A New Creation

"When Jesus becomes our Passover, we are born again into a new world. To Israel it was a physical change; to us it is a spiritual change. The external conditions and surrounding may remain the same, but we do not. The externals appear different, but it is because our eyes are new! When one is born again, he begins to see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). This is a far more glorious deliverance. Moses led Israel out of Egypt in one day, but "Egypt" (the way of the world) still remained in Israel. Through Christ "the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal. 6:14). Jesus takes Egypt out of the heart and replaces it with a new country — the Kingdom of God. The seed of Cain, religious man, is forever seeking to make the world a better place in which to live. Christ changes men so that they might be able to live in the world. The carnal man seeks to change men by changing the world. The spiritual man seek to change the world by changing men."

Rick Joyner, There were Two Trees in the Garden

A Time for Tears

Last Friday night, Sheldon and I went for a walk in downtown Portland, Oregon. We had earlier gone to a Worship and Intercession meeting, but after being there a short time we decided to leave. It wasn't where God wanted us to be.

We had both been feeling down—grief and sorrow mainly. Circumstances in our lives had been challenging to say the least, but this past week, they had been especially hard on Sheldon David, who is a very sensitive person. The main reasons for both of our grief dealt with deception in the church and the actions of certain individuals we both knew. One person chose to change direction in ministry and separate from us, another had just sent an email to justify his former homosexual lifestyle, after knowing Jesus Christ for over 15 years. (This friend had recently found a church, where cheap grace was taught. It is very sad to see people seduced by some of the theology that is being preached in some churches today.)

So to get out of the "down" mood, the Lord suggested to Sheldon to go downtown Portland and "walk it off." When we got there, we both anointed our shoes with oil, prayed and walked the streets in the heart of the city. It was a mild Friday night and the streets were alive with activity. The smell of food, alcohol and cigarettes lingered in the air along with the traffic noise.

Many people and families were gathering in the numerous restaurants, bars and taverns that lined the streets; you could hear them laughing and talking. Others were just standing or sitting in groups alongside the sidewalks, talking and drinking. Some were alone with their "friend," the bottle, wrapped in a brown paper bag. And then there were the occasional homeless panhandlers both hoping for and asking for donations before looking for a place to sleep. Most people we walked by were totally oblivious to the awesome God who loved them, and equally oblivious of the two men who walked the streets interceding on their behalf. Seeing so many lost and hurting souls helped take both of our minds off our problems.

After walking for about ninety minutes, we were almost back to the car when we walked past another panhandler. This one was a young teenage girl sitting up against a post, next to the curb. Before we saw her, I had been thinking about what I had heard someone say to the previous panhandler, "Sorry, I have nothing to give." I understood the meaning of those words, but they still grieved my heart as I pondered them. I prayed in my heart, "Only you can change that, Father." I thought how unfortunate it would have been if Apostle Peter had said those same words to the lame man who was begging at the temple gate. (Acts 3:1-10). So as we passed the young girl, I also wondered to myself if her parents knew where she was or even cared?

I had to go back. I had to do more or at least say something.

I remembered how my wife and I felt when our daughter had run away from home at 16 years of age, (she was gone for almost a year), and the concerns that had filled our minds not knowing where she was or who she was with. So I asked Sheldon to wait a moment, and I went back to the young girl on the street. I didn't have much money, but I bent over and handed her some bills that I did have. She looked at me and took the money but didn't say a word; neither did I.( I was speechless.) The look on her face said it all. There was a slight smile that tried to cover up the guilt and shame she felt, and her eyes spoke of much pain. I smiled, then turned and walked away. I felt frustrated for not saying anything. I told God, "I wanted to do more." Then He reminded me that when you give a cup of water to the least of these, you have done it unto me.

On the way back to the car, I said to Sheldon that I needed to do more. Sheldon understood. I didn't want to second-guess the Holy Spirit's leading, or whether this person deserved my help or not. She was still a child of God. (Maybe rebellion had led the young girl to where she was; it would be easy to make that kind of assumption. But even if it were true, was it really any different from many people who sit in churches— choosing to compromise the Word of God.)

As we drove back home, I asked Sheldon if he was feeling any better. He replied that he tried not to go by his feelings, but to do God's will. Sheldon was right. Even though my emotions had only deepened, seeing the lost and seeing my own inadequacies, I realized that I too must also walk in trust and obedience. I realized that if it were not for the grace of God, I could be the one living on the streets.

I too am poor in spirit and totally dependent on Jesus. I am thankful for God's many blessings, but also grateful for the season of tears. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a season for everything, including a time for weeping and a time for mourning. Yet that is not the end of the matter. Psalm 126 tells us that those who sow in tears, shall also reap in joy. I feel as though I need to do more to help people, but all in God's timing.

The Lost Commandment

"When you have a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or a brother or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that would be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

(Luke 14:12-14)

Here is a saying from Jesus, to the host ( a leader of the Pharisees) who had invited Him on a Sabbath, to eat bread (have a meal). In all the years I've gone to church, I can not recall hearing a sermon preached from this passage of scripture. Why? Jesus says so much here and yet ministers and Christians for the most part have chosen to ignore this passage of scripture. Why? I think the answer is obvious, because it goes against all our basic cultural nature. A few old saying, "bird of a feather flock together," and "tit for tat" and "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," all depict human nature. Jesus knew that, but it is not to be the standard in His Kingdom. We are to be living by Christ's nature. The Kingdom of Heaven is all about agape love; compassion for the poor and needy, obedience to His word, plus sowing and reaping. Jesus was not making a suggestion, "if" but a command "when." So next time, let us really show His love; need I say more.

Exaltation

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor."

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

Isaiah 61: 1-3

This is the mandate for all of God's sons and daughters who walk in His humility.

Last Letter

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made -- I'm a disciple of his. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present sense, my future is secured. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in his presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my way rough, my companions are few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up,, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I'm am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till he stops me. And, when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me... my banner will be clear."

This letter was written by a young pastor in Zimbabwe, Africa. It was found in his office, after he had been martyred for his faith. A copy was given to Brannan Manning.