Lions

Who is the lion in your life? Who's strength do you envy? There are those in my own life who represent strength and courage to me. Their reputation is one of faith, boldness, and steadfastness.
But then I think - what price did they pay to become that way? How much pain? How many sleepless nights? How many flies... infections... famines... did that lion endure to become king of the jungle? Cliche', yes, but worth being reminded. Another man's anointing is not to be coveted. With it comes all of the trials aforementioned. And as difficult as it is to be a lion, it's perhaps more confounding to be a lamb.

(Pro 28:1 MKJV) The wicked flee when no man pursues; but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Abundant Life

Joh 10:10 MKJV
(10) The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

People seeking the abundant life might be under the impression that once you receive Jesus, that life never has difficulties, or trials, or fill in the blank, because now you have received the 'abundant' life. The truth of the matter is quite the opposite. You still have the same trials and tribulations. However, the abundant life affords you the answer before the problem ever presents itself. God will never send you into a battle that you are not equipped to win.

A Simple Truth

No matter what problem you are facing; no matter what storm you are caught in; no matter how lifeless everything seems, there is one answer: more of God. If you don't think He has an interest in your situation - even if you think it petty - then you don't know Him very well. He is wanting to surprise you. Relationship going sour? More of Him... Health issues battering you continually? More of Him... Does the job just stink? More of Him. Maybe today is the day that you determine to seek Him out for the first time. He knows how to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. But chances are - if you don't seek, you will NEVER find.

Feet Like A Deer

Psa 18:32-33 LITV
(32) It is God who girds me with strength and gives my way to be perfect;
(33) setting my feet like the deer, and making me stand on my high places;

Have you ever watched the Green Planet Discover Channel series? What awesome photography and cinematography! Sometimes the information is lacking, but the production is stunning.

Did you see the one where the snow leopard is chasing the mountain goat? It's like... in the Himalaya's or some place like that - where any wrong move or mis-step means certain death. The cat chases this goat hundreds of feet up and down a cliff-face that would be unnavigable to a human. The goat escapes, somehow, and the cat is left forlorn without his dinner.

Can you imagine being able to walk on such terrain? What about 'running' on such terrain?

God says that troubles and trials will come. David had sense enough to ask of God - please Lord give me the FEET to be able to travel the paths you have set before me. After all, even for a goat - it's easier to walk across a plain than a mountain range. But when the rocks come, the goats don't sweat it. They can navigate. They can cope.

God, give us feet to navigate the roads in front of us, because we know it's not always your will to remove the road, or to send us around the other way.

Not For The Squeamish

There is so much joy in Kingdom work. Lives change and people find what really matters in life - peace through Jesus. It's work though. I really never knew how much work it could be until this past weekend. With our mountain-top experience, we battled fatigue, storms, and sleeplessness on top of the usual spiritual warefare that goes on. Never before in my limited ministry experience have I seen the enemy so intent on ruining the atmosphere of worship. The enemy just couldn't contain what the Lord wanted to do, however. He didn't have the resources to see it done.

A couple of days later, I'm back to the drudgery of damage control at work, grocery shopping, and chores. What I feel has to be kin to post partum syndrome. The Lord really did birth much on that mountain. I feel a tremendous weight of answered prayer off of my shoulders. On the other hand, I feel new burdens and I'm glad to take them on knowing that just as God delighted to show His might last weekend, He will do it again.