Posted on by Pastor Poet

Not Alone?

When you are used to isolating yourself in tough times, you can attach yourself to the idea that you are the only one going through. It’s a downward and backwards spiral. 

When you begin to believe that you are the ‘only one,’ you can assume an attitude that no one knows and no one cares

In Elijah’s case, his prophetic calling and the trouble it caused him, his isolation caused him to think that he was alone in his struggle against corrupt powers in high places.  

At a point of frustration and fear, Elijah says,

“I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

1 Kings 19:10

Elijah was wrong.  In despair, Elijah questioned God, and God responded.  Not with thunder and lightning, fire or wind, but with a whisper – God responded. Not in the overwhelming and outstanding supernatural ways Elijah encountered previously, but with a still small, God responded.

God let Elijah know that he wasn’t alone and that there were thousands of others who remained faithful.  

Today, God wants us to know that we are not alone.  While we may not encounter supernatural incursions of the Spirit – God is present among some people we have yet to meet!

We are not alone!  So let’s remain open and receptive to the unexpected ways God will show up among others who share our cause and have remained faithful!  We are – you are not alone!

Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him. 

1 Kings 19:18 

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Get up and Eat!

The prophet Elijah is known for his courageous protest against a corrupt king and queen and their cadre of false prophets. Over and over again, Elijah protested and prophesied against Israel’s idolatry and prevailed.

But the heights of Elijah’s accomplishments were marked by the depths of his anxiety and paradoxical fears.

The same Elijah that stood on the mountains is also found running for his life, exhausted and depressed.  The same Elijah that stood up against corrupt powers, is found cowering in self-pity and doubt.

At one particular low point, Elijah even laments his own birth!

But, in that dark moment, God sent Elijah a messenger to minister to him and offer these few words…

And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”

1 Kings 19:7

I offer the same words to you, this morning!  Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you!

You are not the first or the last person to be haunted by insecurity and imposter syndrome.  You are not the only one to ride the wave of emotions that accompany great triumph and great tragedy!  God will sustain you!  But you must get up and eat!  God’s promises are true!  Cling to Him and He will keep you!

Get up and eat!  Meditate on God’s word!  Receive strength from the Spirit and get up!  We do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God!

Now, get up and eat!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

… In the details? 

There are times when God’s will is obvious.  Should I forgive? Should I share? Should I be compassionate? Should I treat them with dignity? Should I love?  

The answer to all these questions is a resounding, ‘Yes!’

But the proverbial devil lies in the details… How should I share?  What’s the best way to demonstrate compassion in this circumstance?  How can I demonstrate love most faithfully in this situation?   What does love look like under these conditions?  How do I show care in ways that can be understood and received?   

In order to answer these questions, one must have an ear to hear and a heart that is responsive to the Word and the Spirit of God.  This requires time, discipline, and above all else a relationship with Jesus – the One who teaches us how to love  – the Mediator who governs how we treat one another! 

Get it?

Without echoing the cliche – we must ask a simple question – “What would Jesus do?” And then we must determine to ‘Go, and do likewise!’

Don’t know what to do?  Ask God.  What do the Scriptures say? Listen to the voice of the Spirit.  Follow Jesus’ example!  You won’t go wrong!

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. 

Psalm 119:105-106

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Just BE…

I don’t know what your morning routine consists of, but as a writer the first thing I do is look for something with which to write…

Let me pause there.  

Long before I stood in a pulpit, I was a writer.  It was therapy for me in a sometimes chaotic, unstable home.  My journaling evolved into poetry, and then, when I became a Christian, many of these thoughts and poems became prayers. And now, these thoughts, poems, and prayers have become the meditations and devotions that I share with you all, and sometimes they even become sermons!  Who knew?

I was concerned when I first started whether these little writings would be well-received or do any good for anyone besides myself.  But time and again, I receive little notes and responses—signposts that affirm my efforts and let me know that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

And this ‘doing’ is an extension of my being.  I am a writer.  I love Jesus.  I love you all.  I am who God created me to be, and I try to use what God has given me for His glory and for the good of others.  And guess what? That’s all God requires.

Whoever God has created you to be –  BE that!  Whatever gifts God has given YOU – use them for God’s glory! BE and then DO what you were created for and God will be pleased, you will be blessed, and you will be a blessing!

Don’t know what that is?  Ask God.  But, don’t be surprised if it is something you have already been given to! Now do it for God’s glory!  You may well discover that someone has been waiting on you to BE who you were created to be!

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

1 Peter 4:10-11 

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Another Day… (3)

The ability to look forward, to plan, and to anticipate things is often identified as a sign of maturity and good leadership.  

But everyday holds with it a certain amount of surprise.  There are eventualities and disruptions that we can not plan for or anticipate.  There are things that escape the purview of the most capable and mature people.

This doesn’t mean we should stop making plans, I wouldn’t dare say that!  But what it does mean, is that we must admit that our plans are limited!  We can be as prepared as we can be, but there are some things that are beyond our influence.

So what do we do?

We make plans.  We set our schedules.  We anticipate risks.  We arrange contingencies.  Yes, yes, and yes!  But after we’ve done what we can do (within reason), we submit our plans to the LORD – and trust God for the outcomes!  Get it?

Trusting God frees us from anxiety by allowing us to remain present and opening us to enjoy the journey.  And then sometimes the disruptions and surprises are better than our carefully designed plans!  

It’s a brand new day.  I know you have plans.  But trust God!

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 

21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.  

Proverbs 19:20-21

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Another Day…(2)

We’ve survived difficult days. We’ve endured dark nights. But we do not only survive, we thrive beyond our trials. 

Survey the landscape of your own life.  

We grow through our grief. We are stable in storms.  We are strengthened through our struggles. 

We are perfected by our pains. We find fortitude in the face of our worst fears.  And we are confident amid conflict…

How… Why?

Because our security is not in our circumstance. 

Our confidence is in our Savior, the Sovereign God, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit! 

So…

Rejoice always, 

Pray without ceasing, 

Give thanks in all circumstances!

This is GOD’s will in Christ Jesus for us!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Make it personal this morning!  

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Another Day…

As many of us are beginning a new week and rising to meet the day, if we are not careful we will begin with groans rather than gratitude.

These groans quickly become grumbling and before you know we’ve sped past the miracle that occurred in order for us to make it to another day.  

Brand new mercy meets us as we rise, a stunning reminder that grace did not abandon us as we slept. God’s faithfulness is proven again, and we are still here…

So rather than groans and grumbling, let’s allow gratitude to be our entrance to this brand new day.  And, let’s allow this gratitude overflow in generosity toward every soul that we encounter today!

Someone was awakened to tragedy this morning.  Someone did not sleep at all last night.  Someone cried themselves to sleep.  And, that someone is next to you in traffic… sitting in the cubicle next to you… living next door… in front of you at the gas station…

So, be grateful, be kind, be generous this morning – your attitude may be the very light that changes someone else’s…

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Kept by God? (3)

If I’m honest about it, some situations that I have been in have sent me looking for an exit. If I’m absolutely honest, there are many situations, I could’ve easily avoided if I were a bit more humble and obedient.

But then, there are many times that I prayed for an out, an escape, a deliverance from, only to find myself at an incredible impasse.  The LORD works in mysterious ways!

My experience has taught me that prayers for deliverance are not always answered the way we want them to be.   Sometimes deliverance comes through trials and struggles and not from them!  

When Jesus prayed his high-priestly prayer for His disciples – us – He prayed not for their/our escape from the world but for our endurance – not for our way out but our way through!   Get it?

How so? I’m glad you asked.

Jesus had the authority to ask for anything and expect an answer.  But, at His departure, His prayer was not to take us out of the world but to keep us from being overcome by evil – not an escape from the world but for the ability to endure and overcome the world through faith and by grace! 

In a word, Jesus prayed to the Father to keep us from evil, and then promised us His own Spirit as our Helper, our Comforter, and yes, our Keeper!  

In a strange and mysterious way the LORD works, His wonders to perform!  We are not always delivered from, but we are delivered through!  We do not escape every trial, but we faithfully endure.  God is our Keeper!

But don’t take my word for it!  Jesus prayed:

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 

John 17:15

Be encouraged, family.  While escape is not always the answer, we receive the gift of the Spirit that equips and enables us to endure faithfully! God is our keeper! This is our testimony…

“Oh, to be kept by Jesus! Lord at Thy feet I fall; I would be “nothing, nothing, nothing; Thou shalt be all in all.”

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Kept by God? (2)

Most of Jude’s letter to the Church reads like the Old Testament prophets.  The short letter issues scathing warnings against false teaching, disobedience, and immorality.  

The letter warns of loudmouths, grumblers, boasters, and malcontents who abuse their access and authority to advance themselves. The letter may well have been written yesterday, considering its relevance!

However, Jude’s letter doesn’t end with judgment and doom. The letter concludes with perhaps one of the most familiar and beautifully encouraging doxologies ever written!

‘Now unto Him who is able to keep you…’

While it may seem like the wicked prosper, and evil goes unchecked, remember the promise that precedes our praise!  What a wonderful reminder in times like these! What a surprise of joy?

We are kept by God!

We are preserved, protected, provided for, presented blameless before His presence, and possessors of unspeakable joy… 

We are kept by God! 

Jude’s prophetic proclamation is punctuated by this praise:

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Jude 24-25

Regardless of how bad things appear to be going right now, never forget that you are – we are kept by God!

Encourage one another with these words!

We are kept by God!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Kept by God?

It’s difficult to imagine that the difficult days we face are no surprise to God.  

The meanness and cruelty that seems to have seized the day, while disappointing and disturbing, are not rare when we pay attention to the redundancy of human history.

The way power and influence continues to corrupt the hearts of humanity… the way selfishness and brutality are lauded as strength…  the way wickedness in high places seems to go unchecked… While difficult and unsettling, these things should come as no surprise.  Even a faithless student of history can perceive the patterns.

But we are not faithless.  We are counted among the faithful, and we can take heart in seasons of despair and grief.  We can find confidence and relief in the Good News that is able to keep us in the love of God as we anticipate the abundant mercy of Jesus our LORD!

Our ancestors, spiritual and otherwise, endured and encouraged themselves. Even as they witnessed the darkness that pervaded the land, they were emboldened by the promise of God’s grace!

Bruised and battered, tried and troubled, assaulted and afflicted- they built themselves up, they prayed, and remained faithfully grounded – kept in the love of God – sustained by the living hope which is Jesus our LORD!

It’s difficult to imagine that these difficult days are no surprise to God… 

But,

18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Jude 18-21

Be encouraged, family, and encourage one another with these words!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam