Changing the Paradigm of Prayer, Part I - April 28, 2013

I Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.

Throughout my Christian life, I have given myself to prayer and what many would consider the prayer movement, attending numerous prayer meetings as the result. As God has given me more responsibility around this vital ministry, people have asked me over the years how to become a more effective prayer warrior. My answer has generally been very simply to pray, and then pray some more, and then ... pray more. However, this is often more easily said than done. Distractions and complacency can be huge detractors that can easily lead us away from the place of prayer. In our minds, we know the prayer closet is truly the place of power in the Christian's life. However, we deny the power because we often do not understand the dynamics of what it means to pray effectively. Paul told the church in Thessalonica to "pray without ceasing." While this may seem like an impossibility to us today, I believe that Paul modeled this in such a way as to make it not only feasible but also practical.

Recently I was counseling a gentleman at the rescue mission where I chaplain. A few months earlier, this man had wrecked havoc in his marriage and with his children. He had said some things and acted in ways that made him feel extremely guilty. He was allowing these feelings to overwhelm him constantly. He asked me what he could do about these feelings. I told him instead of allowing these thoughts to continue to haunt him, that he should instead pray for those he had offended. His eyes glazed over a bit. I could tell he thought this was a canned answer. However, I next explained what I meant in context with Paul's admonition to the Thessalonians. The mind, I told him, is the controlling influence in our lives. This is command central for a human being and whatever we decide in our minds is eventually what will become embedded in our desires, and ultimately, our heart. I explained to this brother in the Lord how turning our thinking to praying is critical when learning how to master our emotions.

Not too long ago, the Lord shared a very simple statement with me in this regard. He said, "Stop thinking and start praying." Like this counselee, we can too often allow the flesh and the devil to pulverize us with negative thoughts about ourselves and others. However, the aforementioned evils can also tactically lead us into useless, mindless thinking that is not necessarily good or bad. We might be thinking about how the guy down the street seems to always have a lush green lawn. How does he do it? While this is not bad in and of itself, maybe God has led us in our thoughts to the "guy down the street" for another reason. Maybe He would have us to pray for his soul rather than to covet his lawn? If we will open our minds to the things of God, He will show us how much of our thinking power is wasted when it could be praying power.

I am convinced that Paul was consumed with being wholly given for the purposes of God. That is why he tells us in Colossians 3:1-2 not to set our minds on the things of earth, but on the things above where Christ is seated at the right-hand of God. Paul was all about kingdom building. He knew that nothing else mattered. That is why he understand first the mechanics and then the dynamics of how to pray without ceasing. If Paul was counseling others today, he might very well tell them what he told the Philippian church regarding divine forgetfulness. He might tell them the paramount importance of forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13). Paul understood how the mind can torture someone regarding their past. The imperative was to not give the flesh or the devil the power by merely trying to quit thinking about our former sinful lives. Instead, it was critical to turn the conversation toward God in prayer. When we attempt to have a conversation with our past, we will always lose. For when we do, the flesh and the devil are always there to reinforce our impotence to do anything about it. However, when we change the conversation and instead converse with God, a most remarkable thing begins to happen.

See next week's Bare Soul, "Changing the Paradigm of Prayer - Part II" for the conclusion.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick



The Bare Soul Archive

Clouded Prayer - April 21, 2013

Lamentations 3:44 - You have covered Yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through.

Drive or hike mountain roads or trails and eventually a person will encounter clouds. Interestingly, clouds often look thicker and more impenetrable from a distance. Once the cloud envelopes us on an alpine highway or a mountain path, we can often see our immediate surroundings regardless of how thick the cloud appears. Our relative proximity does matter regarding our perspective. However, how good is our visibility in actuality? For instance, a large blanket of clouds will often make the ground impossible to see from an airline window. Nonetheless, the ground is still there and the descent through the clouds soon makes that apparent.

Throughout God's word, the Lord identifies Himself with clouds. As our lead scripture states, He wraps Himself in a cloud in a covert manner, disallowing prayer to come before Him. Similarly, Job tells us how God uses clouds as a place of refuge, so that he creates a separation between sinful man and Himself (Job 22:14). David confirms this in Psalm 18:11 stating, "He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies." However, there will be that day when He is no longer using clouds for a covering but will use them as a means to herald His coming. Revelation 1:7 tells us "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." In the meantime, God gives us clouds as reminders. We must understand the significance of clouds, both physically and spiritually.

Spiritual clouds for a believer imply lack of vision and clarity. As the aforementioned example, we may be able to see "immediate surroundings" in the midst of a cloud, but we really don't have the complete scope of the reality around us. For example, we may believe we are praying correctly for someone or something, but are we in the midst of a cloud created from unresolved sin in our lives? If so, then we are the one who has created a separation from the Divine by our unrepented  transgressions. We have allowed sin to cloud our understanding where we cannot hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, many of our prayers go unanswered because we neither have the faith to pray through for an answer, and God is not inclined to grant us our plea on the basis of unbelief. Then, there are situations where we may be full of faith and walking uprightly before God. Yet, God has covered Himself in a cloud because of His divine wisdom and will not hear our prayers -- or at least the way we desire to be heard. God told the prophet Ezekiel that even if "Noah, Daniel and Job" were in the midst of wicked Jerusalem, they would not be able to stay His hand from destruction of the entire land of Judah (Ezekiel 14:20). No matter if Daniel had prayed for an open heaven against the demonic strongholds that held Jerusalem in their grip, the Lord would not intervene on His chosen's behalf before the appointed time. Sometimes justice is necessary to experience mercy. God had wrapped Himself in clouds of judgment. It would be seventy years before He parted the clouds and allowed Himself to show mercy once again by restoring their captivity. This became a reality through the prayers of the righteous such as the prophet Daniel.

There are generally two reasons why prayer remains unanswered. One is certainly demonic strongholds that block answered prayer. We see this when Daniel fought with principalities to secure an open heaven for answered prayer (Daniel 10:10-14). However, possibly the one we desire least to recognize is either individual or corporate (national and/or global) sin. Often, the demonic strongholds over a person, church, city, or region are in direct relation to sin and allowing these spirits to grow in power and influence. Heaven's door has been bolted shut and cannot hear revival prayer because of the spiritual wickedness that man has allowed to exist in the heavenlies. And, as stated, this is largely due to sin.

As previously mentioned, God always comes in clouds. However, if we are waiting for Jesus to appear on the clouds and bring retribution to the nations, we may first want to examine if He has covered Himself in a cloud because of our disobedience. As Isaiah states, our sin has made a separation between us and God so that He will not hear (Isaiah 59:2). We should all desire to be a man like righteous Elijah, a man not unlike us, who was effectual and fervent in prayer for an entire nation (James 5:16-18). However, Elijah was not hidden in a cloud nor did he deal with a God who hid Himself likewise. There was transparency and full, expressive communication with divine results. May we all take a lesson from those who have gone before us. Let us live with a clear conscience before God, knowing clouds are not meant to hide, but rather to ride in victory on that final day when Christ descends with the sound of the Last Trumpet.

Heavenly Father, help us to long for the clouds of Your return, but not to hide in the clouds of sin and collusion. Grant us hearts that despise wickedness and that give us clear vision regarding Your will and desire. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,
Rick



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Despair Turned Inside Out - April 14, 2013

Psalm 42:11 - Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend who is in severe depression. He has been sober for a while and is still experiencing great depths of despair for no apparent reason. His life, on the outside, is headed in all the right directions. However, he has seemed to strayed and lost the joy of his salvation. I shared with this brother that I understand how depression and despair can be debilitating. I can recall the first five years after I sobered up from alcohol and drugs how I fought thoughts of suicide. Gradually, as time went on, I learned the importance of speaking to my soul and not allowing despair to find a place in my mind or heart. While this may sound impossible to some who are going through depression, it is possible with the help of God to overcome feelings of colossal hopelessness.

I remember when I tried to hide from my despair by alcohol and drugs. Of course, this just exacerbated the problem and when I got over my drunk or high, I was even more depressed. Then, I would often sleep around the clock, trying to hide from the awful feeling within. However, when I awoke, nothing had changed. When things did begin to change for me---after I allowed the Lord to take control of my  life once again---was when I started to make different choices that allowed me to feel better about myself. Before, without God in my life, there was a lack of power to even make a decision of this sort. I remember crying out to God and wanting Him to miraculously heal me of my depression and fill me with His joy. In hindsight, I see the lack of reality in this type of thinking. God can do this sort of thing, but He usually asks for our participation. Once I asked for help, and then began to make changes with His help and power, then I started to see things change. However, this would only happen through a change of conversation.

 

There is always a conversation happening within us all throughout our day. This conversation will inevitably determine the choices we make or do not make in regard to who we become. For years, I would say, "yes, but," to God. I would read from His word that "I was more than a conqueror" (Romans 8:37) but then I would disqualify this statement by thinking to myself, "Well, that is for those who have experienced God's miraculous change! I am still waiting for God's miracle!" Beloved, if I would have continued to wait for God's burning bush revelation in this area I might be dead by now, having been overwhelmed in my own self-pity and lack of faith. However, when I started moving toward this truth in God's word and began speaking to my soul that God is not a liar and I am what He said, then things started to change. I began to make choices that were commiserate with the expected change I desired. And you know what? Things began to change. I no longer had thoughts of self-destruction, but I began wanting God's presence and joy in my life by moving toward Him in faith. Through the promise of drawing near to God and Him drawing near to me (James 4:8), I overcame depression and started living in the victory He intended.

The amazing thing about speaking to ourselves the truths of God is how the Holy Spirit will partner with us, granting us more strength, power, and revelation to do more in faith. Unfortunately, if we are not allowing the Spirit of God to speak to our souls, then we are allowing the flesh and the devil to do so. Revelation will come from soaking in God's word and understanding His promises. Then, we must make a choice to act on the truth of God's word. When we know we have help in the Lord, then we are able to speak by the Holy Spirit with faith to our hearts. There is nothing more the enemy desires is to exclude God from the conversation. He desires to do all the talking and have us do all the listening. What we hear with our hearts is inevitably what we will end up doing with our lives.

The help of God's presence only comes through faith, and faith by the word of God (Romans 10:17). What are we listening to today? This will be the great determiner in what we do, beloved of God. Will we see the situation as hopeless, or will we praise God for the help of His presence as we allow God to speak life to our souls?

Heavenly Father, grant us insight regarding what it means to talk to our souls. Help those suffering great loss to experience great hope by learning to partner with the Holy Spirit and speak life to their souls. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick



The Bare Soul Archives

A Proper Education - April 7, 2013

Galatians 3:24 - Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

Elementary school years were, for the most part, good years for me. I got along well with my teachers and fellow students and generally brought home good grades. My fifth grade teacher is the one who stands out as the one who had the most influence over my early education. This educator was a kind soul, yet had a firm hand. She loved teaching, it was clear. When I was in her class she was in the twilight of her life and had taught many years. There was a special affection that grew between Mrs. Spearman and I throughout that year. She knew that I loved her grandmotherly ways, and she returned my respect with special care of her own. I remember once I had written a poem about winter and sledding and she read it to the class with great emphasis and a smile that was evident when she read each line. She asked the class who they thought wrote the poem. Some said this one or that one. At the time, I was very shy and had not given any indication of my desire to write. They never guessed it was me until she told them so with affection in her voice. I was so proud of that moment, that this kind teacher would honor me in such a small way. Nearly fifty years later, I still remember that day and will always remember her with great love and admiration for taking the time and effort to validate me amongst my peers.

We may have someone in our past who made all the difference shaping our young lives. It may have been a teacher, a relative, or a close friend. Regardless, we are all tutored and shaped by those things around us. That is, what we allow to shape us. Whether we realize it or not, our upbringings, traditions, mores, and a myriad of other influences are why we are the person we have become today, at this very moment in time. For most of us, our parents and what they dictated became the major catalyst in building the character we possess. These were likely more than suggestions but they were the law for most of us. They were "you darn well better do it if you know what's good for you" commandments that, if we transgressed, meant some type of punishment that usually was not pleasant. I tried to avoid my parents displeasure along these lines as much as possible in my formative years. However, as previously implied, my educational disciplines fell off in conjunction with my rebellious attitudes at home. In my early teens, no longer did I care about listening to teachers, parents, or any type of authority. For many years after, I would suffer the consequences of this foolish behavior. However, even as our lead verse states, "the Law" was having its desired effect on me. The commandments of society, my parents, and most importantly God, were leading me to an end of myself and my eventual surrender to Christ. For without the Law showing me how far I had spiraled downward out of control, I would have never seen my great need for Jesus Christ. He is our benchmark regarding how far as lost sinners we have all fallen from grace.

Initial surrender to Jesus Christ is imperative to once again be restored to that grace that only He can give. However, surrender is not a one time event. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 15:31 that he surrendered to Christ daily, insisting on dying daily for His Lord. In this regard, I would pose this question: How teachable are we? Do we allow God's law to bring us to a place of understanding and surrender regarding our inability to save ourselves? The law will produce various responses. Three relevant to our lead verse are as follows:

(1) We are doing pretty good compared to most people
(2) We just need to try harder and do better, and
(3) There is no way I can fulfill what God wants ... Lord, help me!

Of course, the most sensible response is number three. To the point where pride is alive in our old sin nature is the degree where we will deny we need God's help. As the Lord stated through Jeremiah, "they have turned their backs to me instead of their faces" (Jeremiah 32:33).

Education should be a life-long endeavor. I thank God for memories such as my fifth grade teacher and the loving tutor she will always be in my life. Through her kindness and love, I was able to see how learning is something to be embraced, not shunned. We all have earthly teachers that instruct us throughout our lives regarding life's lessons. However, there are some teachings that cannot be ignored, and these are God's commandments through His word. The psalmist tells us how the Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul (Psalm 19:7). We can either run from this great instructor, or embrace it and allow it to transfigure our lives. Beloved of the Lord, the only way we can receive proper education from God is to allow His "tutor" to instruct us. The gaze of the soul toward God's Law will only happen when we turn our face towards His and surrender to His direction.

Fairest Lord Jesus, thank you for sending Your great Law to tutor us. Thank you for showing us our great need regarding how far we have fallen from You. Allow us to embrace and love Your Law, for it truly does restore our souls and causes us to delight in the transformation of our beings into Your likeness. In Your precious Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick



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The Stations of the Cross - March 31, 2013

The following is the message text and audio recording of a sermon titled "The Stations of the Cross" delivered to the homeless at the Kansas City Rescue Mission Chapel on March 28, 2013.

The Stations of the Cross - March 28, 2013

PowerPoint Presentation

with VoiceOver Sermon

Luke 9:23 - And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."

At first glance -- from the title of this piece -- one might think I am about to muse on the Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. This, of course, is the traditional route that Jesus took after his the Roman governor Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified. The various stations depict the scenes of his journey to Golgotha (the present day site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher). Whether you are Roman Catholic or not, it is interesting to walk the Via Dolorosa and imagine the various stages of Christ's sufferings when visiting Jerusalem. However, as misleading as it may be, this exhortation is not about Christ and His cross bearing. Rather, it is about the cross Jesus told us we all must bear in order to be true followers of His.

The cross of Jesus Christ will forever be the symbol for Christ's great redemption which He wrought for all mankind. Therefore, we must never diminish it by saying we are bearing the cross of Jesus. He forever bore it for us and redeemed us through His death and resurrection. For us, the Gospel writers made it abundantly clear the cross we must bear if we are to be His disciples. As a matter of fact, all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) mention how we are told to bear our own cross. Interestingly, Luke gives us a bit more detail in his statement of Jesus' command regarding cross-bearing. He adds the word "daily" when he tells us we must pick up our cross and follow the Lord.

While Christendom has created tradition around the Stations of the Cross, I have taken the liberty in subsequent sections to discuss what I believe are the stations of the cross for those who truly desire to follow Christ. If we know Jesus Christ, we know His cross, for we have identified with His death, burial, and resurrection. Paul tells us plainly in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." The first part is true for every believer. However, the remainder of this verse is conditional regarding our response.

For those who wish to go on in Christ and truly become His followers, I would suggest the following directives taken from Luke 9:23, our lead verse:

• Desire - "If anyone wishes to come after me" ... here we have Jesus preparing His listeners with something to follow. In this case, a requirement. That will be discussed soon enough, but what is important at this juncture is to understand how desire is paramount on our part to even meet the requirement to follow. Peter swore to Jesus he was ready to die with Jesus (Mark 14:31). We soon find out not only was he not ready to die with his Lord, he was not even ready to live for Him. Both desires would not come until after Pentecost and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Beloved, I dare say the only way we will have either the desire to live or die for Jesus is by the power of the Holy Spirit. Anything else is human sentimentality and pure wishful thinking. True desire is born in the heart of a man or woman by the Holy Spirit and His desire to take us where Jesus would have us.
• Denial - If we do not first have true Holy Spirit desire, denial will be fleeting and sporadic. Jesus tells us in Luke 9:23 that we must deny ourselves. Did Jesus deny Himself when He allowed Himself to be crucified? He denied everything about His God-nature as he was "found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). To the depth of His denial conversely came the height of His exaltation as the risen Lord. If we as Christians would only understand that denial in itself means nothing. We can give up this or that and it means little. However, when God gets a hold of us and we start bearing our cross out of love and desire for the Lord, things marvelously begin to happen.
• Decision - The actual decision to take up our cross must be one of commitment. Jesus said that anyone who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is not worthy of the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). This does not mean that he or she is not saved. It does mean, however, that they will not be walking as a follower of Christ in Kingdom Authority. As Paul states, if we consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, then we will live in this type of authority (Romans 6:11). A decision should never come before God's desire and our denial through surrender to God. Otherwise, it becomes merely a mental following and not a heart occupation to become the Lord's.
• Dedication - Daily and Deliberate - Paul said that he dies daily (I Corinthians 15:31). What does this mean? Paul was telling the Corinthians that through his desire, denial, and decision he was making a dedicated and deliberate pledge to His Great Love, Jesus Christ, to allow His life to have preeminence over the old Paul. Dying daily was no longer a conscious struggle but a daily surrender of joy to the Lover of his soul.

The aforementioned is merely an outline for knowing there is more to grasp then the understanding that Jesus died on the cross for us. Too often we desire to cling to Christ's cross when we should be bearing our own. As already mentioned, Jesus never told us to bear His cross, for that is an impossibility since He bore it for us. Many Christians want to stop there and just identify with what Christ has done for them by saving their souls from eternal fire. But what of the fire that cleanses us here on earth to resemble our Lord? We say "I have been crucified with Christ," yet the way we live tells the world no such thing. Paul stated in the next part of this verse "and it is no longer I who live." He had become so identified with the death of Christ that the resurrection power of Jesus within Him was a reality all could see. Every day, Paul bore his cross which shouted to the world the various stations of his testimony -- desire, denial, decision, and daily deliberate dedication. Paul knew he was saved, but he wanted so much more. He wanted to know His Savior by first becoming conformed to His death and then to His resurrection power (Philippians 3:10-11). As he said to the Galatians, he knew it was not by his own power he was doing this but by the cross of Christ through which the world [had] been crucified to [him], and [him] to the world (Galatians 6:14).

Where are we, beloved of God, in the stations of the cross? If we have not the desire to even start on our pilgrimage of love, will we not ask the Lord who will surely give it to us? He jealously desires the Spirit to dwell within us (James 4:5). How much more does He long for us to desire more of Him? He will bring us to each station of the cross if we allow Him, allowing us to bear our crucifix in total surrender to Him. The result will be a glorious sanctification that will make us like the One we closely follow.
Heavenly Father, the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:18). Help us to not only love the cross of Your Son, but to also love the cross we are all to bear, becoming more like Him as we encounter Him at every station in life. Grant us wisdom and strength to love the journey You have marked out for all those who are Your true followers. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Your Barefoot Servant,
Rick

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Acting on God's Promises - March 24, 2013

I Kings 3:12-13 - Behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.

To the most part, I remember my parents being good for their word. When they promised something, they usually carried through. However, most parents learn not to promise unless they know they will be able to deliver. Phrases such as "we'll see" or "maybe" might often represent the wisdom of parents to know they may not be able to definitively to do as they say. While these may seem like "weasel words" to some, they can often keep us from speaking presumptuously and causing unnecessary disappointment. As a child, I remember one instance where my father promised me something and could not deliver due to circumstances beyond his control. When he made the promise, he very well thought he could keep it. I was hugely disappointed when he told me he could not keep his promise. At 12 years old I can still remember sobbing for an entire afternoon, blaming my father for telling me something and not being able to carry through.

Of course I forgave him. That is what we do as human beings as we look to ourselves and see how we can often make promises and likewise not follow through. However, as a child, I believe there is an innate longing and desire for promise keepers in our lives that will never let us down. When we find out our parents and others are as fallible as we are, it can often cause us to become cynical and jaded toward others when they continue to fail us. That is why it is paramount to understand the ideal of a Promise Keeper, and that is God Himself. As we see in our lead verse, God's conversation in Solomon's dream did not contain any "we'll see's" or "maybes." Instead, we see a God who states He had "given" the king a "wise and discerning heart" and also "riches and honor."

It would be superfluous to believe the moment Solomon woke up that he was the wisest man in the world, just as it would be foolish to believe that God had caused massive wealth and great honor to likewise manifest. This is the stuff of fairy tales where genies "poof" things into existence! Instead, God had surely given these things to Solomon as his inheritance. Now, it was time for the king to begin acting upon the truths of these promises and start obtaining them. Surely, those closest to him the day after his dream did not say, "Why Solomon, you seem so wise today! What happened to you?" Rather, God gives us a glimpse into Solomon acting upon the promise of God in his judgment between the two harlots and their quarrel over who was the rightful mother of a disputed child (see I Kings 3:16:28). Solomon's wisdom astounded all those who heard regarding how he settled the feud. The Scriptures explain it in the following: "When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice" (I Kings 3:28). Until Solomon acted upon God's promise for wisdom, no one probably could tell any difference in the king. Likewise, not until Solomon began gathering wealth and respect from other nations did he start to manifest God's promise of "riches and honor."

When God gives us a promise, it is always in the Definitive or Simple Past tense. He regards it as a completed action, just as we should also. However, degrees of manifestation are often characteristic of how we believe and ultimately act on these respective promises. If Solomon had thought to himself, "Well, that was an interesting dream," and then did nothing about it, we probably would not equate Solomon to the wisest and richest king of the Kingdom Age of Israel. However, just as he acted upon his dream, we must do likewise when God whispers to our souls. We may never have a dream like Solomon but we all have a vision (or visions) which God has entrusted to us regarding his gifts and callings for our lives. If He has spoken a word, it is without revocation (Romans 11:29). God has graciously given each and every one of us promises. It is now our responsibility to act on them and ensure they become a reality.

Heavenly Father, allow us to resurrect every promise You have ever spoken to us and to act upon them until they come to fruition. Grant us the wisdom to act upon Your spoken word to our hearts, knowing that You see these gifts and callings as ours already, even if they are not flowing through our lives today. We ask for Your grace and mercy to see as You see and then to move with faith to make Your dreams and Your vision a reality. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick



The Bare Soul Archives

Simply Salvation - March 17, 2013

Psalm 116:6 - The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.

In Alcoholics Anonymous, there is a saying that goes something like this: "No one comes in here as a high roller!" The implication is that no one goes to AA because it seems like a fun and entertaining thing to do. It is usually a last resort in an attempt to arrest alcoholism. Some have said that going to an AA hall was like going to the "last house on the block." The implication being that this was their last choice and often their last chance at a sober life, by their thinking. Alcoholism had brought them low and now they needed the help of God and the group to find a way from this hopeless pit in which they were trapped.

 

In our lead scripture, the psalmist also mentions he "was brought low." Whether or not it was a result of his doing or not, it is clear that people, places, and/or things had brought him to a low place in life. Often the cause of our distress is not relevant when we are overwhelmed in its result. We just want to get out of the discomfort created by the grief. However, often our pride stands in the way of even acknowledging we are in a pit of despair. Instead, we keep saying everything is okay or it will improve if we "keep on keeping on." Another familiar truism used in AA is the definition of insanity, doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Not only is this the apex of pride but it is also the pinnacle of ignorance. It denies both our need of a Savior and also our insistence that we are Him!

 

How low will we allow ourselves to go? How simple can we become? The mighty paradox of the Kingdom of God is the weak are made strong by His grace. As Paul states, not many of us who are wise by the world's standards have found the wisdom of God in salvation (I Corinthians 1:26-27). When we finally do understand how something bigger than ourselves is the one that has brought us low, then it only makes sense that something bigger than ourselves must intervene to bring us higher once again. If Jesus Christ and His salvation is not necessary and if we can lift ourselves from the proverbial mire by our own bootstraps, then His death and resurrection was a complete waste of time! Those who have been brought low by their flesh, sin, and the devil should know they cannot save themselves. There is only salvation in Jesus Christ --- Period! (John 14:6; John 8:24)

While God's redemption is utterly simple in that we must embrace the seeming foolishness of the cross, it is often not easy (I Corinthians 1:18). We all have this mental beast on our shoulders that wants to be king instead of allowing God His proper place in our lives. When we finally do experience the simplicity of the Gospel, then we can say with the psalmist: "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." (Psalm 116:7) As I and countless others have said, humility and surrender is not a place of perpetual weakness. They are the springboards to more strength than we can ever imagine. All we must do is believe, trust, and then surrender. The results will astound those simple enough to believe as He brings us to that higher place in Him.

 

O Lord our God, may we know we have been brought low by sin. May we know You are the only One who can bring us higher. Everything else is but an illusion. Grant us eyes to see and ears to hear. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

Your Barefoot Servant,

 

Rick

 

 

 

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