Sincerity is Big

By chris | Published: December 21, 2010

God loves sincerity.  I have found, personally, that the prayers of a sincere heart are the ones that God sees, hears and answers.  Earnest sincerity.  If there’s anything left to receive, run after it with all your heart.

I see two benefits of sincerity coming from the holy scriptures and God’s benevolent heart.  The first is God’s reward.  And the reward is God Himself! The scripture expressly states “It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists, and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NLT)

Is it in your heart to meet with God today?  To truly know the Person, not just thoughts of God, theology or doctrine, but the actual Person?  If you sincerely want to know God, meet with Him and commune with Him, God sees it!  He knows your heart.  His eyes search all across the earth to find those whose hearts are totally committed to Him.  As it is written “The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the whole earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” (2 Chronicles 16:9, NASB)

My personal experience is this:  God looks deep into the hearts, and honors truth and sincerity. If you want to be freed from anything that holds you captive, God can see that truth deep within you — He will honor your heart. Just believe. There’s another benefit that we can find when our hearts are sincere before God. It’s grace.  There’s a favor and freedom to the individual who loves the Savior of their soul.  Jesus, the chosen One, came to die as a ransom for our sins. If you see Him with the eyes of faith, and love Him for freeing you from the penalty of your poor decisions and actions, great grace has been given to you!  Our brother in Christ, Paul, prayed: “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.” (Ephesians 6:24, KJV)

Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity? This is a very good thing.  Because if you honor the Son, the Father will honor you!

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Contrast of Faith and Unbelief

By chris | Published: December 13, 2010

Faith is a good thing. To believe in realities that you can’t see, but are nevertheless true — this is a good and admirable thing. Faith, even in it’s most infantile and earliest stages, is still faith. The substance is what’s important. If a baby boy, newly born, drinks from his mother’s breast — he grows stronger and stronger, day by day. The reason for this growth is evident, the mother’s milk is true and nourishing.

In a similar way, those who are born of God (see ‘Heaven’s Birth’), should earnestly desire the very real and sincere milk of God’s word, to grow through regular ingestion of it. To ingest God’s word is not only to be a hearer, but a doer. Because one day that little infant boy will grow into a strong man. This man will be able to chop down the tallest tree in the forest and reproduce offspring according to his kind, in strength.

Unbelief, on the other hand, is a poison. It is a “disbelief” of those things which are true. Some of these rejected truths are plainly evident. But hard-hearted resistance to evidential truth has caused blindness to the hurt of the person who disbelieves. Sin, for example, is simply wrong-doing. And “wrong-doing” is also plainly evident. We all know that we’ve done wrong in this life. No one person can say they’ve never done one single wrong act. Yet many will argue that they don’t need forgiveness, or they can’t believe in a God of justice and truth, who would actually hold them accountable to the just reward of their purposeful acts. May God help us!  He is graciously stretching out His hand to us, to offer forgiveness for all acts of wrong-doing.

The beauty of true faith comes full circle in the end! Not only is God real, but He has promised a beautiful ending to our story. All wrongs are forgiven in Christ’s most wonderful sacrifice! All promises are ‘yes’ and ‘for sure’ in Christ. This great God, the God of truth and justice, has placed His mercy above all else. And heaven starts now, when we welcome His holy Spirit right here and now. There’s no other place that I’d like to be, but in His gracious and glorious presence!  And the promise is for you and me.  To my children and to your children.  If you will only believe!

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Heaven’s Birth

By chris | Published: November 28, 2010

Many have confused the statement “born again” with an association, a denomination, a “style” of living. Heaven’s birth comes to man, right here — right now.  Skin and bones are just that, flesh.  When heaven comes to earth, it comes in the form of a divine seed.  This divine seed is planted in a man or woman and heaven’s birth takes place. This is what it means to be born from above.  A spiritual birth.  God comes to dwell in your very mortal being. Immortality invades the mortal. Life bursts out of flesh and bones.  A seed is born.  God dwells in the citadel of your heart.  He’s now here.  He’s invaded. Nothing will ever be the same again in your life, dear child of the living God.  His Spirit now rests upon you.  Life is now spiritually perceived. The old has gone, the new is here.

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The Greatest Revelation is God Himself

By chris | Published: November 16, 2010

JACOB'S LADDER (GENESIS 28)

Jacob was a runner. He wasn’t training for the track team though. He was running from a very real problem — his angry brother. Running from problems isn’t a pleasant experience. But imagine this — in the midst of all this craziness, God was with him.  He was not only there, He graciously reached out to Jacob to promise His presence and protection.  As a matter of fact, Jacob had such a radical God-experience that he was filled with awe and wonder and worshiped the very present and living God:

Genesis 28: 16 says “Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!’ 17 But he was also afraid and said, ‘What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!’”

The greatest experience that any human being can have is of the very real and present God. It doesn’t matter where you are, God is there!  In Jacob’s case, he was traveling on the road and camping outdoors. But realize his shock. He was amazed that God was in the place where he was. He admitted that God was in this place, but that he had not known it.  This is a fact of life!  Multitudes are walking aimlessly and blinded to the fact that God is right there, right there beside us.  If we would only believe, then God would make His presence known. For those who come to God must first believe that He exists.  And He rewards those who believe this, and eagerly look for Him.

It’s the same for you!  God is right next to you, if you will only believe.  Do you believe it?  If you do, and hunger for Him, you too will have an amazing God-experience. Like Jacob, it will leave you in awe, amazed that God Himself is dwelling so very close to you.  You will never be the same again if you will realize that God is forging a friendship, a relationship with you.  His revelation to Jacob was both one of glory and awe, but also of practical protection and promise.

As Jacob was literally running for his life, he was afraid.  He was afraid of his life being cut short.  He was afraid of the unknown.  He knew his brother was furious with him.  He knew that his brother wanted to kill him.  God knew this as well.  God met Jacob where he was at.  That is why God spoke to Jacob in the manner in which He did. He spoke to him words of promise and comfort:  ”…I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” Gen. 28:15

There’s a call ringing out.  It’s to the people who have ears to hear.  There’s a greater revelation coming.  The true light is now starting to shine.  If you would only believe, God will meet you where you are at this very moment.  He will speak words of comfort and peace to you, if you have indeed humbled yourself before His most awesome presence. Admit the truth, tell Him where you’ve been wrong, and seek His forgiveness. He’s good that way, He never turns away from the person who comes to Him seeking forgiveness and life.  Go and learn what this means:

“Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.” (Romans 10:11)

and again:

“Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me {Jesus}. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.” (John 6:37)

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The Real Thing

By chris | Published: June 24, 2010

The Heart of the Lord Speaks:

Dear devoted one, don’t let smooth words and subtle talk trick you into thinking that real life consists in what we say. Because the kingdom of God doesn’t amount to talk, rather the power of a life energized by God. Instead, listen carefully to My words which set the heart ablaze with a passion for the true life.   My words will enlighten your mind and cause humility to be planted deeply and richly into your soul, which in turn will give you much comfort. Never read my words for the purpose of appearing smarter or wise. But instead, focus on mastering yourself and obtaining victory over your unhealthy addictions, because this will go much further than your understanding of many difficult theological questions.

Even if you were to read extensively and learn much knowledge, it will still be necessary for you to humble yourself and come to this great realization: I am He who teaches people  knowledge, and to the simple humble ones — I give a clearer understanding than can be taught by any human being. Whoever listens to me will soon discover a treasure of wisdom and your emotions and feelings shall soon follow and be lifted up out of the mire of depression and despair. But O how miserable will the person be who seeks after a worldly wisdom which leaves many unanswerable questions yet still unanswered.  So put more value on how you serve Me, and not on what “you know.”  It’s not “the knowing” that matters, but “the being.”

The time is very near when the Anointed One who is called The Christ, Who is the Teacher of all teachers and the Lord of all heavenly beings, will appear to hear the lessons of all — that is, to examine the conscience of everyone. Then He will search every nook and cranny with bright, revealing light — and the hidden things of darkness will be brought to light and the foolish arguments of men’s tongues will cause them to cover their mouths in shame and embarrassment.

I am He Who, in one moment, so enlightens the simple, open mind — that it comprehends more of eternal truth and true reality than could be learned by ten years in the best universities. I don’t teach because I like the sound of my own voice, or because I specialize in stirring up the common debates of the day.  I don’t teach in order to impress or to receive the praise of men or to confuse people.

I am He Who teaches my children the truth, in order that they will realize that every material thing will one day be on the bottom of a garbage pit in a dump. So do not concern yourself with the empty pursuit of amassing material things. Instead, long for the true and eternal things — hunger for heaven — bypass all the recognition of this life — and know that others will show contempt towards you since you don’t run the same course that all people think you should run.  My true children are learning to place all hope in Me, to desire nothing apart from Me, and to love Me with passion, above all other things. For those who have embraced me in this wholehearted way by loving Me intimately — they learned divine truths that the most brilliant mind could not comprehend, and they spoke wonders that few could understand. They benefited more by leaving “the old way” behind, than if they were to spend a lifetime studying the deepest philosophical and theological truths.

All of my dear children are loved like no other.  They are all the apple of my eye and feel as though I love them more than any other.  And I do!  To some I meet them and speak to them in the everyday things of life.  Yet to others I meet them and speak to them in a unique and creative way. To some I reveal myself in signs and figures, which brings them great joy. To others I appear in great light and reveal mysteries. Have you ever noticed in life how 10 people can get 10 different things out of the same book?  This is symbolic of Me and My children.  I live within them.  I teach them truth. I examine their hearts.  I understand their thoughts.  I enable them to do great things.  And I give gifts to each little one as I see fit.  This was adapted from “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis, Chapter 43.

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Pieces, We’re all just Pieces

By chris | Published: June 9, 2010

The other night, an amazing thing happened.  It all started when a friend and I decided to go out to pray for our city (San Clemente, CA), and to encounter people with God in the midst of town.  As we stood on a mount overlooking the city praying, my friend did something that would later astound me.  He told me about three people we were going to run into that night.  He described them with great detail and accuracy.  As he paused, I said “ice cream.”  Ice cream.  That’s all I got!

So, off we went!  We walked the town and prayed.  After that, we grabbed a guitar and planted ourselves in front of Velvet Yogurt.  We did that because there’s only two ice cream places in downtown San Clemente, and Velvet Yogurt is a popular place for all ages.  Besides, it has cool benches out front to hang out on.

We strummed the guitar and sang songs to our Great God.  And while we did that, I marveled as we saw a fulfillment of the three people he had spoken of.  At the end of the night, I was feeling a little inadequate and such.  My friend encouraged me.  He told me, “if it hadn’t been for your impression of ‘ice cream,’ we wouldn’t have seen any of them.  It was then I realized how right he was.

We are all pieces.  Like Reece’s Pieces.  We all have a color, a gift, a personality, a style of our own.  Like the holy scriptures say,

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.”  Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?  He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.  And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.”

Find your piece of the pie in Christ Jesus.  Grow into the gifts He’s given you.  When you do that, you will find the most amazing thing…you will suddenly discover why you exist!  And your piece will be just as beautiful and necessary as anyone else’s.  Go forth in the love and power of Jesus Christ, the living Son of the Most High God.

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Expect the Unexpected

By chris | Published: June 8, 2010

Today, as I was walking into Starbucks, something caught my eye in the parking lot.  It was a dog sitting in the driver’s seat of this classic car.  I was caught off guard because I didn’t expect that. I didn’t expect to see an animal in the place where man usually sits.  Now, if he had his seatbelt on with the car idling, that would have been something!  I like being surprised like that.  Do you think God likes to surprise us with the unexpected?  I believe He does.

A friend of mine recently surprised me as he started to pray in a way that caught my attention.  He started to ask God for more.  And he was doing this as he prayed for other people. He seemed to pick up on the fact that most of us just don’t expect all that much from heaven, from God.  And often times, we don’t ask for much from God because we don’t feel that we are worthy of more.  We don’t feel we need more.  Somehow, this seems spiritual to us.  Yet Jesus actually addressed this issue when He said “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7, NASB).  But what should the emphasis be here?  Worldly titles and things highly esteemed by our society?  Quite the contrary.  “What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15, NLT).  What does that leave us with then? Rock soup?  Again, quite the contrary!  We need to major on the majors, and minor on the minors.  This is why Jesus asked us not to worry about the basic essentials of life, such as food and clothing.  Don’t you know that your Father knows you have need of these things? He posed that question with the logical answer being a “yes.”  So, what is the major if food and clothing is the minor?

The kingdom of God is the major.  And the style of God’s kingdom is not according to this world.  Do you want to be a great person?  Highly esteemed by God?  Then be a helpful, humble person, not always thinking of yourself as better than others.  Do you want to be financially secure?  Then work hard and be generous to others who are in need.  Because if you are faithful with little, then perhaps God will make you an overseer of more.

But expect the unexpected.  God loves variety.  God loves faith.  God loves to be generous and make us happy (bless us).  Seek His kingdom, His ways first in your life.  Then all the basic needs in this physical world will be met.  And as for the unexpected God-breathed wonders, well, just put on your seatbelt and let your heavenly Father take you for a spin!

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The Father’s Love Letter

By chris | Published: May 11, 2010

I am your God.  I am your Father.  But many don’t know Me as their Father.  Just like a father has compassion on his children, I also have compassion on those who honor Me and respect Me.

A long time ago, a man named Moses asked if he could see Me in person.  I couldn’t let Him see Me in the fullness of who I AM, but I did let him see just a little bit.  While I showed him, I told Him the most important things about Myself.   This is what I told him:  I am a God of great compassion.  Compassion and mercy.  I am not quick to get mad.  I am full of tender-hearted love and abounding in faithfulness.  I don’t just “leave” like others.  I am rich in these things.  As a matter of fact, I lavish these things on those who love Me, those who know Me and happen to call me by the name Father.  To lavish means to pour out extravagantly.  I saturate my loved ones with Myself and who I AM.  They know Me and I know them.  I am their Father and their God.  They are a most special people.  Unique, in that they know Me in this way.  They have peace and joy deep down in their heart.  And no one can take it away from them.  Have you noticed?  Even when difficult times come, they wont give up because they know Me and are full of my love and compassion.  They truly know Me.  Some of them even call me Papa.  And they feel comfortable enough to be simply themselves in front of Me.  I see this as a very beautiful thing.  I see them as little children, My children.  And I love them like a Father, but even more.

I’m trying to tell you something, trying to paint a picture.  I’m using human terms and examples so you can know something more about Me.  I love My children, just like a father loves a child.  I care for each and every one of them.  I am always there, always looking at them.  I can’t take my eyes off of them because I love them so much.  I love them so much!  I know every hair on their head, yes I’ve counted each one.  I know every thought on their mind, every worry, every concern.  I am their Father and their God.  They know Me, and I know them.  I love them like no other person ever can.

Many are trying to feed themselves with things that will never, ever satisfy.  If they would only know Me.  I would fill them with something that would satisfy them deep, deep down inside.  When you’ve eaten a meal, and it’s just not enough, you move on to dessert.  Something with a little fat to satisfy.  That’s the way I work.  When you know and experience My love, I satisfy that longing, that craving deep, deep down inside.  Even the “best meal” of life cannot satisfy.  There’s a gnawing hunger that’s so deep.  No person, no spouse, no job, no created thing can ever satisfy that deep hunger.  And that’s good. Only I can.  I am the only one who is trustworthy enough.  I am the only one safe enough.  I am the only one tender-hearted enough.  You see, I will never leave you or forget about you.

You are My dear child.  I love you with an everlasting love.  I loved you before you were ever born.  I knew your name before you were ever born.  Yes, it was then, even then that you were on My heart.  I was so set on making sure that You would meet Me and see Me face to face one day, that I sent MY SON, My only Son.  He sacrificed His own life as an exchange for yours.  He did this because He’s just like Me.  He loves you more than you can ever imagine.  One day you will see.  You will see the proof on His hands, on His feet.  The marks where the nails pierced Him.  He calls Me Father, and I want you to call me Father also.

My love is beyond what you can even imagine.  If you turn to Me today, I will begin to show you My wonderful love.  But you must be true in your heart.  You see, I know everything, even the deepest things.  I’m not saying this to make you feel bad.  On the contrary, I want you to feel safe and free, more so than ever.  But sometimes we need to “take care of business” first.  Turn to Me with all your heart today, right now.  Don’t put it off.  Tomorrow is an excuse, it doesn’t exist.  Do you see that?  Let there be no other things that get in your way.  Believe me, they are not worth it.  If you hang on to those things, and they take you down, one day you will be so angry at yourself.  But that wont come until you see Me.  When you see Me, not like Moses did, but when you see Me in all of My splendor and glory, you will be amazed.  And when you find out all along that it was Me who loved you, Me who died for you, Me who was calling you by name – it will break your heart.  Because I love you with an everlasting love.  It never ends.  It never quits.  It never fails.  My love is better than life itself, and when you experience it, you will know.  You will know that you were made for this.  Made to know Me and experience my goodness.

Please, hear my call, hear my cry.  It’s the cry of a Father’s heart saying “come home.”  I won’t scold you when you come, when you turn to me with all of your heart.  I will receive you and dress you in the finest clothes.  The family’s best.  You will no longer feel naked, but safe.  Adored.  Special.  You see, I’ve made you like no one else, and I will love you like no one else.  Why do you think I made every finger print different?  Did you know that not one snowflake is the same?  It is because I’m the most creative God and Father you will ever know.  I am He.  There is no other, none like Me.  I alone am God.  No one can truly Father you, satisfy you.  Today, if you hear My voice, do not harden your heart!  Turn to Me and know what it means to live, to really live!  To live is to really know Me personally, the one true God, and My Son Jesus Christ.  Seek Me with all of your heart, and you will find me!

This is THE Father’s Love Letter to You!

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The Privilege of Calling Him Yours

By chris | Published: April 13, 2010

Jesus was keen on quoting from Deuteronomy.  But don’t let the title of that book scare you.  It’s full of treasures.  And it’s in this book of Deuteronomy that we learn one of the greatest, most simple and often overlooked phrases:  “The Lord YOUR God.”  Have you ever considered that?  That you have the privilege of calling Him “my God.”  It’s not so much that you own Him, rather He owns you, and calls you His own.  You are joined to Him, married to Him if you will.  He is your Husbandman (Isaiah 54:5).  What a joy!  In understanding this truth, we have so much to consider and rejoice over.

God made a summary statement for His people regarding a difficult time in their lives, during the wilderness wanderings….”For the LORD your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the LORD your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing” (NLT).  He’s your God.  And we are His.  He has watched our every step.  Some look at this as terrifying.  But it shouldn’t be.  The tone is that of a loving parent who cares for His children.  This is brought out by the statement that they have “lacked nothing.”  God cares.  He cares for you and I more than we understand.

Today, if you will hear His voice, you have the wonderful privilege of calling God your Father.  Jesus said in John 20:17 “But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  This was again, an even newer revelation.  First, Jesus calls us brothers!   And, second, we see that He has now extended this privilege to us, of calling God both “our God” and “our Father.”  It says in the scripture, that to those who believed in Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God.

When God’s children went astray in former years, you can hear the tone of God our Father as He tells His people all that He had hoped for and envisioned for His people.  It was mainly that they would love Him, appreciate Him and call Him “Father.” In Jeremiah 3:19 we learn of His heart:

I thought to myself,
‘I would love to treat you as my own children!’
I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land—
the finest possession in the world.
I looked forward to your calling me ‘Father,’
and I wanted you never to turn from me. (NLT)

There’s a sad ending to the story quoted above. God ends up equating the relationship with His children as that of an unfaithful wife. But may it not be so with us, if we will simply hear His voice.  Realizing that He wants to hold us, to love us, to dance over us with songs of joy as it states in Zephaniah 3:17:

For the Lord your God is living among you!
He is a mighty savior!
He will take delight in you with gladness!
With his love, he will calm all your fears!
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs! (NLT, exclamations added)

The Lord your God takes great delight in you, O son and daughter of the Most High God.  Rejoice in Him!

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A Reward — From the Most High God Himself

By chris | Published: March 30, 2010

What a thought.  To receive a reward from God Himself.  Is there any greater thought or aspiration?  Is there anything more unfathomable than to have the Greatest of all even give thought or ear to us humans, even to go as far as to reward us?  This needs to be pondered a bit before one can fully grasp what’s being spoken of here.

Yet the concept of God rewarding people is a true one.  As well, the concept of God honoring people is, yet again, a true one.  First, the reward.  It’s written that without faith, it’s impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).  It goes on to say “for he that comes to God must believe that He is.”  Establishing a groundwork, it’s safe to say that faith is a prerequisite to not only pleasing God, but receiving the reward from Him.

There is a faith that exists.  This faith is a true living — abiding faith.  It’s the kind of faith that shows itself to be true indeed (James 2:18-26).  It’s an action faith.  It’s the kind of faith that does things, God things.  What I really mean is that God does things through this faith.  And this faith believes in God, truly believes in Him.  And He responds to this faith.  This faith also seems to apprehend who God is, in all His fullness.  Yet, in some respects, it’s the unfathomable apprehension of God’s love that is apprehended (Eph 3:14-19).  In understanding how great this blessed God is, the seeker seeks after God with the whole heart (Jer. 29:13), and actually finds Him!

Is there any greater gift than the presence of God Himself?  Is there any greater achievement?  Is there any greater aspiration?  Is there any one person who can actually satisfy our needs?  Who in all of heaven and earth can compare to the LORD?  He Himself is the source of life.  He is the beginning and the end.  All things come from Him, and all things consist in Him.  If the Lord takes a man down, and holds him down, will he rise again on his own?  If the Lord gives a man success, will someone take away that which God has given?

We see God laying all these principles out to Abraham, who — by the way, is called the “father of faith.” God told Abraham in a vision, “do not be afraid Abraham, I am your shield and exceedingly great reward” (Gen 15:1).  Think of it. God tells Abraham that He Himself is Abraham’s reward.  And not just any reward.  His great reward.  And not only a great reward.  An exceedingly great reward.  Are we getting it?  Are we really getting it?  God Himself is beyond our comprehension sometimes, yes, but that fact does not negate that we may actually apprehend Him.  His love is all we need.  The songwriter of the day (psalmist) seem to understand it when he said “Your lovingkindness is better than life itself” (Ps. 63:3).  One of the translations of that verse states that lovingkindness means “unfailing love.”  God’s love never fails.

Today/tonight, you can go home in the quiet and secret place, and seek this God.  You can seek Him with all of your heart.  You can indeed find Him!  And when you truly find Him, apprehend Him or rather are apprehended by Him, you will find out that this is what you were created for, to know and love Him who sent His one and only Son to become a ransom for our sins, in order that we would know Him Who is faithful and true.

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