Time to Fight

I hate getting sick, being sick and everything that comes with being sick. The aches, the pain, the fatigue  All of the symptoms of illness wear on you. I don't like it for me or for anyone that goes through it.

Of all the things that I dislike about being sick, the worst, for me, is losing my "Fight". We have an enemy who knows when the worst possible time for an illness in our bodies is. I'm convinced he waits until a physical illness has us down then he starts or resumes his crap in our lives, our families, those we love and our ministry.

It is amazing how easily he can still creep into our lives, especially when we are sick.

I have been down with respiratory problems for almost 2 weeks. Last night some people let us borrow a nebulizer and Robin gave me a breathing treatment right before bed.

Apparently, I've been oxygen deprived, because, after a great night of sleep, I awoke this morning angry.

How is that a good thing? Well, for starters, while ill I was looking at problems like they were too large, too intimidating and I felt hopeless. I felt that way because I was sick.

When I woke up this morning, the Spirit of God rose up inside of me and prompted me to evaluate everything that I had said and did for the last 2 weeks against the vision and calling God has given me.

I was mad! I was walking around my living room rebuking Satan in the name of Jesus, renouncing his authority over the areas of our lives and ministry that are experiencing trouble.

It felt good as hopelessness began to give way to fight again. That's who I am! I've never physically fought anyone in my life; however, I'm usually up for a spiritual battle, which is common for you and I as Christians.

"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
(Ephesians 6:12-18 NLT)

In many ways I think I was asleep without my fight for a long time, much longer than I care to admit.

But I'm awake now and there is a battle to be won.

WHERE'S THE FIRE...Extinguisher?

I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. I was hoping for later. God has allowed me to pastor a great church, True North Church in Minerva, Ohio for a year now. Looking back over that year, I get excited as I remember services marked with a powerful presence of God's Holy Spirit,  powerful anointing and powerful change in hearts and lives.

In yesterday's service, I'm sure there was a powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, a powerful anointing and I'm praying that there was powerful change in hearts and lives. However, for whatever reason, God allowed me to go through the entire service feeling completely alone and totally unable to sense his presence, anointing and power. It was awful - for me.

I must admit, my desire was to get through the message and get off of the platform as quickly as I could. I felt nothing other than like the message was going down in flames. I sensed nothing and I wasn't about to try to manufacture something just so I could feel like we had a church service.

I have had similar experiences before, but seldom during a church service. Ironically, before the service, someone reminded me that our faith isn't, or, at least, shouldn't be based on what we feel or don't feel. Good thing, because yesterday, I had nothing - in the way of feelings.

No matter what you feel or your lack of feelings, know that your faith can still be strong.

A Friend's Dream

A friend of mine once had a dream in which he saw the Lord. In the dream, the Lord said, "Follow me," and started running. My friend said that he started running after Jesus but he could not keep up and he lost sight of the Lord in what he described as a fog. He ran for a while more and then just stopped. 

After what seemed like several hours the Lord returned and asked him, "What happened?" 

"I tried to keep up but I couldn't, I didn't know where You went," my friend explained.

Jesus, smiled and replied, "Yes, but you saw which direction I went, all I asked was for you to follow."

"I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."
Hebrews 13:5 NLT

Following no matter what I feel or don't.