Stepping Out of Unforgiveness

I watch a 2-3 minute clip this morning from a TD Jakes message that spoke to something that is all too common. He talked about people being imprisoned, their lives put on hold, their dreams tucked away because of something someone did. "What someone did in a moment...someone got in your line of sight...for 38 years, you've held on to it." I wonder how many people have been imprisoned by this very thing. While unforgiveness gives you a sense of being in control, the reality is that it keeps you from moving forward in life.

Hear the words of Nelson Mandela, "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison."


There's a good many people we encounter every day who are living in shackles. You may not see them but they are there. It's in their mind or their heart. They have tried everything to live life as normal. Thinking they are moving forward, they continue to spin their wheels in the mire of the past. The pain, hurt, & scars of the past are still very real. Rather than forgive the offender, they push it down, not realizing the effect it has on current relationships & life.

In Matthew 18, Jesus tells the story of a servant that was forgiven a debt. When this servant left the presence of his master, he ran into another servant who owed him money. Fresh from his own moment of forgiveness, you would think the first servant would have shown mercy. However, he treated the other servant wickedly. He choked him, demanded payment, and drug him to the prison until the debt could be paid. When the master heard about this tragedy, he called the wicked servant into his presence and then had him thrown in jail until his previously forgiven debt could be paid in full. In fact, according to the story, the master handed him over to the torturers. What an image. One moment your life is free and the next you are being tortured. Why? Listen to the words of the master, "Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?"

This story is meant to draw our attention to the cruelty of unforgiveness. No matter how much we justify it. No matter how much we think we are in the right. The reality is that we live in torment because of our unwillingness to display the same mercy that has been given to us. We put our lives on hold. We fail to see our dreams realized. We struggle to find joy, peace, & contentment. All because we have allowed the offense (whatever it is) to take up residence in our hearts. Bitterness & Unforgiveness are cells that only have 1 key and you hold it. No one else can open these doors. No one else can help you out. Only when we choose to let go of the past will we be able to move into the future.

"You just don't know what they did!"
"You have no idea how much pain they caused!"
"You don't realize how difficult this has been!"
These are all statements that I have heard. These are all declarations of the right bitterness has to remain in their lives. These are all excuses for imprisonment.

What if you knew that you had the ability to forgive? What if I told you that right now, where you are, you could walk away from the misery & torment of the past? What if you knew that the darkness could be lifted once & for all? Would you act upon these things? Would you be willing to let go of your pride, your right to be justified? Would you release that someone so that you could go free? The reality is that you do have the ability to forgive. The reality is that you could walk away from the misery & torment of the past. The darkness could be lifted and you can go free. It all rests on your willingness to allow the grace of God to empower you. Trust me, there is grace for this. Jesus, being nailed to a cross, cried out to His Father, "Forgive them. They don't know what they do."

The people we have chosen to not forgive have moved on. They have gotten married, entered into new careers, bought new cars, & have essentially been untouched by our bitterness. We think we are holding the cards but the reality is that the deck is stacked against us. We will not move ahead in our lives or our spirituality. There may be some of you reading this blog right now who have things that you have held onto for years. And while you believe you are justified for your feelings, the reality is that you are imprisoned. The only way to walk into freedom is to step our of unforgivness.

LET IT GO! Don't give the torturers another day. Why would you remain shackled? "He who has been forgiven much, loves much." This should be the reality of your life. Just say "Papa, I choose to forgive ________________. I release them from the bitterness that I have held onto. I ask you to bless their lives and allow me to walk in the freedom you have provided. I will not longer live from an offended heart. In Jesus' name."

A new life awaits you when you pray that prayer from your heart. The lighter you is ready to emerge. It's within your grasp. Don't waste another moment. BE MADE FREE!!!

A Pioneering Spirit

On Sunday I was reminded once again of the significance of being a pioneer. While this word may not mean much to many of you, to me it has been the lifeblood of a journey. A journey of never settling. A journey of discovery. A life in the Spirit filled with adventure. I invite you to travel with me.

To be a Pioneer requires risk, tenacity, and a heart for the journey. It means looking beyond what is and focusing on what can be. We tend to celebrate pioneers of technology, business, etc.; but we seem to shy away from the pioneers of faith. Those wild-eyed dreamers seem to shake us up a little bit. They cannot be satisfied with status-quo. They must press forward & believe for more.

I want you to consider that the Kingdom of God was always meant to be pioneered. It was meant to be explored and advanced. The gifts that God gave to the church (people) that were meant to facilitate this movement were apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. They were to envision a growing & advancing kingdom. This meant going into uncharted territory. It meant discipling the nations. When you read the book of Acts, it seems as though every time the believers thought about settling, something would take place to force them out of the comfort zone. I believe God used these moments to awaken His sons & daughters to their original design. To GO into all the nations. Teaching people to observe everything that Jesus had taught them. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. If you do not have a pioneering spirit, then it will be hard to stomach the journey.

The Gospel of the Kingdom has been long forgotten in much of the church. A message that was meant to touch every people group. It has been replaced by the gospel of salvation. While this message may touch people's lives, it does not necessarily advance the Kingdom. The Gospel of the Kingdom declares the King's Domain. It proclaims what the Father has accomplished through the Son, and it is not satisfied to dwell in a particular camp. God envisioned every tribe, every tongue, & every nation to receive the GOOD NEWS of this Kingdom. But they will never hear as long as we are content to settle.

The settlement mentality is killing the church. No longer seeking to advance the Kingdom. No longer seeking to go deeper in our understanding. No longer wanting to go deeper into His heart. We believe we have arrived. We have the Holy Spirit, we own a Bible, and we have a building. What else do we need? All the while we settle and our settlements become encampments. We build walls around them. We defend them. And the world is left on the outside without a clue on how to get in.

What was once a thriving church in the midst of persecution has become a waning club in the midst of comfort. Satisfied with the idea that we are simply carrying the faith that was once delivered to the saints, we argue over the most insignificant things. Much like a country led by a democracy, we throw in our opinions, we vote, & we elect leaders. All of this is meant to make our lives less difficult. But my question is, where is the Kingdom in all of it? Where is the advancing powerhouse called the Body of Christ that was meant to fill the earth with the glory of God? Where are the pioneers that will advance the kingdom and claim uncharted territory? Where are the pioneers of our faith who dare to dream & dare to hear from God?

To be sure, pioneering is difficult, but isn't that the nature of adventure? Isn't it often filled with trials, difficulty, and even danger? Is it not worth our lives? The idea that we have all the answers or that God has spoken everything that He will speak is ridiculous. The idea that God is content with our houses of worship, annual trips to some far off destination, or the sending out of a few missionaries here and there, wreaks of the settlement mentality. It does not envision and understanding of God that is ever widening or a kingdom that is ever advancing. We are missing out on so much because we do not dare question or think for ourselves. We do not dare to do anything other than what is already being done. Rather than pioneering things in the Spirit, we are content to parrot things in the flesh. Where are those who dare to think with God?

When I talk about church in this way, I'm talking about the corporation. The gathered together of the 501c3. The people who have believed that God is caught up in traditions, rituals, and styles. The encampments of denominational mindsets and believe that the Kingdom of God has subdivisions called Baptist, Presbyterian, Church of God, Pentecostal, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc. Denominations are nothing more than monuments to past moves of God. Settlements of thought, theology, & doctrine. Communities that have lost their Kingdom identity. Lost is the advancement of the Kingdom. It has been replaced with the advancement of our denominations. I know because I have been in those meetings. There is no honor for our brothers & sisters in other denominations. There is no conversation about what is working over in the others camps. And when we become entrenched in this line of thinking, the only vision we carry is tunnel vision. We struggle to see outside of our own particular ways.

The generation that is rising within the church RIGHT NOW is looking to pioneer. They see what has been lost. They long for the reality of the Kingdom of God in every day life. They want to know how the finished work of Christ impacts their lives, their relationships, and their communities. They want more than Sundayanity. They are not content with potlucks, Sunday night singings, or pizza parties. They want to see the book of Acts alive & well in their lifetime. They are hungry to know God in His fullness. They believe, like many of us did at one time or another, that there is more to this life. They see the church as something more glorious than buildings dotting the landscape. They have had an encounter with God outside of their salvation experience and know that this is what we were meant to live in. Religion will not cut it. Going to church does not satisfy. Apologetics will not curb their appetite. It's the living God they long for and His Kingdom that they want to see advancing. Much like Peter, they cry out, "Lord if that is really you (out in the water), bid me come." Do I believe this generation can take the church where we have not? ABSOLUTELY!!!

A person with a pioneering spirit recognizes that the Kingdom of God is within. He knows that everywhere He goes the Kingdom goes. And He is not looking to start a new settlement. He wants to change a culture. May we capture this vision. May we see the Kingdom of God advance like never before. May the grace of God make this dream a reality.
This is a call to all pioneers. The Kingdom is waiting to manifest. Enjoy the journey!!!

The Heart

Every Friday afternoon during football season, I have the opportunity to share some encouragement with the Fort Chiswell football players after they are fed by several of the ladies in our church.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have talked to these young men about 1) Their Will & 2) Their Mind. Today, I'm going to share with them about the heart. This is my attempt to share something with them that can apply to life & football.

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."

As I came across this verse, I was reminded of Captain America. Many of you have seen the movie. Others may have read the comics. But one of my favorite scenes is when the Doctor is talking to Steve about the procedure that he is going to having in the morning. The serum that he will be injected with is going to bring incredible enhancements to his physical body. However, one of the interesting aspects of the serum is that is basically personifies what is inside a person. Whatever is true on the inside of the individual will come to the surface for the whole world to see.

Is it any wonder Solomon in all his wisdom told his son to watch over his heart? We all face certain things in life that will test the metal of what is inside of us. Moments where the spotlight will shine brightly upon our character. It's in those moments that skill, talent, & gifts can be used as a tool to build you up, or they can be the very thing that destroys our lives.

I once heard someone say that when you look at many of the people in the Bible, that it wasn't their areas of weakness where they struggled but in the areas of the strengths. Think about it, David was called a man after God's own heart. Yet we all know that there came a time when David's heart failed him. Rather than guard (or watch over) his heart, he allowed it to be filled with desires that were not of God.

There are many things that we have to guard against:
Pride
Arrogance
Over Confidence
Lustful Desires
Insecurities
Etc.
When we are tested, whatever we have allowed in will come out.

It is my desire that when I'm finished with these young men, that they will leave more than a legacy of great football. We are in the business of raising up the next generation of men. Men who will lead families. Men who will take over places of leadership in the workplace, government, or the church. Hopefully, what we have sowed into them will take root and that will be what comes out of their lives.

Have a great weekend!!!

Never Forget

Today we honor the lives that were lost in the most horrific attack on US soil. The images, sadness, and confusion of that day still lingers with us. While our nation has attempted to move forward, it's imperative that we are reminded of the unity that was forged that day.

September 11, 2001 brought a realization that our nation is not as safe as we previously thought. However, we also realized that we could be unified more than we previously imagined. We were a nation united in grief, in shock, in prayer, and in utter resolve to find answers. During one of the darkest days in American history, we discovered a bright shining light within her people.

The hours, days, weeks, & months that followed Sept. 11th were filled with people coming together to grieve, to support, and to help one another. None of us can forget the images of emergency personnel, construction workers, and volunteers of all kinds who were willing to dig through the debris, carry a cup of cold water, serve meals, and lend a helping hand. There was tremendous support for families, for our leaders, and for our military. We stopped being designated by political affiliation, religious dogma, societal ranking, etc. We were reminded of what it meant to be truly American. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

When people rose up with declarations of judgement against America - we ignored them. When the naysayers believed that we could not overcome - we resisted them. When the conspiracy theorists began their debates - we shut them out. It wasn't the time or the place. We realized that the Americans who lost their lives came from various backgrounds, religious beliefs, and lifestyles. The people who attacked us did not care who died. Yet...somehow...we grieved for every one. We were a nation united.

I'm reminded of an ecumenical prayer service in the days that followed. Members of various religious groups joined together to pray for our nation. You see, it's in those brief moments we are reminded of the freedoms our nation affords. It wasn't a time to prove who was right or wrong. It was a time to pray for comfort, wisdom, protection, and guidance for our nation.

I find it interesting that the men who flew those planes believed they were doing the work of their god, and there were other religious leaders who agreed with them by saying that this act of terror was the judgement of God upon America. Of course, we know both to be wrong. We know that this was the acts of violent men seeking to bring terror into our nation. The acts of God were found in the streets. The acts of God were seen in firefighters running into burning buildings to save whomever they could. The acts of God were discovered in the hugs, the acts of kindness, and the devotion to one another. Some may ask, "Where was God during 9/11?" May answer is: How did you miss Him?

Let us remember those who have lost loved ones, neighbors, and co-workers.
Let us remember our leaders who still have the job of protecting our freedoms and our nation.
Let us remember our military who continue to fight against terrorism wherever we find it.
Let us remember the unity that was forged in our hearts that day. A day when we were all Americans. And let us find the resolve to recapture that unity - live in it - and NEVER FORGET.

Anticipating God

There are days when we anticipate seeing/hearing/sensing God. Like when you go to church (I hope). Then there are days when you don't expect to see, hear, or sense anything. Like a Monday morning for instance (sound familiar?). The reality that I'm learning to live with is that we can anticipate Him showing up just about anywhere, through just about anyone and/or anything.

It's in those moments when you realize that most of the sacred/secular designations we place upon things is totally our doing. When the Lord reveals Himself through someone, or something, other than our pre-conceived notions, we realize that He hasn't wrapped Himself up in a book. He hasn't designated Himself to our buildings, our rituals, or our traditions. The fact that the Holy Spirit is so active in the earth right now gives Him the right to reveal Himself any way He chooses.

I live with anticipation.

Anticipation is not expectation. Knowing the difference can keep us from a lot of disappointment. How many times have we expected God to move in a certain way and it didn't happen? For whatever reason, He just didn't show up the way we expected. Anticipation on the other hand regards the movement of God as probable. It's living with hope. It means going through life with discernment. It requires a depth to our spirituality that we can often overlook. I mean...how many times has the Lord showed up in something we considered not right or not holy? How many times have we missed His voice because it came through something we considered religious? Anticipation leads us to live in such a way that we are sensitive to the Lord in every circumstance.

Go back through the Bible sometime and see how many times the Lord showed up in a way that nobody could have predicted. If anything, see that Jesus came as the Messiah in a way that the religious leaders were not anticipating. It seems that the only people group of people who had an anticipation about them was a group of stargazers who showed up at His birth. Not exactly the crowd you would have expected. But their anticipation of something happening led them to an amazing experience.

I was reminded of the joy of anticipation this morning when I downloaded the new U2 album. Apparently Apple & U2 have this incredible partnership and they gave the album away for free. I had some anticipation about the album because of the people I knew that were already downloading it & because Bono always finds a way to allow the Lord to sing through him. What I did not expect was that the goodness of God would show up through so many of the songs. One of the songs on the album is titled "Song for Someone" and is nothing less than a prophetic declaration. I imagined Bono just walking through the streets like the minstrels of old, declaring the glory of God for someone to hear, filling the earth with God's goodness. There are songs, much like this one, that are so true to Bono that the Lord cannot help but being a part of them. As I listened, I could not help but think this is an amazing work of worship disguised as a rock album. Or maybe it's the other way around. God doesn't need the distinction.

While many of us have experienced the Lord in significant ways - ways in which we did not expect. How many of us have learned to carry the anticipation? How many of us have woke up with the idea that it is very probable that the Lord could move even on a Monday? How many of us realize that God doesn't need a Sunday morning gathering to make Himself known?

This works for the non-religious as well. How many of them showed up at a church service not expecting, or anticipating, anything? How many have stayed away from gatherings because they don't believe God has any part in them. Oh, I have heard some of those surprising statements as well. Times when the Lord spoke through someone, some act of worship, or some song. They were totally blown away.

We were designed to experience our Heavenly Father. We are meant to hear Him call our names. Part of the journey we are on requires that we have eyes to see & ears to hear. He may be speaking to you through the Scriptures. He may use the preacher. He could be speaking to you through your child. Or He may even use your circumstances just to reveal how near He is to you. Will you see Him? Can you hear Him in the chaos? Can you sense His presence? This is what walking in the Spirit allows into our lives. It keeps us from always being caught up in the natural. It causes us to look much deeper. It reminds us that we are children of God even when we may feel abandoned.

Anticipation allows us to experience God in unexpected places and through unexpected people. It calls to remembrance the words of Scripture, "set your mind on things above." It's part of the process of seeing Heaven Invade Earth.

Father,
We realize that things are not always what they seem. We choose to live in anticipation. We believe that you can show up at any time, in any way, and through any one that you choose. May we be sensitive to your heart & the movement of your Holy Spirit. We don't want to miss a moment.
In Jesus we pray,
Amen