No Guts, No Glory

DEVOLUTION, not EVOLUTION
We have problems for a Reason

Did it ever occur to you we are actually devolving and not evolving?  Think about it.  When Adam and Eve were on earth with God, they existed with Him in a spiritual realm that does not exist any longer.  Many argue, and rightfully so, they likely had a telepathic / spiritual communion of sorts with not only God, but also the animals as well.  Perhaps even the plant life and the trees.  What an amazing experience that must have been.  OH PRAISE JESUS for a time that we can return to such Glory.


Communion with God Hundreds of Years Ago

Imagine just 100 years ago.  Or better yet, take yourself back to a time in the 18th century or earlier.  You didn't have electricity.  All you had was your work day, your family, and candle light to read by in the evening.  Books were critically important back then.  A book would cause your imagination to soar.  Your imagination, arguably even the "spiritual you", became the essence of your existence. 

And the BIBLE!  Can you imagine how amazing it must have been to read the Bible back then?  Imagine sitting with your family at the dining room table in the evening reading the stories in the Bible.  Your children's eyes would be lit up in amazement.  The appreciation for every word would be magnified to a level that we can not conceive of today.  Your spirit would be uplifted by the Glory of its power.  Your hopes and dreams would come alive.  Your faith in God would be such that every problem you had would be handed over the the Lord with the utmost of confidence.


Spiritual Devolution through Technology

Now the entertainment industry has taken over our imaginations.  Some would argue that it has instituted a level of demonic control that is unsurpassed in the history of the earth.  We have television, movies, video games, data cell phones, the Internet (praise Jesus with balance), and an endless array of THINGS that remove our spiritual awareness of our Heavenly Father and his desire to do good on our behalf.

We no longer seek HIM for our problems until we are in a "pile of crap".  NO WONDER we have so many challenges. 

When you reflect back through the scripture, you see endless story after story of how indignant God became when He was ignored.  He expected the Israelites to praise him ALL DAY LONG.   But instead even back then, without any distracting television and video games, they still murmured and complained.  And quite frankly God was less than happy about it.

We have become MANY TIMES removed from the Glory of God.


Escapism is the Enemy of the Spirit

While I believe there is no question that the Lord put all the plants on the earth for us to enjoy, I do not believe we were intended to enjoy them for the purpose of escaping communion through Him.  All things in moderation is a truism when dealing with our Father.  This is why it is "not what goes into the mouth that defileth a man, but what comes out of the mouth".  There is nothing wrong with having a few drinks.  And one could even effectively argue, that if it weren't for the law of the land, there might not be anything wrong with enjoying other things the Lord has put on the earth that give us a similar feeling of euphoria.  BUT ALL THINGS IN MODERATION.

But therein lies the problem.  If you are "using" something that is against the law then its "against the law" so you shouldn't do it.   And if you are drinking "something" to escape going to your Father, and praising his name and depending on his Holy assistance .... then you shouldn't do it.

God never ever intended for us to distance ourselves from our problems by using His earthly gifts to "deaden our spirits".  He NEEDS US to come to HIM.  He grieves when we do not come to Him.  Why do we let things spin out of control to a point of utter misery before we reach out to our loving Father for help?

Can you imagine how you would feel if your son or daughter ignored you month after month, and only called you when they were in HUGE TROUBLE.  I know how that feels.  I used to CRINGE when my daughter would finally call me.  I KNEW it was a car accident or something just as horrible.

It made me feel used.

It made me feel "unloved".


Brother Kenny's Fear

I have a friend.  He is a friend of our family.  His name is Kenny.

Kenny is staying at our home for a while and helping us with some chores around the house.  He is a dialysis patient.  Recently Kenny went up to the altar at our church and was "technically" saved by their standards.  Some might argue that he was even "saved" by the Lord's standards and I pray in Jesus name that is the case.

Last night I awoke at 1:30 AM.  I came into my office and started to answer your emails.  Kenny stuck his head in the door and asked me if he could talk.  He was frightened.  His heart had been beating irregularly and he couldn't sleep for fear of dieing.  My heart broke for him when I heard him says this to me.

I explained to Kenny how important it is that he talk to Jesus directly all the time.  You see, Kenny loves to watch television on a level that can only be surpassed by a 5 year old.  He loves to watch WWF (and don't get me going on that demonic stuff).  He struggles with understanding how bad TV can be for someone spiritually.

We had a talk.

I asked Kenny why do you think so many people like to say the prayer"

"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take"?

I had a long talk with Kenny about how vitally important it is that he grow his faith in Jesus every day.  No one knows when their life is going to end.  We must be perpetually ready to move on and greet our Heavenly Father with the utmost of confidence that being with Him is GLORIOUS.  There must be NO FEAR.

NO FEAR

ONLY PEACE!


Summary

God never intended for any of us to have this wonderful problem free life.  Without the rain, we would not enjoy the sunshine.  Without the Winter, we would not be blessed by the flowers of the Spring.  We must have our downs, to appreciate the ups.

God draws us closer to Him through our problems.

No guts, no glory.

PRAISE JESUS FOR EVERYTHING

BE BRAVE AND OVERCOME

DRAW CLOSER TO GOD THROUGH EVERY CHALLENGE

DONT' WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO REACH OUT TO HIM

PRAISE HIM ALL DAY LONG

BE BLESSED IN JESUS NAME