Have you ever wondered if God wants us to be comfortable? Many Christians believe that God wants an easy life. But the Bible says otherwise. It says that we go through tribulations and enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22 In this life, we’re going to have trials. These are meant to build character in us. Romans 5:2 When we face a trial, there’s always the Holy Spirit to comfort us. Some people will only find comfort if God removes the trial. So when the trial doesn’t go away, they accuse God of not caring. When the minister can’t make it disappear, they don’t care either. There will be times in our lives when we’ll face trials that look to overwhelm us. But the Bible is clear: God always helps us in these moments. If the father wanted us to be comfortable, he would remove every grief and sorrow from our lives. But through the Holy Spirit, we overcome these things with the grace that we have in Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. What the father is really after is perfecting Christ in us. We worship Him in the storm, not only when the storm is over. This is maturity. We do no worship Him in prison to have Him get us out.

Jesus’s burden is light and easy, but life isn’t always like that. He gives us peace in the midst of storms. Paul was happy about his own weaknesses because he knew it would help him access the grace God gave him. In other words, God doesn’t expect us to go through our trials without Him. I’ve had my fair share of tough times in my life. I’ve lost loved ones, ministers have stolen money from me, and there’s been hatred and disagreement. Even character assassination. But I’ll rejoice in all of it because I know He’s the one who walks with me through the storms. Now, don’t get me wrong. Those were really painful times in our lives. But as ministers, we had to carry our own burdens and the burdens of others to God in prayer. I’ve lost sleep, friends, money, opportunities, and peace at times. But I’ve always found Him in the storm or in the fiery furnace with me.

I may not be a pro at dodging storms, but I’ve learned a thing or two about finding Him in the midst of them. I hope you can too!

Love,
Pastor L.

All of us want to be truthful. At the same time, we judge others by their actions, not intentions. How do we walk out God's truth and still not grow cold? This question plagues many in today's Christianity. The attempt at being relevant can compromise truth. Then some abandon truth altogether in the name of compassion.

How do we walk in both truth and compassion without compromising either? This is where wisdom becomes useful. Knowing that the Father wants truth in our inward parts should tell us something about Him. The Spirit is the Spirit of truth.

Psa. 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
(Psalm 51:6 NKJV)

John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
(John 16:13 NKJV)

Speaking the truth or even living following it can cause some friction with others. Knowing that friction is what is supposed to happen shocks people. Jesus said this.

Matt. 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
Matt. 10:35 For I have come to "set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law';
Matt. 10:36 and "a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'
Matt. 10:37 He who loves Father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matt. 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Matt. 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
(Matthew 10:34–39 NKJV)

We are the salt meant to add the flavor of the Kingdom through righteousness living. If we lose this flavor through compromise, we are good for nothing.

Matt. 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
(Matthew 5:13 NKJV)

We can talk to the world compassionately, but we must not compromise. We are to speak the truth in love.

Eph. 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
(Ephesians 4:15 NKJV)

We are to adhere to the truth but also share the love of Christ. For some, compromise the truth for the sake of being liked. Or it is to avoid being hated. Jesus told us that hatred would come for His name's sake. Why are we so shocked? The root of compromise might be a man-pleasing spirit or the fear of man.

There is a connection between the fear of man and social media. The need for clicks or the fear of being called a bigot can cause many to stray from the truth. Falsely believing that Jesus understands is a big mistake. When you know that truth makes people free, sharing truth takes on a more compassionate function.

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
(John 8:31–32 NKJV)

Truth, to some, is a means to win an argument. Like boxers, they return to their corner and receive the cheers of their camp. The Kingdom is not that way. The truth is to help free the person and deliver them from lies that keep them captive in sin. This viewpoint is only sometimes shared among theologians. In our modern-day Pharisee environment, winning arguments is the goal. No wonder our harvest fields are left alone, and more focus is on building our camps.

Truth and compassion are not at odds with each other. They function in harmony in the Kingdom like power twins when the person has wisdom from the Lord. Remember, the harvest field is ripe.

Love,
Pastor L.

How precious is His hand upon us? When the Lord calls us to ministry, there is nothing else. It does not mean forsaking being a good husband or wife, but it does require the shuffling of priorities.

He becomes everything. The false idea of having a choice in the matter is silly. Many have tried to offer Him a reason instead of themselves. Moses had a stutter. King Saul came from the smallest tribe. Peter declared he was a sinner. The Apostle Paul was a persecutor of the Church. Timothy was young.

In retrospect, these were not obstacles for God but stumbling blocks for others. We have the privilege of disobeying Him without consequence. This philosophy is more of a progressively false Christianity. Also, many of my perceived sort comings were helpful to me. They helped me to rely on His grace.

The Bible says that we have a holy calling from Him.

2 Tim. 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
(2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV)

I have watched people wanting the anointing for years as they forsake their calling. They tend to frustrate Holy Spirit. So let me tell you a better way. Give yourself entirely to Christ and the holy calling upon you, and the anointing will show up with power. When you look at Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, or the Apostles, they were focused on their calling, not the anointing.

What is the calling? It starts with the general calling to all those chosen by the Lord. Then this begins to spread out to more individual callings. Remember what Paul said to Timothy?

...according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us...

Remember that Paul is speaking to Timothy about the apostolic calling on their lives. Learning how to conform to Christ is a grace and art. One must learn how to yield to the process. It takes surrendering oneself to His word and way. What does that mean? When your will and His will diverge, you choose to follow Him down the road. That is the art. Learning how to follow is not a thriving practice art form anymore. It has been lost in an age of “I do not need a leader.” You need to resist the spirit of the world and grasp the kingdom.  

Love,
Pastor L.

One of the hardest things for us to learn about prayer is contending. Why does God make us wait for what He wants us to have? If He is a good Father, then why does He make us ask continuously?

It all has to do with our spiritual capacity and character to handle the true riches of the Kingdom. As we earnestly cry out for the things of the Kingdom, our spirits become enlarged to receive the blessing of God. Sometimes we attempt to shortcut this process and gain things the wrong way.

Jesus was offered the kingdoms of this world by Satan. Luke 4:5-8 This was all to be the Lord’s after completing His work. Matthew 28:18-20 Satan always plans to give you what you want by avoiding the ancient pathway. It seems excellent until the cost is your disconnection from God.

God’s way is digging out a cistern in you through the contending process. This process involves you asking in prayer, trusting His timing, and allowing Him to do the needed work in you.  

Jer. 2:13 For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, and they have hewn for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns which cannot hold water.
(Jeremiah 2:13 AMP)

The Bible declares this.

Prov. 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.
(Proverbs 14:12 AMP)

God’s ways are far above ours. They are full of His divine wisdom and are authentic ways.

Is. 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
Is. 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Is. 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
Is. 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:6–9 NKJV)

Contending creates in you a reservoir for God to pour His blessing. Without it, the gift flees and washes away. It also opens doors for others. The whole assembly is blessed when a congregation member contends and receives the breakthrough.  

Jer. 6:16 This is what the LORD says: Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths: Which is the way to what is good? Then take it and find rest for yourselves. But they protested, “We won’t!”
(Jeremiah 6:16 HCSB)

So, please return to the ancient paths and walk in them. You will find the true riches of the His Kingdom waiting for you along the way.

Love,
Pastor L.