Pointed Points @pointpastor - Tumblr Blog

Light Changes Everything

Light. Light changes everything.

Yesterday, my granddaughter was in the garage playing with her uncle’s dog. Next thing I know she is standing in front of me shaking from head to toe crying profusely. Apparently, a breaker had blown, and the lights went out. She was in the pitch-black darkness, terrified. She then could make out a sliver of light around the laundry room door and found her way out. That tiny speck of light made all the difference. It led her out of the darkness.

Likewise, in our lives we find ourselves in periods of unexpected darkness. Depression from an impending divorce. A diagnosis that took us by surprise. The death of a loved one or layoffs at work. These are times of sudden, unexpected darkness.

There are also those times when we are just living in “adjusted darkness.” You know, like when you walk into a darkened room and your eyes slowly adjust so that you can see? Many, many, are living here. Adjusted to the darkness. Living life with no true joy. Going in and out of each day with maddening mundane monotony.

I know for myself this was true. I had lived a life of addiction, depression, pain, fear, and all the rest. Daily in the dark. Until one glorious day…LIGHT appeared!! And when you see it, right where you are living, hurting, working, it changes everything. And that point is where I want to stay for a moment - The Light that comes right where you are.

In the account of Jesus’ birth, we read in Luke chapter 2 that there were shepherds out in the field tending to their flocks. These were ordinary men who were working, living, doing life like you and me. They had probably walked far that day and then, as always, the sun had finally set. The sky grew dark, and night had come. They had settled into the surrounding, expected, darkness. Then suddenly, everything changed. Light appeared. An angel stood right in the middle of their camp. With the sudden, unexpected Light came the reality of a spiritual realm. This Light piercing the darkness of their earth, and their hearts, gave way to a Truth, THE Truth. That truth is that a realm in heaven must exist and that at any given moment, it can become very apparent. And if there was any shadow of a doubt within their hearts with the appearance and message of one angel, a host, an army, of angels are then made known, and heaven and earth had become one.

The Light appearing to the shepherds did more than change their evening, it changed their lives. It dispelled the darkness, changed their plans, redirected their path, put praise upon their lips, and forever altered their hearts. The Light in the darkness of that field, led them directly to Jesus. The Light led them to Life. And today, it is the same.

Whether you are you experiencing an unexpected darkness, or living in the adjusted darkness of your life, Jesus wants you to know that He is with you. There is a realm that is greater than just what you are experiencing, and it can shine bright in your darkness. It can lead you out.

There are times when Light comes bursting through our darkness when we don’t expect it, like with the shepherds, and then there are times when we have to cry out to see it. Whether or not you are aware of it, He is already there with you. That realm you can’t see exists right where you are. Personally, for me, I couldn’t see it. At the end of June 1994 while I was consumed in the darkest dark I had ever known, I cried out. “God, if you are real, please show me.” That was it. Days later I was arrested with the same amazement as those in Luke 2, I was captured by that Light. And like them, my plans changed, my direction was altered, and my heart was reborn.

Christmas is when we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the Light and Life. If you have come into the reality of His Light and Love, stop and take some time to thank Him and worship and adore Him. Perhaps there is some darkness that has invaded your life and heart. It is time to stop adjusting to it, and with His Light, cause it to flee.

But if instead you are still searching for Him this Christmas, searching for a way out of your darkness and pain, I pray that the reality of His Light and Love will fill your heart and forever alter your course.

With humbled amazement, Merry Christmas. Pastor Annette

Luke 2:8-14 AMP And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! 12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. 13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].

Priority vs. Obsession

“Mary picked up an alabaster jar filled with nearly a liter of extremely rare and costly perfume—the purest extract of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet. Then she wiped them dry with her long hair. And the fragrance of the costly oil filled the house." - John 12:3 TPT I have to first be honest....this thought did not originate with me. It began when I was listening to a teaching from Damon Thompson. And honestly, it just simply messed me up. I've been meditating on it for days. Read the above verse again. As you probably recall Judas, the one who eventually would betray Jesus, did not take too kindly to this extravagant display of worship. His response is found in verse 5, "What a waste! We could have sold this perfume for a fortune and given the money to the poor!” As critical and pious as we all like to be, if we were honest, we would have probably felt the exact same way as Judas. Especially if you were one who was poor. Think about it.....if you had a huge need and you saw what could satisfy your need being poured out in front of you, would you be quick to question, like Judas, this over the top devotion of Mary? The only way to be sure is to answer this question, what is the most valuable thing in the room? If you answered the alabaster box of oil you would be incorrect. You see, Jesus is the most valuable thing in the room. And Mary was the only one who understood that. Everyone else put the most value on the oil, and in doing so, revealed a deep truth within their own hearts. Jesus was not the most valuable to them. He was a priority to them, but He was not their obsession. Priority is defined as something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first. To obsess is to be the only person or thing that someone thinks or talks about; to excessively preoccupy the mind with. Mary thought more of Jesus than she did the oil. Everyone else considered the oil first, and in doing so thought it wasteful to pour it out. It's easy to be extravagant when you see and know Jesus to be more valuable than anything else you may have. I realized that somehow, slowly, I began to think and act like a betrayer. I was comparing Jesus' worth to things around me; arguing with myself about what He deserved and whether or not I would give it. The heart of Mary within me had been numbed by pain, disappointment, rejection, and unbelief. What about you? Have you been walking with Jesus for so long that He has slowly become your priority and is no longer your obsession?

Famine is Your Friend

Yesterday I had the honor again of being the opening speaker at Kingdom Connection Conference. (Thank you Pastors Jason and Becky) With all that has been going on I was hesitant about ministering. I always desire to used by the Lord, but I also am aware of how easily it is to mix your soul in the message. That’s not always bad, but it’s not always good either. Anyways…. I need to make a long story short. 😊

As I had had been seeking the Lord He led me to the book of Ruth. It was not the deaths of Naomi’s husband and sons that caused her and her daughters-in law to leave Moab and go back to Bethlehem. It was the severe famine in the land of Moab that made them to be wanting. It was hunger. Until their hunger became greater than their own ability to feed themselves they weren’t ready to walk in faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God. In the area of their famine, they had HEARD a WORD that the Lord was actually feeding people in the place that Naomi and her husband had left 10 years earlier (Bethlehem). Faith comes by hearing the Word of the Lord. Naomi heard her hunger could be fulfilled in leaving where she was and going back to her starting point. Would she be going back a failure? Would she be returning to judgment and scorn? Would it matter….those “what ifs” where minuscule compared to her hunger. Oh how real hunger is our friend. Hunger will make us step out in faith. Hunger is the seed form our greatest victories. Hunger leads us to redemption. Blessed are the hungry for they shall be filled.

Dark Night of My Soul

I have found myself in what has probably been the deepest state of mourning I have ever been in. And for me, that says a lot. I used to think that the day my my van was slammed into by a Jeep going 70 miles an hour, killing my daughter, was the darkest day I would ever encounter while I lived in this earth. Oh, how wrong I was. You see, when my beautiful blue-eyed Brianna left this world, although there was deep sorrow, there were many things at work that were far beyond any human control. In moments like that you realize that you are not as "mighty" and as "in control" as you think you are. That is far different than the battle that has raged over me of late. In 1994, I surrendered my life to Jesus. I promised Him forever...all of my heart, my energy, my life...all His. For the very first time since that day I have found myself questioning that decision. I know....horrible to admit isn't it? Well, it's the truth, and it's real. Jesus tells us if they hated Him, they will hate you. If they lied about Him, they will lie about you. If they accused Him, they will accuse you. If they hated Him, they will hate you. If they betrayed Him, they will betray you. Which is all fine and dandy, until it all happens at once. All the hate, the lies, the accusation, the betrayal...all of sudden I find myself confronted with the question, "Will you too leave Me?" I thought what a crazy question Jesus! Will I leave you? I'm apparently suffering because I am on Your side! Why on earth would you ask ME if I'm leaving You too??? His reply floors me.... "Annette, those who lied about you, left Me to lie. Those who betrayed you, left Me to betray you. The ones pointing a finger in scorn at you, they left Me so that they could point. Are you now going to respond the way your soul wants to? If you do, you will be leaving Me, just as they have. I love them. I love you. Please, I'm asking you, as I asked them, don't leave." Tears. Sorrow. Sadness. Can I leave my Beloved? Is it possible....for one moment of satisfying my own soul? It's the darkest place I have ever been because I could not answer quickly. I have endured too much pain. My heart is so broken that I had to weigh my response. What has happened to my heart? Dark indeed.... I don't want to leave You, but my pain causes me to count the cost.....rush in with Your love and mercy once again. Create in me a pure heart. Work in the will and pleasure of Your heart once again. Please don't loosen Your grip on me.

The Lord brought me all the way here to South Carolina just to show me He has prepared a place for me to come into a greater intimacy.

#faithful #beloved #devotionallife

Walls vs. Mountains

The Song of Songs is my favorite holy scripture. I love to read it, teach it, confess it….I’m in the process of teaching it again right now and as always it ministers to my own heart fresh and anew each time.

In Song 2:9 we find Jesus gazing through the window and seeing us behind the wall of protection. Here we have sat and been refreshed with Him. However from behind our wall of protection we hear His voice and see Him easily scaling over mountains and hills. The problem is we are perfectly fine where we are. We don’t really believe running over mountains with Him is necessary. This is spiritual warfare. One important thing to note is this is not about EXTERNAL things. It’s not about a physical move, or location change, this is about our INTERNAL struggles.

The walls were to protect us for a season. While we learn to trust Jesus and commune with Him the walls protecting us are actually merciful and full of grace. In the beginning of our journey His voice is always heard WITHIN the walls. When it is heard for the first time OUTSIDE of the walls is the first time we experience this painful turmoil….are we going to trust in Him in the painful, looming obstacles of our heart?

You see, if we stay in the walls all we see is INWARD. How WE feel; what WE think, what WE have experienced, how WE have been hurt…..and all this does is cause us to retreat deeper and find anyway possible to not have to go out there to the high mountain (aka, hurt, problem, obstacle, wounding, etc) that Jesus is now calling us from to come join Him! And before we know it Jesus is shut out and we find that our intimacy is slowly waning.

But Jesus waits for us…He keeps His watchful eye on us…patiently He keeps releasing His wonderful love until we find the bravely and courage to join Him on the journey healing. A journey into greater intimacy.

If you have found yourself afraid to come out of the self protection walls pray today for the Lord to draw you closer. Pray today for the strength and courage to trust Him. He is gentle and will not harm you. He will not allow you to slip and fall. And before long you will know, by experience, that mountain climbing is far better than life behind the wall.

A current confession

How transformed we can be when the Words of God flow from our heart and mouths! "I love Him passionately although I do not see Him; and through my belief and faith in Him I am saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably grand and immersed in glory!"

Speak it! 01.03.17

So, I think I'm going to do a series of confessions to speak over myself this year. Of course, I'm typing these out for me...however I figured they may bless you as well. 💜👍🏻 I am going to make a dedication of my heart to say what God says more and more and more! Today's confession is rewritten from 1 Peter 1:2-3 TPT - "I am not forgotten! I have been chosen and destined by the Heavenly Father. Holy Spirit has set me apart to be an obedient follower of Jesus Christ. I have been gloriously sprinkled with His blood! God's delightful grace and peace cascades over me!"

#words of life wordofGod #jesuslovesyou

It's so unfair!

How many times has that come flying out of your heart and mouth as you're looking upward wondering if the Father even cares about your struggle!?! Come on! Admit it!!! You've actually contemplated that He could literally be picking on you....sweet, "I'm trying" YOU! 😉 Seriously though, we all have been in a warfare when at some point we begin to wonder if we are ever going to get out of it. After declaring all the promises you know to declare, and cleaning up all the sin you can think of that you're doing, you start to wonder if you ever heard the Lord to begin with. What makes it worse is when people who don't love Jesus like you do seem to have it all together. Life is easy-breezy for them....or so it seems. One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 73. Let me share part of it with you from the Passion Translation. Psalm 73:12-16 These are the wicked ones I'm talking about! They never have to lift a finger, Living a life of ease while their riches multiply. Have I been foolish to play by the rules and keep my life pure? Here I am suffering under Your discipline day after day While they sail through life without a care. If I had given in to my pain and spoken of what I was really feeling. It would have sounded like unfaithfulness to the next generation. So when I tried to understand it all, I just couldn't. It was too puzzling--too much of a riddle to me. Can you relate?? We all have felt like the war was unfair. And although we can find a kindred heart with the psalmist words here, it's vitally important we take ahold of what he found out after he had his "moment." Verse 17 (emphasis added): BUT then, ONE DAY I was brought into the sanctuaries of God. And in the LIGHT of GLORY, MY DISTORTED perspective vanished. First....there will always a be a "but then!" It's okay to complain...as long as you're bringing your complaint to the Lord. Secondly...you're "one day" follows your "but then." The day you are in now will have its end. Don't make emotional decisions in a day that doesn't last forever. Remember, a specific day is coming!!! Third...the illuminating manifested presence of the Lord will adjust your vision. No matter how "real" you feel about your situation....it's distorted. I know, I know, you can write a five page list of why things are the way they are....but beloved, it's still a distorted perspective: and it isn't going to change until you get into the sanctuary of God, in the Light of His Truth that you will be able to see that. This is the outcome of coming into His sanctuary and allowing Him to change your perspective: Verses 22-26 I was so stupid. I was senseless and ignorant, Acting like a brute beast before you Lord. Yet, in spite of all this, You comfort me by Your counsel; You draw me closer to You. You lead me with Your secret wisdom. And following You brings me into Your brightness and glory! Whom have I in heaven but You! You're all I want! No one on earth means as much to me as You. Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace, But when I trust in You I have a strong and glorious presence Protecting and anointing me. Forever You're all I need!!

#JesusIsAllINeed #pointedpoints

Thankful

Today, I'm thankful for all the storms I have faced this past year. They each caused me to lean closer into and find shelter in Jesus. I'm thankful for every knife that was thrust in my back, especially from the ones who I thought were close friends, ministry partners, and family. You each caused me to remember that it is the applause of One, His, that I am living for. You each helped me to learn what it means to walk in forgiveness. I'm thankful for every lie and accusation, and every critical judgment spoken of me. It caused me to reflect on my heart, and my love walk. It made me strive to be more like Jesus regardless of your opinions. It caused me to circumcise my heart where there was truth in what you said; and also taught me to rehearse what it is that Jesus has said about me is far more important. I'm thankful for all the physical struggles I have had this year. They have taught me that Jesus does still heal...and even that healing through doctors is not "second hand" but just as anointed as if I didn't have to go through surgery. I'm thankful for all of the plans that's fizzled out; the things I thought I really wanted and didn't pan out; for the arguments I lost; for the moments where it looked like I didn't have enough; for the heartbreak; and the rejection. All of it made Jesus more beautiful to me. It made me grow in grace and faith. It sharpened my sword and my focus. It made me draw deeper on the love and faithfulness of my Heavenly Father. I have seen His face and His hand in the good and the bad. In what He gives and what He takes away. In what He says "yes" to and what He says "no" to. In all of it though, He has said, "I love you." Happy Thanksgiving!

Are You In Or Out?

I am fully aware that this may offend...but the truth always offends us before it can make us free. Jesus confronted a religious sect for their pretense...I think it's time to look at ours: You're either all in or not. The difference between those who are all in and those who aren't: Church is optional depending on your schedule or how you feel, or how tired you are You only call out to Jesus when there is crisis or drama You always have good intentions about serving the Lord but never put any action to your promises The only time you publicly profess you are a Christian is when there is a conversation going on and you chime in and say you are one too You wake up early to get kids to practice, school, special outings, but never can seem to get up early and spend some time with Jesus in the Word or in prayer All of your experiences with Him are past tense You spend all your money on you, what you want, or school fundraisers, business, however the thought of tithing offends you You have no issues staying out late for sports, travel, movies or what you want but when you think of going to a Wednesday night service you can't because you have to get your kids to school You know the words to every song on the radio but the only songs about Jesus you can really sing from memory are Christmas Carols The only scripture you read is on Pinterest boards When you are in church you think it's crazy to dance, raise your hands, and praise God but you have no issues posting yourself twerking on YouTube, or getting your dance on at the club You spend zero time with Jesus but fully expect to get heaven

The Highest Degree

John 13:1b “And as He had loved those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the last and highest degree.” Here the Lord Jesus sits down at a table with 12 filthy men knowing full well that His time has come…this is THE Passover…the one He knew would one day come. In addition, He also is fully aware that Satan has thrust the seed of betrayal into the heart of Judas. 12 filthy men, one with the heart of setting into motion the final plans of the Father for the Son. In this chapter of John we read the familiar text of how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples...ALL of them. Jesus makes it clear, “If I don't wash you, you have no part with Me.” I believe in stunned wonder they all sat there silent as the Man they witnessed speak revelation they had never heard, healed the sick, delivered the possessed and raise the dead, bowed as low as He could and wiped the filth off of feet. As He finished He tells these now cleansed men that His betrayal is at hand. He exhibits the ultimate servant act and as soon as He is done, the moment He knew was coming but in His humanness didn't want to face, is upon Him. And all of this occurred as He had loved them to the highest and last degree. The limit of love, all that love could encompass, was given to these men. You see, I could understand if John wrote of this love AFTER the cross. That would make perfectly good sense to me. But this love, the fullness of God-love, was achieved in the midst of filthy men and a betrayer. Bewildering to my heart. Jesus held nothing back from these who followed Him intimately. Perhaps this captures my heart so because I was one who received this highest love when even though I had no idea it existed. I didn't deserve the love He showered upon me as a sinner. But in my filthiness and sinful state all I could do was yield to that love. It was everything my heart had longed for, but had no idea of the longing or need of it. But it didn't end there. As a follower of Jesus, and one who attempts to be an intimate and loyal disciple, I find myself yielding to my lower nature and desperately needing this love over and over and over again. When I first encountered His love, my desperation wouldn't allow me to be uncomfortable. It was like a barren desert receiving the greatest downpour it had ever been given…it literally was irresistible. But now, as a follower, this love makes me uncomfortable at times, just as it did these disciples. We know we shouldn't be dirty…we shouldn't allow the residue of this world to attach itself to us…and yet it does. And we have to face our condition as we look into the face of the One who bowed low; the One who still bows and says, “Let me love you in weakness and wash you so that you can part in and with Me.” It hurts our heart…we come face to face with this highest love and at the same time come face to face with our condition. When the Lord comes to us and reveals our sin, our filth, our need of Him; let us not shrink back in condemnation or pride. We have to remember that in confronting us the Lord is extending to us the highest, most uttermost love, as well as the answer to our condition…His cleansing.

The Word of the Lord Remains for Israel

As Zachariah's tongue was loosed after the birth of his son, John the Baptist, being full of, and controlled by, Holy Spirit he began to prophecy. Given the current situation in the middle east, as I read this words today the surety of the promises and assertions of the Lord filled my spirit. The Lord does reign and He is still watching over His Word to perform it:

LUKE 1:70-75 This is as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times - that we should have deliverance and be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who detest and pursue us with hatred; to make true and show the mercy and compassion and kindness promised to our forefathers and to remember and carry out His holy covenant. That covenant He sealed by oath to our forefather Abraham; to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our foes, might serve Him fearlessly in holiness and righteousness within His presence all the days of our lives.

Amen and amen!

Go High

Mark 3:13-15 And He went up on the hillside and called to Him those He wanted and chose, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve to continue to be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach, and to have authority and power to heal the sick and to drive out demons. When you read this account in Luke's Gospel, chapter 6, we find that Jesus didn't casually trek up a hillside but that He went up on the mountain and spent the entire night in prayer with the Father. I am convinced that in that all night communion with the Father Jesus learned who the Father would have Him call out separately from the many who were following Him. The Father spoke to Him of twelve men, including Judas Iscariot. When morning dawned, Jesus responded in obedience to the will and pleasure of the Father. There a few things to learn from both the perspectives of Jesus and these called out ones: First, Jesus- 1. Jesus shows us that we must separate ourselves in prayer and communion before we make any decisions. His call to prayer was upwards. He had to ascend to the Father, and we must follow His example. 2. We must be willing to sacrifice time and the needs of our flesh sometimes in order to obtain the direction of the Father. Jesus did not eat or sleep, He communed all night with the Father. We have to take off our watches, turn off our schedules, and reach past the comforts of our flesh to see His face. 3. Jesus responds in obedience to the Father. Rest assured beloved, there wasn't one called out by Jesus that the Father hadn't told Him to call. Even the very one who would be used to betray Him. Secondly, the disciples- 1. The disciples stayed near enough to hear the call. There are times in our walk that when we are "separated" or feel a part from His manifested presence, and we must force ourselves to stay near. In the night, fear may come wondering where He is, but when dawn arrives, if we have remained steadfast we can hear Him call our name. 2. Notice that Jesus didn't come down, He called them up. When they were invited to follow Him Jesus was "on their level." This invitation was higher, these men were being called out to be sent out. 3. They had to go up. We are required to ascend, just as Jesus did. We have to leave the things of this earth behind and go higher. It's much harder to go up hill than down. There are a ton of excuses we could probably give as to why we don't want to wake up and trek up some big mountain first thing. How often do we just stay where our coffee is in the morning instead of ascending? Do we hear Him call our name and yet keep telling Him we'll come up tomorrow, or after work, or before bed, etc? The scripture says He called from on high and they came. The ascending was conditioning them for the sending. Perhaps this is why we, the church, are not walking in power and authority, healing the sick, and driving out demons. Are we ready to ascend?

Do You Hear the Song?

I am up everyday long before the sun comes up. I love my quiet time in the morning with Jesus and my coffee. Lately I have been so tired physically and emotionally. My eyes become heavy and my thoughts begin to wander as my heart feels it's recent sorrow. Days have gone by since the death of our sweet Kimmy, however, sitting through her graduation ceremony was the hardest thing I have personally experienced. It was all I could do to lean on Jesus on the inside while being strong enough to be leaned upon on the outside. It was overwhelming, but of course we all got through it. The next morning I was getting up to go to church to open up for prayer as I do every Sunday morning. I had overslept and was irritated and already considering the state of my heart. How could I pray and lead others? I was angry. I was hurting. I was tired. As I stood in the room collecting myself I began to hear a beautiful song. The birds had begun to sing their morning praise to the Creator. I love to hear the birds sing. I always imagine what praise they are giving. :) Their song pierced through the darkness of my soul and I felt a tinge of hope. Seconds later I looked up and noticed it was still extremely dark outside. The sun had still not come up. I realized It was in the dark the birds sang. They were singing the morning song while still sitting in the dark. They were trusting that the sun was going to rise. It's an easy thing to sing the song of the morning while you are experiencing the warmth of the sun. But we are called to sing the prophetic song...the song that anticipates that The Lord is faithful and as sure as the sun rises, the Son will rise in our dark times...they will not last forever. And like the hope that sprung in my heart at the hearing of their song, so hope rises in us. There is a melody in your darkness. Hear it. Sing it.

Excuse me while I rant....

I am dumbfounded...sad...and frustrated this morning. With what? Well....here ya go, if any of these "hit" you, well..... I'm disgusted with the vile greedy, doctrine of demons that comes from the "Christian" ministries on television. It's like puke in my mouth. Stop giving money and promoting these false teachers church! You can't plant a seed to get a car! STOP IT! I'm so tired of Christians liking pages on Facebook like "The Long Island Medium" and other demonic "pretty" things. You can't serve two Gods!! How can you be entertained by this??? I'm tired of a church that doesn't exhibit any power of the kingdom because we are so much like the world...in every way. We like the worlds music, movies, and conform to its fashions and leading. We do what we want and then add "Jesus" to the end and think it's okay...and God forbid someone say something about it because then we are being "judgmental." I love Jesus, and I love His church. It is from that love that my frustration comes. How can we bring the message of hope and salvation through Jesus to a lost and dying world when the ones who are supposed to carry the Answer are just as lost? Holy Spirit, awaken us....let the sleeping church hear the sound of the alarm that is being sounded in the earth today. Baptize us afresh in Your fiery love. Strengthen us to tear down all the high places in our heart; to abandon all the false lovers we pant after and may we be found panting and running after Jesus and Him alone. Restore to us the joy of our salvation. Cause us to be burning ones and turn our cities upside down with the marvelous Truth that You came to set the captives free. Holy Spirit, where You are there is freedom. Dwell in and among us so that we experience, in reality, that freedom. Lead us into all Truth, and may we not be offended at Your Word, but with great expectation be found shouting a consecrated YES to all your reveal. In Jesus Name!

At Once

As I read how the first disciples were given the invitation by Jesus to "come, follow Me," the Amplified bible uses two words to describe their responses, "at once." There is a weightiness in these two words that I could not seem to look past this morning. When we hesitate at His command, what are we missing? There was one young man who was filled with zeal about the things of God and ran up to Jesus and fell down and asked Him, "What must I do to have eternal life?" Everyone looking at this young guy would be able to see how passionate he was. Today, most of us would applaud him and call him a "Jesus freak" or "radical." After all, his approach "looked" like it was supposed to. Jesus gives this man the SAME invitation He gave to 12 other men, we know as "the disciples." Think about it....he didn't get "go and sin and no more" or "don't tell anyone" and the many other things Jesus told those He came into contact with. This young man received the same invitation Peter did. The same invitation John did. Matthew did. And all of their responses were "at once." At once they left everything-possessions, relationships, reputations, etc. Not this man....he thought about it. He considered how much stuff he owned. He considered how all those possessions defined him. He paused. He thought. He considered. Perhaps...he waited for a "confirmation." Jesus wasn't asking him twice, He was asking him right there, right then....it's yes or no...willing or unwilling. It wasn't a mean request, after all there in the crowd standing right next to Jesus were men who had just done the very thing Jesus had asked him to. There he goes....walking off....with all of stuff and now with the added burden or sorrow and grief. How often do we respond with an "at once" obedience? Maybe those opportunities don't come around again.

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Pointed Points