It's Time to Weep

I posted this Monday on myspace. It expresses the things the Holy Spirit is currently challenging me with. I trust it will cause a pause in your day and give you something to think about. blessings,

PB

Many of you know that I have had a growing burden. It’s not letting up it’s intensifying. I am feeling like John the Baptism must have when he was preaching “prepare the way of the Lord”. Like the children of Israel who stopped looking for the Messiah to return, I am afraid that many Christians have stop expecting and praying for the return of Christ.

My heart is breaking, I find myself now crying (weeping) every time I address a group. It happened yesterday in Sunday School, as I preached at Christ Church in the Valley and again last night a youth. I am not sure if I am even making sense, there is so much on my heart I want to convey. The church must be red hot on fire for Jesus.

The two questioned etched on my heart from the Lord are: “Why are you on the planet?” and “can you be trusted with my babies?” As Christians we are here for two primary purposes, 1. to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind and 2. to influence everyone we can for Jesus. (Mark 12:28-30) We cannot do either passively or half heartedly.

If you are a Christian then live for Him as if you life depends on it because it does, not only your life but the lives of others. Jesus warned of a falling away in the last days. People who once knew him and served him would stand before him and be told, “I never knew you”. I am seeing it happen, that is why I am pleading with you to make sure you are living a life pleasing to God. Not only are people fallen away, they are literally dying without having a personal relationship with Jesus. Last week I was told of a boy who was in youth group with my girls who once knew Jesus, he was murdered while living a life away from God. Today, I was asked to pray for a young man who no doubt had heard the message of Jesus but who was not serving the Lord, he was in a bad accident because of drinking, this young man will probably die and if he lives he’ll be a vegetable. None of us better think it couldn’t happen to us because it can. Falling away from God is only one unchecked thought at a time which leads to one uncheck, un-repented of sin at a time. By God’s grace that wouldn’t be anyone I can influence.

Coming into focus is the reality that many are happy to asked Jesus to be their savior but not their Lord. I challenge you to live your life for God, not yourself. May everything we do, say and think line up with the scriptural model of a righteous and holy life.

Through out history those who passionately and consistently served God with all their hearts where considered radical and fanatics. To be red hot on fire for Jesus is consider irrational by most, especially Christians who are convicted by their own lack of commitment.

People have been beheaded, stoned to death, imprisoned, stripped of property, lost jobs and positions because they dared to live a radical life for Jesus.

Today, when challenged to take a stand and live it real for God far too many are choosing to go along with the crowd, keep silent when they should speak up and look the other way when ungodly thinks are being done in their presence instead of taking a stand.

I am weeping for the lukewarmness in the church. Selfishness seems to be ruling many hearts instead of Jesus ruling. I was feeling like I needed to apologize for coming on so strongly, delivering a heavy, not so fun message until the Holy Spirit encouraged me this morning to pick up the challenge and bring it to everyone I can. I am optimistic because I know that this kind of burden makes way for a move of God. Repentance and prayer always precede God sending revival. And the church needs revival. We need to return to our first love.

I challenge you to go after God with everything within you. Don’t settle for a life that does anything but please God. Examine your heart in light of scripture and with an ear tuned to hear God tell you what He sees and wants. Repent as needed and then please, please join me in praying that everyone you can influence will love God as He deserves and love others enough to live a life that will challenge them to go after God with everything they’ve got.

Psalm 126:4-6 (The Message) And now, God, do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

God will bless but only if we are willing to weep as He weeps over a church that needs to get serious about Him and our responsibility for others. Blessings are coming for those who will repent and pray.