FROM: Vancouver, Canada
ABOUT ME: I'm in love. His name is Jesus. He's one of a kind....
(View complete profile)
Thursday, March 22, 2012,1:18 PM
TIME FLIES
I realized this afternoon, while clicking on my blog link on my own favourites bar, that my blog picture was significantly outdated. Then I noticed that my blog itself was significantly outdated. Eleven months, almost to the day, since I last posted anything. Yikes!
It raises the question in my mind: Does anyone blog anymore? Was it just a passing fancy that grabbed our culture for a period of a few years? Hard to say. In thinking about my own tendency to blog, I can easily remember starting writing for the purpose of reaching and teaching my youth as their pastor. To have an outlet for thoughts and revelations about God that might be encouraging for other Believers to read while on their own journey towards knowing Him more.
If that's the reason I was writing, why am I not still writing?
Surely, as we discuss every Sunday night, 1 Corinthians 14:26 has not changed? Surely, despite all the ups and downs of my life, I still have something to share that might build up the Body? If one is to believe the scriptures, then the answer is yes, I do have things to share. Gifts, thoughts, encouragements. So why haven't I been sharing in this blog? That's a good question. Laziness? Maybe. A feeling that this outlet is outmoded and no one reads it anymore? Possibly. (Though, why would they - I haven't written anything new in almost a year!) A personal drive to share only the things that appear 'deep' because of a broken spirit that needs to be accepted and strives to protect all perception of its own dire state of sin and mediocrity, eventually eliminating anything that might be said on the basis of it not being good enough?
Uh.....well, yeah. That last one for sure.
The truth, if I choose to accept it, is that I do have things to say. I have a story to tell, albeit one of humility and brokenness, highs and lows, victories and defeats, as I move from day to day.
And so do you.
Your story is important. To me. To the Body. I need the encouragement of your experiences with the Lord and the use of your gifts just as someone else needs mine. Don't stop meeting with each other - the meetings of deep-spirited fellowship that take us in concert deeper into intimate friendship with God. Let's not let ourselves get either so busy or so frightened of being hurt by others that we give up seeking the encouragement to press on that can be found by being together in true community. The Word can be relied upon; we all have something to share.
I'm looking forward to hearing a piece of your journey the next time we see one another.
It raises the question in my mind: Does anyone blog anymore? Was it just a passing fancy that grabbed our culture for a period of a few years? Hard to say. In thinking about my own tendency to blog, I can easily remember starting writing for the purpose of reaching and teaching my youth as their pastor. To have an outlet for thoughts and revelations about God that might be encouraging for other Believers to read while on their own journey towards knowing Him more.
If that's the reason I was writing, why am I not still writing?
Surely, as we discuss every Sunday night, 1 Corinthians 14:26 has not changed? Surely, despite all the ups and downs of my life, I still have something to share that might build up the Body? If one is to believe the scriptures, then the answer is yes, I do have things to share. Gifts, thoughts, encouragements. So why haven't I been sharing in this blog? That's a good question. Laziness? Maybe. A feeling that this outlet is outmoded and no one reads it anymore? Possibly. (Though, why would they - I haven't written anything new in almost a year!) A personal drive to share only the things that appear 'deep' because of a broken spirit that needs to be accepted and strives to protect all perception of its own dire state of sin and mediocrity, eventually eliminating anything that might be said on the basis of it not being good enough?
Uh.....well, yeah. That last one for sure.
The truth, if I choose to accept it, is that I do have things to say. I have a story to tell, albeit one of humility and brokenness, highs and lows, victories and defeats, as I move from day to day.
And so do you.
Your story is important. To me. To the Body. I need the encouragement of your experiences with the Lord and the use of your gifts just as someone else needs mine. Don't stop meeting with each other - the meetings of deep-spirited fellowship that take us in concert deeper into intimate friendship with God. Let's not let ourselves get either so busy or so frightened of being hurt by others that we give up seeking the encouragement to press on that can be found by being together in true community. The Word can be relied upon; we all have something to share.
I'm looking forward to hearing a piece of your journey the next time we see one another.
Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together,
one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation
God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret
what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
(1 Corinthians 14:26)
Saturday, June 25, 2011,9:08 PM
WORD - April 21, 2011 (PURSUE GOD)
Here's another word that God recently spoke to our local congregation of the Body (actually just before the one recorded in the previous post), in response to a request from the pastor to seek the Lord for what He wanted from our leadership team. But it seemed more of a general word for our entire congregation, and again, I feel it not limited to only us but something for the whole Church. I believe this is from the Lord, but as always, be diligent to check prophetic words against the scripture. The Spirit of God speaking to us will never contradict the Word of God. It's not possible. If you believe this is a word from the Lord, put it into practice.
My desire is that you pursue Me with all your energy. Not that you would pursue doing things, nor even pursue each other, but that every aspect of your lives as a group of My children together would reflect your great desire to pursue Me. Whether worship music, fellowship, games or prayer, Your actions and decisions ought to reflect a deep passion to pursue My name, My presence, My face and My glory. As you spend time with each other in the congregation, it should be to pursue deeper knowledge and relationship with Me. As you worship, it should be with a heart and mind focused on bringing Me honour, pleasure and trust. As you play sports, it should be with the knowledge that you are my representatives in the earth. Pursue knowledge of Me and seek to reflect My glory even on the field. Do not be ashamed of Me – there is not one thing to be ashamed of in Me. [As I hear that last sentence, I sense once again that idea that the world and all its perspectives are unbalanced and backwards. It is the things of God that are right-side up and not the world. So the world will not understand our pursuit of God on the rugby field or anywhere else, and they may offer mockery and disdain in response to our choices to exalt God in our entire lives. But the sense is that we should remember that their perspective is not the correct one. Therefore we have nothing to fear from their mockery or their disdain. Though we look upside-down to them, we are, in fact, pursuing being right-ways up by our pursuit of the Lord.]
Your leadership team represents and guides your congregation. In this you have been given a great deal of authority and responsibility in the spiritual realm. It is not just about organizing pot lucks and making worship team schedules. It is about releasing an awareness of Me in everything. Your team, in its essence, is not administrative but rather pastoral. In everything you do, you must have a focus of creating something that will take people deeper in knowledge and relationship with Me. Even in the time you all spend together as a Body, you must spent time with each other with the foundation of using that fellowship to further your pursuit of Me. Strengthen one another and build one another up – so that you are each more ready to know Me. Filter all of your plans through this purpose. This is when you will see growth – the kind of growth you desire. I, too, desire your inward growth. Come to Me often and seek My face together. Seek My will and seek My wisdom. Your leadership also is to seek Me first. I will run My church. Seek Me and I will use you to help Me. Do this on your own and we will be working at cross purposes. Do not pull against Me; run with Me.
My desire is that you pursue Me with all your energy. Not that you would pursue doing things, nor even pursue each other, but that every aspect of your lives as a group of My children together would reflect your great desire to pursue Me. Whether worship music, fellowship, games or prayer, Your actions and decisions ought to reflect a deep passion to pursue My name, My presence, My face and My glory. As you spend time with each other in the congregation, it should be to pursue deeper knowledge and relationship with Me. As you worship, it should be with a heart and mind focused on bringing Me honour, pleasure and trust. As you play sports, it should be with the knowledge that you are my representatives in the earth. Pursue knowledge of Me and seek to reflect My glory even on the field. Do not be ashamed of Me – there is not one thing to be ashamed of in Me. [As I hear that last sentence, I sense once again that idea that the world and all its perspectives are unbalanced and backwards. It is the things of God that are right-side up and not the world. So the world will not understand our pursuit of God on the rugby field or anywhere else, and they may offer mockery and disdain in response to our choices to exalt God in our entire lives. But the sense is that we should remember that their perspective is not the correct one. Therefore we have nothing to fear from their mockery or their disdain. Though we look upside-down to them, we are, in fact, pursuing being right-ways up by our pursuit of the Lord.]
Your leadership team represents and guides your congregation. In this you have been given a great deal of authority and responsibility in the spiritual realm. It is not just about organizing pot lucks and making worship team schedules. It is about releasing an awareness of Me in everything. Your team, in its essence, is not administrative but rather pastoral. In everything you do, you must have a focus of creating something that will take people deeper in knowledge and relationship with Me. Even in the time you all spend together as a Body, you must spent time with each other with the foundation of using that fellowship to further your pursuit of Me. Strengthen one another and build one another up – so that you are each more ready to know Me. Filter all of your plans through this purpose. This is when you will see growth – the kind of growth you desire. I, too, desire your inward growth. Come to Me often and seek My face together. Seek My will and seek My wisdom. Your leadership also is to seek Me first. I will run My church. Seek Me and I will use you to help Me. Do this on your own and we will be working at cross purposes. Do not pull against Me; run with Me.
Monday, June 06, 2011,12:43 PM
WORD - May 16, 2011
This word was recorded by my dear friend Carla Neufeld and given to our local congregation of the Church on May 16, 2011. I believe this is a word form the Lord, backed up by scripture, but I encourage you to test it and see if it rings true according to the Bible. I also believe it is a prophetic word not limited to our congregation alone, so I thought I'd share it here. If you believe it to be from the Lord, live it out.
Pray that you do not fall into temptation for the time is drawing near when great terror will come upon the earth. Be holy, upright and true. Live honestly. Be holy because I am holy. Pray that you will not fall into temptation. DO NOT HARM MY CHILDREN. Great devastation will come upon those who hurt the little children. Pray you will not be deceived for there will be great and terrible days ahead. Get rid of every idol. I will have nothing to do with those involved in idol worship. Live holy. Quit doing what is evil, quit lying, QUIT LYING! Admit your weaknesses. The body will not hold together if people are lying. Forgive now because all will be exposed in the end. Pray you will be given words when you are brought before judges and governors. This is your warning. Behold, I am near. I am coming and will not hold back. Woe to the pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Stop spending money on worthless idols. See how I have clothed the birds of the air? How much more would I give to my children and even Solomon in all his splendour is not dressed as glorious as the birds. Don't make the same mistake twice. Pray for strength, seek me and carry on in boldness and strength. Stop acting weak. Be strong mighty warrior. Hear these words and share them for the time is drawing near. You can hear the clock ticking. I have seen almost all the terror I want to. Remember, I am slow to anger and rich in love. What is about to take place is justice in love. Look up, here I come. The king is about to arrive. Fast and pray you will not fall into temptation when all of this takes place. I am calling you to heal. Gratify heaven not yourself. Hell is full of moaning and gnashing of teeth. Ask that you will be forgiven. Stop sinning and go on your way. Ask for a cleansing. The tide is rising in your inner most being and washing a clean slate. Pray for the strength to stop sinning. Pray for those who persecute you. Take back the stuff you have and give the money to the poor. Stop being greedy. In all of this know that I love you. I love you and have revealed my secrets to you. Pray for selflessness. Be strong mighty warrior. You are the bride of Christ. Pray for my power to come from you. People don't listen to me either so don't be offended when people don't listen to you. Falling into temptation allows the devil to destroy God's beauty. The warriors of evil are armed and ready for battle but remember there are more with us than against us. The battle cry is ringing. I do not tell you this to upset you but to prepare you. Those who love me, hear my word and obey it.
Pray that you do not fall into temptation for the time is drawing near when great terror will come upon the earth. Be holy, upright and true. Live honestly. Be holy because I am holy. Pray that you will not fall into temptation. DO NOT HARM MY CHILDREN. Great devastation will come upon those who hurt the little children. Pray you will not be deceived for there will be great and terrible days ahead. Get rid of every idol. I will have nothing to do with those involved in idol worship. Live holy. Quit doing what is evil, quit lying, QUIT LYING! Admit your weaknesses. The body will not hold together if people are lying. Forgive now because all will be exposed in the end. Pray you will be given words when you are brought before judges and governors. This is your warning. Behold, I am near. I am coming and will not hold back. Woe to the pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Stop spending money on worthless idols. See how I have clothed the birds of the air? How much more would I give to my children and even Solomon in all his splendour is not dressed as glorious as the birds. Don't make the same mistake twice. Pray for strength, seek me and carry on in boldness and strength. Stop acting weak. Be strong mighty warrior. Hear these words and share them for the time is drawing near. You can hear the clock ticking. I have seen almost all the terror I want to. Remember, I am slow to anger and rich in love. What is about to take place is justice in love. Look up, here I come. The king is about to arrive. Fast and pray you will not fall into temptation when all of this takes place. I am calling you to heal. Gratify heaven not yourself. Hell is full of moaning and gnashing of teeth. Ask that you will be forgiven. Stop sinning and go on your way. Ask for a cleansing. The tide is rising in your inner most being and washing a clean slate. Pray for the strength to stop sinning. Pray for those who persecute you. Take back the stuff you have and give the money to the poor. Stop being greedy. In all of this know that I love you. I love you and have revealed my secrets to you. Pray for selflessness. Be strong mighty warrior. You are the bride of Christ. Pray for my power to come from you. People don't listen to me either so don't be offended when people don't listen to you. Falling into temptation allows the devil to destroy God's beauty. The warriors of evil are armed and ready for battle but remember there are more with us than against us. The battle cry is ringing. I do not tell you this to upset you but to prepare you. Those who love me, hear my word and obey it.
Friday, May 13, 2011,8:12 PM
NOT SURPRISED
I had a thought tonight that makes allowing God to have control of the future even when I don't know what's going on a little bit easier.
As someone who is trying very hard to be comfortable not being in control of the future all the time and simply live each day as it comes, I still often find it difficult to let go of that innate sense of insecurity when facing the unknown. I hate the unknown. I don't like not knowing what's coming in the future, I don't like not knowing what a social event will look like before I get there and I really hate getting lost - not knowing where I am or how to get home.
I was thinking tonight about how comforting a thought it is that God is never surprised. A little while ago I wrestled with giving over my need to control my life, and the idea that God sees the entire picture - past, present and future - while I see only a limited part of that view, helped enormously with my willingness to recognize His superiority when it comes to planning and decisions. ("Duh" might be the appropriate response to that, of course, but hey, I'm in process.) Then this afternoon a situation arose that caused me to panic and, unfortunately, my first thought was to figure out all the possible directions the near future could go and how I might respond to each twist in the road. Thank heavens for the Holy Spirit, who with a gentle nudge reminded me of my wish to have that pattern of control - which so far has suffered from a most consistent record of failure - changed.
I realized as I thought about it, that God already knows what the near future will hold. That is all part of His 'being able to see the big picture' thing. And the fact that He sees it all means He already knew I was going to be faced with this situation today. And by consequence, He already knows what the impact of it will have on the future. So the truly wisest thing I could possibly do is to maintain my course of simply listening and following. He already knew what would happen - it didn't surprise Him like it did me. To follow that thought through to completion is to realize that I don't have to worry, no matter what actually happens. Oddly ironic is the next thought, which whispers that I ought to worry a great deal more when I choose to try and control things myself, since I will most likely throw God's plan off the rails and wind up in a terrible mess. What would have been an attempt to stay safe no-matter-what might actually create a situation where I am utterly vulnerable and then suffer in some way.
God is never surprised. To me, that knowledge finally feels like the spreading of that giant wing under which I feel safe.
As someone who is trying very hard to be comfortable not being in control of the future all the time and simply live each day as it comes, I still often find it difficult to let go of that innate sense of insecurity when facing the unknown. I hate the unknown. I don't like not knowing what's coming in the future, I don't like not knowing what a social event will look like before I get there and I really hate getting lost - not knowing where I am or how to get home.
I was thinking tonight about how comforting a thought it is that God is never surprised. A little while ago I wrestled with giving over my need to control my life, and the idea that God sees the entire picture - past, present and future - while I see only a limited part of that view, helped enormously with my willingness to recognize His superiority when it comes to planning and decisions. ("Duh" might be the appropriate response to that, of course, but hey, I'm in process.) Then this afternoon a situation arose that caused me to panic and, unfortunately, my first thought was to figure out all the possible directions the near future could go and how I might respond to each twist in the road. Thank heavens for the Holy Spirit, who with a gentle nudge reminded me of my wish to have that pattern of control - which so far has suffered from a most consistent record of failure - changed.
I realized as I thought about it, that God already knows what the near future will hold. That is all part of His 'being able to see the big picture' thing. And the fact that He sees it all means He already knew I was going to be faced with this situation today. And by consequence, He already knows what the impact of it will have on the future. So the truly wisest thing I could possibly do is to maintain my course of simply listening and following. He already knew what would happen - it didn't surprise Him like it did me. To follow that thought through to completion is to realize that I don't have to worry, no matter what actually happens. Oddly ironic is the next thought, which whispers that I ought to worry a great deal more when I choose to try and control things myself, since I will most likely throw God's plan off the rails and wind up in a terrible mess. What would have been an attempt to stay safe no-matter-what might actually create a situation where I am utterly vulnerable and then suffer in some way.
God is never surprised. To me, that knowledge finally feels like the spreading of that giant wing under which I feel safe.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
(Psalm 91:4)
Thursday, November 25, 2010,6:26 PM
RELENTLESSNESS
God
is
in
utterly
relentless
pursuit
of
YOU
(It would probably be creepy if He didn't love you so much and so purely.)
Monday, October 25, 2010,5:37 PM
SHADES OF GREY
I listened to a few testimonies last night from dear friends who have been through very dark times in their lives and have received God’s healing and hand of rescue. They now live different lives. Not necessarily perfect lives, but different.
It made me wonder what testimony each of them would have given if, last night, they had been called to testify and yet were still in their dark hour. Some of them found God in the midst of the darkness and He brought them out of it. Some of them knew God before they entered it. What would these latter, especially, have shared as their words of encouragement or hope in the midst of their experiences? Would they have had any?
What would a group of Believers do if one of their number stood up and shared as their testimony, “I am in the middle of the darkest night my soul has ever seen. I cannot change anything. I have not seen God yet pull me out of it. I know He exists, I know He loves me, deeply, and I know that this is still where I sit.” I wonder. I wonder, sometimes, if we as Christians can have compassion on those in the worst of the dark night, rejoice with the testimonies of deliverance, and yet not know what to do for those who are in the in-between times. Those who know God and are still mired in darkness.
I have no definitive answers. But I will hazard a very educated guess that there are many amongst our number who are bravely fighting and yet quietly dying. Those who cannot jump up when the open call is given to testify of their black-to-white experience because they still live in too many shades of grey.
I have only one thought about what is needed for these precious ones, and that is love. The simple answer. The complex gift. Love. Love enough to challenge destructive behaviours. Love enough to laud infinitesimal victories. Love enough to walk through the darkness together. Love enough to simply listen and not need to find the answers.
Love enough to stay.
In the darkest night, perhaps that is the victorious testimony. There is Love. Love Who challenges destructive behaviours. Love Who lauds infinitesimal victories. Love Who walks through the darkness together. Love Who simply listens, even when He has all the answers.
Love Who stays.
It made me wonder what testimony each of them would have given if, last night, they had been called to testify and yet were still in their dark hour. Some of them found God in the midst of the darkness and He brought them out of it. Some of them knew God before they entered it. What would these latter, especially, have shared as their words of encouragement or hope in the midst of their experiences? Would they have had any?
What would a group of Believers do if one of their number stood up and shared as their testimony, “I am in the middle of the darkest night my soul has ever seen. I cannot change anything. I have not seen God yet pull me out of it. I know He exists, I know He loves me, deeply, and I know that this is still where I sit.” I wonder. I wonder, sometimes, if we as Christians can have compassion on those in the worst of the dark night, rejoice with the testimonies of deliverance, and yet not know what to do for those who are in the in-between times. Those who know God and are still mired in darkness.
I have no definitive answers. But I will hazard a very educated guess that there are many amongst our number who are bravely fighting and yet quietly dying. Those who cannot jump up when the open call is given to testify of their black-to-white experience because they still live in too many shades of grey.
I have only one thought about what is needed for these precious ones, and that is love. The simple answer. The complex gift. Love. Love enough to challenge destructive behaviours. Love enough to laud infinitesimal victories. Love enough to walk through the darkness together. Love enough to simply listen and not need to find the answers.
Love enough to stay.
In the darkest night, perhaps that is the victorious testimony. There is Love. Love Who challenges destructive behaviours. Love Who lauds infinitesimal victories. Love Who walks through the darkness together. Love Who simply listens, even when He has all the answers.
Love Who stays.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010,8:23 PM
LOVER OR PROSTITUTE?
I'm posting something that I stole from my dear friend, Phil Laeger's, blog. (I don't feel too badly about the theft, though, as I know he stole it from someone else - probably the author.) It's a simple little article that contains a profound truth. I thought it was brilliant.
(PS - Thanks, Phil....)
Lover or Prostitute?
The Question that Changed My Life
by Dr. David Ryser
A number of years ago, I had the privilege of teaching at a school of ministry. My students were hungry for God, and I was constantly searching for ways to challenge them to fall more in love with Jesus and to become voices for revival in the Church. I came across a quote attributed most often to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this:
Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to Europe and became a culture; it came to America and became an enterprise.
Some of the students were only 18 or 19 years old—and I wanted them to understand and appreciate the importance of the last line, so I clarified it by adding, “An enterprise. That’s a business.” After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I thought it was self-explanatory.
Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha’s raised hand, “Yes, Martha.” She asked such a simple question, “A business? But isn’t it supposed to be a body?” I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the only response I could think of was, “Yes.” She continued, “But when a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?”
The room went dead silent. For several seconds no one moved or spoke. We were stunned, afraid to make a sound because the presence of God had flooded into the room, and we knew we were on Holy ground. All I could think in those sacred moments was, “Wow, I wish I’d thought of that.” I didn’t dare express that thought aloud. God had taken over the class.
Martha’s question changed my life. For six months, I thought about her question at least once every day. “When a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?” There is only one answer to her question. The answer is “Yes.” The American (western) Church, tragically, is heavily populated by people who do not love God. How can we love Him? We don’t even know Him; and I mean really know Him.
We have made the Kingdom of God into a business, merchandising His anointing.
This should not be. We are commanded to love God, and are called to be the Bride of Christ–that’s pretty intimate stuff. Are we lovers or prostitutes?
I was pondering Martha’s question again one day, and considered the question, “What’s the difference between a lover and a prostitute?” I realized that both do many of the same things, but a lover does what she does because she loves. A prostitute pretends to love, but only as long as you pay. Then I asked the question, “What would happen if God stopped paying me?”
For the next several months, I allowed God to search me to uncover my motives for loving and serving Him. Was I really a true lover of God? What would happen if He stopped blessing me? What if He never did another thing for me? Would I still love Him?
I still catch myself being disappointed with God and angry that He has not met some perceived need in my life. I suspect this is something which is never fully resolved, but I want more than anything else to be a true lover of God.
So what is it going to be? Which are we, lover or prostitute? there is no substitute for unconditional, intimate relationship with God. And I mean there is no palatable substitute available to us (take another look at Matthew 7:21-23 sometime). We must choose.
(PS - Thanks, Phil....)
Lover or Prostitute?
The Question that Changed My Life
by Dr. David Ryser
A number of years ago, I had the privilege of teaching at a school of ministry. My students were hungry for God, and I was constantly searching for ways to challenge them to fall more in love with Jesus and to become voices for revival in the Church. I came across a quote attributed most often to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this:
Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to Europe and became a culture; it came to America and became an enterprise.
Some of the students were only 18 or 19 years old—and I wanted them to understand and appreciate the importance of the last line, so I clarified it by adding, “An enterprise. That’s a business.” After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I thought it was self-explanatory.
Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha’s raised hand, “Yes, Martha.” She asked such a simple question, “A business? But isn’t it supposed to be a body?” I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the only response I could think of was, “Yes.” She continued, “But when a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?”
The room went dead silent. For several seconds no one moved or spoke. We were stunned, afraid to make a sound because the presence of God had flooded into the room, and we knew we were on Holy ground. All I could think in those sacred moments was, “Wow, I wish I’d thought of that.” I didn’t dare express that thought aloud. God had taken over the class.
Martha’s question changed my life. For six months, I thought about her question at least once every day. “When a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?” There is only one answer to her question. The answer is “Yes.” The American (western) Church, tragically, is heavily populated by people who do not love God. How can we love Him? We don’t even know Him; and I mean really know Him.
We have made the Kingdom of God into a business, merchandising His anointing.
This should not be. We are commanded to love God, and are called to be the Bride of Christ–that’s pretty intimate stuff. Are we lovers or prostitutes?
I was pondering Martha’s question again one day, and considered the question, “What’s the difference between a lover and a prostitute?” I realized that both do many of the same things, but a lover does what she does because she loves. A prostitute pretends to love, but only as long as you pay. Then I asked the question, “What would happen if God stopped paying me?”
For the next several months, I allowed God to search me to uncover my motives for loving and serving Him. Was I really a true lover of God? What would happen if He stopped blessing me? What if He never did another thing for me? Would I still love Him?
I still catch myself being disappointed with God and angry that He has not met some perceived need in my life. I suspect this is something which is never fully resolved, but I want more than anything else to be a true lover of God.
So what is it going to be? Which are we, lover or prostitute? there is no substitute for unconditional, intimate relationship with God. And I mean there is no palatable substitute available to us (take another look at Matthew 7:21-23 sometime). We must choose.