Poor and Needy

Last night, we packed in the van (dogs and all) to drive around and search for someone poor and needy. Our goal was to give a care package and share the Gospel with the homeless. It didn't take long before we found a prospect. Across a parking lot, we noticed an unattractive, unappealing, and scary looking man. Everyone was scared. "What if he has a gun?" "Maybe we should just keep driving."

However, by God's grace, Dad walked over to strike up a conversation, while we sat in the car and prayed for safety and open doors. Before long, Dad began to pray with the man. It was a success. The man was from Guatemala and was without family. The man cried as Dad tried to minister to him.

Why am I writing this? To highlight who we are and who God is. Beloveds, before we were saved, we were like this man: unattractive, repulsive, and stained with sin. Revelation 3:17 describes us as wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.

Yet, God didn't drive away from us. He came to us. He had mercy on our pitiful state and saved us.

When you see the poor and needy, don't turn up your nose. See them the way God sees you: with eyes of compassion, and extend the love of God to them. The same love which He extended to you.

One final note: I do not advice riding around at night, and sharing with just anyone. That can be dangerous. Use wisdom and discernment. God will lead you.

Romans 5:8
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I dearly love you.

Veto Power

Just as the President has veto power over the other branches of government, God has veto power in your life as well.
He has the sovereign right to cancel, postpone, and even reject your plans.

Proverbs 16:1 says:
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:9 says:
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Notice it's the "heart" that makes the plans. When the heart is involved, delay or rejection can be agonizing. Hope deferred (or extinguished) makes the heart sick. It's not easy.

I lived with a deep seeded conviction and passion to serve overseas for 10 years......that dream has since died, but it didn't die easily. In fact, there is still a twinge of pain in my heart. But that pain forces me to God. It forces me to trust Him, and not lean on my own understanding. It causes me to submit to His infinite wisdom and loving hand. He knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Plans to give me a future and a hope.

So, beloveds, learn to love His veto power. Make plans! But, understand that your plans may not be His plans. His ways are higher than our ways. It may hurt. But, it's the cross you must carry.

Desiring God Entry

Beloveds, just want to share this entry with you. We must not take the grace of God lightly. Our response to His mercy must be one of complete abandonment to God and to His Gospel. No time wasted.

"Hard Work and the Grace of God"

Taken directly from Desiring God
Posted: 08 Dec 2010 11:30 PM PST

The Apostle Paul knows who he is and he knows what is behind who he is (1 Corinthians 15:10). He says, "By the grace of God, I am what I am." This is not a flagrant statement that is meant to excuse character flaws. I'm not sure why it rings that way to my American ear (maybe I've listened to too much country music).

Paul simply knows who he is (1 Corinthians 15:9). He knows he is a sinner who Jesus Christ came into the world to save (1 Timothy 1:15). And he knows about the powerful grace of God in the source and work of his life, represented in verse 15a by the Manner. Paul is what he is, by the grace of God.

So it's free grace. Paul was destined for wrath and helpless. At no point was he trying to meet God half way by scooting close to the front row at an altar call. Jesus knocked him down and—like Jesus always does it—radically called a dweller of darkness into the kingdom of light (Acts 9:1-6). Paul did not earn this good. It is all God, all grace.

Here's the question: does grace like this set us up for a "couch and potato chips" kind of life?

No. Absolutely not. Not grace like this. Not God's grace. Paul goes on to say that he worked harder than anyone else. He really worked. And yet it was not him, but the grace of God. God's grace is the bookends to this passage. Grace makes Paul who he is and grace accomplishes in Paul the crazy-eyed, joy-filled labor for the gospel of which we Gentiles are all beneficiaries.

It is a glorious thing how such freedom in grace produces such productive industry. The world doesn't get this. It is gospel glory.

Prime Rib

I remember growing up and occasionally eating prime rib, usually at a restaurant. It was a very special treat. Prime rib is considered choice steak and is supposedly the tastiest and most tender of all the steaks. Looking at the diagram, it comes from the “rib” section of the cow!

Romans 6 reminds me of Prime Rib. It’s choice meat from the Word of God. It seems to fit in the “rib” section of the Bible.
Basically, it’s the Gospel, Christ died for our sins and was raised again, and how it affects us.

Here are a few of the highlights:
Our old self was crucified with Him.
We are no longer enslaved to sin.
We are set free from sin
Sin will have not dominion over you
We can walk in newness of life


In Isaiah 55:2, God says:
Eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Beloveds, Romans 6 is rich food. Choice Prime Rib! Delight in it! Eat it often!

Reasons to Rejoice

Once there was a man lame from birth, who would beg alms at the Beautiful Gate. One day, Peter and John passed by him, and seeing his helplessness, said to him:


I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.....In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk! And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And the lame man began walking and leaping and praising God.


Beloveds, this is a picture of salvation. We are sinners from birth, poor and needy, just like that lame man. And yet, at the right time, Jesus Christ resurrects us from our helpless state.

Some 27 years ago, I had a similar experience. I was a sinner, lame and crippled, desperate for a Savior. I was alone in my apartment, prostrate on the floor due to the weight and guilt of my sin. And just like that beggar begged, I begged for mercy. And God, in His mercy, rescued me. He caused me to repent, removed the burden of my sin, and made me HIs child.

I remember rising up from that dingy floor, feeling light as a feather. I felt as though I could fly. The weight and burden of my sin was lifted, and there was joy unspeakable in my heart.

Those are reasons for rejoicing, beloveds! Our sins are forgiven. Is 1:18: Though our sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow.

I desire us to live that way every day! Rejoicing in the Gospel. Light as a feather and joy overflowing!