of his compromises which he made. Those who should have been the ones to reach out to him by offering their assistance in restoring him back into the “fold” were the ones who abandon him.

All around us, there are lonely and out-cast people. While at most of the time, this status is a result of their doing which drove them away from their “home” alliances. However, the opportunity or invite to return has seldom been extended to them from the home community. These “Zacchaeus's” are just as removed from restoration, as what the Zacchaeus of the Bible was. They proceed through the continual movement of the motions of life and duty, but yet are empty, lonely and lost. Deeply desiring to be re-connected, but yet shoved behind the crowd, prevented from escaping the dungeon of loneliness and abandonment.

Who around us, around me, have we over looked that are looking toward us for redemptive acceptance presented through us by the grace of God? Who is those or that one person, who feels as if they are of little stature, because we have forced them behind the crowds to where they can not see beyond? Who is the Zacchaeus around you? Around me?

We have to read between the lines and intelligently speculate to fill in some blanks about Zacchaeus’ search for acceptance both from among the home alliances and from Jesus. We have to assume that he had heard of the mighty stories (and at this time they were only stories to him) of what had taken place in people’s lives as they made contact with Jesus. Not only had he heard of these accounts, he may have personally witnessed such events as they took place while in the midst of his personal search for resolve of his disconnection. What about the mighty impact that was made in their lives as Jesus and the others connected? Rather it was a physical correction, an emotionally reformation or a spiritual transformation Zacchaeus could not deny that something beyond the explainable natural took place.

The emptiness that resulted in the unanswered questions that haunted him drove Zacchaeus into a consuming quest to find the answers. The opportunity now was within his grasp to personally reach out to the possible solution. He heard that Jesus was passing down his pathway of life. Jesus was in town. But how, given his handed out and his acceptance of his stature and status, was he even hoping to even make contact let alone to be impacted by Jesus? He knew, or at least presumed to know, that he was not going to receive any real assistance from those who had any authority, even in the littlest amount, to open the path to meet this Jesus. Those who moved within his circle were only mocking his longing to return to his home land. How then would he proceed from there? What were, in true reality, his chances to make contact with this Jesus, let alone to be impacted by or be connected with him? Would this day conclude just as so many of the past have? No connection, no transformation of his status, no returning to home. But he was not content to live one more day without at least making a personal contact with this Teacher, this Jesus, this one who has been proclaimed as the Messiah. But how? How could this take place?

As these questions haunted his quest, he threw his hands up in despair. If only I could see over the obstacles. If only I could get beyond the press of people. If only … if only. And then, as if he was kicked by the merchant’s, who stood next to him, camel, it hit him. There it was … the answer. The way above and over the fence of people in front of him. There was the sycamore tree. It was not a pretty tree as trees go, but it was a beautiful ladder. It was his pathway to raise him above so to make contact with Jesus as he passed his way. So up he went and there he sat. Just high enough to get him above the crown, but yet low enough to still make contact with Jesus.

Then it happen … Jesus stopped just in front of him. Before Zacchaeus could even draw enough breath to speak out, Jesus looked up at him and called out his name. Jesus told him, yes him … Zacchaeus the tax collector, the compromiser, the alien for the home land that he wanted to have lunch with him at his house. He never felt larger and taller in his life. Just the thought that Jesus had stopped and spoke his name brought a security that had evaded him for many years. Yes his name … not just a generic salutation … but his personal name. And it was done in compassion, not in mockery as he had grown accustomed to.

There it is … Zacchaeus saw Jesus, because of the Sycamore tree. Not only did he see Jesus, but he made contact, which opened the door to be impacted by Jesus and then to be connected to the Kingdom of God anew and afresh. Just as the old legend tells of the Dogwood tree used to make the Cross to lift Jesus up before the world so to be seen, so the Sycamore was used to lift up Zacchaeus to see Jesus. Oh may I be a Sycamore tree. Lord, please make me to be a Sycamore tree.

Remember, there are Zacchaeus’ all around us. Remember, Jesus is in town and he is passing this way. Are you available to be an old ugly Sycamore tree? It was not the Cedars of Lebanon or the mighty Oaks that did the lifting up. It was a twisted limb, shaggy bark Sycamore tree.

Please Lord, make me a Sycamore tree! Please make my church a Sycamore tree!

Four Attributes of a Life God Blesses

This is a devotional that I received from Prime Time With God, written by O.S. Hillman



"So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed." - Isaiah 28:16


Whenever God calls us into a consecrated life, it is made up of four distinct stages. Christ often compared this process to building a house.

First, we must prepare to build by laying a foundation. That foundation is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. Any foundation other than Christ will not stand.

Second, as we enter a walk of faith with God, He allows each of us to experience trials, testings, miracles, and challenges in life that are designed to provide "faith experiences" that demonstrate tangible evidences of His work in our life: Moses' burning-bush experience, Peter's walk on the water, Joshua's parting of the Jordan River. These experiences built the faith of these people. The depth and width of our calling is directly proportional to the faith experiences He allows in each of our lives. If God plans an international ministry with you, chances are you will experience a higher degree of faith experiences compared to another. The reason being, you will need to look on these to ensure your calling and provide testimony to His work in your life.

The third stage deals with motives. "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord" (Prov. 16:2). What is the motive behind my actions? Is it only financial accumulation? Is it to gain control? Is it to create independence? The primary motive must be God's leading you to take such an action - it must be obedience. These other factors must be by-products of the decision.

Finally, we are prepared to take action. Here we must ask, "Do we have the skill, quality, and ability to enter into this activity?" So often we have not trained ourselves adequately to be successful in our endeavor. You would never want someone working on your teeth who had not been trained and certified as a dentist.

Before you begin your next project, ask yourself these four questions. What is the foundation this project is based on? What experiences has God demonstrated in my life that indicate His involvement? What is my motive for entering this activity? Do I have the skill, quality, and ability to accomplish the task? Answering these questions will tell you whether God will bless your activity.

Living Sacrifices

The apostle Paul gives an urgent plea to believers in Christ “to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Rom. 12:1). Paul makes such a plea based upon “the mercies of God.”

We are objects of His saving grace; therefore we are to put our lives at His disposal. Paul uses the sacrificial word for the Jewish Levitical offering of sacrifices. The body of the believer is to be a “living sacrifice.”

How do you become a “living sacrifice”?

It begins in a once and for all being set apart to God. The Christian is set apart for God’s use in the sense of being for pure and righteous purposes. Why such an urgent plea? The philosophy of the world system does not satisfy. The longer you life by the humanistic philosophy the emptier your inner person becomes. However, the will of God is good, acceptable and perfect.

Being a living sacrifice is often not easy, or pleasant. It is self-denial, self-sacrifice, self-crucifixion of the whole person. But remember the problem with living sacrifices is they want to crawl off the altar. For the Lord Jesus Christ being a living sacrifice meant oppressive burdens. It brought Him in conflict with evil. He offered Himself as the perfect Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. However, as He conducted His Father's business He found it to be good and acceptable and perfect. A living sacrifice for Him means He humbled Himself and became “obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). Should the disciple of Jesus expect anything different?

Only spiritual things will last through eternity. Jim Elliott said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim gave his life in reasonable service, to gain a spiritual inheritance that will last forever. How many saints of God have died possessing nothing of earthly value, but a living sense of “no retreats and no regrets.” They were living sacrifices to the living God.

We are living sacrifices because God is at work in us now. He is continuing to work in those whom He has brought to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. We are living sacrifices because He is at work in us changing attitudes, destroying destructive habits, forming new ways of thinking that pleases God. God does not start a new work and abandon it. He always finishes what He begins. The only reasonable worship is to join Him in what He is doing.

It is our privilege to glorify God with our bodies (Rom. 6:13; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:20-21). Therefore, Paul admonishes us to present our bodies once and for all to God as living sacrifices. A living sacrifice involves yielding the body, mind and will to God. It is a privilege to give God our mind (Eph. 4:17-24; Col. 3:1-11) because He wants to transform it by releasing His power from within by using His Word. “If God controls your thinking you are a transformer.” It is a privilege to give Him your will. It is not by will power that we are transformed, but as we yield to the will of God that His power takes control of us.

Is the “living sacrifice” worth the cost? If we are living sacrifices we will not look back at the end of our lives and be disappointed or feel life is all vanity. We will be able to hear our Master say, "Come, enter into your rest."

We have only two options. We can choose to be conformed to this world system and its values or be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Depending upon God

We often hear and use the phrase … “Just depend upon God and you’ll make it.” Or, “My trust and dependence is upon what God can do.” Have you said these or something similar? Just what do we mean when we say we are depending upon God to see us through?

Life is filled with a vast amount of opportunities to stand still and see God do great and mighty things. But do we stand still long enough to see them? How long is long enough? Our relationship with Christ is based upon having faith in him and believing in what He says he’ll do is what he will do. We accept this when it comes to our salvation, but how deep does it run in living it out day by day?

When we hear and read the wonderful words of scripture and we are often over-whelmed with emotion as we ponder upon themes such as: “I know the plans I have for you, thus says the Lord ….” Or, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Or, “Our Lord never sleeps nor slumbers.” But just how far can we or do we trust him to fulfill his plans in our lives because he will not leave or forsake us because he is always alert concerning us?

We all, including myself, need to increase our “belief level” when it comes to depending upon God. We all too often get impatient and forge ahead by taking the reins out of God’s hand and in some form or the other tell him, “Let me show you how to do this.”

If this does not reflect upon you in any way at all, great …just tell us how you do it. But if this reflects upon you life in some form, let me suggest the following.

We all depend upon something for our main resource. For some, it is personality; for others, knowledge; still others depend upon past experiences. We often run off the strength of that main source until we come to the end of ourselves and then cry out to God. What are you depending upon God to do? The ability to find that answer is very easy to discover. Those things you are praying for are the things you are depending upon God to do. Those things which you are not praying for, you are doing on your own.

We cannot do life (ministry) upon our own. Prayer is a requirement. If you want to test your commitment to praying for your life (seeing your dependence upon God), do this little exercise. Rate yourself from 1 – 100 on praying for guidance (applying your dependence) in the last month or even the last year. Now put a percent sign after that number. The result: that is the level of the percent of your dependence upon God’s capability to care for your life.