One Night in a Bad Hotel

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Have you ever spent a night in a shady hotel? We left Colorado and were driving back to California. This was way before the days of cell phones, and I promised our kids we could stop at a hotel with a swimming pool. As evening approached we got off the freeway in Richfield, Utah. The hunt began to find a hotel with a pool and a vacancy sign.

As the sun was setting the search became more desperate as all the well-known hotels were booked. Finally, in the heart of the city a vacancy sign popped up with the all important word, “pool” flashing from the neon sign. The place looked a little run down from the outside but at least we found something.

Without going into too much detail……the pool was green, the room was dirty, and the residents were loud, all night. I have stayed in many hotels over the years, but I will never forget that very long night.  The dawn of first light could not come fast enough for us to pile in the van and head back to the safety of our own home.

The memory of that traumatic night was triggered by a quote I recently read from St. Teresa of Avila;

“The joy of what is to come will make the most miserable life feel like one night in a bad hotel.”

What a powerful sentence. It puts this life and the trials we go through in a perfect perspective. Because of the Resurrection we can claim this enduring hope planted into our hearts by the Holy Spirit of “The joy of what is to come…”

Hear what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9;

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

If you are feeling as if you are trapped in a dark, dirty, depressing, place and the night never seems to end, take a few minutes to open up your Bible and dwell on the promises found in Isaiah 25 and Revelation 7. Both prophecy “The joy of what is to come…”  The splendid sunrise which is about to break forth for all believers in Christ will be like a magnificent feast which will never end. The wine will run freely bringing the joy of a wedding celebration. The heavenly food will satisfy our deepest hunger, and rivers of living water will quench our parched souls.

All our sorrowful tears will be wiped away by a loving Shepherd who will bring us into the Father’s home. A home which is defined by the presence of a perfect, life giving, everlasting love. A love which we have longed for from deep within.

As a child I remember hearing this chorus sung in church from Psalm 30:5;

“Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning, weeping only lasts for the night…the darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.”

So hold on dear friend, you might feel like you are stuck in a bad hotel at the moment, but be encouraged the dawn of eternal joy is about to break forth.

 

Remember The Gardener has Returned

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Lilac bushes bursting forth with purple blooms, tulips dawning beautiful hues, green overtaking the dead brown grass of winter, all signs of the new life of Spring.  Spring has always been a favorite season for me as the death of winter is forced to surrender to the mysterious power of life from death.

No wonder the Father chose this season before the creation of the world for the Resurrection of His Son. It is a season of hope and anticipation as the spell of winters gloom gives way to longer days filled brilliant light that awakens life. If you live in places where clouds and cold dominate much of the winter months you know the joy of this season.

It is so good for us to be reminded spiritually that because of the Resurrection the long winter rule of Satan has come to an end as The Gardner broke forth from the tomb to plant a new garden which will one day over take the entire earth. He did what our first parents failed to do as they chose to listen to the lie of the enemy.

I realize some who read this might think we are still in the dark of winter, or perhaps thought Spring had arrived and then a massive wintry storm hit once again delivering a crushing blow. If we put our hope in the god of politics, money, people, or stuff, we will end up trapped in the gloominess of winter.

Those who remember and truly believe The Gardener has come and believe He is busy tending to His precious garden and expanding it daily, can claim Spring has come and experience hope and joy. As the Scripture states, “Behold I’m making all things new,” (Rev. 21:5). The One who said these words is Jesus. And it is Jesus who sits on the throne directing and expanding His Kingdom.

Sometimes believers find themselves listening to the lie that things are getting worse as our enemy has a great PR department. But The Word explicitly states that His Garden Kingdom IS taking over hearts through the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. And don’t forget what the prophets boldly declared:

“The earth will be filled with knowledge of the glory of God as the water covers the sea.” Hab. 2:14, Isa. 11:9

The prophets were proclaiming a new Spring would come at the Resurrection which would make dead hearts come alive as the Father’s glorious love poured out upon them. Take some time to see how God’s creation is bursting forth. Listen to the voice of His Spirit.  Spring has come. Yes, there will be spiritual snow storms, tornados, and violent weather at times. But what started at the empty tomb cannot be stopped. His Glorious Loving Reign is engulfing hearts throughout the world.

Be encouraged. Join the Gardener! Know without a doubt that His beautiful garden is expanding. He is reminding you of this message of Joyful Hope…. an unstoppable Spring has arrived! Now go and take this good news with you!

Finding Your Africa

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At the end of each Kingdom Encounter trip students are encouraged to find their Africa back home where the Father has  purposely placed them. For many being in a different culture, serving and worshipping with other believers opens their eyes to encounter Jesus and His Kingdom in life changing ways.  Some hear the Father’s voice sing over them with delight as His love transforms hearts and His healing floods deep within wounded hearts.

On this last trip there were many tears the last day and hugs at the airport with hopes to come back. It is always a blessing to watch what the Spirit does in these young lives while in South Africa. But our earnest prayer is that each one will “find their Africa” in their school, home, team, place of work, or wherever the Father has placed them.

I have a good friend who has never been to Africa, though one day when he retires he promises to come. He works in a corporate manufacturing job with about 60 people who work under him. He often calls me on his 30 minute commute to work and we catch up on life and what the Lord is doing in our lives.

I love hearing stories of how his “Africa” is within the walls of his office. Every day people come in and out asking questions, seeking wisdom, and sharing their problems. He listens, loves, and many times will ask them if they would like prayer. His office has become a safe sanctuary where many have encountered the love of Christ in him. Some have even found Christ’s saving love right in that office.

When I think of my friend, I recall the last words of Jesus before He took the throne beside His Father in heaven: ”

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mt. 28:19-20

If you noticed, I highlight a few words, the first is “Go.”  From the Greek you could translate it “while you are going.” Meaning wherever the Father has placed you, go and shine out the Christ who lives within you.  His promise is “I am with you always.” If you’ve placed your faith in Christ He walks with you everyplace you go.

Your mission field starts when you wake up in the morning and see your family, when you walk out of the door into your neighborhood, when you enter math class, or when you stand in a long line or are stuck in traffic.

Don’t miss your Africa.  You don’t have to take a 10,000 mile journey across the ocean to show and share Jesus. The Father has placed you right where you are and has given you His Spirit to be Jesus’ love to someone who needs to encounter Him through you. Just “Go!” and remember He is always “with you!”

 

 

Roar of the Resurrection

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I hope and pray you had a wonderful Resurrection Day celebration! All over the world on Easter Sunday there were celebrations declaring the greatest day in history. The power of a spiritual winter which covered the earth with satan’s lies was broken when the Lion of the Tribe of Judah roared in victory early that Sunday morning.

As Patty and I celebrated at a sunrise service in God’s beautiful outdoor sanctuary we felt His roar of victorious HOPE. Truly an indescribable hope which continues to carry the promise of new life-with the brilliance of the sun bursting forth with a new day.

Listening to the Roar of the Resurrection in this day and age should be a daily priority.  The news, whether CNN, FOX, ABC, NBC and our social media apps roar a bleak narrative inspired by the “the father of lies.” His goal is to keep us enslaved, held captive in the tomb of death, and placing our trust in  fear and false gods of self, seeking pleasure, plenty, and power.

What a different message the Father of Truth gives to us. In love the Father raised His Son from the grave, breathing His Spirit into His lungs. The Father’s roar is one of righteousness, reign and making all things right.

Righteousness – The Father raised Jesus from the dead, such an act of love shouts the forgiveness of all our sins through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on the cross. When our Abba Father looks at you and me; He sees Jesus in all His holy radiance dressed in spotless white. (Romans 4:24-25)

Reign – The Resurrection declares that just as Jesus was raised from death to life so too as believers our spirit has also been raised with Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. You and I are seated with Christ in the heavenly realm, given power over our sin, satan, and the seduction of a lost world. (Ephesians 2:4-6)

Making All Things Right – When Jesus broke out of the tomb His Kingdom burst forth in power. Not a worldly power of “might makes right” but a heavenly power invading earth with a transforming love that changes hearts. This Spirit dwelling in the hearts of believers brings the message of hope those across the globe with the Father’s glory. We cling to this message of hope, knowing that upon His return all things will be made right. (I Cor. 15)

Each and everyday we need to tune our ears to the Roar of those 3 R’s of the Resurrection,  to live as people of a glorious hope, and knowing our victory is already secured. Let Jesus’s Roar be the first thing you listen to when you get up, let it empower you throughout the day, and may His roar grant you peace as you put your head on the pillow at night.

Early on that Sunday morning, as we gathered in one accord on the hilltop, I couldn’t help but think of many loved ones who already passed into glory, those whose faith is now sight, knowing each one is worshiping with the heavenly host and the Lion of the tribe of Judah on the Throne. What immense joy it brings to think that millions of believers from every tribe and nation joined together with the myriads in heaven in one roaring anthem of praise-because of the incalculable gift of the Resurrection!!!

Our Speaking Father

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Can we really hear the voice of God today or was that just for a special few we read about in the Bible?  Without a doubt I firmly believe the Father is always communicating to His beloved children.

When teams arrive to Oceans Retreat Center for a Kingdom Encounter experience we always begin by sharing our deepest prayer is that they would hear from their Father during their time here in South Africa. Our greatest joy are testimonies at the end of the trip or even after they have returned home and encounter His voice.

Let me share a few examples from this last trip. For one young lady it was experiencing a peace and joy as she was detached from her phone and could meditate and focus on the Father’s love for her. For another it was in a Sunday worship time in the township where a familiar song was song which led her to dance with joy and a freedom she had never experienced.

After dwelling on John 17 for a few days we asked each of the students to write a letter from the Father addressed to them personally. On a day we set aside for the team to intentionally spend some quiet time in a vineyard a young man shared afterward how he had a life changing encounter with God as he wrote his letter. The Lord kept bringing him back to Psalm 46:10,  “to be still and know that I am God.” It was a beautiful testimony to how the Father loves him and is putting the pieces together for the purposes He has for him.

There were others who encountered His voice in creation, in reading a devotional book we discussed on John 13-17, and in hearing God speak through people filled with joy and love living in the poorest of circumstances. Even on the very last day of the trip as students received hugs from the children they ministered to, tears flowed from 3 of the students 2 being young men. Those tears kept pouring out as we drove back to the Retreat Center and into our lunch time. The Spirit was doing a powerful work.

We have seen this over and over again with teams that have come to Africa. It has been a joy for us to witness the fruit of these young people who are learning to hear the voice of the Father.

As we enter into Holy Week and focus on the death and resurrection of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. We are reminded that He was sent by the Father to be a life changing Word to His children.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, Full of grace and truth…But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:14,12,13)

Take time this week to listen to your Abba Father speak His forgiveness, love, and His absolute pleasure over you through the gift of His Son. Maybe even try writing a letter from your Abba to you and listen to His Spirit speak in life changing ways to you His beloved.