PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:  but this one thing I do,

 

forgetting those things which are behind,

 

and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

 

I press toward the mark for the prize of the 

high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13, 14

I TRUST HIM

There is a song by Donnie McClurkin that asks if we will trust God, basically, in all circumstances, the good and the bad.

Job asks if we should only expect good things from God?

I am learning to trust Him like that. I really have no choice.

Friends and family judge and leave.

I cannot always see God's Hand and lose sight of His Face.

But I'll trust Him, and pray for Grace to trust Him more.

HOME SICK

There are times when I get a little homesick, when I feel as if I am in another country trying to understand a foreign language and culture.

In the last few years the Lord set me aside, put me through the fire, and prepared me for His Purposes. He taught me what it means to seek "...His Kingdom and His Righteousness...". This is all well and good when it is just Him and me, when I am on the 'mountain top'. Issues arise when I am back in the 'valley'. These are the times when I long for home and other 'Kingdom Seekers', those who understand the language and principles of the Kingdom.

I watched a TBN program last night where they had guests who had been to heaven or hell and came back to tell about it. There was also a psalmist who sang a song about this being a 'Temporary Home'. I could really relate. The time that we spend on this earth, in this body, is not even a fraction of eternity. I long for the time when I can '...walk around heaven all day', praising and worshiping God, not concerned with the rules and regulations of participating in the church, or ability and opportunity to sing in the choir, but just praising God.

I was trying to explain this to a friend recently, and she asked me if I was ready to 'check out'. I found it hard to express what I longed for. Then I rememered a passage in 2Peter 3:11-14 that dealt with longing to go home.

11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

I believe, as it states here, that I can be homesick, but I should also be '...diligent... in peace, without spot, and blameless.

IT'S NOT ABOUT OBAMA

It is all about Him - Jesus Christ

As I watched the Presidential Inauguration of Barak Obama, I was stirred and moved, brought almost to tears, and found myself praising God. My family and friends had the same reaction. We realized that it is all about Him - Jesus Christ. He is Faithful. This same reaction was seen in the interviews of people attending, and even the entertainers at the different events.

When I thought and prayed about this, I realized three things:

1. This event was validation of our humanity. For many years African Americans in this country have been dehumanized. We have believed that if we were bad enough, or rich enough we could be accepted. We have tried to lighten our skins, thin our noses, and straighten our hair, in an effort to get rid of the characteristics that actually make us beautiful. I heard an African American comedian say once that there is not a white man in this country who would want to change places with him, he stated, "... and I'm rich." But there is nothing wrong with us if a man who looks like us, an African American, can be President of the most powerful country in the world.

2. Second, it is all about love. There is a saying that 'Unless we are all free, no one is free'. I believe that this was also central to Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.'s message. The Bible says that you cannot say you love God and hate your brother. If you are in this situation, you are a liar. I heard many people around this country and other countries state that there is hope for America. Meaning that Americans call themselves a democratic, free country, and yet have a history of injustice against people of color. Now there is hope for the American people.

3. Third, it is all about God. God is Faithful.

• Over 100 years ago when that African American mother cried out to God, as her child was sold and taken away from her - 'How long Lord must we suffer?'. God heard the cry of that mother and answered on January 20, 2009.
• When in the 1950's a young African American man was hung and burned, and cried out through the unbearable pain and inhuman torture, 'How long Lord?'
• When a young boy was enslaved and beaten and forced to give up his African culture and name, God heard and allowed an African American man named Barak Obama to become President of the United States of America.

And yet, it's not about Obama, it is all about God. Whatever situation we may find ourselves in today, remember that God is Sovereign, God is Almighty, and God is Faithful.

Accepting the Gift

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON..."

John 3:16

"...God so loved ...that He gave..." This was the first Christmas Gift. It is good to remember this every day but especially during this Christmas season. God loves us, and He gave His all to us, His Son. But knowing He loves us and actually accepting His love are two different things.

When I was growing up, in Chattanooga, Tennessee during the 1950's, my parents would always try to make Christmas special for us. I attempted the same thing with my children forty years later. The gift that my children truly wanted and talked about all year, that I couldn't afford, I would save up my money and sacrifice, so that they could have it on Christmas morning. I remember that there were times that I worked a second job to provide for them at this time of year. To see their joy as they walked into the living room and saw their presents, made me just as happy. But what if they kicked and trashed those gifts, and were ungrateful after my sacrifice to provide it for them?

Not accepting God's gift of Love can be a similar situation. But accepting His love means that we will trust Him. We realize that He does not mean to harm us. He only wants our good. He expects us to love Him, worship Him and be thankful in return.

Accept His love. Take a moment this Christmas season, and meditate on His Love for you. Feel His Love. Expect good things from Him.

Accept God's Gift - His Only Begotten Son - Jesus Christ - Emmanuel - God with us.