Super Powers

"We saw the new super hero movie. It is a bit disturbing how much they quote scripture and misapply the Word. They have a form of godliness yet deny its power. So sad that all the answers and greater power than any superhero are right in front of them and they don't even care or recognize it."

As a kid I loved comic books. So much so that whenever I made any money from mowing my grandmother's lawn I would immediately ride my bike to the comic store and spend it on the latest copies of all my favorites. It wasn't until I grew in the Lord and understood more of the things of God that I really saw how many spiritual things are hidden in these books. Eventually I made the choice to stop reading the comic books and even burned my whole collection in four small barbecues (but that is a story for another time). 

Now these same spiritual messages are being woven into the movies that are being produced. There are spiritual themes and raging wars between good and evil. I enjoy a good action flick with explosions and well won victory. What gets to me is the exaltation of evil and the err when it comes to God's truth. 

As much as we can imagine when it comes to power and ability it still pales in comparison to the power and ability of God. The movies make these super heroes and the bad guys they protect the world from look like they are in an exalted position but none of them come close to the exalted position Jesus has at the right hand of the Father. They will never come close! 

In John 19 Jesus is face to face with Pilate. During the encounter Pilate tells Jesus that he has the power to set him free or to send him to be crucified. Jesus' response is so powerful that I have to pause and take it in when I read it. He responds by saying that Pilate would have no power unless it was given from above. Wow! We think we are so great and mighty but the only reason we are anything is because of God's sovereign plan. 

The truth is that only God is powerful. Only Jesus is exalted. Only the Holy Spirit is worth being in awe of. When we try to substitute any other it will be out of place and rob us of the true blessing of what is real. So go have fun at the movies and enjoy a good story and some awesome special effects but be sure to have more fun in church praising the God who is over all. 

How have you experienced the power of God in your life? 

Day 323 - Reoccurring Dreams

"He said he had the same dream twice where he was in front of a crowd in a theater on Broadway and had nothing to say. I added that the only way the dream could get worse was if he was in his underwear."

There I was, about ready to go on the stage and preach to our congregation. I was just getting out of the shower and my wife had come in the room to talk to me. Right behind her my kids came in and I was searching for my clothes but couldn't find them in the dresser drawers. Soon my parents are in the room and then others followed and I really should be out on the stage right now but I can't find my clothes. What would I do? I can't go out there with only a towel! 

Hopefully you have caught on that I am sharing one of my dreams (or nightmares depending on how you look at it). It is so interesting how the subconscious mind can draw on fears and frustrations while we are asleep. 

I have noticed that there are reoccurring places and scenarios that come up again and again in my dreams. It could be the mind going into auto-pilot. I am sure people who are smarter than me could explain this phenomenon. 

All that aside what we need to know is that things are on our minds that we need to address. We need to confront our fears. We have to deal with people. We must pray and fight spiritual warfare. Without these things we will add stress to our lives that will do more damage than addressing our issues. 

I can over think when it comes to addressing issues. I often prepare by running through scenarios in my mind. While I am praying my mind will wander from talking to God to having an imaginary conversation or meeting in my mind. 

Recently while doing this I stopped myself and submitted the whole thing to the Holy Spirit. I said to God that if the disciples should premeditated what they were going to say when they went before the counsels and leaders then neither should I. I also asked that the Holy Spirit would speak on my behalf when the time came. It totally worked. I didn't say some of the things I had dreamed up but what I did say was clear and effective. And I trust that apart from what I said what the Holy Spirit did was more effective anyway. 

If you are carrying worry or stress from the reoccurring daydreams or if it effects you in the night as well it is time to roll that off your back on to the Lord. He is strong enough to carry it. He will give you better dreams. They will be dreams of effectiveness, of reaching out in a greater way, of helping others and of being a blessing. One thing is for sure, you won't be standing in front of a crowd in your underwear. 

Have you had one of those stressful reoccurring dreams? What dreams has God given you?

Day 157 - Missed Opportunities

"I took all the kids home and then prepared for the wedding I had tonight. The wedding was at a golf course. The groom was a nice guy. While we were waiting to go to the lakeside for the ceremony he saw a golfer he knew that was a doctor. The doctor asked him why he was there and he replied it was for his wedding. The doctors response was “Thanks for the invite!” All I could think was that it was a missed opportunity."

The old saying that hindsight is 20/20 is true. We all could look back and see missed opportunities. I know I have wished I would have dove into an opportunity or a deal. I have regretted staying silent when I could have spoken or wished I would have shut up instead of talking too much. 

Whatever the case may be how do we deal with missed opportunities? Are they final?

To some degree we have to accept that a missed opportunity is just that; missed. Oh well. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. But we can't sit and cry over spilled milk. We have to be mature about it and move forward. But now we have wisdom. 

Learn from the mistake. Looks or opportunities. Be in tune with the Holy Spirit and listen for His voice. Part of His job description is that He will show you things to come. If that is the case then you never have to miss another opportunity again. All you have to do is listen and do what He says. 

Have you missed an opportunity? How can we take advantage of when opportunity comes our way? 

Day 131 - On Guard

"Protect the anointing."

Many don't know what the anointing is. The best description I have heard is that of a painter painting a wall. The wall could have been boring and lifeless. Once the paint is applied now the color of the paint changes the wall from drab to fab (if I could steal a line from HGTV). 

The anointing is very similar. When the anointing is applied to our lives it changes us from who we once were to something new and better. 

In Old Testament times they would apply the oil to the head by smearing it on or by pouring it out of a container on the kings and priests. Where they were just men before the anointing, now that the oil had been applied, they have become what they are called to be. 

In today's terms in church we still pray for people and anoint them with oil but also now that the Holy Spirit has come we can experience the anointing in a new way. The oil of Old Testament times represented the Holy Spirit who would be given to the church. In fact in the book of 1 John it says that the anointing we have from God will teach us. It then goes on to say that the anointing is the Holy Spirit. When He is applied to your life everything changes and you can become all that God has called you to be. 

The problem is that we aren't aware of the anointing we have nor do we fight to keep the anointing. The Holy Spirit is a Person and can be grieved or welcomed. He also can be acknowledged and we can learn from Him or we can ignore or even reject Him. It is our call. 

We need to protect our relationship with the Holy Spirit. There are a few ways we can do this. 

First off we need to guard our hearts and stay pure. God doesn't enjoy sin. We need to quickly confess and repent of sin so we can enjoy fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Repentance means that we turn from our way and go God's direction. The more we follow God's ways the less we will grieve Him. 

Next we need to guard our lives from contamination. The world would love to pollute us. There are many voices that could speak into our lives. We have to get quiet and take time to listen to the anointing, the Holy Spirit, who will teach us and lead us. He will guide you if you will simply follow His instructions. 

Finally we need to guard against the enemy. The devil will try to lie and deceive you into false thinking. He will either tell you that you are crazy, or not to worry, that you are okay where you are at so why go through trials, or he will drum up some other lie. The more you know the voice of the Holy Spirit the more you will be guarded against the lies of the enemy. 

How is your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Can you think of another way we can protect the anointing? 

Da 78 - It Just Makes Sense

"Spurgeon has such a way of thinking that just brings things together that make sense but also make you say, “Why didn't I think of that?” Like when he is talking about King Jesus and says “In the Red Sea of his own blood, our Redeemer has drowned the Pharaoh of our sins: shall he not be King in Jeshurun?” I thought to myself “Of coarse the Red Sea and blood of Jesus are a type and shadow.” It just makes sense."

The teaching gift is both necessary and appreciated. Combined with the tenacity and passion of a preacher there are those who would instruct and move the heart of the hearer with a motivation to do what is being taught. Charles Spurgeon, who I quoted above, is one of those who when you read his work, well, it just makes sense. 

A good lesson, speech, or sermon must instruct the mind, challenge the intellect, touch the heart and be easily understood and applied. It is no easy task. Many hours of preparation go into crafting such a message. 

We must never leave the Holy Spirit out of our studies though. Truly He is the Teacher of the church. If the preacher, teacher, speaker has done their job well then the Holy Spirit will do His perfectly (for He can do no less!). All that is left is for the heart of the hearer to be open to receive. Listen, believe, do...blessed. 

Who are the speakers, teachers and preachers that move you when you hear them speak? Why is it important for speaker, hearer and Holy Spirit to all be engaged in the process?

Day 67 - Dads and Daughters

Last year our family went to a birthday party at a roller skating rink and later I wrote about this humorous experience: 

"It was funny because The dad of the girl whose birthday it was saw his daughter on the rink and suddenly said 'I gotta go stop something' and skated right in between his daughter and a boy who was trying to talk to her. He came back and said 'I smelled those pheromones'."

We dads of daughters have a protective sense that goes off like Spiderman's Spidey sense when it comes to our girls. I don't care how old or how young the boy we are watching. The reason for our concern is that we were once that boy. We know what that boy is thinking about and we do not approve. 

I grew up in a house full of men. My poor mom was the only female in the house that wasn't a cat or a parakeet. Because of this fact most of what I know about raising a girl has come from my wife telling me what worked for her with her dad. 

Thank God He gave us the Holy Spirit as well. As much as we are watching He is watching all the more. He cares more for our children than we do and His love is greater as well. I trust the Holy Spirit with my children. 

Do you have any funny experiences like this either with your dad or as a parent? How has the Holy Spirit helped you in situations like this? (Whether with children, business, relationships etc.?)