Have a little "WALK" with Jesus

An aspect of Jesus life that is easy to look over is that “he walked” to most of the places that he visited.  Sometimes we read that he got in a boat to go to another place, but his primary mode of transportation was to walk.  Not on sidewalks or beautiful park pathways, but on dusty, rocky, hilly, and dry roads.  Not necessarily deserted, but open to the elements and rough terrain.  This walking would be fatiguing to the body, but everybody was walking.  True some road in wagons that were pulling produce to markets. But His travel was slow enough (everyday) for him to smell the roses and see the need.

In Matthew 9 we read, ³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
In verse 36, we read that “Jesus saw the crowds”.  When did He see the crowds?  Did he just look over the country side and think, “wow, these are some messed up people?”(greg’s translation).  No, in verse 35 we read that Jesus “went through all the towns and villages” (he walked).  His pace was slow enough that he had time to stop and teach in the synagogues, and take time to touch and heal those who were sick.  Today we may call such a person an “::itinerant evangelist”.  I am not suggesting that we get rid of our cars or change our vocation.  Rather, I want us to see how Jesus gained his heart of compassion.
All were harassed and helpless.  All were in need of a shepherd.  And the realization of this need evoked such a response that Jesus told his disciples to “Ask the Lord of the Harvest”.  Our response would be to develop a plan first, try to “figure” out  what is there problem and how we could “fix it”.  Yet Jesus asked us to pray.  Let me reverse the thinking…if we are not praying much for the multitudes…we probably are not moved with compassion…because we are not “seeing” the needs of the people. Ouch, that’s stepping on my toes too.
So, let this be our first prayer…”Lord, open my eyes to see the needs of the people”.  Not just their physical needs, but also their spiritual, emotional, relational, and financial needs.  Begin asking the Lord to have ears to hear the needs that are around us.  Let’s ask to send forth workers and then tell him he can use us first.  May there be an eruption of intercession as we begin praying for those who are hurting among us.
What if God is inviting us to participate in reaching out to others?  What if God is ready to move, as soon as we ask Him to begin to change the events in people’s lives?  Jesus told us to “Ask”, so let’s start asking
Today, I am going to A-day.  This is a time for the inter squads of the Alabama football team to play an exhibition game.  We will have close to 90,000 families come to the free event to watch their favorite team.  Melody and I will be selling programs…why?  Because, I get the opportunity for 4-5 hours to walk among the multitudes.  Will you pray with me today for Jesus to send forth worker (that means somebody has to go…not just invite them to come) into the harvest.  And I am praying for you to “look” and “pray”.  Jesus is thankful that you gave your heart to Him….now He wants to share His heart with you!
God loves you a whole bunch
Greg

Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head!

Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head!

This was the title to a popular song by recording artist B J Thomas. As I sit here this morning, there is a very gentle rain that I am watching through our picture window.  In I John 3:1 we read, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
The word lavished is a term used for water.  Specifically it means the drenching that one would receive during a heavy downpour.  Just trying to make it through the rain, you would be drenched all over.  You don't even have to do anything to try to get wet, other than be in the presence of the rain.  You are going to get drenched.
In this verse the love of our heavenly Father is the water in which we will be drenched.  In ordered to receive this blessing you just have to be in His presence.  His love is being poured out (a drenching rain) upon His children.
What would this love look like?  Often many people say they feel dry when it comes to their relationship with God.  Are there some activities that we can do, to help make us aware of God's "lavishing" love?
1.  Ask God to help you "tune" into His voice.  Jesus said often, let him who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Holy Spirit is saying.  In another place Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice and they follow me." As children we have been given the capacity to hear his voice.  Can you hear Him rejoicing over you with singing?
2.  Marinate yourself in worship!  Some food taste so great when it has been given a lengthy time in a marinating sauce.  Listen to your favorite songs, read the scriptures out loud, turn off the radio and tv, go for a silent walk and observe the beauty of the earth, and attend worship with other believers.  I am totally convinced that God desires to meet with you, if we would just acknowledge His presence.  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock,  if anyone opens the door, I will come and dine with him and he with me.
3.  Find an outlet to give.  I am not talking about money.  Find a way to give and serve other people.  Most of us are consumed with ourselves and trying to survive this world.  Jesus gave us an illustration that showed him serving his disciples through washing their feet.  I can't fully explain it, but something begins to happen when we intentionally serve others.  Not out of a marytr spirit..."if I don't help them, no one will".  But seeing a need and being the source of comfort, support or help to another.  A single mom was in line a McDonalds to feed her children before church the other day.  The gentleman in front of them, who they did not know, paid for their breakfast.  The mom took the money that she was going to use on breakfast and gave it to the children for offering that morning.  It made a major impact on the kids.  You see, our heavenly Father is watching us.  And just like parents watching their children, He loves to see us "give" out of the love we have for others.  God will lavish His love upon children as we express our giving to one another.

So if God's loving rain drops keep falling on our head...let's go play in the rain!  Do you care to join me?

How to gain a heart for your city part 1

How to Gain a Heart for your City

“Buyer Beware” Most of the time when we think of gaining a heart for our city, we think about how much “those” people need my help. To a certain extent this is true. But, what I have found is that God is just as much interested in changing “my heart” as He is in helping me see my city through His eyes.

So be prepared when you pray a prayer for your city that God is going to change YOU.

In Jeremiah 29, the prophet is writing to those Jews who were carried to Babylon in exile. The judgment of the Lord was to last for 70 years. The Jews were to prosper and grow while they were in exile. At the appointed time, The Lord would allow them to return to Israel which was accomplished during Ezra and Nehemiah's ministry. Then Jeremiah wrote: 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Within this scripture are the beginning clues to gaining a “heart” for your city. Seek the peace and properity of the city. We must learn to look for the peace over our city. The following are the normal curses (not peace) spoken repeatedly all over your city. Maybe not the exact wording, but close enough

Don't live on that side of town

You don't want to go to that school

Those rich people don't care about our town. They get all our money

Don't trust the police, they are racist

That section of town is so run down, it just breeds drug dealers

why does my neighbor have to live so trashy

There's no way I would shop or do business over there

Our elected officials only care about themselves

That church doesn't care about poor folks

Our churches will never work together

When we allow our self and others to talk in this way, we are coming into alignment with how Satan accuses and slanders our city. He is opposed to everything good and wants to keep a town divided. When we speak in that way we are not only coming inot alingment but we are perpetuating the bondage of our city. Our words according to Proverbs have the power of life and death. Speaking in a negative fashion over our city, is speaking death and curses that keep people in bondage.

How do we change this type of behavior? The next blog will give some specific examples of how to begin to seek and speak peace over your city.

Father, I pray that you would give us eyes to see and ears to hear all that you are doing in our city. Encourage all of the faint hearted today. In Jesus Name, Amen.