When No Referee Is Watching...

This is a great post by Mark Beeson. Thanks Bud for sending this to me.

Last Friday I took my camera to a local High School football game. A couple of friends have sons playing for the Clay Colonials. LaPhonso's son is blocking so Rod's son can pass the ball. The ref is poised and watching, ready to throw the flag on any infraction. Depending on the school, it takes four, five or six referees to enforce the game's regulations.

How many refs do you need to keep you from breaking the rules?

Maybe today is a good day for a gut-check. Maybe it's time to ask the questions, "Do I keep the rules only when the refs are watching? Is the real reason I stay inside the boundaries because I can't step over the lines without getting caught? Will I cheat if no one is watching?"

I wonder who is ultimately responsible for how I play the game?

If I cheat, is it my fault I'm removed from the game? Or can I blame the ref for throwing the flag? Do I blame myself for losing government funding, or the people who video-taped me encouraging tax-evasion and child-prostitution? On whom do I pin the responsibility for my disqualification? Is it the whistle-blower's fault, or am I accountable for my actions? Did I lose my license because of "that stupid cop," or because I was driving drunk?

Maybe it's time to own up and accept responsibility.

In the secret moments, when no one else is watching, there are no referees to keep us from cheating. There are no refs behind closed doors. No referees will force you to keep your marriage vows. There aren't any refs watching over your finances, your forays across the internet or where you put your hands on your boyfriend.

You make the call.

There is no one to throw the flag on your behavior but you. You are responsible for you. So accept responsibility, reject passivity and do the next right thing. No shortcuts. No cheating. No broken promises. No secret sins. If you need God's help, accept it. Your future hangs in the balance...and one day, whether the refs caught us and threw the flag or not, we're all going to be exposed. We'll be judged - every single one of us.

There are no secrets. God is not mocked.

In the end, no one gets away with anything.

Psalms 82:7-8 - In death you are mere men. You will fall as any prince—for all must die. Stand up, O God, and judge the earth. For all of it belongs to you. All nations are in your hands.

The introduction of Jesus by Steve Harvey

How would you introduce the Lord of Lords? I was pleasantly shocked hearing this come form Steve Harvey, but it was pretty good nonetheless. Thanks Jeff Selph for the link.

Worship Wednesday's - Help Is On the Way

This is what I am worshiping to today. Maybe like me, you need something miraculous to happen in an area of your life. May the words of this song bring peace to you when True Peace is hard to find, except in God! It is a Gospel-inflected, powerful statement of hope, this song will help your fellowship declare the truth of God's Word that He will never leave us or forsake us and find assurance in His faithfulness. "Hold on, help is on the way!" By the way I love this site.

Praise and Worship Music Videos by mypraisesong

[Verse 1:]
People say that time will heal/But you know, they just don't feel what you feel/Times are hard but God is so good/He's never failed you, and He said He never would/
He see's your tears
He fights your fears
[Chorus:]
Hold on, help is on the way/He said he'd never leave you or forsake you/Stay strong/Help is on the way/He'd said he'd help you/Just reach out and take his hand
[Verse 2:]
He knows your heart, He lifts your head/He's always close enough to hear every word /you said When you're weak, He said He's so much more/His arm is long enough to each you where you are/
He see's your tears
He fights your fears
[Chorus 2x]
Help is on the way 10x

That's My King - S.M. Lockridge

The late Dr. Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge's famous "That's My King" message. It is one of his best-known messages. It is a six minute "attempted" description of our Lord Jesus Christ. I say "attempted" because it is the best description I have ever heard, however, part of me says that even S.M. Lockridge would think that his description is still lacking something because our mere words can not fully describe His Majesty! So sit back with the volume up, and bask in everything that God is and more!



What do you think? It gets me fired up, That's the King I serve!

Worship Wednesday's - Alabaster Jar

This is what I am worshiping to today, I hope you find rest in Him today!



Verse 1:
This alabaster jar/is all I have of worth/I break it at Your feet, Lord/It's less than You deserve/You're far more beautiful/More precious than the oil/The sum of my desires/and the fullness of my joy!
PreChorus:
Like You spilled Your blood,/I spill my heart as an offering/to my King.
Chorus:
Here I am, take me/As an offering/Here I am, giving every heartbeat/For Your glory take me.
Verse 2:
The time that I have left/is all I have of worth/I lay it at Your feet, Lord/It's less than You deserve/And though I've little strength/And though my days are few,/You gave Your life for me/So, I will live my life for You.
Bridge:
Worthy, Worthy/You are worthy/Worthy is the Lord./(repeat as desired)
(Chorus)

The Still Small Voice, or " Do what I say or puke all over....its your choice!" Part 2

Well, on with the story...

Evangelist and Pastor Rick Webb, from Fraser Road Church of God in Michigan, was challenging the audience with the words found in Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (NLT).

I was sitting there with my family, knowing that God was calling me to speak in front of these 400 people, whom I have never met. I do not attend the Church of God, and I was a guest to this campmeeting. I didn't know the protocol. Is this excepted or allowed? How do I even approach someone about this? Do I just go up to a microphone? All these thoughts are going through my mind, along with, Lord I can't/shouldn't do this.

Well, God was getting my attention, I was literally about to puke all over the place. I have never felt that sick, so suddenly. I leaned over to my mother-in-law (not to puke on her) and asked how I should go about this. She suggested to go up and talk to the evangelist. So that is what I did...

Now that is a tough job to be in for the evangelist. To really discern whether you have a Word from the Lord, or not. Because he mentioned afterward that sometimes you get people who say all the right things up to get up there to speak, and the truth is that they just like to hear themselves speak, and it wasn't essentially God led.

So he obviously sensed that I needed to get up there right away (maybe it was fear of ruining his nice suit with my vomit).

So here I am in front of 400 people (give or take), and I supposedly have a Word from the Lord for these people. But, I have no idea where to start. It felt like an eternity. So I mustered out a quick introduction of who I was, and what I was feeling (you know sick) and that I believed God had something for someone to hear. It could be for the whole multitude or for one person. It may have only been for me to learn to be obedient in all things. Once I finished my introduction, it was no longer me speaking. Say what?

It was no longer Luke (lil' warrior) speaking. Sure it was my voice, but it was God's verbiage. It was amazing to feel like God was completely in the drivers seat. Just like in Scripture when God told Moses that He would help him speak in Exodus 4, and during Pentecost in Acts 2:1-12, it says "As the Holy Spirit gave them this ability (to speak), God/Spirit was giving me the Words that needed to be said.

Have you ever been so consumed by God that you knew somewhat of what you just mustered out, but knew that God had used you as a mediator for His Words? Being used by God is the best feeling ever.

This week God spoke to me with this quote which I shared on my FaceBook and Twitter. "The only way u can live ur life 2 the fullest, is 2 fully rely on God!" Have we fully relied on Him in our lives? Do our lives stand as a testimony of our love towards Him.

I am reminded of the passage in John 21:15-17
After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
"Yes, Master, you know I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16He then asked a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
"Yes, Master, you know I love you."
Jesus said, "Shepherd my sheep."
17Then he said it a third time: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, "Do you love me?" so he answered, "Master, you know everything there is to know. You've got to know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Jesus asked Peter three times, the same amount of times that Peter denied Him. How many times does Jesus have to ask you?

Almost done I promise!

The Still Small Voice, or " Do what I say or puke all over....its your choice!" Part 1

Funky title I know, but a true story and very real experience happened to me a few months ago. Sorry Greg that it has taken me this long to get it out.

A couple months ago my in-laws asked if I wanted to camp out and attend their churches annual campmeeting (it is kind of like a revival). Thinking how much fun the boys would have I agreed to come. I was only planning to camp a couple of nights, but once I heard the Evangelist Rick Webb, from Fraser Road Church of God in Michigan, I was drawn to stay the entire week.

I was amazed by which he spoke; with the awesome Authority and Anointing of God all over him. In fact, it had been a long time since I have experienced preaching like that.

Anyways, as I was sitting in service with my family, I started feeling sick towards the end of the service. I was wondering if I had ate something that didn't agree with me (which I had been eating camp food all week!) or what was exactly happening to me. My wife looked over at me and immediately was concerned. I was extremely pail, I was sweating profusely (which I am a B.S.G. - Big Sweaty Guy, so it happens) and I seriously felt like I was about to keel over.

Now I have experienced God's voice before, and I have felt the Spirit's leading in my life, but what I was experiencing did not feel like anything godly.

But, that is when I heard God saying, "When are you going to listen to me again?" Shocked (but not really) because I have heard from Him before, I wondered okay God clarification please! All of sudden I had an horrid, quick look back at all my recent acts of disobedience to God. The more I saw, the more sick I got. I was awakened to the saddened heart of my Creator, of every time His Chosen people disobey Him intentionally.

Have you ever felt God nudging you to do something, and you didn't do it? Maybe He wanted you to talk to a certain friend or a stranger. Maybe He wanted you to be a church planter, or to open up your home to lead a small group. Ormaybe He wanted you to step up in a specific ministry at your church, or to be Biblical leader among your peers? These types of things were flashing before my eyes, have they flashed in front of yours before? Have you ignored them as I have?

Well, have I got your attention? Come back tomorrow for the rest, it gets really good!