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Question:

“I live in fear that the Lord wont take me before any other loved ones…when does this fear become sin? Does it mean that I’m not really a Christian if I haven’t placed this fear fully in God’s hands?” Did you ever hear of such dilemma? Am I losing it?

Answer: 

No, you aren’t losing it. You would be surprised how similar your fears are with many others.

I think there comes a point in life where you just come to a place where God is enough – that you drink deeply of him and are satisfied fully in him. I see your fear as something common among Christ followers but something, nevertheless, not excusable. God doesn’t want you to live gripped in fear – why? – Because he deeply loves you. You can trust that he has your best interest in mind  regardless of who does and doesn’t “go first”.

It is the love of God that compels us to ‘let go – surrender’ and rest (abide) in His strength, power and wisdom. This doesn’t belittle or undermine the very real pain of losing loved ones but it does give you ability to navigate the pain in a way that reflects God as trustworthy in your life. In simple terms – find your rest, peace and strength in Christ alone. All other relationships are just an expression of His Grace in your life but they are not the ultimate source of your well being — ONLY GOD can fulfill that in you.

Drink Deeply of God – How? By taking all your temptation to fear and turning it into conversation with the Lord – and remember that conversation is both ways – not a monologue but a dialogue of talking and listening.

I trust this helps you.

All is Grace,

Pastor John

I read out of Acts 26 this AM – Paul conveying his conversion experience to King Agrippa.

The last sentence in verse 14 grabbed my attention.

Acts 26:14  - “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Three application points: ( A goad is a point, prick, stinger often used to prod stubborn oxen)

When we hurt the church we hurt ourselves. – Obvious

Not so obvious, and this is where I think it applies to me (us), we cannot resist what God has purposed for us to accomplish. Resisting the directive of God brings pain and no solution to the reason(s) why we are resisting his directive in the first place.  Obeying the directive of God usually involves COST (Sacrifice) but in faithfully following his directive (despite pain, cost, sacrifice) we experience the equipping GRACE and JOY of God.

I cannot resist the providence of God…by his grace I have no desire to do so. (Note: Paul saw and heard the visible resurrected Christ – ( a vision I imagine difficult to sideline and thus disobey).  I don’t need a visible appearance and audible voice from God to motivate me to obey — however, affirmations and confirmations from his written word, circumstances and people, whom I respect, help me to be content that I am indeed following God’s specific directive for me (us).

Check out this link to bring some more clarity to the “Goad” sentence. FAITH BLOG

The Season of Lent provides an intentional time of enriching our lives spiritually. Although fasting is to be a regular spiritual discipline of every Christ follower, Lenten Season is an occasion of 40 days of focused abstinence. Seasons of fasting fatten our spiritual lives in at least two ways; first when we deny ourselves things that we are regularly accustomed to (food, media, treats, sex) we create open spaces for God to fill. For example, when I feel the pangs of hunger I look to the “bread of Life” to fill my empty place.  When I want to decompress from a hectic day; instead of turning on the TV I light some incense, play soft music and read inspirational spiritual works.  I create empty places in my life for the sole purpose of God filling them.

Secondly, participating in Lent prepares us for Easter. It’s the isolation in darkness that fills us with gratitude for the fullness of dawn. The valley prepares us for the breath taking vistas of the mountain top. Meditation on Christ’s suffering fills us with praise for his resurrection. The denial of self puts us in touch with our weakness and gives us empathy for those who feel hopeless in this world. The despair of hopelessness always precedes the life giving hope of His resurrection. So why not be intentional to get in touch with the suffering that comes before Easter? I would imagine that if we are deliberate in this respect, a new appreciation of Easter will birth in our hearts.

Scriptural Meditation: Psalm 63:1-8