“That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.” – Ecclesiastes 3:15

To people who think the Bible is some old book full of stories have absolutely no idea of the depth of God’s Word. I’d like to hear someone who “thinks” they’re wise try to wrap their mind around this verse.

1. What do you want?

2. How do you plan to get it?

3. How do you plan to maintain it?

4. What’s your course of action?

5. What daily-disciplines need to be instituted & implemented?

6. Which “habits” need to be “deep-sixed”?

7. 2012 is right around the corner. How is this new season really going to be different for you? Make it count!

(*Copy and paste these to a word document, and then write down some of those things that pop into your mind.)

As you read the first part of Ezekiel 44, the Lord brings Ezekiel towards the Temple, and shows him the east gate, and says, “This gate shall be shut… and no man shall enter it…” (v. 2). I thought how that so often we perceive our reality this way in God. Discouragement sets in, and we feel like we somehow aren’t spiritual, “Yeah, I figured I wasn’t going to experience the presence of God in my prayer time. That’s why I don’t really like to pray – the heavens are brass, and the door is always shut.” But we’ve all heard the saying, “God doesn’t close one door without opening another.” If we persevere in prayer, the Lord will show us another door.

“Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord: and I fell upon my face.” [Ezekiel 44:4]

The Second Door

It’s time to pray
I hear the Lord to me say
And yet I feel so dumb
Will it be worth it if I come?

I know this gate is my fate
This door will be closed like before.
See? He says it’s shut
It’s just my luck
My doubts have locked the door

But wait.
Could it be?
I see a light
In the second gate?
O this second door is worth waiting for!
O the treasure that’s in store – for me!

Then the glory flowed
My face did glow
My Friend was found
My heart is sound
I’m as happy as can be

So don’t hesitate
From past mistakes
Or feel that prayer’s a chore

The sign you need
Is the invitation He brings
Faith unlocks the door.

RJG © 2011

“Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle…” Isaiah 23:2

“Be still”= literally means: grow dumb and motionless. You might say, “Wow, that sounds attractive, where do I sign-up?” But, “dumb” is simply an old english term for: not talking. This phrase, “Be still” is progressive, i.e. You develop in it and seek to advance in it day-by-day.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

The world may think it’s a dumb to pray, but it’s God’s secret to giving His people strength, peace, and power.

How often have you said to yourself, “Yeah, I know I need to slow down and take a break, but it’s pretty hard right now because of my job, family, and…” And the list goes on and on. I was reminded a couple days ago, while I was riding my Harley-Davidson, and having a wonderful prayer time by-the-way, as I heard the Holy Spirit say to me…

“I could put you on your back anytime I want. Guard your time and look up, so that I don’t have to make you.”

As I was up in Olinda I was reminded of the relationship between the sheep and the shepherd. When a sheep would continually go wayward, in extreme circumstances, the shepherd would take his rod and break it’s leg. It sounds cruel and impractical, but the newfound relationship that would form between the sheep and the shepherd, from being together all the time, would change the way the lamb sees his shepherd. Sometimes… “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

If you would really like to end this Rat Race routine – The next time you’re getting ready for work, leave a half hour early, and intentionally drive the speed limit in the slow lane. Notice how the people are in such a hurry, passing cars, stressed. Who are these people? Those people are you! You’ve just ended the rat race. It’s not final, it’s something you’re growing into, and need to advance in. It’s something you need to practice each day.

How about this one: Next time you go into the grocery store, take five minutes before you do your shopping and notice how stressed people are. Take a deep breath and walk slow, and see if the Holy Spirit doesn’t speak to you, and pour-out a blessing of peace on you that you haven’t experienced in a long time. These are just a couple of practical ways that you can end the Rat Race Mentality.

Prayer-2-Pray
“Lord, I pray you would forgive me for being so busy. I take time today to be still, and to wait on you. May You give me wisdom to know how to end the Rat Race Mentality in my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!”

Psalm 27:6 And NOW shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. [kjv]

When all Hell seems like it’s about to break loose on your life, you’ve got to know the secret that David used when he too had his back up against the wall.

1. The Lord IS My Light. When David was faced with opposition, he refused to somehow think he was in the dark, or didn’t know what to do – no. David lived in the brightness, in the powerful glow of the presence of God in his present moment – “The Lord IS (not “was” or “will be”) my light!” Say this out loud: “Right NOW I’m not in the dark!”

2. I Simplify My Life. David wasn’t the schizophrenic leader like King Saul was. He wasn’t “loving God” at one moment and then getting angry with his family, staff or volunteers at another – no. David had just “one thing” on his agenda every morning – Seeking God. Say this out loud: “Right NOW I’m simplifying my life.”

3. I’m Not Waiting for Victory. In verse 6, David used a good, old-fashioned, faith-filled word: “NOW!” (See also: Heb. 11:1). Even before the battle took place, David took control of his spirit, mind, and emotions; and in effect said…

“I know my enemies are trying to move in on me, trying to make me fearful, overwhelmed with anxiety, and trying to cause me to cower in discouragement; but right NOW my head is going to be held high. In fact RIGHT NOW I look down on my enemies. I’m so charged-up with faith right NOW that I’m going to sing a song and whistle a tune in the presence of mine enemies, because I know on Whom I have believed!”

Say this out loud: “Right NOW I’m taking charge of my life.”

Don’t allow procrastination to rob you of your blessing! Make a concrete decision today that things are going to be different!

Prayer-2-Pray
“Lord, please forgive me for always wishing and hoping that things will get better. I want to begin to use my faith, and adopt this faith-filled word: “NOW”, and I choose to do it NOW! In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!”

Jeremiah 43:7-8a “So they went to the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the Lord. And they went as far as Tahpanhes. Then the word of the Lord came…” [kjv]

Throughout the Bible you see two different phrases: The voice of the Lord and the word of the Lord. In Hebrew, these two phrases have two different meanings:

1.) The Voice of the Lord: The proclamation, news, or cry of the Lord.
2.) The Word of the Lord: The decree, or the commandment of the Lord.

Notice in this scripture, it was because they didn’t obey “The voice of the Lord”, they ended up walking away from the Lord. Then because of their disobedience, the gavel of “The Word of the Lord” had to be administered. In a sense God’s voice was saying:

“O My child, you are My beloved. Don’t you know that if you go back to Egypt there’s only slavery for you? Don’t you remember that I delivered your forefathers out of that prison? Why would you want to go back? Listen to Me, don’t be afraid. I’m going to save you and help you – for I am always with you. My plan is bring you into a glorious land. Only obey My voice, and I will lead you there.”

Abraham experienced the blessing of obeying the voice; and ended up keeping the word of the Lord:

Genesis 26:5 “Because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

It seems like there is an order here as well…

1. You obey the Voice, then…
2. You keep the Word, (or commandment).

1. One is based in RELATIONSHIP .
2. The other is based on RESPONSIBILITY.

This is where we miss it so often. We try to keep His commandments without desiring to hear His still small voice, (1 Kings 19:12). God wants relationship first. After He sets our hearts aright, and only then, are even able to carry out the responsibility of keeping the Word of the Lord, and walking in uprightness of heart. Do you hear the voice of the Lord, or do you think that Christianity is only a hardcore obedience thing? ‘O may you hear His sweet voice today. Take some time to listen to His voice today. You’ll be glad that you did.

Prayer-2-Pray…
“Lord, I pray that I would hear Your voice today. I want Your voice, not Your gavel. I open my heart to You today, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!”

1. Check Your Physiology…… Body Language… of frowning, slouching, lethargic. [BODY]

2. Check Your Psychology….. Feelings/Thinking… depression, discouragement, inferior. [SOUL]

3. Check Your Theology……… Believing that God isn’t…. present, able, or willing. [SPIRIT]

Believe it or not, each of these will affect the other, and reek hellish havoc in your life if not monitored in a tangible way. Many times we don’t understand what is wrong with us. We will say things like, “I’m just having a bad day, leave me alone!” Other times we act out in ways that we later regret. We lash out, lose our cool, sulk in isolation, quit our jobs, or file for divorce. All these are the result of living in an unchecked state. When we’re downloading a file on our computer we check to see how it’s going; but our thinking, our body language, or our faith-level at any given time of the day? We’re too busy for that kind of introspection. But the Bible says that we need to do these kinds of checks, or else we’re in big trouble.

THE NEGATIVE :: Proverbs 25:28, He that hath no rule over his own spirit Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
THE POSITIVE :: Proverbs 16:32, He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

The first one is for a warning in life.
The second is for winning in life.

I heard someone once say, “Joy is a choice.” We chose what we focus on. By being in-tune with my spirit, and ruling it well, I can accomplish great things in life…

I can take a city for Christ!
I can win souls for Christ!
I can live with joy unspeakable!
I can love my wife like Christ loved the Church!
I can overcome any obstacle!
I can be a blessing to whoever the Lord leads me to!
I can change my attitude!
I can change my future!

During your day, if you notice that you’re losing your edge, (or getting on-edge!), just check one, (or all 3) of these areas, and make a decision to “rule your spirit” like the Bible says you can, and watch your whole day get a whole lot better. Before you know it you’re be back on top of your game!

“And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law. ” (2 Chronicles 15:2–3, NKJV)

There’s so much in just these two verses.

“The Lord is with you while you are with Him.” We often pray the prayer, “Lord, just be with us….” It’s a nice prayer to pray, but God tells us how to have the Lord with you: Be with Him. Instead of asking the Lord to tag along with you, like some sort of guardian angel, or lucky rabbit’s foot, we need to be much with Him.

This next part leapt off the pages to me: “For a long time Maui has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law.”

1. WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP Think of that, “without the true God”. It’s like living your whole life thinking and doing one thing, but the true reality is simply a figment of your imagination. In the context, Israel was getting involved in idol worship. They thought Ashram (v. 16) represented a powerful god, but it was merely statue. It would be like if my son talked to my guitar saying, “Daddy, I ask you to help me now.” I would have to grab him and say, “Hey, over here! I’m not that piece of wood!” I think of so many here in the Hawaii – living without God. Everyday, driving to work, not knowing the sweet presence of the Lord. ‘O how it must change!

2. WITHOUT REVELATION “without a teaching priest”. I like how Ezekiel puts it… “And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” (Ezekiel 44:23, NKJV) ‘O to receive and walk-in revelation knowledge!

3. WITHOUT RULES “without the law”. Now, I would be the first one to tell you, that Christianity isn’t a bunch of rules and regulations, but I’ve found that we can be so “free” that no longer have standards of righteousness. I see believers posting pictures on the internet of them drinking alcohol, smoking, and swearing . How can we really know the way if we’ve lost our compass, our sense of direction, and personal holiness? How can we show others the way if we, ourselves don’t know where we’re going ourselves? We’re going “without”.

…Without the presence of God
…Without the Bible
…Without daily devotions
…Without convictions and standards
…Without a prayer-life
… Without power
…Without direction

The Lord never meant for any one of us to go without. He fills the hunger soul with good things. Are you hungry enough to go to Him today? Don’t be one of those who goes without. Allow the Lord to do a work in your life today.

Prayer:
“Lord, I don’t want to “go without”. I need a stronger relationship with You today. Help me to draw near to You today, I pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

I’m taking our youth here in Maui, HI through a series we’re calling, “Waking-Up Sleepy Christianity”.

Dust mites love dead skin and some of the best places they feast on are pillows, bed covers, and blankets. This is not meant to freak you out, (but it may have). It’s more to share the spiritual analogy between “dust” and “sleepy Christianity”.

Isaiah 52 says, “Awake, awake! Shake yourself from the dust, arise!”

“DUST”= SLEEPY CHRISTIANITY
Why? Because you don’t know it’s there until you get up close. Sometimes we distance ourselves from people and the church so that they won’t know what’s really going on in our life. Because if you get up-close to me you’ll see that there’s a lot of… Dust. And, dust only comes from one thing – Neglect.

– Dusty Bible
– Dusty Prayer Closet
– Dusty, nasty Attitudes

THE RESPONSIBILITY I HAVE TO WAKE-UP

The Scripture says I have to “shake” myself. The preacher can nudge you, but you’re the only one who can “shake” you. Your friends can try to shake you, They’ll say things like: “You really shouldn’t be doing that. What are you doing?!”, but you’ll just shake it off. You’ve got to shake yourself! It your responsibility. No one can do it, but you.

THIS IS MY WAKE-UP CALL

It’s not that you’re a “bad” person, or a “sinner”, it’s just that me and you, we have neglected our “beautiful garments” (Isaiah 52:1). We have to “put them on”. These are the…

– Beautiful Garments of Salvation
– Beautiful Garments of Forgiveness
– Beautiful Garments of Praise

It’s time to toss that old pillow of sleepy Christianity, and begin a fresh new day with the One who gave His all for you. Don’t be another one who bites the dust, (or is bitten by the “Dust”). What do you say?

5 Things I’ve Learned By Sending My Son on a Mission Trip

1. I have the most amazing son in the world. Last night I watched some old videos we made together, and it brought me to tears at just how talented and brilliant a kid he is. I’m beginning to see how blind I’ve been – only seeing his messy room, or the chores he hans’t done. My son needs his Daddy’s encouragement more than his correction.

2. I don’t spend nearly enough time with my son. As my son was getting ready for his trip to Chile, I thought, “This will be good for him – he’ll learn something from the experience.” Little did I know, I’d learn something too. As my son is away, I miss those times of just hanging out with this amazing young man.

3. Ministering to people can never be more important that ministering to my son. I know this in theory, but sometimes my son can get the left-overs of my day. I know he must feel cheated and frustrated some of the time. My son will never be able to make sense out of the way this can make him feel. We have to make our kids feel special by demonstrating to them that they really are important.

4. Priorities can make or break a family. Paying more attention to my computer screen at home sends a strong message to my family, “I’d rather spend time with this than spend time with you.” I never want to convey that to my family. Work hard at work, then play hard at home. Never get those two things twisted.

5. Being a Father is one of the most awesome blessings in life. I would never trade my son for a billion dollars. In fact, it’s because I have a son is proof that I am blessed and rich indeed. My son is the greatest blessing I have in my life. In him I see my beautiful wife, my self, and I see a young man who is so handsome, strong, gifted, and who has wisdom far beyond his years. I feel a sense of honor and privilege that God Himself would choose me to be his Father.