Breath Knocked Out!

Psalm 139:14 (The Message)

"I thank you, High God — you're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration — what a creation!"

When was the last time God took your breath away?

On the way home from church tonight we were listening to Brian Johnson sing "What does it sound like" by Ian McIntosh and it literally took my breath away.

What does it sound like when you sing heaven's song
What does it feel like when heaven comes down
What does it look like when God is all around
Let it come

This is what it sounds like when you sing heavens song
This is what it feels like when heaven comes down
This is what it looks like when God is all around
Let it come

When was the last time you stood in awe of Him? When was the last time He moved you with the thought of His love? When was the last time He took your breath away?

God wants to restore the 'awe' we have for Him. The writer of this psalm is talking about how God is completely aware of him and how there is no place he can go were God is not there. Earlier in the chapter he writes:

Psalm 139:6 (The Message)

This is too much, too wonderful —

I can't take it all in!

I CANT TAKE IT ALL IN! What an amazing statement! I love it!

I remember the first time I went to Roaring Springs to work at camp. During the altar call at one of the evening services I was sitting on the front row just experiencing the moment. I had really never seen an altar call like this before. I was watching some of the young ladies from our church in a circle praying together for each other. The passion they leaked for God and the love they had for one another was breathtaking! It was as if God had not only shown up but He had actually stood on my chest. I was overwhelmed by this...I was overwhelmed by HIM! In that moment I was feeling this verse. I actually had to get up and walk around outside the tabernacle for a while because I was so messed up by what I was experiencing.

When was the last time you were messed up?

When was the last time you were overwhelmed?

When was the last time He took your breath away?

When it happens again, remember these words:

This is what it sounds like when you sing heavens song
This is what it feels like when heaven comes down
This is what it looks like when God is all around
Let it come

LET IT COME!!!

Believe: part 1

Mark 9:23

"Everything is possible for him who believes."

NIV

What an amazing statement! A father poses an interesting statement to Jesus: "If you can." Jesus seems astonished at this and replies: "If you can? Everything is possible for him who believes."

Yesterday I was sitting in line at a fast food place listening to a podcast from Heidi Baker and something she said just grabbed a deep part of me. It almost reminded me of times when, as a kid, I was about to dart out into the street without paying much attention to the traffic. I would be startled at first when my mother would grab me suddenly to keep me from running out in front of a car. Then relief would sweep over me as I realized not only what could have happened but that her love for me had actually forbid me from experiencing it. In this moment, as I sit there listening(not only to the podcast), I heard the Holy Spirit say to me "I only need someone to believe Me." Instantly images flashed through my imagination of any and every thing I could think of that would fall into the category of impossible. Not that it necessarily effected me physically, but it took by breath away...if that makes sense.

Believe...what a word. I mean, it is more than just believing God exists or even in Jesus being the Son of God. Believing that He is who He says He is...that just has a power to it. He told Moses "I AM that I AM". I think of it as "I AM ______, you fill in the blank!" He is all, in all, created all, holds all of it together, has all, and will always be all. The question is: Do we believe Him? Do we?

About now you are saying "Yes!" and "Amen!" but let's think about it. The Bible says God is good, His plans for us are good, everything good comes from Him, and it also says the "thief" (the devil) comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. Now many think that sickness and disease is either from God or at least allowed by Him. This school of thought is backed by the idea that these things somehow make us better Christians and more like Jesus. One problem is Jesus was and now is NEVER sick! Hold on to that fact, we will revisit it later. Another thought is that we are being punished for something we have done wrong. Problem because Jesus took our punishment. Well enough of that...I'm getting on a 'soap box'.

My point is sickness and disease ONLY steals, kills, and destroys! That is the ultimate end of every disease and sickness. It steals time and money. That sounds like the thief to me. It don't sound GOOD to me. Any child could tell you that...hmmm I heard Jesus say some stuff about being like a child. Don't get me wrong, God can use sick and diseased people to touch people. People can get saved by witnessing the faith in a cancer patient. A person can ultimately turn to God due to an illness. Just don't be confused and think God was forced to make someone sick to get into their lives. He can win a poker game with a pair of twos. No matter how much we and the devil may try to derail Him He always wins. God also has no sickness or disease to give and as a matter of fact, about my statement that Jesus in not sick now, the Bible has this to say:

1 John 4:17

...as(like) He is(NOW not was), so are we in this world.

NKJV *emphasis mine

Enough said.

Everything is possible. EVERYTHING is possible. Say that a few times and let it sink in. Better yet, let it sink out. All of this is already in our spirit we just need to let it out! I have a lot more to say about this but I am going to stop here for now. If I were to be totally honest I am blogging this more for me than anyone else. Not that I have a problem understanding that God is good but I am attempting to grasp the understanding that everything is possible for him who believes. Will you join me on this journey? Do you dare? Do I dare? We shall see.

Justin

God is right here

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

KJV

I have been thinking about this scripture a lot lately. It's a passage that's quoted often and fairly simple to understand. The first part makes me think of times when I was a small child and I would run to my dad and climb into his lap any time I was afraid of something. He was not just a place to hid in but he was a strong place to hid. Once I got there I knew that nothing could harm me. There was complete peace and safety in me when I was near him. When I apply that experience to Father God I am overwhelmed with peace. After all, He is the Prince of Peace and lets face it, there is no one stronger!

I remember when dad died and I was standing alone in his shop just after we found out. The only thing I was thinking about at that time is how much my dad had been there for me. I couldn't help but think of the time Jessica and I had come home late and I jumped onto our water bed and the mattress burst at the seam. I jumped off and held the tear up above the water level to keep it from leaking. The only thing I knew to do was call dad and ask him to come over and 'give me a hand' since I couldn't move without water going everywhere. Oh, did I mention it was 12 o'clock in the morning? He came right over and literally 'bailed me out'. With this memory fresh in my mind I asked myself: "Who is going to be my dad now?" Who was going to be the one I could always count on? Who was going to be the one who would never let me down? Then I hear the Holy Spirit answer: "Who do you think I AM and where do you think I have been all the time?" ...WOW! I have always known but in that moment I REALLY knew.

The best part about this scripture for me are the words "very present". You see, when we are in trouble, it isn't like we call out and God has to come running to our aid. He IS right there the whole time. When I first repented and turned around He was right there behind me. When I've messed up and veered off His path (no matter how far), as soon as I turn to head back down that road I find Him there right where I am. I don't have to travel back to where I stepped off.

"Where can I flee from your presence?"

Psalms 139:7-10

I suppose I have been thinking about this because I have had a tough time adjusting to where we are. At times, I have felt like we are in the 'wilderness'. I feel like Moses when he spent 40 years basically baby sitting a bunch of people waiting for them to die so their kids could go into the Promise Land. It is hard not to feel like a baby sitter at times. I was missing being a pastor or at least a carpenter. These things I felt like I was good at, well... at times I did. I started to feel like I had failed at both of those and that I didn't have much to show for all we had done over the last 10 years. Then..."very present help" happened. A ton of bad ideas can be wiped away with one encouraging word, a slap on the back, or an invitation to shine. God saw where I was at because He was where I was at!

What was this one thing? I got asked to speak at chapel. For whatever reason, that was it. He knew it and He was there for me. I don't really know how to explain it but everything about it energized me! It was as if my Father was wrapping His amazingly strong and loving arms around me to whisper in my ear: "I AM right here and I haven't gone anywhere."

I am right where I'm supposed to be,

in the center of His plan for me.

This isn't something I can always see,

but I know it will be good for me.

I find it hard to be THIS transparent but hope that it helps someone. He is truly amazing and I hope you know Him like that.

Blessings,

Justin