PASSIONATE "AFTER YOU SAY I DO"

A few years ago my dad crossed 323,000 miles on the odometer of his Park Ave Buick! I said, “Dad, you ought to call Buick and do a commercial with those kind of miles.”

Before you got married, you met a person that you just couldn’t take your eye off of. You couldn’t stop thinking about them; you couldn’t stop planning dates and times to hang out together. You were constantly on the phone texting or just hearing one another breathe. Love letters or emailing back and forth kept the fire hot in the relationship. 

Then one day you got married. Real life kicked in and you got busy with your job, continuing your education, starting a family and of course, your hobbies. Many spouses for the first time begin to experience real stress in the relationship. But there is a reason that some couples go the distance. It’s not because there aren’t challenges, curves, chaos or even bumps in the road. Couples who have been married 30, 40, 50 plus years have decided to Keep the commitment that they made to one another on their wedding day.

Do you remember saying, “For better for worst, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part?” Commitment to Christ and to one another is the thing that keeps couples together. Ephesians 5:25 tell husbands to “love your wives even as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it.” Wives submit to your husbands, as you do unto the Lord. Is it hard work to keep pressing? You better believe it!

Most people never consider the pain of splitting up. The kids being shuffled back and forth from parent to parent, the stress in your finances, emotions up and down and being ripped apart. What about the work of healing up after the spit-up? Many don’t think about the attorney fees, the division and pain of dealing with in-laws and “former” friends…just plain starting over in every way.

Jesus said “He loved His church so much that nothing shall be able to pluck them out of His hand.” Guys is that Your love and Your commitment to your wife? Are you that determined that nothing is going to change your mind from the commitment you made at the wedding altar? Wives, are you committed to making it work “till death us do part?” 

Most of us realize that it takes two to make that commitment to go the distance. You may have found yourself in a situation where your spouse isn’t willing to keep the marriage commitment. God knows and understands the pain of those who have chosen to break that vow of “till death us do part.” Life can get tough and messy but I’m so thankful there is a grace of God that can get you though any heartache or pain in life.

Regardless of where you are in life today, God is a God of mercy. He can give you another chance to go the distance in your marriage relationship. His mercies are fresh and new every morning. Today, allow Him to smile His favor on you as you going forward. (Eccl 7:8a) “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning.”

Passionate with Purpose

There are two great moments in a person’s life: the first is when you were born;
the second is when you discover “WHY” you were born.”

A century ago a band of brave souls became known as one-way missionaries. Instead of packing their suitcases, they packed all their belongings up in a coffin. They said their goodbyes to everyone because they knew they weren’t coming back. A.W. Milne was one of those missionaries. He set sail for the New Hebrides in the South Pacific knowing full well that the headhunters who lived there had martyred every missionary before him. For thirty-five years, he lived among that tribe and loved them. When he died, tribe members buried him in the middle of their village and inscribed this epitaph on his tombstone: “When he came there was no light. When he left there was no darkness.”

Are there such men today who are that passionate about their mandate and assignment? It places me under conviction, “Do I really have that kind of passion to see my purpose through to the end?” Jesus Himself was a man of such passion. Jesus said, “I must be about My Father’s business.” He knew in advance the sacrifice and consecration to fulfill His purpose on the Cross. Consecration is not just being faithful in God’s House, Bible devotions, witnessing, tithing, and prayer. Rather it’s accepting you have been “SET APART” to do His will and purpose.

Jesus told His disciples one day, “Let us go to the other side of the lake.” (Luke 8:22-39)  They didn’t have an itinerary for the day. There was no information that “the seas today will be 2 to 3 feet.” There was no schedule of a time of arrival or the path they would take to get there. They were completely in the hands of their Lord.

Have you surrendered your life to Christ by saying, “Lord, this life isn’t about my agenda, whims or wants?” The Danish Philosopher and theologian Soren Kiekergaard believed that boredom was the root of all evil. In other words, boredom isn’t just boring, it’s wrong. You cannot be in the presence of God and be bored at the same time. A life with passion for His Purpose in your life is anything but boring. The disciples soon realized the ride today is anything but boring.

The disciples were in for the ride of their life. Jesus wouldn’t allow the winds and waves to hinder Him from delivering one bound in Chains on the other side of the lake. Don’t allow your Doubts, Comfort and Pride to do life your way. Henry Varley, a British revivalist influenced  D L Moody’s life when he said, “The world has yet to see what God will do with, and for and through, and in and by the man who is fully consecrated to Him”. Like the Disciples, shake off your Chains and use your Faith, Consecration and His Power to take chains off of others.

God, Wake Up

Have you ever thought that God was asleep in your setback, worries, and anxieties at work, family, finances, health or with your kids? David had just enjoyed one of the Sweetest Victories of his life, but then a jealous King named Saul decided to have him killed. In    Psalm 59, David begins to express his frustrations to GOD, “WHY”? Most of us in our human reasoning think that if we’re doing everything right in life, then we shouldn’t anticipate any grief or pain to come our way.

That couldn’t be any further from the truth! When you and I are in God’s perfect will and plan, we must anticipate a roaring devil to wake up and attempt to defeat Gods purpose and plan in our life. Saul sent his men to kill David. This young shepherd boy David is now questioning the integrity of God, “GOD, WHY” would you allow this vicious, jealous, mad, insane King to take me out? 

• David had forgotten that His heavenly Father was “getting him ready” to be a King himself. David would soon rule over the nation of Israel for the next 40 years.

• David had also forgotten that earlier in his life, his sheep was attacked by a bear and a lion. But “God used him to deliver his own sheep” from the mouth of a lion and a bear.

• David had also forgotten that God promised him, “When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil for I am with thee.”( Psalm 23:4) When all Hell is coming at you, it’s easy to lose perspective on what the Heavenly Father is really up to. God says, “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”( Isaiah 55:9)

• David got discouraged with a lot of Motion but without Momentum in life. There are times that seemingly nothing is moving forward in the right direction. But remember, Gods’ ways are higher than our ways; it takes a few setbacks to make you rise and fight back with Gods’ backbone and power in life. In the end David rose higher than any devil that tried to destroy God’s purpose and plan in his life.

Are you in a place where you’re asking “GOD, WHY?” and “When are you going to WAKE UP?” Friend, God never slumbers or sleeps. (Psalms 121:4) He hasn’t forgotten you in your nightmare of life. Remember, He is also getting you ready for your next assignment. The present struggle you’re in today won’t last forever.

Passionate with Patience

Have you ever run out of patience with those at work, your kids, spouse, or with a friend? Some of you are waiting with frustration on your daughter, son, mom or dad to come to faith in Christ. 2 Peter 3; 9 says “The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

It’s only the Passionate PATIENCE of the Lord that people are SAVED today. I could be blind in deception. I could still be in a horrible pit of sin. But with God’s love and Patience, I am saved by His blood and my name has been written down in the Lambs book of life.

Did you realize today it could be you who was an Atheist, Agnostic, Buddhist, Hare Krishna, or of the Moonie faith selling flowers on the side of the road?  Some say, “If I could just hit the lottery like William Post who won 16.2 million in Pennsylvania. His story is like so many others, His ex-girlfriend sued him for a share of winning and won, his brother hired a hit man to try to kill him hoping to inherit some winnings, and other relatives bugged him constantly for money.Within one year, Post was $1 million in debt and filed for bankruptcy. He now lives on food stamps and a $450 month stipend. Yes, one miserable man.

Satan truly comes to steal, kill and to destroy. But Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”(John 10:10)  Jesus tells us a story in Luke 15 of a passionate Dad who was very Patient with his son. His son went down to his “Vegas” of the day, wasted his inheritance and came down to nothing but a job in a pig pen. He truly hit bottom. But the father never lost hope that his son would come to himself and return back home. Dad went as far as to prepare a celebration for his lost son.

Before the celebration, He prepared a fatted calf, band, robe, ring and shoes before his boy made his way home. I believe the Heavenly Father is patiently waiting for lost people to come home as well. Can you imagine the band He is getting ready for our celebration? The trumpets, violins, guitars and drums are all getting tuned up. The feast will be better than any steak, fish or lasagna we’ve ever eaten. The wardrobe will be better than any silk suit you’ve ever worn; shoes will be better than any ostriches or leather you’ve put on. The ring He will place on your finger may be sapphire, diamond or ruby. The point is that The Father is getting everything ready for His great return. I think the only reason Christ hasn’t returned yet is that He is still passionately patiently waiting for one more to come home. Is the Father waiting on you to come home today? If so call on Jesus now.

Passionate with Mercy 2

A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies for Sale." Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner’s sign.  "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?”, he asked.
The store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50."The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $2.37," he said. "Can I please look at them?"

The store owner smiled and whistled, and out of the kennel came “Lady”, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur but one puppy was lagging considerably behind.

Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What’s wrong with that little dog?" The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and discovered it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited, “That is the little puppy I want to buy."

The store owner said, "No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you." The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs, and I’ll pay full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for." The store owner countered, "You really don’t want to buy this little dog.”

“He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies. “To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well, I don’t run so well myself and the little puppy will need someone who understands!"

“He and I will get along just fine.” I truly believe that each of us like that boy have a special passion of mercy when we have been through our own pain. You might have a limp because of some hiccup or hang-up through your journey. Refuse to get bitter, friend; allow God to use it to better serve others in their setbacks of life. Be passionate regardless with the Mercy of God He has put inside your heart!

Passionate With Mercy 1

What are you passionate about? Have you ever really considered your true passions in life? Is it your work? Gallup found that only 13% of workers feel engaged by their jobs. That means they feel a sense of passion for their work, a deep connection to their employer and they spend their days driving innovation and moving their company forward.

Yes, people are passionate about their health, sports, family, work, finances, food, relationships, entertainment, security, and their future. But have you considered what God is passionate about? Without a doubt GOD is passionate in showing MERCY to people in this life.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) 

               The Evidence reveals GOD showed Mercy to:

·   An Adulteress  The Pharisees were ready to stone her for her actions, but Jesus spoke up with His Love and MERCY and said, “He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” (John 8:7) Why is it that once people put their faith in Christ, we have a tendency to forget that “SINNERS SIN.” They lie, cheat, steal, rebel against authority, are prideful, lust and live for self. Jesus came to transform and change lives. He sees who YOU can become through His washing and cleansing power. David said, “He brought me out of a horrible pit out of the miry clay.” (Psalm 40:2) Don’t forget the pit, that God brought you out of. It’s what helps each of us to show MERCY to those without Christ.

·   Peter Jesus said to Simon Peter before Christ was taken to be crucified on a cross. “You will deny me three times.” Peter said, “Never, Lord; not me.” What got Peter through his own fall and failure? Jesus said, “Simon, Satan hath desired to sift you like wheat, BUT, I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail.” So when you have repented and turned to Me again, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31.32) It was the MERCY of God that gave Peter another chance to live out the life he was called to live.

· Nineveh This nation was so wicked that God sends his messenger Jonah to tell them, “Repent or judgment is coming.” After Jonah heads 2500 miles in the wrong direction, he returns with God’s hand of persuasion, delivers the message of God’s mercy, and Nineveh repents. Yes, Jonah didn’t believe the Nazi’s of the day should be shown any mercy. Friend, regardless of your personal opinion, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.²³ Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin fresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Will you be PASSIONATE with God’s Mercy to your family, neighbor and your world?