Had a friend yesterday remind me of what Job in the scriptures did to turn his horrific situation around.
As most of us know Job was a very prosperous and successful man. Not only that, it says that he was "Blameless and Upright; he feared God and shunned evil." Job 1:3 says, "He was the greatest man among all the people of the east." It would be great for that to be written of you, wouldn't it?!
Then the test! You know the story; Satan came to God and was roaming the earth looking for someone to devour and God says, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him". Now it's hard for people to swallow this story, because they love an American Gospel where everything works and they want to keep the picture of God as Santa Clause..., but, this is a very real story, like it or not.
We know the rest of the story; he loses his fortunes, his 7 son's and 3 daughters were all killed - his livestock, reputation, all gone. His skin afflicted with painful soars, and he would scrape himself with a piece of pottery as he sat in trash. On top of that, his wife cursed him and told him to die!! Now that's a pretty bad day... ever have a day like this, a season of life?!
Then Job's three friends show up; oh, I have had a few friends like these guys! And, I have probably been this kind of friend once or twice!! They are full of amazing advice and are fully aware of why you are going thru what you are going thru; they have all the answer's and look down upon you for what God is allowing in your life... ever know anyone like this? At times, my closest friends have become my biggest enemy's.
I have a buddy, Michael Paschall, that gets friendship; his dad taught him that one of the things that matter most in life is just to be good to your friends; honor the relationship; speak life about that person at all cost, and cover them when someone is speaking evil of them. If you see a problem in their life, go to them direct; don't share it with the world! Give when they are in need, and rejoice when they are successful. Doesn't that sound refreshing?! Michael and his wife Patti have lived this in my life for over a decade...
Back to Job; at the very end of this tragic story, it says in Job 42:10, that, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." The Lord blessed Job's latter life more than the first.
"After Job prayed for his friends"! The context is this; Job's prayer for those who had abused him marked the turning point back to prosperity for him. Translated, "Restores his fortunes" He had 7 more son's and 3 more daughters; His daughters names, (Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-Happuch), mean, Dove, (Symbol of peace), Fragrance, (expensive, rare and beautiful), and the horn of adornment, (The outward beauty that comes from an inward character). Daughters who represent peace, fragrance and beauty are the fruits of Job's trials. It says, "Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters"...
If you are facing any trials, hardships or you're just stuck and do not know how to move forward, this could be for you. Even if God is allowing it, stop blaming Him and take a minute to pray for your friends. Those that have spoken against you, tried to give you advice without knowing why or what. Those that know more than you and have it all figured out somehow; it's time for prosperity to return...
In-case you did not see this: The lead singer of the band called The Fray is from Denver, Colorado - he was on SportsCenter this morning talking about Tim Tebow and his faith! The announcer that introduced this piece was clearly moved by these two guys in Denver that are not afraid to be ambassadors of Christ!
I have been fighting writing this blog as their has been so much said about Tim Tebow! But, I just couldn't kick it, (No pun intended)!!
I have been a Denver Bronco fan for all of my life; well... for as long as I can remember. My dad and I would watch the Bronco's on our little black and white T.V. as I stood and adjusted the aluminum foil on the antenna so we could get snowy reception on channel 2! That will tell you how long-ago I developed a passion for this team!! 40 + years...
The passion was so strong, that the Lord literally impressed upon my heart to not watch them for a couple years. When Monday is either good or bad because of a win or loss, you know something is wrong! So, for two years I did not watch a game, or even read about what happen. It worked! Although I still get very passionate, especially as of late, the outcome does not determine my emotions, or control my attitude; at least for very long!!
As I have watched each game of Tim Tebow's carrier and the boys and I yell, scream, cry and shout at the T.V. I am left with a strong feeling that this is a picture of many of our lives. Most of life is boring and mundane. Kind of like ground hog day, we get up and do the same routine, day-after-day. We fight with out much success, we try this and that, and we are left without much ground being taken, and then... right as we almost give up, BAM! God does something miraculous in our lives, and we get enough hope to keep fighting!
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6: 9-13 - verse 11 says, "Give us today our daily bread". That means to not ask for to much, or to little. In-fact Proverbs 30: 8-9 says, "give me neither poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have to much and disown you and say, Who is the Lord? Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
I believe the Lord has poured out His favor on this young man, Tim Tebow - not because he wins football games, but, because if he wins or loses, he honor's the name of the Lord. He is not ultimately moved by the game and it's results, he is content and gives God all the glory, know matter the outcome. Tim's play is pitiful, most of the time. His throws are off, he gets a couple first downs the first three and a half quarters of a game, and then...! He gets just enough to get the job done!!
I really do feel like many of us are living the same way. Not much works for a long time - people are critical and out right mean sometimes - but, then... after we keep getting up, putting on our armor, and keep fighting and fighting, God shows up, and we win! Stay steady, nothing in life is as good as it seems or as bad as it seems - keep getting up and fighting every day - He is about to show up!!
Have you ever had the same bad thing happen over and over in your life? A habit you can't break, a person you cannot get rid of, a problem that keeps coming back, year-after-year, day-after-day??
I have had a "Mountain" in my life I just cannot seem to get over... one of those obstacles that I can avoid for a season, and even forget it about it, but... it keeps showing up in the middle of my journey, year-after-year! I have prayed, fasted, asked God to give me wisdom and understanding, (Which by the way, He says He will give freely), I have fought, screamed, cried - and, still, this *#$@ "Mountain" keeps showing up!!
I was recently studying about Paul's "Mountain" that "Thorn in the flesh" he kept running into, and even asked God to get rid of three times, but, it wouldn't go away. Now the bible says it was from Satan, not from God. 2Cor 12:7-10 - "a messenger of Satan was sent to 'Buffet' Paul".
Over the years I have heard a lot of speculation on what this "Thorn" was; his eye sight, Paul's pride, club feet, malaria, hunched back, even that Paul struggled with homosexuality... but, if you break down the words in their true meaning, and what Paul was really saying, you find something different.
I would be very glad to give you the Greek break down of 2Cor 12:7, (let me know if you want it), the bottom line is that Paul's "Thorn in the flesh" wasn't sickness or epilepsy; it was the people that opposed and irritated him and continually caused him problems! The "Thorn" was a distraction and a constant beating of Paul's flesh! "People Problems" so he would get distracted and not be able to advance the kingdom, and beatings every where he went! He was hung in jail cells, ship wrecked multiple times, bit by a snake, had his feet broken, back beat - the devil had the "People" so stirred up against Paul, to try and keep him from reaching a higher level of visibility and recognition and to sidetrack him from preaching his revelations... He pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away, But, what did God say to Paul? "My grace is sufficient for you" in other words, I am enough!
Could it be that "Mountain" in your life is there to remind you that He is enough? Vs 10; "That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties; For when I am weak, then I am strong". Is His grace enough?
Have you ever had a dream? I mean, a yearning in your heart that you know is much bigger than you are, but, some how, you know you are going to actually get to live it??
I have had one of those "Dreams" in my heart for many years now... at 24 the Lord gave me my first child, Tyler Dwayne; when Tyler was born, (Just like I did with all if them after him), I walked him over to the window at the hospital and offered him up to God. As I wept and prayed, mostly from the magnificence of being allowed to steward this gift, I heard something in my heart say, "I want you to reach a generation, I want you to weep and pray for all my little ones" - I knew immediately, some how, what that meant.
Psalms 110, verse 3 says, "Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth." Verse 4; "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
We know this is God speaking to Jesus here, but... the day this passage came alive to me, I understood something. This was/is the dream. I knew in my heart of hearts that I was to call a generation, "like dew on the grass on a chilled morning" a whole generation, "your young men will come to you like the dew", to know and understand what it means to give your live away to something much bigger then yourself. To think globally, to serve the widow and the orphan, to help those that cannot help themselves. Activate the hearts of young men and women to dream very big dreams...
When you have a dream like this, it takes a life-time journey to get there. What I mean is, usually God will show you the dream, and then take you the opposite way to fulfill that dream. He wants you to remember it was His dream first, He is just allowing you to steward a gift.
If you are fighting for anything in your life right now; if you need physical healing, a miracle financially, if your struggling with depression, anger, whatever - this story jumped off the page at me this morning... hope it helps you as well.
Mark 10:46-52- 46. Then they came to Jericho, (Jericho means fragrance of God), As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus, (means son/person of defilement), was sitting by the road-side begging.
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, (many jesus's, one God)! He began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, (Father's blessing), have mercy on me!"
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Keep shouting, no matter the accusation, no matter what or who tells you to shut up! When He is passing by, shout and shout)!
Jesus stopped and said "Call him." So, they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! (The joy of the Lord is our strength)! On your feet! (No more depression, no more confusion, get on your feet), He is calling your name".
Throwing his cloak aside, (You have to throw off the fetters of defeat, he threw his cane!), jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, Rabbi, I want to see." (Jesus did not ask what the blind man needed, he asked what he wanted; the blind man said, " I want to see". Many come and do not expect anything...)!
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Faith attaches you to God)!
Matthew 9:27 - cry out for the Father's blessing, He will hear you, and ask what you want, (He already knows what you need), and you tell him with confidence and faith, I want...
In the early 90's I was the regional sales manager for a long-distance company, (remember long-distance charges)?! I started an affinity program that would give churches back 10% off of everybody's bill - we called it TitheNet... it worked for a bit, but, never became quite what I had hoped for the non-profits!
And then... almost 20 years later this last March Jonathan Kuiper walked into my office; I had never met him, but, did know his dad, who had been a Pastor in our city for many years. Jonathan said, " I have this small idea and I was told to come by and let you know about it" I watched a one minute video he had put together and I was speechless, well, for a moment! He continued, "I had a dream about changing the world and I want my kids to experience what it means to live for the poor and the orphan of the world, what do you think"?!
Have you had those moments, that one moment when you can feel it in your core, that something has just shifted? You feel the change, the atmosphere in the room literally becomes different. This was one of those times...
On September 27th we are launching TheChangeMob; We have raised the funds, working round the clock and cannot wait to "Change" the world!!
TheChangeMob is simply this; So, your driving your kids to soccer practice, or your at the office getting ready to go out to lunch - maybe taking your wife out on a Friday night date. You get an update on your Smart Phone from TheChangeMob - the update reads; "We are building a well for an orphanage in Uganda and are raising $50,000 for the project - give your $1 now. (Yes, you can only give one dollar), and receive your reward. You will get a free appetizer at Outback, a discounted oil change from Jiffy Lube, a free hair-cut at Veda Salon - when you give your $1 and help us get clean, fresh water to those in need, you get a nice reward! (We charge the vendor a very fair redeemed reward price and give them a nice ROI)!
Inner-city homes, wheel-chairs for the crippled, bikes for doctors in Zambia - and on and on and on...there is no limit on the needs, and there is no limit to business' that want to be seen as "caring" while getting more customers.
TheChangeMob, when we are up and running three campaigns a week, will raise millions of dollars for non-profits and brand vendors names to amazing life changing projects here in the US and around the world!
Please go to www.thechangemob.com and put your email in; we will be getting you updates and let you know when to down-load our App on your Smart Phone - when you combine Justice, a Reward and you can give and make millions - it is capitalism the way it's suppose to be!!
As you know, my wife, Lisa-Marie Black is an amazing writer, speaker and advocate for single mothers, widowed and blended families. She has been asked to start speaking again on a national level and get her book done! We are working on that diligently!!
As you also know, if you know her at all, she does not care about the stage or being known; she only cares about serving those that need a little extra help from time-to-time.
Up to a few weeks ago, (or maybe just last week),! I would have defined the word "Finally" completely different.
Finally has always meant to me; "I got the job"! Or, "I finally made enough money"; "my business is kicking butt"; "my ministry is big", "my book is a success", "my kids are Godly", "the contract is done", "my ship has come in", my... what is "Finally" to you?
I think most of us have been taught in Western Christianity, or just taught, that finally means worldly success. And, don't get me wrong, there is truth to that. We are made to conquer, achieve, create excellence in our lives... but... I believe performance, at least for me, has replaced character, rest, trust and sometimes obedience.
I know a person that has gone round and round the same mountain. He works hard on a project, uses integrity, believes that his family will be blessed from his hard work and diligence, and then, whatever he is working on dies. I have seen him work and work and work, and, at the end, for nothing. His "Finally" never comes. It really has been amazing to watch; he is owed money, he was promised income, even great prosperity, and... nothing. For years, over 10, I have seen him blame people, blame circumstance, blame God, sometimes even blame his spouse. People actually did owe him money, made big promises, and didn't pay him when they should have and could have; so, I watched him feel justified and yet, distraught, even devastated in his heart.
And so, a week or so ago, it came alive in my spirit, my mind. "Finally" is when you come to the end of yourself. When you "Finally" have joy that makes no sense. When you are "Finally" empty and it feel's perfect! Where space and time, blessing or curse, prosperity or poverty do not matter... Finally to me is now... surrender.
I have been a Denver Bronco fan for all of my life; well... for as long as I can remember. My dad and I would watch the Bronco's on our little black and white T.V. as I stood and adjusted the aluminum foil on the antenna so we could get snowy reception on channel 2! That will tell you how long-ago I developed a passion for this team!! 40 + years...
I believe the Lord has poured out His favor on this young man, Tim Tebow - not because he wins football games, but, because if he wins or loses, he honor's the name of the Lord. He is not ultimately moved by the game and it's results, he is content and gives God all the glory, know matter the outcome. Tim's play is pitiful, most of the time. His throws are off, he gets a couple first downs the first three and a half quarters of a game, and then...! He gets just enough to get the job done!! .jpg){kind=logo}
In the early 90's I was the regional sales manager for a long-distance company, (remember long-distance charges)?! I started an affinity program that would give churches back 10% off of everybody's bill - we called it TitheNet... it worked for a bit, but, never became quite what I had hoped for the non-profits! .jpg)
As you know, my wife, 
I know a person that has gone round and round the same mountain. He works hard on a project, uses integrity, believes that his family will be blessed from his hard work and diligence, and then, whatever he is working on dies. I have seen him work and work and work, and, at the end, for nothing. His "Finally" never comes. It really has been amazing to watch; he is owed money, he was promised income, even great prosperity, and... nothing. For years, over 10, I have seen him blame people, blame circumstance, blame God, sometimes even blame his spouse. People actually did owe him money, made big promises, and didn't pay him when they should have and could have; so, I watched him feel justified and yet, distraught, even devastated in his heart.