September 8, 2020 – Click here to listen
A friend of mine who has been hospitalized in Johns Hopkins hospital for a week miraculously got out yesterday and is feeling fine. He suffered kidney failure and a heart attack and has more ailments than Bayer has aspirin, but he’s recovered enough to be able to go home. His medical team at Johns Hopkins consisted of twelve or more top physicians who were literally from all over the world.
He led his early life on a similar course as mine. He made some very bad mistakes and poor choices in his youth. Like me he stopped drinking vast quantities of alcohol and taking massive amounts of illegal drugs many years ago, but the terrible consequences of it on his body didn’t stop.
He has walked the straight and narrow ever since abandoning that lifestyle in favor of pursuing a course that glorifies God. I have met very few people who love Jesus as much as he does or does more to glorify His name and build His kingdom. Among those I have met who love Jesus in the same vein are his father and brother. His father in particular is a highly respected worldwide Christian leader whose ministry reaches the four corners of the world.
My buddy rebelled against God and his family and became the proverbial black sheep for many years. His dad did not give up on him and traveled all of the way to Russia where my buddy was a business owner and he gave his son a Bible when he was at his lowest point. My friend credits it with saving his life.
When I discovered that he was in the hospital I began praying hard for him night and day. Many others did as well. It appears our prayers were answered, and he has been given more time to serve his Lord and Savior. I can almost picture Jesus smiling and nodding His head in agreement with that prayer that this man needs more kingdom building time.
He posted to Facebook that though he had been in some tight spots that he was closer to death while in the hospital than at any other time in his life. Knowing his life history the way I do that is saying something. But I can share with you that he was not the least afraid to die and he told me unequivocally he was ready. His only reservation was that he has much more he wants to do in kingdom building.
As I wrote this today my friend made the following Facebook post just as I finished writing about him:
When horses and chariots have failed you. When the betrayers kiss is still residue on your cheek. When those closest to you disappear into the night. When the palm fronds of adulation and respect become the whip of the Roman. When the hopes become spilled blood in the dust and spit. When the visions and dreams become the lonely cross on a hill. It is time for only one thing . . . death. Death to the image we have of ourselves. Of the lies our own hearts deceive us with. Of building monuments to ourselves and our egos with declarations of helping and saving others abusing and using those God has put in our path every day. In the garden of self-examination there will only be one answer. One consistent call. To die. To die to the idea the stump was the source. That what we could feel, touch, see and in the depth of our fantasy thought we could control.
The only way forward is death. Then only, resurrection must follow death. To have a heart after God, the mind of Christ we need the power of the Holy Spirit. After the death and the resurrection must come the waiting in the upper room. But I want to do; I want to build; I want to change the world around me . . . WAIT. Wait for the power. Wait for the fire. Wait for the anointing. Wait for the true vision. It is promised to come in power and in truth. It will not glorify us it will glorify only the one worthy of glory. It will fill us It will satisfy us.
Once we have tasted of that water of that source, we will never thirst for another. We can give freely from the source and never be afraid of being without. Because the source is infinite. As we wait upon the Spirit in truth the infinite Source will fill and expand our hearts to be like the Fathers and we will have the mind of Christ. We will be complete as He is complete. Let’s wait family let’s wait church. Let us wait in the upper room again. Not our will but his will be done.
Our father who art in heaven holy be thy name. Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen❤️
Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.