From riches to rags

When was the last time you spoke to a homeless person? I can probably guess the answer. What stops you from wanting to talk to a homeless person? Are they scary because they look and smell dirty? Do you think you are putting yourself in danger?

Proverbs 21:13

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.  

Ok, now lets look at a different perspective. Lets say you lost your job and could not support your family anymore and you could not find work. So, you lost your house, car and all of your prized possessions, and it forced you to live on the street. How would that make you feel? Well, guess what? That is the case for MANY homeless people. Now, let’s think about this. How would you feel if you were homeless and no one ever stopped to talk to you or even offer you food, warm clothes, or money? And the reason no one stopped to care was because you looked and smelled unpleasant because you haven’t showered in no one knows how long and because everyone was just too busy and selfish to want to care. After all, we can’t miss our football games, we have to make it to the big sale on the newest video games and we can’t miss going out to dinner at a nice restaurant with our friends and family…right?

Proverbs 17:5

Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

If you were homeless and no one talked to you would you feel lonely? If no one cared to cater to your needs would you feel lonely? If you were cold and had nowhere to go, would you feel lonely? And you know that you are not scary. You are a fun, out-going person that just found yourself in an unfortunate situation; why wouldn’t anyone want to talk to you or even help you? What is so wrong with you that no one would want to help you? Well, you’re scary looking and you might be dangerous. And you are thinking…but I’m really not! I’m just a person just like everyone else. Are you getting the picture here? Seriously, close your eyes and picture what this would look and feel like to you if you were living in the shoes of a homeless person.

The homeless are people just like you and I. They seek to be included just like you. They get hungry just like you. They have desires and goals just like you! You and I are no better than those more unfortunate than us.

Proverbs 22:2

The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.

Proverbs 29:13
The poor and the oppressor have this in common-the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

I assure you that just taking the time to talk to a homeless person means the world to them. It brings a smile to their faces because they don’t get to socialize much because people are too afraid to accept them in our everyday society. How do I know this, you ask? Because, I cannot count how many times I have stopped to talk to a homeless person on the side of the road, especially those who are so desperate that they are standing at on and off ramps of highways begging for your help. I have given them food, water, and money so many times. I assure you I have never encountered danger in such an act of service. I am not saying that danger is not possible; I am saying that if you are being generous there is no reason for you to be taken advantage of. Most of the homeless people that I talked to are men, older men. And yet, they are people too. I have never been harmed, threatened, or had the reason to fear danger in these situations. When you give in generosity, believe me, these people are nothing but grateful!

I beg you: do not let fear, nor stepping out of your comfort bubble, talk you out of helping someone in need, especially someone who is homeless. I will tell you why helping the homeless is so important:

I spent about an hour at a Tim Hortons just the other day. Across the room I saw this older man sipping a hot beverage. He was wearing a bicycle helmet. As I looked at him I had a feeling that he might be homeless and by the look at the sleet coming down outside and knowing how cold it was…I just had a strong sense that he may even be in need of food, clothing, or even a warm place to stay. Surprisingly, he sat at his table the entire hour I was there and I was hoping to catch him and speak with him before I left, but as I was on my way out he was nowhere to be found, but his bike was still sitting outside. So, I figured he was in the restroom and I decided to just proceed and head out to the car and go home. So, I started the car and I left. I got half way down the road, towards home, and had this strong feeling that he may not have a warm place to sleep tonight and I couldn’t imagine experiencing sleeping in such cold. So, I turned around and headed back. Sure enough, he was still there and he was preparing himself to get onto his bike to leave. I pulled my car over towards him and asked him if he had a warm place to stay for the night and he assured me that he did and that he had an apartment a few blocks away. This man was so tickled that I stopped to talk to him. I could tell because he couldn’t stop smiling and he was very conversational. He told me that he is 78 years old. Can you imagine traveling by bicycle in the sleet and such cold temperatures? He told me a little bit about himself and he told me that there are so many homeless people and that he knows many of them personally. He said that he tries to help others when he can. Here, this guy clearly didn’t have much. He was traveling by bike and he had a grocery bag attached to the front of it and even he reaches out to help others that are in need! How interesting is that, someone who clearly does not have much is more giving than someone who has substantially much more than he. Think about that for a moment.

Proverbs 28:27

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

So, here was the most heartbreaking thing that I heard during our very hearty conversation…he said to me “There are a lot of homeless people and they are dying because they are so cold and hungry” WHAT!? People are dying because of the cold temperatures and because they are hungry? I have food in my fridge and I have a warm home, why am I not giving to these people and preventing them from dying? That is heartbreaking!!!

Proverbs 29:7

The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all.

Proverbs 19:17

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord – and he will repay you.

You know, God loves these people just as he loves you and me. And sure, you can pray for help for these unfortunate circumstances, that these people are enduring. But, don’t you know that we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus? These people are dying because we are too selfish and are more concerned about our “little” problems. We are not even supposed to look down on the homeless!

Proverbs 14:31

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.

Proverbs 14:21

It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.

How much are you willing to pay for a new fancy cell-phone, high-speed internet, cable, or a new car?

How much are you willing to pay for a new fancy cell-phone, high-speed internet, cable, a new car, etc? Are you willing to spend a little more even if it hurts just a little bit because you are getting something you really want? Well, let me ask you another question: Are you willing to pay whatever the price and obey God’s voice at all costs even if it hurts a little or even a lot? Are you willing to take that chance? If you’re not serious about seeking God then you aren’t going to find Him.

If you are not serious about seeking God, if you are uncomfortable with strange and unusual manifestations, if you are uncomfortable with being thrown off your bandwagon of your comfortable lifestyle consumed by materialism and traditions, then you need to go someplace else. Doing things your way are no good for you. We have lived our lives our way long enough. In order for you to really experience God’s presence you must pay the price of letting go and letting God do it His way.

You should want Him at any cost and not let that sacredness be taken for granted. God is calling us to carry His presence into battle. He wants us to dwell with Him intimately in communion, but we first must go to him with dead flesh. His revival is based on His glory and presence. Nothing we can do can reach the world. God’s glory must flow within the four walls that we are standing.

Looks don’t matter. We can pretend all we want and nothing real will happen because we do not have the power to accomplish anything without the glory of God present. The church has been “playing church” for way too long. There are church buildings all over the world, but no matter how fancy the lawn, the auditorium or the programs are, God is really not welcomed there because the dignity and respectability among men are more important than the moving and the presence of God. Did you know that there are times when God’s glory has moved out of its rightful place because of the sin and indifference of man? That makes me want to vomit. Seriously, we are responsible for the unmoving of God so many times and then we complain that God is not moving and is absent from our lives when we are the ones to blame! Sickening! In order for us to see God’s best we must remember that we must be willing to sacrifice what we think is good and acceptable. When we are willing to do that, God’s visitation can then become real. God wants ALL the glory, not a little, some or most, but ALL the glory in the church. He wants His glory to be on display for the whole world to see!

We need to be ready for Him to come suddenly and without warning, regardless of how that changes our plans. Oh wait, that could make a church service run late, perhaps all through the night? But, you have to go home and watch football and have a feast waiting at home! Or maybe you need to go grocery shopping or you were planning on seeing a movie or visiting a friend or family member. Really!? Are these things really more important than what the presence of God has planned? Why are we so hesitant at handling God’s manifested presence? God only comes by invitation, that means displayed hunger! This is what it comes down to: Do you really want Him to come? Are you willing to pay whatever the cost in chasing God’s presence?

Are you afraid of the dark?

PART 1

Are you afraid of the dark?

Darkness can be scary. Things can creep in unnoticed and
completely terrify you. When in darkness it is hard to see; it is hard to get around and it is just not a place anyone I know wants to be. Don’t let yourself go into darkness: the kind of darkness that is on the other side of Christ-following. It can be easy to slip into
darkness because our modern day, busy, on-the-go lifestyle distracts and discourages us, we fall further and further away from God, and then we wonder where He went, when really we are the ones that drifted. God has been there all along. He never left you; you were just too busy to see that. Don’t blame Him, it is the side of darkness you should be angry with.

There are 2 sides: Good and evil. The side of good is God driven and glorifying to God and the evil side it out to ruin and destroy. It is a constant battle to be fought on a regular basis. What is the most effective way to stay away from the dark side? The answer: Fear the Lord. When we fear the Lord we strive to please Him, we inherit wisdom, and we are strengthened to fight against evil.

Fearing the Lord is the same kind of fear that we should have had towards our parents when we were kids, a fear that if we did not obey we would be punished. When we had this kind of fear it steered us away from doing wrong and we were rewarded in some way. This is the kind of fear that we should have of our Lord, Jesus. 

The book of Proverbs talks a lot about fearing the Lord and what some of the punishments and rewards are of doing so. I have taken the time to examine what this book says directly regarding the fear of the Lord. These verses are all key ingredients that will help prevent us from being pulled into the dark side. Let’s take a look:

Proverbs 2:1-5

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.

Proverbs 3:7
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 8:13

All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.

Proverbs 9:10

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Proverbs 10:27

Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

Proverbs 14:26-27

Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. Fear of the Lord is a life giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.

Proverbs15:16

Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

Proverbs 16:6

Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin, By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

Proverbs 19:23

Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.

Proverbs 22:4

True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

Proverbs 23:17           

Don’t envy sinners but always continue to fear the Lord.

Proverbs 24: 21-22

My Child, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels, for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the Lord and the king?

Ok, so clearly we SHOULD fear the Lord. Let’s recap the benefits of fearing the Lord.

Fearing the Lord will:

• Help you gain knowledge of God.
• Turn away from evil.
• Will hate evil.
• Be a foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
• Lengthen one’s life.
• Give you security; he will be a refuge for your children.
• Offer escape from the snares of death.
• Be better than having little.
• Help you avoid evil.
• Lead to life and bring security and protection from harm.
• Lead to riches, honor, and a long life.
• Turn you away from envying sinners.
• Turn you to the king and away from rebels that will endure disaster and unknown punishments given by the Lord.
  
  

PART 2
Acts 5:1-11

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. Then Peter said “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart. You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified, Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price”. And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.” Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. GREAT FEAR gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.

I don’t know about you, but I know that after hearing or even witnessing this event would definitely stir a fear of God in me. Think about this: Ananias and his wife Sapphira had good intentions of actually doing a good thing, they were giving of their money. They did not have to, it was a decision that they both agreed upon. There is nothing wrong with giving, right? Well, we all know where they went wrong. They both lied. It was just a little white lie, no harm in that, right? WRONG! God certainly didn’t think so. He struck them dead…because they lied! Not because they murdered, committed adultery, or any other seemingly worse crime. They only lied. God has the power to strike us dead just as easily! He may choose another route in striking our death. Perhaps a car wreck, a plane crash or an unexpected health problem will take us to our death. My point is, God is just as powerful today as He was the day Ananias and his wife were stricken dead. Therefore, we should fear Him just the same!

One of our biggest problems today in our spiritual walk with God is that we try to continue on as normal past “speed bumps” that God allows in our life. We tend to get angry and even panic. We then try to find a way around the speed bump on our own, instead of relying on God to get us over it. If we responded to such speed bumps with full faith in God that He would get us over it, we would definitely see a new light in the situation. Perhaps a blessing that was never anticipated, or maybe a new word that the Lord is “texting” you would have occurred. We mustn’t ignore such opportunities. We need to STOP avoiding them!

In order to see God’s glory we must repent and allow our flesh to be dead. If we reach out with our flesh we are stopping the God that we are trying to contain in a box. After all, we don’t want to be knocked off our rickety man-made programs and traditions right? We shouldn’t be surprised when God’s glory breaks us out of our doctrinal and traditional box.

When God’s glory encounters living flesh it is because we allowed something within us to die.

We must remember this, especially when we are wondering why we are facing troubles and when things just don’t seem to be going “our way”. We should be asking ourselves: “What am I doing? Should I really be the one doing this?” We should be letting God be the one intervening and stop trying to be our own superhero.

Is it too much for you to stomach true repentance, the awesome flesh-death experience? Are you serious about God’s coming? Do you really want Him to come? Well, guess what? If you really want His presence you are going to have to do things His way. Why? Well, for starters He could kill you! Just as He killed Ananias and his wife. Does that sound a little extreme? Well, God wants us to do things His way to the extreme. Whether that makes us look foolish and silly, we should do it anyway because we do not know the plan that He has.

Sometimes we don’t learn the first time and maybe not even the second time around. But, when you look at how God has worked in your life, reflect on your history with Him. Study the history of past moves of God and his historical examples in His word. While studying His word in particular, we can learn so much! We also need to remember that God doesn’t always have to manifest Himself in things that are seen by our flesh. We shouldn’t be looking for sensationalism, we should be looking for God . We should be living our lives with the awareness of His CONSTANT presence. We should be careful to not let that awareness become so casual that we don’t see His presence as sacred anymore. We should be willing to see Him at any cost.

Are you looking for the light switch? Is it dark in “your room” with God? Do you want God to turn on the power in your life? We turn on the light switch by bringing back the respect for God’s power. For example: Any experienced electrician will tell you that they always turn off the power before wiring a house. Chances are, he has experienced what happens when he keeps the power on while wiring, OUCH!  From experience, the electrician has developed a respect for the power of electricity and the effect it has on unprotected flesh. Think about it. God wants us to turn our “do-it-yourself” fleshly mentality off so that He can work in our lives without having to ZAP us to get our attention so he can make His “electricity” work in our lives. Nothing should be worth holding onto so hard that you can’t experience His power.

Proverbs 19:23

Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.

Is this power of God worth it to you? What do you have to lose?